Dr. Advaita Manohar

The human experience is one of positive and negative choices and understanding that perfection is an ideal to strive for not a reality one should judge others by.”

Having graduated with an honors degree in Chemistry (BSc) from City University in New York, Dr. Advaita Manohar went on to successfully complete a graduate program in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Manohar received his MSc on a topic that lead to a further understanding of the genetic code for the elastin genome. His goal was to decode the genetic determinants that are responsible for the expression of the Elastin gene using state of the art molecular biological techniques. While in the process of obtaining his Ph.D., Dr. Advaita Manohar began pursuing his Doctor of Medicine at The University of Toronto’s esteemed medical school.

During his undergraduate studies in medicine, Dr. Advaita Manohar continued his work on a postdoctoral program on the Vancomycin resistant gene that was later sent on a space mission for crystallization. The protein crystals were examined by 3-dimensional analyses in preparation for drug design to eliminate its treats. This process was done in an effort to combat this significant medical problem that allows for drug-resistant microbes in hospital epidemics (Vancomycin-resistant enterococci know as VRE) in Toronto and internationally. During Dr. Advaitanand (Advaita) Manohar’s academic pursuits he was the primary and co-author of four journal articles featured in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Advaita Manohar completed his medical degree and residency in Family and Community Medicine with a particular interest in emergency medicine. Upon graduation, he worked as a staff emergency room doctor for several years and took on the responsibility of Medical Director for two homes for the aged for the City of Toronto.

Currently, Dr. Advaita Manohar has turned his efforts into Family and Community Medicine with a focus on health promotion and illness prevention. Dr. Manohar takes into consideration a patient’s cultural, social, and financial determinants when it comes to providing high-quality care throughout various communities. Alongside general medicine, Dr. Manohar provides consultations for an array of other surgical procedures including, botox, fillers, and removal of skin lesions.

Where did the idea for Common Sense Based Medical Practice come from?

This Medical practice approach is based on a simple formula by treating others in a manner that reflects how she/he would like to be treated.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My day begins by taking care of myself as I frequently set aside time for physical activity which includes: stretching, practicing various postures, and practicing mindfulness through meditation. I believe in ensuring all appointments are kept according to schedule and will often miss a break if I have a significant number of patients to attend to that day. This is a principle that I have utilized since my days in the emergency room practice. I work to improve efficiency by a systematic review and optimization of patient flow.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I review all my ideas with my staff and colleagues as I value their input. Then the idea under consideration is reflected upon giving ample time to debate its merits and demerits depending on the extensiveness of its impact; then a systematic plan for implementation is constructed.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Yoga – as it has a practical way to help one understand the body-mind-spirit continuum and the importance of integrating a lifestyle that gives attention to all dimensions of the individual.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Treating others how I want to be treated. The human experience is one of positive and negative choices and understanding that perfection is an ideal to strive for not a reality one should judge others by. Thus I spend more time reflecting on my own decisions and less time judging others. It’s more important to devote adequate time and attention when it comes to understanding others’ situations and circumstances and work with them to make the best of their capacity.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I try to avoid making hasty decisions especially when it comes to my social life. Choosing which individuals to allow into my social circle can be a difficult decision as it is natural to let go of one’s professional guard among those you feel you can “trust.” It is important to remain critical when it comes to professional boundaries and professional expectations. I once believed that these responsibilities only lasted while I was in my professional practice and once I exit the office, it ends. However, I realize now this is not the case, and due to time and careful reflection, I fully subscribe to the guiding principle of the profession.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

This is not a reality in my life. Those close to me are aware of my “truths”; thus, my life is not one that has any unique “truth”; my belief and so-called “truth” on topics that are dear to me are also consistent with those in my inner circle.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Don’t base ones business model driven purely by financial gain; instead prioritize values and offer the best service possible by treating each individual as I would like to be treated – with respect and reaching out to their concerns with empathy not with judgment influenced by personal or professional biases.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Treat each individual with the keen awareness that their concern matters to them, thus it should matter to me, and thus address their fears, concerns and problems with such mental attitude. I feel when the mental attitude is optimized ones words and actions will follow accordingly and the person or patient in front of me will be satisfied and comply with the plan as they are part of the plan and process of self-care and thus self-healing.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

A lapse in judgment concerning the expectations of professional boundaries that must be kept at all times. Looking back it is clear that one should remain informed of professional expectations. There was a need that was missed; such as the duration for cooling off to be one year from the time when another doctor undertakes the professional responsibility of care. Knowing this could have avoided the lapse in judgment thereby avoiding the notion that I am not the responsible professional and thus free from the obligations of professional responsibilities or professional influence. Therefore, it is essential to be attentive to details posted on my profession’s website or a manual that one tend to ignore at their own expense.

Another critical learning point that is etched in my psyche is ownership of one’s responsibility when errors and mistakes are made. This matters especially when the stakes are high despite nature of the tragic outcome, as it defines one’s inner strength. It is easy to submit to the level of others who challenge you with claims that are exaggerated with falsehood and lies. I have learned that truth wins over lies and eventually it sets you free; thus the moral that was discovered is clear: never allow one’s mind to entertain the idea of matching the lies of others with another lie to avoid the consequences despite how bad it may be. This lesson cannot be learned in a book, but it is best learned from the “school of life and self-reflection.”

I overcame the situation by getting over the initial period of lamenting and self-pity by recognizing the emotional and deeply personal impact it had on me, my self-image and those close to me. I sought help from great personalities and thinkers through books, articles, and discussions and made a concerted effort to find who I was amidst the internal and external turmoil that I faced. The details are many, but the endpoint was to come out better than I was keeping in my mind the context of who I want to be at the other end of the potentially transformative journey. The collection and integration of the many excellent insights and guidance provided the key to shaping and making the person I am today.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Focus on a strategic model that empowers individuals to make positive changes.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Purchase of lecture from a notable speaker who has the power of simple yet profound impact on self-transformation.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Recorded lectures on topics of interest that I can listen to when I am in the car, in my office or running.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“The Difference Maker” By J Maxwell.
I feel there is no one book that fits all; read on topics that interest one and find the book that address the questions that arise at various times and life stages as one travel on the beautiful journey – life.

What is your favorite quote?

My favourite quote is “they may have your body but never let them have your mind” by Napoleon Hill.

Key learnings:

• Treat people with a state of mind that is rich in empathy and kindness supported by the realization that we are all similar in our essence but often overshadowed by our superficial differences
• Face tragedy and turmoil (after the dust has settled) with a sense of eagerness to learn and grow especially when it is one that has shaken you to the core
• Understand the inevitable stages of life and be comfortable entering and exiting the various stages, for resisting it creates unnecessary mental conflict, unhappiness and subsequent illness
• Reflect on the fact that we are a composite of physical being, mental being and consciousness; we have spent most of our life on the physical and entertained and yes at times tormented by the mental with no understanding of who we are beyond these two – allow for an open-minded enquiry.
• Discovery of who we are, search beyond the knowledge of modern science, as ancient esoteric knowledge is based on the discovery of great masters dedicating their life to unlock this great mystery by using their body, mind and spirit as their laboratory – “science of self discovery”

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