The Internet to the Inner-Net - by Gopi Kallayil (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Internet has become humanity's invisible central nervous system, connecting us at the speed of thought. More people today have access to mobile phones than have access to clean drinking water. Yet the most important technology is still the one within us: our brain, body, and consciousness. A fast-paced career in the high-tech industry combined with a deep yoga and meditation practice has allowed Gopi Kallayil--Google's Chief Evangelist for Brand Marketing and one of the leading voices encouraging yoga and mindfulness in the workplace today--to integrate his inner and outer technologies to a remarkable degree. Wisdom from his yoga mat and meditation cushion guides his professional career, and his work life provides the perfect classroom to deepen his wisdom practice. The Internet to the Inner-Net guides the rest of us to do the same. In some three dozen wide-ranging, sometimes provocative essays, Gopi shares his experiments in conscious living and offers insight, inspiration, and rituals--including yoga, mindful eating, and even napping--to help us access our own inner worlds. If you're looking for grounded practical wisdom that might simultaneously help you become more creative, adaptable, enthusiastic, effective, or resilient, you'll find it in this user's manual for the technology within--along with colorful insight into the successful Google culture. In five sections, from "Log In" (which offers mindful ways of connecting and engaging) to "Clear Out Your In-Box" (shedding what doesn't serve you to make space for what does) to "Thank You for Subscribing" (a reminder to live with gratitude), Gopi lays out practices and perspectives that you can use starting right now to live with more purpose, fulfillment, and joy.

Review Quotes

"Drawing from his cultural foundations in Eastern wisdom originating in India, training in yoga and meditation, and solid experience in and understanding of the world of digital technology and Silicon Valley, Gopi has skillfully created a practical user manual for navigating through it all. Most important, he shows us how to live a full life of joy, intent, and purpose."
-- Chade-Meng Tan, Jolly Good Fellow of Google and best-selling author of Search Inside Yourself

"Gopi is one of a kind, an incredibly busy executive who knows and lives from a deep inner place. He shows in this exquisite book a path that marries the world of Doing (Actions, Results, Deadlines) and that of Being (Presence, Spaciousness, Connection). For those who want to be actively engaged in the world of business and commerce, and stay present and attuned while doing so, this book is for you. I cannot think of a better guide for this."
-- Soren Gordhamer, founder, Wisdom 2.0 movement

"Gopi Kallayil's compelling new book is a reminder that service to humanity--not glorification of the self--is the greatest calling for any human. Most of us do not have the opportunities that Gopi's amazing career at Google has made available to him. But all of us have the opportunity to live humbly, observe the world around us, and help others whenever we can. That is the message of Gopi's book, and it is a message that deserves our closest attention."
-- G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor, The Wharton School of Business, and author of Springboard: Launching Your Personal Search for Success

"You may not think of Silicon Valley as synonymous with mindful living and soulful, reflective inner work--but Gopi Kallayil bridges the gap brilliantly, both in his own life and in this guide to optimizing your personal network of mind, body, and spirit."
-- Congressman Tim Ryan, author of A Mindful Nation and The Real Food Revolution

"The Internet to the Inner-Net is a book of wisdom, intelligence, compassion, and wit . . . Most importantly, it offers a beautiful, life-changing possibility to all."
-- Jack Kornfield, best-selling author of A Path with Heart

"From the rice fields of India to the rock of the Google complex, from the Dalai Lama to the porta-potty man, this marvelous book by Gopi Kallayil is a testament to the human heart woven from the threads of his marvelous, courageous, and wise life. A powerful read, the book is rich with story, guidance, insight, energy, and humor. A must for all of us who are in the grip of our handheld, wrist-wrapped devices."
-- Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico

"Reading this book, I was simultaneously laughing out loud and looking within, joyfully surprised by Gopi's ability to shift my perspective. The Internet to the Inner-Net speaks volumes about the way we live and work in our super-wired world and how we can optimize our connection to our own inner network of mind and soul."
-- Mike Robbins, author of Nothing Changes Until You Do

"From a talented storyteller and presenter, a refreshing look at how to navigate our fast-paced, technology-driven, information-rich world, and integrate that world with a conscious and carefully chosen life."
-- Jonathan Rosenberg, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Google

"Using the thread of his own personal journey, Gopi Kallayil deftly weaves together the edgy universe of high tech with the singular stillness we each can find inside ourselves. It's a great ride. Even better, The Internet to the Inner-Net is a must-read handbook that leads you from the harried workaday to a place of gratitude, solemnity, and joy."
-- Laszlo Bock, Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google andNew York Timesbest-selling author of Work Rules!

"The Internet to the Inner-Net is like a fabulous meal. I slowly chewed on and savored every page, reflecting on the morsels of wisdom and perspective Gopi shares as he discusses his rather unusual life's journey with us in intimate detail. This is a book you simply must put down as you finish each chapter to reflect on and internalize the fabulous messages. This book will stay with me for a long time!"
-- David Pottruck, New York Times best-selling author of Stacking the Deck and former CEO of Charles Schwab

"Gopi is the perfect guide for finding inner peace in our hyper-tech world. He's a Google exec and a spiritual guru all rolled into one, so he knows as much about computers as he does about the cosmos. Every page offers useful wisdom, and his charming prose is as pleasant and clear as a glass of fresh water."
-- Sonia Jones, founder of Sonima Wellness

"This book is a unique chance to meet a close friend. Someone who reminds me/us constantly of our quest and need for mind-fulness, balance, generosity, and the exploration of beauty in the world. The world definitely needs more Gopi Kallayil. Here is your chance to get to know him."
-- Patrick Pichette, former Chief Financial Officer, advisor to Google

"Gopi weaves together critical lessons on how to live with gratitude, perspective, and intention by sharing stories from his own life and challenging us to see technology as part of our path to peace. His writing takes us around the globe with deep respect for the differences among us, yet ultimately makes those differences fade away. In this personal, humorous, and insightful book, Gopi's joy radiates on every page."
-- Karen May, Vice President of People Operations at Google

"If Gopi Kallayil wrote the user's manual for your dishwasher, it would probably be hilarious and profound. This book is even better. Think of it as a set of operating instructions for your inner life--and let Gopi's sense of humor and wonder inspire you to live more consciously and joyfully."
-- Bradley Horowitz, Vice President of Product Management at Google

"Gopi Kallayil marvelously chronicles humanity's interconnectedness while diving deep into inner space, providing a path to maintain perspective and proportion in our sensory-overloaded lives. Gopi reminds us that in the midst of all of our technological advancements, our most powerful and important technology is within ourselves. Melding the ancient and the modern, he drills down to the root cause of society's woes--our sense of separation, false identification, and self-limitation. A must-read antidote to the hectic pace of modern life."
-- Ron Garan, astronaut and author of The Orbital Perspective

"Gopi Kallayil's transcendent wisdom, derived from his inspiring journeys and genuine curiosity about our world, infuse these instructive pages with useful principles for how to integrate the different parts of life. Log in and learn."
-- Stew Friedman, author of bestsellers Total Leadership and Leading the Life You Want

About the Author

Gopi Kallayil is Chief Evangelist for Brand Marketing at Google, helping grow customer brands through digital marketing. In his prior roles he worked as Chief Evangelist for Google+ for Brands and led marketing teams for the company's advertising products AdWords and AdSense. Before joining Google, Gopi was on the management team of two Silicon Valley venture-funded startups; while a consultant with McKinsey & Co., he worked on engagements helping large corporations improve performance and maximize revenues. He has also led information-technology projects for global corporations in India, China, and the United States. Gopi earned his bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from the National Institute of Technology in India and received MBAs from the Indian Institute of Management and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. An avid yoga practitioner, triathlete, global traveler, and Burning Man devotee, he has spoken at TEDx, Renaissance Weekend, the World Peace Festival, Wisdom 2.0, World 2.0, Wanderlust, and Yoga Journal LIVE! He hosts a TV program on cable and YouTube called Change Makers. He founded a yoga program for Googlers, called Yoglers, and leads yoga practices every week at the Googleplex. He has also released a music album, Kirtan Lounge, that celebrates the bhakti yoga musical tradition of joyful Kirtan singing. Website: www.kallayil.com.