We work from offices, coffee shops, or our couches.

Some of us clock into a 9-to-5; some teach, code, design, or sell. Whether it’s a company, a classroom, a non-profit, or your own startup — nearly all of us operate within a system.

An organisation.

Inside every organisation, there are departments or functions, i.e. Sales, Operations, Marketing, Finance, etc.

Each has various sub-departments or sub-functions beneath it, which vary depending on the organisation’s scale and size.

All organisations have a particular structure — e.g., functional, matrix — through which the hierarchy of authority flows.

Usually, the highest official is the MD or CEO, followed by heads of departments or functions— CFO, CTO, CIO, CHRO, among others.

Now, here’s the twist:
What if you are an organisation too?

Not metaphorically. Literally.

A living, breathing organisation with internal departments, a core purpose, vision, values… and even a symbolic identity.

Let’s unpack that.

Seeing Yourself as an Organisation

Just like a corporation is made up of interconnected departments, you are made up of billions of cells, organised into complex systems — each with distinct roles.

At the top of the pecking order in Earth’s species ecosystem, we are perhaps the most complex — yet exciting — form of organisation.

— Manmohan Joshi

The body and consciousness are the two fundamental components of our existence: the former being tangible, the latter intangible.

From an organisational perspective, these can be seen as your two primary departments, each managing a range of internal systems that determine how you function.

But for any organisation to function at its best, its key departments must work in sync. Similarly, you can’t thrive unless your body and consciousness operate in harmony.

And for that harmony to emerge, you first need to understand how each of these departments is constituted and functions.

Here is the breakdown.

Part One: The Body

From a biological standpoint, your body is your physical infrastructure — a brilliantly designed system made up of organs, tissues, and cellular networks.

It’s incredibly organised: every cell and structure is precisely placed where it needs to be, working together to carry out the physiological functions that sustain life.

Alternatively, think of it as the headquarters of your organisation where all internal operational activities unfold.

It takes inputs like:

• • Oxygen
  • Water
  • Food

And produces outputs like:

• • Movement
  • Homeostasis
  • Health

Part Two: The Consciousness

Consciousness, commonly referred to as mind, separates us from plants, animals, and non-living beings as we have supposedly developed its highest level within the known universe.

P.S. I am not referring to the Brain here (which is an organ and part of the body).

From an organisational point of view, it’s the corner office of your organisation where decisions are made, meaning is formed, and direction is set.

Inputs are:

• • Knowledge
  • Experiences
  • Sensory information

Outputs are:

• • Thoughts
  • Behaviour
  • Creativity

Like any well-functioning organisation, both departments — the body and the consciousness — require regular check-ins, alignment, and upkeep.

Understanding yourself through this lens isn’t just a metaphor — it’s a powerful way to gain self-awareness and clarity.

Representing You Through a Symbol

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

Think about brands like Apple, Nike, McDonald’s, or Coca-Cola.

When you hear those names, you don’t just think of products — you think of symbols (logos or icons): meaning captured in a simple shape.

This sparked a personal thought:
If companies have symbols that represent who they are, could I create a symbol that represents myself?

As a student of Marketing, I started exploring what a personal symbol might look like.

Could a shape, an image, a design capture the essence of who I am — my systems, my purpose, my inner alignment?

Eventually, I created one.

The ‘You’ symbol is shown in the image below.

Illustration by the Author

So, What Does This ‘You’ Symbol Mean?

You’re probably wondering — what exactly does this symbol (a hexagram within a circle) represent? And how does it relate to consciousness, specifically?

That’s where the next part of this journey begins.

I’ll dive deep into the meaning behind the symbol and its components in the upcoming article.

Stay tuned.

But for now, pause and ask yourself:
How well are your two key departments — body and consciousness — aligned?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And asking this question doesn’t mean I have it all figured out. If anything, I’m walking this path alongside you — curious, questioning, learning.

We are all incredibly complex, yet beautifully interconnected systems —
Living organisations with hidden purposes and untapped potential.

By understanding ourselves more deeply, we open the door to real transformation — toward a greater, more aligned version of who we’re meant to be.

And through this medium, I’m simply exploring and trying to unlock that.