L Monthly E-Newsletter of

BRAHMA KUMARIS CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LEARNING

The Point
Volume 3 Issue 25 June 2009

LONG BEFORE the explosion of

tools from modern-day manage-
ment gurus, ancient people yearned
to understand the deepest secrets
of leadership.
One such person was the Chi-
nese sage Lao Tsu, who wrote in the
6th century classic text Tao Te Ching,
“Leading others requires force; but
leading the self requires true
strength.”
Lao Tsu wisely captured the very
point of what current Western man-
agement systems have sidestepped
over the last millennium. History is
witness to how the dominant lead-
ership paradigms of the world have
largely emanated from an imposi- Leadership: strength, not force
tion of external forces -- be it war,
physical violence, military abuse, or a corrupt are not selected or appointed, they emerge. They George cites how Raja Yoga meditation is one
social system. Having suffered the vestiges of this emerge naturally because of the authenticity of leadership tool that can help develop an elevated
kind of “leadership by force,” people are now their being, the power of their presence, the vision of “soul consciousness.” In soul-conscious
beginning to realize how true leadership can only integrity of their actions, the courage of their awareness, one sees the self and every individual
come from a quiet yet deep understanding of the hearts and their genuine care for others.” as an innately good soul, regardless of the trap-
individual self based on higher values. George cites further the spiritual values of a pings of name, form, creed, caste, or any other
As Lao Tsu and the ancient Taoists have put it, complete leader based on the life of Prajapita physical circumstance. With this vision, the real-
a truly empowering leadership essentially origi- Brahma , founder of the 73-year-old NGO, the ity of each person’s innate positivity and good-
nates from the mastery of one’s inner self – and Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Ac- ness can only emerge, and only the best in any
never by coercive maneuvering. cording to George, Brahma exemplified a leader- given situation is allowed to unfold.
British life coach Mike George calls this “the ship style that married both the head and heart, He expounds that the ancient Raja Yoga has
leadership of spirit.” Marrying western manage- both love and law: “The capacity to be sensitive two meanings: “Firstly, it literally means
ment paradigms with Eastern spirituality, George to feelings, emotions and needs of others, a con- ’Sovereign Yoga’, the yoga through which I be-
calls “leadership of spirit” as “the essence of all sistently positive attitude towards every person come the sovereign, the master of myself.” Sec-
leadership.” and situation, and the ability to stay cool in the ond, it is “the union with the Supreme…where
In the article “The Footprints of an Extraordi- midst of crisis.” one develops a personal relationship with the
nary Spiritual Leader,” George talks about how But most of all, George cites the vision based Supreme, the Source of perfection.”
the qualities of a good leader have deep on humility and equality that the leader of spirit George cites how meditation is based on
“spiritual roots.” In an age where “intelligence has: the ability to look at everyone beyond posi- “spiritual knowledge to help one understand and
quotient” is passé, people now give greater value tion and roles: “Real leaders in any organization experience yourself as you really are, a spiritual
to emotional and better still, spiritual quotient. are not defined by their position or their privi- being, and to rediscover your spiritual qualities—
“What is an organization but a set of relation- leges, but by their ability to command the trust peace, love, happiness and power.” These are
ships. What is a set of relationships but a gather- and respect of others as human beings first and key qualities that can make of anyone into what
ing of spirits. In any gathering of spirits, leaders as employees or colleagues second.” the ancients have called the “master of the self.”

Visit the Center for Spiritual Learning at 1020 Magallanes Drive, Silang Crossing West, Tagaytay City. Contact us at (046) 483 2128
See our local website www.bktagaytay.com, our blog site www.bk-tnt.blogspot.com and our international website www.bkwsu.org.
© Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University 2009.
 2 The Point Volume 3 Issue 25 June 2009

Living Values: Re-claiming myself

IT WAS the peak of summer, a most fit-
ting time to gather ripe fruits. It also hap-
pened to be a promising time to gather
learnings and insights from 27 seasoned
educators from 14 learning institutions who
joined the “Living Values Educators (LVE)
Training” at the Center for Spiritual Learning
from May 6 to 9.
What was to come was easily discernible
during the evening introductory session on
Day One, as each participant enthusiastically
shared expectations. They had come from
varied backgrounds, well-representing the
ranks of the education sector: the Education
Dean of St. Louis University, Baguio City, the
owner and administrator of Little Flower Chil-
dren’s Home in La Trinidad, Benguet, the Director
for Academics, Yeun Soo- St. Jude International
School, Baguio City, a Values Education teacher
from the University of Baguio, a college instructor
of AMA Computer College of Naga, teachers from
St. Paul College of Paranaque, a guidance coun-
selor of De La Salle Dasmarinas, preschool teach-
ers from Quezon City, two principals from Cavite,
and an environmentalist consultant.
A number of professionals from non-traditional
learning institutions also came: a deaf community
educator, the president and staff of an advertising
consultancy, a supervisor of the Parole and Proba-
tion division of the Department of Justice.
Salud Idio, Focal Point of LVE-Philippines, con-
atmosphere allowing for deeper realizations,
heartfelt exchanges, and unique experi-
ences.
Singer-actress Timmy Cruz, principal of
her own pre-school, sang songs that
touched hearts, especially coming after a
group activity where each one shared appre-
ciative words with, and gave a love-full gaze
to one another. Many were in tears after
this poignant experience of regarding each
other with a spiritual vision, highlighting the
value of spirituality as an indispensable tool
for any educator who sets out to touch
Young teachers discover their original qualities of peace, hearts and not just minds.
love and happiness which they can invariably share with
A solemn closing ceremony punctuated the
their students.
event, with each of the participants posting a star-
ducted the workshop-training assisted by Ellen shaped card on which they had written a pledge
Luna, founding president of the Advocates of Liv- of commitment. Associate Professor Catherine
ing Values Education (ALiVE) in Cebu City, and Palope of St. Louis University gave a response on
Rina Angela Corpus, assistant professor from the behalf of the group, sharing of her personal gains
University of the Philippines in Diliman. from the workshop: “I experienced here the
The training methodologies used were as color- beauty of silence. As a language teacher, we de-
ful and varied as the participants’ interests and fine anything that causes a breakdown in commu-
concerns. Between insightful lectures on the nication as ‘noise.’ I realized here that when I
framework and methods of creating a values- detach myself from my true self and from God,
based learning environment, there were guided ‘noise’ happens. It cuts off our umbilical cord from
nature walks, quiet time, poster-making, skits, our self and God. Here, I was given back the gift of
group singing, soft Shibashi exercises, even wacky myself. Once we maintain the essential link with
ice breakers. Each session helped re-awaken the our true self and God, we don’t even have to
natural gift of teachers to joyfully articulate their speak and call our selves teachers of values. But
love for learning, with the retreat center’s tranquil our very behavior will reveal values.”

Inner Leadership, 13-14 June, 4pm Sat-4pm Sun

3 Days Solace for the Soul, 26-28 June, 4pm Fri-4pm Sun
We’d love to hear from you. Write us at thepointfeedback@gmail.com

Being in the flow

When we handle the passage of time gracefully and accept the changes that life brings-- the ageing of the body, the
growing up of children etc-- then we can remain in the flow.
When we love and appreciate life, believe in it and trust it, then we can see we are embedded in something so much
greater and we can dwell in a space where we remain energized and do not get tired.
When we bring an elevated awareness of who we are into action, we experience the flow.
When we keep the attitude of learning our zest for life remains alive and we feel in the flow.
When we keep hope alive, that human beings can emerge from this time of war and violence, and believe that there is a
peaceful way ahead,
Faith is an important ingredient, to living in the flow – faith in time, destiny and the Creator, and faith that what lies
ahead will be a better world.
We need to create a state of love to live in the flow.
Let go and then you will start to flow.
When we focus on the beauty within and not the weaknesses then the self begins to bloom.
When one’s vibration becomes sweet and happy, this then inspires those all around, and we all move into a flow.
-BK Jayanti Kirpalani