welcome

Interconnected: Reflections on the Suriname Conference 

Living in Holland and being a descendant of Indian indentured labourers from Suriname in South America, it was an honour for me to participate in the global conference Slavery, Indentured Labour, Migration, and their Impact on Present Societies in Paramaribo. It was organized in June by the Anton de Kom University of Suriname. Having studied anthropology, I had the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in Suriname back in 1992, alongside historian Dr. Maurits Hassankhan. During our research, we had the chance to interview the last 15 individuals who had spent their childhood on the plantations and witnessed the indentureship system up close.

Acknowledgements

In addition to the support of many others from our editorial team, we acknowledge the following contributions during different phases of this publication: Paula van der Wal   Dutch Direct Translation Services Paula has edited the language used in the articles. Artwork photos credits Willeke Hendrikx Healingart, Nederland

Useful Links

Minor Hindu Spirituality, Religion and Society - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: https://vu.nl/en/education/minor/hindu-spirituality-religion-and-society  Radical Thinkers Webinar: Spirituality & Business with Prof. Dr. Sharda Nandram - YouTube Legacy of Slavery and Indentured Labour 3 – Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (uvs.edu). THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON SLAVERY, INDENTURED LABOUR AND THEIR IMPACT ON PRESENT SOCIETIES 6-6-2023 - YouTube

Call for Articles

Submissions are invited for articles for our next issue (Issue 13)ThemeSpirituality and the Fourth Industrial Revolution We are facing certain challenges in society today which scholars have been articulating as the outcome of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) or the emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution (a recent term coined by scholars from the World Economic Forum). The Fourth IndustrialRevolution needs people who know how to intelligently drive technology in a more holistic and integrative way. It also requires the rebuilding of the narrative of who we are and why we exist as human beings. Spirituality is at the heart of both

New Books

Victor A. van Bijlert (ret.) was a lecturer in the Department of Beliefs and Practices, Faculty of Religion and Theology, at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The nineteenth-century Hindu modernity, it is argued, sought both individual flourishing and collective emancipation from Western domination. For the first time Hinduism began to be constructed as a religion of sacred texts, the Vedantic canonical sources like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. The book traces the major ideological paths taken in this cultural-religious reformation from its originator Rammohun Roy up to its last major influence, Rabindranath Tagore. Wie Ben Ik? Het Directe Pad naar Zelfkennis

New Courses

“If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth... Hinduism is the religion of truth. Truth is God. Denial of God we have known. Denial of truth we have not known.” -Mahatma Gandhi  Bachelor Minor - HINDU, SPIRITUALITY, RELIGION & SOCIETY Is Hinduism a religion or a spiritual worldview? Does one of the oldest ways of living have some integrative wisdom that's relevant for addressing future global challenges? Yoga and beyond… Discover the

The Unspoken Narrative 

"Can you write an article about spirituality based on your work practice?" The answer was a resounding "yes". In our work as coaches and mediators, we deal with people who are stuck on something every day.  Although verbal communication is the tool we work with, it is just the tip of the iceberg. Under the water lurks the world of spirituality, which is non-verbal. That is our area of ​​work. When someone asks for help, they usually present themselves with a rehearsed story. This story, the narrative, was created to convince oneself and others. Each time it is told, the narrator reinforces

Embracing Flow: Unveiling the Deeper Meaning in Business Conversations

Feeling driven, passionate, and ambitious — these are words often thrown around in the management language of my work and business environment. Yet, we rarely delve into their depth and true value. What do these words really mean? And how do they impact individuals, businesses, and customers? Do the words themselves matter, or is it the underlying meaning that counts? When and how should these concepts be integrated into the business context? Many companies recognize the need for discussions related to personal growth and development, often referred to as appraisal interviews or performance reviews. In more progressive organizations, these conversations may

Spirituality and Sustainable Business with a Stewardship Mindset

Spirituality and sustainable entrepreneurship can mutually support each other in making a positive impact on the world. By developing interconnected relationships, the individuals and stakeholders involved can find a sense of purpose. Sustainable entrepreneurship can therefore be seen as a practical manifestation of purpose, whether or not it is rooted in spirituality. In this article, I will explore how these three perspectives inspire and guide me in my business practice. As the managing director of a medium-sized consultancy firm specializing in spatial development, I constantly ask myself, "Why am I doing what I do?" and "How can I contribute significantly to

Research for Practitioners*

In this issue, we share the reading list from the recently concluded OM RISE International Workshop on Building an Academic Discipline of Spirituality in Management and Society. The workshop focused on advancing our discussion on the discipline of spirituality for management and society. The workshop discussions were oriented to eventually build education, research, and practice elements to develop spirituality as a recognized academic discipline. We hope the following reading list gives an opportunity to researchers and practitioners alike to connect with the themes of the ongoing work at OM RISE.  Bindlish, P. K., Nandram, S. S., Gupta, R., & Joshi, A.

The Bhagavad Gita Lens: Exploring Yogic Principles in German Leadership during the Eurozone Crisis

Introduction  My interest in yoga stems from its connection to statesmanship, which intrigued me as a Political Science student. I took a course called "Yoga, Business, and Leadership" at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where I discovered the valuable teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita's stories depict how leaders should behave, showcasing the versatility of yogic principles. This broad perspective is something I find lacking in the more traditional Western worldview. In my study, I examined how the principles from the Bhagavad Gita may enhance political leadership, focusing specifically on Germany's influential role within the European Union. I analyzed German leadership through

A Perspective on Technology in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Introduction In today's rapidly changing world, characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), it is crucial to explore how spirituality and technology intersect in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, as defined by the World Economic Forum, necessitates holistic and integrative approaches to driving technology and rebuilding our understanding of human existence. Hinduism, with its rich spiritual tradition and adaptability, offers valuable insights into these themes. In this article, we will delve into the Hindu worldview and examine the relationship between spirituality and technology from a sāṃkhya yoga perspective. The Hindu worldview and its adaptability Hinduism, one

Yogic Yamas and Niyamas

In this article, let us revisit the concept of yamas and niyamas from aṣṭāṅga yoga philosophy. They have the potential to inspire organizational approaches to ethical conduct that consider universal and contextual factors. This need has already been highlighted by the present challenges faced by institutionalism and organizations’ struggle to preserve meaning amidst challenging situations while understanding the evolving context. With that background, and with a hope to inspire fresh approaches to guiding conduct, we revisit a relatively unexplored part of yoga philosophy – yamas (universal restraints) and niyamas (contextual conduct or observances). So far only the five yamas and

Editorial Note – Issue 12 – June 2023

Dear readers, As we celebrate the International  Day  of Yoga, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey within the realms of Yoga, Spirituality, and Business as we find ourselves at the intersection of ancient wisdom and the ever-evolving world of modern commerce. In our VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) world, a new era dawns — the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It beckons us to harness technology with wisdom, weaving it harmoniously into the fabric of our lives. Yet, this call goes beyond progressive innovation; it stirs the depths of our souls, urging us to rediscover the essenceof our existence.

A Special Report on the OM RISE Workshop Building an Academic Discipline of Spirituality in Management and Society

A two-day international workshop on Building an Academic Discipline of Spirituality in Management and Society was organized online from 7-8 February 2023 at IIT (BHU) Varanasi, India, in collaboration with scholars from various countries. The workshop focused on advancing our discussion on the discipline of spirituality for management and society. It sought to delve deeper into the concept of spirituality and its integration into the management domain. The existential concerns from the fourth industrial revolution in the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) context could be best addressed through spirituality infused in an integrative way. We deliberated on the discipline's fundamental