Editorial Note: Spirituality, Management and Society, Issue 4 – Leadership & Hope

Download Issue 4, Oct 2020: English Edition ; Dutch Edition

Dear all

We are happy to share the fourth issue of OMRISE Magazine with you. We are also delighted to inform you that now all OMRISE magazine content can be accessed online via our website: https://magazine.omrise.org

We are humbled by the love and affection which we have received from some of you for the previous issues. Among several themes suggested, we chose the theme of Leadership and Hope for this issue. We are open to receiving your suggested themes for upcoming issues. In these unprecedented times of suffering, the human quality of hope can direct actions that lead to change, progress, and even transformation.

Mahatma Gandhi ‘s approach has been an inspiring source for leadership and hope for many across the globe. Gandhi ‘s approach rekindled the spirit both of the youth and veterans. He was inspired by the Bharatiya culture (Ancient Indian wisdom). Several people like Gandhi ji have put effort in the so-called Bharatiya (Indian) freedom movement.

The Bharatiya freedom movement had various components: armed resistance, diplomatic tactics, international collaboration, intellectual engagements, and non-violent resistance. All the approaches played a prominent role in gaining freedom from British rule. The leaders who led these movements had only one goal in mind: freedom and restoration of governance based on Bharatiya culture. These approaches might seem different because of the path they take or the underlying ideology, but the end goal was the same.

Gandhi ji’s approach was inspired by watching the play of Bharatiya King Raja Harishchandra, who has been known for valuing and telling “Truth”. Later on Gopal Krishna Gokhale guided him to understand the people by delving deeper into Bharatiya wisdom.

People were transformed by Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual and cultural approach to elevate them from suffering and to give them hope. Some key points included:

1. Using Bhajans (religious songs) for awakening people and instilling hope in them
2. Connecting to core ideas of Bharatiya culture and spirituality to elevate suffering
3. Providing a concrete framework of governance taking clue from Ram-Rajya: governance model of Lord Rama mentioned in the epic scripture Ramayana¹
4. Inspiring people to work hard towards economic self-reliance
5. Resisting oppression through mass movements like Swadeshi Aandolan.

All these approaches instilled a hope in people that everything is possible through firm determination.

Another important dimension related to Bharatiya culture is “leading by example”. Gandhi ji’s charisma impacted millions across the globe because he practised what he preached. Even people who did not agree with his ideology, respected him for this firm belief and setting a great example. A good coincidence is that, on his date of birth (2nd October 1869), we are releasing this issue with an inspiration towards the theme of Leadership and Hope.

In the current issue, several authors have shared their views and experiences on this theme of Leadership and Hope. Like in previous issues, some useful links are provided to guide you through the mantras. We hope you will enjoy and may be inspired to apply some of the insights gained.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते ।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Oṃ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate।
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate।
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

Om That is infinite (human being), and this (the universe) is infinite
That Infinite exists from this Infinite. When taking a part of this Infinite (universe). It remains as the infinite (universe) alone
Om Peace Peace Peace (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad verse 5.1.1)

Wishing joy, peace and prosperity!!

Chief Editor

Prof. Sharda S. Nandram

Professor of Hindu Spirituality and Society, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands Associate Professor Entrepreneurship, Organisational Innovation and Spirituality, Nyenrode Business Universiteit, the Netherlands

Advisor

Prof. Harsh Purohit

Dean, Faculty of Management Studies – WISDOM, Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Dr. Chinmay Pandya

(MBBS, PGDipl, MRCPsych- London, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Pro Vice Chancellor, Haridwar, India

Team Members

Language Editing

Artwork photos & Design Credits

We acknowledge the assistance offered during different phases of this publication by many well wishers, especially Sharan Keizer (Student, King’s College, UK), Rajeev Verma (Infogile Technologies), Utsav Sharma (Woodkins Design), Vinaytosh Mishra (Fore School of Management) and Shiva Triedevi (Brahmrishi Ashram Netherlands). We also acknowledge the support provided by the Chair of Hindu Spirituality and Society of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. 

This magazine is an initiative developed in collaboration with OMRISE. OMRISE is a research group focused on Organizational Management (OM), Research (R), Innovation (I) and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (SE). Buurtzorg Nederland, in The Netherlands has set up this research group in association with Praan Group, The Netherlands at Banasthali Vidyapith. It promotes research in Integrative Self Management inspired by Buurtzorg and wisdom from Bhāratīya Prabandhan (Indian Management). 

The OM RISE logo is freely available for OMRISE partners.