By Dr. Vasant Joshi (Swami Satya Vedant)
Presented on "Spiritual Paradigm for surmounting Global Management Crisis" at the International Conference, Varanasi, February 2012

Contd from previous issue...

It is now apparent that, “management” is not just going through and applying same ideas, same concepts. It no longer means merely finding old answers for new problems. Rather, now it means finding new answers for all problems. It is evident that, “quick-fix” mentality keeps us away from the overall reality and we remain tied down more to the conventional/traditional approaches. It must be recognized that many of today’s problems are outcome of yesterday’s solutions. Also, many of today’s solutions may become tomorrow’s problems. Since we are required to show results – fast, instantly, we apply the same old ideas and applications to find “solutions.”  Our common fallacy is that we believe problems emerge from some external sources; but in fact, they are our creations, they are byproducts of our own thinking patterns and our actions. So there is no one out there to blame for. As pointed out by Fred Kofman and Peter Senge, “Today’s primary threats are all endogenous, the byproducts of our own actions. There is no enemy out there to blame. As Pogo says, ‘We have met the enemy and they is us.”
(Communities of Commitment: The Heart of Learning Organizations, Pre-Publication Draft, p. 11).

This does not, however, in any way mean we need to feel guilty or punish ourselves; what it simply means is that we will have to see, feel, and act differently. For example, it is said, “Honesty is the best policy.” This may show management giving value to honesty as a “policy” which implies it is essentially “policy” oriented and not people oriented. But realistically, a policy is for people, not people for following a policy. Honesty is not the best “policy”; it cannot and should not be a “policy”. Since policy can be changed, one can assume honesty can also be easily replaced by dishonesty. What one needs to recognize is that, honesty is the best “quality”, an inner quality which can be part of second nature and cannot be changed or replaced.  Inner quality or qualities are inculcated through inner growth, through a conscious and sincere effort, through earnest desire and commitment. 

So, the very existential realities confronting us now are propelling to seek alternative values such as: cooperation vs cut-throat competition; quality of life and relationship; oneness of humanity; social justice; caring for each other; and above all, spiritualization of the individual and the society – free from orthodox, stifling institutionalized religion.   

There is now a widespread recognition of a changing worldview. Hence, the present corporate world needs to acknowledge two significant realities: Affirmation of inner wisdom, intuition, inner clarity. We need to be rational, scientific, and materially progressive but we also need to learn and live spiritual values.  The enlightened mystic Osho makes it clear when he says:

 “It is a must for humanity's survival. I am trying to create a great synthesis: the synthesis between Zorba the Greek and Gautam the Buddha, the synthesis between materialism and spiritualism. I am trying to create a spiritual materialism. These two things have always remained separate, antagonistic to each other. And because of their antagonism man has remained schizophrenic, because man is both body and soul.”
OSHO
The Secret of Secrets, Vol.1, Ch.10, Q.1

“The greatest thing that is happening -- which will be understood only later on -- is the meeting of science and religion, is the meeting of East and West, is the meeting of materialism and spiritualism, is the meeting of the outer and the inner, is the meeting of the extrovert and the introvert. But that is happening right now. It will grow in the future…”
OSHO
The Dhammapada: The Way of the Buddha, Vol.12, Ch.10, Q.4

To be continued...