Spiritual Values as a Foundation for Leadership 1

Religion and Spirituality Draw Us to A higher reality Universal principles To live for others Values that transcend wealth, power, and earthly fame 2

A Higher Reality The highest qualities of the human being are spiritual and moral. Recognition of God as our heavenly parent means that we are all members of one global human family. All religions emphasize spiritual principles. 3

Buddhism Even ornamented chariots wear out. So too the body reaches old age. But the Dhamma of the Good grows not old. Thus do the Good reveal it among the Good. Dhammapada 151 4

Hinduism Now my breath and spirit goes to the Immortal, and this body ends in ashes; OM. Upanishad 17 5

Oriental Philosophy The superior man understands the transitory in the light of the eternity. I Ching 54 6

Islam …the abiding things, the deeds of righteousness, are better with God in reward, and better in hope. Qur’an 18.46 7

Implications We are both physical and spiritual beings. We have responsibility for our own spiritual development. Our physical life gives us the opportunity to develop our spiritual potential.

Much of Reality Is Not Visible 9

Two Aspects of Reality Spiritual World Physical World Dwelling of God, angels and our ancestors Governed by eternal values Beyond time and space Physical World Dwelling of human beings and all creation Governed by physical laws Defined by time and space Also God created our spiritual self by drawing from the spiritual world's most important elements. The spiritual self is not bound to the physical world. The spiritual self consists of the core elements of the spiritual world. 10

Our Unique Position Spiritual World Physical World We are both physical and spiritual. Also God created our spiritual self by drawing from the spiritual world's most important elements. The spiritual self is not bound to the physical world. The spiritual self consists of the core elements of the spiritual world. 11

How Do We Grow Physically? World Air and Sunlight Food and Water Growing Period Also God created our spiritual self by drawing from the spiritual world's most important elements. The spiritual self is not bound to the physical world. The spiritual self consists of the core elements of the spiritual world. 12

How Do We Grow Spiritually? Spiritual World Life elements from God Good or bad vitality elements from our physical actions Growing Period Also God created our spiritual self by drawing from the spiritual world's most important elements. The spiritual self is not bound to the physical world. The spiritual self consists of the core elements of the spiritual world. 13

Principles of Growth Human development is both physical and spiritual. Principles govern both types of development. Wise leaders seek spiritual growth and encourage the same of others. 14

Judaism This world is like a vestibule before the World to Come; prepare yourself in the vestibule that you may enter the hall. Mishnah, Abot 4.21 15

Christianity Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18.18 16

African Traditional Religions We are on a market trip to earth: Whether we fill our baskets or not, once the time is up, We go home. Igbo Song 17

The Fruit of Our Life You will enter the spirit world in the form of your spirit self, which has recorded your life on earth with 100 percent accuracy. Your spirit will show plainly whether you have led a ripe life of goodness, or a life of sinfulness. Sun Myung Moon 18

Fruit of an Unselfish Life We gain the best spiritual nutrients by living for the sake of others. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (the Golden Rule) is an ethical principle found in major world religions. This can be the basis for people from different religions to work together for the common good. 19

Fruit of a Self-centered Life When we sacrifice others for the sake of ourselves, it stunts our spiritual growth. Selfishness leads to conflicts within the family, community, nation, and world. Selfish people fuel ongoing conflicts on earth and continue to do so even after they die. 20

Implications for Leaders As leaders, our understanding of reality impacts: Our priorities Our family relationships How we carry out our responsibilities Whether we are contributing to conflict or building peace 21

Types of Leadership Unselfish Leadership Parental Compassionate Honest Self-sacrificing Selfish Leadership Dictatorial Lacks compassion Dishonest Exploitative

The Relevance of Spiritual Discipline for Leaders Humility Self Control Service Generosity Fair-mindedness Forgiveness

Two Dimensions of Leadership Moral Unselfish Loving Leadership Qualities Good Leadership Abilities Experience Diplomacy Leadership Skills

Three Stages of Life Mother’s womb realm of water We join the new spiritual world just like a baby at birth joins the world of air. In spirit world, we are born into the world of true love and we don't need to breathe with our physical nose. We are no longer in the world of air, but rather the realm of true love. Here we have an eternal existence with a spirit body and spirit mind. But, if we haven't experienced perfection of true love, it is very difficult to live there. In the spirit world, our condition is one of breathing true love. Please be aware that a new world is waiting for us. We should prepare wholesome vitality elements that will nourish our eternal spirit by living for the sake of others. Mother’s womb realm of water (preparing to breathe air) Physical life realm of air (preparing to breathe love) Spiritual world realm of love (our eternal home)