the point april 2011

8/7/2019 The Point April 2011

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Formula for good leadership:Clarity and determination

L Monthly E-Newsletter

The Poin

B R A H M A K U M A R I S C E N T E R F O R S P I R I T U A L L E A R N I N

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.tagaytayretreatcenter.org , our national site www.bkwsu.org/philippinesand our international website www.bkwsu.org .

© Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University 2011.

UTH, HONESTY, RESPECT. THIS IS

e only formula for government and

itics to work in a civilized and

cially beneficial way, according to

mer Senator Leticia Ramos-

ahani.

“Politics will be clean if you make

lean. It will be dirty if you play

ty,” said Shahani in an inspirational

k recently. “The starting point of

dership is the self. We should

eserve it and make it a force for the

tion’s progress.”

Women officials—mayors, vice

yors and members of the local

vernment, the academe and busi-

ss—from all over Cavite, where

e Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center

Spiritual Learning is located, and

m the neighboring province of

guna attended a program on

dership recently to mark the UN

ernational Women’s Month.

In her talk before the gathering,

ahani said she had been practicing

a Yoga meditation since 1987, the

me year she joined the Senate.hat’s how I survived. It was like

ng in a snake pit,” she related. “In

itics, you have to make decisions

at are complex and confusing.” She

d the teachings of the Brahma

maris taught her to empower the

f by connecting with the Supreme,

d that understanding the laws of

rma enabled her to discharge her

ties in an accurate way.

Power is not derived from toting a

n and threatening people, Shahani

nted out, but by setting an

ample of proper conduct andrity. Power comes with one’s

areness as a soul, a spiritual being.

s awareness is drawn from intro-

ection.

She added, “Your inner self is a

ne of information; you have to

ow how to use it. The jewels of

ormation manifest as virtues.”

ahani cited truth as the most

portant attribute, especially for

politicians.

She cen-

sured the

Senate’s

penchant

for investi-

gating cor-

ruption

cases that

don’t

uncover the

truth and

leave the

accused

unpunished.

“In the

Philippines,

we’re so

much into

double

talk,” she

said. “We’re

always ex-

panding but

don’t tell

the full de-

tails. Thetruth may be

painful, but you can be tactful. This is

a great virtue if you want to live with

yourself.” To be constantly able to

call on the truth, she said, “You have

to focus, so that you know what you

are doing. Be conscious of what

you’re thinking, doing and saying.

They are all inter-related.”

Empowered by truth, she contin-

ued, one does not become sensitive

to criticism or vulnerable to pressure

which makes it easy to cave in to non

-constructive suggestions.Shahani said truth is invariably

linked with simplicity. “Be content.

When you’ve done your best and

extended your full capacities, there’s

no need to be ambitious.”

Optimism, she noted, is another

vital leadership quality. “Even while

you have to deliver bad news, look

for solutions.” And to make things

happen, determination is the impe-

tus. Shahani

related the

story of the

retreat

center as

example.

Returning

from a visit

to the BK

retreat

center in

Oxford, she

brought up

to the ad-

ministrators

the possi-

bily of

having one

in the Phil-

ippines,

too. As

usually

happens

with many

new ideas,

it was met

with trepi-dation.

Nonetheless, the Brahma Kumaris

raised funds to buy the lot and build

CSL, now its first retreat center in

Asia. Even BK teachers who had no

background in construction and cost-

ing learned in the process. “This was

a big DIY project,” said Shahani.

“With God’s help anything is

possible.”

Shahani cautioned against paying

attention to bad habits, which are

obstacles to developing one’s full

potential. Gossip, she said, is endemicin the world of politics, too. “It may

look harmless at first, but eventually,

you start to make judgments. We

should look beyond half-truths. As

former US President Ronald Reagan

said, ‘Trust, then verify.’”

As a prime example of a good

leader, she cited the late President

Corazon Aquino, whose virtues, she

said, propelled her from being a mere

housewife to president of a gov

ment recovering from a dictato

“President Aquino didn’t know

thing about economics or foreig

policy but she had something t

very few political leaders have—

purity,” Shahani said. “She didn

advantage of her position. Whe

was the end of her term, she le

graciously. It takes courage to s

goodbye to power and all its pe

She saw herself as just an instru

ment.”

Ultimately, Shahani said, “Yo

your own textbook, with the

Supreme as the Teacher. When

have the capacity to communic

with Him, He will be attracted t

you.”

During the open forum that

followed, women shared their

personal experiences.

Councilor Ana Pamela dela R

from Paete, Laguna, cited form

state auditor Heidi Mendoza as

example of courage. Mendoza

testified against a powerful formilitary general, whom she acc

of graft and corruption. Accust

to a simple life, Mendoza held o

her truth in the face of otherwi

daunting threats. She said she

no right to demand good gover

if she hadn’t come out and told

she knew.

Mayor Teresa Nieva Reodica

Magdalena, Laguna, talked abo

respect. “No matter how good

intentions are, you still draw fla

she said. She was re-elected, sh

because her constituents saw hdedication to church service an

openness to, and acceptance o

everyone.

“It’s important to earn respe

and you do that by setting an

example,” she stressed. All tha

leader had to do, she said was

sure his/her intentions were

beneficial to the society, and th

would happen.

Volume 5 Issue 47 April 2011

Former Senator Shahani: Good intentions

must be consistent with speech and actions



The Point 2 Volume 5 Issue 47 April 2011

Gentleness is greatnessGentleness is greatness WOMEN LEADERS ARE PERCEIVED AS

ansformative figures. Historically, however,

hey seem to have a hard time addressing the

rgent needs of their countries. What’s goingn?

In celebration of the United Nations’ Inter-

ational Women’s Month, the Brahma

umaris Retreat Center for Spiritual Learning,

vited high-powered women from various

roups—leftist, government, social crusad-

rs—to look into their strengths and weak-

esses. Dubbed “Greatness of Feminine

pirit,” the dialogue allowed the participants

o experience the greatness, as well as the

entleness, of the female spirit.

“We are all social activists called upon to

ake a difference by championing a crusade.ome are lost causes, some are meaningful

nes. People’s expectations are high. They

xpect miracles. Even if you give your best,

s not enough,” said Teresita Ang See, crime

ghter and proponent of stronger Chinese-

lipino ties.

See revealed the challenges of seeking jus-

ce and providing financial aid for the needy.

he told the story of a public school teacher

oping with the demise of her mother who

as hacked to death, along with her employ-

rs, in the province of Isabela. The victims’ody parts were thrown into the river. The

teacher

used up

her sav-

ings to

launch a

search for

the re-

mains of

her

mother.

She recov-

ered aforearm

and a

hand, on

which still

clung the

ring she

gave her

mother as

a Christ-

mas pre-

sent. Ang

See raised funds

for the teacher

and got the De-

partment of Jus-tice to provide a

special prosecu-

tor for the case.

In another

instance, she

helped get a law-

yer for a busi-

nesswoman

threatened with

eviction by the

Quezon City gov-

ernment, on ac-

count of unpaidproperty taxes.

The woman of-

fered to pay all

back accounts,

while maintaining

she had been

wrongly accused

of tax evasion.

City Hall reso-

lutely turned a

deaf ear.

Ang See saidher interactions

with the Brahma

Kumaris have helped her channel her

thoughts in a more positive direction, so she

wouldn’t be disheartened in any situation.

“You find that inner peace even when

situations don’t turn out the way you want

them. There is benefit in understanding the

meaning behind any event. You learn to

detach and become powerful.”

BK national coordinator and facilitator

Rebecca Ortega asked the participants which

qualities described the best of themselves.They cited love, compassion, organizational

skills, faith and hope in the face of desperate

situations. However, they said, while serving

others, they sometimes felt drained and

frustrated. One participant was convinced she

contracted the Big C from listening to her

patients’ problems. She said she overcame it

through stem cell therapy.

The workshop led the women beyond

feminine stereotypes and introduced them to

true empowerment through the awareness of

being a soul. Ortega gave them exercises

stepping aside, going beyond the physica

making time stand still amidst the flurry o

pressures and decision making.

Ortega reminded them that they need

resort to anger or ego to assert themselve

and that experiencing the true qualities o

soul—peace, purity, love, joy and truth—

what would propel positive transformatio

“My job is to connect with my original be

Ortega said.Activist Carol Pagaduan Araullo agreed

“You can’t be helpful if you are angst-fille

she said. “Self -awareness gives you the cl

to see what’s wrong.”

Asked how the women could help finis

corruption in society, Ortega said the mos

practical way is to start with the self. “The

light within is governed by spiritual laws.

don’t practice what is positive, I get nega

results. If my actions do not express good

ness, I will have to face the consequences

Teresita Ang See: Being dispassionate in a passionate advocacy

Rebecca Ortega: Helping strong

women find their loopholes



The Point Volume 5 Issue 47 April 2011

Happiness is an inside jobHappiness is an inside job

OAP OPERAS, FOR

xample, peddle in

ormula plots - the

dispensable lovers'

uarrel, which

ortrays jealousy

nd anger as normal

etween partners,

mplicitly hinting

hat to suffer is part

f love, or that pain

pleasurable.

British life coach

Mike George writes

“The 7 Mythsbout Love… Actu-

ly!” how emotional

onfusions have

esulted from

cquired beliefs

bout love. “Most

f us have been con-

tioned to believe that such emotions as an-

er, fear and sadness, are normal and even

ealthy, and that anger is justifiable,” says

eorge.

He explains: “These emotions are

bviously uncomfortable. Only after they have

assed could there be some feeling of relief,

hich is then associated with happiness. But

s not real happiness, just relief from self-

eated stress. Stress is simply a message that

here is something you need to change, that

omething within you is out of balance, out of

armony. Not with others, not with the world,

ut within you.”

Because we have been trained to stay in

onstant stress—which, George says, arises

om being dependent on what others think

nd say, in order to feel validated—we ofteniss the truth that every person creates his

wn emotions, and is therefore the master of

ne's life. Blaming others for one’s disposi-

on has become a “normal” reaction. She did

his, he said that, and so I am this, has be-

ome a mantra for people who are stuck in

he habit of blame and dependency. This

pervasive myth, George points out, makes us

slaves of self-created beliefs and feelings, in-

stead of masters of our destiny, which is what

we are. Change is called for if one aims to be

free of this tiresome game.

George elaborates: “The first thing that

needs to be changed is the belief that some-

one else is making you angry or afraid, that

someone else is causing you this emotional

stress. They are not. This is good news—it

means you can do something about what

many people believe is out of their control.”

Speaking of control, says George, the next

thing that should be changed is the belief that

the world and other people can be controlled.

“They can't,” he says simply. And the third

thing is the belief that others are responsible

for our happiness, for our feelings. “Nothey're not. It's an inside job!”

Based on this clear understanding, George

then defines pleasure: “It is knowing who you

are, and accepting life as it is because you no

longer need to pretend to be someone you

are not; you no longer attempt to control

anyone else, or attempt to acquire something,

to get what you alrea

have!”

One popular

expression of a wron

sense of pleasure is t

catchphrase, “I was s

moved!” George not

that it is often used t

describe how one is

overcome by a certa

emotion, for instance

after watching a feel

good film, attending

funeral, or simply at

sight of somethingbeautiful. He debunk

this as another myth

signifies attachment

outside emotional

indulgences. He calls

a weakness.

“That catchphrase i

saying that you are taking something or

someone outside yourself, putting them o

the screen of your mind, attaching yourse

them and losing yourself. So it's a sign tha

you are dependent—not a very empower

experience,” he says.

George offers an alternative response.

For far from acting cold and distant, or iso

ing oneself from the rest of the outside w

he says that once we realize that we are

essentially spiritual beings, we can apprec

the world more with our purest soul-

qualities—without losing our selves in the

colors, forms, and stories of the incessan

changing drama of life. “Still watch, still s

still appreciate something of beauty, but

stead of being moved by it, which means

are taking from it, give to it, move towardand give to it, give your appreciation. Exte

the energy of you, which is love, as you a

ciate what you see. This is love in action.”

And then he says, “You will feel the po

of love, the power of you, moving you. An

you will know that you are once again the

master of your life because you are love.”

LOVE, in a morally decrepit world,

has become loveless.

Master Your Anger , 9am-4pm Sun, Apr 10, 2011

Inner Power , Inner Peace , 4pm Fri - 4pm Sun, Apr 22 - 24, 2011

We’d l ike to hear f rom you. Write us at thepointfeedback@gmai l .com.

the point april 2011

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