ENLIGHTENED LEADERSHIP SERIES
THE BHAGAVAD GITA - A PERENNIAL SOURCE FOR LEADERSHIP

  Friday 25th August – Sunday 27th August 2006
SHREYAS, BANGALORE

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Our choices are coloured by emotions which have a life of their own. Consider "anger" and how quickly we lose control over our ability to deal with it. Emotions are experienced in the heart region (not the physical heart) and play out their effect through the body.

We are also unable to put together a knowledge data base that encompasses all that we need to get the desired result - clearly that would be impossible, considering the infinite matrix of possibilities that exist in every coming moment. This limited knowledge is distressing and we seek therefore to know more and more - either through books, through programs such as this, or other media.

So, can we find a source within ourselves that always provides us with correct measurement of choices at hand and the courage and conviction to follow through? Is there a way to know what to do and the will power to do what we must - irrespective of how it may impact our own perceived personal agenda?

Modern Leadership theorists have identified “emotional and spiritual intelligence” as a key to great leadership. In this edition of Enlightened Leadership, we will tap the infinite wisdom contained within the Indian spiritual tradition on how to harness emotions for better living. The scripture in particular that we will refer to is the Bhagavad Gita.

During these programs, we look to understand and work with our psycho-physical energy system or simply the mind-body complex. Here, Mind or (Antahkarana) refers to the collective modifications in which it operates –

(1) Manas (or the lower mind, where emotions are played out and deliberations take place),

(2) Buddhi (the intellect, where discrimination and right choices are made),

(3) Chitta (or memory, provides knowledge based on the repository of past actions and behaviour); and

(4) Ahamkara (or personal ego, is the self-arrogating principle). According to the Gita, this overall mind-body       complex needs to be cultured and purified if we are to make better choices.

The Bhagavad Gita is an excellent manual of the theory and practice of emotion culture. It not only provides the principles but also time tested processes to facilitate a complete transformation of our inner Mind.

Inspite of being an experienced leader and a noble warrior of his times, Arjuna was dogged by doubts about the war at hand, and misunderstanding of his own dharma as a warrior. Sri Krishna, in the role as Arjuna’s charioteer doubles up the duty as a teacher, expounds the subtle truths in His own inimitable ways and prepares Arjuna to fight and win the war not for personal aggrandizement but for reinstating righteousness. Unlike Arjuna, we play our war of life over years, but the conflicts between right and wrong, selfish and selfless, give or take are the same.

We have with us Shankarji, who will expound the principles of mind culture and also providing us with practical processes to enable us to understand and harness our emotions. In addition, a stay at Shreyas includes regular Hatha Yoga asanas, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra and pre-meditation sessions to make this a complete weekend.

FACULTY

PAWAN MALIK
Pawan is the principal promoter of Inner Challenges. Pawan left a full time investment-banking career in 2000 to pursue his studies of the Indian Scriptures under the guidance of his teacher and spiritual guide, Shankar Narayan. He practiced and studied Yoga in New York and is a qualified instructor from the Vivekananda School, India. He shares his knowledge with interested students in India, Sri Lanka and the UK.

Pawan was Managing Director, Investment Banking, with Bankers Trust Company Inc. and more recently, Rabobank International in London, New York, Tokyo and Singapore.

RUCHA SUKHRAMANI (Therapeutic Yoga Instructor)
Rucha is a qualified Therapeutic Yoga Instructor from the Vivekananda Kendra, India and has done her Bachelors in Physical Education with a major in Yoga from LNIPE, Gwalior. She was a founder member, responsible for setting up the Yoga Center in Manipal Hospital, in Bangalore. She worked there as a therapist, teaching asanas and meditation techniques. She has also been involved with treating patients in her private practice for the last 6 years.

KRISHNA PRAKASH (Facilitator, Researcher and Content provider of workshops)
Krishna Prakash (“KP”) is a Corporate Trainer with a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Sri Sringeri Sharada Institute of Management, New Delhi. He was an IT Analyst and Lecturer in Management Studies before taking up Corporate Training and has run numerous workshops on creativity and communication skills.

Approximately 4-6 hours over the weekend will be in the form of discourses by Shankarji. He will be covering how we can tap into our spiritual intelligence - the source of all emotion culture and intelligence, the challenges we are likely to encounter, and methods of overcoming them. The content will be based on selective (3-5) verses from the Bhagavad Gita, which will be looked at in details over the weekend.

Pawan facilitates the discussion/feedback sessions allowing participants to relate the sessions in their professional and personal lives.

Apart from the formal lectures sessions to be taken by Shankarji and/or Pawan, you will be able to enjoy the following activities at Shreyas.

Yoga Asanas & Pranayama

Yoga Asanas and Pranayama sessions will help restore and heal the physical body, and bring about strength, flexibility and balance in life. Yoga processes are considered a holistic form of exercise today and have been shown to bring positive changes to our emotional state as well.

Meditation Classes

Meditation sessions at Shreyas use the medium of visualization and sound to take you into the depths of your being.

In the words of a spiritual master, “every single day you live, there is a deeper possibility that is present within you. If you can direct your attention and your energy toward that deeper possibility, you are going to discover the most wonderful thing in your life.”

Yoga Nidra

Literally translated as “Yogic sleep”, this process places you into a state of conscious deep sleep for deep relaxation and subtler spiritual exploration.

Interactive discussions on emotional and spiritual intelligence

Participate in interactive discussions on how to practically integrate spiritual wisdom into your inter personal relationships and manage emotions such as anger. Your inputs on personal experience and struggles will be a great source of inspiration for others as well.

Nature Walk

A nature walk at Shreyas is an opportunity to explore 25 acres of pristine greenery that is sure to bring you to a sense of inner calm and peace. The soft Zen-like greenery is pleasing to the eye and there is an abundance of colour and fragrant flowers throughout the retreat to remind you of the awesome beauty of nature, when she is allowed to express herself freely.

Farming

Shreyas grows its food in its own 3 acre organic vegetable, herb and rice fields. Guests are encouraged to participate in some farming and “getting their hands dirty”. This is a wonderful opportunity to re-connect with nature and appreciate its benevolence in our lives.

Silence (Mouna)

An enforced period of silence is an antidote to stress and depression. In a world where we are constantly bombarded by sensual distractions, our minds are forever split between the many decisions we think we must take. A Mouna is sacred silence time where you still your mind activities by refraining from speaking, and instead spend your time contemplating, meditating or reading spiritual books. We will provide you with “Sssshreyas” badges that you can wear whenever you wish to be left alone.

Rejuvenation massages

Deep tissue Balinese, Thai, Ayurvedic massages, numerous scrubs and beauty treatments are available for you to enjoy.

Other activities / facilities

A 25 meter temperature controlled ozonated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam, fully equipped gym, a home theater with 500+ movies, a library packed with books for all your interests and a cricket bowling machine to play against, are all available to your during your stay.