Spiritual Mastery of the Gita

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If I had been asked about my spiritual maturity prior to taking this class, I would have thought I was much more developed than I am.  One particularly clear lesson came to me by reading The Bhagavad Gita (“Gita”).  One of the greatest benefits of this course was realizing the benefit and importance of spirituality and its integration into all facets of my life including being a business leader.  I desire to grow my spirituality but I still have a long journey ahead of me.  I suppose self-realization and acknowledgement of my spiritual immaturity makes a great first step.  The rest of this paper expands upon how the Gita, not necessarily the MGMT 546 course, specifically enlightens me to the rest of my spiritual journey with particular emphasis towards becoming a business leader.

        A strong theme throughout the Gita is living selflessly and working for others, not just for reward (monetary or satisfaction).  In terms of a professional career, there is also subtle message of individual drive and what makes a person get up in the morning.  Is it money or recognition or is it simply loving ones job?  It is important to have a job that one enjoys because the mental/spiritual burden of not having such a job is tremendous.  An additional benefit of having a job that one enjoys is the effortless talent that surfaces along with the sincerity that a leader must have to convince others to follow.  

No matter the role, it is important to do ones duty out of selflessness.  Karma puts a person in that circumstance so it is an issue of asking why one is in such a role.  As an executive making boatloads of money, one shouldn’t fall into greed, lust, passion as those things will inhibit a spiritual journey.  One will become obsessed lusting for various things and never be satisfied.  That is why it is imperative that one humbles himself and be selfless in order to achieve happiness.

There is a strong emphasis towards loving others as a reflection of ones faith in a higher power as mentioned in chapter 12.  At surface level, this sounds like a simple lesson taught in a Sunday school.  However, there is much more to this that translates directly into leadership skills I wish to maintain.  It is imperative for a business leader to be as those who Krishna loves: “humble”, “selfless”, “patient”, “free from selfish attachment”, etc.  I have seen one leader from my organization behave this way and all employees show this leader gratitude and devotion.  There is no greater motivator for an employee.  As the Gita describes loving Brahma, thereby one loves and respects all things.  Hence, treating others with love and respect is imperative and anything less is blasphemous.  Even though it is true that everyone should act this way and the world would be a better place, such behavior is especially powerful and more impactful when it comes from a business leader.