Role of Spiritual Leaders in Conflict Management: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

Frequently the word “management” is known to relate to the running of economic enterprises. But this is too narrow and prejudiced view, especially when we are dealing with a comprehensive and deep theme as the role of Spiritual Leadership in conflict management. There is a famous Sanskrit dictum: “svarat samrat bhavati” which means one who can rule or govern oneself can also direct others well. That is, the ideal leader exercises leadership upon him or her in the first place. This requires bringing forth the hidden Spirit being of the leader into the forefront of his or her personality. Then only he or she becomes authorized to
lead others. Such capability is more basic than professional competence and skills. The latter are essential but secondary. The legendary (puranic) kings of ancient India have been called Rajarshi that means a king plus a sage. In this holistic model, the schism between the secular and the sacred vanishes (the king is the secular aspect, rishi the sacred). In managing the conflicts of modern world we are in needed this type of Spirit-centered leaders. An expanded interpretation of spirituality in conflict management is proposed below. While management will be correctly and wisely understood as such a process for running our affairs this is consciously founded on this continuity right through the entire cosmic chain. Only then Spirituality in management can turn into a sensible and fruitful
engagement. In the present article we will try to find out the actions of our spiritual leaders in conflict management from the historical perspective.
Vol. V, No. I, March 2012 - August