Karma Capitalism

Found this article on management and the Bhagavad-gita. Karma capitalism.

I think it's great that they're finding their ways to holistic ways of dealing with their lives and the planet. The Bhagavad-gita has so much in it for us all. But when using it we should consider it in a holistic way too. It is possible to use it to increase our ego, or as a tool for domination, if we just pick out a verse here and there. But of course, detachment to the result of our actions, which is quite a central theme, cannot be achieved through devious means.

Yes, we should consider all our employees, and all who profit and are affected by our business (including the earth), but that can only be achieved by putting God in the centre. We did not create the earth, after all, so whatever we use should be done as an act of gratitude to the creator. Otherwise we're thiefs, aren't we?

It's about perspectives, and stretching them just a bit further to include an increasingly bigger picture. If we move away from the 'competitive' paradigm to a more 'co-operational' one, we see how we also benefit by looking out for each other. In fact, we derive a greater satisfaction and pleasure by doing so.

The 'new' management paradigm further suggest that business become more successful and satisfying when leaders see themselves as servants to the employees, and the greater interest (society as a whole, the environment etc).

What the Bhagavad-gita is trying to do is to stretch our perspectives even further, to include the source of the creation. When we manage to do that, and to connect to that source with love, then everything just clicks to place, and makes complete sense. It will connect us with our deepest truth and dreams, and unleash a tremendous amount of satisfaction.