ย By : Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Women have both gentleness and strength. Indian scriptures place tremendous amount of power in women. In fact, the primordial energy known as Shakti which is the life force behind the whole creation is feminine. That is why our scriptures honour women as the highest aspect of divinity- the Aadhya Shakti.
Women bring together the finest aspects of society; the ability to create and the transformational ability to make a difference in the society. Women bring us to the planet and teach us how to live. A mother is our first Guru, our first teacher. Women teach us our first behaviour, our first step in life. And then women also have a great role to play in the society. She can be a strong peacemaker; at home, in the community, in society and in the world. Women can glue differences and bring people of diverse nature together โ she does it in her home all the time!
In this fast pace of life, we need to balance our inner peace, beauty and ethical values with the external challenges we face, and women have it in them to do it. These qualities are inherent in a woman.
A woman has the capacity to be an excellent peacemaker because it is quite natural for her to relate from the level of the heart. The biggest strength that a woman has is; her emotions, feelings, motivation and inspiration. Men can inspire to fight but women inspire to unite. There are more wars in the world today because there is a lack of feminine leadership to unite people, overcome differences and bring home to us the purpose we are all born for! In today’s war-torn world, we need women to come to the forefront and take more responsibility, without getting stressed. When women are determined, they can do wonders.
Today, we need to ensure that women in our country are literate. When women are well educated and well informed they can take more responsibility, bring about that positive change and can make any project successful.
A woman by nature is multi-talented and multi-faceted. Usually people think women are emotional but the fact is, women are also great intellectual geniuses and excel in planning and execution. You see any department headed by a woman; chances are that department is much ahead of others.
Women are the backbone of any society. The role of women in the development of a society is of utmost importance. In fact, it is the only criterion that determines whether a society is strong and harmonious or not. Also, a corruption-free society can only emerge where women are given due regard, respect and importance. In building character and integrity, women can do a better job.
Given the wealth that is inherent in them, it is very important for women all around the world to sit together and see what they can do to make this world more stress and violence free. You are that spirit. You are the one who can instill love, compassion, spirituality in people around you & the society.
Do not wait to be given power. Just assume it. Unfortunately most of the feminine movements today are demanding rights. What are you demanding? From whom are you demanding? You are asking from an empty bowl! You have equal rights. Just own it! You simply have to assert your rights! You don’t have to go and ask somebody, it is all there for you!
You are a born leader. You have the potential with you to bring prosperity, happiness and joy to this world! Just make this happen!
The author is a humanitarian leader and the founder of The Art of Living organization. He can be followed on @srisri (on Twitter) & facebook.com/SriSriRaviShankar (Facebook).