Germany
    Continent
    Africa
    Asia
    Europe
    North America
    Oceania
    South America

Building up a mindset against corruption

Corruption has invaded every sphere of life and is causing undue suffering to the common man. From the Middle East to India, to Europe, the voice against corruption is getting louder. So far, most anti-corruption initiatives are confined to blaming the establishment and launching organized movements against corruption. However, such measures alone will not be sufficient to weed out the corruption from politics, bureaucracy and daily social life. We need to address the issue of corruption at multiple levels. The Big C of corruption can be tackled with 5Cs which are strong antidotes to corruption.

Connectedness:

The best antidote to corruption is to inculcate a sense of belongingness in people. Corruption ends where belongingness begins. Nobody indulges in corruption with their own family members. A sense of belonging to a community can lessen corruption. That is why corruption is lowest at the village level but much greater in the cities. One of the roles of The Art of Living movement is to create a sense of belongingness between people and communities. It is not enough to confine our sense of belonging with just a handful numbers in the family. We need to expand it into a big family and make the whole world your family. Spiritual values and practices naturally nurture and enhance a sense of belongingness in people.

Courage:

Lack of self-esteem and confidence in one’s own ability makes one materialistic and leads to corruption in a bid to achieve more. When confidence blossoms and a person finds a sense of security in his own abilities, corruption can be minimized. It needs inner strength and courage to say no to giving bribe. This inner strength and awareness needs to be awakened in people. If the general public stands up against corruption by not giving bribes, then how will anyone take? Through our Corporate Culture and Spirituality symposiums, we are spreading awareness among businessmen and decision makers that doing business ethically with a humane touch is very much practical. One can make very good profits and be ethical. There is no such thing as a trade-off between ethics and business. Instead, there is a strong and positive spiritual and economic correlation.

Cosmology:

The culprit is not corrupt people, but a corrupt mindset. Seeing life in the context of space and time widens one’s vision. When we realize that life is short and we are all going to die, there seems no point in being unethical and hoarding wealth. Seeing life from a different perspective of extended space and time deepens the vision, broadens the mind and enriches the heart. If we can replace the feeling of lack with a feeling of abundance in a person, he/she will not think about indulging in corruption.

Care and Compassion:

Care and compassion in society can bring back dedication and remove corruption. Spirituality makes one stress-free, connects to a deeper aspect of one’s self where human values of compassion and commitment can flourish. Politicians need to be more spiritual. Integration of spirituality into politics will create “a sense of responsibility and belongingness” in people that is

Sri Sri Tour Schedule  

 
21st May 2013 - 22nd May 2013
Ulan Bator, Mongolia
23rd May 2013
Hong Kong S.A.R., China
 

Voices of World Leaders

 

"We need more than ever the contribution of men and women of faith who defend and promote the human values that bind us together.The values you (His Holiness) champion,including non-violence,compassion and the sanctity of all life,go to the heart of what the United Nations stands for."
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon

"Through its manifold activities, The Art of Living Foundation has made important contributions to transmit Human Values across the globe."
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon. Prime Minister of India

"There are big powers who have big might, but they are not able unite the hearts and minds of people. This work can be done only by a spiritual leader."
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki

"The Art of Living Foundation is one of India's stars. It has an incredible -- actually incredible -- following that cuts through all religions, cultures and backgrounds, a very, very difficult thing to do in today's world."
Vice-President, United States of America,Joe Biden

"The teachings of His Holiness provide the world with a road-map for love, justice and harmony. His spiritual and humanitarian actions are worthy of praise since it is rare to find people so dedicated to the human cause. His knowledge, service and unwavering commitment to peace, drive thousands of volunteers towards community service."
President, Mauritius,His Excellency Sir Anerood Jugnauth

"His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is seen as an international figure who has been spreading the message of peace and harmony throughout the world."
Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe

"We welcome the delegation with open arms and hearts. We welcome you as our brother and we are ready to work hand in hand with you."
Shia leader of Iraq, Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Yaqubi

"Where ever The Art of Living Foundation builds- builds the world. With that simple message, if that’s something we can replicate in every community, in every country across the globe, this will be a peaceful and non-violent world to live in, for the benefit of all the future generations."
PA, United States, Congressman Jim Gerlac

"The Art of Living leads with an open mind to education, and that education leads to choice. It opened my eyes to how development could or would occur in the future."
Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences, Dr. Myron S. Scholes

"My NGO, Transparency International, is fighting corruption all over the world, and it has been energized, inspired, and strengthened by H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar."
Founder & Chairman of Advisory Board, Transparency International, Germany, Prof. Dr. Peter Eigen

"It is indeed imperative to initiate programs for re-establishing human values in society and enhancing ideas for global harmony. I extend my deep admiration and appreciation for your work."
Former Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland

"I commend Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's emphasis on the inculcation of human values in all walks of life. Mere material progress, in the absence of concomitant development of the basic life-sustaining cultural and spiritual ideals, will not help our society in the long-run. The Art of Living Foundation is both an easy-to-understand philosophy and an easy-to-practice activity. "
Leader of Opposition & former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

" I have met many NGOs - representatives of indigenous people - and they have made it clear that economic development alone does not suffice. The common future of our one world family is rooted in the awareness that we have only borrowed mother earth from the generations to come. The Art of Living is not the end, but it is the beginning for everybody and everything. It is the way to harmony."
~ Hon. Ruud Lubbers, Former Prime Minister, The Netherlands

" I am proud to be a part of that group that is helping to create important bonds, and look forward to working with the man of peace, man of vision, man of compassion and a man of action. We certainly need that in the world today.  "
Congresswoman, United States, Jan Schowski (IL)

"His Holiness’ initiatives consider human beings in their entirety, and heal the body, mind and spirit. The Art of Living is one of the rare NGOs which works at the grass root level, close to the population and goes to the core of the problem"
Djedje Dano Sebastien, Minister of National Reconciliation, Ivory Coast.

" H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’ projects that are being implemented in prisons in a far away country – my country – Croatia, are making life a little easier for our people there. You have made a mark, made a difference, and that is the greatest thing a human being can contribute in his lifetime"
Her Excellency Dr. Vesna Pusic, Vice-President, Republic of Croatia

 

International Honors

"I share this award with all those people who stand for a violence-free and stress-free society. This award is not for a person or personality, but for a principle that stands for the ideal of a 'one world family' and cultural plurality." Sri Sri on receiving the 2009 Culture in Balance Award

Doctorates

"Sri Sri's mission of uniting the world into a violence-free global family has inspired millions the world over." Chancellor of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, (India), Dr Mrunalini Devi Puar when conferring Sri Sri with the Doctorate

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Days

October 29, 2008 was declared Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day in Texas, United States of America.

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