The art of leading

As we celebrate Navratri, we worship the eight-armed Goddess Shakti. The festival reminds us that we innately carry eight spiritual powers. When we awaken them, we meet every challenge with strength.

Power to withdraw: Facing difficult scenes, we stay untouched by the negative vibrations of situations and people.

From it flows the power to let go: Consciously releasing burdens that weigh us down, we welcome new ways of thinking and living.


Power to tolerate: People carry insecurity, jealousy or hurt that makes them behave wrongly. They are not the cause of our pain; they are themselves in pain. This understanding lets us tolerate and nurture them.

Its partner, power to accept: Accepting people and situations as they are doesn't mean we let them be; it means we don't deplete our energy in judgement.

Power to discern: When we cleanse our energy, we understand people and situations as they really are.

Power to decide: We refrain from seeking approval.

Power to face: It takes courage to stand up for what is right.

Power to cooperate: We need only to be ourselves, peaceful and loving.

When we awaken these eight powers, we overcome the 10 vices - the Ravan within - and that is the true victory that marks the spirit of Dussehra.