(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 January 2012, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9)
There was a temple that I visited in my travels in the last year and for quite a number of years it was emptying out. Everyone was leaving the temple. And then suddenly, they found a new president who was young and enthusiastic and kind of nice in human relationships, that was the strongest point… and that changed the mood so much that now everyone is moving towards that temple, from everywhere.
So good leadership is certainly important and we are talking especially about leadership centred around sadachar, about the behaviour of a sadhu. A person who is gentle, who is an example, who is spiritually strong and who is kind in his dealings. That is something that helps a lot in community life. People are looking at a leader. It is a fundamental principle. We see in India they are still talking Ramraja, Ramraja, Ramraja – the rule of Lord Ramachandra one million years ago and still it is relevant today.
In our movement also, it is required that we all come forward. There was a book, some management book which I read about leadership and it said 360 degree leadership. It meant that everyone, on any level must be in a role of leadership, not only the person on the top. Everyone has to take his share of leadership. Everyone has to be a leader in his own field – 360 degrees means all around. Everyone has to be an example. That resonates very much with sadhusanga. Everyone has to lead, and take initiative. Everyone has a responsibility in a community of devotees to be an inspiration.
