Hoop – Vaclav Havel

Diep in onszelf dragen wij de hoop.
Als dat niet het geval is, is er geen hoop meer.

Hoop is een kwaliteit van de ziel
en hangt niet af van wat er in de wereld gebeurt.

Hoop is niet voorspellen of vooruitzien.
Het is een gerichtheid van de geest,
een gerichtheid van het hart, voorbij de horizon verankerd.

Hoop in deze diepe en krachtige betekenis
is niet hetzelfde als vreugde omdat alles goed gaat
of bereidheid je in te zetten voor wat succes heeft.

Hoop is ergens voor werken omdat het goed is,
niet alleen omdat het kans van slagen heeft.

Hoop is niet hetzelfde als optimisme.
Evenmin de overtuiging dat iets goed zal aflopen.
Wel de zekerheid dat iets zinvol is
ongeacht de afloop, het resultaat.

A true experience

My first participation to the conference has been a true experience.  It was great to meet so many wonderful people acting upon their faith and values. Or, in more difficult words: authentically living one’s values, attitudes, and behavior from the inside out.

I especially liked the remark of Swami Pragyapad, representing the IAHV Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, that people are losing faith.  And when you do so, people become depressed.  He further says: “Lack of human health leads to lack of human values. That is the crisis we are facing, and nobody is even thinking about this – the human crisis. Spirituality is the only solution.”  By the way, faith is one of the key elements in the spiritual leadership model that I’m researching.

Another person that touched me was Mrs. Sung-Joo Kim, who received the Ethics in Business Award for her exceptional commitment to social responsibility, especially in empowering women and young leaders.  It is woman of not many words, but a lot of deeds.   Having faith is demonstrated through action or deeds and is based on a willingness to do what it takes to do one’s personal best and maximize ones potential.

I also had the opportunity to discuss my work on spiritual leadership during the several breaks.  This is the first time where I felt comfortable to speak about spirituality out loud.  It gave me strength to talk more about it in other settings.  You find the poster here: poster presentation.

Warmly. Danny

Presenting at the Conference on Ethics in Business – Corporate Culture & Spirituality, Nov 6, 2009

I have been selected to present my research about Spiritual Leadership during a poster session at the 6^th Conference on Ethics in Business – Corporate Culture & Spirituality”, International Business & Leadership Symposium, European Parliament, Brussels.  For a full programme, please visit their website: www.ccsforum.org.

My poster sessions are held on Friday Nov 6 at 14:00 and at 16:30.  You need to register to get access to the European Parliament.  Registration is free.

Hope to meet you there!

Maison des Chevaliers

Inner court

A true experience, I would call it.

“Maison des Chevaliers” is a guest house in the middle of France and served as a rest place on our way to Spain.  It was madame Choux who welcomed us and gave a tour through this magnificent piece of history.  This manor was built in the XVIII century and possesses an extraordinary noble character.  We were able to stay in the Suite “Coté Sud”:  two spacious rooms, next to eachother and connected with a common door, oriented to the south and each one decorated in its own style.  This manor has a beautiful inner court. Flowers and green leaves gave  a touch of freshness to this court.  It was a place to gather with all the guests and to enjoy a glass of white wine just before dinner.  Dinner itself was served in the main salon and was a nice treat of interesting talks, delicious food and tasty wine.  This was our first experience in a guest house in France and it will definitely not be our last one. Cheers!

www.maisondeschevaliers.com