At the heart of this vision is the recognition that compassion and care are not just soft qualities, but powerful forces that can heal, nurture, and create new beginnings. Imagine leadership that grows from inner awareness, where clarity and balance guide decisions in homes, workplaces, and communities. This strength lies in listening deeply, creating space for reflection, and trusting the subtle signals of the moment.

Equally transformative is the possibility of women coming together in circles of trust. In such spaces, leadership is no longer a solitary act but a shared journey. Voices are honoured, differences respected, and encouragement offered freely. Instead of competition, there is collaboration; instead of isolation, there is belonging. This collective spirit holds the promise of turning leadership into a safe harbour, where women draw strength from one another and amplify each other’s gifts.

Such leadership, when embraced, will be gentle yet firm, humble yet courageous. It begins with practices of reflection and self-growth, cultivating resilience from within. By nurturing inner balance, women can act with compassion even in times of uncertainty, showing that greatness does not need to be loud to be lasting.

This is not a lesser form of leadership, but a new horizon. It inspires not through dominance, but through presence — reminding us that power can be intuitive, life-affirming, and enduring. The potential lies in recognising these capacities as gifts, not weaknesses, and exploring how they can reshape the way we lead.

In homes, workplaces, and communities, this vision is waiting to unfold. It is a call to women to see themselves not only as individuals, but as part of a collective strength that can redefine leadership for our times. When activated, this shared power can become a force for transformation that is both practical and profound.

There is something extraordinary about light. A single candle makes no sound. It does not seek recognition or compete with the candles around it. Yet the moment it is lit, darkness quietly begins to retreat.

Perhaps that is why some of the most remarkable women are like candles. Not because they are perfect. Not because life has always been easy. But because, wherever they go, they bring a little more light.

Women’s Month offers us an opportunity to celebrate remarkable women. We honour their achievements, their courage, and the many ways they have shaped our world. Yet perhaps this month also invites us to pause and ask a quieter, more personal question:

Who am I becoming?

Some women change the world from a stage. Others change it around a dinner table. Some lead nations; others quietly lead their families. Some inspire thousands; others transform one life at a time. Every one of these contributions matters.

We live in a world that celebrates achievement—degrees, promotions, awards and success. These milestones deserve recognition because they reflect dedication, perseverance and hard work. Yet they tell only part of our story.

Long after people forget what we accomplished, they remember who we were.

Were we patient? Did we bring peace into the lives of others? Did we live with integrity? Did we show compassion? Did we have the courage to stand up for what was right?

These are qualities that no mirror can reflect, no photograph can capture and no trophy can measure.

Deep within each of us lie qualities such as peace, love, compassion and wisdom. They are part of our original nature. Life does not give us these qualities; it gives us opportunities to express them. When we reconnect with them, we do not become someone new—we simply allow our authentic selves to shine.

This is where the true beauty of a woman begins. Not in the latest fashion. Not in flawless appearance. Not in the number of people who admire her. True beauty is revealed in the character she cultivates and the values she lives each day.

The world often encourages us to look outward—to compare, compete and constantly prove ourselves. We spend so much time asking, Am I enough? that we rarely stop to ask a far more meaningful question:

Am I living from the best within me?

The greatest journey is not across countries or continents. It is the journey within.

When we create moments of stillness, we begin to hear a quieter voice beneath the noise of everyday life. It reminds us that our worth has never depended on applause, perfection or the opinions of others. It reminds us that peace is not something we have to chase; it is something we can choose. Love becomes more than an emotion—it becomes the way we live. Strength is no longer measured by carrying every burden alone, but by remaining true to our values even when life becomes difficult.

Perhaps this is the quiet power women have always carried: the power to create harmony where there is conflict; to offer hope where there is discouragement; to remain calm when everything around them feels uncertain; to respond with dignity when anger seems easier; and to inspire without needing applause.

Like a candle, they simply shine.

And the beautiful thing about light is this: it loses nothing by lighting another candle.

When a woman encourages another woman instead of comparing herself to her, her own light does not diminish. When she offers kindness instead of criticism, understanding instead of judgement, generosity instead of competition, her light grows brighter.

Imagine how different our homes would feel if we carried a little more patience into them. How different our communities would become if kindness mattered more than criticism. How different our world would be if we measured success not only by what we achieve, but by the peace we create and the hope we leave behind.

Real change rarely begins with grand gestures. It begins quietly—with one thought, one choice and one act of kindness.

This Women’s Month, let us celebrate not only the remarkable women whose names appear in history books, but also the countless women whose quiet strength has shaped families, friendships and communities without ever seeking recognition.

And while we honour the women around us, let us not forget to honour ourselves. Take a moment to recognise the light you already carry.

Protect it.

Nurture it.

Share it generously.

Because the brightest light is not the one that seeks attention. It is the one that quietly helps others find their way.

This August, may we celebrate not only what women achieve, but who they choose to become.

For when a woman lives with peace in her heart, kindness in her words and courage in her actions, she leaves behind something far more lasting than success.

She leaves behind light.

And there is no greater beauty than a light that helps others discover their own.

Over decades of rapid change in lifestyles the family structure has undergone changes which challenges us to sustain strong family bonds in a modernised world.

The basis of any healthy relationship is TRUST.  When there is a lack of trust it adds to self-doubt, unmet expectations and second guessing each other.  Trust allows for an atmosphere of safety which is a healthy environment for honest, authentic conversations.  Trust removes the element of feeling judged and its in such an atmosphere that there is a feeling of mutual respect and growth. Such a level of security implies that instead of looking for a listener outside the safety net of the home, one will naturally be drawn towards the inner circle of family and reach out for help.

Very often as a family we tend to live past each other – each one absorbed in their own priorities and schedules.  Each one rushing and there not being enough time.  Often the misunderstanding is that we need a lot of time.  However its quality not quantity, its about being fully present and listening.

Like the fingers of the same hand being different, hence each one has a particular strength and weakness.  As a family each member is different and unique.  Family is about these individual personalities finding common ground in the values they share.  What enables there to be harmony in spite of the variety and the difference is the vision each one holds for the other.  Conflict usually occurs when we trying to create a single mould into which each one needs to fit in.  But when there is acceptance of the uniqueness of the other we can use the difference as a strength.  This brings harmony.  At a spiritual level it relates to seeing the other as a soul, a spiritual being who has been gifted with qualities from the Divine.  This vision instils a deep and profound respect.

Our social conditioning plays a huge role whereby each one assumes roles based on cultural influences.  Todays society in many ways challenges these traditional roles, because our current time requires both genders to contribute to both earning financially but also household chores.  Unless we adapt to these changing roles with a keen sense of appreciation of each ones contribution there can be conflict. Conflict usually occurs because of power based on the ego and the need for control.  It comes back to trust, where there is trust there is no need for ego.  Differences need to be communicated but with understanding and love.  Often there is a dance we need to learn between humility and self-respect to navigate this.

Finally the invasion of social-media and with the advent of AI, family bonds seem unimportant and something which can be avoided in comparison to the thousands of virtual friendships and array of followers lined up which makes up for all the needs of companionship. The age-old saying that man is a social animal has slowly but rapidly transformed into man is a virtual prisoner.

We crave connection, because connection is what makes us feel valued.  Virtual connections give a temporary high – however it is often just fake.  Real connections occur when we are together.  It is a very widely spoken about fact that a family that eats together and prays together stays strong together. When a family sits together for meals, firstly each one is giving a slice of their time into the joint project called “family” and as we all know that money may come and go but time once gone can never come back. Meal times are an opportunity to share the dramas of each ones day – allowing for a shared feeling of belonging.  Similarly, when we pray together, we are combining our individual energies and linking with the Supreme energy whom we refer to as God or Almighty. Such combined remembrance of God fills each one with Love, Joy, Peace, Wisdom and Purity and these positive virtues ignited in each one will fill the home with a nurturing energy which will sustain harmony and peace.

The golden rule for creating and sustaining harmony among family members respect and love without any judgement or pre-conceived notions. Spend quality time with each other enriching each one. Harmony stems from a deep, unconditional affection. This love is the first type of love a person experiences and is essential for emotional well-being, providing a foundation of security and support.

Raja Yoga for breath

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ meaning to join or to yoke or to unite.  As per yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, between man and nature.

We focus on exercises as yoga, however, it is the union or rather harmonizing of matter which is body and spirit or consciousness.  In many ways humanity, with the influence of materialism, has become disconnected from the inner self, the spiritual self. This disconnect has resulted in internal conflicts and discontentment in everyday life, which gets exasperated by the continuous change in our external world.  That is one reason why we are finding how this discord and conflict is being revealed through our bodies.

We all know that mental stress leads to lowering of our immunity and a varied number of other psychosomatic illnesses. That is why yoga is so relevant in today’s day and age – we need to realign and harmonize internally first so that we can then harmonize with our world.

The various asanas of yoga are helpful to relax and center oneself; however, an internal alignment can only truly occur when we understand and give time to reconnect with our spiritual nature.  This is the alignment of our mind and intellect with our innate qualities or inherent divinity of the soul – the attributes of peace, love, bliss, purity and power.  This is Raja Yoga – to realign with this inherent self.

So, it begins by firstly recognizing and understanding that the true nature of the self is non-physical.  I am consciousness, I am soul, and the soul is eternal.  Perhaps we have this as an understanding but we have to translate this into an experience and further into an attitude so that I view my world and I respond to my world from this premise that I am a soul.  When I come from soul consciousness, I come from the awareness of being eternal, of being energy, of being divinely created – so it results in me creating a capacity within me or attitude within me to respond from a place of love and peace.  Why?  When I truly connect with myself as being eternal I am secure and I free myself from the most basic fear, the fear of death.  This internal security, this internal peace, this internal attitude of focusing on what is beyond the stream of constant change emerges two powerful personality traits. Firstly, I build the capacity to be stable emotionally and mentally irrespective of the change around me.  Secondly, it helps to engage with others with the attitude and understanding that the innate nature of every soul is goodness.  So a spirit of love and respect for all emerges, not only for people but also for nature and all creatures. When love emerges then love creates a feeling of connection and harmony.

How to begin this practice?

Just as when we are unwell we end up breathing in a shallow way, sometimes gasping for breath – in the same way, a mind that is too busy and has far too many thoughts is a soul gasping for inner peace. How do we create silence in the mind?  Silence is not emptiness, but silence is a mind resting on a pure thought.

Extract: the Man who loved angels by Anthony Strano.

A second is the unit of time, just as a thought is the basic unit of consciousness.  A body has many cells and so do time and consciousness.  Whether we measure time in terms of eternity, ages, cycles centuries years…hours minutes, the basic unit or cell is a second.  We may measure consciousness in terms of awareness, attitudes, beliefs, feelings, behaviour, aliveness, responses but the basic unit or cell is always a thought.  If these basic units of time and thoughts are weak then the whole of time and consciousness suffers.  So how do we create inner silence, we begin by a practice of taking one thought in one second and make them work together.

Take one second to think one thought

Slowly and faithfully think: I am

Add another second and another thought: a soul

Add another second or two and think: I am peace

Add another second or two and think: I am a being of peace.

Repeat these thoughts gently to yourself, paying special attention to them.  There is no need to rush, no need for second thoughts or ideas going anywhere else.  Just focus on the original self.

Practising this daily several times, we teach ourselves to think the right thoughts at the right time.  We free ourselves from the internal chatter and begin to feel more, listen more and be more.  As we reconnect with ourselves we harmonize mind with breath, spirit with body, consciousness with nature.  When I am aligned internally I can easily harmonize and connect with others and nature, but moreover, I open myself to connect with the Divine Source, with God.  This allows me to draw spiritual power and truly experience the state of Yoga – which is Union with the Highest Source.  The experience of this highest love then flows through my being, my relationships, my work and I become an instrument to create a better world.

Author: Pratiba Daya

The world around us, offers many possibilities for learning, experimenting and experiencing.  We are surrounded by information, in fact the times we live in is called the information age.  The easy access and information, may have stimulated us and made us more knowledgeable.  However, when we look at the human condition we seem none the wiser, in fact in some ways the quality of our lives has deteriorated.

The need of our times is to extract deeper wisdom.  Why?  So that our decisions can serve and provide long term benefit, not only for ourselves but for the communities we live in.  Where do we derive deeper wisdom from?  Wisdom doesn’t come from outside of us, wisdom is a process of emerging a deeper truth from within.

“What is education?  One lovely definition is being able ‘to draw out’ that which is within us – the English word ‘education’ derives from the Latin ducacre, meaning ‘to lead, draw or bring’ and e, meaning ‘out’.  If we wish to be educated, then, we must trustingly assume that we have, at our core, both sound qualities and a bank of well-judged experiences and knowledge.”

To begin to sow the seeds of deeper wisdom begins by cultivating the practice of learning to look within, reflectively and with loving kindness. When attention is turned inward, awareness is created to the quality of my thinking.  Our thoughts are powerful packets of energy, powerful seeds which can have a huge impact.  From the tiny acorn the mighty oak grows – similarly, our thoughts grow into ideas, vision, attitudes, relationships and perceptions.  In other words with our thoughts we create the world we live in.  Remembering this can chart the course of your life onto a path of possibility or obstacles.

Learning to create a moment of pause, to reflect within allows us to listen to the voice of our conscience.  Therein lies the wisdom – the inner knowingness that guides our outer life.  Wisdom emerges from this practise of creating a pause in the mind to listen … and hear through the silence. To create this inner silence, focus the mind on the inner self, as an energy of peace and light.  Just knowing that peace is innate, it comes from within.  It is your most natural state.

Mankind has always applauded the brave, the victorious warrior, the one who showed fortitude in the face of tremendous opposition or overwhelming loss.

The ability to put one foot in front of the other is in itself an act of courage.

What qualities makes one courageous ? When we look back at the people in life whose courage, bravery and resilience have won our hearts, it is those who, in response to a negative situation, could have shown us their worst but instead chose to emerge their best. It takes greatness to bring out your best when life deals you are bad hand.

It is far easier to make excuses or justify our bad or weak behaviour rather than show our strength. Respect is always earned. In order to earn one’s own respect, it is imperative that we dig deep and ask ourselves at this moment what is the best version of me that l can bring to the fore. Neither our past or personality can justify us being weak. Nor can we use someone or something as a reason for being a lesser version of ourselves.

A courageous person applies forethought to each word and each act. He lives carefully and never places himself at the mercy of life. Courage means forging through pain, tragedy and loss and still immersing yourself fully in life.

Courage means living from an internal space that contains depth and meaning. A truly courageous soul intrinsically comprehends all spiritual laws of life and abides by them not out of fear but respect.

Courage means not allowing anything or anyone to destroy you, damage you or break your spirit.

We have often heard the expression that life is a journey.  When any journey is begun, there is an idea of the destination – an anticipation of where we reaching and what will be the attainment at the end.  Without a sense of what is to be achieved the journey becomes meaningless.  Only when there is a sense of meaningfulness then it inspires courage, gives the capacity for perseverance and kindles hope.  Hope is what keeps the flame of life burning.

However, no journey is ever a straight path.  There will be many twists and turns before the destination is reached.  The key is to keep the destination alive in the imagination and consciousness.  There is such power in the power of our mind and imagination.  Einstein once said, imagination is more important than knowledge.  I don’t think it’s a blind belief but rather a sense of the many possibilities and opportunities that may exist for one.  Always remember, that along the journey, sometimes one door shuts, only to open a window of a new opportunity.  Many times we get disheartened when we are faced with a challenge or obstacle.  When walking along the path there is a boulder on the path.  You won’t stop and analyse the situation, but rather find a way either around or above it.  Similarly when along your journey of life a huge boulder is placed which may appear as a block or obstacle, always remember there is a path around it.

To see the solution or the path, an important skill to use is to learn to create a space between the situation and my emotions.  Usually we get overwhelmed by the situation, not because of the situation itself but the emotions it triggers for me.  It is at those moments when the ongoing practice of turning your mind inwards and reconnecting with an inner space within u of peace which is most helpful.  At the core of every person is a space or energy of peace and stillness, we need to take moments in our day and return to that inner core.  Meditation, mindfulness and prayer are some methods to help us return to hat center core.  From a place of inner peace, I see with greater clarity, I can hold a wider perspective and that enables me to make more knowledge full decisions.  Knowing how to access and regularly accessing my inner core of stillness then enables me not only to continue the journey, but most importantly to enjoy the journey.

Practice:  each morning before u begin your day, still quietly for a few minutes and return to your center core of peace… By reminding yourself, I am a peaceful soul… A peaceful being.

In every religious tradition there is a common practice of chanting a rosary.  The rosary is comprised of a specific number of beads, each shaped circular, threaded together and yet each bead unique.  It is a powerful symbol of understanding that human life is so deeply connected with each other.   Each bead, as unique as it is, reflects its own individual beauty, yet the beauty of the rosary is that these individual beads are able to come together.  They are close yet unique, they are close yet separate, they are close and harmonise with each other.

Human life is reflected in the rosary.  We are individuals, each with a unique personality and a unique role.  However, as individual as we are we experience our wholeness through relationships.  We know ourselves through our expression of ourselves in our relationships.  We cannot know or be whole in isolation.  Thus the expression, I am because we are holds such truth.

To offer the best of ourselves requires deep self reflection.  The more self aware I am of my feelings, motivations, intentions and attitudes the more I am able to offer myself authentically and creatively.  This is the work needed on each individual bead of the rosary. This inner work releases one from creating dependencies.  Dependencies or attachments creates entanglement and complexity in relationships.  It compromises the self which does not serve the self or each other.  So it is so important to understand what love is and what attachments are.  Love is the giving of oneself without expectation.  Love is a deep regard of the other.  Love is the appreciation of the other and their contribution.  Love is expressing understanding, care and sharing beauty and joy.  Love is the thread that holds the beads of the rosary together.

Another truth to recognize is that what I do to the other I do to myself.  No individual is an island, there is the silent law of karma that underlines our relationship.  When I treat the other with love, I enhance the experience of love within.  When I express anger or dislike towards the other, I disconnect with the sacred in me.  Therefore what I do to the other I do to myself.  As I strengthen the core of love, I strengthen the self.

Practise:  to develop a practice of appreciating every being for who they truly are beneath the masks of habit and conditioning, make a list of the most important people in your life.  The list could include family, friends work colleagues, members of your wider community , people that you believe have an impact on your life.  For each individual make a list of either five to seven positive qualities that you appreciate in them.    Observe how this influences your attitude towards them as well as the changes in the dynamic of your relationship with them.

The 9th of March we celebrate International Women’s Day.   I would like to reflect on this as more than just a question of gender, but rather celebrating the feminine qualities which are potentially in all of us whether we male or female.  Whenever things are looked at from a physical level, we always categorise and divide.  So we have male, female and transgender, because that’s the way we are biologically created.  However, when we look at the individual beyond the gender barrier, there are intrinsic qualities which we all have.  We all, irrespective of gender have the capacity to love, be compassionate, express determination and courage and so on….  Perhaps the only difference is how we conditioned to express these qualities differently.  As a society we have defined roles based on gender, but more than just the role we have also defined the expression of our innate self based on gender.

Therefore little girls are taught to play with dolls and tea sets, so that they express love and kindness with that nurturing, soft quality….. As a provider of care and food.  Little boys are encouraged to play with cars, guns and balls so that they express strength, adventure and courage.  But we all know that to feel complete as a human being I have to emerge, experience and express all qualities, and we do find that expression in each of us.

We can see some qualities are of a more masculine nature, like determination, courage, fearlessness, focus and strength etc.. Other qualities are more feminine in nature, like nurturing, compassion, gentleness, humility and sweetness etc..  In the world of competitiveness, success based on materialism and consumerism, the more masculine qualities seem to be more celebrated and valued.  However, this has led to imbalances, stress and isolation in some ways, because the masculine qualities are more individualistic. Whereas the feminine qualities are more about our inter connectedness and harmonious living.

Spiritually we understand that the inner nature of the self is we are a spiritual consciousness, a soul.  The soul is beyond gender, it has both masculine and feminine qualities intrinsically.  Celebrating the feminine is about recognizing that to have a healthier society we need to challenge the stereotypes we have internalized, and bring about greater balance in our being.  Irrespective of gender of the body, the soul needs to express all aspects of itself.  Those qualities which have been suppressed and seen as being weak we need to emerge and restore a deeper respect for the feminine in each one of us.  When the individual is more balanced, and accepts the whole of oneself, then that leads to a deeper inner security and less expectations of the other.   When I am more whole within then I am able to harmonise and flow with the other.  Otherwise there is always the tug of war of expectations and disappointments.

Practice point:  For one week, make a list of the positive qualities which you may have disregarded, ignored or suppressed in yourself .  Reflect on it for some time, and make a concerted effort to find ways of expressing them.

For example: Gentleness – gentleness is a quality whose foundation is deep respect for the other.  It is a an expression of originality without wishing to impose itself.  Imagine a butterfly…. It’s touch leaves no impression yet it it offers the valuable service of pollinating the flower.  So bring gentleness into your language, speak without force, without needing to convince or assert but simply express your voice with softness.  Observe the impact of this practice on yourself and on its effect on others….