Spirituality is the key to freedom and self-respect. It is also an inherent part of our nature -- as are freedom and self-respect. In order to find that inner treasure, one must learn to see oneself as a soul, an eternal spirit, and understand that the body is a vehicle that the soul uses to play its part, expressing its own unique qualities. Experiences, character, powers and virtues all lie within the soul, and it is the soul that gives life to the body so that the individual can enact her or his part in the drama of life. It is the soul then rather than the body that must serve as the foundation of our sense of identity.

Spirituality thus involves going within, transcending the differences between the male and female aspects of identity and distinguishing between innate values and acquired values. The soul is a tiny star of the Divine, and its inherent nature includes the strengths of both the female and the male. To be in touch with our inner spirituality is to be aware of and balance both these aspects within ourselves.

If the values that we live by are only those values we acquire from our physical surroundings and circumstances, including basing our identity on being male or female, then we deprive ourselves of half of our innate nature. Spirituality is the practice of opening the "third eye" of wisdom and becoming aware of the depth and wealth of our true nature -- a harmonious balance of the best of both the masculine and feminine.

Empowerment does not come from the outside. It is a process of learning about the core values and qualities that lie within and how to use them. Empowerment is not simply a question of strengthening survival skills or externally redressing wrongs. It also involves inner growth and development -- changing our state of mind more than the state of affairs, since the greatest limitations are those we place on ourselves. We have learned to acquire, accept and live by powerlessness, and each of us must now learn to re-acquire that inner power that is the source of social, economic and political change.

Deep within the core of every individual is an oasis of spiritual strength known in Hindi as "shakti." In ancient times, women were worshipped for their spiritual attributes and presence, and shakti was the praise of the goddess, the one with spiritual power received directly from God. True empowerment is to forge a direct connection with God, the source of justice, courage and love that balances might with right -- a power that no one can suppress.

Trust in oneself and respect for others lie at the heart of authentic leadership; integrity and high moral standards sustain it. Leaders must constantly look within to take power and support from the essence of their self-worth and then turn outward and see others through the lens of equality and respect.

It is no longer enough, if ever it were, for a leader to lead from the front. What we must learn to do now is to lead from within because effective leadership of any kind is built on inner strength:

• The strength of vision that sees and brings out the best in others.
• The strength of example that inspires action in others, and
• The strength of self-respect that enables one to serve and care for others. To lead then is simply to be visible and noticeable as one who is worthy of others’ attention, and a leader is someone who follows her or his own inner principles, conscience and truth. That inner truth is within each one of us, and the more we reconnect with it the more we become leaders who inspire others with excellence of performance, making us together the co-creators of our common destiny.