ELI Goes to India!

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1 www.EmergingLeadersNow.com| Jewell Jackson McCabe Emerging Leaders Institute, Inc.

Wisdom.....Friendship.....Knowledge.....Fashion.....Service.....Passion......Connections......Bangalore!




An Incredible, Life-Changing Experience

February 7-9, 2014, the Art of Living Foundation hosted its

6th International Women's Conference in Bangalore, India.

I was honored and privileged to serve as delegate on behalf

of the Jewell Jackson McCabe Emerging Leaders Institute,

Inc. Over 700 women - delegates, guests, and speakers -

representing 60+ countries from around the world shared in

the "Harmony of Evolution". We learned from dynamic

speakers on a wide range of issues that included

environmental sustainability, effective media

communications, innovative rehabilitation techniques, and

new leadership paradigms.

I am eternally grateful to all the people who contributed to

ELI to make this journey possible: DeLana Jones, Herbert &

Sonji Willingham, Sonja Brown, Hester Parks, Mike & Juanita McGowan, Ross & Nasha

Snipes, Reggie Smith, Eric & Dashawn Mayweather, Errin Baugh, Ken & Linda Howard,

Robert & Ann Champion, Patience Mitchell, Brian Blackwell, Patricia Mitchell, Ebony

Hillsman, John & Jessie Jenkins, Chestina Archibald, Ronald & Darlene Williams, Raymour

Clarke, Rowena Silvera, Robin McCallum, Fatina Newman, David & Myesha Good, Cynthia

Walton, Trinette McKinney, and Antoinette Marshall. And I thank all my family, friends,

and supporters for their prayers and well wishes.

I am very happy to share the following pages of pictures, wisdom, and future dreams

from this enriching experience. I cannot wait until 2016 when we may marshal a full

delegation of our own to go to India together.

All my best,

Lynita

Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell

Co-founder, ELI

ELI was well represented

at the IWC. Pictured are

Lynita, class of 2013

members Mona Shah-

Joshi and Tanika Gray-

Valburn, and another

speaker.




Extraordinary Gems of Knowledge

One of the most enriching elements of the conference was the incredible knowledge

gained from powerful women from around the world! Here are just a few gems:

Her Excellency Ms. Chandrika

Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

Former President - Sri Lanka

On Good Leadership

"Good leaders make better humans of

others. They control the 'animal' in

people. They put the common cause

above personal needs and have the

humility to heed the voice of others.

Good leaders have the courage to say, 'I

am wrong', give light to darkness, and

courage to the hopeless. Good leaders

are efficient, and have a clear vision of

what is to be accomplished. They have

a plan, tools, resources, and

commitment to make 'it' happen. We all

have these qualities, but we must

suppress the bad qualities" to allow the

good to shine.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi

Shankar

Founder - the Art of Living

Foundation

On Women and Equality

Women must "own [our] rights. They

do not have to be given, [we] already

have them."

The Honorable Smt Rita

Bahuguna Joshi

President - Uttar Pradesh

Congress Committee, India On Women and Power

"For women - right now - the sky is the

limit! We've come a long way through

the women's movement, but we have a

some way to go. We are 50% of the

population," but we do not exercise 50%

of the power or authority.

The Honorable Ms. Meenakshi

Lekhi

National Spokesperson BJP,

Lawyer, Supreme Court & Socio-

Political Activist, India

On Women's Empowerment

"The Empowerment issue exists because

we treat people differently. When we

have rights versus rights instead of

rights versus duties, conflict results."

When people focus on how and what

they contribute to the community rather

than the entitlement of a state of being,

appreciation and therefore

empowerment results.




Her Excellency Dr. Husn Banu

Ghazanfar

Minister of Women's Affairs,

Afghanistan

On Women's Equality

"Coordination of all people - women

AND men - is required to achieve

women's equality."

Her Excellency Ms. Shiranthi

Wickremesinghe Rajapaksa

First Lady, Sri Lanka On Community Interest

"Self interest also means having interest

in others."

Outstanding Hospitality

I had the pleasure of traveling

to India with ELI Leadership

Division 2013 graduate Tanika

Gray-Valburn, who was also a

speaker. As a speaker at the

IWC, Tanika was afforded an

escort for the duration of the

conference. This wonderful

woman, Ms. Vinita Verma,

was gracious enough to adopt

me, too. And we all had a

fabulous time!

Vinita met us at the airport - 1am Friday morning - and

kept us entertained during the 1.5 hour trip to the Art of

Living Center. The Center rests on 200+ acres and is a mini

city of its own. In addition to the conference center, there

are multiple apartment buildings, strip malls, a spa, dining

hall, vocational school, media center (where they broadcast

their own TV and radio programs) and they grow their own

food and produce several excellent products.

The Three Musketeers in the middle: Lynita, Tanika, and

Vinita flanked by two other escorts.




Vinita ensured our check in was smooth, and that we had everything we needed to be

comfortable the entire conference. Vinita was a part of our "crew" and was included in

most of our pictures. Thankfully, Tanika and Vinita are "picture-nistas" just like me, so

there was no judgment between us as we took pictures of everything. Hence, the other

200 pictures on my Facebook page! And some of them made it to the IWC's official

page as well.

When we arrived in our room, Tanika and I were pleasantly surprised by the welcome

gifts - yes plural - that greeted us. In addition to a theme-colored conference bag filled

with our agenda, coffee mug, official conference scarf, and leadership/management

book by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; we also received a fruit basket, amenities kit

filled with Art of Living products that were divine, and a handwritten greeting card

from the volunteer who prepared

our kits. My kit was compiled by

Kavita Classilx.

All meals were prepared and

served by the volunteer staff at

the Center. It was an entirely

vegetarian menu and the dishes

were delicious. The staff was

courteous and friendly, even in

80+ degree heat serving over 700

people three meals each day.

Creative Leadership Methods in Unlikely Places

Another element of the Conference that has me excited about attending in 2016 were

presentations on creativity in leadership. Here are just a few I thought were exceptional

in that the leadership displayed was gained in very unlikely places and/or under

unexpected circumstances.




In Prison

Ms. Vimla Mehta, Director General, Tihar Jail, India was one of the

first women to serve as a prison guard in the 1970's in India. She rose to the position of

warden of one of the largest prison systems in the country. Her focus on rehabilitation

rather than retribution has been a model throughout her state and the country:

Recidivism in the prisons under her authority are the lowest in the entire country (an

incredible feat since she is responsible for the largest number of prisons).

Ms. Mehta shared her secret to success: "spiritualism enhances calmness and creativity".

Specifically, it brings talents and capabilities to the forefront, and allows people to build

self respect because they learn a skill where they can work and get paid. Every jail

under her supervision has music, meditation, and vocational training programs. Ms.

Mehta said that this keeps people busy and productive. This reduces inmates' desire to

return to a life of crime

because they leave prison with

a way to earn a legal living

and resources to live a better

life.

In the Media

Ms. Kathrine Aspaas, Journalist & Writer, Norway shared that "we

are going from war to peace journalism very slowly". The audience voiced frustration

with all of the negative reporting that dominates the media. Ms. Aspaas challenged

everyone to become the sources and reporters to share information we would like to

see. The catch is that the reporting cannot be self-interest - it has to lift up others. Many

people are so strangled by envy and jealousy that they cannot put their own self interest

Far left Tanika and I are with a delegate

from Nepal who really touched me. She

asked how things were for "our people"

[African Americans] post Civil Rights

Movement. She shared that her people

were going through a similar struggle and

that it was important that we stand

together in solidarity.




to the side to do this. "To get the media and people interested in positive things WE are

doing, we have to lift up OTHERS who are doing good things."

Tanika Gray Valbun, News Editor, CNN, USA added to the dialogue

that news stations are interested in positive news, but that we have to take

responsibility for informing them of it. Developing genuine relationships with

reporters and news anchors will establish credibility and lay the ground work for you

to become that person's "go to" person for news.

In the Arts

Ms. Rita Jahan Foruz, Singer & Actor, Israel stressed the importance of

cultural pride and heritage in our brand. Ms. Foruz spoke of her feelings of being the

"odd person out" as a Jewish girl living in Iran, then as a Persian (Iranian) teen living in

Israel. She stated, "we are incomplete without our culture" and ensures that on every

album she produces, there is at least one Persian song on all of them - even though that

is very unpopular. "Art has an incredible role in building bridges between people and

should not be taken lightly."

Ms. Foruz also shared the following

affirmation that I thought was so

powerful: "You must allow yourself to

cry, fall down and fall apart because

you are strong enough to get back up -

and rise!"

My travel companion, Tanika Gray-Valburn made me laugh hourly, to the point I gave her the

hashtag #tbtanika (tickled by Tanika).

She is so positive. As you can see by the picture, the ceilings were very ornate. The pigeons

thought so, too. And they had no problem telling us so on the first day... by doing their "doo" right

in front of us! I told Tanika I would die if I got hit by a pigeon bomb. She said, "Well, it's supposed

to be good luck!" #tbtanika




In Native American Tribal Traditions

Ms. Annika Dopping, TV Producer, Sweden, completed a

documentary on the Onondaga Nation (People of the Hills) and found that the Chief is

selected by the Clan Mother of the tribe based on his behavior throughout his life. The

belief is that since the Clan Mothers have primary responsibility for the rearing of

children - including their education and cultural emersion - they are in the best position

to select the person who will lead their people. Clan Mothers also have the power to

remove a chief if he does not exemplify strong leadership.

In Terminal Illness

Ms. Beka Ntsanwisi, Women & Children's Advocate, "Mother

Teresa" of Limpopo, South Africa, was an incredible inspiration. She was

diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, and her doctors told her to start making

arrangements because she was terminal - 10 years ago. Since the diagnosis, Ms.

Ntsanwisi has gone on to help victims of child and domestic abuse, and serve as a

powerful advocate for education of the girl-child. Her motivation comes from the work

that will be left unfinished should she die. "How can I die before I [get this house in

order]? How can I die while a 85 year old woman is being raped by her own grandson?

How can I die while a father keeps his child home from school so he may have sex with

her? I cannot die before my work is done!"

Special appreciation to Mona Shah-Joshi (far right),

Art of Living Foundation - Georgia Director (and

ELI Leadership 2013 graduate!) for inviting me on

this amazing journey. Mona has been a member of

the AOL faculty for 20+ years, and is an advanced

instructor - there are only a handful of them of

literally thousands of teachers in the entire world.




Hangin' Out with His Holiness

A true treat, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi

Shankar hosted a Google Hangout that was

attended by not only the Conference

attendees, but also people broadcasting from

9 other countries. Here are a few nuggets of

wisdom shared by the guru:

On how we get the "spark" (or

excitement to live) back into our lives: Babies

are born with the spark. People already have

the spark, it's not placed in them.

A lot has been done to make people

sensible, but not much to make them

sensitive.

The head longs for something new and the heart longs for the old. We need both.

In reference to Israelites and Palestinians coming together: Artificial fear has

been placed in us by our political structures. This must be removed so we may

break through the barriers that separate us.

Violent video games should be restricted. They desensitize children so that they

do not see the violence (shooting, etc.) as crime.

On why people are poor:

1. Corruption - it can destroy nations.

2. Freebies - they are not the answer to poverty. People have to work

[for what they get].

3. Lack of Compassion - we must teach our children compassion.

Stress is too much to do, too little time, and too little energy. You must have

faith in yourself that you can draw the power to handle the present situation. Do

breathing exercises. Take a good walk and watch nature. Nature will provide

the strength, courage, and grace to get you through [whatever challenges come].

On whether yoga is anti-religious: the [problem is that] the world doesn't

differentiate between religion and spirituality. Spirituality is a system of values.

Yoga is an exercise, not a religion.




Tanika in Action!!!: Her question: what is media's role in reporting negative

news? Report facts and provide hope for the future. Media should not create

depression. Even when reporting negative news, there are good people at work

in the situation. Media must focus on the good in that situation. Media must

balance hope and reality.

There are very few bad people on the planet. Bad things occur because good

people are silent. Good people must speak up and act so the world will be a

better place.

If you want to influence your kids you must influence their friends.

On women's equality: Women must come forward and take their place, not wait

for someone to give a place. Women must [determine] the solution for how

women can overcome obstacles [to equality]. First educate, then empower.

Cultural activities can transform society.

Meditation should be done before meals or 2-3 hours after. It increases

metabolism.

Restoring Balance to the Cycle of Nature

Usually, speakers on scientific topics are very credentialed, very opinionated, and

very... boring. Not so at this Conference! The following women were extremely

qualified and experienced, but delivered dynamically energized presentations that had

me scrambling to keep up with my note-taking.

Dr. Vandana Shiva, Author & Environmentalist, India set the afternoon off

with a bang when she said that "GMO's [genetically manufactured organisms] are an

arrogant way of may saying, 'God move over, we will be creators now.'" She shared

with us that the fertilizers we use on our crops are made in the same factories where

bombs were manufactured during [World War II]. Dr. Shiva informed us that early

pesticides were used in concentration camps to kill prisoners, and in her opinion, both

[fertilizer and bombs] are tools of destruction.

There is such a focus on killing insects that we forget that 1. everything is something's

food; and 2. soil is a living system, sustains and brings forth life. Dr. Shiva informed us

that 75% of the world's soil is unusable due to chemical pollution; and 75% of water




used in irrigation is used on chemicals, not crops. As you can imagine, Dr. Shiva's

presentation left me with much to consider.

Dr. Richa Chopra, Senior Member - Faculty Art of Living, India shared the

truth of what we are slowly coming to realize: "nature cannot be bribed - it cannot be

brought. We are not inheriting the earth from our ancestors. We are borrowing it from

our children." She also shared that, "Nature provides us according to our needs, not our

greed."

Dr. Marcia De Luca, Specialist in Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda, Brazil

shared that "like a sponge, photos absorb our thoughts which contain our emotions. So

we have the power to change the world - literally - [by changing the way we think and

feel]. There are two elements to changing the world: shakti and shiva. Shakti - the

feminine component - is the power to transform the universe. Shiva - the masculine

component - is the power to move the universe. You must have both.

Professor Maya Chakravarti V, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Media

Communications, Vice Chairperson, AIMS Karnataka & Kerala Chapter,

India told us that "we are in a race toward doom." She specifically referenced the

movie "An Inconvenient Truth" (if you have not seen it, please do!) and how we must

stop environmental pollution AND implement programs that stop the degradation of

our environment. Professor Chakravarti V left us with hope in green schools as a

positive start to address environmental erosion.

Carla Dancy-Smith, Lynita Mitchell-

Blackwell, Tanika Gray-Valburn.

What can I say, powerful women

like three names and hyphens!

Of the 700+ people in attendance,

we were the only three African

Americans (black women from the

USA) in attendance. That is going

to change in 2016!




Fabulous Entertainment

Our first night, members of the Art of Living Foundation performed Advitiya, a feast-

for-your-eyes stage performance of a young woman finding her connection with God

that included several forms of classical, folk, and contemporary dance styles; beautiful

costumes, and phenomenal energy. The second night, we were dazzled by decadent

styles during a fashion show that had locals from all around crammed onto the

manicured lawn just to get a glimpse.

Bangalore 2016 - Here I Come!

ELI Goes to India!

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