On July 2, 2025, a special seminar took place at Simhachalam: a full-day workshop led by Wolfgang Fänderl, an experienced facilitator and coach for diversity management recommended by the TU Munich.
All department heads, long-term ashram residents, and our brahmacaris took part. The aim was to deepen our shared understanding of how, as a spiritual community, we can treat people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and life paths with respect. Especially in a growing community, it is important to us to address current topics constructively as a strong team and to create an environment of trust, togetherness, and openness.
A Path to Greater Understanding
The training centered around questions such as:
How does a culture of appreciation and respect grow within a team?
What attitudes and structures foster psychological safety?
How can we respond constructively to challenges without compromising our principles?
How can spirituality, individual life realities, and societal diversity be harmonized?
One focus of the workshop was dealing with gender diversity in a sensitive and mindful way, particularly reflecting on modern European perspectives in comparison to traditional Hindu worldviews. Using the karma model, participants discussed how the idea of repeated lifetimes and individual learning journeys can contribute to deeper understanding. In this view, diversity is not seen as a contradiction to spiritual practice, but as part of personal development on the path back to God.
Teamwork as the Key
Another emphasis was on strengthening our collaboration. Drawing on the Google Aristotle Study and the Appreciative Inquiry method, participants explored what makes teamwork effective:
psychological safety and trust
clear structures and responsibilities
shared meaning and contribution
reliability and respect
These principles not only help us implement our projects successfully but also create an environment where everyone feels welcome.
Diversity as a Lived Value
The many practical exercises and reflection rounds made it clear: Diversity management is not just about defining rules but about developing an attitude. Listening carefully, valuing perspectives, and taking responsibility for one another are qualities that we also see as deeply rooted in our spiritual path.
We are grateful for this day, which gave us many impulses to engage with diversity, team processes, and current questions such as gender diversity in an even more conscious and empowered way. Especially the connection between modern facilitation and our spiritual identity was enriching for everyone.
Our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their open involvement and to Wolfgang Fänderl for his valuable guidance. May this training be an important step towards developing strong ways of working together and living respectfully side by side.
