For questions about how to cultivate the sort of transcendent leadership that our times require — for our homes, our communities, our organizations, nation and world — we must turn to the wisdom that has transcended history through the ages.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, to 'transcend' means to go beyond, to surpass, to exist above and independent of. Transcendent leadership means that we go beyond old concepts, beliefs and definitions of 'leadership'; we surpass assumed limitations of what's possible or acceptable; and we exist about and are independent from that which would contain us in or affix us to old, but no longer effective, ways.

"In a broad sense, and with some exceptions, traditional leadership seems to be lacking the transcendent qualities based on fundamental universal principles of behavior in action," says Jeffrey Beach, author of "Ten Seconds to Peace: A Mindful Approach to Everyday Living," a teacher of meditational Qigong, and a long-time student of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

"Image seems to be more important than substance, and a truly compassionate viewpoint combined with a passionate engagement in all walks of life has all but disappeared," concludes Beach.

Ancient wisdom and indigenous knowledge offer us the opportunity to 'come back to center and Self' — essential if we're to transcend the limitations of our history and current 'dominant paradigms', and resolve the serious issues facing us today.

Where do we look? At the universal tenets that all of the world's wisdom traditions share in common — the true wisdom that moves under, in and through all.

For transcendent leadership, we require qualities that go beyond those commonly associated with traditional leadership. Transcendent leadership requires more substantial characteristics, the traits and abilities that are honed through means perhaps more in keeping with modern-day peak performers and Tibetan monks than your average CEO.

Such qualities include the cultivation of generosity, ethics or integrity, patience, humility, unselfishness, and wisdom. In most wisdom traditions, the right effort or ongoing practice helps one to cultivate these "higher" or transcendent qualities, and the practice ultimately leads one to greater Wisdom.

Principles of Transcendent Leadership

In various wisdom traditions, the lists of traits or principles may differ somewhat, but the underlying intentions are very similar. The very practice of cultivating these traits yields not only results that affect those around one, but also imbues one's very life with a greater degree of meaning and satisfaction.

In the Christian tradition, for example, 'the virtues' of patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, integrity, sincerity, Love, and faith are often pointers to The Way.

In Buddhism, these are sometimes referred to as "the paramitas of the bodhisattva" or "the six paramitas", which include generosity, patience, morality, effort, meditation, and wisdom.

"If one practices these six principles, one is a natural leader," says Beach. "Others will automatically look to you for guidance, motivation, and hope. They will have trust. They will have faith. From this faith and trust, they will develop confidence in themselves to accomplish their goals. This is transcendent leadership, and this transcendent leadership can move mountains."

Just as with many other mastery practices or traits, these principles in action have positive effects whether within one's home, community, church, or business.

In business, cultivating these principles "enables more decisive and sustained action in the continual unfolding of the corporation, the group, or community entities," says Beach. "It also gives the strength and wisdom to meet any challenge in a thoughtful, embracing way."