The CEO of Salesforce, Marc Benioff, has long credited a spiritual journey to India as a pivot in the foundation of his company $ 248 billion. In a recent conversation with The Economic Times, Benioff explained how his 1996-1997 visit to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to meet her guru, Mata Amritanandamayi, triggered the idea of Salesforce.
“Salesforce really started in 1996-1997 when I was traveling to India. I was on the way to see my guru in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala,” said Benioff. He discussed her vision with her, which combined a new model of technology and trade, and its emphasis on “the importance of restoring” the unique philosophy of Salesforce.
This spiritually insightful meeting influenced not only the philanthropic culture of Salesforce, but also Benioff’s personal ethics. He remembers with emotion of his meeting with Mata Amritanandamayi as “like a scene from a film”, describing the decor as an “little Indian village” with “everyone dressed in white and orange and there is flotation of incense”.
In this serene environment, she advised him: “In your quest to change the world, don’t forget to do something for someone else.” These tips, encapsulated in simple education to “be nice to people”, remains a cornerstone of Benioff’s philosophy.
Who is Mata Amritanandamayi?
Mata Amritanandamayi, often called “Amma”, is a world -renowned Indian, humanitarian and guru spiritual leader. She is best known for her practice of giving Darshan in the form of a hug, which earned her the nickname “The Washing Saint”.
It has embraced more than 40 million people worldwide as a gesture of unconditional love and compassion. People are waiting for hours – even days – to receive one of his hugs. His main message is universal love, altruistic service and inner peace, transcending religious borders.
She is also the founder of mathematics Mata Amritanandamayi, a spiritual and humanitarian organization engaged in a wide range of social and charitable activities worldwide. The Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a prestigious multi-campus private university in India, is also led by mathematics.
Although it is not aligned with a single religion or sect, Amma is considered a mother figure by followers around the world – from the Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to the villagers of rural India.
Benioff attributes to his lawyer for having favored a culture of kindness and community service within Salesforce. The philosophy of restoring has become complete with Salesforce operations and continues to influence its global initiatives. He continues to ask his gurus advice, retaining the spiritual connections formed during his transformer trip.
