‘Together as One, with the One’: Public Event in Tagaytay City

20 May 2023

Tagaytay City (Philippines): BK Charlie, National Co-ordinator of Brahma Kumaris, Australia was the keynote speaker of the in-person event, ‘Together as One, with the One’, held at Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center for Spiritual Learning, Tagaytay City.

The guests included the City Administrator, the heads of City Tourism and Character City Offices, the president and high school principal of Mater Dei Academy, nuns from the Benedictine congregation, the mother superior and nuns from the Daughters of Charity, the captains and several councilors from two barangays, the former dean of United Theological Studies, currently committee member of the Association of Southeast Asia Theological Association, who came with 17 faculty members.

“Cooperation enables organizations to achieve a common goal. It is premised on such other virtues as humility, patience and tolerance. Love is the seed of cooperation. The sources of love are usually family and friends but, more profoundly, the love that every person is looking for is found by going deep into the self and connecting with God. Ego, the enemy of love, does not make cooperation possible. When there is conflict rather than cooperation, we try to facilitate negotiation by way of mediation. However, it is in meditation that everyone finds the wellspring of peace, love and all the other virtues like compassion and respect, making cooperation possible.” This was just part of the wisdom that BK Charlie shared with 50 guests from various organizations in Tagaytay City, among the first local government units to initiate a character-building program in the early 2000s.

 

 

Indian Association in Shanghai invited Bk Sister Sapna as Chief guest in the Annual Event

19 May 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Greetings from Shanghai, China.

We are pleased to share the news of a recent big event in Shanghai:

                               Bal Diwas 2023: An annual event of Indian Association (IA) Shanghai 

This event is specially designed by the eminent Indians living in Shanghai with the purpose of understanding and celebrating Indian culture and also connecting the new generations with the roots of Bharat. 

This year, BK Sister Sapna was invited by board members of IA Shanghai to grace Bal Diwas 2023 as chief guest and share her wisdom with the Indian community. Sister Sapna also conducted Rajyoga meditation for the community members. She appreciated the organisers and emphasised the need for more such activities in the future so that we can stay connected with our rich culture, spirituality and divine values.

There were cultural performances by the community's young artists depicting the Culture of Bharat. In the end, BK Sister Sapna distributed certificates and trophies to the participants. BK Sister Rose also accompanied and shared her greetings with all and invited everyone to the centre for spiritual study and experience. 

 

In Baba’a yaad 

BK Sapna and the BK family of Shanghai 

sapna@cn.brahmakumaris.org

 

 

 

‘Be Still, My Heart’: Public Event at OnStage Theater, Philippines

18 May 2023

Makati C ity, Metro Manila (Philippines): The 800-seat venue OnStage Theater, about three quarters-filled, was quiet from start to finish, having been prepped in meditation by three yogis from different centers across the country for the event ‘Be Still, My Heart’.

Board of Trustees (BOT) President Merle Pimentel welcomed the guests and introduced the Brahma Organization. BK Tina, a professional musician, performed “Into the Womb (Be Still, My Heart),” a song that she composed especially for the event.

BK Charlie, National Co-ordinator of Brahma Kumaris in Australia, the main speaker of the event asked one key question: “What is going to take me to that sweet place of a still heart?” A new approach is imperative, he said, if we must adapt to the rapid, unprecedented and head-turning changes. “It’s like time saying that we need a new wisdom, a new skill—the art of stilling the heart, the mind, the conscience.”

He offered his own personal experiences as an example. “I have been a meditator for about 48 years. In this practice, I get to observe my inner world. I find that when my heart is full of love, I feel very easy about myself, very self-accepting, relaxed, content and definitely I’m a lot more understanding and compassionate towards others. But when the heart lacks love, the mind cannot rest. It goes on seeking, because something is missing.” Pure love, true love, authentic love is the key, he said. “The first need, the first desire in life is love. If these are not fulfilled, a million other needs and desires emerge— for recognition, respect, power, material possessions, control.”

‘The world is suffering from a “spiritual heart disease,” BK Charlie pointed out. “There’s so much pain in the heart of humanity because of a blockage—love can’t come in or go out. This is why we need to begin to still and heal the heart. This is spiritual intelligence— to have a rich and loving relationship with myself— my first relationship. If this relationship is dysfunctional, it pollutes every part of my life moving forward.”

He proceeded to dissect what he called the “spiritual anatomy.” “Two of them make my heart increasingly disturbed; only one calms my heart. The first is the eye of arrogance or the eye of superiority. The second is the eye of inferiority which is, simply, lack of self-respect. When either of these eyes is ruling my inner world, I compare with others. The more ego, the less love. The less love, the more my heart stays in discomfort.”

Finally, BK Charlie brought it home: “The third eye, the original eye. This is the one that sees the lovable me. I am a soul. A soul is a wonder. It is just a point, it has no physical size, it is subtle. It sits in the front of the brain. I, the soul, lived before this body, and will continue to live after. I am immortal, non-physical. I have no labels. Forgetting this gives birth to both ego and lack of self-respect. As soon as I replace them with this awareness of who I am, peace becomes my nature. No more need to remind myself, ‘I must relax, I must calm down.’ My heart is still.”

BOT Vice President Jonathan Batangan, was both the master of ceremonies and moderator for a half-hour question-and-answer portion. BK Sister Rajni Daulatram, National Coordinator for Brahma Kumaris Japan and the Philippines, led the ending meditation experience, bringing the whole theater to a sweet stillness and silence.

As a gesture of appreciation, BOT Chair Maria Lourdes Aseneta presented a bouquet of flowers to BK Charlie and BK Sister Rajni.

 

 

Open your eyes to the Youniverse: Unlock Your Inner Power | Saturday 27 May 2023 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm (AEST)

18 May 2023

Dear Friends,

 

This month on Youniverse, join Maria Lourdes Aseneta, a Gallup Strengths Coach, to discover and unlock your inner powers. Strengths are not just what’s good about you. Your strengths are actually the best of you!

 

Find out more, see you on Open your eyes to the Youniverse, Saturday  27 May 2023 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm (AEST) for a conversation titled: unlock your inner power.

 

To register go to:

https://tinyurl.com/UnlockYourInnerPower

 

Ask a question at:

https://tinyurl.com/Question4UnlockYourInnerPower

 

Open your eyes to the Youniverse! is a series of contemporary talks, conversations, meditations and interviews streamed live on YouTube via Zoom, monthly.

 

We look forward to seeing you there virtually!

 

With our warmest regards,

 

The Youniverse Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Report of Madhuban Retreat at ARC (6th-7th May 2023)

17 May 2023

 

Click HERE to download Full Report in PDF.

 

 

 

‘The Power of Cooperation’: Program at Hotel Tropika Davao City

17 May 2023

‘The Power of Cooperation’:  In-Person Program at Hotel Tropika Davao City

Manila (Philippines): In partnership with the City Government of Davao through the City Cooperative Development Office and the Mindanao Peace Council, Brahma Kumaris was host to a multi-sectoral audience of over 200 participants. They represented cooperatives, grassroots organizations, non-government organizations, interfaith and peace advocacy groups.

Br Charlie’s talk emphasized how values, the “future of life,” are made richer by love, respect, and kindness. Love is the seed of cooperation, he said, as it gives birth to truth. He gave the metaphor of human beings breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, while plants take in carbon dioxide and expend oxygen. This is natural cooperation he pointed out, “It follows the law of nature. The greatest obstacle to cooperation is ego, he said. “When there is ego, there is less love— and therefore less cooperation.” That’s because ego works toward self interest, he added. “It distracts the thread of unity and sparks conflict.” To increase one’s capacity to cooperate, he pointed to quality of love for oneself as the foundation. “This is where meditation helps. One gets to closely observe the original and real self as a soul, just a point, peaceful and immortal. It is the basis for having a loving relationship with the self, with God and with others.”

After BK Charlie’s talk, four special guests gave individual responses: Bishop Guillermo V. Afable of the Diocese of Digos, Davao del Sur; Vince Molejon, Secretary General of Mindanao Peace Council; Nelia Tumarao of the Cooperatives Movement; and Atty. Randolph Parcasio of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. All four expressed resonance with everything that they had just heard, and gratitude for the guest speaker’s deep insights.

BK Arlene and BK Cha organized the event with the good wishes of BK Shanti.

For the recorded link, please visit https://fb.watch/kAhlZUPpZf/

 

 

 

News of Br Charlie's April Visit to the Philippines

9 May 2023

Please download the full report HERE.

 

 

Members of the Bangkok International Vegan Alliance of Thailand Learn Rajyoga

5 May 2023

Bangkok (Thailand): Bangkok International Vegan Alliance group of Thailand co-hosted a session on “Depth of Rajyog – Happiness, Health and Energy Wave“.

Dr. BK Amarjit Kaur gave the introduction of Rajyoga to the BIVA group, which is a very long-established vegan association, and took them into a deep but short, guided “connection” to bring about Peace, Happiness, Joy as well as the inner powers needed by each soul today in order to spread love and light to the whole world and to planet earth.

 

 

 

Blue Mountains (Australia) Retreat Centre June Programs

3 May 2023

Dear Friends,

This week our new 75 kW solar system is being connected so that it operates. We look forward to having energy from the sun. Thank you to all those who contributed to the project. You will see the panels on our dining room and reception rooves.

To stay happy, stay in your self respect and give respect: Be like a lotus flower. It takes what is useful and does not let the dirt and the mud spoil its beauty.

Warm regards,

The Leura Team.

 

We have waiting lists for most events so we would appreciate it if you only book for one event and choose an event you have not attended before.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Community Meditation Evening Program
@ Blue Mountains Retreat Centre
Every Wednesday 6:30pm - 8pm

Meditation and conversation on a different topic each week. In the Meditation Hall. All welcome.

Meditation 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Group conversation  7.30pm - 8.00pm
No booking required.

 

 

 

 

Secrets of Success  Evening Program
@ Blue Mountains Retreat Centre
Wednesday, 3rd May, 6:30pm - 8pm

This Wednesday our Community Meditation will be hosting special guest Brother Bharat Bushan, director of a large retreat centre in Northern India, and coordinator of BK service for engineers and scientists. Book Now     

 

 

 

 

Intermediate Raj Yoga Weekend Retreat
@ Blue Mountains Retreat Centre
Friday, 2nd June, 6.30am, until
Sunday, 4th June, 2:00pm
A retreat for those who have attended an Introduction to Raja Yoga Meditation.
This retreat will take participants deeper into the practice and philosophy of Raja Yoga Meditation. We will cover the spiritual journey of humankind through the cycle of time, the tree of humanity,
and the principles for a meditative lifestyle.
Book Now

 

Introductory Raja Yoga Meditation - Weekend Retreat
@Blue Mountains Retreat Centre
Friday, 2nd June, 6.30pm, until
Sunday, 4th June, 2:00pm
A retreat for those who have not previously attended Introduction to Raj Yoga.
This retreat is an introduction to the practice and philosophy of Raja Yoga Meditation. Topics covered include, The Power of Thoughts, Introduction to Meditation, The Journey Inward, The Journey Upward, The Journey Outward and Strengthening Soul Consciousness.

Book Now

 

 

 

Seeds of Change Evening Program
@Blue Mountains Retreat Centre
Wednesday, 7th June, 6:30pm - 8pm

This Wednesday our Community Meditation have a special screening of a powerful new film by the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, exploring the impact consciousness has on climate change.

Book Now

 

 

 

Meditation for Self-healing and Protection-  Day Program
@Blue Mountains Retreat Centre
Thursday, 29th June, 10am - 3pm

A talk, with meditations, that will show you how to use meditation to heal and protect your body and mind. If you're unwell or saddened, this program might be just what you need...
Facilitator: Warren Carey is a long-time Raja Yoga meditation teacher, Healer and Qigong Master. Book Now