2018 Africa News Archive 2018 Africa News Archive

Table of Content

BK Participation in African Women in Dialogue

17 December 2018

 

The African Women in Dialogue was hosted by the former first Lady, Mrs Zanele Mbeki Foundation from the 19th  until the 23rd November.  15 countries from the Southern African Region participated and in total there were over a 1000 delegates.  The conference focused on 3 themes, Strengthening the Continental Women’s Movement within the Fourth Revolution(4IR) towards  a Values-Based Leadership Eco-System.

 

It was an amazing group of delegates represented with some of the leading women thought leaders on the continent as well as women leading ngo’s in rural villages and urban areas. 

 

Brahma Kumaris were graciously included in the program in a very significant way.  Firstly, every morning meditation classes were offered by Sr Aroona and Sr Pratiba to the delegates on an optional basis.  Secondly, Vedantibhen offered a blessing to the gathering and Sr Dipty from South Africa led a mass meditation on Tuesday 20 November for  plenary slot.  Thirdly, Sr Pratiba from South Africa was included on a panel exploring, Moving towards a new values-based ecosystem for inclusivity in Development.

 

The overall conference offered a very empowering experience and the conscious thread to include  spiritual awareness in this way to move forward was appreciated as a revolutionary way of impacting transformation at a systematic level.  The aim is to offer this opportunity on an annual basis and mobilize opportunities at grassroots level.

 

Pratiba

 

 

Happy Diwali & A Peaceful New Year from Sis. BK Vedanti, Nairobi

9 November 2018

 

 

Didi Chakradhari's tour in South Africa, 20 Sept - 1 Oct 2018

23 October 2018

Didi Chakradhari from Russia arrived in South Africa on the 20th September for a visit of 10 days and was welcomed by a beautiful climate to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan with the South African brahmin family

Her arrival in Durban on the 21st September created a beautiful atmosphere where a special program with dignitaries was organised to celebrate International Peace Day. Dr Buthelezi, an elder who played a key political role in the province, Ela Gandhi the grand daughter of Gandhi and Dr Dilly Naidoo a social entrepreneur attended to commemorate Peace Day and be part of the Pause for Peace launch. Rakshabandhan was celebrated on Sunday morning with the family where all experienced a powerful presence of Baba.

On the 24th September Didi arrived in Port Elizabeth, which was a bank holiday called Heritage Day. It was the first Raksha Bandhan celebration held at the new centre in Walmer and Didi’s presence was especially appreciated. She brought with her the lovely energy of Baba’s vibrations which was a blessing for everyone who attended. Many of Baba’s old and faithful children were present to renew their promise to Baba and to take benefit from Didi’s wisdom and the powerful atmosphere. The next morning in class Didi shared stories of her experiences with Baba and Mama, taking us all back in the time to the magic of Brahma Baba’s life and how every action was a lesson in itself.

On the afternoon of the 25th September, Chakradhari Didi together with Sister Prabhjot arrived in Cape Town. An evening Rakhi program was held for the Bk family and contact souls. Didi presented the spiritual significance of Rakhi by comparatively drawing on how it is celebrated in the world today. A powerful atmosphere was created as the rakhi was tied. The following morning inspite of the unpleasant climate, Didi and sister Prabhjot went sightseeing. A public program was held that evening as the launch of the campaign Pause for Peace. The MC, Lucille Meyer, CEO of Chrysalis Academy, set the context and reminded us of the need for peace at this time. Various faith representatives were invited to light a candle and share a message of peace. Sister Pratiba then shared a few words on the campaign itself, encouraging souls to take time to pause for peace. Didi shared on how to create inner peace by creating awareness that the original nature of the soul is peace and that we need to move away from our identity based on religion, culture, gender etc. Sister Pratiba concluded the program by sharing a lovely meditation to take everyone into the experience of peace. The family had the fortune of offering Thursday bhog with Didi. She shared beautifully the significance of bhog through her own experiences as well precious moments with Baba & Mama and the many lessons and gifts that they have provided.

Didi returned to Johannesburg on the 27th September, where an evening program was arranged at the centre launching the Pause for Peace campaign in Johannesburg. The evening began with a beautiful song rendered by Vee a local artist whose message was , peace begins with me. The program was graced with faith leaders from the surrounding communities as well as members of the local chapter of the URI (United Religious Initiative). Didi’s message was clear that the true religion of the soul is peace and it is the identification with the external that has led to divisions and conflict. People were touched by the grace, simplicity, purity and love Didi radiated. Friday was an opportunity for a mini safari experience to the Lion and Cheetah Safari Park where Didi saw up close families of lions, cheetahs and other wildlife.

Didi arrived for class Saturday morning in Lenasia. Didi shared the importance to reflect on how much love and interest we much have for Baba's Murli. This powerful knowledge that we are receiving, we should listen and imbibe it. In the aTernoon we had a program at the centre, A CALM MIND, A SERENE MIND. Didi, shared that we can only have a Calm Mind, and be at Peace, when we free ourselves from desires. (Desires, to wanting and needing, desires of expecting how others should be and should not be) A Calm Mind, is achieved when my Thoughts, Words, and Deeds are Pure.

On Sunday 30th September the Brahmin family of Gauteng and Nelspruit gathered at Observatory centre for murli class and there after we had our Raksha Bandhan celebration. The beautiful atmosphere filled with love, each soul felt deeply touched and personally sustained by Baba through Didi.

Didi returned to Delhi on Monday 1st October having benefited the family with insightul presentations. Our sincere gratitude to Baba, our seniors and sweet drama for this wonderful blessing.

 

 

Rakhi Greetings from Sister Vedanti and Nairobi family

9 September 2018

 

 

6th International Gujarati Retreat 'Appreciating My Life' held at Nairobi, Kenya

6 August 2018

 

The 6th International BK Gujarati Retreat attracted 53 enthusiastic participants from Doha, Dubai, Muscat, New Zealand, India (Ahmedabad, Poona, Mt Abu etc) and Uganda to the Serve Africa Retreat Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.


The participants were welcomed with a local kikoy shawl and a rose flower. A live band played Jambo Jambo, a local Kiswali welcome song. Vedantiben and Hasubhai, the trustee officially warmly welcomed all.

 

The retreat started with a Silent Experiment Laboratory. There was one subject each hour from 9.30am -12.30pm and 4.00pm-7.00pm to go into deep silence. Chairs were placed around the room facing the wall so they could detach themselves from everything around. Brahmababa’s variety images were put up as inspiration.

Being Introvert - a chance to going within withdrawing from all the scenes around and preparing a stage to be with the self.

 

Self Cleaning - Was a time to check the self and cleanse the defects and weaknesses and decorate the self with self respect.

 

Devotees - Worship worthy Image - A wonderful exercise of devotee soul doing worshiping in front of worship worthy deity and the deity responding to the devotees.

 

Destruction - An experience was created with the various sounds and scenes of destruction with volcano eruption, tsunami, bombs blasting, machine guns being fired, natural calamities etc. All gave powerful dristi to all to create powerful vibrations.

 

5 elements - An exercise was conducted to healing the physical body connected to the 5 elements and going out in the open to connect to the elements.

 

Golden Age - All were transported to the Golden age experiencing the meeting with prince and princes, going to school to learn art, music, dancing etc, flying in their vimans, enjoying the 56 varieties of food, etc

The next day was variety classes:

Bhavnaben from New Zealand shared on Appreciating the Self.
• Never compare: Value and appreciate your part because Baba chose you. No two people’s life is same.

• Through churning our self-respect will be strong-rooted and we will find lots of valuables within.

• Remember the blessings we get from Bapdada and trust the truth of it.
• Positive Thinking yields a lot of power. Its give us the hope to move

forward.


Vedantiben shared on Appreciating Baba

  • Love Baba from deep inside and experience that it in daily life.
  • Experience what we get from Baba and then it becomes a realisation.
  • The shrimat of Baba should not be diluted or ignored.
  • Lightness in life helps us move forward.
  • importance of writing to God which should be done from deep inside

Pratibhaben shared on Appreciating Drama on how each and every step in Drama is beneficial in long run.

Nizarbhai shared his experience of becoming Baba’s child and how he maintains the life in a real and true way as well as that Baba is the Boss and he is taking care of everything.

The whole group continued with the retreat in the great wilderness of Masai Mara in 8 mini vans connecting with the nature and simplicity. This was a chance to share experiences in small groups and also as a whole.

Click here for full report with photos.

 

Br Yogesh from Turkey on Visit to South Africa

4 August 2018

 

Brother Yogesh from Turkey arrived in Johannesburg for a two week, national tour, visiting many of the BK centres, in various cities in South Africa. His programme of engagements began that evening in a new area of service where classes have started recently at a wellness centre, where approximately 80 souls gathered for an informative talk on how meditation helps to overcome daily challenges. The audience was very receptive and enjoyed the simple exercises Br Yogesh conducted, which offered insights on how, by changing our vision we can change our responses, and hence, our experiences. His message could be summarized in the following statement: “Elevate your vision and your attitude rather than fighting the problem.”

 

June 16, is celebrated in South Africa as Youth Day, so that morning the BKs hosted a lively workshop with young people in Soweto, entitled, You 2.0: How do we upgrade ourselves? Young local artists offered a variety of activities including inspiring poetry, songs, and kickboxing to engage the youth. Br Yogesh offered interactive exercises through which he helped them understand the value of meditation as a means of building self-esteem and a positive self-image. “Success is dependent more on focus than on intelligence.” After the program Br Yogesh was taken for a quick tour of the Hector Petersen Museum in Soweto, which is the memorial to the student uprising of 1976.... click here for full report with photos.

 

 

Bharat Bhushan Bhaiji's (Panipat, India) visit to Nairobi

21 July 2018

 

 

Godly Service in Mautirius - by Bro BK Shaktiraj of Shantivan

15 February 2018

 

 

Program 1st at Flacq centre 

 

Topic:- ‘Super Mind Super Future’ at Flacq Centre

 

On Monday 11th December 2017, Bro Shaktiraj from Mount Abu, had a presentation on the theme "Supermind, Super future" at Harmony House, Central Flacq. An audience of around 50-60  souls participated with great interest in the interactive session. He really moved them with his activities.

 

Program 2nd at  Inner Space Meditation centre, Port Louis

 

Topic:- Unleash Your Mind Power, Be the Hero of your life 

 

On the same day Brother Shakti Raj proceeded to Inner Space meditation centre situated in the capital city of Port-Louis for a dynamic lecture on “Unleash Your Mind Power.” His talk, interspersed with video clips and practical moments, focused on tips to enhance one’s mind power. He made the audience practise smile for one minute, thus initiating happiness in each one’s life which keeps away stress and diseases. Various practical tips on concentration and memorising techniques were shared. Visualisations and Affirmations are two powerful tools. In fact, thinking before thinking is the key to have positive thoughts and giving the right command to the mind.  Therefore, the regular practice of meditation recharges our mind which enables everyone to lead a happy life, be it just for one minute.  The program was attended by around 100 professionals from private and public organisations.it was an amazing program.

 

Program 3rd at  Khoyratty Meditation centre,

 

Topic:- Bk Family Class Different Drill Practise 

 

Global Peace House at Khoyratty, had the honour to receive five Brothers from Shantivan after murli class at 7 am. One among them, Brother Shaktiraj, trainer in memory management, shared some insightful thoughts on how to make efforts in B.K life creative and entertaining.  He demonstrated, for example, how to connect to none but one – ‘Ek Baap dusra na koi’. Next knowing our goal and working to achieve it is fundamental. To enhance a soul-conscious state, we need to avoid leakages, live in the present while concentrating and improving the quality of thoughts. Just as we practise traffic control on the road to avoid accidents, similarly, by avoiding the traffic jam of thoughts, with the practice of one minute of meditation each our, we can considerably improve our chart of remembrance.  Besides, a smile for one minute keeps one healthy-away from psychosomatic diseases. He added that the types of thoughts we have, determine the treatment that we receive from others. Brahmins should bear in mind that the recording is being done on the world stage now and at the last moment the justice of God as Dharamraj will take place. We are presently in Baba’s CCTV. 

 

Thanks & Best Regards 

Mauritius Bk Family