The Brahma Kumaris
Maureen Goodman
The religious and spiritual life of Britain is very rich. The variety of beliefs and ways of living
are far more numerous than the major world faiths that most people are familiar with.
Brahma Kumaris in the UK
The Brahma Kumaris first came to the UK in 1971, at a time when people were beginning to
search for new solutions to society’s problems. Meditation, spirituality and vegetarianism
were starting to gain some popularity. A small group came from India (the organisation’s
headquarters is in Mount Abu, Rajasthan) to share the spiritual understanding and practice of
Raja Yoga meditation. In 1975 the organisation registered as a charity, Brahma Kumaris
World Spiritual University UK [BKWSU (UK)] for the advancement of religion and education
in relation to religion. Courses were offered from a small flat in a terraced house in Kilburn,
north London.
From those small beginnings, the BKWSU (UK) now has over 1,500 regular students all over
the country and reaches out to tens of thousands more through seminars, workshops and
activities that provide people with spiritual tools to improve their lives. It operates from
Global Co-operation House, a large purpose-built headquarters in North West London, and
also runs two retreat centres – in Nuneham Courtenay, near Oxford, and in Worthing, West
Sussex. Courses and seminars are also offered in a variety of settings such as prisons,
healthcare establishments, drug recovery programmes and schools. The BKWSU (UK) also
supports inter-religious dialogue and work with youth trainers and young people.
The BKWSU (UK), together with its trading arm Brahma Kumaris Information Services, has
established several Inner Space Centres to provide an oasis of calm in the midst of city life.
These have opened in Covent Garden and Wembley in London, and in Cambridge, Romford
and, just recently, Oxford.
History
The University began in 1937 in Hyderabad, Sind, northern India, now Pakistan. The
founder, Brahma Baba, received a series of visions that convinced him that a huge
transformation was about to take place in the world. In fact he was seeing many of the crises
that are now happening. He began his work of preparation for a better world of peace and
prosperity that is to come. However, he recognised that this would only come about when
there was goodness and virtue in the hearts and minds of human beings everywhere. Hence
he started the Spiritual University for the education of the inner being, the human soul, and
the deepening of our connection with the Supreme. Through this the individual begins to
experience the original qualities of the soul: peace, love, purity, truth and happiness. These
become the foundation for living with spiritual values such as respect, compassion and
integrity.
Brahma Baba was a devout Hindu and many of the concepts of the Raja Yoga teachings are
close to aspects of Hindu philosophy. However, there are new aspects and interpretations
which enable an understanding and practice of underlying spiritual concepts and principles
present in all faiths. Hence people of all religious backgrounds participate in Brahma
Kumaris activities, as it enhances their spiritual progress, often within the context of their
own tradition.
Certain aspects of the teachings were very controversial for the conservative community that
Brahma Baba came from. His attitude towards women was revolutionary. He empowered
them to become spiritual leaders and teachers, something quite unheard of at the time,
including advocating a celibate life for those who felt a strong calling. As a result of the
ensuing uproar, a group of around 400, mainly women (but including some men and
families), moved away from Hyderabad to Karachi. For fourteen years, until four years after
the partition of India and Pakistan, they lived as a self–sufficient community devoting their
time to intense spiritual study, meditation and self-transformation. In 1969 Brahma Baba
passed on, leaving leadership of the organisation in the hands of two women, known as
‘Dadis’ (elder sisters).
In 1950 the community moved to Mount Abu, a quiet place reputed for its ancient, sacred
heritage. Nestled high in the Aravali Mountains of Rajasthan, it provided an ideal location
for reflection and contemplation. After a few years in rented buildings, the community
moved to the site which remains to this day the University’s world headquarters, Madhuban
(Forest of Honey).
1952 saw the start of centres in India. Members of the community began to visit towns and
cities to share the spiritual teachings of Raja Yoga. Today there is scarcely a town in India
without a Brahma Kumaris centre.
Three complexes have now been developed in Mount Abu: the original site, Madhuban, the
Academy for a Better World on the mountain, and Shantivan (Forest of Peace) located at the
mountain's base. Altogether, they attract over 2.5 million visitors each year from all over the
world.
On an international level, the Brahma Kumaris’ work has now spread to 103 countries. In
1980 the University became affiliated to the United Nations Department of Public
Information and in 1998 gained general consultative status with the Economic and Social
Council of the UN.
The essential teachings of Raja Yoga shared by Brahma Kumaris
Raja Yoga is the sovereign yoga. This has two aspects: firstly, being the sovereign of oneself,
secondly the connection with the most Sovereign Being, i.e. with the Divine or God. Raja
Yoga meditation is therefore not so much a technique as a philosophy, which enables an
individual to change self awareness. The teachings cover several topics:
Consciousness and Self-Realisation: the self, the soul, is envisaged as a being of light, a
point of light, located in the centre of the forehead. The soul interacts with the world
through the senses. Every soul has inherent original qualities – peace, love, truth,
purity, and happiness.
Relationship with God: God is also understood to be an infinitesimal point of light, yet
is an unlimited source of love, peace, truth, happiness. Our relationship with God
provides everything needed to nourish the soul.
Karmic laws: these are explored not just as a way of accepting my situation or
circumstance in life but as a proactive way of improving my life. The law of karma
states that every action has an equal and opposing reaction. The motivation behind our
action determines the quality of the action and its result. An awareness of spiritual
values results in actions motivated by goodness that uplift the self and others.
Cyclic Time looks at the traditional four ages of Hinduism: Golden Age (‘Sat Yuga’),
Silver Age (‘Treta Yuga’), Copper Age (‘Dwapur Yuga’) and Iron Age (‘Kali Yuga’). Raja
Yoga also explains a fifth age, the Confluence Age (‘Sangam Yuga’), which is the age of
transition. We are now at a unique point in history when, through a connection with
God, a renaissance in consciousness is possible, enabling us to be at peace with
ourselves and others. Such a change results in a worldwide transformation that can
return us to the Golden Age of humanity again
Tree of Life shows the connection of all our religious and spiritual traditions with God,
the Seed, the Source of nourishment for the tree.
A Spiritual Lifestyle: For someone whose life is dedicated to spiritual study, there are
certain principles of living that enhance spiritual development: daily meditation and
study, vegetarian diet, celibacy and striving to lead a virtuous life. Individuals make the
choice to follow these, when they feel ready.
Sensitivities
A Spiritual University with a specific body of teaching and lifestyle for those who are
dedicated is viewed as wonderfully refreshing by some and with suspicion by others. Our
response to concerns about what we do is always to give an invitation to experience our
centres and our work at first hand. ‘Religious or spiritual groups’ such as the BKWSU (UK)
offer a new and vital way of looking at the world that helps an increasing number of people
make profound changes in their lives. More and more people are turning towards spirituality
for the solutions to their problems.
Children
A child brought up with a BK lifestyle would enthusiastically take part in most activities in
school. Many of them are high achievers because of the increased energy and ability to
focus that the practice of Raja Yoga meditation gives them. However, he or she would be
very likely to want to bring their own food to school and would dress modestly.
Relevance to today’s world
The Raja Yoga teachings are very timely, as they provide an explanation for the current state
of the world. The spiritual tools that are offered through courses such as positive thinking,
stress management, self esteem and anger management are extremely useful in dealing with
life in today’s world. People who work in the caring professions benefit from learning ways
in which they can sustain and nurture themselves to avoid burn-out. In a world where
people often feel overwhelmed with the challenges of modern life, methods that can
empower our positive, spiritual values give a great deal of inner strength and happiness.
Useful resources
www.bkwsu.org/uk
www.bkpublications.com
www.just-a-mintue.org
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University UK, Global Co-operation House, 65 – 69 Pound
Lane, London NW10 2HH; T: 020 8727 3350; F: 020 8727 3351; E:
London@bkwsu.org
Maureen Goodman is Programme Director of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual
University, UK.
A note about copyright
Requests for use or re-publication of this article should be made (via Shap if necessary) to the
writer, who retains copyright. If re-published in part or full elsewhere, the article’s
publication in World Religions in Education 2007 should be acknowledged.
The transliteration of specialist terms and the opinions expressed in this article are those of
the writer, not of the Shap Working Party.
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