Brahma Kumaris is a spiritual organization founded in India in 1937 by Dada Lekhraj Kripalani, also known as Brahma Baba. The organization is dedicated to promoting spiritual and moral values and to creating a better world through personal transformation.
The Brahma Kumaris believe that the world is going through a spiritual transformation and that it is necessary for individuals to awaken their inner spiritual powers in order to achieve a more peaceful and harmonious world.
The organization teaches that the soul is eternal and that it is separate from the physical body. The Brahma Kumaris believe that by understanding the true nature of the soul and by connecting with the divine, individuals can transform their lives and achieve a state of inner peace and happiness.
The Brahma Kumaris practice a form of meditation called Raja Yoga, which is based on the principle of self-realization. The organization teaches that by meditating on the divine, individuals can overcome negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, and fear, and develop positive qualities such as love, compassion, and forgiveness.
The Brahma Kumaris also place great emphasis on the importance of living a pure and virtuous life. The organization teaches that by living a life of truth, honesty, and integrity, individuals can create a positive impact on the world and help to create a more peaceful and harmonious society.
The Brahma Kumaris organization is led by women, and the senior leadership is composed entirely of women. The organization operates thousands of meditation centers in over 100 countries around the world. The organization's headquarters, known as the Global Retreat Centre, is located in the UK.
In addition to its spiritual teachings and meditation practices, the Brahma Kumaris organization is also involved in a range of humanitarian activities. These include promoting women's empowerment, providing education and healthcare services to the needy, and promoting sustainable development.
The philosophy of Brahma Kumaris is based on the teachings of Raja Yoga, which is a form of yoga that emphasizes meditation as a means to achieve self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. The organization's philosophy is centered around the following core beliefs:
The nature of the self: Brahma Kumaris teaches that the self is a non-physical entity that is separate from the body and mind. The self is seen as an eternal being that is divine in nature, and the goal of spiritual practice is to realize one's true identity as the divine self.
Karma: Brahma Kumaris teaches that all actions have consequences, and that individuals are responsible for the consequences of their actions. The organization emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds and living a virtuous life in order to create positive karma and achieve spiritual growth.
Cycle of time: Brahma Kumaris teaches that time is cyclical and that the world goes through cycles of growth and decay. The organization believes that we are currently living in a period of spiritual transformation, and that it is necessary for individuals to awaken their inner spiritual powers in order to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Meditation: Brahma Kumaris places great emphasis on the practice of meditation as a means to achieve self-realization and spiritual growth. The organization teaches that by meditating on the divine, individuals can overcome negative emotions and develop positive qualities such as love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Virtuous living: Brahma Kumaris emphasizes the importance of living a pure and virtuous life. The organization teaches that by living a life of truth, honesty, and integrity, individuals can create a positive impact on the world and help to create a more peaceful and harmonious society
The role of women: Brahma Kumaris is unique in that it is led by women, and the senior leadership is composed entirely of women. The organization teaches that women have a special role to play in the spiritual transformation of the world, and that they have a unique capacity to bring about positive change.
Overall, the philosophy of Brahma Kumaris is centered around the idea of self-realization and spiritual transformation. The organization teaches that individuals have the power to create positive change in the world by awakening their inner spiritual powers and living a virtuous life. Meditation is seen as a key practice for achieving self-realization and spiritual growth, and the role of women is emphasized as being crucial to the success of this spiritual transformation.