The French Revolution

Background

the new autonomy of centres

The Brahma Kumaris has never been a democracy. Considering its ancient social and cultural roots, this is no surprise. Rather it operates as a top-down hierarchy or some would say akin to a family, where elders are naturally obeyed and respected. In keeping with this cultural ideal, the current structure operates so that seniors appoint  juniors. This is a logical progression from its earliest years.  It is believed that Brahma was appointed by the Divine to establish the Brahma Kumaris. Brahma Baba appointed others, and these ranks were respected and understood as divine appointments. The senior Dadis were appointed by Baba and they remain in position. The Dadis have appointed those beneath them, and so on and so forth through to regional, national, local and centre level. 

The relationship between Madhuban (Brahma Kumaris Headquarters in India) and overseas centres has changed considerably over the past few years, bringing legal and financial change to the organisation throughout the world.  To the best of my knowledge this is what happened... 

Within the last 10 years ago, the taxation laws in India changed. Every centre in the world connected to Madhuban would have to pay tax to the Indian government, which would be a financial burden for many centres. Subsequent to this law change, Madhuban cut fiscal ties to international centres creating a new kind of independence. The relationship between Madhuban and overseas is still social, cultural and devotional. These deep and lasting ties are based on shared understanding, a relationship of mutual care, and a common vision for global change.  However, with financial and legal autonomy comes the possibility for social change. The Brahma Kumaris in France was the first one to realise this change in a politically significant way. 

Brahma Kumaris in France have recently structured a new kind of leadership, that is novel within the organisation. This is quite a radical change for the Brahma Kumaris organisation, but one that is welcome as many BKs are seeking a more integrated and less cloistered life which also reflects a true living spirituality.

France has sent us their Statutes and By-Laws which you can read here.

Before you read it, please take note of the following which was shared by Brother Francois from France. 

• France has many who are spiritually very mature, which means a new governance was required.
• This has been a three year work involving many.  
• The idea was to be open and not restricted, to make it friendly and inclusive. 
• This has been created from the ideal of respect-ocracy rather than demo-cracy.
• It is a sample to learn from, not THE reference.
• It is a French document adapted to the political situation of France.
• This is not the new shrimat (prescriptive directions) of the western yagya (Brahma Kumaris) 

 Many thanks to Eric from Montreal and Francois from Paris for your trust, and for sharing these with us. 

Hermits and Mystics

The Brahmin World is much like an  old Christian Monastic Order. The new Monks or Nuns are nurtured in the group gatherings but at some point years down the road some need to distance themselves to develop further, and those ones become Hermits - living in isolation but within the grounds of the Monastery. As BKs, they move a bit further away from their Meditation Centre to get a bit of space to explore further, without being blocked by souls who are still trapped on the first floor of consciousness. Being a Hermit doesn't mean you are alone, as the rules for Hermits say that you always have to be available to whomever knocks on your door for advice. These souls play an invaluable role in the survival and spiritual development of the group
as a whole. They are usually innovative thinkers and Mystics who need the silence to go deeper and and break through the veal into the Universal data bank of all knowledge . We should cherish these souls for they are the torch  bearers in this darkened world.

by Anthony McCann

(Reflections from a senior Irish brother, on what is happening in the contemporary period within the Brahma Kumaris community.)

Predictions and Theology

Predictions

There has been some discussion within the Brahma Kumaris about 'predictions' in the teachings and whether a date for a cataclysmic world change was ever explicitly given, implied or even insinuated.

Anthony Strano, one of the most senior teachers in the west, and held in particularly high regard as a someone who practiced the teachings at the deepest level, had this to say about dates mentioned in the BK scripture: 

"Time is contrived by 'man' (sic) to make sense out of the world. Similarly God uses the instruments of human creation to bring meaning to His (sic) teachings. But it's really not about dates. It never has been. It's about whatever you want to do, do it now."

Often, with scriptural texts, a sense of spiritual urgency is measured against world events producing predictions that - frequently - 'fail' to come to pass. This is often the case with Millenarian New Religious Movements as well as older more established religions. This doesn't have to mean that the teachings themselves have failed, but rather it may require some revised thinking around the 'absoluteness' of scriptural text. In this case, it is worth considering hermeneutics, or the language of analysis and interpretation of scripture. Hermeneutics dates back to the Jewish Oral Tradition but since the time of Aristotle (Risser 1997) it has been a method of engaging critically with scriptural text and acknowledging the fluid nature of scriptural interpretation.

“God has not revealed his theology all at once. Rather, God has revealed Brahma Kumaris theology gradually and in response to his assessment of the Brahma Kumaris’ needs and ability to understand. Their theology is not sealed and their canon is not closed. It grows continually as God explains and elaborates on it. Tomorrow, God may personally resolve any contradictions that appear today.”

— Richard Musselwhite, 'Possessing Knowledge: Organisational Boundaries Among the Brahma Kumaris', 2009, Page 8

Theology

Within the Brahma Kumaris theology, some murlis have been revised over the years, to remove predicted dates of 'vinash' or catastrophic world change that have not yet come to pass. See here for an example from 21.01.1969 three days after Brahma Baba passed away. The original and the revised versions are included, with the relevant text outlined in red. More examples of predictive statements in murlis are available below. Note that some have links to original documents, whereas others have yet to be verified. 

As stated in Musselwhite's doctoral dissertation on the Brahma Kumaris, "God’s teachings regarding the end of the Diamond Age have not been entirely consistent. The most senior member I heard speak on the subject suggested that the Diamond Age will last either 100 or 250 years." (Page 5). 

Anthony Strano

Anthony was my first teacher and the one who introduced me to the practice of Raja Yoga meditation at the 'House of Raja Yoga' at Bondi Junction in 1984. He remained a true friend and spiritual brother. Below is a dedication I wrote to him, compiled with hundreds of others in a gift to his birth family.

It was through Anthony that I first heard the spiritual knowledge of Raja Yoga almost thirty years ago. His teachings inspired me to take the first step in what is now a life of deep and abiding spiritual practice. My brother Anthony was one of my closest companions on the path and a constant touchstone in my spiritual development. In the last few years, I truly felt I was in the company of an angel. Completely accessible and present, yet also beyond and light. After being in his company, I always felt renewed hope and infinite possibility through his deep faith and love for God. I also enjoyed easiness and laughter in his company. Just as he made quiet dedicated and constant spiritual effort, he equally had within him a joyful innocence and spontaneity that would lighten my heart and brighten my mind. Brother Anthony served with profound love, balance and dedication. His one and only reference point was the company of God and the spiritual teachings of that Divine One. This was obvious whenever I was in his company and allowed great honesty and comfort in the friendship I was fortunate to share with him. His passing has moved me to deepen my spiritual practice. May his memory be honoured through my life.