The point of reference

The dictionary will define that phrase as: “Something that is used to judge or understand something else.”

I have used that phrase before to explain time in relation with the “eternal recurrent cycle” in the BK philosophy. What is the point of reference in an eternal recurrent cycle?

Answer: “Now.” From that we can call something before that as the “past” and something still to arrive as the “future.”

On the same line, our society in whichever country or region in the world we live in, will offer us a point of reference to understand and judge the world. Most unaware individuals will believe those ideas and traditions as being the “right ones,” and will judge others based on what they have learned.

For instance, in most societies drinking a can of soda is something “natural” part of that conditioning. The brand name “Coca-Cola” for instance, is one of the most recognized worldwide. Its association with “feeling good” has been built through words, ads and beliefs. Most individuals will consume that brand name for it has a recognized name. The interesting part is that a can of soda is not needed to live. In fact, it is not a natural item. It does not have nourishment value. Nevertheless, emotionally most people in the world have learned to “need that” to celebrate a good time. From that particular soda we will build a baseline, a point of reference to judge other sodas or other “feel good” items.

Most individuals used to the standards of our society, do not have other points of reference. They are gullible to the effects of propaganda, the media.

In my own spiritual “career,” I can see now the value of the “Brahma Kumaris” as a point of reference. Their philosophy and beliefs gave me a different point of reference to observe my own life. For instance, most “firm” Bks will not watch television. In the beginning of my BK days, I embraced that belief not because I observed the value of being away from one of the main sources of “brain washing” there is, but because I wanted to be a “firm” BK. Of course, my ego found that as a source of enhancement, for in my mind I was able to show the rest of TV watchers my “superiority,” by labeling them as “tamopradhan” (lesser value people.) However, that attitude is the proof of my own repression. I did not realize the true value of that “practice” until 10 years later when I was out of the BK experience: I became aware of that TV world of hype, the world of buy this and that to “improve,” the world of silly sitcom programs which will hint you through fake background laughs, when is the time for you to laugh too. Want to watch the “news”? It is an all emotional catastrophe infusing fear in the audience. Want some form of entertainment? There is plenty of violence to watch, even while you drink your can of soda… All that brainwashing has consequences. I have discovered that the degree of awareness and “wakefulness” of an individual is in relation to his time devoted to watching the tube. More time into it, means greater sleepiness.

In spirituality, we will need to rely on an initial point of reference. That could be a particular religion or philosophy, but true conscious improvement can only arrive if we make any choice to change our behavior, through our own realization. It cannot be pushed through the outside, for it becomes a repression later on.

I recall that one day I helped a BK sister to move out to a different place. When the turn came for the small TV to go to her new place or stay there and be given away; the sister changed her mind many times, before she decided to deal with that at another time. Obviously the thought of “Being a firm BK” took precedence. Most probably she thought of herself as an example.

That is why, I consider that individuals should have the experience to embrace a new culture, different from theirs. Accept it and observe if their ways could be adapted into your own. That outlook could be extremely beneficial when Life offers alternatives in any situation and we are stuck with a single minded, traditional idea in our minds.

That sort of openness to accept and embrace diversity is necessary to gain greater consciousness.

A point of reference in Life, will give us our initial perspective. We may need to remember that it is only a perspective, for as soon as we move to one side or further away from that “picture,” we will see it differently, although with the same set of eyes.

Diet and Spirituality

In this article, I will share my Life experience with diet. Food is an important source of nourishment at many levels. If I was to concentrate just in the physical body, this article could be like many out there: “Eat this and that. It has many vitamins and few calories and will help you fight this disease,” or “Eat this to build muscle and strength. It will help you in your later years.” This article will be a bit different.

In the Brahma Kumaris and the Indian “spiritual” culture in general, there is the belief that there are 3 main groups of food items: Sato Gunee, Rajo Gunee and Tamo Gunee, which could be loosely translated as: Best, middle and low quality food, respectively. There are many food items which in their belief, fall under these categories. Accordingly, each category has a distinct influence on the mind and emotions of a person. Meat is considered “tamo gunee” or lower kind, for instance. These words, sato, rajo and tamo will be used in many other distinctions to classify different things, which will end up classifying persons.

Therefore, in the spiritual circles it has been regarded that someone who eats meat is less developed spiritually, creating yet another division among people.

If someone eats meat, is that one less “spiritually” developed than some who doesn’t?

First, we cannot generalize. Second, it depends on what we call “spiritual.” Life is not about divisions, but integration. Just as when we could see that first grade is not inferior than high school, but it is a necessary first stepping stone, the foundation. Similarly is with any human activity and specially with consciousness. Why have set levels when it is a continuation? To illustrate this, I will go into a bit of my own eating history.

My conditioning early in Life was coming from a Catholic, meat eater, chauvinistic, predominantly macho culture in a third world country, where having a tasty good meal is a great source of pleasure. Nothing to be ashamed of. Here, there are restaurants everywhere and a great variety of food items. Those are part of my “roots.” There are positive and negative aspects in every culture.

It is said: “ You are what you eat.” That is a huge misunderstanding. In my experience, “ As you ARE, so is what you eat.” The issue is that most want to follow someone who they admire as a “saint,” specially in Spirituality. For example: “Buddha didn’t eat meat and he was a self realized sage. I want to be like him. Conclusion: I should not eat meat.”

The firm follower will stop eating meat. His spiritual peers will congratulate him for such brave, outstanding, firm decision. However, that neophyte was violent with himself. Let us hope that he will remember that experience later in Life, for it will catch up with him.

One day, someone gave me a magazine from the “Hare Krishna.” There was a picture of a man with a face of a wolf who was about to kill a cow with something like a machete. The cow was desperately trying to cut the rope going through its neck to save its life. That picture influenced me so much, that right there I decided not to eat meat again. Somehow, I put myself into the cow’s shoe. Somehow, I felt its pain and desperation. Somehow, I sensed that something wasn’t right. I was 17 at that time, living in the setting described above. No vegetarian places around except the Hare Krishna. No activists defending animals at that time. That picture changed me without a hint of repression. Of course, that change brought some free problems for me, as I had to say “ I don’t eat meat” while the rest couldn’t understand such craziness. I haven’t eaten cow meat since.

After many years of not eating meat or any flesh at all, I ate fish for a couple of years because I was into bodybuilding although my health wasn’t tolerating fish very well. I forced myself to eat, encouraged by the sight of muscles growing. That is another form of self violence in the name of following petty dreams. That was in part, the influence and conditioning of living in a first world country; a different culture which values “big and a lot,” individualism, wealth, competition and comfort; where quick, easy to get artificial food with sugary ‘taste’ surrounds people everywhere.

After that experience, I met the Brahma Kumaris and embraced yet another culture from the Eastern world: Highly devotional, less affluent and with deep social hang ups and gender inequalities. Do we see how the cultural set up has a huge influence in the make up of a person? Do we see how life itself took me to the extremes of the flesh eating experience?

Being vegetarian with the Bks was nothing new for me. Their diet allowed milk, but it did not allow eggs. That was a sacrifice for me. I loved the taste of eggs. No wonder, when I left the BK movement, I went through a binge of eggs in all forms. The BK Murli (Bk readings) states: “Those who leave here become worse than before.” My binge on eggs probably fits that description. However, that popular Murli phrase does not say “why.” Here is my “why,” after having gone through it: Because a repression or a sacrifice coming through reasoning of the mind, is not effective. Sooner or later the explosion will happen and “hell will go loose.” There are many brilliant reasons not to eat eggs to convince the mind, but a repression is not of the mind. Here, and article about the egg episode. The same could happen with any repression: Sex, sleep, beliefs and a large etc.

There are people who need to eat meat to be healthy. It is part of their genetics. However, that does not mean that they have license to indulge in meat every day. It will hurt them. It will hurt our environment. That is the type of social responsibility and balance which they need to be aware of, and hopefully; they will feel that empathy for humanity as I felt for that cow’s picture many years ago. Empathy, compassion… those traits are necessary. Why some do not have them? Because they are too busy only self absorbed in themselves.

As an athlete, I ate more than what I needed just to be able to have energy to practice my sport ( I was into running, biking and swimming at that time.) The hardest part is to cut off, once the athlete identity is gone. We need to be AWARE that our food needs have changed. Most people will not, and the once athlete may become overweight. Most humans are habitual creatures. To be AWARE implies to awaken from practicing hurtful habits.

Do we see that it isn’t necessarily what we eat but the AWARENESS of remaining in balance, in harmony combined with sentiments of kindness for all what makes a difference? Everyone has different needs according to traditions, health, age, consciousness. Therefore, it makes no sense to make a list of what to eat and what not. Someone said: “Everything with moderation.” However, for me that word, moderation; is not a synonym of enjoyment. Moderation is of the mind. Balance is not.

My friend Mathias told me one time:” The most important part while eating is to feel gratefulness .” In the human world, we pay too much attention to food items, quantities and calories. We believe that we know what is good for us because someone published a particular study and has a degree. We are happy to repeat what the “expert” found. We don’t dare to find out by ourselves and go through it without previous conclusions.

At this point in my Life, I have a vegan diet (No animal products including eggs and milk.) However, I don’t appreciate being labeled as “vegan.” I am not a label or represent one. I could change anytime and go away from that definition. Vegan food is what is good for me now. My diet changes according to the weather, the seasons. I smell my food very often like a dog. That tells me if I should eat it or not. It is not my mind making decisions by counting calories. There is no “decision.” My body tells me something, and I follow that.

In Life we need to be open to try different things and so it is for food items. Our food should be tasty and wholesome. There is also the need for emotional food once in a while: Once a year I may drink a small “coke/ pepsi” so the “child inside” is happy, for as a child that was my emotional food to “feel good.” Junk food once in a blue moon is part of that balance. Other than that isolated episode, there is good-old tasty water for me.

There are no “good” or “bad” food items. There is a harmonious self, in balance with our environment. You health, your body, your outlook in Life, your enjoyment, your zest for Life, those will tell you if what you are eating is right for you.

In Life, Balance is not a formula. It is a constant being AWARE. The “equalizer” in Life, changes according to the song that is being played and not according to our belief or dogma that things should be unchanged.

So… I am vegan like the Buddha! No. I am not vegan. I did not follow the Buddha. I merely followed the experiences that Life gave me and the signals I received in Life. It was a process not a ‘decision.’ In that process I learned about repression and self violence. I also learned about social responsibility and the meaning of compassion and empathy. That learning wasn’t theoretical. I did not get just words from someone. I experienced those teachings myself and became AWARE of them. Now, I know. Observe the process in my own lifetime. Some could say: “it is better to be born in a vegan family.” Not necessarily. Someone who is experienced in both sides of a duality, know the full range of that experience. That is needed to grow in consciousness.

Finally, for me spiritually is about AWARENESS. To be awake means to be conscious and that entails to know how the outside influences the inside and how our beliefs, dogmas, traditions and cultural backgrounds, do not allow us to be free.

That is the paradox of freedom.

De-conditioning from the BK system

The deeper a follower is involved in a religious system, the harder it will be to break free.
That premise is valid for those in a religious system as well as living in society.

From society into the BK system. That is the journey of a follower.
How is this transition possible? If we are not satisfied with society, if we are not content there; then the seed to move away has been planted.
Living around perceived supportive, helpful individuals who are looking to become “better” may be a selling point. Whereas, in society; we weren’t that happy. That type of comparison will be lingering in our mind.

Listening to the “Sakar Murli” is definitely another strong conditioning tool, specially if our belief in the words of “God” has been instilled before. Observe how the “word of God” is a strong conditioning, which can go across many settings.

Once the follower observes the differences between the “old world” and what could be his “new world,” then he may become a follower of the BK system. At that point, he will be compelled to follow the “code of conduct,” according to how deep this follower would like to go.
The “code of conduct” is the final touch in the conditioning process. To “practice” that, means to belong.

If we have observed how we were able to go from one system into another, we could use the same principle to move to a different system, once trust with the BK system is broken. Without this requisite, we will not be able to break away. However; this feeling of a “broken friendship” could be full of animosity or hopefully, not.
Ill feelings towards the BK system will only make our mental dependency stronger. Although away from the system; we will have triggers, which in turn deepens as psychological trauma.

The “trauma” of leaving the BK system, has been experienced by many ex-followers. To let go of this will be a challenge unless, we are at peace with our decision rather than using rationalization; that is coming up with “reasons” as to why the BK system is not the “truth”, honest, etc. That is defamation of what we previously praised.

Once back in society, it will never be the same. Now, we can observe things which we weren’t aware before. Because we met another reality, we could use the best of both worlds for our own lives.

When we leave a system such as the BK, there may be feelings of guilt and failure. Values that we held in high esteem such as “purity” (according to BK definition) may be appearing in our minds with guilt.

It is important to realize that once we move away from a system; all the philosophy, all the beliefs within that system will need to be thrown away. A “clean slate.”

Observe the face of a 3-4 year old child. That face irradiates purity. Then, whatever he does, it will be pure. That face doesn’t have philosophies or practices to DO.
That face is the reminder of what we have been, which could BE again through de-conditioning from the grip of systems. That child is about ready to lose his purity by being educated in society. The paradox is that to BE what we have been, we may need to go through those things which will try to change us in what we ARE not.
That smile is not the one gained through “effort” and “practice.”
It is “real” that is why, it has attraction.
We may need to remember that.

Will be taking a break until October 30th. Enjoy yourself! 🙂

Commitment to a religious path

How is a conditioned human being capable of seeing something besides his own conditioning?
When that person is taken out of his conditioned ways and surroundings and into a new setting.
When a seeker selects a spiritual path, he will select a different conditioning by rejecting his old ways. There has to be some sort of enticement for this to happen, that is what is known as having “experiences”, for without those; seekers will be unable to fully embrace something new.
Any religious path in some way or another, will take a person away from the conditioning of society. Even Christianity will do that through the enforcement of commandments and fear of god. Christianity is the least invasive of all the paths for new conditioning, that is why; it is so popular.

The Brahma Kumaris experience is certainly one of the most invasive for it requires a lot from a seeker, thus a greater commitment is required to take full “benefit” of this de-conditioning agent.

A committed seeker has a limited vision, for he will only see what is taught to him. He is not encouraged to look around and any deviation from his part will be a sign of lack of commitment. It is this willingness to look around what will make the difference between a “firm” believer and a spiritual “tourist.”
Observe the paradox. If a follower is fully committed, he will have less openness to observe Life from different views. That follower will necessarily nourish rejection for anything that is not fully aligned with his belief or path. However, without full commitment, there is very little opportunity to face his own contradictions: What he feels will collide with what he ought to follow. That is the first door to observe how beliefs systems move from helpful to unhelpful through time, and it is the task of the follower to become aware when this change is happening in his own Life.

Brahma Kumaris was a helpful belief system for me. It helped me in my Life. Nevertheless, it became unhelpful, outdated as I was evolving: A 4 year old kid could be in Kindergarten, but not an 8 year-old. It is not that kindergarten is “bad” for the 8 year old, it is that an 8 year old has outgrown that stage.
The 8-year-old kid has no grudges with Kindergarten. He merely moves on into elementary school and understands that there are other kids who will need the Kindergarten experience.

Brahma Kumaris is not the only path. It is not the “true” path either. It is a path. A valid path. That is my experience. Someone else may have a different experience. Who has the “truth”?
That is a childish question. In “spiritual” matters it is senseless to try to find the “truth,” as Life could show many “truths” at the same time depending on our state of consciousness. What is important is to be honest with our perception. Your “location” will give you a perception. Your “location” is where you ARE in Life.
“Spirituality” nowadays is not so keen in honoring our perception. “Spirituality” is taught as following a particular perception, the “right” one although we may not perceive it.

“Visualize this and that…” “Imagine that this is happening…” Those key words in “spirituality” denote that we do not honor our own perception, our truth.
Life could change those perceptions in us if we allow it. But, typically a firm believer will continue with his own recipe of “truth,” and deny Life itself. He will earn the label of “firm” by his fellow peers and believe that he is earning a piece of heaven; although, it is only a self serving belief.

Will resume writing on January 2019. Happy new year! 🙂

Work, karmic accounts and “spirituality.”

As a person going through the process of self-realization settles karmic accounts, huge changes will happen in his Life. Relationships will change, health will change as the body will need some time to adapt due to circumstances and emotions which are totally unforeseen. Even work will change. It is important to emphasize that

“I cannot settle karmic accounts by believing that I am doing so, or by avoiding situations or people.”

The settlement happens when it is time for that. We cannot run away or avoid when the time has arrived.

The perceived economical security that a job in our society brings, is one of the many illusions that we may hang onto. Nevertheless, as mentioned many times; all of these changes will happen naturally, at its own time. This is not something that will happen because “I want to follow so and so who is a saint.” That is artificial.
When a person is going through the process of self-realization, this individual will need plenty of free time to be alone, for all the inner transformations to take place. All of these will be offered in Life through circumstances. This is not the seclusion that some religions offer to their followers. That is artificial, nevertheless; it has some benefit for followers.

Through different channels, unforeseen circumstances, things will happen. Life will provide. The ability to think and “plan for the future” is truly an obstacle to perceive things from different perspectives. Of course, the above is not taught in our society. In our society it is important to plan and use reasoning to come up with some futuristic, idealistic plan where I will be “secure” as well as “my loved ones.”

All of these combined changes truly bring a new person throughout the process of catharsis. That is why it has been traditional, to change names. Religious followers will copy that; although there has never been a change to a “new” person. It is all for the sake of “fashion.”

Brahma Baba (Dada Lekhraj) did not have any ties with “regular work” at one point in his Life. It is said that he donated his money and put some individuals in trust, to help run the space that he was providing for those seekers who later became an organized religion, the Brahma Kumaris.
Someone who is providing some sort of “spiritual support” through his inner transformation, is not fit to play the game of “having a job” or “administer funds.” This has been a problem in many religions as those appointed to administer things are conditioned to run a “for profit” institution. The “spiritual” purpose is forgotten and the aim is to spread whatever teachings for the sake of gaining followers, for that means; greater institutional profits.

Our society has its ways and a person going through the process of self-realization does not fit that anymore.
Observe a person running a “spiritual center” sponsored by a religion or institution. Sooner or later, the interest of the organization (to exist, expand and flourish) will overtake personal time needed for inner development. Granted, not every person running a center is fit for self-realization, thus; consider the type of “spiritual support” that this person is providing. This is an issue that every organized religion has to deal with. “Good administrators” does not translate into good providers of “spiritual support” for seekers.

Nevertheless, any religion is an optimal starting point for a seeker. A particular seeker will be attracted to a particular path, according to his destiny. However, that religion is not necessarily the end point of the journey, as everyone needs to be exposed to different experiences to trigger inner changes. Life offers those experiences, not people with thought out plans or “methods.”

The experiences offered by Life are unexpected, for otherwise; those experiences are artificial. Nothing artificial could bring true change, but only a shortly sensation that “I am changing.”
Life is the true religion, but we may need to experience fully a religion to truly understand that. Those who are in the religion of Life, will need to experience complete insecurity, that is when the limited supports brought by our society, fall apart. Few are fit for that.

A child could play safely in the playground of a religion. But that is a preparation to open the gates and meet Life. Nevertheless, most believe that Life is society. To be able to go beyond the conditioned playground of society and all its fictional securities; is the next step to experience.
Those who are trapped in society will need to go to a different playground; a religion perhaps, to experience something different. Those who are AWARE of the different playgrounds may learn something useful for their own edification.

Finally, these things need to be experienced as Life brings the experiences. These things are not meant to be intellectually understood.

The misunderstood “Maya” in Brahma Kumaris

The extent you know “Baba” so “Maya.” 
The word “Maya” is one of the most misinterpreted or perhaps, the one with more interpretations in the BK ideology.
For some, Maya is “illusion.” That illusion is interpreted as “vices,” or perceptions due to an inaccurate (sick) mind. For others, “Maya” is equivalent to “Satan” in Christianity, it is the antithesis of “Baba.”
Some may say that everything is “perishable” except the “soul.” Thus, everything is “Maya” with the exception of the “soul” and “Supreme soul.”
That is a “Maya” (illusion) in itself.

According to BK knowledge, in Life everything is eternal but ever changing. That is a perception. For others, everything is perishable, except the soul. That is another perception. It all depends from our point of reference, our consciousness. Again, it is a matter of consciousness, not just some intellectual “truth” to accept.
The big question for any seeker at one point of their “spiritual careers,” is this:

Do I honestly go with my perception? Do I go with someone else’s perception and label that “truth”?
For instance, I can know the “truth,” that the “soul” is eternal. Intellectually, I know that. I could teach that to others; but yet; when there is some sort of danger to lose my life, I will go on as if I didn’t know that. I will cry out, I will beg for my life, I will get all stressed out to save it.
I could know that Brahma Baba was unmovable in front of danger. I want to imitate that, but the HONEST reality is that I cannot. That is the TRUTH.
On the other hand, I can honestly go with my perception and live the experiences that come with it, after all; there is a teaching that I must learn.

Is it possible for God to want me to be DISHONEST with my perceptions? If I go on and follow someone else’s truth then eventually, I will find all the repressions that I have done in the name of going to “heaven.” Could a repressed individual go to “heaven”?
Life has its own timing. Those who are ready to become a Buddha or a Brahma Baba will obtain the necessary experiences for that. This is not a matter of “will power,” or a decision that “I want to be like that.”
As a kid I used to like “Batman.” He was my favorite superhero. He was human. He did not have any “special powers” other than what some people already have (intelligence, physical prowess, money.) Nevertheless, I could not imitate him. After all, I am not “Batman.” There are many experiences that I need to learn as merely being ME.

That is why, religions have added the element of “pressure.” “Time is running out. Now or never. BE what you are not ready yet. Get there quickly. Fake till you make it.” Eventually, that follower has the potential to either break down or become a fraud, an imitator.
My question is: Where is “Maya” then?
It is in US, yet we do not look there. We want “truth” elsewhere. 

To follow a path

If a path can be explained to others, if it has all the turns and streets mapped out for others to follow, is not the “only true path.”
It cannot be. Life cannot be put into a philosophy or some dogma.
Nevertheless, religious dogmatic paths also called “spiritual paths,” are necessary for without them a person wouldn’t be able to gain the necessary experience to “know.”

A child needs the structure offered by parents. However, that structure cannot fit the Life experiences of an adult.
Society dictates a path to follow. Our parents do the same, based on their conditioning. But ultimately Life, cannot be met from that perspective.
It is a narrow perspective. There is more in Life.

Life is a pathless path. This is overwhelming for those conditioned to look for security at every corner. These individuals are content swimming in their own backyard pool. They are not ready to meet the Ocean. Life is an Ocean.

The Brahma Kumaris path is a valid path. Just like Christianity. Just like Buddhism or any other spiritual –“ism.”
If those paths are taken to the full extent, they will show us our rejections, our repressions, our firm beliefs and ultimate our deepest fears. However, most individuals are not interested in “knowing” that. Most are interested in “having the truth, in being right.”
If they are unable to see their own “truth,” what are they counting on having?
Just a satisfactory belief. Something to talk about, discuss and defend. That becomes an extension of their own ego. Once the “ego trip” is over, they will be looking for something else.

That inability to see their own truth, will be covered with all sorts of self inflicted falsehoods. That is inner dishonesty.
Some day we may discover that any helpful path, can only take us back to ourselves.

Finding your “spiritual” path

There are no religions in the World holding the “truth.” There are no religions in the world with exclusivity of “God.”
The above statement is the outcome of my journey, a new consciousness. That consciousness is not my own making. It happened because it was my time. There is no other “reason” beyond that.

What I share, needs to be found by yourself. “Truth” is not a matter of belief or repetition of ideas. No matter who the authority is behind “enlightened” words, truth cannot be found there.

There is no religion nor society who could quench the need of the egotistical person to have things under control. Security of salvation or a “high status” in the afterlife is part of a childish game to keep followers under control. Paradoxically, the one who looks to control, is the one controlled.

According to our society, a Life without “achievements” is a worthless life. Nevertheless, a Life without popularity and recognition of “achievements,” is suitable for inner observation when our consciousness is able to feel a connection with everything. Without this connection, an individual will only follow yet another idea, practice or “method,” hoping that his goal of “self-realization” or to be “better” could be “achieved.”  “Spirituality” (The art of living Life in harmony) is not an achievement but a consequence. It happens. It is not “done.”

No one has the “only true path” for every person is different.
Become aware of your uniqueness, then your path will find you.
We do not find our path. We slide into it.

“Spirituality” through reading and memorizing

Avyakt7-NG is sharing that “spirituality” is not obtained by reading and applying concepts into our daily Life.
That is only a good exercise for our mind. Nothing else.
That traditional way of “learning” is only a conditioning given by our society. We could learn through that method what is needed to do well in a profession or a trade but not in change of CONSCIOUSNESS.

“Spirituality” is the ART of BEING in harmony within and without. That cannot be taught through books, conferences, on-line classes, holy words of God, etc.

Nevertheless, anyone following that path of “reading,” is a beginner in the journey and needs to be respected as such. Books/ holy scriptures are “good” but not necessary.
Beyond “reading” and interpretation of concepts, there is OBSERVATION and ASSIMILATION of Life EXPERIENCES. Growth is through them.
What do “I” OBSERVE? “MY” interaction. What “buttons” have been pushed. My feelings surfacing. My rejection. My beliefs. All of that is what makes up my “I.” All of that is continuously challenged by Life changes. The “I” will fight to maintain itself despite the obvious changes.

Paradoxically, the environment is a reflection of that “I.”  It will show our traumas, our rejections, our beliefs, etc. But the “I” will not recognize them as such, but it will create a struggle, a fight to conquer what is out there. It is like a dog biting its own tail.

Empty, open, grateful to Life… Those are the ingredients to understand without understanding.
Thus, ‘true’ understanding.

The mind and its extremes in BK Life

One of the characteristics of a person being utilized by his own mind, is that he will go to extremes as part of his beliefs and ego needs.

Brahma Kumaris will offer that experience, but if we are not AWARE, we will miss the chance.
For instance, a follower who has believed in Brahma Kumaris for a long time and has invested resources to support his belief system, is going to “teach others” as he will believe that he is DOING good to others or that he is BECOMING someone “special.”

The ego needs a way to expand. “My beliefs are TRUE therefore, I am helping others who cannot see what I can.” This sort of grandiose is only showing ego. A person who is UNAWARE, will not notice such pretentious life. It is no longer about “self-realization” but to “self-realize others.”

Let us say that this person gets disappointed and leaves the BK system. More likely, if his ego is starving for recognition; he will go to the other extreme.
Now, he will preach “salvation” from the BK system.
Observe that this person is DOING exactly the same thing, but in opposite direction.
That is a DOING of the mind.

Most of the time the extreme is proportional. That is, the deeper we go on one side, the mind will go into the other at the same intensity.

Observe that Brahma Kumaris teachings are of no consequence for those who are AWARE. What matters is to observe “ME,” to observe how is it possible to believe on having the TRUTH just to go to the other side and deny it, but still saving face as a “SAVIOR” in both instances.

It goes something like this:
“I believe in BK teachings. I AM good because I spread them. A few years later: I don’t believe in BK teachings. I AM good because I am saving others from it.”

We are not aware of the dualistic mind.

Isn’t “self-realization” what “spiritual” seekers want?
How is it possible to pass the opportunity to observe their own mind?

The conditioning is great. As a BK, we see Life as “good or evil.” (duality.)
Out of the BK experience, still the same duality exists. The EGO perceives that “I was wrong,” so the way to make things “right” is to go against what was embraced before. I must redeem myself.

In “spirituality” there is no such a thing as “God realization.” But when “the others” is very important in our Life and our dependency is great; then “god realization” weighs more than “self-realization.”

Also, there is no such a thing as “DOING service.” You ARE therefore, that is what is serviceable or non-serviceable. To DO a recipe of things believing to be the “right” thing, despite not BEING congruent with that DOING, is lack of honesty.

Any follower who is expecting for words to show them “truth,” is kidding himself. If those words aren’t according to my experience, I am lying to myself.

The original teachings of Brahma Baba through his experience have been changed. There have been many people (leaders) putting their hands on these “teachings.” This is a frequent experience when regular people surround someone who is in the process of changing his consciousness at a different level. These followers are more concerned in spreading their “truth” and making it available to the masses, rather than learning themselves from that unique experience of witnessing someone closer, going through the process of self-realization.

So why Brahma Baba does not show up and take a stand against those BKs who are misinterpreting his teachings?

Brahma Baba had his chance to act. He did while “alive.” Now, others have the opportunity to act as well. This is not about “making things right.”
That is a human limited vision based on a strong conditioning. In the unlimited, it is about the experience that will be able to change consciousness. To allow everyone to “act” as they need to; for at the end of the game; we know that in fact it is a predestined game, and everything will be as it has to BE. What is “good”? What is “right”? Obviously what is happening in the Drama / Life. Therefore, nothing is “bad” or “wrong.”  Do we have the openness to consider this?  Many like to throw their human morality into the picture and then want to be self-realized at the same time!! This, does not mean either to be “immoral.”  Let us not go to the extreme of mental dualities. It just means to have acceptance, amplitude, “open mind,” to appreciate things beyond our narrow intellectual perception, our “black or white” illusion of a world full of color.
Therefore, OBSERVE your own game. Become AWARE of it… a “detached observer” of it.  

For the common good.