The paths of Spirituality

It is not my style to write long articles, but this time will be an exception. 🙂 Please bear with me.

For me, spirituality is the art to live life in joy. That word “joy” could be understood as balance, appreciation, gratitude, enjoyment, delight. This is a state of BEING which comes by itself, without any outside influence or particular event happening to us.

A “wanna-be” seeker, “Life walker” or spiritual person will usually find an existential emptiness in his life. That is the beginning of the journey. That person will search for meaning when all the avenues shown by our society are no longer satisfying; that is, the long lethargic sleep comes to an end little by little.

Once that spark ignites, we cannot be the same. Life will provide many paths to awaken that “child.” In fact, that person becomes a child in consciousness. That person is like a sprout in need of protection, water and the right environment to grow; therefore, spiritual/religious paths will be there as “care takers.”

Carlos Castaneda mentioned in one of his books, (as he heard it from his master, Don Juan) “All spiritual paths are the same: They will lead you nowhere.” Actually, spiritual paths don’t lead you anywhere because they cannot lead you to yourself. That is up to the seeker. Spiritual or religious paths are meant to give the environment for that “child” or sprout to grow. That journey could go through many turns and many gurus, many Gods and Goddesses, many supernatural experiences, blissful experiences, or teachings; which are beautiful side scenes in the journey. However, unless BEING is changed; those experiences will be easily forgotten and we will continue BEING pretty much the same: Trapped in our comfort and safe conditioning, self absorbed in the little “I.” The question is: How do we move away from BEING stuck in that rut?

Life has brought an extraordinaire agent for change. It is called suffering. Have you been introduced to it? Most likely yes. But, most likely we want to get away from it! Nevertheless, suffering is part of the duality of Life and as my friend Miguel said: “ Symmetry (balance) in Life comes with good humor and the flexibility of the heart, which knows that pain is part of the experience.”

Suffering has that “secret formula” which changes our BEING. Some religions have misinterpreted this and in turn they came up with ways to practice sheer masochism through penances and mortification. Truly artificial suffering. Life itself will put us in that real test! Eventually, suffering will go away and bring the other side of the coin. However, the way we perceive that suffering, will truly change us for the best or the worst.

It is a different perception when we know that something is affecting us out of our own “karma,” our own doing in the past (and it is not punishment, but merely a consequence of experiencing the rules of duality) than when we blame that pain to someone else and will try to get even with the world, and produce further suffering. That is the time when “knowledge” could be helpful, we could mentally understand impartial cause and effect in Life and thus, we could calm our minds for we know that Life has given us the capacity to go through that episode as well. For that suffering to be fully effective, we need to accept it wholeheartedly. Life then finds an opening in us to sow newness. That is when the little sprout starts growing roots that eventually, will make it strong.

Spiritual paths could present themselves in many shapes and forms: Some people will be in tune with the major monotheistic religions and their beliefs of sin, shame, guilt and punishment. Some religions will require greater commitment than others. The Brahma Kumaris asked a lot more out of me than just going to mass every Sunday; it took me out of my comfort zone. That couldn’t be possible without the experiences I had. That was the bait and I ate it. An “experience” (something out of the ordinary) may take the seeker out of the logic and reasoning of the mind. That is excellent!

Others may start their journeys by experiencing changes of consciousness through artificial means, like drinking the popular “Ayahuasca” or eating some mushroom or smoking cannabis, etc. That experience is the bait for them. However, many will create a dependency on those artificial means. For instance, Ex-boxer Mike Tyson uses psilocybin (A psychodelic prodrug found in magic mushrooms) to help him with his mental issues: “I believe this is good for the world,” said Tyson, who said he thinks its use could also help create a more empathetic and just society.

“If you put 10 people in a room that don’t like each other and give them some psychedelics, they’ll be taking pictures with each other,” (Here is the article from Reuters )

Mr. Tyson found an altered state of consciousness through psychedelics and a “cure” for his mental issues, but his BEING is the same. No change. An empathetic society based on psychedelics is an illusion. I admit that I do not have experience with psychedelics, although places providing these experiences are numerous here in Peru which cater to foreigners. What I know is that there are many ramifications (which I am fully aware of) which could be detrimental and even dangerous to a seeker. An aborigine may use “power plants” with utmost respect, knowing that their effects will serve as a bridge to contact other worlds or for healing. A shaman may use power plants to perform a “job,” but for most individuals; it is only an opportunity to find another addiction. In this, I need to add that Shamanisn has been widely distorted by concentrating on magic, rituals and spirit contact and not in the root of self realization and to live in harmony with Nature. Just like the distortion society has made of Tantra and even Yoga. Most westerners believe that Yoga is some form of cool acrobatics from the East, thanks to the marketing machinery and their objective to repackage and sell everything even if it has been defaced.

My sister contacted a Shaman from Bolivia once she heard him speaking in an interview. He is known as “Chamalu.” He has written many books. She traveled by herself when she was 18, looking for him as she was losing her eyesight. That was her starting point in Spirituality. In his center/ashram, a regression was done on her. She met in that regression Brahma Baba (Dada Lekhraj) for the first time (founder of Brahma Kumaris.) She became a BK some time after, that is a story in itself. Brahma Baba told my sister that she “will always have light in her eyes.” She has minimum eye sight now, but she still sees. Nevertheless, she can “see” beyond the material realm without taking “power plants.” Brahma Baba told her that “there is nothing wrong with her eyes because she can see him.” True Shamanism from the Andes is a school to learn the art of living.

There are paths concerned with extraterrestrial Life. Perhaps many of these “beings of light” are from other planets, other dimensions, other worlds, etc. and now they are helping us evolve? Why not? I had an unusual interest in UFOs when I was a kid. I read every book and magazine I found. In fact, I met Vlado Kapetanovic who was my neighbor in my childhood (https://exonews.org/contacting-friendly-apunians-in-the-andes-vlado-kapetanovic-leading-the-way/) and had the chance to chat with him about his experiences. His main phrase was: “Everything for others.”A very kind man (along with his wife, Mileva) who had a hard Life during World War II time while living in Yugoslavia. He wrote many internationally known UFO books among other writings. Nevertheless most individuals in this path will be mostly interested in seeing UFOs or will be interested in stories related with Atlantis or to call themselves “starseeds from another planet,” etc. rather than absorbing the message that these advanced civilizations bring. These seekers are still missing the point: To look at themselves. To be able to see their own shadow and their own light. That is the core spiritual teaching from any bona fide spiritual or religious path.

Still; we need to start our journey someplace, and all those places are as good as any other in my opinion, for they could give us the opportunity to move from our comfort zone. In my experience, to move out of that comfort zone is one of the hardest aspects in our spiritual journey.

Out of all spiritual/religious paths, there is the path of BEING. In my experience, the path of BEING goes from the head, to the heart and then to the gut. It is a journey within, helped by Life experiences. That is the inner journey helped by the experiences in the outer world. Most individuals are heavily connected only to their minds and the head. They cannot truly feel and part of their journey is to open that heart again.

Finally, here is a reading that I highly recommend to go deeper within.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B09mI7jo0YigUWlIdTEzcjU4UkE/edit (Hua Hu Ching)

I found the “Hua Hu Ching” through an email that a friend sent me with a quote from that scripture. That quote resonated with me so much that I purchased the book. As I read it, it appeared to me as if I actually wrote that piece. It reflected back what I learned in Life. We could read any book or blog to learn something; but spiritual readings are not about learning but remembering what we already know. It is to feel that fascination and awe, when someone puts words to something that we have experienced which remained in essence, inside us.

Enjoy the journey!

When returning to the BK world

There are many Brahma Kumaris who left the BK religion and then came back again. There are many “reasons” compelling these individuals to do that, but we could wonder how is it possible to leave, go back to the “old world” and then decide to go back again to the BK world?

The ones who I met, had unfulfilled needs while in the BK path; then decided to go to the “old world” to fulfill those needs, just to find out that there was nothing else remaining after those needs were met and still they were looking for something “meaningful.”

It is important to understand that any perceived need which is driven by the mind, is incapable of fulfillment. It is like watching pornography: The mind is engaged in that for there are elements which are attractive to a particular mind, but watching is not the same as having the “real” experience. Still, the mind cannot be satisfied but craves for more. Similarly, when leaving the BK experience just to come back again, the mind compares and proceeds, believing that satisfaction is arriving once we reach “there,” and that “there” is anywhere but where we are now.

Some couldn’t take the feeling of isolation by being unable to mingle with whoever they desired, or wanted a relationship or a sexual experience or perhaps they were fed up with the BK system and wanted a break, etc. Then, these individuals proceeded with their wishes, which typically are the opposite of what the BK world requires, thus; the conflict.

The mind fantasizes with what is lacking: Water is extremely appealing to that one who is very thirsty. Once the thirst is quenched, then the person is back in his dissatisfaction mode in search for meaning, that is back to the beginning, where the BK world fits the need.

It is important to point out that the typical “religious seeker” does not feel satisfied with society and what it offers. When most unaware individuals have learned to cope with the social system and feel that they belong, there are some; who are looking for something different, although they may not know what that is. A political rebel may outwardly show his violence and rejection of society whereas a religious seeker may keep that violence inside, and show his rejection in different ways. For instance in Brahma Kumaris, when believers refer to the “old world” (society) with different degrading labels.
Brahma Kumaris presents itself as a good alternative to fill that need for meaning. Something completely different than what society offers, which has a perception of wholesome, good, uplifting. Its perceived value is “beyond this lifetime” and has the “Godly” component which has a positive connotation.

Disappointment with society is a strong motivator to feel the sense of belonging to the BK world. Humans strive to belong to something greater than themselves. Even in the most ego driven and infantile consciousness, there is the need to belong: To a soccer team, to a political party, to a country, a religious view, etc.

Typically there are 2 types of former believers once they go back to the BK world: 1) The ones who will go deeper on the “second chance” than what they did before. These individuals perceive that they “finally” found what they need in the BK world. After tasting and being disappointed when returning to society, there is no “other shop” to go to. Again, the mind fantasizes tremendously. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, specially if we are only able to see 2 yards. If these followers were able to observe this, then their returning trip will be a valuable lesson. Once returning for “good,” the individual will follow blindly and it will be the BK system the one who will take precedence over his perceived needs. Thus, this person is more likely to feel the inner struggles, the “war with Maya” and here is when his inner observation will be mostly required for the “next step.”

2) Those who go back and their level of commitment is lower than before. These individuals are drawn to the BK world for a particular “reason.” That may be the need to belong to something perceived as “worthwhile,” or to be able to “help” others, or companionship with “nice, spiritual people,” etc. That is the motive why they came back, but they also want to be part of the “old world,” society. They want both worlds and are committed to none. This may be a sane response, but the changing inner effects, the inner turmoil when de-conditioning will not be felt. These individuals are a good fit for “BK service,” as their particular acquired skills in society, could be used in the BK world. This is typically a “happy relationship” between the individual and the BK system, for each party gets what they “want” from each other.

Those who came back after leaving, are better equipped to deal with the BK inner struggles, for they know what to expect and they know what the way out will bring. Nevertheless, in the BK world there is the tendency to lower their “status” in the “Golden age” as a “subtle punishment” for leaving. Why?

The BK system needs a way to deter the “firm” ones, from thinking about leaving. Once a person leaves, he can do it again. That person doesn’t experience the fear and inner fight that someone who could not dare to leave, will experience. Being “status conscious” is part of the BK conditioning.

In that respect the BK world has its ideal image into the system: An unmarried, single person with no children, hopefully with no sexual experience; that is the “right fit” to climb into the “high status” promise of salvation.
That view is not consistent with diversity, for Life doesn’t make black or white distinctions based on external characteristics. The level of consciousness or awareness a person has, cannot be manipulated by human preconceptions and ideals.

The “truth” of religions

Most individuals engaged in a religious journey are seeking from some form of “truth.” That may have different labels, such as “God,” “virtues,” “love,” “acceptance,” and a sense of “belonging.”
If all of those are followed by some sort of philosophy diving into eschatology (the end of the world) then we have all the ingredients to value such religion even more than Life itself.

After all, most will embark into the religious journey after some sort of deception of the “current” world. It may be that we have “achieved” everything we could in this world, and nothing seems to satisfy our thirst for meaning. It may be that we found the sense of friendship/brotherhood that we were looking for from like minded individuals. Few may have the “spiritual experiences” necessary to strengthen their belief and consider themselves “special,” “lucky,” and of course would like to follow up with all the ego boosting experiences given in such setting. All different reasons which have in common the search for meaning, that is the underlying “truth” behind any search.

A religion then will reassure the follower: “Your search is over.” “You have found it.” Isn’t that beautiful?

We may need to observe the whole journey to find out the “buttons” that were pushed, and how those buttons affected our perspective of Life.

What I found is this: When seeking, it is important to find what we believe will give us meaning. However, to find it means the search ain’t over. Isn’t that paradoxical? The mind is never satisfied.

We are continuously reassured that everything we need is “out there,” someone has it and all we need to “do” is to believe in that. Come, join us and you too will have it! You too will be “saved”!

Without a doubt, that part of our journey is necessary and important; but there is more to it. Once all those supportive “props” are taken away in Life, then we are all by ourselves. What is the meaning then? What is the “truth” that we found?
Perhaps at that point few will go into the “inward journey.” That is the one without meaning, without a goal, and because of that meaningful in itself.

Everything is inside. Did we hear that? Many times. What does it mean? That is what we need to find out. It is not a search, it is finding. Does it make sense? A search has a mental something that we wish to find. Finding is to look what is already there, through all the layers that may be.
Paradoxically, everything is inside but to get there we start from the outside.

Therefore, the paths of religions are all “good” starting points. Those “outside” paths are needed in the overall journey of consciousness, where gaining consciousness may mean to be free from what the mind expects; what it has been taught through conditioning, that “should be.”

Looking from that perspective, we may find that religious stories are like lullaby tales. They have a teaching value, a moral story, a great significance for those who are trapped in their minds, for those stories become a source of guiding light in our darkest days. However, to believe that those stories are greater than Life itself by taking those literally  as “truths” or interpreted as however will fit us best; that is to take things out of proportion, but… All according to our conscious level.

That may be a new meaning for the BK word “numberwise.”

BK followers’ fears

We may join the BK movement because we believe that we have found “God.” For those who joined out of some “reason,” the entrance exam is through the practice of the Maryadas. However, those who joined based on a “subtle experience,” may have enough fuel to follow everything to the dot. At least, that was my case.

Once we are “in,” immediately we will be considered for “service.” Success in this endeavor will encourage the follower to continue on. How many new souls did you bring in? How many signed up for the “7 day course” because of you? Was your activity deemed to be “accurate” according to the in-charge?

Observe that there is no difference between the “outside world,” and the “spiritual one” in this procedure. After all, it is about being “successful,” “self-driven,” “go-getter,” etc.

What is the difference? “You” are working for “God” rather than some “normal” human being.
“You” are getting paid as well. The “currency” is called “karma.” There will be good karmic accounts accumulated in your karmic “bank account.” Those monies will be withdrawn sometime in the future, after “you” die. You will not get it now.

That is the big difference between a “normal job” and the “spiritual, godly job.”

Observe the same merchant mentality is being exploited in both instances. “Normal” people understand that procedure, so it is easy for them to follow with the practice in the “spiritual realm.”

What is the fear?

Once the follower decides to leave. In a “normal job” that is not big deal. Another employer will offer another job opportunity. However, In Brahma Kumaris, there is an emotional seemingly unbreakable lock which will keep many followers in fear of leaving.
“You will ruin your fortune.” Here is the punch line: “It will be for ever.” No way to fix it. Moreover, you will be leaving “god.” That is crazy!

A person surrounded by all of these “reasons,” for sure will develop guilt and a sense of feeling “dirty,” (impure) if he leaves. Add the fact that other Bks are typically the only social circle aka “family” a BK follower has, and the sense of being alone will be there. The deeper you get in, the harder it is to get out. That is the “rule of thumb.”

After all, it is all about “investment.” How much have you invested to belong? How much do you expect to get out in the “future”?

On the other hand, those who followed without much intensity. Those who “cheated” on the Maryadas once in a while, those who never left completely the “outside world,” for those, leaving is a walk in the park.

Nevertheless, change will be experienced in both cases. The one who got deeper, has greater capacity for hardship and thus greater opportunity to know himself.

Interestingly, not many will see that. They will only see that they have been cheated, lied, robbed, etc. These individuals were not fulfilled in their desires. They were there because of a personal agenda of “success.”

Many are not aware of what self-transformation entails. It is Life bringing what is perceived as hardship. It doesn’t matter if we stay in a religious setting or not. What matters is if we were able to go through that experience in wonder, enjoyment and trust. Religions and spiritual paths should only provide tools to deal with those events.
How could “I” enjoy hardship? It is not necessarily the experience of hardship but everything else brought to you because of that particular hardship. It depends on what we focus on. Experiences will pass, and if we emerge well and strong aka, “with an smiling face,” we understood the essence of spirituality without reading a single “sacred text.”

Many times the price to know thyself, is steep; but “you get what you paid for” now.

There is no after life promise of “salvation.” No future “bank account” involved.

Advise for those looking to move on from the Brahma Kumaris

First, it is important to recognize that Brahma Kumaris is a spiritual school and it has a mission.
What is that mission? To give the basic understanding of the “spiritual realm” and to introduce followers into a different mind set. Brahma Kumaris will enhance self value of the follower through the experience of enhanced ego.
As already shared, that is necessary in the “spiritual” path for without the ego increasing to its full potential, there is no “fuel” to later “dissolve” it.

That “elementary” school (BK) is the backbone for further exploration, though only for those who are ready. “Ready” is not a matter of time in the BK movement, but rather; it is readiness of consciousness, awareness.

Second, when going for the full experience of the BK movement, to reach a point of saturation becomes important to move on. For “full experience” I mean, someone who fulfills all teachings of the Bks. Someone who stays a BK but in the “periphery” of it, does not feel the complete effect. There, it is easy to move in and out, without much change due to inner struggle.
Many do not get to that point. They may have different conflicts or sour experiences which will force them to leave.
Nevertheless, whatever your experience; if you feel cheated, angry about them and full of animosity; you will be trapped deeper; as you will not be able to let go.

Third, many get caught up in the politics, in the administrative ways of some people who exercise their own little ego trip. Although that has influence in followers, I consider that benefit is beyond all that. Practice the Maryadas. That is pretty much it. Observe your own inner conflicts. Observe when enough is enough and what is triggering that. Otherwise, we get caught up in what Dadi said, what the in charge did to me, what someone else informed me about the BKs, etc.
Go by your own experience, not someone else.

Being part of the Brahma Kumaris is like having a relationship with someone. Both parties go into it out of their own will. There may be some lofty goal as objectives to reach, but the relationship will die away when both parties are unable to compromise. There is always change, and change is neither “good nor bad” but necessary, unavoidable.

Leaving the BK relationship should be out of your own will as well. For instance, if there is animosity towards the person that we once loved, then that will be our trigger, our trauma which we will be unable to let go.

We are out of the BK experience, when we let go and that for sure, is one of the most important “spiritual” teachings one should encounter. All relationships are meant to end someday. It is unavoidable in Life. We may think that we “found God” but if we found “him” it means that we lost “him” before, and that we will lose “him” again.

To avoid an indigestion of traumas, it is important to learn to assimilate the time that we spent within the BK experience.
What is what you took out of it that will help you in your current Life? That is the type of perspective to move on harmoniously.

 

Will be taking a break until May 29th. 🙂

“Spiritual Teachings” through contrast

The “Golden age” is heaven. It is good, pure. In contrast, now is the “Iron age.” It is bad, sinful…
What is the teaching? Forget the un-rightful world. Make effort to go to the “rightful world.”
Nevertheless, because we live in the world of duality, what it is “now” is the consequence of what it was before, the “Golden age.” “Hell” is there only because of “Heaven.”
Therefore, what it is now is “right,” just as it is. Don’t want that? Then do not have a “golden age.” Simple as that.

Do you want a “high status”? Open many centers for the Brahma Kumaris religion. Proselytize as much as you live.
After all, the “Golden age” is a trade mark, an exclusivity of the Brahma Kumaris religion. Correct?
No? Then try the Christian “Golden age.” It is called “Heaven.” Christians offer a “better deal,” all you have to do is “good actions.” They already have all the temples they need. 

The “Golden age” and the “Iron age” are ONE. For there cannot be Golden age without Iron age. This is a different “teaching.”
When we stop looking at the scenes of duality as different from each other (by taking the childish approach of choosing one side and rejecting the other,) or wanting to hold on into something that is meant to change; at that point, we could look, observe and see the beauty of all.

That beauty is tarnished in our own mind with conditioned ideals of what is “good, bad, right, wrong, what should be and shouldn’t be,” etc. That beauty is polluted with our own greed to “insure ourselves” for the afterlife (salvation.) That greed is fueled by fear of being a nobody, a loser or sinner missing the opportunity to become a “somebody” in the future.

Interesting how we can dress up our fear, greed and obsessive-compulsive mind with a saintly looking dress or a religious title, under the label of “purity.”

The fear of BEING myself

Every religion or belief system understood by the collective consciousness, as having the “truth” is about the chance of BECOMING something.

In Brahma Kumaris there are all sorts of “good things” that a follower could become: An Angel, a Deity, God’s helper, A serviceable soul, A gyany soul, A yogi soul, A “true” Brahmin (pukka,) etc.

Christianity has its share of BECOMING as well: An angel, a Seraphim a Cherubim, Archangels, Saints, Church protectors, pope, cardinals, priests, etc.

Any other organized religion has similar hierarchy to entice a follower into something “worthwhile” to become. Mundane parents will instigate their offspring to become a doctor, a lawyer, the president, etc.
Do we see the parallel?
That is the way the conditioned human mind works. There is always a need for an objective. Without objectives, without something to achieve, we wouldn’t know what to DO with our lives.

The goal is there but the “method” to achieve it, is the thing sold by a religion, a system, a guru, etc. Someone has to come up with the “right method” to follow.

“Success” is measured once the objective is reached, through our ability to follow a “method.” Our society wants to make every imaginable objective into some sort of easy to achieve, fool proof shortcut. “Spirituality” is no less.

The promise of becoming something “important” drives the follower’s ego into some “divine” goal. However, the “mundane” goal is not different as far as consciousness is concerned.

Picture this: I follow some method by some religion and then when I die, followers say that “I became an angel.”
Who is there to check that? How do I check it?
It is all a matter of belief or the experience of a few. Nevertheless, whether that story is true or not, it does not matter at all.

The experience of a different consciousness it is not related with how well we know someone’s story.

Because I know the story of Brahma Baba or Jesus, because I follow what I believe to be their steps, it does not mean that I will be like them.
What Jesus, Buddha and Brahma Baba had in common?
They were human beings whose expression of consciousness were misinterpreted, by the immense majority while they were alive. Once they were dead, their stories became popular. At that point, a follower may become an “authority” about their guru life story. Then, the hierarchy is built among followers with the “intention” (that is the excuse) of “becoming like him.” From that point on, distortion of “teachings” is guarantee.

That sort of silly, empty pursue  of becoming like someone else, is covering the “real” thing, the core of our existence, that is the realization of who we ARE.

BEING, observing who we ARE, becoming AWARE of that who we call “I,” is relegated into oblivion.
Instead, let me collect pictures and photos of my “beloved guru.” Let me pray to him to get me something or other, to intercede for me. Let his memory make miracles for me, so I can become someone “special” in this Life.

That sort of infantile nonsense is very typical of some grown-ups. All they need is a promise that they can BECOME someone else.

That is exactly the point where their lack of self-esteem starts.
That fear of BEING themselves to learn from themselves, is taking them to worship another, for there is no love for self.

When a human being is in that state of consciousness, he is not ready yet to grow. Their support system relies on someone to tell them what is “right.”  However, that is the beginning of the journey.

For the common good.

Every religion has its own heaven

The way we interpret things is according to our experiences and consciousness. This we may call “truth,” but it is a belief which stands because there is no way to check it.

The “heaven” of Christianity is different from the one from Brahma Kumaris. Every follower will believe to have the “truth.”

“Only Brahma Kumaris followers can go to heaven… with the exception of scientists, but these scientists will be there only as subjects.”
That belief is self-supporting.
There is no way to check this, but it is considered to be “true” just because “Baba said it.” He said it, because it is written in the “Murli” and the Murli comes from “God.”
It is a circular belief which starts and ends in the word of God, although; God himself is on the brink of beliefs. Paradoxically, “God” is the experience of very few, which was mass enhanced to be made the belief of the many.

Same with Christians. The belief that the Bible is a book “inspired by God,” is believed by millions of followers. That belief believed by “majorities” is considered to be “true.”

In my time as a BK follower, I wasn’t able to observe the above. Why?
Simply because “I” had “invested” a lot in the BK belief system. “I” couldn’t be “wrong.”
It was easy to leave the Christian belief as it did not require much from me, other than going to mass once in a while, confess to the priest here and there and contribute economically in favor of the church. All those externalities, gave me the name of “Christian” and I was in good standing with my surrounding society.

However, with Brahma Kumaris, it was different.
It was “me” against the belief of the rest. It was “I” who was made different and had knowledge and experience of God himself. It was on “me” to teach the rest, to make “subjects” for “my” kingdom. :-). (As the Murli says.)

Now, it is easy to observe that tremendous “I-ness” which “I” wasn’t able to see before. An experience which gave me a contrast was necessary to awake my awareness and not intellectual knowledge.

In society, my “I” grew by going with the  stream, the current, by following what was supposed to be desirable: A well-paying job, with social status and all of that.
In the BK experience, it was the opposite: My “I” grew by going against the current. “I” was a fish out of the water, desiring to be with the “ocean” of knowledge.

When the “I” experiences both sides, then “no-I” is the next experience.
There, there is no need of a belief in heaven. No “holy” books are required. However, the transformation that this entails will change everything we thought to be “I.”
As Brahma Baba said in the Murlis, it is to “die alive;” however; in the Brahma Kumaris religion, dying alive entails to change the identification of the “I” from the luxuries of society into the activities of the Golden age. But “dying alive” is to die from the “I,” and this cannot happen if there is an identification such as “I am a BK,” for there is “I” in there.

As we could see, it doesn’t matter whether I was “right” before and now I am not. It doesn’t matter if “I had the truth before,” and now I don’t. What matters in my path, is that I have experienced that change in consciousness.
Therefore, how can I say that Brahma Kumaris of Christianity are “wrong” paths? That is not possible. Both of them are necessary. Both of them will offer different things to a seeker.

The “truth” has different colors according to the glasses of consciousness that we wear.

For the common good.

Deconditioning through Brahma Kumaris

Our consciousness will change once there is experiential awareness. Consciousness does not change by mere regurgitation of “Knowledge/ Gyan.”

For this to happen, there is a need for a space away from the elements of conditioning. In most cases, society is the biggest source of conditioning, thus anything that will keep us away from society will give us the space needed for awareness to appear.

In my time as a Brahma Kumaris follower, I can now see; how the above explanation was present.
To hang out only with BK followers, to only eat the food prepared by them, to follow their codes of conduct and to spend most of my time with Brahma Kumaris “business,” was the way to create that space of separation from mainstream society.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see at that time how deconditioning was operating: I wasn’t watching TV or going to the movies, for that was considered a waste of time and a source of “tamopradhan” vibes. I wasn’t around my family members. Work was “better” if it did not take much of my time after the requirements to sustain myself were fulfilled. Sexuality was shut down as a way to avoid further mingling and attachment with others and my body. In a nutshell, most ways of conditioning that society values, were taken away. At that time, my mind was “black or white,” as the knowledge/Gyan appeared to me: “I am becoming satopradhan (good) while society’s way was corrupted, tamopradhan. A rejection to mainstream society arrived, which was largely supported by hearing the daily Sakar Murlis.

Observe how deconditioning takes place, although; a new conditioning was placed in my mind instead. This conditioning is the one that becomes hard for a “firm” follower to get rid of, once the person leaves the Brahma Kumaris movement.
Why?
The feeling of guilt is unavoidable. The Brahma Kumaris movement is an extraordinary deconditioning path, which leaves no way to “escape” for a follower who is preoccupied in gaining Godly favors in heaven or in this Life, or for a follower who has this idea that to be “good” is to follow a script given by someone else. Usually this follower is an achiever, who is trading mainstream ways into what he may think are “spiritual” ways.  This follower has fear of failure and not to comply with the teachings of “god.”  That fear will manifest eventually in anger.

An ex-follower will use scientific evidence to prove the BK teachings “wrong,” to be at peace with his guilt. Science is one of the greatest conditioning paths that mainstream society has. To believe in scientific research is for the BEING, at the same level of believing in some deep rooted traditional belief system. Both conditioning paths, will take away the ability of the individual to discover his own truth, to observe himself, to become AWARE.

Nevertheless, conditionings paths are not “bad.” They are necessary to live in society, in groups. But, for someone who is walking the path of self-realization, these props of conditioning will need to be left aside, to discover our own self. This event has a timing and it is different for every individual.

For the common good.

The game of self-realization

The path of self-realization has many curves in it. It is not straightforward as any method will try to teach.
When a person is ready for this trip, what is known, that is his current conditioning, society, may need to be left aside.
How could anyone realize the intimate link between a person and society unless that individual is removed from it?

There are many stories of self-realized individuals who left society of their time while in the process of self-realization, just to come back later on.
Buddha, Mahavira even Jesus left their society. Other lesser known self-realized individuals, lived with their gurus or alone while in the process of being removed from the old conditioning.

Similarly, that is the intention of religious systems known as “cults” by society. A follower eventually will be gone from society.
He will adopt new ways, new beliefs, new behaviors which are not the common practice of society, labeled as “normal.”

Individuals who do not know the process of de-conditioning, could perceive this as negative, a byproduct of joining a cult. For the follower, this will be about obtaining some ideal, such as having the truth, working for God, leaving the corrupt ways of society, etc.

I am not saying that “cults” are good or bad. At this point, I hope that those 2 little words are left aside by readers, to understand what Avyakt7-NG is trying to convey in these articles. “Cults” or religious groups have a purpose, which is to give the follower another conditioned perspective away from mainstream society.

A Brahma Kumaris follower, basically will change the conditioning of society to replace it with a new conditioning. Very few individuals will realize what is going on and thus, take advantage of the “lesson.”

Through the teaching of “We are right, you are wrong” a sense of pride will arise. By belonging to a group deemed to be “better” a sense of superiority arises. Ego.

Through that petty ideal, an individual does not realize that Life does not have value systems, beliefs, or morality, those are human creations. The effect of an action, will be specific to the type of “game” someone is playing. For instance, if we steal, there are consequences in this society. If an animal “steals” from another, consequences are different. Why?
It is a different game, “stealing” does not exist there. Nevertheless, we continue stuck in “good and bad, right and wrong” labeling any action based on our type of “game” and holding that standard as the only “truth.”

If we were aware of how conditioning changes, on how easily we could take a set of beliefs to replace another, we could be free from all of them, without rejecting none of them, for this game of Self-realization is not about having the “truth” but it is about BEING “true” to ourselves.

For the common good.