Brahma Kumaris, anyone has had anything to do with them?

[Kione]

I have been going to a meditation course they are doing and I really enjoy it. But when I googled them, I found articles saying they are a cult and some scary stuff about them. But when I read the information they have written about themselves it doesn't seem strange at all.

Anyone had any experience with them?

Thanks!

[Kione]

Bump

[NotALondoner]

People often misinterpret the word cult. What are they about?

[Kione]

About meditation and the.philosophy of the humans being a soul living in a body. The soul being peaceful and happy by nature and getting to that stage again and more aware of our soul by meditation. I just have read on the net about weird practices they do. In the course I am attending they havent said anything too weird

[OneHolyCow]

Many summers ago I used to work in a New Age center in the Netherlands. The Brahma Kumaris rented place for meditations and stuff and they were absolutely adorable and lovely. Very genuine and conscientious I would say. We dealt with a lot of people and they were my favorite. Very loving. Never noticed anything weird about them, good people.

[bushbabyblues]

They are Hindu nuns.

Of course it's a bit unusual to turn your back on earthly matters and menfolk, but it's no more weird than the Sacred Heart or the various other Christian religious orders that happily run schools, hospitals and retreats all over the world.

The Hare Krishnas are similar but do not segregate the sexes and permit marriage.

Just a little bit racist to term non-Christian religious communities "cults".

[2madboys]

I think my mark of a cult would be things like secrecy (not letting non-members into meetings, etc), and encouraging people to separate from family, and cutting off ex-members. I'm a Christian, but there are a few 'Christian' churches that I consider to be basically cults for these kinds of reasons.

[bushbabyblues]

Good point, 2madboys

And one man's cult is another man's mainstream faith. I did an Alpha course and my husband thought I was going off to be brainwashed.

[Kione]

Bush, they are not Hindu nor nuns. Someone asked about the Hindu at the curse and they said they use Hindi languaje but are not of the Hindu religion. They are not nuns as our first teacher is a man and the creator is a man too.
Some of the stuff I read does say that they made people alien to their families. But I havent had that feeling at all, quite the oppisite, they are teaching me how to deal with my DD in a calm way

[bushbabyblues]

That interesting to know, Kione - I was going on what I've been told by a Hindu friend so apologies for spreading the misinformation .

If you feel okay about it, what does it matter what other people think?

[squashedbanana]

I attended a talk at a mind, body and spirit fair by Brahma Kumaris and the 'monk' who did the introduction was incredibly arrogant and rude but the main talker was nice enough

I used to know someone who went to their weekly meetings and she said the centre was wonderful

I attended an Alpha course at a church where the church leaders told me to estrange myself from my family if they didn't embrace Christ.

I know out of the two which one I think was more cultish!

[bushbabyblues]

So I've just texted my Hindu mate .

Brahma CHARIS are Hindu nuns. Means celibates, apparently.

Easy mishtake, m'lud. Sorry to Kione and any Hindus reading this.

Squashed Hated the Alpha course too. Full of hypocrites desperate for school places, and singles desperate for dates.

[bushbabyblues]

The funniest thing about my Alpha was that two people on it proceeded to have an affair and a child ("out of wedlock"). Yes, that's how much peole were paying attention .

Will now stop hijacking thread and return to work .

[Kione]

well I am tempted to thing you Hindu mate is mistaken, OR maybe there are Hindu nuns in BK, but we where told by a speaker of 25 years that they are not Hindu, and if they are nuns, how are there men too?

[Kione]

and its not that I am bothered about what people think, its that if they do some of the stuff that I'vr read I am not giving them my time, certainly not my money (they ask for voluntary donation)

[MostlyLovingLurchers]

They believe, among other things, that the world is only 5000 years old and that there will be an apocalypse (though the date always moves when it doesn't happen) in which they will be the only survivors. They also claim to teach Raja Yoga, though this has nothing to do with the classical practice outlined by Patanjali.

This website may help if you haven't already found it - it is written by ex-members:

www.brahmakumaris.info/

I'm sure the meditation course is fine but I think, like with scientology and their questionnaires, it is only later that you get to the core of what they actually believe. There are plenty of other meditation courses out there if you aren't comfortable with this one - trust your instincts.

[Kione]

yeah that is the sort of thing that I have read... but the again there are also Christian extremists and dodgy christian religions. That is why I am not sure...

[MostlyLovingLurchers]

Not sure I follow - there are dubious groups sprouting from most mainstream religions. Doesn't make this particular one any more legitimate.

[Kione]

not more legitimate, but maybe more "normal"...

[Helpyourself]

If you're enjoying the course, I'd not worry about whether its a cult or not. It sounds as if you would notice any strange requests- it's not as if you're worried about a vulnerable feeble minded billionaire who is rejecting all their friends.
Twice I've been befriended by people who others call cult members and both times it was an entirely positive experience- I was a lonely expat and the only people I knew were moonies and Mormons- different times and continents and no attempt to convert or exploit me.

[Kione]

Thanks for your comment Helpyourself, what are moonies?
The thing is, I decided to get in touch with them because I feel like I have an spiritual need unfulfilled. I wouldnt mind joining them if it wasnt for those articles. It is easy for a Christian person to feel this and join a church where they feel more comfortable, but I am a bit of at a loss as I dont believe in god but I have this need

[Helpyourself]

Moonies are about as far out and cultish as you can get apparently- the ones who I knew were absolutely lovely, never tried to convert us and I only put two and two together years later- all mixed nationality couples, lots of Korean artifacts at the nursery they ran and the only friendly people we met in a posting to Sweden!

[MostlyLovingLurchers]

Op - have you looked at Buddhism at all? Many meditation groups are run by Buddhists, and Buddhism doesn't require any belief in god (there are exceptions - some branches do). It might help you to fill your need and explore your spirituality without having to embrace the elements of BK that you don't feel comfortable with. Might be worth looking at - it is perfectly possible to have spirituality without god (as most people would interpret it). You sound like you are seeking - your options are not limited to this or the Christian church.

[Kione]

Mostly, I have and there is no Budhist community in my area, and it is very isolated so cant travel to the nearest one. BK have a little apartment that they use for the meetings.
All other yoga/meditation groups are non spiritual.

[MostlyLovingLurchers]

I have issues with 'non-spiritual' yoga! It is like thinking you've heard a song when all you've done is read the lyrics. One teacher told me she wouldn't teach yoga philosophy as she couldn't be doing with all that hindu stuff (wasn't my teacher for very long)! I know some classes are just like a gym session but even the least spiritual ones still involve breathing and relaxation, which are the keys to learning to meditate. The whole purpose of yoga is to prepare the body for meditation.

The good thing about approaching meditation through yoga (even a less than perfect class) is that you are not having to buy into a whole package of beliefs, you simply open yourself up to what is. I have nothing against BK (apart from the misrepresentation of Raja Yoga and the fact they believe a load of nonsense) - one man's cult is another man's faith and all that, but it does seem as though you are wanting to cling to it in the absence of anything else, despite discovering that they are not quite what you thought they were. I'm sure you've seen all the negative press as well as the obviously positive information they put out themselves, so if you do continue with the course just make sure you get yourself as well informed as possible so your eyes are wide open.

It is hard trying to develop your spirituality on your own, although it is also quite liberating. There are plenty of great books, forums and correspondence courses that can help, though I realise it isn't the same kind of support you get from a group. Something you could try is look at doing a short course or series of weekends elsewhere - I did this for a while when I lived in a bit of a spiritual desert, and found a centre near a friend so I could stay there rather than pay for all the residential costs. The important thing is getting on the right path for you - sometimes that can take a while.

[Kione]

Thanks for your answer. I am on my phone, so I will try to reply tomorrow from my computer, cant do long posts on phone!