Spreading… Spirituality

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day Special…

BK Lakshmiji of Brahma Kumaris reflects on her 58-year spiritual journey, highlighting how Rajyoga meditation and self-discipline can help individuals overcome stress and lead value-based lives. 

In the current world, marked by rapid technological advancement, Artificial Intelligence and hyper-connectivity, the Brahma Kumaris (officially known as the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya) emphasise the power of the soul, positive energy and spiritual wisdom to help people cope with stress. Recognised as the world’s largest spiritual organisation led by women, it is dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal through Rajyoga meditation, with about 9,000 centres across 147 countries.

Star of Mysore spoke to BK Lakshmiji, who has been on ‘Gyan Marg’ for 58 years and is currently the Chief Co-ordinator of the Brahma Kumaris Mysuru Sub-Zone. She oversees 150 centres across 10 districts, 5 each in Karnataka and Kerala, with around 300 surrendered sisters and 150 dedicated brothers. Excerpts:

By B.N. Ramya

Star of Mysore: What prompted you to take up a spiritual journey?

BK Lakshmiji: I wanted to be independent and serve my parents and my nation. The Gyan Marg at Brahma Kumaris allowed me to serve not just my country but the world. Not just one family, but families across the globe. That is how my journey began.

SOM: Why did you choose to surrender yourself to Brahma Kumaris?

Lakshmiji: A Brahma Kumaris Ashram was right behind my house in Jayanagar 9th Main, Bengaluru. A Brahma Kumari often invited me to visit. Initially, I thought it was a Christian institution and stayed away. Later, during Raksha Bandhan, I went there out of curiosity, learnt about Brahma Kumaris and liked it. I joined after completing my SSLC.

SOM: How supportive was your family?

Lakshmiji: We were six in the family. My parents (V.V. Thimmappa and Rangamma), two elder brothers, a sister and I. My father worked at the HMT Factory. When I told him I wanted to join Brahma Kumaris at 17, he asked me to first study and build a career.

But I reminded him of a promise he had made earlier. I had once been selected for a Government Children’s Day programme, but he had refused to send me. Later, he promised he would support my wishes in the future. I reminded him of that promise and chose this path. One of my brothers later joined, while the others did not.

SOM: How was your first day at the Ashram?

Lakshmiji: The Ashram was in Nehru Nagar, Sheshadripuram, Bengaluru. After getting my father’s permission, I joined and told them he would come the next day to complete formalities. In those days, young girls rarely stepped out alone, so they questioned me. The next day, my father came, gave written consent and they said that if I made any mistake, they would send me back. My father also warned me not to bring a bad name to the family.

I stayed in Bengaluru for a year, then trained for a year at Mt. Abu before being sent to Mysuru. Later, my family and Brahma Kumaris were happy and allowed me to continue.

SOM: What does a Brahma Kumari’s daily routine look like?

Lakshmiji: We wake up at 3 am and meditate from 3.30 am to 5 am. After that, we do household work like cleaning and cooking. On Wednesdays and Sundays, we distribute prasad to visitors. In the evening, courses and classes are conducted till 8 pm. After dinner, we sleep by 10 or 11 pm. I also visit our 32 centres across the city and take part in various seva activities.

SOM: Are there any criteria to join Brahma Kumaris?

Lakshmiji: People of all ages come seeking knowledge. Those who wish to become dedicated Brahma Kumaris must come with their parents. But even then, we ask parents to send them for the sessions from home for 2 years. After understanding if it’s possible for them, only if they wish to obtain Gyan and transform themselves, they can join. If one cannot adjust at home, it is difficult to adapt here. So, they should be good at home and then here. Only then they can serve society.

SOM: Can a family person lead a yogi’s life?

Lakshmiji: One need not go to the forest to live like a yogi. There are hardly any forests left now (smiles). We should turn our homes into temples. Visiting temples and performing rituals means little if our behaviour at home does not change.

One should be good to people who are at home and also those visiting our homes. That is why it is called ‘Grihastashrama.’ A family should have an Ashram-like environment — ‘Girhastadalli Ashrama.’ Now, it has become ‘Girhastadalli Aneka Shramagalu’ (Many struggles in the family).

Human life can be of three types: A demon’s life, where a person is unhappy and spreads unhappiness; a selfish human life; and a yogi’s life, where the mind is dedicated to God and happiness is shared with others.

SOM: Why do sattvic food and celibacy play a role in the spiritual journey?

Lakshmiji: When a person gives in to the mind’s vices (Arishadvargas), it harms health, family and society. Spiritual practice teaches us to overcome these tendencies. Many people live with such habits without realising their impact. When the mind becomes pure and stable, a person can act with clarity and determination.

SOM: Spiritual practice is service-oriented. What does Brahma Kumaris offer society?

Lakshmiji: Health is linked to mental peace. Today, stress affects many people. We teach how to lead a stress-free life through meditation and values like peace and co-existence. Our aim is to help build a healthier society.

SOM: ‘Charity begins at home.’ But does joining mean stepping away from family life?

Lakshmiji: Not at all. We teach people how personal transformation can bring change within the family. Only about 50,000 people worldwide are fully dedicated to the organisation. Most practice these values while living with their families. By transforming themselves, they influence their family members too.

One need not go to the forest to live like a yogi. There are hardly any forests left now (smiles). We should turn our homes into temples. Visiting temples and performing rituals means little if our behaviour at home does not change.

SOM: Earlier, there were criticisms that the organisation breaks families.

Lakshmiji: That was a misconception that anyone joining Brahma Kumaris must leave everything. What we teach is Brahmacharya or paavithrathe — purity in thoughts, words and deeds. When a person lives with such values, the family also benefits. Today, such criticism has largely faded. Young women who wish to join must come with their parents’ written consent.

SOM: How do you balance spiritual and administrative responsibilities as a Chief Co-ordinator?

Lakshmiji: Life itself is spiritual. We function collectively, taking everyone’s suggestions. Every month, we hold a three-day meeting at Gyan Sarovar with in-charge sisters from 150 centres across our 10 districts. We review the work done and discuss any challenges.

We also practise self-discipline by maintaining daily charts of meditation, service and activities. This helps us stay balanced individually and as an organisation.

SOM: What social welfare initiatives does Brahma Kumaris  undertake?

Lakshmiji: We regularly conduct meditation classes in prisons. Every April, an annual meeting at Mt. Abu assigns projects for the year. This year’s theme was ‘How to serve the world with Trust and Unity.’ The organisation’s 21 wings work towards this. I serve as the Chairperson of the Political Wing, where we guide leaders on  practising selfless service.

SOM: With rising stress & crime, how can meditation help?

Lakshmiji: Depressed people come to us. Some after losing loved ones, others due to stress. Meditation helps them regain inner strength. We teach values like trust, cooperation and patience.

When we are body-conscious, criticism hurts us. But spiritual knowledge teaches us to see critics as guides. Accepting criticism makes us more alert and helps us improve ourselves.