Ex-BKs share their experience

[quoteRotator]Hi, are you a former member of the BKWSU? We are inviting you to share your experience. It will be invaluable not only for those who want to learn about the BKs, but also for those who are preparing to leave or have recently. Your stories will become a guide for those in transition to a normal life in the real world.

Of the many things we have learned as ex-BKs ourselves, the advent of ex-BK websites and forums such as www.brahmakumaris.info, is that the transition from indoctrination to individuality is shortened and less painful as more and more information gets out into the public domain.

We look forward to your postings but advise you that, on average, readers prefer it to be concise. Less is more, to quote a cliche.

Your postings will help others!

105 Comments

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  By KB, March 17, 2009 @ 3:07 pm

  At first everything seemed okay. For the next seven years, I experienced everything from bliss to peace to rage to betrayal and the worst confusion I have ever encountered in my life. I have travelled the world and met all kinds of BKs but my experience with Jayantibhen made it clear to me that this “spiritual” organization was not what it seemed.

  When I arrived in Madhuban for the first time I felt like I had been thrown into a lion’s den. The sisters were bitchy and mean and if looks could kill Jayanti would have killed me a long time ago. I was meant to feel guilty because I was young and pretty and because I was associated with a brother who caused much jealousy and drama in the family. Well, many (not all) BK’s are the most negative and messed up people I have ever met in my life. I am so grateful that they gave me such a hard time (they knew I could see through their hypocrisy) which thank goodness pushed me away from them rather than closer to them despite my fear of leaving and my attachment to “God”.

  I feel so sad for some of my friends whose hands are truly tied and who do not have the courage to find their own true freedom again … but, in this elitist cult, money and status will buy those front row seats in Madhuban and that makes the imprisonment a little easier to handle doesn’t it? I have gained much spiritual knowledge because I put in the work, but I have lost everything from money to self esteem and confidence and most importantly, I have lost my precious time and wasted months of my life because I could no longer function properly.

  I was so depressed after listening to so many murlis that I could no longer speak. I have wanted to write something to someone for so long, but knowing it would fall on deaf ears and hearts in denial I have let it go. And anyway, every time I tried to share how I felt with anyone, it was turned around to make me think that I was making things up. So I am very grateful to have found this website where I can share my experience with others. And I am grateful to my guardian angels who have protected me from going any further with the BK’s even though my heart was in tangles. I am ready to move on with my life and to use this experience as a stepping stone somehow.

  I have been forced to wake up and grow up in ways that I didn’t expect by putting my faith into people I thought I could trust but who only ended up trying to psych me out with their voodoo. The fear of intimacy and lack of emotional maturity I witnessed amongst some of the brothers and sisters was beyond embarrassing; and the bossiness and arrogance of some of the center heads was downright despicable.

  I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz who finds out that the wizard is nothing but a weasly little man hiding behind a curtain. For Hindus who believe in karma, don’t they realize that all this brain washing will turn around and bite them in the ass some day? I pray for my sweet brothers and sisters who know deep down that something isn’t quite right.

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  nicole Reply:
  October 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 am

  my dearest kb,
  i am also a member of the bk, i started when i was 17 yrs.old, i will be turning 21 yrs.old, which means,i am a bk for almost 4 yrs. but i think, with your experiences, if your going to churn all the things that we have learned, you will be able to understand and figure out why baba is teaching us to be just dependent to Him and be detached to everything, not even to expect anything from anyone, we all know that we have different sanskars to be work out, and we should not expect anybody,anything,or any scene of the drama to be what we wanted it to be, the reason why baba is teaching us everyday in the murli even if some of the points are being repeated over and over again, because our feeling are not constant and stable, baba is actually giving us, teaching us all the powers and non-violent weapon that we can use in this world drama. we should be responsible with our self, no human being can ever help us, except ourself, we dont need to blame any bk in in any part of the world why they acted something bad againts us, for its our duty to protect ourselves. I learned that the most dangerous enemy in this world is not somedody else out there but ourselves, think about these things..om shanti…

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  Anonymous Reply:
  March 8th, 2010 at 6:20 am

  Dear,
  Is it necessary to join BK to practice all these non-violence weapons when I can do it without joining BK.

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  freeatlast Reply:
  March 31st, 2010 at 2:40 pm

  The most dangerous enemy is a cult like the BK, and I don’t think you need the BK to practice non-violence. But, if you believe their nonsense, then that is your “karma” and you deserve to be ripped off by such gypsies.
• 

  By Eve Thompson, April 24, 2009 @ 2:06 am

  Actually, I think that the BKs are great! Your experiences prove that in the end, we are all actually HUMAN. And life’s lesson for you is that you must never lose yourself to anyone – not an individual, not a group and not even GOD! You must always be true to yourself and once you are grounded in the best and highest principles and beliefs available to us humans then you can think for yourself and make decisions that are best for you! Whatever helps us to get to the level of our higher selves is what is right for us. I am sorry that the BKs were not right for you. But that’s also OK! I hope in your life that you WILL find what is right for you and you will reach the level of your highest and best self!
  Best,
  Eve Thompson

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  editor Reply:
  April 30th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

  Painfully patronizing and equally uninformed comment. Hope you find your way out of the clouds some day.

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  asha Reply:
  December 20th, 2009 at 12:11 am

  What is wrong with what she has written (except for the first sentence)? Makes sense to me…I’m someone who doesn’t even know about BKs…just a spiritual person in the US. She is saying not to lose yourself to anyone (including BK) and be true to yourself….reaching our higher self is = reaching God.

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  thenakedtruth Reply:
  June 14th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

  Eve, You are going to discover it all on your own in good time. The editor is not making a metaphorical comment when he says that he hopes you find your way out of the clouds some day. The literal comment refers to your scarily uninformed point of view. Be aware that your Pollyanna optimism is like fresh meat for hungry lions.

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  By davinder goyal, April 25, 2009 @ 11:26 am

  sir you have opened my eyes how i could take your help in removing this cancer can this be done pls reply

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  editor Reply:
  April 30th, 2009 at 9:39 pm

  I recommend that you go to http://www.brahmakumaris.info There you can get the opinion of many ex BKs.

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  concernedexbk Reply:
  October 10th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

  From the start these people were deceptive and I had a gut feeling something was wrong but they lured me into their satanic cult! I am finally free from that and happily married! Why are they so against the intimacies of marriage when God designed our bodies for pleasure and procreation? This is one of the many concerns amongst others people out their should have before venturing anywhere near those people. Beware!

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  By Rashmi Nair, June 10, 2009 @ 3:36 am

  Hi all,

  I have the same concerns for my aunt and her family (husband and teengage son). They have been in the BK for 12years now and I recently visited them for the first time in 5 years and I noticed for the first the personality changes that have happened in all 3 of them. The whole family is noticing it. They have become cold and distant, even though they are physically there for everything, they are not really there in person. I really want to help them to escape this. I took the gyan out of interest and some of the things they are teaching people out there is utter nonense with no substantial evidence or foundation. Most of their teaching are semantic arguments based/misinterpreted from the hindu scripts. Now that I know what these people are being taught, I really need to find a way to show them through this ridiculous organisation because its breaking our family’s heart. Any suggestions of how I might approach this topic with them??

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  By Emma, June 22, 2009 @ 9:51 pm

  I went to BKs to work through major depression and a painful back condition. I learnt the art of meditation which I have to save pretty much got me out the pain and depression as in the end the pain was a result of worn out nervous system.
  Anyway, I always sat on the outside and never on the inside. One time I was taken to a camp and I had to sit out of activities as I could see how baseless they were even though i saw how in love other bKS were with the activity.
  When I met the leader of the Australian gp, I picked it right then and there. Whilst there was power in meditation and I felt that and used it, I could see and feel the insincerity in him and the organisation. And he knew I knew.
  I was confused at the seperation of men and women – this should be something that can be controlled by a strong personal belief – not spatially.
  I was horrified that to have a child was bad karma – I was born to be a mother.
  I couldn’t stand the murlis – they confused me as it was a form of a personality cult worship.
  But I met some great women and for that I will always be grateful.
  I think if you are a part of BK – take out of it what you want – let others worry about meeting the standards. You don’t have to. Some things may make sense and others not.
  Those that have fallen totally into it, particularly families with children should question self-determination.
  Those with family in it: assist, support and maybe even attend with them in order to help your loved ones see it from a different perspective. Maybe they will wake up.

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  thenakedtruth Reply:
  June 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

  Emma, you are very smart.

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  Craig -Australia Reply:
  July 24th, 2009 at 12:53 am

  Great post Emma. I have experienced a friend who seems to be in a position you may have been in before, and it is complex, confusing and scary for those around her. it is difficult to ask questions or enquire about aspects of the BK as they see it as a challenge to their current direction. I hope this friend of mine is as self aware and intelligent as you.

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  Avocadoinparadise Reply:
  November 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am

  There are other types of meditation, I hope everyone here can check them out. Try googling “the Mindfulness Bell.” That is a good magazine that lists mindfulness meditation groups all over the world.

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  GNR15 Reply:
  May 8th, 2010 at 4:30 pm

  Emma:
  Your way of seeing the BK is a good way, but you have to be very strong to take only what makes sense and leave the rest out. Some of us get really confused.

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  Reza Reply:
  July 17th, 2010 at 11:45 am

  Emma,
  I was in BK group for 6 months in 2005 in Toronto. The things they taught is wonderful and logic. I loved whatever they preached, but they do not follow their own preach and believing.
  The reason I left this group was that I was invited to a meeting in Brampton Ontario, Canada where Sister Mohini from New York had a peach. She is a senior person in BK in North America. She preached about how we are equal on Baba’s eye and how special we are on His eyes. I loved the teaching. They served the simple food as they always do when we were listening to her.
  After she finished her preach, they had a special treats for her and her associate friends with many different type of foods they didn’t provide to everybody. I talked to the host and asked him why she should take special treat and is this whatever she preached for ?
  I didn’t mean they should treat me and others with special foods they served her. I asked why this person didn’t ask or served to have same treat as others received. This was whatever she talk about in her lecture.
  The host said this is whatever we provide for her as a special guest. I said I am special guest to this meeting as Baba is watching and as she personally declared. I couldn’t believe that she accept different treatment, if she already knew she is equal to others in Baba’s eye and doesn’t have any advantages on others as she said there.
  After this meeting, I realized that this organization is just a business for senior people. They just preach for us and they do not follow whatever they said.
  I still have the truth with me and love whatever they say, but I never like to go to their meeting and I never follow anybody there.

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  By itsme, November 11, 2009 @ 4:41 pm

  the BK people smile a lot.Or is that a grimace? Someone tell me more about the alleged insincerity of this group.I went to many seminars in uk, i want more info please.I have heard they believe sex is wrong.Stop being vague about what goes on.How do they trap people/
  Thanks

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  editor Reply:
  December 5th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

  Well it has not been suggested that we are vague before
  All you answers are included in the content of this site. Start on the page “identifying the BKs as a cult” and work it from there.

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  By Fabrice, December 5, 2009 @ 1:58 pm

  Is there any neutral association, group etc out there that promotes no rigid doctrines, that teachers meditation, respect, peace and transparence.

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  editor Reply:
  December 5th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

  Yes. It is called Buddhism. They have no God or Guru to place above everyone else in order to create a cult. But even then it depends upon the vulnerabilities of the individual – someone can become fundamentalist about anything including something as open as Buddhism. But if you are emotionally sound then Buddhism offers a lot for someone who is inspired by spirituality.

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  Rajib Reply:
  January 4th, 2010 at 10:19 am

  Dear Editor
  Buddhism today is a divided house.Buddhist who donot accept GOD,Guru and even soul are theravada buddhist.The main emphasis is elimination of suffering enunciated in the “The Four Noble truths” and the process of its elimination is through “The Eight fold Path”.If one studies their text, the impression gathered is that Buddhism is nothing but a self development programme.Buddha himself was unsure whether his teachings are required for the masses till Hindu God Brahma commanded him to go and teach the masses.Now in buddhism also there are prayers rituals etc unknown in actual buddhist philosophy.Therefore every religious concepts are beset with hypocracy,bigotry etc.Therefore the best course is to identify what is required for ones growth only and leave the rest!

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  Filthy Shudra Reply:
  July 17th, 2010 at 11:21 pm

  Rajib,

  You are right only in that buddhism allows every person to find their own understanding based on their own application of the teaching., it is not surprising that there are different types of buddhism. Do not mistake diversity as division.

  Your understanding on buddhism is very superficial – like someone who has ”read about” or seen peaches but has never tasted one, or maybe only ever tasted an unripe one.

  You can’t say it is a divided house because although they have slightly different “methods” as well as cultural differences based on country and region, they do not disagree at all on the fundamentals. They do not fight each other the way other ‘denominations” of theistic religions inevitably do.

  I’d agree that many people in buddhist countries follow as blindly and ignorantly as many in others path, – some even pray to Buddha, which proves they don’t understand what he taught.
  A thoughtful buddhist student or practitioner knows that:
  1. Theravada buddhism is no different to other buddhism in the non-belief in god,guru, or “eternal” soul, and
  2. any mention of hindu gods – eg brahma – in buddhism is ‘symbolic” language – not literal.

  To say it is nothing but a self development program is like saying life is nothing but a death development program……

  

  Anamika Reply:
  November 28th, 2010 at 10:40 am

  Thank u,I have also not tasted peaches.I donot call myself filthysudra,because atleastI know my value!Mr Editor has many names by which he is sustaining a site like this after getting kicked out from the BK that too after 20yrs.He is harping on non issues like duty of care blah blah.He will learn soon that buddhism also doesnt have exit policies!By the way u are free to delete my comments and blacklist me as u have done time and again!

  

  filthy shudra Reply:
  November 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm

  Anamika,

  After quick research, i see you chose your pen name as carefully as I chose mine.
  Anamika – A female name of Sanskrit origin, which literally means “one without a name”. The name may imply “too precious for words” or “one whose destiny doesn’t depend on her name” (from the belief that names can shape destiny).

  I called myself Filthy Shudra to challenge such an idea that the value of an individual can be determined by a label put upon them by others. I am neither “unwashed” nor am I “afflicted”.

  You seem angry, caught up in labels and have a problem with others have opinions different to your own. Why?

  By the way, Buddhism has neither entry rules nor exit policies, no god to be recognised above other gods, , no pre-determined destiny. Karma philosophy is not applied to all events the way others apply “God’s will” to all events. The only thing that counts is your CHOSEN action. That seems most fair to me.

  Many hindus convert to islam, christianity and buddhism because they too want their destiny to be determined by something other than the “name” given them.

  BKs love to name themselves “true brahmins”, others as agyani, all others are shudra if they are not brahmin, children are scorpions and lizards, and even within the BKs there always three types of children (and many who hear this choose their destiny accordign to these names.

  Anamika – your name is profound – live up to it.
  FS

  

  filthy shudra Reply:
  November 28th, 2010 at 4:53 pm

  Oh and the point about peaches was – if you haven’t tasted them (like you say) then you cannot KNOW what they taste like, because “names” and descriptions are not the same as the thing they are describing.
• 

  By G, December 7, 2009 @ 3:40 am

  Anonymous writes:

  Bottom Line :
  Does this meditation and related spiritual stuff, in any direct or indirect way oppose the institution of marriage and thus sex which is a necessary element of a successful relationship….???????!!!!

  I am normal guy and never felt the need to meditate or do something for mental peace, I already have enough of it
  But thr’s a proposal of marriage for me and the girl is into this stuff for last 4-5 years………

  What to Do……..???

  Please help its urgent.

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  editor Reply:
  December 9th, 2009 at 3:20 am

  Well if she has been involved with the BKs for some years I would first of all wonder if she really wants to get married at all? Maybe her parents are pushing her. But I expect that her attitude toward sex and marriage will be affected significantly by her exposure to BK philosophy. She will have developed very conservative attitudes that may cause a headache for you.

  I would also expect that at some point in the marriage – maybe after some years – she will be drawn back to the BKs. This is a familiar pattern. This will probably cause you an even bigger headache.

  I feel sorry for the position that the BKs have put this girl in. But I would advise you for your own sanity to not get involved with her. If her indoctrination by the BKs is not a problem with you from the start it probably will be in the end. Very sad.

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  Rajan Reply:
  April 5th, 2010 at 12:28 am

  Hi G,
  My sincere advice – stay away from her. I was a happily married father of a son. Until my mother-in-law introduced my wife (her daughter) into the Singapore branch of the Brahma Kumaris. That was in 2005. Today, we are in the midst of a divorce. For someone who was totally “unattached”, she is demanding S$100,000 in a divorce settlement. Sex took a back seat ever since she got involved in this cult. Bro, sooner or later, she is going to cause you great sorrow. The irony is …..their teaching is utmost about not causing any sorrow to anyone!

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  By because.parmeshwar, December 9, 2009 @ 1:44 am

  Is there any way to just get rid of this organisation? They are deceptive with no base of knowledge. They do not like being questioned? They say that baba is teaching every thing. Ask Baba. Baba himself is not sure about it. How he got 100% pure after the age of 60. After the age of 60 he started of acquiring purity and asking innocent small boys and girls to remain pure. and ofcourse stand behind him in the row. He don’t know when the destruction is going to happen. Just asking to be ready and surrender your everything including money so that they can construct huge 5-star complexes in their Madhuban. If same points I raise in their centre they will just see each other and smile as if I am a mayavi or shudra or pattharbuddhi or monkey oh ho oh ho oh ho oh ho….

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  editor Reply:
  December 9th, 2009 at 3:27 am

  Well I doubt that they will go away any time soon. They have a business model that is working for them very well at the moment. In time, who knows. No doubt they are outsmarting themselves incrementally – their arrogance and self aggrandisement will either lead to reformation or disintegration at some point.

  The fact is that people are drawn to cults and sects and religions out of personal need and it becomes a case of “if not this cult then that one”. So therefore our effort is to try to warn people of the dangers of getting involved with an organisation that has no duty of care and accepts no responsibility for the effect it has on people.

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  By parmeshwar, December 21, 2009 @ 6:30 am

  I am almost a regular student of BKWSU since 1996. But not following any shrimat of NOT eating food prepared by others, NOT getting up at 3:30 for yog, when i got this gyan i too got intoxicated for about 1 year. I kept on continuing going to centre till date. I do money service time to time. now after 12 years i am feeling very lonely as i am no more finding courage to mix up with the Pukka BKs and in my loking life too I am not mixing with any body as they are kalyugi. so my stage of dilemma you can understand. All BKs are friendly enough and they understand my stage but still i am hesitating in mixing with them. I still believe in BABA and his teachings but fail to apply them in my life.

  I too have many questions about the organization but i take the things to make MY life better only irrespect to what their intentions are.

  I would be greatful if you advice me about my further steps. Thanks for this site

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  james kahn Reply:
  December 24th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

  i got some advice for you.
  GET A LIFE.

  seriously. you have wasted your life listening to this rubbish. have you actually listened to yourself? Money service? Kalyugi’s?

  Do yourself a favour. Forget all this BK nonsense, then go out and grab life by the balls and make sure you make something of every single moment. Otherwise you are insulting the gift that God has given you, called Life.

  Oh and make sure you wear clean underpants every day.

  james

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  because.parmeshwar Reply:
  December 30th, 2009 at 12:25 am

  Clean underpants everyday? did’nt get! what does it mean?

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  Diana Reply:
  January 2nd, 2010 at 10:35 am

  James, I find your reply to parmeshwar opinionated, condemning and unhelpful. To critique a religious practice you have to have flexibility of mind to understand a different perspetive. The B.K.s offer a perspective and practice that is infinitely suitable for Eastern minds and bodies but a little more challenging for the Western mind and body. You can check out writers like Dion Fortune or Ann Davies to gain perspective on my opinion but I am not too concerned about you. Enjoy taking life by the balls. I hope that works out for you!

  parmeshwar I have not been involved with the BKs for some years now but I treasure what I learned practicing Raja Yoga. I completely understand what you have said here. The only advice I can offer from my own experience is to believe that there is a Divine Order, a Divine Mind, a Loving Spiritual Reality that is just behind the appearances of this world. I still am a vegetarian, I still seek friends who are naturally pucka or sweet natured and yes it is lonely at times! You can be a source of good wishes and pure feeling in the world even if you decide to take up a worldly lifestyle.

  I struggle like you but remain interested in living a beautiful and serviceable lifestyle. I like studying Plato with a spiritually minded group because Plato was interested in VIRTUE and in the GOOD (and has a wonderful sense of humor)but I have not found the one way that works for all (like our friend James). To some degree you will have to walk now in a paradox. I would advise you to treasure your experience with the BKs for the good things it brought to your life and trust your instinct to move forward. Nothing every goes to waste.

  I won’t bother challenging anyone’s opinions here and I don’t anticipate being back to this sight. The perspectives are valid but not helpful or very insightful in my opinion.

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  TS Reply:
  February 7th, 2010 at 1:36 pm

  well said!!

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  TS Reply:
  February 7th, 2010 at 1:37 pm

  that’s – to james khan!

  

  Shante Reply:
  June 21st, 2011 at 3:54 am

  It is good that you apply the teachings they give you and not following shrimat. Because love them or hate them – their teachings are the BEST and the TRUTH. I live by them too and am getting across people from all spectrums.

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  By James, January 6, 2010 @ 8:14 pm

  I have been following BK for around 10 years and have taken many benefits from following, i am openly gay have been in a relationship for 10 years, have visited many of the BK centers and have met many senior BK’s on many occasions.
  I dont read murli’s often, I meditate, i believe in god, i am vegan, i work out 5 times a week at the gym, i run my own business, i give back to BK what i feel i have taken in terms of time and courses and meditation classes and benifit which has never been asked for in 10 years!

  From my experiences over 10 years BK is no more of a cult (if we are going to use this term) than catholicism.

  Yes it attracts a small percetage of souls who may be struggling with life – but so does most other religious/spiritual groups.

  I have always been welcomed within the BK family and reading through some personal experiences on here really only reflects most other religious/spiritual followers who have followed a religious/spiritual organisation and then moved away for whatever reason.

  If it is not right for you move on, BK has always given me this choice.

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  editor Reply:
  January 8th, 2010 at 9:13 pm

  What you are describing is not uncommon. we wouldn’t argue that people don’t get benefit on different levels. No doubt we are all individuals and experience BK life in our own way. However there are far too many individuals who have had quite traumatic experiences, some with fatal consequences. You could argue that they may have experienced this trauma wherever they were – but the fact is they didn’t. What disturbs us is that the possibility of an individual being dangerously vulnerable is not taken into account – there is no plan, no consideration of the duty of care obligations that come with influencing an individuals beliefs and, in many cases, overwhelming their life choices – relationships, careers, direction etc. We are condemning the BK leadership for not showing adequate concern for the well being off all those that it encourages to be part of it’s “family”.

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  By SN, January 25, 2010 @ 6:20 pm

  I had a very brief brush with the BKs several years ago. May or may not be of interest to you, as the impression of an “outsider”… It was in early 2003, I think, I was invited to an evening talk by a work colleague, who, as a later discovered, was heavily involved with this organisation. It was a big manor house in Nuneham Courtney, Oxfordshire, which had been beautifully decked out. The main thing that struck me was that any organisation that owned and kept such a place must have a huge amount of money, which it made me suspicious of what this place actually was and where the money came from.

  Anyway speaking that night was a middle-aged English man, and an Indian lady with grey hair, who I could tell was held in much reverence by the audience. They were both lovely, said some lovely things about tolerance and the difficulty of applying it to real life and relationships, all very human and nice. And I looked around the huge room and thought crikey, the heating and lighting bills for this place alone must amount to thousands of £s a year (it was a cold winter’s night). And also thought that I could get much more spiritual sustenance being in a forest in nature (which is free) than this chandeliered mansion.

  At the end of the talk, the lady invited all the audience to each come to the front and receive a cake from her. And thinking these thoughts, disturbed by the wealth of the place, but also curious about the lady and whether our souls would connect, I queued up to receive my cake. And when our eyes met, if looks could kill… it was like she could see through me, that I wasn’t into all this, that I was suspicious, and the feeling I got from her was one of hostility. Then, after a few seconds, she seemed to remember herself and that she was supposed to be being spiritual and loving, and she smiled, and gave me the cake, but after that dagger-like look I could tell it was false.

  I don’t know who she was, but it could have been either of the ladies pictured on this site’s home page. Maybe someone here knows? Would have been Jan/Feb 2003. Anyway my main feeling from this encounter was definately one of hmmmmmmm….

  I found this site out of curiosity, but have to say I am not surprised by what I’m reading here.

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  Anonymous Reply:
  January 27th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

  Hello SN,

  I have to say I love your honesty. I used to stay at the ‘manor house’ also known as GRC – Gloval retreat Centre. I still practice meditation with the Brahma Kumartis and have done all my life. Firstly that house and land is owned by Oxford University Heritage, it is leased by the bks and on lease to them for 100 years. secondly, the large rooms ie the conference room i’m guessing from your description is only lit and heated when required. It is FREEZING otherwise….everything is used in the most economical way imaginable. I helped with accounts there before and yes, the bills are high as it is a big place. It could be anywhere! It’s a grade 1 listed building therefore a lot of the original structure and decadence of the property has to be retained.

  And that death stare you refer to made me literally laught out loud. I completely understand your point of view and maybe thois is something that should be explained at public programmes but when she was looking at you she was gining you ‘dristi’. It’s a hindi word literally translated as vision. When in this state an individual let’s go of the consciousness of the body to maintain a detached and pure vision of soul in front of them. I’m sure that when you don’t consciously think about how your face looks or if you’re just looking at something you’re features are not going to be any particular way. to this day, even when I give dhristi and give good wishes to the person in front of me I probably look like that too…I hope I don’t because it’s not my intention to ever make anyone feel that way but I also smile to aknowledge tht person and show CONSCIOUSLY and overtly that I’m happy to be in theior company.

  I hope that helps. The next time I’m involved in any planning for a public event I will raise this so that perhaps it can be explained before that occurs so people like yourself don’t get freaked out and understand what’s what.

  If it isn’t for you, then thats cool!

  [Reply]

  

  anon Reply:
  February 11th, 2010 at 2:35 pm

  There is a reason you do not stay at GRC anymore. something caused you to move away, or you were asked to move away. If your heart was truly with Baba, you would not bear to leave GRC.
  Your comment that you have been doing meditation with the BKs all your life clearly shows you do not have more than one perspective because you cannot.
  So by the way, what was the reason you could not stay at GRC anymore?

  [Reply]

  

  Anonymous Reply:
  February 13th, 2010 at 2:11 pm

  Hello Anon,

  I was staying there to help out during the holiday’s whilst doing my A-levels. I stopped staying there during holidays as I went to University. I still go there and yes I do have other perspectives….you can’t judge a person on ticked or unticked boxes.

  Just because you love something it doesn’t mean you HAVE to physically surrender to it. It’s up to you! I have consciously chosen to lead a BK life in my teen years for myself.

  I probably will for the rest of my life…I don’t know, I can’t predict the future, but I do know that I will never surrender and live in a centre full time. It’s not the kind of life I want. I feel it’s important to have a healthy balance.

  I also think it’s when people don’t maintain a balance that they get messed up.

  My heart truely is with Baba, you don’t have to confine yourself to a particular place to do that. I do surrender my love to God.

  the whole point of BK life is to think and choose for yourself. If you are just following the one in front like a sheep then that’s just like every other organised religion.

  I don’t know what happens in other centres around the world but I do know that if what people are saying on this website is true, that is not what the Bk’s represent nor what they teach.

  Right at this minute I’m at my aunt’s home. I’m about to go play mario on the wii with my cousin’s……because I want to. That doesn’t make me any less of a bk.

  

  Roy Reply:
  December 7th, 2010 at 6:08 pm

  Hello Anon,

  Nice reply to the question posed. I am sure all have their reasons for leaving or staying the BK’s. Nobody forces you to do anything, you do it for yourself if you see benefit, if not then don’t do it. You may have the power to do something and not have the power to do something, so why be judgmental about an entire organization or people. Spirituality is a very personal choice, it is very incognito and nothing is to be portrayed outside. What comes to you must come naturally and not by a show of force, as many of you have experienced. I do not discount anybody’s experience as right or wrong, it is an experience and that is good for you, it may not be for another person.
  There are good things and bad things and both are relative to the person seeing it. You cannot expect all to behave in the same manner with all Divine qualities even though they are so called instruments. All are children of God and all have their virtues and vices. It is what you chose to do with your qualities will determine your character and it will be different from the other. Everybody’s journey is different.
• 

  By susheela, January 31, 2010 @ 1:09 pm

  My husband has been involved with the bks for nearly 25 years. He donates thousands of dollars each year and goes to mathuban every year to hear baba. I did not understand this powerful relationship with the bks before I married him. He picks and chooses what aspects of the bk rules to practice. We have been married for 18 years and have 3 children. He eats whatever food he wants. He has tried to convince me to join but I have not because I find the bks to be unbelievable. My husband becomes very distant and frightening quite often. Had I known that he was involved in this cult I would never have married him.

  [Reply]

  

  The Truth Reply:
  February 11th, 2010 at 8:03 am

  Susheela … I am so sorry for you to be deceived by this man. He is a fraud and internally he knows that the Brahma Kumaris think he is a failure too … but then the Brahma Kumaris teach their followers how to deceive.

  By their own rules, they should not be accepting his money as he is not following all the principles. If I were you, I would go and speak to his center-in-charge or zone-in-charge and tell them in person to stop interfering and stop taking … YOUR CHILDRENS .. money away from your family.

  Tell them to get their own man, not yours.

  Take some strong family members with you. Don’t accept their food, don’t let them drift off into meditation, don’t let them stare at you.

  [Reply]

  

  Disheartened Reply:
  April 3rd, 2010 at 9:59 am

  I know what you mean my husband became involved with BK before we were married unknown to me of course. Went back once while we were married. We now have 3 children, the smallest one 4 and now to go back and practice celibacy. I am going to get a divorce. It is a cult. I dont care what nobody says

  [Reply]
• 

  By TS, February 2, 2010 @ 12:42 pm

  GOSH, I TRULY FEEL FOR YOU, PLEASE WHAT EVER YOU DO – DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER TO JOIN THIS CULT – THEY ARE NOT EVEN WORTH BEING LABELLED AS A GROUP. TRUST ME, I HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THEM AND MANAGED TO OVERCOME IT, HERETOFORE, ONE OF THE BROTHERS, HAS EVEN LEFT, TO RE-MARRY! THAT’S HOW CRAZY THIS CULT IS!! TRY AND GET YOUR HUSBAND OUT IF YOU CAN. SEEK SOME COUNSELLING, TO HELP YOU THROUGH, BECAUSE YOU NEED TO LET OUT YOUR FEELINGS AS WELL. PLEASE DO NOT ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW THIS TYPE OF MEDITATION, ALLOW THEM TO PLAY FOOTBALL OR ANYTHING ELSE BETTER THAN THIS! (THIS IS HOW STRONG I FEEL ABOUT THIS HORENDOUS CULT… I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

  [Reply]
• 

  By Sardina, February 22, 2010 @ 5:34 pm

  I must admit for me it has been ok being a Bk for 10yrs. I never lived in a Centre but visited all the Retreat Centres staying for various amounts of time, and I was never asked for any money by anyone. I did not think I was being controlled by anyone either. I am now not practising Raja Yoga Meditation or reading the Murli’s. I balanced myself and did not get up a lot for Amrit Vela as it did not suit my body clock and work committments. I believe God can be found anywhere in any religion, as I think there is only one God for all. We just have different roads to find him. S

  [Reply]
• 

  By Anon, March 18, 2010 @ 4:44 pm

  My experiences with them, has not been in their ashram, but in a train, across the road.
  Narrating one such incident. I was catching a train from Bombay to my native place.. had lots of luggage, and barely managed to catch the train, after some heavy lifting, I go in and sit on my seat and the thing is, 4 out of 6 seats were with the BK’s. Now I was all sweating, and puffing after all the heavy lifting, so I just dumped the luggage on my seat.. and the reaction of these BK’s was… please put it properly. We too have luggage… I mean I was like., “Can’t u see ladies that I just about managed to catch the train, and I am completely wet in sweat and am puffing hard with all the hard labor” No they had to go ahead and sit their complaining that I was a nuisance to be there… I felt disgusted at their whole attitude….

  [Reply]
• 

  By littlesister, March 24, 2010 @ 9:35 am

  I have a brother wealthy, successful, very senior in the BK and I worry about him but his anti-family, suspicious nature and sometimes psychopathic behaviour makes it impossible to reach him on any conscious level.

  [Reply]
• 

  By whitewaterdragon, March 25, 2010 @ 5:33 am

  This website has been an extraordinary experience. However it leaves me wondering what possible motivation is behind its creation and maintenance?

  I was raised a Catholic and practised the faith until well into my 20s. At that point my spiritual ‘pull’ in others directions was so strong that I parted company with Catholicism. I was angry and raged at the Vatican and all its dogma. I resented the guilt that my education through a convent school system had left me with. It touched every aspect of my life, mental and spiritual well-being.
  Would anything have driven me to rally other ex-Catholics in an attempt to convert them to my anger-fuelled viewpoint? The answer would be an emphatic no! Any such action by me would have paradoxically strengthened the believers and provided no comfort to the ex-believer. I would have been striving to impose my belief system onto others; the essence of the evangelism I was raging against.

  And this is the sense that I am overwhelmed with when exploring these pages and those of the .info website.
  I question whether what is actually happen here is anger cloaked in a crusade for a Duty of Care Policy and/or leadership change at Madhuban. To satisfy personal grievances rather than altruistic actions for the benefit of other spiritual seekers.
  I have been involved with the BKs to a greater or lesser extent for about 5 years now, and during that time I have felt less controlled and indoctrinated by them than ever I did within Catholicism (a cult too if the criteria are applied with subjectivism.)

  The spiritual journey is unique to each and every soul. And we must each make our decisions and judgements as suits the life unfolding to us.
  The BKs have provided me with many wonderful experiences and I have been privileged to meet several of the senior sisters. I absorbed their spiritual guidance and felt honoured to have experienced them. But I also saw their human frailties, failings and challenges. The difference is that I choose to allow them their imperfections and instead focus on my own actions and spiritual development. And I trust, that through my choices I can affect change in the world (including the BK family) in a positive and loving way.

  I would agree that within the yagya there is high spiritual intelligence, but there is limited emotional intelligence. However, I do believe that raging against the BK machine will not affect change, and it will cause as much pain and confusion as it would purport to relieve. Tragic is any suicide, but (and I write this as a mental health professional) to attribute it directly to an organisation is possibly as subjective as stating that teenagers take their lives after playing Judas Priest songs backwards. Human souls can struggle with despair; that is a fact of living.

  So… I’ve had my penneth worth! I continue to walk my path, which the BKs remain a part of. In my experience I have received nothing but love, tolerance and spiritual ‘connection’ from the organisation and from its family. And as in any family, we must learn to tolerate, accept and love each other; secular family, spiritual family and world family.

  [Reply]

  

  editor Reply:
  March 25th, 2010 at 8:04 am

  Thanks for your post. However your argument is based on the false premise that we are trying to convert ex-bks into what your perceive as our rage. Firstly, whilst many exBKs have visited this site (as expected) and have made posts too, the target audience is not them but the public – notably anyone who is researching the BKWSU out of their own reservations or concern for relatives. You will find many posts in this regard. So, “in an attempt to convert them to my anger-fuelled viewpoint?” you missed the point there.

  It should not be of surprise to you that we are in contact with many exBKs – in fact it is quite a community in itself. The only feedback we get about this site from them is positive – which says a lot in itself – so no conversion required.

  You may also be misinterpreting our direct and blunt approach as anger. What is expressed in this site is very oppositional to the BKs but actually none of it is untrue. The site has been designed in a particular way to achieve a particular objective and actually it wasn’t written for you. As a BK or pro BK it is natural that you would find the site content offensive and interpret us as angry simply because of the high degree of dissent.

  You are quite correct when you say “but there is limited emotional intelligence”. This is at the core of our argument.There is no consideration or allowance for this in the BK world. Our argument is that there should be, that is all. As is stated on the front page, when the BK leadership can get over their own self righteousness (something you will only experience when you work closely with them)and implement a meaningful duty of care program then there will be need for this site.

  “to attribute it directly to an organisation is possibly as subjective as stating that teenagers take their lives after playing Judas Priest songs backwards. Human souls can struggle with despair; that is a fact of living.”

  I don’t know why we have to keep repeating this point, but as much as people despair the people close to them should at least be trying to do something to help. No one is attributing it to “the organisation” per se. No organisation can be responsible for such outcomes. However they do have the responsibility to do what they can for people who are, quite literally, under their influence.

  Historically the BK leadership has been in absolute denial about mental health issues and so do not take into account individual vulnerabilities that are the product of low emotional intelligence. There are too many people whose association with the BKs has had a devastating impact. It is quite wrong of you to assess the BKs based entirely upon your own experience. There are many who have had an entirely different experience to yours and many whose life will never be the same for all the wrong reasons.

  [Reply]

  

  whitewaterdragon Reply:
  March 25th, 2010 at 9:29 am

  With respect, what can I place my faith in if not my own judgement? I do take the point that others may have had differing experiences to my own, but then again there are those who find great comfort and spiritual solace in the Christian/Catholic churches, and there are those who have suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Surely we MUST make our own judgements based on our own experience, which will include listening to the range of opinions on all sides of a subject. I have listened to the BKs whom I have crossed paths with and I have read opinions posted on your websites by the editor and other contributors. I choose still to make my own judgement based on my own experience.

  In response to your challenge to me in response to the quote…”in an attempt to convert them to my anger-fuelled viewpoint?” You have actually paraphrased me incorrectly. My statement was “Would anything have driven me to rally other ex-Catholics in an attempt to convert them to my anger-fuelled viewpoint?” Ironically you prove the point that interpretation is subjective and usually contextualised within an individual’s expectations. Your style is indeed direct and blunt, and I merely convey to you that I (and possibly others) receive this style as ‘angry’. It is of course, your choice whether you choose to hear this feedback, or to disregard it. Choices… always individual choices.

  I do find it curious that you state web pages aren’t written for people like me (BK, pro-BK, whatever those definitions actually mean). I can manage to hear viewpoints differing from my own and consider/respect them, why is it then that this forum is designed to discourage contributions from persons such as I, who may well have something of value to contribute to the discussion? I have shared very little of my total stance and conclusions on the BKWSU, and you have made another assumption.

  In conclusion, I would clarify that actually I do agree that a duty of care is desirable, if not essential. However, I also believe that it would have limited efficacy in protecting the vulnerable and suicidal. I share with you that I have first hand experience of working professionally with several people who have received as much support as the NHS, mental health services, family and faiths could have supplied, and still they chose to end their lives. My own son has been to the brink, and thankfully stopped short. Could I or anyone else have stopped him if that was his choice?
  Your decision to utilise the stories of two deaths by suicide as pivotal to your web design, is I believe a lack of judgement. To use their story without their knowledge, permission or indeed the full facts (I presume) is uncomfortable to me and disrespectful on a humanistic, moral and ethical stance, leaving totally aside my personal spiritual beliefs.

  I have appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the discussions. Perhaps we may have both taken something from the exchange? )

  [Reply]

  

  The Truth Reply:
  March 26th, 2010 at 12:48 am

  How can you get the permission of someones that have killed themselves?

  I think the issue with Ranjana’s suicide (there have been many more in the organization that it coveres up) is that, despite may years giving her life to them, she had nothing and was left laying on a slab for months, and then she chose to jump from the 5th floor of a building to kill herself. Exactly what their spirit describes the nature and effects of making love is … like jumping from a 5th floor building.

  Like many of the suicides, they are directly related to teachings and a religious philosophy that it deeply flawed, if not ridiculous, e.g. a God that does not know how many humans there are, that gives many false predictions of the End of the World and did not even know about Judaism when he first came to Earth. Indeed, a religion that worshipped their guru figure business as God for the first 16 or 18 years – until 1950 when they introduced their Shiva spirit.

  If you have a greater stance, would you care to express it?

  One of the problems with most BK adherents is that all that seek to do is reiterate the propaganda and engage in the usual whitewash.

  Frankly, 5 years experience post year 2000 is nothing. You have no idea how many has gone on and what has passed in the BKWSU. How far you have been deceived.

  Sites like this and BrahmaKumaris.info play an important role to the likes of you, filling in your education about what you are involved with. Stuff the BKWSU leaders will never tell you.

  I am sorry, I know the last comment was not addressed to me but it comes across as creepy, like some Post-NLP, Post-AI BK-ism. I can just about hear Jayanti Kripalani in the background saying, “thank you for sharing” …

  Please let us hear what you have to say. Make it count. The Brahma Kumaris are a ridiculous, parasitical millenarianist cult that have manipulated their followers and exploited them for free cash and labor for decades … discuss.

  

  whitewaterdragon Reply:
  March 26th, 2010 at 3:24 am

  Ranjana’s initial attempt to take her life was [as detailed in your article] by jumping from a four-story building. If you studied the murlis long enough I am sure you would find a reference to the number four that could be interpreted as the reason she chose to jump. But again, I reiterate, you don’t actually know. Of course you can’t get permission from the dead, which is surely why respect should be extended to them. You can’t libel the dead, but that shouldn’t be a license to utilise them to further an argument. My opinion that’s all.

  Yes, there are many ‘holes’ for me in the BK philosophy and teachings. However, there are far-fetched beliefs in all religious tenets. I once again draw on my Catholic experience, which is a world religion based on a virgin birth and resurrection from death. I personally have reached the viewpoint that there is learning to be had from all experiences and faiths, and this includes the BKs. Meditation has given me a far greater connection with God than I have ever experienced before (and I have been something of a spiritual vagrant, having read/studied/experimented with most). Exploring and trying to embrace the 8 spiritual powers in my daily life has enabled me to ‘grow’ both emotionally and spiritually. So, for me at least, there are some nuggets of gold in amongst the ocean of words. However…

  · I don’t attend class daily/study the murlis
  · I meditate when I feel the need to, not adhering to timetables (that said if I waken very early in the morning I will join amrit vela, because for me there IS something extraordinary about that time of day.
  · My relationship is with God and not any human soul.
  · I always trust in my own judgement and experience.
  · And I don’t believe that my relationship with God is any the less if I eat onions!

  I am a very atypical BK, if I am one at all. To me the label is not important. I nurture my own spiritual growth and my relationship with God. The journey is long and the journey goes on. It is an imperfect world and I try my best to accept the imperfections and affect that only which I can. (And this coming from a self-confirmed recovering control freak!)

  And just one other point I have to make is, that anyone who knows me, knows that my words are always my own. I am no ones mouthpiece (not even Jayanti’s!) and so whatever I say is never a ‘party line’ it is my belief and experience.
  I have only a rudimentary knowledge of NLP – I rejected it quite early on in my professional development. I am however a proponent of Transactional Analysis. I would recommend it to all as an effective tool in communication and self-development.

  That “The Brahma Kumaris are a ridiculous, parasitical millenarianist cult that have manipulated their followers and exploited them for free cash and labor for decades … discuss.” I come back to my original point, that this kind of statement could be applied to any/if not all of the world’s religions. All have their ‘end of the world’ scenario, all rely on their followers for support through money, work etc… All are flawed in some ways and all offer some benefit to those who follow. One size will NEVER fit all.

  There is arguably, a need for post-BK networks. But I do still personally feel that the tone and methods you are utilising are not the most supportive. We will almost certainly never see eye-to-eye on this, but again I am grateful for the ‘airspace’ to have shared my thoughts. Others who might read our words will no doubt make their own judgement, which is exactly as it should be!

  

  editor Reply:
  March 29th, 2010 at 1:29 am

  Thanks for your opinions. We accept that there will be disagreement with our approach however we are quite deliberate in our strategy. You have highlighted your independence of thought and spiritual practise and that is the key point. If everyone could approach the BKs this way they would also be safe. However so many are emotionally vulnerable and the consequential suffering can be directly linked to the relationship between that vulnerability and BK intent to capitalise upon that – something independent thinkers like yourself will unlikely be witness to. Yes, it is true that these things happen with many other organisations (cults) like Scientology for example, but the fact is, that in these cases, it happened at the BKWSU, who made absolutely no effort to do anything about it. So we don’t accept the argument that because it happens elsewhere so there is nothing that the BKs can do. They can at least TRY.

  

  Roy Reply:
  December 7th, 2010 at 6:41 pm

  Appreciate the comments in general from people who have their disbelief’s and questions and or concerns. They are all valid. The whole premise of the knowledge and the principle are for the self and for the self to follow not for X or Y and then we see X and Y and follow as a general means, it is not that simple, each one’s spiritual journey is personal to him or her. It has been said “do not look at someone else and what they do” then you run the risk of applying or taking examples and they may just be the wrong kind of examples for you to follow, i am being general when i say “you” not referring to any one individual. This is where the problem lies, when we see others and make judgement. The knowledge and its subtleties are laid down for your progress not a group’s progress. Yes there will be some principles that you will be able to follow and some not, that does not make you a bad person but a real person and now when you know what you are unable to follow, make an attempt to improve that IF you think it worthwhile but be honest with yourself not the organization or group. Remember it is not about the organization, it is about YOU. This is where the problem lies. God Shiva even says that the link is between you and me and no one else, not even Brahma. So it is a very personalized journey where YOU chart YOUR own self progress. We are not goats tied to the post that we have to do this and that, there is no binding on anybody. Don’t make the mistake of looking at the so called instruments, sometimes they are very poor examples to a student and like has been seen in many of the posts here. I feel bad at all the damage and harm that has been done and all as a result of poor examples/instruments being kept in front. Please keep your free will and sincerity of purpose in front of you and decide not based on what is being propagated and that applies to following or not following something.

  [Reply]
• 

  By whitewaterdragon, March 25, 2010 @ 9:27 am

  With respect, what can I place my faith in if not my own judgement? I do take the point that others may have had differing experiences to my own, but then again there are those who find great comfort and spiritual solace in the Christian/Catholic churches, and there are those who have suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse. We MUST make our own judgements based on our own experience, which will include listening to the range of opinions on all sides of a subject. I have listened to the BKs whom I have crossed paths with and I have read opinions posted on your websites by the editor and other contributors. I choose still to make my own judgement based on my own experience.

  In response to your challenge to me in response to the quote…”in an attempt to convert them to my anger-fuelled viewpoint?” You have actually paraphrased me incorrectly. My statement was “Would anything have driven me to rally other ex-Catholics in an attempt to convert them to my anger-fuelled viewpoint?” Ironically you prove the point that interpretation is subjective and usually contextualised within an individual’s expectations. Your style is indeed direct and blunt, and I merely convey to you that I (and possibly others) receive this style as ‘angry’. It is of course, your choice whether you choose to hear this feedback, or to disregard it. Choices… always individual choices.

  I do find it curious that you state web pages aren’t written for people like me (BK, pro-BK, whatever those definitions actually mean). I can manage to hear viewpoints differing from my own and consider/respect them, why is it then that this forum is designed to discourage contributions from persons such as I, who may well have something of value to contribute to the discussion? I have shared very little of my total stance and conclusions on the BKWSU, and you have made another assumption.

  In conclusion, I would clarify that actually I do agree that a duty of care is desirable, if not essential. However, I also believe that it would have limited efficacy in protecting the vulnerable and suicidal. I share with you that I have first hand experience of working professionally with several people who have received as much support as the NHS, mental health services, family and faiths could have supplied, and still they chose to end their lives. My own son has been to the brink, and thankfully stopped short. Could I or anyone else have stopped him if that was his choice?
  Your decision to utilise the stories of two deaths by suicide as pivotal to your web design, is I believe a lack of judgement. To use their story without their knowledge, permission or indeed the full facts (I presume) is uncomfortable to me and disrespectful on a humanistic, moral and ethical stance, leaving totally aside my personal spiritual beliefs.

  I have appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the discussions. Perhaps we may have both taken something from the exchange? )

  [Reply]
• 

  By Mellis, March 30, 2010 @ 5:31 am

  I have just recently started the raja yoga sessions, and now that I have read all of these comments, I have to admit I am a bit skeptical, so they live in celibacy, and believe we are here because of the exact contradiction? I don’t understand, is only a few of us going to be “saved” when the end of the world comes, even though it is suppose to be eternal? Seems to be a lot of contradictions?!

  [Reply]

  

  concernedexbk Reply:
  October 10th, 2010 at 1:31 pm

  You better beleive they are a really messed up group of people or worse yet a cult get out of their fast while you still can! I know because I have been there, done that, please save yourself and don’t waste years of your life, time and money like I did! All the best to you.

  [Reply]

  

  TheTruthIsFromGod Reply:
  October 19th, 2011 at 5:37 am

  you can worship God by your own, no one needs any of these sects.

  Be good and God will guide you

  [Reply]

  

  filthy shudra Reply:
  October 19th, 2011 at 5:08 pm

  Be good and you need no god

  [Reply]
• 

  By The Truth, April 5, 2010 @ 11:29 pm

  Yes, many religions are millenarianist, most of them are cultish in their control of their followers and their ambitions for their wealth. Thankfully, many religions are not and are life affirming. This does not excuse the Brahma Kumaris. Indeed, given it is 2010 and not the Middle Ages still leaves me condemning them.

  We as a species should be beyond exploiting such fears and superstitions.

  Yes, you can cherry pick some positive aspect but I sense that most of those are just window dressing added by Westerners attempting patch up and resell old rubbish.

  It is impossible not to condemn a leadership who hide away their “God’s” failed predictions of Destruction and re-write their God’s words decades later to make it appear more divine that is was.

  With Ranjana’s suicide, and the hangings in Madhuban and the UK, the self-immolation of the young woman in India and the other suicides, you have direct connections to the teachings, and a direct failure of the system to see and handle these crises before they happen. Not just random events as you play them down to be.

  The Brahma Kumaris are not as divine as they sell themselves to be.

  [Reply]
• 

  By michelle, May 7, 2010 @ 8:07 pm

  I have been involved with the BK for about a year now. I don’t agree with some of the comments that have been made here. I have come from a background of domestic abuse. It has given me self confidence and hope among other things, being involved with the organisation. I came from an attempted suicide before attending BK. I beg to differ that they don’t care and have no ‘formal’ duty of care. I was not in attendance with the organisation for a number of weeks. I did not attempt to contact them in this time due to circumstances beyond my control. When I was able to gain access to my phone, I had countless messages from concerned sisters that I was quite taken back. The sisters that I have come in contact with have been amazing. Thoughts of peace and best wishes to all.

  [Reply]

  

  Roy Reply:
  December 7th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

  Thanks Michelle! for your honest post. Again proves my point that each person’s experience is a product of circumstances and one should have the will power to be themselves moving honestly in their own journey and not make generalized statements. I am not discounting any of the personalized statements mentioned but merely stating that YOU decide what is good or not good for YOU. If YOU decide that this is bad then by all means stay away from it and vice versa.
  I will definitely agree here that the so called “instruments” in many cases are very poor examples…i emphasize “in many cases” not all cases.

  [Reply]
• 

  By Filthy Shudra, May 12, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

  Found this an interesting conversation so I am jumping in here. Would love to comment on nearly all of these but these move me most to respond.

  James said: “Yes it attracts a small percetage of souls who may be struggling with life – but so does most other religious/spiritual groups”

  Add all those small percentages together and you get a large proportion of humanity that is led by the nose, or rather has a carrot dangled just out of reach. With that focus in sight, the rest of the world and its complexities are out of mind. Just add a little stick when the gaze slips away from the carrot – and there you have it. Pack mules that will labor for you (you being the churches and the “spiritual organizations”.

  WhitewaterDragon said ” However, there are far-fetched beliefs in all religious tenets. I once again draw on my Catholic experience”

  Exactly. So what is this attraction to different kinds of carrots & sticks, resurrections, reincarnations and damnation, a ruler in satyuga or an eraser in kaliyuga? What is this desire for immortality? The Bks have their own version – a version that gets tweaked far more often and more readily than the established religions do (at least they print the same bible for a few hundred years before revising!)

  Some just want to ‘feel good” and don’t particularly care about what they are asked to believe – it seems to work so it must be true. What makes some feel good is different to what others need to feel good. Refuge, stillness, introspection, affirmation.

  Then there’s a group/family to belong to, a cause to serve, a defined arena to move in, an easily defined morality and measure for success or failure. (Some people can’t deal with the vagaries of simply living).

  Then there’s having a stage to stand on – or a gaddi to sit on, the applause, the “field of service” that will take anyone’s time and talent that people want to offer – people love to express their talents and have a ready audience.. and as long as it works for them, people will stay with what serves them (their ego?)…..

  Others need a bit more than that. They want consistency and integrity and truth (even if it is for the sake of their ego too).

  Either way, when the instinct/emotion/experience of “Who I am” is too painful because the mismatch with the belief system is too great – we then revise our “beliefs” – in one way or another, to a small or extreme degree.

  Somewhere else the editor of this site offered Buddhism as a non-theistic spiritual/meditation practice. There seems to be a lot of comment about buddhism on other exBK forums too.

  For all its own variants and the human instinct to turn it into a ‘religion” (how many christians really understand their own faith’s esoteric truths?) it stands alone. Although it was 500 years BC, it is more akin to modern psychology. Someone else here dismissed it as being like a new age self-development course. Ahem……. that’s like saying Pythagorus was no genius because its like what you learn in primary school.

  I gave too many years to the BKs, I had a high pain threshold. With a lot of other experiences now under my belt, I can honestly say there is nothing that they offer that you cannot achieve elsewhere (and you can achieve a hell of a lot more elsewhere) at a much lower cost in time, money, emotion, health etc etc etc.

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  By jeet, May 13, 2010 @ 11:28 am

  I would like to know more about Ranjana. I have known many Ranjanas and potential Ranjanas. The BKs are all the same. But I have a weakness for Ranjana. And I read again and again about her. A sister of mine after all..

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  By Filthy Shudra, May 13, 2010 @ 4:09 pm

  Ranjana was a beautiful young woman who gave her whole life to the Brahma Kumaris. They would not give it back. She took it.

  Suicide is often the last desperate expression of control, or assertion of autonomy. It is the final action that cannot be denied, criticised, undone, effected, misunderstood or manipulated by anyone else…….. it is absolutely the last word.

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  By Vanessa, August 1, 2010 @ 10:16 am

  Spiritual Care/Tips: 1. Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God-Righteousness. 2. Surrender totally to the Divine Will in you 3. Be a SILENT witness in this life. 3. Because – Only GOD IS.
  When we apply these practical perspective we will survive wherever we may be.May we all realise the truth.

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  filthy shudra Reply:
  August 1st, 2010 at 6:07 pm

  Spiritual care Tips (Alternative version)
  1. Seek NOT the kingdom of God Righteousness for it is a man- made notion that either eludes those who grasp for it or it fills them with arrogance.
  2. You surrender to you? Which part of you surrenders to the other part of you. And in the contract of surrender, who is the party of the first part, and who is the party of the second part – we all know there is no Sanity Claus.
  3. Shut up and take it.
  3. I can’t count – but anyway – Only God is – anything you want it to be because there’s no proof either way.

  If we think these perspectives are “practical” we ought to invest in a new dictionary! (practical |ˈpraktɪk(ə)l| – adjective 1. of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas

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  By andrew, August 2, 2010 @ 1:22 pm

  Hi,

  I was part of the BK’s from 1987 – 1991. I joined because I had a vision a few years previously and wanted to learn meditation. Looking back I was ripe for joining the BK’s – vegetarian, no drugs/alcohol, non-smoking/drinking and celibate (the rave scene was just beginning …. oh well can’t do everything!). During my time with the organisation I had many wonderful ESP (without the aid of drugs I should add) experiences and met many good souls and also ones who were too extreme in their rigidity (those who loved to watch every action others did or said and pour scorn on them). To cut a long story short I travelled to Madhuban in 1991 and realised sitting in front of Dadi Gulzar (in a trance) that it was time to leave the BK’s. I had previously thought I would be with them til my last dying breath. Back in England I tussled emotionally with the idea of leaving or staying. It was a traumatic, lonely period and got to the point where I would wake up in a cold sweat at night (I was living in Leeds centre,UK). It took me a month to leave the BK’s and looking back I can honestly say it was part of the flow of my life.
  I would like to leave you with some nougats I have learned since leaving BK’s:
  Sex or making love with a consenting adult, be they male or female is NOT a SIN
  If there is a god, brahman, creator, etc that soul would not see us in dualistic terms – real LOVE is LOVING a soul for all they are.
  One can meditate, do japa or other rituals, etc til they are exhausted or blue in the face, however, what counts is living with honesty and integrity – being hard on oneself will not help or aid any situation. Jim Morrison said: take it (life) as it comes.
  As a wise soul,Ramana Maharshi, once said: whatever is going to happen will happen and whatever is not going to happen will not happen try as you may (or words to that effect).
  So called spiritual leaders, whether they are Sai Baba, Krishnamurti, Elvis Presley(?) or Dadi Janki – they are human at the end of the day. Just like you dear readers. They are not just pure living breathing souls. They have their little niggles, get angry about things, egos, prejudices to deal with on a daily basis. Maybe we just want to see the pure side of them and forget they are …. well, human. They are no better nor worse than you.
  Religions, etc at their core are about opening peoples souls to feeling connected to all things but humans have tended to be utopian and force a dualistic view on their fellow humans thus causing wars, suffering, etc …. and all in the name of truth.
  Live NOW

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  Roy Reply:
  December 7th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

  Well said Andrew!

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  Bali Islander Reply:
  January 20th, 2011 at 11:15 pm

  I agree with you, I might have even met you in Mahtuban, but you must agree there was a lot of good times in taking the time to find out about yourself. I met some closed minded individuals but again some really nice brothers and sisters who were similar to me who I bet moved on. At the time is was what I needed. Do you still start you meditations with Om Shanti, I do. Cheers

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  By JK - Married to daughter of BK, August 18, 2010 @ 4:45 am

  There are some facts that are irrefutable, now no one can prove the existence of God, but if your religion claims that the spirit of “God” comes down and speaks to followers, then he has a lot to answer for. If it was God, then he would know that the world does not repeat every 5000 years, that the continents do not SINK leaving only India and then somehow magically rise up out of the water only to sink again. He would know that Dinosaurs were not around 2500 years ago and that they will not re-appear in 2500 years.

  If The BK God doesnt know this, then what other truths can you truly believe?? BK’s have had years to change their philosophy and push their teachings to that of peace, tranquility and helping the world. They are also waiting for the world to end. I have met some of the sisters,and they look mean. not peaceful. They have talks with scientists but never approach the real questions. Procreation through Yoga…? be serious.

  They use the vulnerability of weak souls to turn them and give them no way out. I have thought to try and open my inlaws eyes but i fear that they would not be able to handle the truth. I have been to a number of BK events out of curiosity, and i can see the obvious propaganda. Them bringing people in with the talk of peace and meditation. Find out the true beliefs and steer very clear.

  My wife, though not a practising BK has a hard time admitting that she does not believe some of the core philosophies. We are not all DOOMED! The human race is not 5000 years old. The continents will not sink and then magically rise. My Inlaws are distant from their family and always have a reason to hate on them. they are loners and have only the BK’s left. I hope i can fully open my wifes eyes and let her find god for herself.

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  concernedexbk Reply:
  October 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

  Don’t give up on helping your wife finding a way out but as an ex bk I can assure you it will be a challenge because this is a serious satanic cult and they brainwash people but always try to show her some sort of proof when you reason with her, ok best wishes!

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  By l, October 8, 2010 @ 1:36 am

  I highly appreciate Nichole’s response. Since she has truly understood the meaning of true detachment.
  I’m not a BK … but am a member of another discipline called Issyoga, but yes I do meditate, believe in karmic accounts, divine healings, miracles and this all happens if you completely surrender yourself to the lotus feet of your spiritual Guru.

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  By Eleonora, November 2, 2010 @ 5:34 am

  Dear All:

  Please, accept this as my humble opinion.
  The purpose of joining Brahma Kumaris is not to meet “nice people” to identify with angels or guardians of truth.The purpose of being a BK student is to cultivate your relationship with Baba.
  Human beings, as the dadis, will be human beings, they may be right, they may be wrong.We are imperfect in these bodies.I have met a lot of good people and a arrogant individuals too at the BK. Brahma Kumaris are not angels, they are just human beings, souls corrupted by their bodies with sanskaras to deal with too.The great mistake, according to my opinion, is to identify these figures with the essence of perfection.They are just humans!Indeed,they have reached a considerable level of awareness but remember that they are not Baba!
  “Maya” can polute you revealing you their unpleasant sides so that you may decide one day that you had enough.
  I attend my Murli and Amrit Vela but there is only one Baba for me.The others can be masters but they are other humans like me.I ccept the knowledge and I am very happy with this knowledge, I am simply delighted but, I never forget the reality!

  Om Shanti,
  Ely
  I

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  filthy shudra Reply:
  November 4th, 2010 at 5:08 pm

  It is easy to dismiss all criticisms as being “humans being humans”. All real spiritual traditions do accept that so societies and religions develop systems of legal and moral response. Humans, and human societies, have the capacity for self reflection, self regulation and reform.

  The BKs believe they are above all that, they are the aristocrats of spiritual beings, the unrecognised deities of legend, the chosen ones of God – so when things go badly, they hide it under the rug, leaving victims to suffer – call it “karma’ etc

  You like to think your projected idealisation of Baba is the reality behind it, and to ignore the rest. Please Ely, examine what you really think “god” should be, and then look at what is taught directly and practiced – hierarchy, reactionary politics, nepotism, Hindu jingoism, ridiculous cosmology, anti-nature, elitism, cover-ups of crimes, no accountability of the “baba” or the seniors for all their failed predictions. The list goes on.

  it’s been going on since the 1930′s. It all gets dressed up in a self-justifying language of “spiritual worthiness” and, as one falls by the wayside, they gloat inwardly that they are now one position higher in the race for spiritual “inheritance’. Look at the teachings objectively please.

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  Bali Islander Reply:
  January 20th, 2011 at 11:07 pm

  Om Shanti Ely,
  I guess I am a little like you. I am exBK but for the years I attended Murli reading and classes every morning I never really got exposed to the politics as I was so centered on understanding my self and dealing with my own shortfalls. In my meditations I experienced things that I cannot explain. Visions of Baba walking away holding the hand of a child me; the sister leading the meditation transforming into an old monk with a bright Aura behind her. In Mahtuban one of the senior sisters was giving a lesson on dristi and after most students left and only a few of us were around she proceeded to beam like a lighthouse beacon. When Baba was visiting us a similar situation occurred and blew my mind. I listened and learned to accept, work on my Ego, see that I was just part of something much much bigger and accept Karma. I enjoyed about 4 years of classes. I went to India and met the Dadis and felt very comfortable with them. There were parts confusing to me but most of my teachers (sisters and brothers) were western and they put things into a western perspective and I had no problem accepting. I guess if felt I had screwed up my life enough that what they offered was better. I loved the sisters for their unselfishness but being a professional with a career I had my own path and never hot heavily into service. I used the teachings in my day to day work and dealings and tried to live as a BK should. I was jokingly called the Monk at work, becoming vegan, not drinking, smoking or lieing or cheating and considerate of others. I was proud to be associated with some of the members who we higher up who were much more committed. They helped me through a time of difficulty and never took advantage of me while I was vulnerable. I loved their companionship but down deep I always felt that I was on the outside looking in. I never really did understand the inner workings of the organization of how it made its money and ran. But to any brothers and sisters who are reading this thread, Maybe there is something wrotten higher up but the brothers and sisters running the centers I met they were the nicest and purest in heart of anyone I knew and I loved them all. I could see them struggling with things but they never dumped on me. They took the time to explain things and help we get great release in my meditations and changing my lifestyle. I eventually got transferred and with internet and access to centers difficult to reach I drifted away but still practise much of what they taught me. It would have been interesting to have seen this website like 15 years ago to see if the problems discussed are more recent or have been around all the time. I had my own take on the doomsday concept, to me it was simply that each day could be the last day of your life on earth so live it like you would if you knew it. Be proud of your actions and have no regrets. I look forward to reading more over time.

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  denied husband Reply:
  June 21st, 2011 at 5:02 pm

  The other take on doomsday is, these folks having fun and creating families living a normal life are all doomed to die however you will have a eternal life thereafter. So do not feel you are missing out on anything great.

  The reason for claiming sex is a sin is to justify the concept of celibacy, even as it contradicts their own existance having been born out of this very sinfull act.

  I believe its a cult with a following of people with low intellect.

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  By Pearl, November 4, 2010 @ 3:46 pm

  I am still being abused tortured and beaten in subtle ways they connect with my body and do all sorts of strange things.
  They think they own me.
  They almost drove me to suiside but I’ve survived. I want to shut these evil blood suckers down they drain the life force of living beings. It is all deception.
  They take everything through suble connections with the authentically spiritual talented and pure I think most of from their own innocent members- I think they are hell beings. I’ll be in contact again.

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  Eleonora Reply:
  November 5th, 2010 at 4:07 am

  I still believe Baba is the only reason but I respect your point of you.Thanks!

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  santosh Reply:
  June 16th, 2011 at 12:29 pm

  There is not body like Baba. i worked in press of BKs. It is just mind game

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  tamar Reply:
  February 3rd, 2011 at 5:48 am

  yes, i can understand what you express and can assure you it felt like that to me
  BUT

  as an experience life brought on my Path

  i must admit gratefully that
  did teach me how strong my capacity is to bless them AND MOVEON please do

  bloodsuckers will vanisch as soon as you can accept them as phenomena of your own mind so cut the connection with a big smile , welcome spting

  right here right now
  and you are a free spirit my dear

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  By andrew, December 2, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

  The terms good and bad, love and hate, war and peace, shudra and brahmin, etc – are all dualistic and simplistic words that do not address real experience of life. Being part of the B.K.s is just another shield to make people see themselves as inferior or superior to the world around them.

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  By BK.R, February 1, 2011 @ 4:05 am

  I am an ex.bk and my opinion is bk is a very good organization but it is advisable to all that stay away from the teachers who are always like to rule students.And other thing is never try to adapt all shrimaths which will not allow you to be free.

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  TheTruthIsFromGod Reply:
  October 18th, 2011 at 6:57 am

  Only God makes the rules, your rules have no value and will only bring you more perdition, more suffering, more pain, more darkness…

  The Truth of God is limited to those who are truly guided by God, those who are truly submitted to God, those who believe in God as the Sole and Unique God, with no partners, no sons, no intermediaries, those who believe in the angels and prophets of God as Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, those who believe in the Judgement Day, those who believe in Hell and Paradise, those who believe in God’s TRUE Holy Books, the Torah, the Gospel and the Quran prevails and is 100% unaltered.

  My mother is part of your sect and I am very well placed to say that you have nothing to do with the Straight Path of God, you’re rather among the most deceived people, you’re fully deceived by the satanic New Age doctrine, if you continue in this path, your fate is eternal hell.

  Take that bet and see when you’ll be dead… You’ll see that your dear Braham Baba has not the least power and cannot even save himself from the flames of hell… Enjoy your life ennemies of God, you’ll have no share in the hereafter.

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  By tamar, February 3, 2011 @ 5:35 am

  it was a narrow ecape and a lesson first class by life itself am gratefull that a am still an observer of the example of how i feel it is unnatrual and dehumanizing to be turned into a slave by the promise to become a master

  it takes diffrent quulities to develop inner wholness and peace for me than this illusinairy seduction into ,,perfection,, perfection being the ennimy of feeling and therefor of soul

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  By Joel, February 3, 2011 @ 7:26 pm

  Those are powerful expressions, tamar:

  “it is unnatural and dehumanizing to be turned into a slave by the promise of being a master.”

  “…perfection being the enemy of feeling, and therefore of soul”

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  By BK.R, February 20, 2011 @ 2:16 pm

  I am an ex bk living in Andra. my personal experience in bk is it is very difficult to adapt all disciplines which taught by them. I too tried to suicide because of cannot follow celibacy. But I was award by osho books and escaped from the circle of bks.

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  By dhivyashri, March 8, 2011 @ 6:31 pm

  BK’s are fraud. cheating people. they say they are pure but they are not like that. they marry and have sexual relationship

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  By parminder, March 17, 2011 @ 5:57 pm

  om shanti to all,
  whatever you all might say i feel just believe in Baba & be happy.follow whatever you can & leave the rest to God. what wrong non bks have done that they will not get Almighty’s grace.let bks believe in whatever they feel is right for them & you follow your own heart.God loves all.om shanti.

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  santosh Reply:
  June 16th, 2011 at 12:26 pm

  Your brain is totally controlled by BK teachers. You have no guts to speak truth.Read Vedas and listen to Louis hay and open your brain.

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  TheTruthIsFromGod Reply:
  October 18th, 2011 at 6:49 am

  I know this kind of language, this is pure rethoric, everything is fake in your practices because you’re simply not with God. God has nothing to do with your gurus, God is directly accessible to the righteous and fair ones. God does not forbid what is good for us (like food, wedding, to sleep in the night, ….), God does not ask for money, God does not hide behind possessed witches, God does not like the pride elitist persons that most of the BKs are. You are not gods, you are not elites, you are among the most lost people of these end times and when you’ll die, you’ll face the One True God Who will judge you for the LEAST of your actions…Be prepared ennemies of God.

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  By sorry, June 16, 2011 @ 12:19 pm

  I was in BK 2005 and saw the open corruption and brain washing for donation. I live in a family where many memeber are still BK. They treat non BK family member as dog. BK memebers of family are not working but they take everymonth frozen food to the centre. They create so much tension in the house. BK teachers are very cunning. They give you slow word poision and wash your brain to bring more donation and people. Some time they threat. “World is going to end so write will in thier name”. Where is proof of this non sense Sat yog and kaliyoug philosophy? They think they are only pure but I have seen BK family memeber eat Bread, butter, made by non bk. They play so mu ctension in the house. They watch all TV programmes, They juddge people. They do all make ups and do everything for pleasure. But they treat me like dogs because I hv left BK. Other member of family doesnot work. She sleep all day, do not do any work but watch prono on internet . Beleive me this organisation is dangerous. Some body should sue against them for spreading rumour of world ending.

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  By Jenny, June 29, 2011 @ 6:33 am

  My involvement with the BK’s started off in a foreign country in early 1990, it was a time when personal circumstances caused me to be very unhappy and insecure. My very earliest days with them were bliss, but discontentment soon reared its head. Firstly, I could never get my head around all their rules (Maryadas I think you call them) these all just seemed too extreme to me. Secondly I was upset at the hypocrisy of a couple of the women at the Centre. These particular women were not living at the Centre as “surrendered sisters” as they had husbands and young children, yet they were following everything 100% just as the Centre sisters were and as a result were highly praised and revered by all concerned. Yet I felt that if these two women had to go out to work and also clean their houses etc (they had domestic servants), perhaps it would be a different story – it was all very well being financed by rich husbands who enabled them to devote their lives to the BK’s, husbands whom they still lived under the same roof with, but due to the demands of the BK lifestyle, had rejected? I really felt that these women were just having “a bit of fun” and getting a kick out of “acting holy” but all at the expense of their non-BK spouses and children. Anyway, I drifted away a bit because after one year I was in a relationship with my new partner and I knew they didn’t approve of us, but I still attended a lot of things as I was very needy spiritually. A couple of years later when misfortune came knocking at my door again, in sheer terror I ignored my dissatisfaction and grew closer to life at the Centre once more. Then finally, partly influenced by them, in great sadness I left my partner to return to the UK with my young daughter. Back in the UK my spiritual life with the BK’s didn’t go as I had envisaged although I was still involved and went to classes and events at London and Oxford sometimes and even met the seniors. I had to work to support my daughter and myself and the BK lifestyle is just too demanding and unrealistic. My working life at that time was a bit of a disaster anyway – I just didn’t have any enthusiasm or motivation as work just seemed like an inconvenience that got in the way of my meditation and spiritual life. Meanwhile my partner and I were still in contact and flew across the world to visit each other whenever we could. As time went by I felt torn and also guilty – whenever I went to a Raja Yoga centre the sisters were always praising me and I felt like a fraud, an imposter. They assumed I was living the “pure” lifestyle like them but I wasn’t, not fully to the extent that you are supposed to anyway. I drifted away bit by bit and 1998 was the last year that I had any contact with the Brahma Kumaris. Where are we now? My then partner is now my husband and living in this country (UK) with me. We have both become Christians and Jesus Christ has helped me with the many issues that the Brahma Kumaris could not help me with. I am overcoming my stronghold of fear and lack of confidence and He has given me good ideas about what to do with my working life. I realise that when I first went to the Raja Yoga centre in 1990 I really should have gone to a church instead. In conclusion, from my own experiences I agree with what you say on this website up to a point, but some of the comments are too scathing. Most of the BK brothers and sisters I met were lovely and for a long time I thought it helped me. Now I think perhaps not. It may not sound it here, but my life did revolve around the Brahma Kumaris for a few years and I could not resist talking about it with others who then thought me weird or crazy, so I couldn’t get on very well with ordinary people. Their teaching is also responsible for me losing my motivation about work and career and I needed to work to support myself. There was pressure to conform and follow their teaching 100% that’s why I felt torn and guilty, this pressure was subtle, however. No-one ever put pressure on me to give money but I always bought lots of books and tapes etc. I’m glad I didn’t say too much to my parents otherwise they would have been worried about me at the time and I would be embarrassed now! I am also glad that I never made it to Madhuban in the end. I hope my story has helped somebody reading it. Amen.

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  Brahma Kumaris Split Families Reply:
  July 10th, 2011 at 2:15 pm

  The Brahma Kumaris prey on people going through vulnerable phases. Your story is one of 100s, if not 1,000s. They also split families and have done for the 70s years of their existence.

  They are ultimately spiritual parasites who have not turned their religion into a business.

  You have to remember, in India during the 50s and 60s, they ran out of money. A load of husbandless old woman with no skill or education. They had done nothing with their lives … what does that mean in India? They would have had to become beggars or died. In India, there is no social security.

  They had no other option but to turn their commune life into a religion and live off just like the priest, gurus and pandits do.

  Now they are becoming greedy addicts to the material benefits their game gives them.

  You have to understand them from their beginnings in India.

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  By Tara, July 9, 2011 @ 2:01 pm

  I can relate to you in many ways.
  I also thought the BKs were lovely in the beginning even the one’s in India.
  I went to Madhuban once – and once only.
  I went on a transformation course, but a wrong transformation course it was.
  They are so powerful the BKs. Their traffic controls, their rules. I’m so glad that I have turned away from the centre and am trying to get my life back on track in the right direction. Buying their products is their way of making all the money, they don’t pressure you to buy it – sometimes they just recommend it and you feel obliged because it’s holy material and think that they are godesses and gods or angels.
  India really changed me in an unusual way and I’m so glad that I am back in the UK leading a normal life.
  I still believe in Hinduism but not the Bks teaching of life.
  I think that it is all wrong and too demanding.
  So to anyone new here try to stay away from them. They just don’t charge for the meditation classes as a way to attract people to come in to their centres. You don’t learn meditation straight away.
  They tell you about their principles and the 5 vices etc.
  Don’t fall for it. That’s just the beginning of a taste of heaven when in actual fact that it’s not! Basically it’s all crap! Don’t let them rule you or take over your lives!

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  By Distant observer, September 6, 2011 @ 6:35 am

  Hi,

  Thought I’d share my opinion, as I have recently come across BK’s.
  I’ve been going through a difficult time in my life recently and looking for direction. I recently watched some programmes on TV with Sister Shivani being interviewed by Suresh Oberoi. At first I became really interested and started getting up early to watch it. I then found their website and found that there is a centre near me, so I called and booked myself into one of their day retreats as I want to learn how to meditate and thought why not learn from this peaceful group, who do not seem to restrict you in anyway. Then on the last episodes, Suresh asked the question of Bk’s being accused of breaking up families as husbands and wives end up living like brother and sister i.e no sex. For every other question Sister Shivani, went into alot of detail and spoke at length, but to this question she just smiled and said “yes we practice celibacy”. Suresh did not question her anymore. This made me feel uncomfortable, as I would like o get married and have children. So I started to do a bit more research and have come across this site and I’m glad I did. I’ve decided not to attend the day retreat, I know that people have said go along and take what you want from it and leave the rest, but I know this is not always easy and I know it won’t be easy for me. So thank you for this site. I think it enables people who are both for and against BK’s to give their true opinions and allows people like myself to make up our minds too. Having read all the comments, it hasn’t made me think badly of the Bk’s as from what I’ve seen and heard alot of them are loving and peaceful people. However, I do think that their ideologies are a bit unrealistic.

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  By Distant observer, September 6, 2011 @ 7:28 am

  The TV channel Star Plus, is showing morning programme with the BK’s. I think this should be stopped, as vulnerable people are being exposed to this.

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  By TheTruthIsFromGod, October 14, 2011 @ 6:23 am

  My mother has been part of the BKs for 10 years, I confirm most of the previous stories: she only eats what she prepares herself (of her BK group), she wakes up between 3AM and 4AM to meditate with a read light, she practices celibacy (she pushed my father to divorce), she is more and more distant from us (her own family), she has totaly dropped any conventional morality (she has not educated at all my younger sister),…. everything is OK for her as long as you practice undcontional love…. My mother was previously muslim and now claims to be a highly evoluted/illuminated muslim…whatever is your orignal belief, the BKs appropriate to themselves their original belief and claim to be the elite of it.

  This is very classical with the new age beliefs…I deeply think that all these new agers are exactly the opposite of what they claim to be: they are not humble, not straighful, not righteous, not generous, not submitted to God…..they are the exact opposite and think they are kind of deities.

  The most disturbing thing with the BKs is their TOTAL blindness, …. you simply cannot discuss with them, THEY ARE ALWAYS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING, they only hear what they want to hear, they even distort the sense of the most common words and principles…

  The only good method is to totaly ignore them…for my part, I simply do not discuss this subject with my mother, it’s a pure loss of time, let them, they are the only ones who can wake up themselves.

  All I am sure about is that people have nothing to do with God… they don’t know anything about the True Nature of God.

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  By filthy shudra, December 13, 2011 @ 11:32 pm

  Arvind,

  A good life well lived involves right thought and action, respect for others & for self, good health and honest work, along with love of family and friends. You’d agree?

  This has been understood, lived and taught by many throughout history, both theist and atheist, rationalists or spiritualist. What you should do is look to the wisdom within yourself, live life simply and don’t let it be distorted by anyone telling you what you “should” do!!

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