Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University?
Brahma Kumaris' Raja Yoga is now promoted behind the facade of new age, positive thinking, values
based and coporate training courses. Many individuals experience benefit
from these. Indeed, some individuals can look back at their time as a
"student" of the BKWSU positively. However, whether right
or wrong, at the core of BKWSU teachings and lifestyles are identical
elements to recognised cult behaviour. Elements that are hidden from the
general public and slowly introduced during the process of
indoctrination. See a copy of a recent Training Manual, here.
Whilst claiming to have 8,500 centres in 100 countries, the vast majority of these are privately owned residential homes and apartments, many taking donations to pay for personal mortgages. The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is not an educational institution but an unaccredited new religious movement.
Brahma Kumari beliefs include;
» belief in the imminent destruction of this world by an unavoidable
Nuclear Holocaust [now overdue by 30 to 50 years]
» belief in
themselves as the only true messengers of God
» belief that God
only speaks to them and them alone in person at their Indian
headquarters via a mediumistic channeller
» hypnagogic, trance-like practises
and repetitive auto-suggestion
» fixation on attracting VIPs to
enhance their credibility and act as "microphones" for their
message
» exaggerated distinction between "pure" [their teachings
and activities] and "impure" [the rest of the World's opinions and
leaders]
» exaggerated sense of self-importance [they being
topknot "Brahmins"], the rest of the World [Untouchables or
"Shudras"]
» belief in an unrealistic view of science, e.g. all of
time existing within one endlessly repeating 5,000 year
timeframe
» a slow and gradual re-writing of their core beliefs as
they fail
» unquestionable and unaccountable non-democratic
leadership
» amassing of considerable wealth from followers under
such pressures
» complete separation from non-BKs by complete
control of diet, demanding lifestyle, celibacy
» graphic
exaggeration of the plight of those that leave the group ; "grinding of
teeth like the sound of mustard seeds ... crying tears of blood at
Destruction", sexual activity being like "throwing one's self from a 5th
storey high building", having to face a severe God at Judgement
Day
» secrecy, revision and disguise of the nature and process of teachings
» intense and long lasting social and psychological problems
within individuals leaving the organisation.
The Brahma Kumaris encourage followers;
» not to eat food cooked by impure non-followers such as physical relatives
» to practice detachment from parents and children
» to separate from non-Brahma Kumari partners and family so as not to make any more "karmic accounts" with them that would be obstacles to their path
Under these pressures, individuals are willing to put aside reason and surrender themselves mind, body and wealth, to the will of senior members of the BKWSU. Most of these senior members are professionally untrained in any manner whatsoever. Despite dabbling with perhaps the deepest levels of the human mind, many of these senior members have only ever had a basic education, e.g. 3 years schooling, and no professional experience. One senior BK recently estimated that in India there were as many as 20,000 so-called teachers that have had no training whatsoever. The curriculum and teaching methods have been likened to that of a primary school or kindergarten where followers are infantilized