October 1983 - Dying Didi needs a womb "purified" ...
Manohar Didi used to be number two in the BKWSU along with Dadi Kumarka. If it is true that 90% of BKs leave after 5 years or so, then most of them will not know of her and in what esteem she was held and the circumstances of her death and afterwards. She would not have done a Self Management Leadership course in the whole of her life but was considered "One of the 8", the 8 top souls, as they used to speculate in those days. Although she had been sick for a while and in a coma, it was a huge shock to the Sisters when she died. All of the stillness and detachment, and "going to eat halva"* one is expected of as a BK Brahmin junior went out of the window for the Seniors and was replaced with tears, quivering lips, and hugging and over emotional speeches.
I thought this quote was a timely reminder for the neo-BKs because they will be facing two re-runs in the next short while, with Janki and Prakashmani. It raises a few question about the unspoken, unwritten parts of the BK religion that remain distinctly Hindu. Especially, the stuff of Didi's soul coming back after death with a message and being channelled by the BKWSU's medium. This used to be common place amongst Hindu death rituals. Of course, part of the BK myth is established when Didi's soul comes back and tells everyone that while "apparently" in a coma state, she had actually been in trance, in "total" God-consciousness, enjoying the fulfillment of all her deep spiritual efforts. Naturally. Such a high ranking original gem could not merely become sick and die.
The article relies heavily on versions from Denise Lawrence, an original and highly respected Western BK who hightailed it out to India to be on the spot to "share in the benefit" of the full on experience of a BK State burial. No doubt of her attachment for, sorry "connection with", the dead Sister. Not all BKs are treated like this when they die ... presumably in case they come back and tell folks it all ain't true ... and not all BKs would have been allowed the privileges Denise was allowed. Rank and privilege are something unspoken but very existent within BK circles.
I am as interested by the color of her language that is very un-BK, e.g. "thousands of prayerful devotees", she means BKs, as I am at the entire nature of the ceremony. *In the Murlis it says, or said in case they edit it out now, "when somebody dies, just eat halva", which means be happy, have a treat. A BK should be soul conscious and the leaving of the body/death is no big thing. As with most things within the BKWSU, when push comes to shove, it all goes out the window.
Often young "go ahead fast" Western BKs would be thought to be re-incarnated BKs come back to join the family and be part of the Advanced Party. Their enthusiasm a sign that they had done BK in their past life as an Indian. You have to wonder what all this says sub-consciously to the growing or ambitious BK.
Manohar Didi used to be number two in the BKWSU along with Dadi Kumarka. If it is true that 90% of BKs leave after 5 years or so, then most of them will not know of her and in what esteem she was held and the circumstances of her death and afterwards. She would not have done a Self Management Leadership course in the whole of her life but was considered "One of the 8", the 8 top souls, as they used to speculate in those days. Although she had been sick for a while and in a coma, it was a huge shock to the Sisters when she died. All of the stillness and detachment, and "going to eat halva"* one is expected of as a BK Brahmin junior went out of the window for the Seniors and was replaced with tears, quivering lips, and hugging and over emotional speeches.
I thought this quote was a timely reminder for the neo-BKs because they will be facing two re-runs in the next short while, with Janki and Prakashmani. It raises a few question about the unspoken, unwritten parts of the BK religion that remain distinctly Hindu. Especially, the stuff of Didi's soul coming back after death with a message and being channelled by the BKWSU's medium. This used to be common place amongst Hindu death rituals. Of course, part of the BK myth is established when Didi's soul comes back and tells everyone that while "apparently" in a coma state, she had actually been in trance, in "total" God-consciousness, enjoying the fulfillment of all her deep spiritual efforts. Naturally. Such a high ranking original gem could not merely become sick and die.
The article relies heavily on versions from Denise Lawrence, an original and highly respected Western BK who hightailed it out to India to be on the spot to "share in the benefit" of the full on experience of a BK State burial. No doubt of her attachment for, sorry "connection with", the dead Sister. Not all BKs are treated like this when they die ... presumably in case they come back and tell folks it all ain't true ... and not all BKs would have been allowed the privileges Denise was allowed. Rank and privilege are something unspoken but very existent within BK circles.
I am as interested by the color of her language that is very un-BK, e.g. "thousands of prayerful devotees", she means BKs, as I am at the entire nature of the ceremony. *In the Murlis it says, or said in case they edit it out now, "when somebody dies, just eat halva", which means be happy, have a treat. A BK should be soul conscious and the leaving of the body/death is no big thing. As with most things within the BKWSU, when push comes to shove, it all goes out the window.
- • From a Gyani point of view, where is the precedent for "the purification of wombs" within the BKWSU. It is stated that BK Raja Yogis meditating for her when she was sick "purified the womb" that her soul was about to enter 13 days later?
- • From a Gyani point of view, where is the precedent for such "love of the corpse", and rememberance of another human being and not God, as to afford all the effort and expense of a State-like funeral and all that emotion? It would seem to go against all of the teachings.
• Now for the interesting stuff; if Didi died in 1983 and went straight into a new body, that would make her 22 years old now. Where is she and what is she up to? She has been pretty much written out and forgotten about.
Often young "go ahead fast" Western BKs would be thought to be re-incarnated BKs come back to join the family and be part of the Advanced Party. Their enthusiasm a sign that they had done BK in their past life as an Indian. You have to wonder what all this says sub-consciously to the growing or ambitious BK.
- • Do the BKs still teach about The Advanced Party and new BKs in such a manner? Or are they just "devotees" ... and management training consultants?
Beloved "Didi," Sivabhaktar and Co-Head of Brahma Kumaris, Passes In Bombay
At age 73, the dearly revered co-head of the renowned international Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University, Didi Manmohini, left her body on July 28, 1983, after a month in a coma in Bombay, where unsuccessful attempts had been made to remove a brain tumor. Her life had been a model of deep personal communion with and selfless service to Lord Shiva - or "Shiv Baba" (Father Shiva) - as the Sisters endear themselves to Him.
Immediately, her body was transported by ambulance to the Brahma Kumari international headquarters majestically perched atop Mt. Abu, in Rajasthan state. Undistracted by torrential monsoon rains, thousands of prayerful devotees and respectful townspeople thronged the car showering it with flowers as it passed through the dozens of small village on the way to Mt. Abu.
Sister Denise, Director of the San Francisco Center, flew right away to Mt. Abu, and shared this very intimate account of the traditional 13-day period of sacred ritual and vigil which honored Didi: "Large piles of red rose petals covered her - offered by nearly 1,500 devotees who managed the difficult ascent up Mt. Abu, braving the driving rains. After two days, we put her on a wooden litter and carried her through the city of Mt. Abu, pinnacled high above the flat plains of Rajasthan far below. Ghee, sandalwood and other substances were applied to her body. She was placed on the wood pyre and cremated.
Soon afterward, messages began to come from Didi through one of previous month, while apparently in a coma state, had been in trance, in total God-consciousness, enjoying the fulfillment of all her deep spiritual sadhanas. Didi shared detailed accounts of everything that was transpiring in the so-called "transition experience.' One message said that the sincere and deep meditations performed by so many of the Brahma Kumaris worldwide during this time had purified the womb that Didi would enter for her next birth on the 13th day. On that 13th day, rather than just deliver a massage through the medium, she came fully into the body. I was there and saw this. She did not speak verbally, just through the eyes. Throughout this 13-day period there was no grief, but waves of love and shakti."
The Brahma Kumari organization began in 1937. One day in 1936, after many sudden spiritual awakenings, Dada Lekh Raj - by profession a wealthy jeweler - was pulled into a deep state of meditation. He felt someone enter into his body. "There was great power, a great light. The room vibrated with energy. Taking over his physical senses it started to speak: "I am the Blissful Self, I am Shiva, I am Shiva/I am the Knowledgeable Self, I am Shiva, I am Shiva/I am the Luminous Self, I am Shiva."
He soon afterward left his business and surrendered himself to God's work, developing over the ensuing years the Brahma Kumari organization, today expanded into over 800 centers in 52 countries. Their teachings include emphasis on Raja Yoga, worship of the personal aspect of the Deity, purity, service to humanity and celibacy for the Sisters and Brothers. The University is presently administered almost exclusively by women, as "the words of God stated that women were now to perform the special role as His divine instruments for world change...with their qualities of surrender, mercy and wisdom.