Here is a list I wrote a few years ago when I decided to leave the BKWSO. I thought it could be helpful and perhaps might inspire others to add their own lists.
Why I left the Brahma Kumaris
Why I left the Brahma Kumaris
- • I felt that the principles were causing me more confusion than spiritual knowledge
• I felt that there was less interest or care for people than I had hoped for
• I felt a lot of negative energy especially at the level of jealousy and competition
• I felt a lack of open-mindedness especially in discussing issues and problems with the principles and ideals of the group
• I felt the coldness and fear of intimacy were unhealthy
• I didn’t agree with the principles especially the negative spin on relationships
• The rigidity was a real turn-off
• I saw a lot of weakness in the leaders instead of strength
• I saw a lot of ego in the leaders instead of spirituality
• I started to feel physically weak
• Too many people were physically ill
• I didn’t believe in the karma that instilled guilt
• I felt humiliated by my feelings for a Brother I liked
• I felt disrespected as a human being and as a person
• I was not happy anymore
• I felt very disappointed in the lack of professionalism in the group
• I felt isolated and abandoned
• I didn’t trust the people in the group
• I lost faith in the process
• I lost faith in the group
• The group tried to convince me of things I didn’t want nor believe in
• I thought I found a group I could belong to, but that was not the case
• I thought spiritual seekers were good people and wanted the best for others, but I was let down
• I started to feel paranoid especially because I could read people’s minds
• I was going through high highs and low lows
• I really wanted to have kids and the messages in the Murli about destruction and kids being bad confused me. Also being in love with a Brother became an obstacle to finding someone “normal” to have a relationship with and a child with. I felt really blocked.
- • I liked the positive thinking course
• I liked learning about spiritual values
• I liked meditating and studying spirituality
• I felt that all my questions were answered which completely blew me away
• I was really taken by the sweetness of Sister _____, my first BK teacher
• I really identified with the goodness that was being preached
• My spirits were uplifted and gave me hope that life could still be worthwhile
• I was learning something new and positive
• I learned to pray
• I found a way to channel my hopes and desires for happiness
• I found a way to try to find myself again
• I was spiritually insatiable and couldn’t stop reading and meditating
• I was tired of my life and ready to do something deeper and more fulfilling
- • I found a way to get out of the vicious circle I was in (but found a new vicious circle much harder to get out of!)
• I liked that I thought I was healing (although really I was being hypnotized and numbing myself)
• I liked the self-confidence that being BK brought me (although it became more of a superiority complex than healthy self-esteem)
• Spirituality renewed my hope that I could find a spiritual soulmate (but the Murli dashed it and negated it)