The Inner Wave

News, insights and experiences from the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK)
Issue 15 Jul/Aug 2011 Our theme for this issue is What is meditation? We look at why and how we meditate and what effect regular practice can have on our everyday lives. If you would like to comment on anything in the newsletter, please write to newsletter@uk.bkwsu.org. All issues can be downloaded at www.bkwsu.org.uk.newsletter. Editorial Team

Easy Meditation

Jim Ryan

Meditation. It is a practice that was widespread throughout the East but its relevance has never been stronger than today. It provides a very effective tool to help us deal with the many trials and tests of the everyday world out there and its so simple to do! Just like with TV, we also sit and watch in meditation, but it is a much more productive type of watching. By simply sitting and watching our own unique and wonderful inner world, we quickly discover our many incredible and special qualities, which provide our lives with the strengths of calm, emotional stability and mental clarity. We all have to deal with different types of stress and worry these days dealing with difficult people and situations, our health, our family, our jobs... The list can be endless and these challenges can often feel like storms rampaging through our lives. But, what can you do? Run and hide? Watch TV and hope it all just goes away? There is a much more practical and lasting solution and it is much easier than you might think.

that youd long forgotten. We just shake out the dust and cobwebs to re-emerge our long hidden but much needed treasures of peace and love and deep awareness. Once recognised and revived and brought into the light of awareness, these powers dramatically influence our life and relationships. And regular meditation practice is the means to keep these active and dynamic, making sure we dont forget and neglect them again. So, each day we view, hold and experience them and allow their energies to influence our thinking and interactions. Through this new energy and vibration you will become calm, soothed and peaceful. Your mind will be clear and awake. And your life will become empowered and meaningful. So isnt it worth spending a few minutes each day in meditation? Jim Ryan is an educationalist and management consultant. He has been a student and teacher of Raja Yoga Meditation with the Brahma Kumaris for over 30 years.

switch Meditation is aboutour outer ing our attention from to our inner world.

So, meditation is about switching our attention from our outer to our inner world by simply focusing on ourselves. What could be easier? Its a bit like having a rummage in the attic and discovering stuff

A new meditation centre for Manchester has opened in the Deansgate area of the city, opposite Manchester Opera House. Dadi Janki, Head of the Brahma Kumaris, inaugurated the renovated building on 18th May, saying, The world needs places such as these, as people are full of worry and fear. Here, people can learn how to transform this worry and fear into hope and happiness.

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre, 14 Byrom Street, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 4PP 0161 834 8016 www.bkwsu.org/uk/manchester

Whats Inside...
page 2&3

Raja Yoga Meditation: The Philosophy and the Practice

page 4

Snapshots From Our Associate Organisations:

Being Stable in Crisis - Japan.
page 4

In My Life:
Joyce Blunn

I keep faith in myself that I can achieve whatever I want to achieve...

page 4

Raja Yoga Meditation: The Philosophy and the Practice

Getting Started

Supreme Peace Supreme Love

I take a few long, deep breaths... As I observe myself doing so, I can feel my thoughts slowing down Within my mind I create the image of my eternal identity the spark of light, the life in this physical costume I detach my consciousness from its identification with matter and come to the awareness of the eternal being With the power of my mind I, the soul, move into a realm of light, beyond all physical pulls In this place of light I come to the Supreme I see the Supreme as a point of light, an infinitesimal spark From the Supreme I begin to feel waves of peace and love reaching me After such a long time, its so refreshing Im connecting again with the Supreme And as waves of peace surround me, I absorb peace within my being

Meditation lowers blood pressure, relieves suffering from angina and arrhythmia, lowers blood cholesterol levels, can enhance blood flow to the heart, enhances the immune function of the body, lessens emotional reactions and lessens the level of pain.

Make an appointment with yourself for 10 minutes each morning and evening Find a quiet place and relax. Subdued light and soft music can create an appropriate atmosphere Sit comfortably upright on the floor or in a chair Keep your eyes open and, without staring, gently rest them on a chosen point somewhere in front of you in the room. Gently withdraw your attention from all sights and sounds. Become the observer of your own thoughts.

Daniel Goleman, psychologist and writer for The New York Times, in The Meditative Mind: The Varieties of Meditation Experience

The ancient Raja Yoga method of meditation, as practised by the Brahma Kumaris, has been taught in the UK for 40 years (and in India for 75 years). The two words Om shanti represent the essence of its teachings: Om means I am a soul and shanti means peace. Hence, I am a peaceful soul. Through meditation you get to know and understand yourself as a spiritual being, a soul, beyond the limitations of your physical identity and the many roles you play in life. The soul is visualised as a point of light in the centre of the forehead remembered in some spiritual traditions as the third eye. In this awareness you begin to rediscover the innate goodness, qualities and strengths within you that you had perhaps forgotten. As you recognise and accept these in yourself, you start to see them in others too. This change in your awareness and your attitude towards yourself, other people and the world automatically improves the quality of your actions and interactions. You learn to choose thoughts and feelings that are peaceful, honest and benevolent and let go of those which are not. You are able to do what you know you need to do - what is valuable, rather than what is fashionable, or what you have always done. You are more in charge of your life. Raja Yoga (Raja sovereign, master; Yoga union) connects you with the unlimited, pure reference point for all that is highest in human nature, with God. Through this relationship you increase your own truth and your own power, and it is this that enables you to bring positive and lasting change in your life.

Dont try to stop thinking, just be the observer - not judging or being carried away by your own thoughts, just watching. Gradually your thoughts will slow down and you will begin to feel more peaceful. Create one thought for yourself, about yourself for example, I am a peaceful being. Hold that thought on the screen of your mind; visualise yourself being peaceful, quiet and still. Stay as long as you can in the awareness of that thought. Dont fight any other thoughts or memories that may come to distract you. Just watch them pass by and return to your created thought, I am a peaceful being. Acknowledge and appreciate the positive feelings and other positive thoughts which may spring directly from this one thought. Be stable in these feelings for a few minutes. Be aware of unrelated thoughts. Finish your meditation by closing your eyes for a few moments and creating complete silence in your mind.

Find out about free Raja Yoga meditation courses around the UK: www.bkwsu.org/uk/whatwedo/courses Try our online audio-visual meditations: www.bkwsu.org/uk/whatwedo/meditation/meditationexp.htm Or our just-a-minute audio meditations, which include special commentaries for children: www.just-a-minute.org/resource_centre

Studies using brain imaging have shown that mental training through meditation can change brain circuits. By increasing co-ordination between different brain areas, it can improve higher mental activity.
Lutz, A., Greischar, L.L., Rawlings, N.B., Ricard, M., Davidson, R.J., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2004); vol 101; pp 16369-73

Meditation is about learning to entertain your mind by talking to yourself, to God and to others with spiritual love. Keep practising this and you will experience such a profound feeling of happiness that you wont want to let it go.
Dadi Janki, Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris

radiating peace into the world.

From Gods Healing Power: How Meditation Can Help Transform Your Life by Sister Jayanti, published by Sterling Ethos, available from www.bkpublications.com and all good bookshops

Recipe: Spinach pie The A-Z Of Spiritual Living K is for Knowledge e

True knowledge puts me in touch with the sweetness of life and makes me equally sweet. From Companion of God by Dadi Janki, available from www.bkpublications.com Filling 3 tbs oil 1.5 kg (3 lb) fresh spinach, washed and chopped 250 g (8 oz) mushrooms, sliced salt and pepper, to taste 250 g (8 oz) plain cottage cheese 90 g (3 oz) Cheddar cheese, grated handful sesame seeds for decoration

Heat half the oil in a saucepan. Add the spinach, stir, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally. Fry the mushrooms separately with the remainder of the oil. Drain the spinach (keep the water for a healthy vitamin enriched juice or stock) and mix with salt, pepper, fried mushrooms and cottage cheese. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Rub in the margarine and add water to make a soft dough. Roll the dough out to 1 cm ( in) thick on a floured board. Grease a 25 x 30 cm (10 x 12 in) oven-proof dish. Place the rolled pastry in the dish and prick the pastry base with a fork before baking. Bake on the middle shelf at 190C/375F/Gas Mark 5 for 5-8 minutes or until golden brown. Once pastry is cooked, spread the spinach mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle with grated cheese and sesame seeds. Place back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve with baked potatoes and salad.

The Brahma Kumaris have been studying and teaching meditation around the world for 75 years and the feedback is that it not only creates it not only creates peace and calm internally but it actually makes you healthier.
Sister Jayanti, Director, Brahma Kumaris

Pastry 250 g (8 oz) self-raising flour pinch of salt 125g (4 oz) margarine cold water, to mix

Snapshots from our associate organisations around the world r e n

Russia: All Colors of Joy, an event celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day in Moscow, organised by Brahma Kumaris (Russia) as part of the Festival of Spring, Love and Light, held in support of the International project Women, It Is Our Time in April 2011. Indonesia: Staff from the Women's Empowerment Unit in Manado, North Sulawesi Utara Province taking part in Anger Management training given by the Brahma Kumaris (Indonesia) at Government House in January 2011.

Japan: Earthquake survivors from Miyagi, Fukushima joined Brother Atam Prakash of Madhuban (the Brahma Kumaris world headquarters in Mount Abu, India) in the Toyko Centre of Brahma Kumaris (Japan), to experience inner peace and calm and learn about Being Stable in Crisis in May 2011.

In My Life
Joyce Blunn
In 1977 my whole life was in crisis. I didn't know which way to turn, so I turned to my Father, God. I released the whole of my situation to Him. He picked me up, straightened me out and stood me back on my feet. He gave me a solution to my every problem and eventually led me to Raja Yoga and the BKs, where I learned to link with Him in all relationships as well as being my Father. Ive learned that God isn't responsible for the mess we make in our lives. First of all we have to face it: "I've made this mess, so I have to clean it up. We can do this with His help and guidance. and why I've got this particular condition and how to stay stable and deal with it in a loving, gentle way. Raja Yoga has taught me always to see things positively and to do everything with love without being judgemental. I can now face things that before seemed impossible. I keep the word success in front of me, no matter what happens. I keep faith in myself that I can achieve whatever I want to achieve, the choice is always mine. Joyce Blunn is one of the Lighthouse Retreat Centre team in Worthing, where she shares in the duties involved in running a busy retreat centre.

Stay Connected

Join our e-mailing list Sign up for The Inner Wave, Thought for the Day messages or events in your area at www.bkwsu.org/uk/mailing_lists

Watch our events and other interviews on our online TV Channel www.blip.tv/BrahmaKumarisUK

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/brahmakumarisuk

in myself I keep faithwhatever I that I can achieve want to achieve...

I've had Parkinsons Disease for 13 years. I used to cry a lot at first but now I see the blessings and benefit in the condition that I have. I have learned so much about myself

Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/brahmakumarisuk

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK) The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK) teaches Raja Yoga as a way of experiencing peace of mind and a positive approach to life. For more information about our activities around the UK, please see www.bkwsu.org/uk
Registered Charity in England & Wales (269971) and Scotland (SC040512)

Next issue: Food and Consciousness