Watch
The Soul - Smartest of All Smartphones | Hans Haiert
Are you aware that you are so smart?
Speaker: Hans Haiert
Hans Haiert takes an entertaining and insightful look at the similarities of the functioning of a smartphone and the interplay of body and soul.
Hans has been a student of the Brahma Kumaris since 1990 and has helped in the coordination of the Munich Centre since 1995. He also assists with BK service on a national level in Germany. His speciality is to look at this spiritual knowledge from the universal perspectives of science, psychology and philosophy. Hans has shared his insights in lectures and seminars in more than 40 countries. A qualified lawyer, specialising in environmental laws, he also holds a degree in economics.
The Worry Habit | Sarah Trueman
"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened" Mark Twain
Is worry written into life? Perhaps it seems inevitable if we have responsibilities to meet, goals to attain, relationships to nurture. But to what extent are worries just habitual thought patterns, well worn scripts we unconsciously replay, that impact our health and wellbeing?
Join our speaker for this evening to unravel some of the threads of this pervasive habit and explore practical steps we can take to break the worry cycle and restore inner peace.
Speaker: Sarah Trueman
Sarah Trueman is an engaging facilitator with a light hearted and down to earth approach. She enjoys sharing the methods she uses to experience self-esteem. Sarah has been a student of Raja Yoga meditation for over 20 years, creating self-development workshops both for the Brahma Kumaris and as a self-employed trainer and coach in the public and private sectors. She currently facilitates and coordinates events and social media for the Brahma Kumaris in Leeds.
Upholding My Own and Other’s Dignity | Maureen Chen
Dignity is a cornerstone of our humanity - both in how we see ourselves and how we treat others. But in this complex and increasingly materialistic world, many people find themselves in very vulnerable situations where loss of dignity is both a fear and a reality. In this talk we will explore what it means to honour our own self-worth while respecting the inherent value of others.
Speaker: Maureen Chen
Maureen is a native of Sydney, Australia, and is currently the Co-ordinator of the Yarra Valley Living Centre, a retreat centre near Melbourne. She is the author of a book: Mystic at the Edge, a Western Woman Coloured by Asia, a deep and reflective spiritual travelogue of her own journey. Maureen has coordinated meditation, leadership and spirituality-based activities and projects in over 50 countries for more than 40 years.
Igniting Enthusiasm | Mathias Steffen
“The real secret of success is enthusiasm.” Walter Chrysler
What happens between the spark of an idea and the manifestation of that idea into reality? Hard work, maybe. Determination, certainly. But the magic ingredient is inspired enthusiasm; that driving force, the flame ignited, the unremitting belief in success.
Our speaker, Mathias Steffen, explores the many different sides of enthusiasm including:
• What lies at the heart of enthusiasm?
• How do we ignite enthusiasm in ourselves and others and what is needed to sustain it?
• What is the opposite of enthusiasm and how can that kill success and fulfilment?
Mathias lives in Switzerland and is a stress and resilience coach and a former headmaster. Since discovering Raja Yoga during his travels in India, Mathias has found that by practically applying a spiritual perspective in his life, he has been able to deal with all sorts of people and challenges in a positive way. Mathias coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris Centre in Zurich and is part of the National Coordinators Team in Switzerland.
The Experience of God’s Unlimited Power | Jim Ryan
Creates new insights | Develops new strengths | Changes old nature
Connecting our mind to the Supreme Mind of God, We experience an incredible rejuvenation of spiritual energy. Everything old is finished and there is a restoration of our original pure self.
Speaker: Jim Ryan
Jim Ryan is an educationalist and human resource trainer who shares from years of personal research and experience in philosophy and meditation. Jim has been a student and teacher with the Brahma Kumaris for over 35 years. He is an author of six books on spiritual philosophy and meditation.
Maha Shivratri | Belonging to the One
A sacred meeting with Lord of the Universe – Vishwanath
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Darshan; pictorial Exhibition available in various languages, and Stage Event showing the spiritual significance, interwoven with dance and guided meditations.
Nestled on the western banks of the holy river Ganges, Shri Kashi Vishwanath, a revered Jyotirlingam, is one of the renowned memorials of God Shiva, reminding us that the entire Universe belongs to the One.
By dipping into the river of wisdom, you will get an opportunity to explore the spiritual significance of attaining liberation and purification.
We invite you to experience the unique, eternal and beautiful relationship with the One, leading to the expression of Universal brotherhood.
A Real Independence | Fiona Ryder and Sarah Fitzgerald
Throughout our lives at different times, we often yearn for independence, whether it be financial, political, or personal. But when we achieve it, the experience of freedom is often short-lived.
Join Fiona Ryder and Sarah Fitzgerald in a conversation exploring:
• what true independence really means and how we can attain it
• what fears or obstacles get in the way of being more independent
• how we can distinguish between providing or taking helpful support and inadvertently fostering over-dependence.
Speakers:
Fiona, who is based in Cardiff, is a mother of three grown up children and a grandmother. Now retired, Fiona has worked for different charities over the years, as well as for her local council, supporting individuals with mental health issues and special needs. Fiona has been practising Raja Yoga meditation for over 30 years and recently qualified as a Naturopathic Nutritionist.
Sarah from Cambridge, UK, is a trained Interior Designer who discovered Raja Yoga in Cambodia in 2009. She now focuses on "real interior design"—inner transformation—and volunteers at the Cambridge Brahma Kumaris centre, supporting events and activities.
The Sweetness and the Sorrow- Exploring the ties that bind | Jude Pemell
How we connect with others and form relationships can fill our lives with meaning and value, or make us deeply anxious, unhappy and insecure. It all depends on the attachment styles we adapt to in our early lives.
Speaker: Jude Pemell
Our speaker, Jude Pemell, explores the significance of different attachment styles, how we form them, the consequences, and importantly, how to transform unhealthy relationship patterns to find the love, peace and stability that we all seek. Relationships can provide fertile ground for our spiritual and emotional growth.
Jude is a Sydney-based writer, filmmaker, and forensic psychotherapist with more than three decades experience in her field. She is also an experienced couple and relationships counsellor. Jude has been meditating since 1983.
Do I Give My Energy Away? | John McConnel
In a world filled with constant demands, emotional interactions and competing priorities, keeping a balance can be a struggle. This talk will explore the signs and impact of energy drains, the importance of boundaries and how we can protect, reclaim and recharge our energy.
Speaker: John McConnel
John McConnel is a stress management trainer and former prison governor and social worker. He has been studying and teaching Raja Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris for over 30 years. John has a strong interest in the practical application of spiritual principles and insights in daily life. He is the author of Breaking Through The Darkness: how to defeat depression, anxiety and stress - a spiritual perspective.
The Heart of Wellbeing | Stewart Wallis OBE & Sister Jayanti
We are living in a time of transformation. Political, economic, environmental, and social challenges are reshaping our world. While these challenges bring instability, they also invite us to imagine something better where all of us, and the planet we call home, can flourish.
Join us for an inspiring conversation where we will:
• Explore the root causes of today’s challenges
• Create a new vision for sustainable living
• Share ideas and practical steps toward collective wellbeing.
This event is an opportunity to connect, reflect, and spark meaningful change.
Speakers:
Sister Jayanti is the Additional Administrative Head of The Brahma Kumaris. Her compassion, clarity, and tireless commitment to the spiritual dimension of life have inspired millions across the globe to make positive changes in their own lives. She is the BK representative, at the United Nations in Geneva and has headed the BK delegations to UN Climate Change Conferences since 2009.
Stewart Wallis OBE, is an advocate for a new economic system. He worked for Oxfam from 1992 to 2002, for which he was awarded an OBE. From 2003 to 2016, he was executive director of the New Economics Foundation. Currently, Stewart is the chair for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll), which is an initiative to create a global new economy movement.
Elevate Your Everyday | Eric Le Reste
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do-list? Are there things you are neglecting that would energise and enhance your life on any level? It’s easy to get stuck in routines and overlook the potential for joy, growth and creativity in even the smallest ways.
Our speaker Eric Le Reste offers some simple yet meaningful strategies to enrich your life and elevate your everyday.
Speaker: Eric Le Reste
Eric has an extensive background as a journalist and producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation news and current affairs programs. For more than 40 years he has been practising Raja Yoga meditation. Based in Montreal, he currently serves as the National Coordinator of The Brahma Kumaris in Canada.
Cultivating Calm | Maureen Goodman
Calmness is the Cradle of Power – Attributed to Josiah Gilbert Holland
Calmness is not just a trait but a powerful skill, much needed in a world that often feels chaotic and threatening. It is not passivity or indifference but a state of emotional balance and mental clarity. Panic clouds judgement while calmness opens the door to thoughtful responses. How do we cultivate calm? Is it a quality of leadership and does calmness work in everyday situations, including resolving conflict?
Speaker: Maureen Goodman is the Programme Director for the Brahma Kumaris (UK) and oversees the University’s activities in areas such as education, youth, women’s issues, interfaith dialogue and the environment. She is the University’s representative at the United Nations, Vienna and is a member of the Executive Circle of the Spirit of Humanity Forum, a platform for leaders to discover new ways to move forward, based on deep human values. Maureen travels widely giving lectures on themes related to spiritual development.