A person without a sense of humour is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road. Henry Ward Beecher Humour has the power to bring people together, smooth interactions and help us to overcome challenging or even potentially embarrassing situations with a light touch. But humour can also be divisive and be wielded at the expense of others. So where does humour spring from and how can it be used as a means of uplifting others along with enhancing our own ability to heal and navigate through life with equanimity? Speaker: Mathias Steffen 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.

No, may be a grammatically complete sentence but most of know that when we use it, the recipient’s raised eyebrows, or expectant expression, has usually led us to on to justifying our ‘no’ and sometimes even reneging altogether. How can we feel comfortable with a straight and simple no? How can we create healthy boundaries in our relationships, without getting defensive or aggressive? And how can accept the No’s of others, without feeling offended or rejected? Speaker: Lotta Arbman Mostly based in Stockholm, Lotta is the National Coordinator for Brahma Kumaris in Sweden. At heart, Lotta is an inquisitive dreamer with an artistic background in illustration and painting. For some 13 years, Lotta has been able to combine her creative flair with her administrative skills as Secretary to the Spirit of Humanity Forum. The Forum is a platform for leaders to discover new and innovative ways to move forward, based on deep human values.

Anxiety is a state of dis-ease, which disturbs our peace of mind, spoils our relationships, damages our health and takes the joy out of living. It is an understandable but not inevitable reaction to living in a world which seems to be spinning out of control. A chronic sense of indecisiveness, uncertainty, self-doubt and apprehension are all indications that a major shift of perception, rather than a temporary shift in circumstances may be required if we are to regain our natural state of calmness and live more from love rather than from fear. Join Marcelo Bulk to explore what you can do – or not do - to become free from anxiety! Speaker: Marcelo Bulk Marcelo has been associated with theBrahma Kumaris for 38 years and is the National Co-ordinator of the University’s activities in Colombia. He has worked as a business consultant and facilitator with several major companies in Latin America, Asia and Europe and is currently associated with the Union Consulting Group in Colombia and the Oxford Leadership Academy (UK). Marcelo lectures internationally on topics related to self-leadership, human values and meditation and is the author of The Pathway towards Leadership published in Spanish and Portuguese.

Talanoa fosters stability and inclusiveness in dialogue, by creating a safe space that embraces mutual respect for a platform for decision making for a greater good.” UNFCCC website. Join the Brahma Kumaris in partnership with Faith for the Climate as a contribution to London Climate Action Week, with a special focus on Africa, on the road to COP27. Inspirations from key speakers. Maureen Goodman is the Programme Director for the Brahma Kumaris UK and the Brahma Kumaris (BK) representative at the United Nations, Vienna. At COP26, she contributed to workshops and dialogues on the ethical and spiritual dimensions of climate change. Canon Giles Goddard has been Vicar of St John’s since September 2009. He is Chair of Faith for the Climate, which endeavours to support faith communities in their work on climate change, and is a member of the Church of England’s Environment Working Group. John Ndiritu is a Professor of Water Engineering in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a keen meditator and has been conducting research on the effect of consciousness on water and its applicability to sustainable farming. Take part in one of the group dialogues: Fair and Resilient Climate Transitions Adaptation and Ambition Inspiring Effective Climate Action Restoring our Sacred Relationship with the Land

A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you. Elbert Hubbard Instant access social media interactions can never replace the delight, depth, comfort, and sustaining security of face-to-face, heart-to-heart friendship. Yet how often do we have the opportunity for such quality interactions in today’s busy, fragmented world? What do we need to do in order to create meaningful friendships and nurture those bonds so that they endure over time? Speaker: Aruna Ladva Aruna’s first encounter with spiritual truths and experience of meditation was at the age of 8. Her deep personal experiences led her to realise her purpose by the time she was 14. For over 37 years Aruna has been practising meditation and has become an accomplished spiritual author. She also has her own blog. Aruna is fortunate to have the blend of two cultures – the East and West! She was born in Kenya, educated in England, worked in Canada, and has lived in various other parts of the world and travels regularly to India. Aruna is an experienced and dedicated teacher of Raja Yoga meditation and has helped to establish centres in Canada, Turkey, Bahrain and Kuwait. She is currently based at the Global Retreat Centre near Oxford.

In this world of rivalry and competition true cooperation is something rare. Whether it is at work, at home or in the community, cooperation is an essential ingredient which fosters unity and a sense of belonging. However, sometimes it seems that the more we try to cooperate the more resistance we meet. Find out how we can overcome barriers to cooperation both in ourselves and others and create the conditions in our lives for cooperation to naturally emerge. Speaker: Helen Sayers A school teacher by profession, Helen’s work has taken her to many different countries including England, Kenya, Swaziland and Canada. Her passion for integrating values into teaching and learning led her to become part of the Living Values Education movement and to become a trainer in the LVE experiential approach. Helen later founded and directed Oasis Life-Skills Training Company in Oman where she provided capacity building workshops at various educational and government organisations. Helen now spends her time between France and her native Jersey where she helps to care for her elderly parents.

Our world has been led in some pretty dark directions, not by leaders inspired from within, but by those under the influence and impulse of the ego. Let’s stop waiting for a lone wolf hero to save the day, and become our own leaders, by defining and then living according to a higher purpose, vision, mission and values and becoming the changes we wish to see in the world. Speaker: Ken O’Donnell Ken O’Donnell is a dynamic, stimulating speaker and a widely experienced consultant who has lived and worked extensively on five continents. Ken has a natural ability to question common assumptions in the business and personal development contexts in order to stimulate 'out of the box' thinking and greater creativity. Using an empathetic and supportive approach, he has coached individuals, teams, public figures, and executives to help them deal calmly and sensitively with the challenges of working in a complex world whilst managing the issues that sustainable development brings to all. Ken's wealth of experience within so many different cultures has given him the skill to help and motivate others thus enhancing leadership skills, building resilience and improving productivity and communication at all levels.

It’s a popular spiritual cliché, that we are human beings not human doings. But when the tasks and demands seem endless, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, and then confused about priorities. Often it’s our own needs that end up at the bottom of the to-do list. How can we stay on top and stay calm, even if the world won’t stop for us? Speaker: Margaret Barron Margaret has been studying Raj Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris for 30 years which has supported change in all areas of her life. She has particular interest in how transformative thinking and personal practice work together to make spirituality practical for everyday living. She has a degree in Adult Education & Training and works as an Empowered Living Consultant.

Going around in circles sounds like a nightmare for anyone focused on getting somewhere. However sometimes, in our rush to get ‘somewhere’ we end up going in circles. Although annoying, it is also important, as it helps us to discover what we missed the first time around. For a linear mind the circle feels like an obstacle, but for a wise soul, the circle is the way forward. Speaker: Matthew Earl Matthew is a science graduate and former ‘spiritual sceptic’. An interest in self-development led him to explore meditation, and he began teaching to pass on insights and techniques that he used to quietly take all areas of his life to a completely different level. He takes simple & profound methods that work practically, and communicates them to great effect. Now based in London, Matthew teaches Raja Yoga meditation through courses, talks, and workshops.

When someone says: ‘Just forget it’, it’s easier said than done. Those old hurts buried inside can easily get triggered again and again and when the mind gets distressed, forgiveness and forgetting seem far away. In this evening’s talk our speaker will explore how we can finally learn to let go, soothe our hearts and move on. Speaker: Belinda Westcott Belinda is a member of the National Coordinating team of the Brahma Kumaris in South Africa and is currently based in Port Elizabeth. Belinda has overcome many challenges in her life and speaks from her own experience with great clarity and authenticity.

Yoga means to yoke, to connect, to be at one with out higher selves or witht he highest Source. But how do we know when we are connected or disconnected? We feel it! Emotions come and go, as the scenes of life change, but the feelings of a yogi are of a different realm altogether. Come and find out how to feel the soul, through the beautiful inward journey of yoga. Sister Jayanti has been a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Raja Y oga for over 50 years. She is the Additional Administrative Head of The Brahma Kumaris and their NGO representative at the UN in Geneva. She works tirelessly to promote positive human, spiritual values to all sectors of society. Her wise and compassionate insights shine a light of clarity and relevance on the complex issues of today.

Meditation is always very personal; the practice is more an evolving relationship than a technique...and it's easy. Gudrun Duwe offers simple and practical approaches that inspire experimentation. Speaker: Gudrun Duwe Gudrun loves meditation. She has practised Raja Yoga meditation for over 30 years. Gudrun is part of the team at the Global Retreat Centre near Oxford, where she lives, works and teaches. Known as a down to earth practical person she enjoys grounding her spirituality with hands on garden work.