A Contribution to Black History Month Heroes are important. They are not necessarily well-known and may not always be perfect but something about them, be it their courage or determination, their kindness or power to forgive, their tolerance or refusal to give up, touch our hearts and inspire us to keep on going. If they can do what they did, then surely, we can do the same. Join us to listen in on a conversation between Grace Lopez Charles and Samantha Fraser, about the heroes that they would like to celebrate. Speakers: Grace is a retired teacher, lecturer and researcher in the field of Mathematics. For the past 16 years she has been based in Ghana, West Africa, where she coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris there. She is one of three delegates representing the Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations Convention for Combating Desertification. Samantha has been a primary school teacher for nearly 30 years. Although she was born in London, Samantha spent 20 years working in different countries in Africa setting up value based programmes in schools. She also coordinated Brahma Kumaris centres in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.Samantha is currently based at the Global Retreat centre and is the events coordinator.

Beyond the rightness or wrongness of things there is a field, I'll meet you there Rumi Many of us carry the heavy weight of blame - pointing fingers at others, ourselves, or even life itself. And sometimes, we're burdened by guilt for things completely out of our control. This talk explores an important question: how can we release the need for judgment and assigning fault, while still remaining fully accountable for our actions and our lives? Join us to discover how letting go of blame can lighten the load of the past and help us to create a positive future. Speaker: Marcelo Bulk has been associated with the Brahma Kumaris for over 40 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

True unity isn’t about doing away with our differences, it's about embracing them. Indeed our diversity, far from being a weakness, can be the source of our collective strength. Our speaker this evening will explore what lies at the root of divisiveness and ways in which unity can be fostered through creating shared purpose and a genuine attitude of inclusion. Wendy Farrington is a member of the national coordinating team for the Brahma Kumaris in Italy and is an experienced and widely known speaker and teacher. Born in the UK in 1941, Wendy embarked on a very varied and colourful career which included being a member of the Olympic ski team for Great Britain, a dancer and choreographer in Rome, Las Vegas and Canada and even training and presenting a dolphin show in Paris. After coming across the Brahma Kumaris in Paris in 1982, Wendy went on to open the first Brahma Kumaris centre in Rome in 1984, where she is still based.

Just like hitchhikers, during the course of any lifetime, we meet a diverse range of people in various vehicles, some helpful, some fleeting, some impactful. With some, we stay for a long leg of the journey, others just for a brief ride. And like hitchhikers, we are also constantly searching for the lift that can take us to our destination and illuminate the meaning of our lives. Join our speaker tonight to explore the timeless wisdom of the Gita through the lens of Raja Yoga meditation. Denise Lawrence has been a student and teacher of Raja Yoga for 50 years. She has established centres of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University in Europe and North America. An author and broadcaster, Denise is based in France and travels widely offering talks and retreats on spirituality and meditation.

Friendship, whether forged over time or sparked in an instant, is more than just a bond - it’s a thread that weaves through the tapestry of our lives, connecting us to laughter, support and shared moments. This talk will explore the essential elements of friendship, how we cultivate those connections, navigate their complexities and in what ways they contribute to our wellbeing. Speaker: Shantanu Mandal is a graduate in Fashion Design from the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology in Kolkata, India and also holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Shantanu is passionate about values and how they can be lived and applied in the fields of education, well-being, youth and the environment. In 2019, Shantanu was one of seven youths to be funded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to attend COP 25 in Madrid. Since then he has been representing the Brahma Kumaris Youth at a number of high profile environmental conferences. Shantanu is currently living and volunteering for the national coordinating office of the Brahma Kumaris in London.

In a world that prizes outer achievements - we often overlook the invisible force that fuels true resilience: our inner muscle. This talk will explore what it means to develop mental, emotional and spiritual strength and offer practical tools and perspectives to build the kind of strength that doesn’t wear out but grows stronger with use. Speaker: Dr Kala Mistry, who works in community mental health, has been studying Raja Yoga since 1992. She has conducted spiritual and self-development workshops for health professionals and the general public on the themes of self-empowerment and values. Kala has an interest in exploring the relationship between thoughts, feelings and health and how spirituality can lead to improving and maintaining positive mental health.

Holding fixed expectations of ourselves, others or outcomes can be a limitation and lead to disappointment and disagreements. ‘Should’ can be our downfall, closing the door to hidden possibilities. Better to keep an open mind and heart and see life as a continuous journey, often leading to unexpected places and a deeper understanding. Our speaker this evening, Urvashi Patel will be sharing her thoughts, experience and learning on the many aspects of this important topic. Urvashi has been with the Brahma Kumaris from a young age. Originally from Bradford, Urvashi has become an integral part of the International Coordinating Office of the Brahma Kumaris in London. Her friendly and adaptable nature has led her to play a wide variety of roles which span from producing large scale public events to supporting the maintenance of BK centres across the UK. She enjoys teaching Raja Yoga meditation and using practical examples when teaching and sharing.

Self-Respect is the foundation of a vibrant and meaningful life. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we treat others, and how confidently we walk through the world. Imagining your life as a canvas - every choice, relationship and belief adds colour to the picture. Our speaker, Judi Rich, will explore the role self-respect plays in personal growth, healthy boundaries and authentic self-expression. How doubt, fear or the weight of expectations can produce a rather grey existence and how we can re-awaken the colours within. Judi works as a graphic designer and fitness instructor. She also coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris in Calgary which is her hometown. Though the intensity and activity of fitness and the stillness and silence of contemplation may seem incompatible, Judi has found that the opposite is true... that they actually enhance each other and create a sense of well-being when integrated.

Emotional highs and demoralising defeats, tennis offers profound tests of character and spirit. From discipline and resilience to humility and generosity it can become a pathway to inner growth. This evening’s talk will explore the test and triumphs of tennis through a unique spiritual lens, uncovering deeper truths about ego, perseverance and grace. 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.

In a world full of noise, multiple options and instant gratification, true value often hides in plain sight. Discernment is a quiet power that helps us see beneath the surface, weigh what truly matters and make decisions which align with lasting value rather than fleeting appeal. In this evening’s talk we will take a deeper look at this essential ability, its relationship to decision making and how to fine tune the practice. Speaker: Maria Moreno is Emeritus Professor in Organization Behavior at the University of Valencia, with a long experience in researching and lecturing on this matter. She has been a Raja Yoga practitioner and lecturer with Brahma Kumaris for 33 years and coordinates the BK center in Valencia. She is also part of the National Coordinators Team in Spain.. Maria is a member of the BK Council of National Coordinators Secretariat and is currently very active in the organization of international BK programs, training and retreats.

Honouring The International Yoga Day This conversation will explore how we can create a meditation habit and experience 'Raja Yoga' in our life to help us navigate these uncertain times with renewed clarity and peace. It will also include 'yoga moments' with the speakers. Dr Tamasin Ramsay Tamasin Ramsay, from Australia, has been a committed practitioner of Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga for over four decades. She is also an applied anthropologist and conservationalist. A former NGO Representative to the United Nations, she has advocated internationally for animal justice and environmental policy reform. Her recently published book, Custodians of Purity, explores how spiritual living can bring about lasting inner – and so outer – change Jaymini Patel Sister Jaymini, a dedicated Brahma Kumaris educator, speaker, and meditator for over 45 years, is known for her ability to connect across cultures and professions. As Director of Brahma Kumaris Publications in London and Midlands Coordinator, she inspires transformation through communication, leadership, and service. Mentored by Dadi Janki, she promotes unity through interfaith efforts like Diwali in London. Her compassionate approach and strategic insight empower individuals to realise their potential and embrace inner change with the practise of Raja Yoga, as the path to fulfilment. Maureen Goodman Sister Maureen is Programme Director for the Brahma Kumaris UK and the Brahma Kumaris representative at the United Nations, Vienna. A teacher of Raja Yoga for nearly 50 years, she has studied with the world's leading female yogis. Understanding the connection between inner and outer change, she participates in UN environment conferences and is part of the Strategic Circle of the Spirit of Humanity Forum, creating a safe space for dialogue among leaders seeking transformation based on core human values. Hosted by: Kishore Krishan Kishore is a transformational business executive who has integrated Raj Yoga principles to practice value-based leadership in organisations

Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing and being nothing. Aristotle Unless you live like a hermit, criticism is probably inevitable, and some of it may be valid as well. So how well do you handle criticism? Do you get defensive and fire back justifications? Take it personally and let it get under your skin? Or do you just let it slide? Join us for tips on how to handle criticism gracefully and constructively, even when it seems harsh or unfair. Speaker: Neville Hodgkinson is an author and journalist who specialised for much of his career in writing about science and medicine. He has been a student of Raja Yoga for more than 40 years and is based at the Global Retreat Centre in Oxfordshire.