ex-l wrote:if "when they came" everyone "stop judging and pointing fingers, began to accept people as they are ... well that is what happened and 2.5 million jews and 50 million others died
In general, 'Awakening" does contain words of wisdom of realizations that we may have during our lives. But reading it will not, I think, actually bring a person to the realizations. We seem to come to realizations through life experiences in our own time. It would be nice if we could read a self help manual and apply it. But we do not seem to work like that for the most part. And they would not, as ex-l points out, be appropriate responses in all situations.
The poem "When they came" points that out quite clearly. And although the poem is so simple, it is chilling and strikes fairly deep. But I would question how many, in a situation requiring the ultimate courage, even with that poem in front of them, would stand up and be counted. Perhaps I am too cynical.
At the same time, I think, in everyday life, the majority of people are reasonably good people, and the "stop judging and pointing fingers" advice is probably intended for those stuck in a phase of bitterness and blame.
The findings of the research into self- help is obvious, even though I have read as many, or more than any one else who have had struggles in life. I have been appalled by seeing the likes of the Oprah Winfrey shows with her angel networks etc. telling people that they change anything by having a positive thought. I do not think her charities are unhelpful of themselves. I just picture the poor in the ghettoes of America, or in a war torn region in Africa, listening to these self-help gurus and getting any solutions. By the same token, she and her self-help guests perhaps help people to some extent, like the research shows, those who are for the most part, pretty sorted anyway.
The Brahma Kumaris positive thinking is another story. Because it is used as a means of getting to the spiritual aspect of one's being, linking into that spiritual aspect and controlling and using people accordingly, it becomes more serious than the self-help manual; which one can pick up and put down.
Especially where there is secrecy and dishonesty, again, as ex-l points out can happen in organizations and leadership (... this may be off topic, sorry, but it is a graphic example of secrecy in the BK organization).
Before the past year (when I found this forum), I had never heard of PBKs, Vishnu Party, et al. I do not want to read the details for the moment. To me, it is going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Now this 'God' is claimed to be speaking through other channels, or if it is not, and the others are false; why would 'God' not speak out about it from the stage in Madhuban. Like I say from the sublime to the ridiculous. I gather that it has been going since 1976 or so. Right through all my time with the BKs, and I knew nothing.
I would have thought, that most people (as I was) are a little wary to get too deeply involved with any organization. I think if there had been such widespread internet access, and sites like this, in the late eighties, I would have been even more cautious.
Just wondering if it is not affecting the recruitment?