- Posts: 135
- Joined: 29 Dec 2018
The level of Body Consciousness with the BKs are way more than what you would find from a non-BK and even an atheist. And these are the folks who are acting as a spiritual organization and deceiving the gullible and enhancing the crooked and business minded.
Here is a post on the passing of a BK (Bless this Soul), that reeks of Body Consciousness and totally unrelated to any "original" BK principles and values. It is actually something that you can find with many people around the world, showing resilience, hard work etc etc the BKs are now "Celebrating" the Sister's life ... whatever that might mean.
NOTE: This is not intended in any sense directed towards the departed Soul. It is intended to show the falsehood in the current BK organization.
Here is a post on the passing of a BK (Bless this Soul), that reeks of Body Consciousness and totally unrelated to any "original" BK principles and values. It is actually something that you can find with many people around the world, showing resilience, hard work etc etc the BKs are now "Celebrating" the Sister's life ... whatever that might mean.
NOTE: This is not intended in any sense directed towards the departed Soul. It is intended to show the falsehood in the current BK organization.
Her beloved mother's name was <...>and her Father's name was <...>. She was raised with her older Sisters, and her younger Brother. Since her mother was Catholic and her Father was Jewish, "Sister" went on to explore religion in her own way. It was important to her to know God - so much so that even though "Sister" couldn't afford the tuition, she still found a way to Hebrew lessons at the synagogue so she could learn more. Even though formal education really did not hold "Sister"'s attention, she always yearned for training in the arts, and she was artistically talented throughout her life. Her creativity knew no bounds.
When she was younger, "Sister" loved being the one in the spotlight who drew people in. She was the life of the party. In high school, her beauty and charisma drew the attention of her school mates and "Sister" was crowned Miss Yonkers High School. Even in high school, "Sister" was determined to explore be adventurous, and to live life to the fullest. One story "Sister" shared was how she decided which classes she would take in high school. She was determined never to take a typing class. And, she made it very clear what her reason was. "Sister" was determined never to be able to fall back into the job of being a secretary. On the contrary, "Sister" wanted to be a trailblazer. She could often be heard saying, "Ready Fire Aim." "Sister" embodied the essence of determination and courage.
After graduating from high school, "Sister" was on the move to California where she took college courses and loved soaking up everything she could. Befriending a group in California who was going to Hawaii, "Sister" joined the group and was off on her next adventure - Hawaii. Here she lived off the land for about a year enjoying the beauty of her teepee and the rich black sand of the beaches of Maui. In Hawaii, she experienced an incident when someone stole her belongings; yet, and so true to her spirit, "Sister" experienced immense liberation in this time of owning nothing.
After Hawaii, "Sister" moved to Florida.
As time moved on, "Sister" continued to dream, to challenge herself, and to overcome any and all obstacles. She absolutely always gave everything her all. It was no surprise when at the age of 20 - when all the other little girls had already had years of ballet lessons - that "Sister" decided to pursue her love of dance and studied ballet. She never once stopped to think how far behind she was. "Sister" always focused on how far she could go. And she did! "Sister" became a ballerina, and performed on-point with a ballet company. Touring after four years of ballet training is absolutely unheard of especially at an age when many ballerinas are retiring. Along the way she also learned how to play the flute and the guitar. "Sister"'s success reflects her own personal commitment, dedication and her own personal motto: NEVER GIVE UP!
At the same time, "Sister" continued her quest to know God and frequently gathered with a small circle of meditators in Florida. In this group, she also met a 2 1/2 year old child, <...>, and her mom, <...>.They would all remain connected for the rest of "Sister"'s life. The meditation gathering was held in a ladies exercise studio and was led by a woman who had profound experiences when her husband passed away. It is here that "Sister" came to understand the three keys of knowing God were: Meditation, Vegetarianism, and Celibacy. And this understanding came to "Sister" 20 years before coming to Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga.
"Sister"'s pursuit of dance training led her to Chicago where she did ballroom dancing, and where she met her husband to be, husband. Together, they settled in Florida, where she gave birth to her beloved son, son; "Sister" relished every aspect of motherhood. Along with motherhood, "Sister" continued to embrace her passion for the arts. In addition to dancing, "Sister" loved to express herself as an actress on the stage; how thrilled she was - and how honored she felt - when cast as the leading lady in many plays. Philosophy was yet another source of exploration for "Sister". She explored many different philosophies, and read different scriptures about different paths to God. Also, "Sister" spent some time in Missouri with the Unity training that is an aspect of mystical Christianity.
After a point, "Sister" made the decision to move to California with her son so she could more fully pursue her aspirations of acting. While there, "Sister" also worked as a director and choreographer. At this time, and as exciting as the dreams of theater may be, "Sister" felt the intense pull of spirituality which drew her to a form of meditation - one that went beyond all the physical masks and reached to the depth of spirituality within the soul. Ultimately, "Sister" would leave California and travel to India. Having heard from husband about the Raja Yoga meditation, "Sister" was eager to learn and decided to travel with husband and son to India to the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Always ready for any challenge, "Sister" studied and learned the entire Foundation Course while on the Airplane to India.
The Knowledge "Sister" gained with this experience struck a chord deep within her, and very soon after, son and "Sister" decided to move back to Florida from California to open a Meditation Center in Delray Beach Florida with husband. "Sister" was the Center coordinator of the Transformation Station with the symbol of the caterpillar transforming to a butterfly at its forefront. Soon after starting to study with the Brahma Kumaris, "Sister" had a major stroke at the age of 42, which completely paralyzed her right dominant side for some months and which partially impaired her right side of the body for the rest of her life. So often, "Sister" told others that she absolutely "never experienced a moment of sorrow from the stroke" even though her beautiful ballerina body had now been transformed practically overnight from the steroids - medicine from which she gained 60 pounds and she now had a limp. Such dramatic physical changes could understandably bring anger and sorrow but not for "Sister". She understood this experience as one of the best things that could have happened to her in the realm of spirituality. "Sister" understood very clearly and viscerally that she was a soul with a body; she was the soul not the body.
Overnight, "Sister" could no longer dance, her balance was off, and her physical appearance had dramatically changed. And yet, it was precisely at this time that "Sister" came to understand - in the deepest and richest sense - precisely what true happiness really is. "Sister" understood that we are souls with a body and not a body with a soul. She wrote a book, The World is Full of Sorrow but You Don't Have to Be. Impaired by her stroke but determined as ever she painstakingly used used one finger, moving over the keyboard.
Although the effects of her stroke may have presented some challenges, "Sister" remained determined not to let any physical changes hold her back. Always eager to learn, "Sister" picked up a paintbrush at son's urging - adjusting to using her left hand after the stroke. As her Sister always told her, ""Sister" your artistic signature is the poignancy of the soul as captured through your presentation of the eyes one look at the eyes and you knew it was a "Sister" Bhen creation." She channeled her artistic ability into painting which she found she loved. It was also after her stroke that "Sister" enrolled in Full Sail University and pursued a bachelor of science degree in graphic design. Again, not one to limit herself, "Sister" graduated at the age of 60 as Valedictorian of her class, and was awarded the Advanced Achievement Award. When she delivered her acceptance speech "Sister" spoke from her heart and shared with everyone the importance of never giving up and overcoming obstacles.
After sharing her message, everyone stood and shared their hearts with "Sister". After graduating, "Sister" continued to stretch and to grow in her knowledge of graphic design and went on to illustrate books and work on a variety of freelance projects. If at any time a project required technique with which "Sister" was unfamiliar, she simply did everything in her power to learn everything she could - every single project was given absolutely all she could "Sister" set her own high bar.
"Sister"'s journey of self transformation was a life-long journey. As part of this process, and as part of the natural teacher she was, "Sister" loved to share her own experiences with the meditation students over the last 25 years. She did so with a love and joy in her heart and remained true to her own philosophy: the impossible can become possible...for what is not possible with God.
There are many highlights of "Sister"'s life - relationships and special moments experienced with joy and love the day her beloved son stood on the beach and exchanged his wedding vows with his own beloved Suzy is an especially beautiful memory. Her son son married Suzy on the beach in a beautiful ceremony and some Years later the birth of her precious grandson William was an overwhelming gift so like "Sister", she poured her love for William into a beautiful lullaby that she wrote just for him.
So many beautiful moments were shared with husband's daughter, Malaika - who called "Sister" her beloved Meme "Sister". Malaika has had the privilege to train in music and dance from a young age and "Sister" so enjoyed nurturing Malaika's talent and attending Malaika's dance performances, school programs and musical recitals.
"Sister"'s life is a life that she celebrated. It is a life that she traveled with dignity, love, courage and gratitude we now celebrate your life, "Sister". We thank you for sharing your journey with us Om Shanti.