Difference between revisions of "Lifestyle"
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== Lifestyle == | == Lifestyle == | ||
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| + | The BK lifestyle includes a number of practises common to many or even most monastic traditions and high caste Hinduism. It is relativley unique that these are practised whilst the student is living in the secular world, with their families and carrying out full-time employment | ||
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| + | The spiritual disciplines applied include ; | ||
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| + | * [[Celibacy]] i.e. sexual chastity including the avoidance of masturbation, no marriage, no sex within marriage if already married, no physical relationships or romance. | ||
| + | * No socialising with the opposite sex. | ||
| + | * No friends - all relationships to be brother/sister relationships, and only with fellow members of the Brahma Kumaris " [[Family]] ". | ||
| + | * Detachment from one's biological family. | ||
| + | * A [[Sattvic]] lacto-vegetarian diet excluding eggs, onions and garlic and food cooked by non-BKs, including the student's biological family. | ||
| + | * No alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs, pharmaceutical drugs for medical purposes are allowed. | ||
| + | * The wearing of white clothing or otherwise very light coloured clothing with a tendancy towards white kurtas or [[white sari]]s which are natural amongst the India followers. | ||
| + | * Students are discouraged from consuming secular media or entertainment ; cinema, TV, radio, novels or magazines outside of any professional involvement they may have. A limited reading of newspapers and spiritual publications goes on. | ||
| + | * Complete shower or bath after bowel movement and change of clothing. | ||
| + | * Early morning meditation. i.e. [[Raja Yoga]] at 4 a.m. for 45 minutes followed by a daily [[Morning Class]] at 6.30 a.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On average about 2 hours meditiation a day total. | ||
| + | * Regular scheduled moments for meditation throughout the day, which in centres is often signalled by background music being played, known as "[[traffic control]]" | ||
| + | * Regular study of BK [[knowledge]], i.e. [[Gyan]] | ||
| + | * The keeping of a regular [[Chart]] or diary of spiritual growth. | ||
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| + | The degree of intensity with which these disciplines are followed varies from student to student and there is little to no institutional enforcement of them but the more vigorous applicants are considered better than those who do not and [[Instrumental] BKs or those living in and running centres would have to uphold these without fail. | ||
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| + | It is worth noting that this lifestyle was not so fix and concrete throughout the entire history of the organisation and during its early years the practise was much more fluid and organic, whilst still adhering to strict Hindu practises. | ||
Latest revision as of 23:48, 18 May 2006
Lifestyle
The BK lifestyle includes a number of practises common to many or even most monastic traditions and high caste Hinduism. It is relativley unique that these are practised whilst the student is living in the secular world, with their families and carrying out full-time employment
The spiritual disciplines applied include ;
- Celibacy i.e. sexual chastity including the avoidance of masturbation, no marriage, no sex within marriage if already married, no physical relationships or romance.
- No socialising with the opposite sex.
- No friends - all relationships to be brother/sister relationships, and only with fellow members of the Brahma Kumaris " Family ".
- Detachment from one's biological family.
- A Sattvic lacto-vegetarian diet excluding eggs, onions and garlic and food cooked by non-BKs, including the student's biological family.
- No alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs, pharmaceutical drugs for medical purposes are allowed.
- The wearing of white clothing or otherwise very light coloured clothing with a tendancy towards white kurtas or white saris which are natural amongst the India followers.
- Students are discouraged from consuming secular media or entertainment ; cinema, TV, radio, novels or magazines outside of any professional involvement they may have. A limited reading of newspapers and spiritual publications goes on.
- Complete shower or bath after bowel movement and change of clothing.
- Early morning meditation. i.e. Raja Yoga at 4 a.m. for 45 minutes followed by a daily Morning Class at 6.30 a.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On average about 2 hours meditiation a day total.
- Regular scheduled moments for meditation throughout the day, which in centres is often signalled by background music being played, known as "traffic control"
- Regular study of BK knowledge, i.e. Gyan
- The keeping of a regular Chart or diary of spiritual growth.
The degree of intensity with which these disciplines are followed varies from student to student and there is little to no institutional enforcement of them but the more vigorous applicants are considered better than those who do not and [[Instrumental] BKs or those living in and running centres would have to uphold these without fail.
It is worth noting that this lifestyle was not so fix and concrete throughout the entire history of the organisation and during its early years the practise was much more fluid and organic, whilst still adhering to strict Hindu practises.