summarise with links what bramakumaris are including core beliefs, origins and practice today
Origin and History
The Brahma Kumaris (officially the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University or BKWSU) is a spiritual movement founded in Hyderabad, Sindh (modern-day Pakistan) in the 1930s by Lekhraj Kripalani (known as Brahma Baba) (my dad was born there and in that timeframe!). Originally called Om Mandali, the group initially focused on chanting and discussing the Bhagavad Gita before evolving into a global organization that emphasizes women’s leadership and education. Today, it operates with over 8,000 centers in 110 countries and claims more than one million members, having registered as a UN NGO in 1980 [Brahma Kumaris - Wikipedia].
Core Beliefs
BKWSU teaches that humans are eternal souls distinct from their physical bodies, a concept known as soul-consciousness. The movement believes in a single Supreme Soul (God or Shiva), depicted as a point of light, who guides humanity through Raja Yoga meditation to achieve union with the divine. Key doctrines include the law of karma, reincarnation, and a cyclical view of time where the current Iron Age is ending and will be replaced by a new Golden Age through a process called the Destruction. Unlike traditional Hinduism, BKWSU teachings are derived from trance-based revelations (called Murlis) rather than ancient scriptures [Brahma Kumaris Info].
Practices and Lifestyle
Members practice open-eyed meditation to purify the mind and maintain soul-consciousness during daily activities. Strict lifestyle disciplines are observed by dedicated students, including complete celibacy, a sattvic vegetarian diet, and refraining from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Daily routines typically involve attending morning classes at 6:30 AM and meditating between 4:00 AM and 4:45 AM. Members wear white clothing as a symbol of purity and engage in world service through education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives, promoting values like positive thinking and self-management [Herzindagi].