Dadi Prakashmani Dadi Janki Dadi Gulazar

Ageing offers us the gift of wisdom gained through experience and those of us who are fortunate enough to sit with our elders and listen to them deeply can have the privilege of receiving some of this precious gift. A few years ago the opportunity arose to ask three of the Dadis (Senior Sisters) who are the Spiritual Leaders and Administrative Heads of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University to reflect on what they have come to understand about some of life's most interesting topics. In the pages that follow, Dadi Prakashmani (Administrative Head), Dadi Janki (Additional Administrative Head) and Dadi Gulzar (Joint Administrative Head) share their thoughts on a variety of subjects including participation, well-being and self-fulfilment. Aged now between 76 and 86, the three Dadis came to the Brahma Kumaris as young girls where they studied under the care of Dada Lekhraj, the founder of the Brahma Kumaris, who came to be known as Brahma Baba. With him as their mentor, they learned about participation in society and how men and women can work together in full partnership and complete respect for one another; they developed a deep sense of well-being as they served in a university run as a family and that modelled a new way of being in the world; and they experienced profound personal fulfilment as they cultivated an appreciation of their own specialities and those of others with whom they lived and worked. When Brahma Baba passed from this life over thirty years ago, he turned over the legacy of the Organization he had founded in 1937 to these capable leaders who had come to it in their youth. Looking back on many decades of spiritual reflection and world service, they now offer the wisdom they have gained for the benefit of a new generation that must take up the challenge of leadership in these delicate yet significant times. What becomes clear in their warm and personal reflections is their total dedication to God, often affectionately referred to as Baba (meaning Father) their love and respect for Brahma Baba and their immense love and regard for one another. In the crystal clarity of their answers, one can immediately sense the practical, transformational power of true love and respect, selfless service and cooperation, honed to near-perfection over the last 33 years during which they have been at the forefront of the University. As they themselves would remind us, if young girls from a country such as India can gain the wisdom needed to lead a half-million-person worldwide organization that models a new way of being in the world, then each of us can certainly learn these things too and put them to work in service to help bring about a better world. March 2002

Discovering One's Specialities At this point in your life, it is very clear to everyone what your specialities are. Can you think of a time earlier in your life when you first began to understand your specialities? Dadi Prakashmani: At the very beginning when I came across the Organization, I had the experience that I was dedicating my life to God, the Supreme Father, the Supreme Soul. At that time I had this very clear feeling that my future was going to be a very bright one and that I was dedicating my life for the upliftment of the world. In October 1936, when I was fourteen years old, I had the experience of a divine vision. I was in a huge garden and far away into the distance there was a white light out of which came the image of the deity Krishna who started playing the flute in front of me. I began to experience great joy and happiness. Then within a few moments I saw another image, of someone dressed in white looking like an angelic figure. And again I was experiencing joy. Then one day my father said to me: "Child, Dada Lekhraj gives lectures; would you like to go and listen to him?" The place where Brahma Baba (Dada Lekhraj) was giving the lecture was very close to where we lived. When I got there I heard him reciting the Om chant. As I looked at Baba reciting, I once again experienced the same scene, the same garden, the same light, that same deity and that same figure dressed in white. From that moment on my interest in spiritual life grew more and more. Seeing my growing interest, my parents felt very pleased with me because they felt that my life too could manifest the specialities of a higher purpose. Dadi Janki: My speciality, if I were to speak of it as a detached observer, is truth and humility. Whatever is fixed in the drama of life, the actor knows the part he or she has to play as time goes on. It is humility and truth that makes me recognize my own speciality and when I have recognized that then I don't feel that the task is a big one. The other aspect that I pay attention to is to be the same inside and outside - spiritual integrity. My nature is such that I don't like to make superficial efforts. If I ever come to a point in which things are happening superficially, it is then that I may get confused. I do not compare myself with anyone; I do not compete with anyone. Call it what you will, my speciality or my deep inner feeling. I aim to serve everyone with love. I never look at anyone as young, old, intelligent, not intelligent, rich or poor. I simply do what I have to do for that individual. God is the merciful one, the loving one, the compassionate one and no matter what someone may have done, when they want to take refuge they come to God and feel that they have found a place of rest and comfort for themselves. As a child of God, I too should be available, so that anyone can come to me when they are in situations of difficulty. Dadi Gulzar: When I first came onto the spiritual path I was very young. As I continued to receive sustenance from spiritual teachings under the guidance of Brahma Baba, I began to understand and experience spiritual knowledge. This helped my to manifest themselves. I was 10 years old and Brahma Baba used to say that I was like a little thakur (a small image of a deity made either of silver or gold and kept in people's homes for personal worshipping). He would say: "This is what you are, an image of a deity." I was able to experience a spiritual sense of worth from a very young age and because of this it was as if the speciality of divine virtues naturally became part of my being. My nature from the very beginning was to be in solitude, to be very peaceful and to be very silent. I spoke very little and very softly and this became my speciality. This speciality helped to eliminate negativity and waste from my way of thinking and this allowed me to stay in the experience of deep silence. My intellect remained very alert at having the power to catch whatever was being conveyed to me accurately. For communication to take place here, the intellect needs to be very clear. Clarity of intellect became my speciality from a very young age and it remains my speciality today.

Discovering your Role in Service: You play a very clear and special role in the service that you do, but perhaps it was not always so clear. Can you describe a time when you first came to understand the role you would play in service? Dadi Prakashmani: I always have the thought that I have dedicated my life to bringing benefit to the world. As a young woman it was as if I lived in anticipation of the days when I would become an instrument for world benefit on the basis of following elevated universal spiritual principles. I always felt that God knew my future at every moment, and at every second, and because of that I felt that I was inspired to maintain spiritual enthusiasm and to serve many other souls. I felt no dependency on anyone. I had love for everyone and everyone had love for me. From this I could understand that my role was a rather unique one. Dadi Janki: I have never ever thought whether my role is clear or not. Some people feel that they want to know what their role is before playing it. I have never thought that I don't have a role to play. What is real will begin to take shape naturally. I have never imagined that my role should be up front and that I should be well-known to everyone. What definitely has helped is that Brahma Baba had many hopes in me. I have never thought that I would be able to serve in the way that I do today, but the hopes that Brahma Baba has had in me are instrumental in bringing me this far. I remember a time when I thought to myself: "What can I do? I do not know how to give lectures. My body is not that strong; my appearance and personality is not very striking. I am just a little girl. So what can I do? What will be my fortune?" I remember sharing this with Brahma Baba. And he said: "Child, your fortune is in God's hands.' From that moment on, I felt that my fortune is in God's hands and so I do not need to worry or have doubts. Usually, when a patient tells a surgeon his problem the surgeon understands instantly what he needs to do. But in order to please the patient he would allow him to explain in detail. In the same way, whatever situation a person may be relating to me, I am aware of the essence of what needs to be done to resolve the problem. Resolving situations and issues is a question of being in silence and solitude so that one may think very deeply. When one becomes extroverted then there is confusion, but when one goes inside then things become very clear. To go inside in a silent and thoughtful way allows the intellect to remain open and one can serve others at the moment of need. Dadi Gulzar: My role became clear when I was first exposed to the subtle dimension of spiritual experiences. I was 15 years old. It was the first time that the whole aspect of the subtle dimension of the self was being clarified and the process of transformation was becoming clear. It was from this time that I began to realize my responsibility of going into this subtle dimension, describing the experiences there clearly and writing them down accurately. All of this came to me as a gift, which I accepted.

Knowing what God wants you to do: What are the ways in your experience that God reveals what He wants you to do? Dadi Prakashmani: At amritvela (early morning meditation) I am shown a scene or given an inspiration of what God wants me to do. I think about it after having seen that scene and then I verbalize it to others. By sharing it with the family, the inspiration becomes filled with more enthusiasm and the cooperation of the collective to put that idea or inspiration into practice. Dadi Janki: Before I go anywhere, I first go to the meditation room and sit in silence. I then receive an experience of what I should be sharing as a message. I don't ask the question what to do. My attitude is that whatever I need to do will become clear once the time is right. Let me do what needs to be done at that particular moment rather than thinking of what has to be done tomorrow. Whenever I am asked what should be done tomorrow, my answer is: "Let us see what needs to be done today. Let us work second by second." The subtle aspect to understand here is that whatever are God's inspirations will definitely happen through us, His instruments. I remember visiting the United Nations in the late 1970s and as soon as I set foot on the U.N. grounds I had the thought that this is a place of world service. I do not think in advance that I want to visit a particular place. But once I am personally present in these places, I have the experience that wherever it might be that I place my feet I am there to serve. Dadi Gulzar: I understand what God wants from me through His teachings and through personal signals in my meditation. I never felt the need to ask God for anything. Whenever I make myself present in front of Him, then, in the form of a blessing, I experience him to say: "Child, this is what you should do." And this inspires from within me the response: "Yes, this is what I need to do." I feel that whatever I am being asked to do will be meaningful to me and will bring benefit to the whole world.

The different roles of men and women: One of the unusual things about the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is the clear designation of women to fill the major leadership roles. What is your understanding of the reason for this choice and how does it work in a practical way; that is, how do women leaders in this Organization take advantage of the specialities of men? How does equality fit into this relationship? Dadi Prakashmani: The first head of the Brahma Kumaris was Jagadamba Saraswati, whom everyone called Mama. Brahma Baba saw that women in Sindh were kept behind the curtain. They played the role of being at home and of being subservient. Brahma Baba gave a lot of respect to women. He felt that as long as women were not awakened spiritually, the world could not awaken. In India there is great worship of the goddesses, the Shiva Shaktis. These Shiva Shaktis were known to destroy evils through their spiritual weapons. Brahma Baba told us that the day would come when women would play spiritual roles of destroying ignorance and evil and of uplifting the world. I always work with the brothers as my equals because the foundation of the future lies in this spiritual equality, in love and respect. I also know that our brothers are the ones who are very wise, clever and sensible. The brothers are called Pandavs (guides), Mahavirs, the brave and courageous ones, and so even though the sisters play the leadership roles, they do so by respecting and honouring the role of the brothers as equally important and not one that is subservient or inferior. Dadi Janki: This is not about pushing others aside and putting myself forward. Even in the early days of the Organization, when the ratio was 100 sisters to one brother, the role of the brothers would be considered a very important one by all of us. The brothers who were with us had more of a public relations role. Their role was to go out and meet with leaders in the community. In a world where men were considered to have a lot of authority and domination, the brothers and sisters were placed in an environment of spiritual growth and learning based on equality and respect. At the present time, our brothers are very well educated with a lot of experience of global issues and yet they have a lot of respect for the wisdom of the Dadis. I have witnessed in our meetings that the brothers sometimes go into lengthy discussions but when one of the Dadis gives a suggestion it is received with a lot of regard and its unique perspective is truly appreciated. The brothers have intellectual power and the sisters have the subtle power of faith in the intellect. These two powers maintain an effective balance, as both are essential. It has been remembered in Indian mythology that brothers are pandavs and sisters are shaktis. The beauty of equality is to see and respect each one's role and to recognize the contribution of each one's role. Dadi Gulzar: In the area where I was born, women played a secondary role in society. They were not allowed outside, they were as if locked up indoors, surrounded by four walls. They were required to dress in a specific way, covered from head to toe with just enough open space for the eyes to see! No matter how hot it was they were made to dress in this manner, sweating under very thick fabric. Brahma Baba thought: "Why is it that women are being treated in such a degraded manner? It is always men who play the role of gurus, the ones who gave spiritual teachings, but why can't women do the same? Women have the qualities of tolerance, love, renunciation and nurturance and so why are they treated as second-class citizens?" The other important aspect as to why women were chosen to play leadership roles in the realm of spiritual teachings is because the ideas that were being taught were very new and different. If women share spiritual knowledge in a gentle manner,it has a quieting effect on people's intellects. Even if someone were to disagree with what they are saying and start to argue, their response would be to quieten them, speaking in a patient and respectful manner. Cooperation between men and women is absolutely essential. We never think that we women have a higher and greater role than the men, no! I see this cooperation as being like that which occurs in the body; there is a right arm and a left arm, a right leg and a left leg, and both are necessary. It is important for the two to work together. In the same way, we recognize that men and women need to work together as agents for world benefit.

Modelling Cooperation and Partnership: In running the Organization a pattern of cooperation and unity seem to have developed. How do you work in partnership to make decisions? Can you think of a time when there was disagreement among you as to how something should be handled? What did you do? Dadi Prakashmani: We are a family whose values are love, faith, acceptance and respect. I learn how to listen to other people's ideas with a lot of respect. When I listen to another's ideas with respect, they are then able to do the same with others, and on that basis we are able to work with cooperation, oneness and unity. When somebody has a talent or virtue then my job is to be able to inspire him or her to use it for service to the world. We learn that we are all equals. I am not a leader, and nobody is a follower of a leader here. Nobody is a disciple of a guru here. All of us are gathered as equals and are helping in the task of world benefit. That is why no laws or orders are imposed upon anyone. Everyone naturally follows everything according to his or her understanding and capacity. In this world nothing belongs to anyone personally, we hold everything in trust. This is why nobody should claim that this or that is his or her personal property. Everything that is here has been given to us to look after as trustees. All of us here are trustees of that which belongs to God. With this understanding all resources are used with honour, honesty and faithfulness. This is why there are no selfish desires. We are all dedicated to serve humanity. In situations where there is selfishness and desires, even at a subtle level, I would personally intervene and in a gentle manner give a signal that there is no point in having any selfish desires here because all of us are trustees. What we have has been given to us by God to look after in trust; it's neither yours nor mine. When someone is given a signal with respect and with love then they instantly accept it. My approach is to take advice from everyone and do everything with unity and oneness. When there is unity and oneness then there is success. And together with success there is cooperation. It is with cooperation that a better world is created. So first, whenever something needs to be done, a group of us gets together to talk about it, taking into consideration everyone's ideas. In this way we collectively take on the task. By working together in this way, we finish any duality in a practical way and create harmony. Dadi Janki: The training from the beginning has been never to impose one's ideas or thoughts on others. Whoever has an idea is welcome to put it forward. Then the opinions and ideas of others are offered in relation to that. Usually when there are meetings everyone has opinions to offer from their own perspective. We Dadis do not have the habit of speaking constantly and offering opinions from our personal perspective. I have observed that when there is a lack of understanding of an idea or opinion offered, others would quickly react to it in a forceful manner. This is something we don't do. We do not react to anyone's idea or opinion in a swift and forceful manner. Whatever idea or opinion is offered we will accept it with love. Even if that which is offered is not right or appropriate, we will not react or reject it instantly. When a group of us sits to decide on an issue and nothing seems to be gelling, that is we are not in agreement with what is the right response or approach to the issue at hand, then we will agree to leave it alone for some time and go into silent reflection. After this period of reflection it becomes clear as to what we have to do. This ensures that our decisions are taken for the benefit of the whole and are not biased in favour of this one's opinion or the other one's idea. In this way no one can boast that his or her idea worked well. It is the presence of subtle ego that spoils the outcome. The absence of ego makes the task easy. Service, relationship with others and love - all three are important ingredients for success. It should never be that I get so caught up with service that love and relationship with others are spoilt. This cannot be called service. The project will happen any way but if love is not maintained in relationships then I myself will not experience any attainment from that service. What is the memory in my own heart from having done something? The important question to ask oneself is: "When I came into relationship with people, to what extent was I able to maintain love?" This is the real cooperation that I have to give. Dadi Gulzar: Sometimes there are a few individuals who would have different ideas from the majority, but we don't say to these individuals, at the time that they are expressing their ideas: "Why don't you cooperate?" Or: "Why don't you do this, or that?" We accept their ideas with good wishes, love and respect at the time they are given. However, when the opportunity is right, we request the person in a gentle manner to cooperate with the majority, and we try to find out why they are forcefully pushing their ideas. Sweetness in words, tolerance in attitude and the ability to give sustenance should all be put into our actions and be part of our conversations.

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Passing on the legacy: In 1969 when Brahma Baba left his body he handed over the legacy of what he had created to a group of you to continue. At the time that this occurred did you feel you were prepared to honour this legacy entrusted to you? Dadi Prakashmani: First of all, I don't think that the legacy was passed on to me. I am just doing my duty. Every step I take, I take with great love and I follow spiritual principles. I was with Brahma Baba when he left the body and at that time I had the experience that he filled me with light and willpower. He placed his hand in my hand and gave me the experience of light, and with that light he made me fly to spiritual heights. In that moment I felt as if I received all blessings. This is how I feel, that I am moving forward with blessings, and that I am also receiving blessings from everyone else. In order to bring benefit to others, we need to be the ones with a merciful heart, with a big and generous heart. It is only through self-transformation that there will be world transformation. Dadi Janki: When Brahma Baba left the body in 1969, the legacy was entrusted to Didi Manmohini and Dadi Prakashmani. As for me, I always had the feeling Brahma Baba knew me, that he recognized me. So when he left, there was a little bit the feeling: "Who is going to know me now?" It was a feeling that something new was going to happen. This made me deeply silent inside. The other thing is that Brahma Baba always taught the morning spiritual class and so the thought arose: "From whom will I listen to that now?" Listening to Brahma Baba sharing spiritual knowledge was something I enjoyed a great deal. Gradually it became clear that we would have to share with others the spiritual sustenance that we had taken from Brahma Baba. There was also the recognition that some people bring their qualifications to the role they play, others are given a role to play and the qualifications come after that, while a third variety is of those who continue to make quiet, incognito effort by themselves and begin to play their roles accordingly. So I understood where I fitted in! It was not that I fluctuated inside trying to understand this, but a little bit of patience brought the answer. At this point in your life, do you feel that you will pass on this legacy to others, and if so, how? This is something that I don't think about. God is responsible. Brahma Baba used to do this all the time; he would give a certain duty to someone and they would be carrying out the duty very well and then suddenly he would change their responsibilities. At the time he did this no one would ask him why he made the change. Nor would they say to him that the work could not take place without that particular person. This was demonstrated when Mama (Jagadamba Saraswati) left her body. Even though she played such a pivotal role in the administration of the Organization, everything carried on after she had left. People are being prepared in a natural way to step into their roles as is required by time. Dadi Gulzar: We are just instruments and God is the One who is responsible. We are inspired to do and so the intellect is not heavy and burdened with responsibilities; this would hamper the ability to make the right decisions. This Organization can never fall into pieces or disintegrate; this is my faith. The One who has created it will continue to sustain it. Brahma Baba saw himself as an instrument and never thought about who would carry on the legacy after him, so we don't need to think who will carry on after us. We just need to do what has been assigned to us to the best of our ability.

Modelling a New Form of Governance: What is the new form of governance being created now? What are the characteristics and values of this type of governance? Dadi Prakashmani: We have been taught that we souls are originally pure and that by coming into body consciousness we became impure. It is time for us to return to that stage of purity and so we have to conquer what are known as the vices, which are our greatest enemies All of us are aware that we have to be pure now, in our thoughts, our vision, our attitudes our actions and in our behaviour to such an extent that we are able to live those values in a practical way. We talk of "living values" because they are practised in our lives right now. We bring about transformation within ourselves on the basis of spiritual knowledge and with the practice of meditation. On the basis of this we are able to conquer body consciousness in the form of ego. Only when values are lived can there be a better world. Dadi Janki: The preparation of a world based on truth is happening here. We know that this will exist in the future as a world of divinity. At present we see ourselves as a family and this is why no matter how many of us there are, there is always the feeling that this is our family. It is an organization in the sense that there is a huge task with many activities going on. Everyone is happy and is carrying out his or her own responsibilities. There is the awareness that if we desire a world based on the principles of truth and non-violence in the future, everything should be conducted with love, happiness and peace in the present. There is also purity and honesty, which ensures that nobody will cheat or lie. There is a sense of being a trustee in which no one is possessive or acts from selfish motives. Here we are practising and filling within ourselves the characteristics that are important for governance in our future world. These characteristics, which are being practised now by individuals, will become natural in our future policies. It is as though we are shooting the film now and then it will play automatically in the future. Dadi Gulzar: At this moment we are a family. Love, respect and tolerance are the values we live by now. These values become part of the personality of human beings. One cannot set up a system that forces others to live by these values. The values need to become part of human characteristics and not only part of a system. When there is faith in relationships, even when one has a difference of opinion one would look for the reason for the opposition and try to resolve it. Respect for one another is to listen to the ideas of the other and not to dismiss them. These qualities need to be lived by individuals in the present in a loving and respectful environment before they can become effective policies in our future systems.

Ways of building strength and support: Given the extraordinary size and scope of the task of the University, and the relatively small number of people who are directing this task, what are the ways in which you have found to support one another - especially in times of special challenge? Dadi Prakakashmani: The one source of support is to recognize whose task it is. I see world benefit as the task of God. I see Him as Karankaravanhar (the One who does and inspires others to do). No matter how huge the task may be, He is the one who inspires others to make the task happen. Challenges come we have the consciousness of "Yours and mine" and "You and me". Dadi Janki: Our faith in each other and our spiritual love for each other is very strong. It is this love and faith in each other that gives support. This works in many ways. It is not just faith in One but faith in one another. This faith does not only exist among the Dadis and other Seniors but it exists in all of us, and it is because of this faith that all things are accomplished. Many say to me that it was because of my faith in them that they were able to be successful. To have faith in another and to trust another is the real, true and subtle support. Dadi Gulzar: To follow the spiritual principles in life gives us courage. On the basis of this, we support one another. For example at amritvela (early morning meditation) we communicate with one another subtly, through thoughts and feelings. And this is the basis of our support. We have profound faith in God and God is our backbone.

Who are the Brahma Kumaris: If you were asked the question: "Who are the Brahma Kumaris?" how would you answer this question in one sentence? Dadi Prakashmani: They are true world servers. Their life is a life of the renunciation of vices, a life of tapasya (intense meditation) and a life of service. Their main message is that it is the time for each one to claim their right to liberation and liberation in life. Dadi Janki: The Brahma Kumaris are Godly children and servers. Dadi Gulzar: The Brahma Kumaris are the instruments to give to the world what it needs: peace, love, happiness and joy.

Messages The Chief of the Brahma Kumaris, Dr. Prakashmani (Dadiji), embodies the virtues of humility and a light-hearted nature. A woman with multi-faceted responsibilities and a sparkling spiritual presence, she is a great personality of India. Her spirituality and many fine qualities are distinctly visible in her behaviour. Patience and humility are her remarkable ornaments. Dadiji is the living example of the teachings of the founder, Prajapita Brahma. The heart is enlightened by the light of knowledge that shines from Dadiji like the light of a radiating jewel. It can be said that 'through her your heart is enlightened.' Dadiji's disciplined and highly principled life, coupled with her refined clarity of thought, places her as a holy swan that guides others to clear discernment. Her presence is spreading vedic and spiritual heritage throughout India today. Mahamandeleshwar Dr. Swami Shyam Sunder Das Shastriji Service Ashram for the Poor, Chairman 'Akhil Bharatiya,' Haridwar, India When Dadi Janki enters a room you know that she is walking in a world of no boundaries. All the values that pin one down and create boundaries, she does not have. I think this is something we need to reflect on. How can we get to a world of no boundaries? She got this from somewhere, so we also have the chance. Perhaps by following her, and trying to learn from her how to live in a world without boundaries, we can realize this chance. Alfredo Sfeir Younis, Economist, Chile Dadi Gulzar, at the age of 76, has developed and accumulated qualities that make her inspiring and vibrant - qualities such as spirituality, humility, goodness, grace and leadership. An angelic presence, she transcends physical ageing and demonstrates that as one progresses in years, inner strength and stability are the fruits of a contemplative and active life. An instrument of God, she serves not only herself but humanity as well; such is the power and miracle of those who live beyond themselves. Leticia Ramos Shahani, Philippines, Assistant Secretary General (1981-1986) in charge of the United Nations Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs which prepared for the First World Assembly on Ageing (Vienna, 1982)