Inner decolonization for a better world - Experimentation with the Brahma Kumaris philosophy for a return to self-sovereignty, dignity, and solidarity

Abstract: The workshop will motivate “inner decolonization” and invite experimentation to cultivate an inner awareness of being “self-sovereign” with Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga. Various historical examples, including the context of the Brahma Kumaris through pre-partition India, will ground the presentation. In parallel with external efforts, the aim is to restore inner freedom, by emerging an innate dignity for the self and others. The workshop has three parts: (a) motivation and framework, (b) experience, and (c) question and answer. The Brahma Kumaris is the largest women-led spiritual organization, with over 5000 centers in 110 countries and a 30-plus year relationship with the UN.Presenter bios: Sudarshan Sundar has been a student and teacher of Raja Yoga Meditation as taught by the Brahma Kumaris since 2001. He helped start and co-coordinated the activities of "Inner Space Meditation Center and Gallery" in Harvard Square from 2012 to 2020. Since 2021, he has served as a Spiritual Affiliate for Brahma Kumaris at Northeastern University's Center for Spirituality Dialogue and Service. He also presented at a Harvard Divinity School conference in 2023. He has been a Software Engineer by profession at Microsoft since 2003. Judy Rodgers has been a student of the Brahma Kumaris and teacher of Raj Yoga meditation for 27 years. She spent much of her working life in media and as a consultant and communication strategist, working with businesses and universities. The emphasis in her work has been on the power of narrative, how the questions we ask ourselves, and the stories we tell ourselves affect our life journeys. In 2004 she co-founded the Center for Business as Agent of World Benefit at Case Western Reserve University. In 2007 she co-authored a book on altruism called Something Beyond Greatness: Conversations with a Man of Science and a Woman of God. Since 2006 she has lived in Peace Village Retreat Center in the Catskill Mountains north of New York City. Rita Cleary is a co-founder of The Learning Circle and The Visions of A Better World Foundation in 1993. She is also a founding partner of The Society for Organizational Learning and Images and Voices of Hope Media Project and the Call of the Time Global Leadership Dialogues and Retreats series since 1998. For over 30 years, she has been a student and teacher of Raja Yoga Meditation. Rita currently serves as the Co-Coordinator of the Boston chapter of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.

Affiliation: Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization