Awareness to Action: Nurturing the Seeds of Change

Choice | Connection | Commitment

Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Yerevan Hall, Armenian Convention Center, NY

The Brahma Kumaris (BK) and the Values Caucus at the United Nations hosted this event to offer women an opportunity to come together, and share and reflect on their core values, and discuss ways to nurture those while in their respective leading roles.

It was noted that solutions come from equal participation of women in leadership roles. Rural women have a key role in conservation of natural resources, food security, and economic productivity but their leadership is rarely recognized.  Socialization of women has been marked by a lack of self-confidence, despite enormous contributions they make.  Empowered women who have the awareness of their inner spiritual resources are predisposed to act from love, strength, and compassion enabling them to fortify networks and improve the health and wellbeing of their families and communities.

BK Julia Grindon-Welch giving the opening address

BK Sabita leading the gathering into a silent reflection

The BK delegation of 6 took about 35 women and men on an insightful journey to explore their special qualities and how they are used in times of decision making. There was a lot of storytelling around this that brought many virtues to the surface, such as, compassion, self-care, kindness, listening, acceptance, love, purpose, and many more.

Participants engaged in conversation

BK Marianne Lizana taking all on the inward journey

Participants were also asked to take a step within and sense how they see themselves nurturing these much-needed qualities and what commitment they wish to make to ensure this happens.  There was pin drop silence as the gathering pondered on this. The feeling was that this touched them deeply and the hope is that they remember this moment, for it is in this that empowerment lies!!

BK Tina Agarwal conducting the closing reflective exercise.

In conclusion, we would like to add that since its inception, the Brahma Kumaris leadership was handed over to women. Firstly, to enhance the role of women in society, recognizing the need to redress the balance of power between the genders. Secondly, because feminine qualities are needed to implement a new social structure. An example of this can be seen in the project instigated by women; Sustainable Yogic Agriculture now practiced by approximately 1000 farmers in more than five states in India.

BK delegation included, Ms. Julia Grindon-Welch, BK Representative at the UN; Ms. Marianne Lizana, Director of BK branch in Costa Rica; Ms. Nalishha Mehta, Workers Rights Activist; Ms. Sabita Geer, BK Representative at the UN; BK Tina Agarwal, PhD, Research Scientist; BK Kinnari Murthy MD, BK Representative at the UN.