Welcome to The Brahma Kumaris USA

The Brahma Kumaris USA is part of a global spiritual movement dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal. With over four decades of service in the USA as a 501.c.3 not-for-profit organization, we offer practical wisdom and meditation practices that empower individuals to live with spiritual awareness, peace, love, and purpose.

Rooted in Raja Yoga meditation, our teachings focus on developing a deeper understanding of the self, fostering inner peace, and realizing one’s highest potential. With centers across the country, The Brahma Kumaris USA provides a supportive environment where individuals of all backgrounds can explore spiritual knowledge, practice meditation, and connect with a like-minded community.

Our mission is to create a better world by cultivating peace within and sharing it with others. Through classes, workshops, and retreats, we help people navigate the challenges of modern life with clarity and resilience, nurturing the spirit of unity and harmony.

As a USA charity we offer activities free of charge, being funded solely by voluntary contributions.

Join us in this journey of self-discovery and collective upliftment as we work towards creating a peaceful and harmonious world.

Mohini Panjabi, Mohini Didi as she is lovingly called, is the president of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization of the USA. She is also the additional administrative head of the Brahma Kumaris world-wide.
Mohini Didi is a well-respected and much-loved spiritual leader and educator with over 60 years of study and practice of Raja Yoga. Born in India, she came to the West in her twenties and has been serving as the main spiritual resource of the Brahma Kumaris’ activities in the Western Hemisphere since the mid 1970’s. She is a much sought after international speaker and spiritual resource, and she represents the Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations. She is based in Great Neck, New York. Her special gift is her ability to present spiritual concepts and principles in ways that allow those from all disciplines to understand their relevance and practical application.

Mohini Didi has a team of experienced long-time yogis (national coordinating team) who assist her in overseeing the activities throughout the USA and communicate with the Brahma Kumaris internationally.

Who are We

1) We are spiritual Students
The Brahma Kumaris started with students who then volunteered to create spaces where others could come to study Raja Yoga meditation. This is still the way new BK centers across the world open.
The knowledge we teach is available to anyone, free of charge, and as a result the institution has grown far and wide and we have gathered a lot of “friends of the BKs” over the years.
With more than one million dedicated daily students across 110 countries, we are individuals of all different ages, cultures, professional and even spiritual and religious backgrounds. We study a body of spiritual knowledge that nurtures and inspires us to create and live our best lives.

2) We are Volunteers
All the activities of The Brahma Kumaris are organized, managed and financed entirely by volunteers. Individuals who benefit from our activities often choose to give their time, enthusiasm, skills and support to show their appreciation – and help others benefit too.

3) We are individuals from all walks of life
We are a multi-cultural community of individuals – a wonderful mixture of backgrounds, ages and life experiences – and we celebrate that diversity. We recognize that inclusivity creates an environment conducive to individual growth and helps us to serve the variety of communities that exist in society.
One of our motos is: We are one world family.

The Brahma Kumaris Worldwide

A Global Movement for Spiritual Empowerment

The Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual organization that has been a beacon of peace, hope, and transformation for over 85 years. Founded in 1937 in India, the organization has grown into an international network of over 8,500 centers in more than 110 countries, making a profound impact on individuals and communities across the globe.

At the heart of Brahma Kumaris’ teachings is Raja Yoga meditation, a practice that empowers individuals to explore their inner strength, nurture their spiritual well-being, and build a peaceful, positive mindset. The organization is committed to fostering spiritual awakening and personal growth, guiding people to live with compassion, integrity, and resilience.

As the largest spiritual organization led by women, The Brahma Kumaris upholds the values of equality and inclusion, offering a space for people of all ages, cultures, faiths, socio-economic and educational backgrounds to explore their spiritual path. Through educational programs, workshops, and global initiatives, the organization promotes a shared vision of world peace and the upliftment of humanity through individual spiritual self-awareness.

Whether through meditation, service, or sustainability projects, The Brahma Kumaris inspires positive change at both the individual and collective levels.

Our Headquarters

Pandav Bhavan

Pandav Bhavan, lovingly known as ‘Madhuban’ (meaning the Forest of Honey), is the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris, and is its oldest campus. Here, you will find, among many other things, meditation rooms, offices, meeting rooms, a library, small gardens, a literature shop and a dispensary. Able to accommodate 1,500 at a time, there are 350 permanent residents and upward of 35,000 residential guests are hosted every year. The kitchen is equipped to cater to 4000 people in a day. Forty two different departments like kitchen, laundry and transport, manage the campus and the residents make sure that all these departments function smoothly in order to ensure that the guests have a comfortable stay.

Gyan Sarovor

Completed in 1996, Gyan Sarovar, meaning ‘Lake of Knowledge’, is also known as the Academy for a Better World. It is the second campus built by the Brahma Kumaris in Mt Abu. Gyan Sarovar stands as a modern village-style complex in the quiet rural setting near the village of Salgaon and close to the original Pandav Bhavan and Global Hospital complexes. Facilities include an auditorium that can seat 1600 people, 14 seminar and training rooms, and accommodation for up to 1500 people. Thousands of fruit trees have been planted in and around the complex and the campus incorporates several environmentally sustainable features including solar water heating for bathing, a solar array that generates steam for cooking, a hybrid wind-solar-diesel system that ensures power supply to the telephone and audio-visual, a plant capable of treating 200,000 liters of waste water, and waste separation and support for local re-cycling practices.

Shantivan – Oasis of Peace

The Shantivan complex was established in 1996 in response to the ever-growing activities of the Brahma Kumaris. Among the events held are conferences, educational retreats and retreats for professionals. The Diamond Jubilee Hall, built in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, accommodates over twenty thousand people and has the facility for simultaneous translation into six languages. There is one main conference hall with a seating capacity of 1200, again with simultaneous translation into six languages, and six smaller halls which can seat 350 people for lectures, seminars, workshops, etc. There are two halls for meditation and a museum. Residential buildings in the complex have the capacity of accommodating around fifteen thousand people. The printing department which caters to the printing needs of the organization, radio station and television studios are all housed here. Like a small city, there are all modern means of communication, transport, well-laid-out roads, electricity, and solar energy.

History

The Brahma Kumaris was founded in 1937 by Dada Lekhraj Kripalani, a retired businessman living in Hyderabad – a city that now belongs to Pakistan. He was ‘given’ the spiritual name of Prajapita Brahma, and is lovingly known as Brahma Baba.

After experiencing a series of visions, Brahma Baba was inspired to create a spiritual school that emulated the principles of a virtuous life based on meditative practices. He developed a spiritual study that could be taught to people of all ages, cultures and castes and went on to share this with his immediate community. The original school, Om Mandali, consisted of a handful of men, women and children, who later developed a self-sufficient community and devoted their lives to spiritual study, meditation and self-transformation.

As the community grew in strength and numbers, their commitment to living a spiritual life also grew, despite the intense social upheavals that came from Partition as Pakistan and Bangladesh were separated from India. The original group that was created in Hyderabad, moved to Karachi and then finally settled in Mt Abu, Rajasthan, India in 1950. During this time, their unique knowledge about the Soul, God and Time was revealed and a distinct curriculum based on these universal principles developed.

The Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations

The Brahma Kumaris first connected with the United Nations in September 1980 and is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) of the UN. We were always motivated by the work of the UN and wanted to enhance spiritual perspectives at a personal, community and global level. Our aims were in line with the aims of the UN and we wanted to facilitate a greater awareness of social responsibilities, foster sustainable human-centred development, support economic, social, environmental and human well-being, and promote gender equality. Over the years, we have attended numerous UN Conferences, preparatory meetings, commissions and prepared written and oral statements, hosted parallel events and worked with NGO committees and caucuses.

National Initiatives & Partnerships

The Brahma Kumaris’ global partnerships and initiatives emerge from the creative minds of individuals who integrate their personal spiritual growth with their work in the world. Current global issues are explored through the engagement of the public, drawing on collective wisdom and insights.

The Brahma Kumaris participates in partnerships based on common proposals and principles. Initiatives are designed to help in everyday life. Among the partnerships and initiatives are:

Point of Life Foundation

Point of Life Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the United States created to serve the global community. It is based on the vision of a spiritual model of health care focused on the well-being of the whole person. Its goal is to integrate a person-centered approach into existing paradigms in health care and to educate people on issues relevant to holistic treatment, with an emphasis on the spiritual approach to health, care, healing, self-care and health education. The Point of Life Foundation works in partnership with the Brahma Kumaris in two main areas:
1) Local educational initiatives for healthcare professionals and the public which driven by the ‘Hope in Healthcare’ program.
2) Global outreach to support the work of J Watumull Global Hospital and Research Center (Mount Abu, India) and similar projects through facilitation of donations of physical resources and volunteer professional services.

The Call of Time (COTT) Dialogue Series

Co-facilitated by BK Mohini Didi, BK Jayanti Kripalani, Director of the Brahma Kumaris in Europe, and Peter Senge, Senior Lecturer at MIT, USA. Leaders of cultures, religions and races from around the world come together with integrity, respect and gratitude for the intrinsic value of each person present. Together they explore the crucial territory where personal and collective culture meet. They become convinced that such explorations are vital to addressing the issues that challenge the world.

Peace in the Park

From New York City to San Fransico in the USA to countries around the world, these interfaith outdoor festivals celebrate the power of peace and envision a world where peace is normal. Through soulful musical performances, meditations and interactive booths, everyone is invited to imagine their minds and the world at peace.

Images and Voices of Hope

Images & Voices of Hope (ivoh), believes that media can create meaningful, positive change in the world. Our global community includes journalists, photojournalists, filmmakers, documentarians, advertising creators, digital pioneers and innovators in arts and culture. Though we speak many languages, our common thread is the desire to effect positive change through our work in media.
To this end, our mission is to strengthen the role of media as agents of world benefit. We do this by inviting dialogue, encouraging reflection, giving out awards, funding scholarships and publishing powerful stories about the media’s impact.

Peace of Mind Retreats

Each year at the Headquarters, the Peace of Mind Retreat is for run for professionals, community leaders, friends of the Brahma Kumaris, and those who have an active interest in living a spiritual life in their own way. The majority of participants are connected in some way with the Brahma Kumaris and are therefore likely to appreciate the philosophy, practices and spiritual exchange. The daily program consists of meditation, exercise, classes, tours to other campuses, temples and parks, shopping, a little free time, and a lot of good company and new friends. Participation is by invitation only and there are limited numbers accepted to ensure comfort, and the best possible learning space for each participant of this very special retreat.

Past Initiatives

Being with the One Initiative

As spiritual beings, we share the same Source of spiritual light and power. Many today recognize that we can gently raise our consciousness, connect with the Source, and serve as instruments of the ONE to bring this healing light, love, and power into the world. This initiative offered is a subtle exercises in which we can serve to empower and strengthen others. In the process, we also strengthened our own resilience to face our own daily challenges.

The Culture of Peace and Nonviolence.

This was an initiative that promotes a commitment to peaceful construction, mediation, prevention and resolution of conflicts, education for peace, education for nonviolence, tolerance, acceptance, mutual respect, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and reconciliation. The Brahma Kumaris participated, in the decade 2000 to 2010, in promoting the Manifesto and collecting thousands of signatures in the form of commitments.

Celebrating Human Greatness?

Started in 2007, this special initiative included a series of public conversations on human greatness that took place in cities all across the United States. The goal of the conversations was to realize the greatness intrinsic to us all. Launched from New Orleans shortly after Katrina, it brought awareness to the exceptional optimism, altruism and heroism that emerged in the city and its people in the midst of a catastrophe. These conversations attuned participants to the greatness in and around them, as well as became seeds of love and respect to be planted in their social circles: at home, work, schools and in their communities.

Global Cooperation for a Better World

Global Cooperation for a Better World was a United Nations Peace Messenger initiative that elicited responses from people, in the form of words or drawings, to the question “What is your vision for a better world?”. Visions, hopes and aspirations from individuals in over 120 countries were collected. The Global Vision Statement synthesized and reflected people’s contributions. Visions for a Better World, a Peace Messenger Publication, was then released, showcasing some of the vast waves of color and creativity produced by the Project.

Sharing our Values for a Better World.

This was a year-long project that began in September 1994 and continued through October 1995, culminating in a celebration in honor of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Throughout the year, all Brahma Kumaris centers organized and focused on activities involving 12 values – Cooperation, Freedom, Happiness, Honesty, Humility, Love, Peace, Respect, Responsibility, Simplicity, Tolerance, and Unity.

Million Minutes of Peace

The Million Minutes of Peace Appeal was dedicated to the UN International Year of Peace. This appeal, which asked people to dedicate time to meditation, positive thinking or prayer for peace, reached 88 countries and collected 1,231,975,713 minutes of peace. The total was equivalent to 2,344 years of peace! The Brahma Kumaris won seven national awards and an International Messenger of Peace Award from the United Nations Secretary-General for their contribution to the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Brahma Kumaris a women-led organization?

When the founder, Brahma Baba, passed away in January 1969, the leadership of the community continued under the wise guidance of the original group of young women, who came to be called “Dadis” (elder sister in Hindi). This transition to women leadership was a conscious choice of Brahma Baba. This has provided the organization with a strong foundation and a unique blend of spiritual guidance and strength while preserving the sacred knowledge and practices in an increasingly troubled world.

Under their leadership, the Brahma Kumaris grew to a million members in over 8,000 centers in over 110 countries, making it the largest women-led spiritual organization in the world. As the original Dadis became fewer in number, the sisters they had mentored rose to leadership positions, where they now lead in India and in every region of the world. The Brahma Kumaris also have many male members, who hold leadership and consultative positions.

What is the core curriculum of the Brahma Kumaris?

At the heart of the Brahma Kumaris teachings is the Introductory Raja Yoga Meditation Course. This course provides a practical understanding of the relationship between soul and body/matter, as well as an understanding of the interaction between souls, God, and the material world. The sequence of lessons in this course will facilitate your inner journey. You will learn about:

consciousness and self-realization
connection and relationship with God
the law of karma
the cycle of time
the tree of life
spiritual lifestyle

Lessons are offered in two parts:

Part 1: Provides basic knowledge and practice of Raja Yoga meditation. It is intended for people who are only interested in learning how to practice meditation regularly.

Part 2: Offers the teachings of Raja Yoga as a study. The teachings take those interested into the depths of universal truths. The aim of the teachings is to learn to concentrate the mind and discover the innermost depths of the divinity of the soul, experience companionship with God, engage activities of service, and sustain a lifestyle in line with spiritual principles.

What are the main pillars of the Brahma Kumaris way of life?

There are four main pillars:
Study – Daily study of spiritual knowledge gives sustenance to the soul so that it removes blind faith and sees events, situations, and circumstances as opportunities to apply the teachings.

Meditation – Meditation provides a direct connection to the Source, God, allowing the soul to be empowered and build resilience and spiritual capacity.

Practice of Virtues – Awareness of the self as a soul awakens the essence of divine virtues, bringing the inner strength to overcome negative personal beliefs and the freedom to be one’s true self.

Service – Being is seen as the basis of the attitude of service – bringing the virtues of the soul to whatever role one is playing.

Are there special disciplines in the Brahma Kumaris lifestyle?

The journey towards self-realization requires the observance of certain disciplines, which are recommended rather than imposed. Brahma Kumaris environments are nurtured by the practice of these disciplines.

Spiritual study and practice support an individual’s spiritual journey. It is each person’s responsibility to discern and choose which disciplines they are ready to implement into their lifestyle and at what pace they adapt to these disciplines.

The two main disciplines of the BK way of life are:

Sattvic (pure) diet : A vegetarian or vegan diet contributes to general well-being and helps develop clarity and concentration. No consumption of toxic substances, including alcohol or tobacco.

Celibacy : This is seen as the basis for cultivating a safe and pure way of living together. This choice can make people stronger in themselves, more autonomous and more self-confident. It frees both genders from excessive dependence and encourages greater equality. The Brahma Kumaris see celibacy as a fundamental factor for self-realization and for recreating a loving relationship with God, as well as a culture of peace and non-violence.

To be part of the BK community, is it necessary for everyone to conform to the Brahma Kumaris lifestyle?

No. This is a learning community in which all participants are involved in a process of spiritual development. Each individual chooses what to take from the curriculum according to his or her interests. It is an open learning environment where people from diverse backgrounds come, bringing with them the richness of their specialties. The level of commitment is a personal choice.

How do The Brahma Kumaris view religion?

The Brahma Kumaris respect and appreciate all religions but emphasize a spiritual approach to life. They believe in the universality of spiritual principles which transcend religious beliefs and practices.

The Brahma Kumaris respect all faiths and traditions but do not align themselves with any one religion, as their teachings focus on universal spiritual truths.

Rather than promoting a particular religious identity, the Brahma Kumaris encourage self-awareness and a direct connection with God through Raja Yoga meditation. The goal is to empower individuals to discover inner peace and wisdom, regardless of religious affiliation. They emphasize that true spirituality is about personal transformation and living in alignment with higher values.