Language Barrier? Not at all!

210 guests from China arrived in Lighthouse (St. Petersburg, Russia)

for their 5 day training program “The Happy Family – God’s Masterpiece”

8 August, 2015

The welcome session for 210 guests that came to Lighthouse all the way from China offered a beautiful blend of greetings, songs, dances and video presentations.

The guests, many of whom arrived here with their spouses and children, have been brought to Russia by sis. Sapna and br. Sumeet in co-ordination with Master Ji Jing, a Chinese Buddhist monk, in order to enhance their spiritual progress.
On the very first day they were introduced to the aims and objectives of the “Happy Family” training program they were going to attend.
BK Santosh, Brahma Kumaris director in St. Petersburg:

“This family retreat has been tailored in such a way so that to throw light on the spiritual aspects of human relationships. Spirituality is all about what, how and when we should think, because the energy that powers our actions and interactions is the energy of thought. When we take care of that inner energy, we are able to sustain our peace and happiness. When we are peaceful and happy, we feel comfortable. In this stage of comfort we can feel others and love them. And when we love, we get love in return. This is what makes us into kings because when you get love, you get everything!”

Dear, long awaited guests were welcomed by VIP speakers representing the fields of science, social service, medicine and public sector. They shared their vision of why the Brahma Kumaris concepts become increasingly relevant in the modern world.

Prof. Oleg Lebedev, lecturer of National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Doctor of Education,Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

“Everything in the world keeps on changing, and in this atmosphere of change many people have the question whether there are some permanent, unchanging values as well. The Brahma Kumaris offers them an answer they are able to believe and take on board.”

Mrs. Irina Afanasieva, director of St. Petersburg Territorial Centre of Social Service:

“I feel that social service is the field of human activity that is directly related to what the Brahma Kumaris are teaching. In our hectic life we tend to forget that we come to this world to be good and do good. The BKs are teaching us to turn our face towards own inner self and feel that this planet of ours is very small and fragile and so it is to be handled with love and care!”

Mrs. Tatiana Bartova, director of Interactive Medicine Department “Vita”:

“As a doctor, I have been studying Chinese and Indian traditional medicine since long, as I am interested in the issues of prevention of diseases. Before meeting with the BKs, I used to teach people healthy diet, healthy breathing and healthy movement (exercises). Healthy thinking was the last item on my agenda. But now, after 10 years of contacts with the BKs, my list of priorities has changed. I have realised that the first priority for a healthy life style is healthy, positive thinking.”

The participants of the retreat were also welcomed by Prof. Maxim Godarev, president of St. Petersburg Philosophy Club, and Mr. Bislan Hamkhokov, president of St. Petersburg House of National Cultures.

The 5 day journey has just started, but a very important step has already been taken: a beautiful family atmosphere created in Lighthouse has made us feel we belong to one global family. And in spite of the physical language barrier, we have become fluent speakers of the language of eyes, smile and good wishes!