The Current Environmental Emergency is a Clear Call to Transform our Awareness and Lifestyle.
When I Change, The World Changes
Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative
Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative is about awakening greater environmental awareness within our own organization, as well as collaborating and learning from others through dialogue, partnerships, UN conferences and local initiatives.
As a spiritual organisation our main aim is to help people to experience greater well-being through inner peace and universal values. Hence our environmental initiative is based on five main principles
Living with simplicity
Buying compassionately
Using economically
Learning continuously
Sharing generously
Brahma Kumaris Environmental Commitment
A wider view
The Brahma Kumaris Environmental Policy aims to encourage all of us throughout the organization to feel that we are guardians of the Earth’s resources.
We can help each other to grow in terms of our awareness of the natural world as a living system that needs our care; and deepen our concern for cultures living in environmentally susceptible lands. By becoming more mindful of these issues and more compassionate in our attitudes we can make environmental choices that can be felt in all spheres of our lives-in our homes and personal life as well as in Brahma Kumaris activities and buildings. We will use all resources in a more mindful and sustainable way.
The five main attitudes that will empower our environmental approach are:
1. Living with Simplicity- this is already part of our BK culture, but no harm having the aim to improve where we can. With an eye to the impact that all purchases have on Mother Earth, let’s ask ourselves for the Earth’s sake as well for the sake of economy, before we buy anything ‘Is this purchase really necessary for centre maintenance and activities?’.
2. Buying Compassionately – where purchases are necessary, and local budgets allow, environmentally friendly choices are sought out and considered.
3. Using Economically – using resources carefully, from a place of respect and gratitude for the people who produced them and the resources that were used to create them.
4. Learning Continuously – always learning from each other and especially learning from other organizations we work with, many of whom may have more experience of using Environmental practices than we do.
5. Sharing Generously – sharing information via the BK environmental website – so that we can spread best environmental practices within the organization and beyond. The environmental website is a good place to start for advice – please post up your experience or knowledge of products to consider for good environmental features. Sharing what we already know is the best place to start.
For more details: www.environment.brahmakumaris.org
Renewable Energy
Since the mid 90’s, Brahma Kumaris has become one of the key developers and promoters of renewable energies in India. With Indian and German government support it has carried out various research and development projects. In order to strengthen its approach Brahma Kumaris works in close liaison with its sister organization, the World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST), a registered charity in India. In 2011 Brahma Kumaris and WRST were recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2014 an “Awareness & Training Centre” was set up by Brahma Kumaris & WRST with financial support from the United Nations Development Program, Global Environment Facility and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Govt. of India). Brahma Kumaris has developed and installed 6 large solar systems which produce steam for various process applications such as cooking, laundry and sterilization. In addition, it has installed and operates around 350 photovoltaic battery systems (off grid) all over India with a total capacity of more than 1200 KW peak. In 2017 “India One”, a 1 MW solar thermal power plant near the Brahma Kumaris Shantivan campus in Abu Road was commissioned. Brahma Kumaris & WRST are currently conducting research and training in the following technologies:
- Solar steam cooking systems
- Solar thermal power generation and thermal storage
- Photo voltaic stand alone systems
- Solar hot water plants
Sustainable Yogic Agriculture
Can the power of thought be a new fertilizer that leads to better food security? Sustainable Yogic Agriculture is a research project carried out by the Rural Development Wing of the Brahma Kumaris.
One thousand farmers throughout India are combining organic farming with meditation, which is showing remarkable results. Early data collected through a field study in Gujarat suggest an improved seed quality and increase in crop yield.
Sustainable Yogic Agriculture has resulted in lower costs to farmers and reduced the pressure on the environment. Other benefits have been improvements in farmers’ emotional well-being and enhanced community resilience.
Renewable Energy
Since the mid 90’s, Brahma Kumaris has become one of the key developers and promoters of renewable energies in India. With Indian and German government support it has carried out various research and development projects. In order to strengthen its approach Brahma Kumaris works in close liaison with its sister organization, the World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST), a registered charity in India. In 2011 Brahma Kumaris and WRST were recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2014 an “Awareness & Training Centre” was set up by Brahma Kumaris & WRST with financial support from the United Nations Development Program, Global Environment Facility and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Govt. of India). Brahma Kumaris has developed and installed 6 large solar systems which produce steam for various process applications such as cooking, laundry and sterilization. In addition, it has installed and operates around 350 photovoltaic battery systems (off grid) all over India with a total capacity of more than 1200 KW peak. In 2017 “India One”, a 1 MW solar thermal power plant near the Brahma Kumaris Shantivan campus in Abu Road was commissioned. Brahma Kumaris & WRST are currently conducting research and training in the following technologies:
- Solar steam cooking systems
- Solar thermal power generation and thermal storage
- Photo voltaic stand alone systems
- Solar hot water plants
For more details:
https://eco.brahmakumaris.org/what-we-do/renewable-energy/
Sustainable Yogic Agriculture
Can the power of thought be a new fertilizer that leads to better food security? Sustainable Yogic Agriculture is a research project carried out by the Rural Development Wing of the Brahma Kumaris.
One thousand farmers throughout India are combining organic farming with meditation, which is showing remarkable results. Early data collected through a field study in Gujarat suggest an improved seed quality and increase in crop yield.
Sustainable Yogic Agriculture has resulted in lower costs to farmers and reduced the pressure on the environment. Other benefits have been improvements in farmers’ emotional well-being and enhanced community resilience.
For more details:
https://eco.brahmakumaris.org/yogic-farming/