THE INCREASING PROMINENCE OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE INDIAN SPIRITUAL DOMAIN: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BRAHMA KUMARI SECT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i1.2024.3731Keywords:
Brahma Kumari, Sect, Marriage, Raja Yoga Meditation, Life SatisfactionAbstract [English]
The Brahma Kumari organisation embodies a significant spiritual movement marked by predominantly female leadership and extensive global outreach across 137 countries. This sect uniquely permits unmarried women to attain lifelong membership, called Brahma Kumaris (BKs). Traditionally, within Hindu culture, marriage is viewed as a crucial sacrament closely linked to vital life goals and spiritual objectives. However, in the contemporary context, the Brahma Kumari sect has gradually distanced itself from Hindu practices. Its philosophical framework suggests that marriage may hinder women's individual and spiritual advancement. Central to the Brahma Kumari belief system is the practice of Raja Yoga meditation, a transformative methodology to enhance interpersonal relationships and deepen one's connection to the natural environment. The organisation’s approach integrates spirituality, psychology, philosophy, and ecological awareness, offering a holistic perspective on well-being. Research has revealed notable correlations and divergences in life satisfaction and social adaptation among practitioners of Brahma Kumari principles. Studies indicate that the spirituality nurtured within this framework positively correlates with increased happiness and life satisfaction among adherents. This spiritual paradigm facilitates significant personal transformations and holds the potential for broader societal impact.
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