Our True Humanity

BK Maureen Kris

Description

The study of religion is not only a challenge but a great responsibility.
At the same time, it is important to always remember that we are
also children of the heart and of light so there is love and room
to learn and grow together. Maybe this book shares a view of it all
and opens doors for more understanding and discussion of our
future together...



In peace

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Espiritual
• Humanity
• Maureen
• Heritage
• True
• Spiritual
• Spirituality
• Religion
• Kris

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris US
• Date de parution: 08 février 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9798369400043
• Langue: English

Extrait

Our True Humanity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BK Maureen Kris
 
Copyright © 2023 by BK Maureen Kris.
 
Library of Congress Control Number:
2009909519
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-4415-7820-4
 
Softcover
978-1-4415-7819-8
 
eBook
979-8-3694-0004-3
 
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
Rev. date: 06/05/2023
 
 
 
Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
584220
With Gratitude And Love To Beloved Bapdada, The Faith Leaders And Divine World Family
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Section One: What It Means to Truly “Be”
Chapter 1: The Real Self
Chapter 2: Who am I, the Soul?
Chapter 3: Where Do I Come From? Where Am I Going?
Chapter 4: The Source
Section Two: Knowing Time – What “Is”
Chapter 5: Existence in Time
Chapter 6: Journey of the Soul Through Time
Chapter 7: Beyond Time and Space – Journey to the Infinite
Section Three: The World Drama – How We Have Lived
Chapter 8: Ways to Life – Humanity’s Calling
Chapter 9: Spiritual and Worldly Life – Finding the Crossroad Today
Chapter 10: Lives of Faith and the Human Being Today
Section Four: Culminating World Drama: The End or the Beginning?
Chapter 11: Recognition, Realization and Eternal Fortune
Chapter 12: Returning Home
References
Scriptural References
Diagrams
About theBrahma Kumaris History
About the Author
Comments from Readers
“Believe it or not I have finished reading your work on ‘peace’ . . . I would love to talk with you about it . . . very well done . . . but you certainly took on the whole history of religion . . . quite a daunting task.”
 
Nancy Detjen Ph.D
 
“Thank you for sharing your manuscript with me. It is quite an accomplishment, extremely well written and organized and detailed. It is interesting material, the similarities and ultimate unity of these various religions. It reads like a Ph.D. thesis or dissertation. I found those ten pages of questions and answers of the different masters particularly enjoyable and relevant. I wish there were more of those questions and answers. It’s fascinating to me . . .”
 
Walter Jacobson, M.D.
 
“I believe Our True Humanity is a wonderful work of carefully documented ideas and insights as to what constitutes the essence of four major religious traditions and what these religions share. [This work] makes an original contribution that will be of great importance and interest to anyone pursuing comparative theological studies.”
 
Anita Skarpathiotis, Mother and Teacher
University of Illinois, Chicago
 
“Our True Humanity not only describes the tenets of the great religions of the world and their commonality in the spiritual realms, it searches through the minds of some of the great thinkers of the past. Socrates, for instance, several thousand years ago, demonstrated that man’s senses do not express reality or truth. Modern science has demonstrated that the eyes operate selectively. For instance, they cannot view ultraviolet rays, atoms, molecules, etc. The author’s optimism that the development of mankind will, with time, evolve to be capable of attaining the final and eternal destination of the spirtual world is refreshing.”
 
Constantine Farmans
Retired Attorney and Author
 
“[The] book is an excellent source of information for all seekers of the One . May each reader see our true humanity in the Light and Love of this season of Peace and Joy.
 
Rev. Fr. Michael Courey, D. Min.
St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church
Acknowledgements
• Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya of Mt. Abu, India;
• Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University International Coordinating Offices in London;
• BK Jayanti Kirpilani: For her guidance, support and encouragement
• BK Sharonah Stillerman: Editorial contributor
• California Brahma Kumaris family and especially the divine family of Greater Los Angeles
• Faith Communities that contributed their thoughts and experiences
• Faith leaders and their editorial contributions to the book:
• Swami Bhaskarananda of the Vedanta Society of Western Washington.
• Bhante Chao Chu of the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery in California.
• Rev. Fr. Michael Courey, D. Min. of St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, Redondo Beach, California.
• Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Ph.D. of the Islamic Society of Orange County, California.
• BK Sudesh Didi of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, London
• Cover art by BKIVV Art Department, Mt. Abu, India
• Gratitude to Rabbi Jan Katzew of the Union for Reform Judaism for his contribution and support.
• Gratitude to Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D. of the Institute of Noetic Sciences for her interview, support and contributions.
• Special acknowledgements to family friend, Anita Skarpathiotis; Dean Varun Soni of the University of Southern California; BK Diane Tillman, educational psychologist and friend; the Villa Florenze living community for its silent contribution and love; Professor Chris Chapple of Loyola Marymount University; former high school principal; Nancy Detjen PhD; Walter Jacobson MD; and childhood friend, Dianne (Davidson) Calvi for their feedback, contributions and support.
 
This book specially acknowledges and recognizes my grandmothers; both worldly and spiritual who have been blessed role-models for my religious and spiritual development: Grandmothers’ Evdokia Halikis and Georgia Farmanis; and Respected Dadi Jankiji of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.
Foreword
In the 1960s, people were inspired to try and ‘renew the world.’ In the 21 st century, finding the energy to change the world for the better is once again necessary. One way to move is through reaffirming our common humanity.
With all the negativity in today’s world and the constant barrage of bad news, people are more willing to see what we hold in common, and view old traditions and beliefs through a spiritual lens. There is a call of time for communities to awaken. Time is a gift and we must use this gift now to explore not only what we have in common, but the source of our own inner dignity and that of all others.
Spirituality helps us to find the inner dignity, which enables us to develop ourselves. The tree is a good metaphor: The tree grows and develops – the deeper its roots, the higher it reaches. Going deep within and creating a strong foundation of inner value and dignity enables us to reach our highest potential in life. When we create our own foundation of peace and power and recognise our inner treasures, we are ready not only to value ourselves, but to extend that value and respect for all others—of every faith.
The original state of every human being is goodness. The discovery of this is the wonderful discovery of my own inner dignity. The power of spirituality and the dignity of my own spiritual being enable me to transcend situations of discrimination and will show how all other forms of discrimination can be ended. The power of the spirit is really the greatest power that humanity has and the 21st century is the moment for discovering this.
In Our True Humanity , Maureen has endeavored to look at questions in the heart of human beings and at the root of faith and philosophical traditions. She has explored four major religions in regard to these questions to offer a unique glimpse of our commonality, our shared humanity. While there are divergences, what emerges is a much more unified picture of humanity and its spiritual endeavour than is often assumed. I warmly support and applaud her efforts to add to our shared endeavour of creating a more harmonious world.
 
Sister Jayanti Kirpilani
European Director of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Preface
This book has been written with love for the human family and with deep regard for the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU). Most of what will be shared in this book comes from the understanding that has been acquired in studies with the BKWSU and through this way of life. The treasures of spiritual life are best appreciated in the quiet moments with the One or in the moments shared with the human family when the experience of being spiritual children of the same Source is realized together. Each of us, in our own way, is coming closer to becoming that simplicity and innocence that define the self. It is this gentle, simple and truthful way of being that will soon thread all of humanity in an eternal bond of love with the One.
One of the aims in writing this book is to offer the reader an essence of the scriptures and philosophies that have been revealed in humanity’s search for Truth through time. It is felt that by sharing this essence, a sense of unity and purpose can be defined in our lives. The questions many ask such as “Why am I here?” or “What is my role in life?” may be ans