The 7 Billion Acts of Goodness global campaign was officially launched at the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, 3 August 2014. On that auspicious evening, some 400 people had come together to witness the launch and many were inspired to pin their pledges on the Tree of Goodness. It was a truly beautiful sight and the atmosphere was charged with positive vibrations.
Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, an advocate of women’s rights, HIV/AIDS activist and TV producer, officiated the launch together with Didi Chakradhari, the Brahma Kumaris Director-General of Russia and other USSR Republics.
In her speech, Datin Paduka Marina praised the Brahma Kumaris for the timely campaign when human beings seem to have lost their own humanity and the whole world is experiencing extreme turmoil and suffering brought on by unnecessary conflicts, civil war, unrest and religious persecution. Didi Chakradhari said that positive change will only come through selfless service with no expectation of name or fame. She urged all to grow good seeds (thoughts) of divine virtues and inspire others by doing good.
To assist the audience to make their pledges, Sister Meera guided the audience with her commentary. She mentioned that every act performed is like a seed. She requested all to focus their thoughts to emerge their inner qualities of peace, love and mercy for empowerment to pledge to do goodness to the self and others for all to live in peace and harmony.
22 heads/representatives of organisations, associations, NGOs and Interfaith groups also joined the guest-of-honours on stage to pledge their Acts of Goodness on a huge picturesque Tree of Goodness.
Another Tree of Goodness was also placed at the back of the Hall for the other guests to make their pledges. Everyone in the audience were so enthusiastic to pledge their own acts of goodness so much so that the Tree of Goodness was completely covered by the pledges.
There was also an exhibition corner where posters were put up for people to understand better what the 7 Billion Acts of Goodness campaign is about.
The programme was very well received and a great success. Several organisations and NGOs indicated their interest to organize similar events at their respective places so that more people can be motivated to perform their acts of kindness.
7 Billion Acts of Goodness booth was setup at Peace in the Park – an annual Brahma Kumaris event in New York, USA on Friday, July 18, 2014. The booth attracted people from all age groups and walks of life and instilled in them the spirit to perform acts of goodness
A 3 Day program Goodness Festival was arranged by the Adyar, Chennai branch of Brahma Kumaris at Besant Nagar, Housing Board Community Hall. This is aimed to re-discover the goodness within, create a global culture of care and compassion. The festival started on 27th June 2014 and went on till 29th June (8 am to 8 pm) with special sessions and exhibition The festival aims to create awareness about values of Self, God and Act of Goodness through several lectures, seminars and workshops with focus on artists, women, youth, teachers and professionals from various backgrounds. They can implement these values and goodness in their personal and professional life. This event covers our canopy theme of this year for service – “Year of Receiving God’s Power for Great Transformation”. We believe this Goodness Festival has brought in positive vibes in our locality.
The AOG program was held on Western university campus in Kalamazoo Michigan on December 14rh. The students who have attended represented seven different countries and various philosophical and religious back grounds. There were many questions form the audience and the interactive component of the program was well received… The feed back was good and the students would like have the AOG program once again on their campus soon.
[flickr id=”9685114783″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
On Saturday August 24th, 2013 the Brahma Kumaris participated in the 15th Annual India Festival, the largest Annual Indian Festival in Ohio, at the Veteran Memorial in Columbus, OH. The festival’s purpose was to bring the diversity of Asian Indian Culture with all it’s splendor to Central Ohio. The festival showcased cultural items, Indian cuisine, India fashion garments and the Brahma Kumaris very own Acts of Goodness Project. Over 10,000 plus people interested in promoting and celebrating Ohio’s diversity visited the festival in Columbus.
Indeed the Acts of Goodness table was one-of-a-kind. The Acts of Goodness table allowed the participants to explore the playful side of themselves with the bean bag toss game. The premise of Acts of Goodness was explained to the participants after they played the AOG game. This was a big hit, especially with the children and youth who were eager to play the game, listen to the spiritual guidance and finally write a promise to hang on the acts of goodness tree. From this festival we were able to see just how much children are ready to learn about what an Act of Goodness really is!
August 18, 2013
The 33rd India Day Parade in New York City was held on the fine summer afternoon of August 18. It proceeded down Madison Avenue starting at 38th Street and ending at 27th. As every year, the Brahma Kumaris were one of the 36 organizations participating in this event.
The theme for our entry in the parade this year was ‘7 Billion Acts of Goodness (AOG)’. With the aim of creating a global culture of care and compassion, this initiative invites individuals of all ages to perform AOG by holding the awareness that as spiritual beings we are all inherently good. This shift of awareness is not only the basis for expressing our innate goodness, but is of itself an AOG towards the self.
The parade’s grand marshal was Vidya Balan (Bollywood actress), who was joined by other special guests from India including Anna Hazare (a prominent social activist). Both were presented a memento for the ‘7 Billion AOG’ on behalf of the Brahma Kumaris.
The BK parade was a unique one that led off with the organization’s banner, followed by sisters holding the flag of the organization as well as the Indian National flag. This was followed by two groups of performers, each having five sisters walking with placards showing the different signs (icons) symbolizing the various ways an AOG can be performed. They were surrounded by sisters wearing ‘7 Billion Acts of Goodness’ t-shirts and holding pompoms in their hands.
Every time the procession stopped the sisters would dance with the pompoms, while singing the slogan “Elevate your mind…Open up your heart…It’s in the Soul…Acts of Goodness…” Simultaneously, the placard holders came together and turned their placards around to form the phrase “Goodness Returns,” like pieces of a puzzle coming together. This left the audience awe-inspired.
There were also placards showing various slogans pertaining to AOG: “An Act of Goodness is sharing”, “Goodness is giving and receiving happiness,” and many more. Several other BKs were holding golden star, an image from the logo of the initiative, symbolizing that goodness is the essence of every soul. We had the great fortune of Sister Mohini’s presence, she watched us, as we passed by in the parade, giving her blessings and drishti. Beautiful bookmarks providing information about the initiative were distributed among the spectators.
After the parade had concluded, all the BK brothers and sisters shared in a spontaneous celebration at the Manhattan Center, with picture taking, dancing, singing, and sharing of blessings and snacks. It was an event that left both viewers and BK participants alike with the joy and happiness brought about by spreading the word of who we are, and that goodness is our true nature.
Firestone Metro Park Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Avenue, Akron. Ohio-44319
The Marwari Association of Ohio held its 25th Anniversary on Sunday, August 11, 2013 [12:00pm to 7:30pm], in one of the largest parks in the state Firestone Metro Park. This year, the 7 billion Acts of Goodness team was invited by Sushila Mohanka (programs co-ordinator of Marwari association) to participate in this celebratory meeting. There were many Marwari friends and families attending this event from in and around Ohio.
Amidst many activities like ‘Inner healing and benefits’, Eye exercise’, indoor and outdoor games for children and adults, there was a booth exhibition on 7 billion Acts of Goodness. From the posters displayed at the booth, many people took benefit of the underlying spiritual message that we are inherently good and that recognizing and realizing this truth would create a vibration of goodness and allow the world to radiate unlimited waves of goodness. People from all age groups – children, young and old enjoyed a game activity through which they came to know about their unique specialty in performing acts of goodness. Many also decorated the “Goodness Tree” with good wishes and blessings for a better world.
The exhibition was well received by one and all. The booth was facilitated by Tina Agarwal and Saurabh Gupta along with Vandana Sareen, Michelle Gippin, and Kristina Hoefel.
7 Billion Acts of Goodness booth was setup at Peace in the Park – an annual Brahma Kumaris event in New York, USA on Friday, July 19, 2013. The booth attracted people from all age groups and walks of life and instilled in them the spirit to perform acts of goodness.
7 Billion Acts of Goodness: Awakening to Life’s Goodness
“Goodness Returns” was celebrated by the Brahma Kumaris of New England with Mr. Ram Singal, program coordinators, and some 75 delighted participants from Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1, 2013. Mr. Ram Singal, an engineer, coach, and BK Raj Yoga meditator of 38 years visiting from New York, introduced the “7 Billion Acts of Goodness” initiative (www.actsofgoodness.org) at four locations.
The Goodness programs were held on Friday evening, June 28, in Manchester, NH; on Saturday morning, June 29, at the ATFS Learning Center, in Shrewsbury, MA; on Saturday afternoon, June 29, at the Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace, in Watertown, MA (www.bkboston.org); and on Monday evening, July 1, at the Inner Space Meditation Center and Gallery (www.innerspaceharvardsq.org), in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.
At each location, Mr. Singal encouraged each one to feel and experience their own innate goodness, and gave a boost of positive self-regard and hope. He shared a bright and happy vision of life and the world. As a wonderful spokesperson for this initiative, he exudes care, joy, enthusiasm, and a soft, confident humility.
At Inner Space, Mr. Singal was introduced as “Mr. Positive” and awakened and enlivened each one’s heart with experiences about his own return journey to Goodness. Overflowing with lightness and humor, he shared stories and simple, creative methods about how to change any situation to something positive. By getting in touch with his inner world of true feelings, he learned to talk to himself in a positive and encouraging way, no matter what was happening around him, or what he was perceiving. Like playing a game in life, he now transforms and uplifts his attitude toward himself, everyone, and everything. He uncovers “ahas” and “turn-arounds” by accepting what shows up, and doesn’t let anything touch his original nature of Goodness. Any thought, feeling, or perception becomes a wonderfully entertaining gem to be discovered, with an empowering secret potential hidden within.
Some Secrets and Goodness Gems:
At Inner Space, replying to a question, Ram, with a twinkling smile, said, “If there is a room that is dark, what do you do? You turn on a light. Can you collect up the darkness and put it somewhere else?” He laughed gently, with a sparkling gleam in his eye, and softly replied: “Darkness is only the absence of light. In the same way, if there is a hole in the ground, can I remove the hole by digging it out? No, it will become deeper. Can I fill the hole? Yes, I can. By meditating on my original nature, I can stock up on peace, love, happiness, and light.”
It is the same for other thoughts that are not real. Apparent and temporary states of opposites, like happiness and sorrow, fear and courage–even relative goodness or badness, based on the external–come and pass away. “To whatever extent I may experience fear, to that same extent, I have the capacity for courage.” Tests come so that I may emerge my original qualities including peace, love and bliss. “Can I experience anger, sadness or depression for any length of time? No, each will pass. If I am peace-less, then I fill myself with peace. If I perceive happy-less-ness, then what do I do? I fill myself with happiness.” If I feel depression, then I emerge positivity anyway. How do I do that? By connecting with the Source of that quality: the Source of Supreme Goodness, the Source of Ultimate Peace, the Source of Unlimited Happiness. This returns me to my original way of being, a natural state that has no opposite. Goodness is innate, my original state. When I experience my own goodness, I then think, feel, speak, and act from this place.
Ram asked, “Is it possible to create an explosion of happiness, of goodness?” A simple act of goodness begins with the self, and then ripples out. “First, I can be kind to myself. That is an act of goodness. A parent can be patient and kind to a child. If a child has two lollipops, he may feel so good that he is inspired to give one away. For a child, that is like giving away half of his world.”
Miss Supriya Kopparthi, local Brahma Kumaris coordinator for the Acts of Goodness initiative, led a gentle reflection to shift in awareness to the inner being, the inner world.
The first act of goodness is to myself, making a simple shift in awareness to my original nature of peace, love, joy and bliss. The project takes a triple AAA approach: awareness, attitude, and action. As I experience this subtle shift in awareness to who I am originally, who I once was and am becoming once again, my attitude changes, my actions become natural, and I become more awake, aware, alert and alive. As I re-awaken to my natural state, new life naturally exudes from my being, and my thoughts, words and actions become original. The original life is like Heaven on Earth.
Miss Koparthi invited participants to host “Goodness Returns” programs and introduce the “7 Billion Acts of Goodness” initiative, like a wave of goodness spreading in the world. First, I begin with the self. As I become quiet and still, I enjoy the positive qualities of the original self. Then, when that inner energy has replenished and rejuvenated, I easily and simply am good, feel good, speak good – and do good.
To learn more, you can visit the website: www.actsofgoodness.org. It has been created by the youth working with Mr. Singal, and is based on their personal experiments with Acts of Goodness. Begin to see how it feels to perform an act of goodness – from the inside out. Re-connect with the true you.
Do good. Be good. Feel good. Accept goodness is you. You have always been good.
Goodness Returns at Bharatiya Temple [6850 N Adams Rd, Troy, MI 48098]
