Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things. Peter Drucker We have more tools, apps and hacks than ever before yet we can still feel the pressure of trying to keep up. It begs the question: does a life lived at maximum speed leave any room for true growth? This talk will explore the anxiety of the modern to-do list and offers a roadmap for how we can slow down to speed up - helping us to build a life where our value isn’t measured by our output. Speaker: Mathias lives in Switzerland and is a stress and resilience coach and a former headmaster. Since discovering Raja Yoga during his travels in India, Mathias has found that by practically applying a spiritual perspective in his life, he has been able to deal with all sorts of people and challenges in a positive way. Mathias coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris Centre in Zurich and is part of the National Coordinators Team in Switzerland.

We often find ourselves haunted by what was, or full of anxiety about what will be. In the process, we lose the only moment we actually possess: the now. This talk explores how to bridge the gap between these three dynamics: learning to honour the legacy of who you were, mastering the quiet art of inhabiting who you are, and moving with purpose toward who you are becoming. Speaker: Marianne Lizama Marianne has been practising Raja Yoga meditation for 30 years and coordinates the activities of Brahma Kumaris in Costa Rica. She is part of the team at the Brahma Kumaris office at the United Nations, working on women's empowerment issues. Marianne is a psychologist by profession, specialising in domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. In addition, she works clinically on crisis and anxiety management.

When it comes to ‘wellbeing’, we’ve often become very proficient at taking care of our physical wellbeing: we’re doing the ‘steps’, eating the greens and drinking the water. But in terms of our emotional wellbeing we don’t always know where to start. This talk dives into why the internal landscape gets neglected, and how we can learn to understand and nourish it more effectively. Sarah Trueman is an engaging facilitator with a light hearted and down-to-earth approach. She enjoys sharing the methods she uses to experience self-esteem. Sarah has been a student of Raja Yoga meditation for over 30 years, creating self-development workshops both for the Brahma Kumaris and as a self-employed trainer and coach in the public and private sectors. She currently facilitates and coordinates events and social media for the Brahma Kumaris in Leeds.

We rely on common sense to navigate our busy, material world. But what guides us when logic fails, or when the path forward requires a leap of faith? Sometimes we need to look beyond what seems practical and sensible and explore a different level of knowing that lies just beyond our everyday thoughts - our deepest intuition, our ‘uncommon sense’. In this talk, discover how to seamlessly weave grounded wisdom with inspired insight, so as to improve our decisions, relationships, and sense of well-being. Speaker: Mark Fleming Mark has been a student and teacher of meditation for over 30 years. He is currently based at the Brahma Kumaris Global Retreat Centre near Oxford but prior to that he was part of the team at the Lighthouse Retreat Centre in Worthing. Mark has a keen interest in understanding the effect our consciousness has on both our personal future as well as the future of the world. He shares these discoveries with lightness and depth.

Fear is a misplaced protective mechanism to be understood and consciously disarmed rather than suppressed or fought. It can be rooted in some past trauma but can also disguise itself as insecurity, self-doubt or excessive caution, holding us back from taking opportunities and from living life fully. Our speaker this evening will explore what it takes to make the shift that will stop allowing fear to dictate our choices and create the space for happiness to flourish. Speaker: Radha Gupta Born to an Indian father and Scottish mother, Radha grew up in Delhi and was introduced to Raja Yoga in her childhood. She then spent 10 years in Scotland where she continued her academic and spiritual studies and also began to assist.in the work of the BK centres there. In 2002 Radha moved to Rome, taking the experience she had gained to contribute to Brahma Kumaris activities in Italy. She is now part of the National Coordinating Team as well as working for a Rome based UN Agency. With her experience in the East and West, Radha brings a balance of the two cultures in her life and work.

There are crucial times in many people’s lives when they turn their minds to consider what might lie beyond. Is there a Divine Being and is there any way I can experience that presence for myself? Join us to look beyond the curtain of our physical world through the experiences of our three guests who will share their own experiences of a Divine Kind. Kanan Patel is an international speaker and spiritual educator with over 30 years of experience in Raja Yoga meditation. She is regarded as an all-rounder within the Brahma Kumaris and for her ability to make spiritual wisdom practical, relevant, and accessible. After leading the BK Centre in Gaborone, Botswana, Kanan is now based in London at Global Cooperation House. Minal Patel is a blend of artist and meditator. Being grounded in the teachings of Raja Yoga meditation since childhood has successfully equipped him to navigate life’s challenges,an emotionally demanding career and find genuine fulfilment. Professionally, he works as an actor and a singer, performing on screen and at theatres across the country. Ann Stirzaker loves being creative and caring for others. Now retired, she formerly served as a Christian missionary in West Africa and then as a special needs teacher. Ann has been studying with the Brahma Kumaris for over 30 years and is an experienced teacher of Raja Yoga meditation. She is also involved in Interfaith activities and other areas of the University's outreach work. The conversation will be facilitated by Jane Kay. Formerly a Teaching Fellow at the University of Leeds, Jane now enjoys editing and writing articles for publication on a variety of spiritual themes.

This evening’s talk will explore forgiveness, not as a favour to others but as a radical act of self-liberation. We will explore how releasing resentment frees our energy from the past, allowing us to step into a future defined by peace, presence and spiritual freedom. Speaker: Ken O’Donnell Ken is a consultant and trainer who has worked with multinational companies on five continents, such as Goodyear, General Motors and HSBC. He is a frequent guest speaker at international congresses and symposiums on a wide range of themes including advanced quality management, the human factor in organisational development and ethics in the workplace. Born in Australia, Ken has been based in Brazil since1979 and is the National Coordinator of the Brahma Kumaris for South America.

Inspirations never go in for long engagements, they demand immediate marriage to action. Brendan Francis Brown We all carry a powerful vision of a truly fulfilling life, yet turning that inner picture into outer reality remains one of life’s greatest challenges. If you're tired of watching New Year's resolutions lie in tatters, you're ready for a different approach. Join us tonight as our speaker explores the steps we can take to move from abstract dreams to concrete action. Discover the essential inner qualities needed to not only oil the process but to sustain our momentum far beyond the New Year. Speaker: Yogesh Sharda A student and teacher of Raja Yoga meditation for over 40 years, Yogesh has been a personal development trainer and workshop facilitator for over 20 years. He has presented seminars, workshops and courses for businesses, hospitals, universities, youth organisations and local community groups throughout Europe, Asia, Australasia, the USA, and Central and South America. Currently based in Istanbul, Yogesh coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris in Turkey.

In a season when images of angels will be appearing everywhere, this talk is a recognition of the unsung heroes among us – the people who step up, speak out, or simply offer a hand when it’s needed most. It's not about a halo but the incredible power of small, consistent acts of kindness and generosity. Our speaker this evening will share her experience of everyday angels and explore how to recognise the 'angelic' qualities in those around us, what motivates people to step beyond the ordinary and offer help, and the quiet joy and fulfillment that comes from being an everyday angel yourself. Speaker: Chrissy Mahoney Chrissy Mahoney has a deep interest in the human spirit. This interest has inspired her to use her skills as a professional actor, and her Post Graduate studies in Conflict Resolution and Psychodrama, to creatively assist organisations in making the workplace a healthier and happier place for their people. Chrissy has been studying and teaching Raja Yoga meditation for over 40 years, and it is this practice that has brought the greatest inspiration to her work.

The comparison trap is the unseen wire that trips us up, stealing our joy and distorting our worth. Our speaker this evening will explore how comparison works, why it destroys our happiness and offer practical steps to free ourselves from the ‘more than, less than’ cycle and embrace our own unique journey. Speaker: Judy Johnson For 35 years Judy has worked as a facilitator and coaching consultant in experiential learning, leadership development and organisational effectiveness. She is known for her insight and her ability to go into the depth of a subject in a fun and interesting way. Judy is an author and co-founder of ‘Peace Halifax,’ a festival for peace in the city of Halifax, Canada. Her books include a young adult novel which she wrote with her two daughters, “The Seven Secrets of the Universe" (2014) and co-author “A-Z Spiritual Literacy" (2016), "Living as Art" (2018) and "Return to Source: The God Experience” (2020). Judy coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris in Atlantic, Canada.

Every problem contains the seed of its own solution Norman Vincent Peale In a world full of external advice and endless distractions, how do we challenge the idea that solutions are “out there” and learn to trust our own inner compass? This talk will offer practical methods to quieten the noise, overcome indecision and tap into the wisdom and clarity we already possess. John McConnel is a stress management trainer and former prison governor and social worker. He has been studying and teaching Raja Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris for over 30 years. John has a strong interest in the practical application of spiritual principles and insights in daily life. He is the author of Breaking Through The Darkness: how to defeat depression, anxiety and stress - a spiritual perspective.

There’s one ‘rabbit hole’ many people do not want to explore - so extensive has been the conditioning and programming of parents, teachers and culture. It’s an internal journey towards the centre of your self. Only when you make the trip can you know and enjoy the internal scenery and the riches that await. Tonight, Mike will guide you and explain what you are liable to see, feel and know. Mike George is a management tutor, spiritual coach and an author of sixteen books. In a unique blend of insight, wisdom and humour Mike brings together the three key strands of the 21st century – self-awareness, emotional/spiritual intelligence and continuous ‘unlearning.’ Mike is a highly entertaining speaker known for his ability to unite head and heart. For the last 30 years he has been guiding and facilitating the executive development of leaders in companies and communities in over 30 countries. He coaches and mentors individuals towards their own vision of inner success, and helps teams find more cohesive ways to work together and motivate themselves. His books include Being Your Self, Don’t Get MAD Get Wise, The 7 Myths About LOVE and Untangling Religion and Spirituality. You can download the presentation slides from this talk (pdf) here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jc...