“Moral health of a nation as important as economic health” – Pres Ali

…as Brahma Kumaris celebrate 50 years in Guyana

As Guyana continues to undergo unprecedented economic transformation, President Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasised that equally important to the country’s progress is the morals and values of its people. “The moral health of a nation is every bit as important as the economic health. A society cannot thrive on prosperity alone. It must also be nourished by integrity, compassion, self-discipline, kindness and respect,” he stated. According to President Ali, organisations such as the Brahma Kumaris help to cultivate these values among the people. The Head of State made these remarks on Saturday during an event held on the lawn of State House to celebrate 50 years of Brahma Kumaris in Guyana. The Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual organisation dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal through the power of meditation and spiritual values. Saturday’s event, held under the theme “One Guyana, One Future: The Power of Conscious Leadership,” also welcomed internationally-respected spiritual leader Sister Jayanti, whose early work helped establish the Brahma Kumaris presence in Guyana.

President Ali noted that this milestone celebration is a significant achievement, representing 50 years of service, dedication, spiritual teaching, personal transformation, and community upliftment in Guyana. It also represents, he added, half a century of helping Guyanese discover the power of inner peace, meditation, self-reflection and positive thinking. “For five decades, the Brahma Kumaris have quietly but steadily contributed to the spiritual and moral development of our nation. Their work has touched countless lives and has helped many individuals navigate the challenges of modern life with greater balance, resilience and purpose. Today, we see the fruits of that labour in the many individuals whose lives have been enriched by the teachings and practices of Brahma Kumaris,” he stated. The Guyanese Leader further stated that the work of the Brahma Kumaris demonstrates that genuine progress requires both material advancement and spiritual growth. He noted that the strength of a nation is not measured only by the infrastructure it builds, but also by the values it cultivates – something which he underscores is even more relevant today as Guyana embarks on this new era of prosperity and development. “We are witnessing a period of unprecedented national development, but as we celebrate material progress, we must also recognise that a nation can build highways, but it must also build character. A nation could construct buildings, but it also must construct values. And a nation can accumulate wealth, but it must also cultivate wisdom. Development must therefore be measured not only by what we build around us, but also by what we build within ourselves.”

Character, values & consciousness
“A nation’s true progress is therefore incomplete if it is confined to the material alone. It must also be reflected in the character, values and consciousness of the people. It is precisely this inner dimension of development that gives meaning and direction to our material achievements,” the President stated. The Head of State went onto note that his ‘One Guyana’ aspirations is closely aligned with the philosophy of the Brahma Kumaris. “The teachings of the Brahma Kumaris remind us that every human being possesses an inherent dignity that transcends race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, or social status. They encourage us to see humanity in one another.

They encourage us to replace anger with understanding, division with cooperation, and negativity with hope. At the heart of the ‘One Guyana’ vision is the belief that our diversity is a source of strength rather than division,” he contended. Moreover, President Ali stated that the work of the Brahma Kumaris contributed significantly to this process of inner transformation amongst Guyanese, making an invaluable contribution to the promotion of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, emotional resilience and personal well-being. “The practice of meditation is no longer regarded as something reserved for spiritual seekers alone. Today, it is widely recognised as an important tool for strengthening mental and emotional well-being. Similarly, yoga has become a powerful means of promoting physical health, mental balance and holistic wellness.” “The Brahma Kumaris have been among the pioneers in introducing and promoting these practices in Guyana, helping individuals from all walks of life to improve their quality of life and cultivate a greater sense of inner peace. For this, they deserve our gratitude and admiration,” the Guyanese Leader noted.

Human consciousness
Meanwhile, sharing her sentiments, Sister Jayanti, who serves as the Additional Administrative Head and represents the Brahma Kumaris of the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, spoke about how human consciousness is driving everything that happens around the world. She noted that lies within the consciousness are qualities such as kindness, the compassion, the dignity, the respect, the empathy, the love, the purity of intention, and the joy of human life. All of these however, are being influenced by various factors in the world, she explained. Sister Jayanti contends that inner awareness is the foundation of evaluation and this, she believes, will drive the change that is needed amongst humanity.
“Humanity has to evolve from its current state of selfishness, in which it’s ego, anger, and greed that drive everything we do, and come back, evolve back again to that original state of inner purity… I believe that not only is there huge chaos in the world, but I believe we carry the key to be able to find that inner governance of spirit that’s going to allow us to have proper governance and an orderly world, a world filled with dignity, love, respect and harmony,” she stated. According to Sister Jayanti, many individuals are carrying peace in their hearts and if all of them can come together, then change can be widespread.
“Whenever there’s been anything that’s happened that has transformed the world to a better place, it’s begun with one. From one to a few, and from few, a minority, there’s been an impact. When my mind is peaceful, my discernment capacity is far more refined, and I’m able to make choices and decisions that can impact my life and the lives of others in a positive direction. “When we accept that this is how the world is and always will be, well that’s what we’ll get. But if we create that vision of a better world together, and we hold that vision in our hearts and we exemplify that vision in our life, then yes, together, definitely not only a better Guyana but a beautiful world for all is possible,” Sister Jayanti stated. Saturday’s event at State House also featured a public spiritual discourse between President Ali and Sister Jayanti. Among those in attendance at the event were visiting Brahma Kumaris from Holland, the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), India and across the Caribbean.