Dear Dr. Pereira, I appreciate the fact that you understand my concerns, and that you have offered clarifications on your thoughts on this issue. My concerns have to do only with claims regarding scientific truths or truths about the natural world. I am not particularly concerned about what someone chooses to believe as part of his or her personal faith, unless, of course, if that belief is harmful to others.
Nobody has ever demonstrated that scientific truths/truths about the natural world can be uncovered by any other method than the well-established method of science. I am aware of, and am deeply involved, as we speak, in research on consciousness. All of this research, conducted by scores of highly competent scientists, is published in standard scientific journals with strict peer review requirements - journals such as Consciousness and Cognition, Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Journal of Consciousness Studies, etc. There are hundreds of studies on yoga, meditation and spiritual activities published in these journals. Some of these studies show that they are perfectly good methods of physical exercise and mental relaxation having beneficial effects on the general physical and mental health of individuals. But not a single one of these properly conducted and replicated studies shows that there is anything extraordinary, inexplicable or supernatural going on when someone is engaged in these activities. Now as to whether Brahma Kumari Raja Yoga is a religious cult or not, I will leave that judgment up to you and others after reading what ex-members and ex-teachers of that organization have written in the following forum that they have created to inform the public about its beliefs and practices: http://www.brahmakumaris.info/ Cheers, Santosh >________________________________ > From: Celina Pereira <[email protected]> >To: Santosh Helekar <[email protected]>; submit article to goanet ><[email protected]> >Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:50 AM >Subject: yogic farming > > >Thank you for your comments Dr.Helekar. I understand your concerns.......Could >you simply ask the Brahma Kumari group in Goa for the rationale behind their >proposal? >My concerns are that some truths cannot be proven by the now available >research methodologies. This of course does not mean that every proposal >should be accepted based on faith. >Some forms of yoga do have to do with concentrated thought .....and hence my >reference to meditation and thought processes, and the research on these. >My reference to the Brahma Kumaris Hospital in Mount Abu was in context of the >remark made about the Brahma Kumaris being a cult. >Some of the research on consciousness is published in 'Noetic Sciences', a >publication started by an US astronaut. >Do let me know if you are interested in Spirituality and Health Care....would >love to compare notes with a colleague. >Celina Pereira >
