Letter of Invitation to the Call of The Time Dialouge in April 2000
December 1, 1999
Dear Freinds :
As you know, we have begun a series of dialogues intended to bring together thought leaders and men and women on the field of world service for reflection and conversation. In April we will have our next opportunity to come together for a Call of The Time Dialogue at the Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center in Oxford, England. The dialogue will begin with dinner on Friday, April 7, and conclude after lunch on Monday, April 10, 2000.
We will look at the overriding question, "What is the time calling us to do?" In particular, we will focus on the subject of globalization. We will consider both our "outer" experience of the world and our "inner" spiritual experience. This is an invitation to all of us to take our traditional understanding of globalization to a new level and to ask:
- How does the power of thought, consciousness, prayer, and meditation manifest in the world?
- What are the spiritual interpretations of such secular global issues as conflict, ecology, and resource distribution?
- What are the implications of the power of the mind at a global level?
We will also turn our attention to our personal experiences and inner spiritual progress. To assure that this part of the dialogue is as rich as possible, it will be helpful if we come to Oxford having examined our practice and experience in both our spiritual and vocational lives. Here is a reminder of two areas we might consider for personal reflection over the months ahead:
1. Make a note of experiences you have had as you experimented with the paradigm of a material world that is not separate from the spiritual world:
- What happened?
- What worked well?
- What opposition did it create?
- What were the lessons learned?
- What methods of spiritual practice are you finding helpful?
- What values and aspirations are most important to you at this time?
- How would you assess the progress you are making?
Please note that this concerns the spiritual aspect of our experience and not a particular religion or dogma.
We will use our notes and reflections in these areas to look more closely at the transformations we are hoping to bring about and that we are already seeing. There will be time for quiet reflection and for dialogue among all of us in plenary session. Dadi Janki will be with us as a spiritual resource.
Our hope for the gathering in April is to build on the previous dialogues, "Self Sovereignty and World Transformation" held in September 1998 and "The Call of The Time" held in September 1999. A summary report on "The Call of The Time" Dialogue is enclosed for your information. Our intention is to continue exploring at deeper levels the essence of a new way of understanding and speaking about the extraordinary challenges and opportunities of our time. We believe that in-depth dialogue is possible because of the spiritual bonds that continue to be created among the men and women present at each of these dialogues. The April 2000 dialogue will serve to strengthen this ongoing spiritual, moral, and intellectual bond. Please plan to join us.
Kindly RSVP to Gayatri Naraine by January 18 at the Brahma Kumaris Office for the United Nations at (212) 688-1335 (phone), (212) 504-2798 (fax), or e-mail at bkun@bkwsu.com.
With kindest regards,
Dr. Peter Senge
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and
Society for Organizational Learning (SoL)
Co-Chair, The Call of The Time Dialogues
B.K. Jayanti
Director, Brahma Kumaris International Coordinating Office, UK
Co-Chair, The Call of The Time Dialogues