“The soul of the magnificent Dadi Janki has left her body at 104 years of age. She departed on March 27 at 2 am in Mt Abu, India. She leaves behind hundreds of thousands who felt she was their true friend. Anyone who had been in a room with her would have experienced her booming voice of authority ringing out with 3 “om shantis”.
For over 80 years she asked audiences on all continents to consider 3 questions: “Who am I?” “Who do I belong to?” and “What is the task of this time?” You are a soul. You belong to God. And this is the time of world transformation.
She was a tireless server. From her early days in what is now Pakistan to a few months before her passing, she gave every moment to service, outpacing those who were decades younger. She spoke to princes, prime ministers and those leading ordinary lives as if they were her brothers and sisters, urging them to make their lives worthwhile.
She was a spiritual giant, who kept a lamp of hope lit for humanity. She showed us how to live with love and ultimately how to die with dignity.”
From Brahma Kumaris website, March 27 2020
Dadi Janki talks to Christine Miller
I was very privileged to meet with and delight in the presence of Dadi Janki many times both in London, and also in Mount Abu, India. She was a guiding light in my life, and her soul will remain so.
This interview took place in London some ten years ago, and the time spent with her remains a gem in my heart and soul.
Christine:
Looking back, how did you discover your spiritual path?
I was in search of truth even as a child. I heard and saw many things, and I felt it was necessary to go into the depths; I wasn’t satisfied with anything superficial. And then I met Brahma Baba. (Brahma Baba, inspired by a series of revelations, founded the BK University in 1936, and dedicated the remaining 33 years of his life to bringing into reality his vision of people of all cultural, economic and religious backgrounds coming together to rediscover and develop the spiritual dimension of their lives.)
I had known him before, but after his transformation, I saw how he had this very direct link with God, and that he was filled with light and might. I experienced what it is to have that connection with God the Almighty through Brahma Baba. From that moment on, I stopped wandering around with my intellect and I felt this was the right path, so I started to move along it.
There were three main things:
- Firstly, one needs directions to go on a journey.
- Secondly, our desires, and the demands of the world, can pull us in many directions, but God’s directions showed me where I needed to go.
- Thirdly, an aim appeared very clearly ahead of me: I discovered what God wants me to do in terms of my own life, and also what I can do to bring benefit to the world. I receive the direction I am to move in. God’s instructions act as a signal for what I need to do, so that there is no doubt: it is very strict.
Christine:
How do you experience God, that connection with the one above, in your life?
Firstly, there is the recognition of the Self. I always had the awareness that the soul, the spirit, was separate to the physical body – but then there was the realisation that I, the Soul, am a child of God. Then whilst in the body, in the world, with relationship, through the link with God, none of those outside factors can influence me.
People are often confused about what they need to do, and the link with God means that there is no confusion, but clarity, and a certainty that I am God’s child. Living within the world, this is the consciousness I can keep. When there is honesty within the self, then I know I can value myself.
God’s love means that I can be honest with myself, honest with God and honest with the world. This is the truth of the relationship with God, and this experience gives power which can then be shared with others. And when we are wise, we can also share our attitude, our feelings of the heart with others.
Christine:
Which of your life achievements please you most?
Before I reply, I always pause for a moment, in silence.
And in reply to your question: I’ve always made sure that, being a child of God, I follow God’s instructions in my life and not the directions of human beings. So that is something that I can say with reality. I always check that God is pleased with me because I don’t want to do anything just to please myself, I don’t want to do things to please other people.
And in reply to your question: I’ve always made sure that, being a child of God, I follow God’s instructions in my life and not the directions of human beings. So that is something that I can say with reality. I always check that God is pleased with me because I don’t want to do anything just to please myself, I don’t want to do things to please other people.
When there is a relationship, you always ask the question what is it that the other one wants from you and what is it that I can do – and so having a relationship with the Almighty authority is something which is very special.
Christine:
Of the changes you’ve seen during your life – what encourages you to believe that we’re on the right track to have a better world?
When I first came to England in the 1970s, I saw that people were not really interested in spiritual things; and yet I’ve seen a very positive change through the years. I was looking at each of the decades since I’ve been here – the first decade was very slow; in the second decade, I found that people were beginning to be more interested in spirituality; and in the third decade people were now beginning to see that the material world was unable to satisfy them, and so they were beginning to be less interested in those outer things.
Now at the start of the 21st century, in the fourth decade, I see that there is a very strong feeling in people’s hearts; they know that it is not the external world that can give them what they need, but the inner world.
And now it’s not just a question of searching for truth, but they really want to absorb truth in their lives. They are ready to understand. And if a few people are ready to free themselves from the bondages of materialism, it is like they are sitting in a boat of truth moving in a different direction, and when seeing them, others will also be inspired to go the same way.
Christine:
I would certainly agree about the changes in consciousness at the beginning of the 21st century. What other changes would you like to see to bring greater peace and love into people’s lives?
I want to see a lot of changes!
I want to see magic happen so that the darkness disappears and light comes.
It’s very simple. But the current conditions are of such violence that people are creating violence everywhere and causing much sorrow. And so when people like you become instruments to transform yourselves – and, as I said last night, I want a team to be ready to show the different paths – because when a team is ready to say that ‘yes this what we need to do for a better world’, and seeing that team, people in America, Australia, Africa will also be inspired and be ready to do something.
I want to see magic happen so that the darkness disappears and light comes.
It’s very simple. But the current conditions are of such violence that people are creating violence everywhere and causing much sorrow. And so when people like you become instruments to transform yourselves – and, as I said last night, I want a team to be ready to show the different paths – because when a team is ready to say that ‘yes this what we need to do for a better world’, and seeing that team, people in America, Australia, Africa will also be inspired and be ready to do something.
I’m seeing globalisation has meant that there are huge buildings, huge banks, which are identical all over the world – but now this change should be visible all over the world. Otherwise it’s just huge shopping centres – I have been travelling a lot in India and in Bombay, Hyderabad, everywhere there are big shopping malls and people think that this is what life is about – just to build a high rise block!
That is not what life is about – but to have a good character, to live a life of simplicity and honesty, so that then we can show the right path to others. To use my time and money in a worthwhile way to serve the world, not just for myself – then I don’t have time for anything else.
Christine:
Talking of large banks and globalisation, how can people influence the values of public institutions, such as banks, and respond to the challenges of current financial conditions?
It requires conversations – a small group meeting together to share experiences and see how, through the awareness of the inner self and the connection with God, we are able to have values. Then spread those conversations everywhere so a change of culture begins to happen. Otherwise, even if some have values, there is a lot of ego attached to the fact that ‘I have values’ but in spiritual awareness, then there are values but no ego.
Christine:
What guidance would you give to men and women to live long, fulfilling lives and remain young in heart and spirit?
Our breath and our thoughts are the most valuable things we have.
If I am doing something good, I receive the fruit of it in happiness and strength – and if I am doing something wrong I don’t feel that.
There is a vast difference between that which is wasteful and that which is powerful. On one side I do things with a desire for a return, and the other is altruistic and I am very clear about what it is that I need to do – I also understand that when there is truth there is power, when there is falsehood there is weakness. If somebody has followed the path of truth for quite a long while, but yet there is an influence of falsehood, then all their energy is lost. Ego is the enemy that is constantly chasing us – in religion, in politics, in everything – whether someone has wealth or doesn’t have wealth, ego is ever-present.
So if I am paying attention to these things and just taking that power from God and using my thoughts and my breath in a worthwhile way, then whether my life span increases on a physical level or not, I am able to lead a very good life and am able to be content and give contentment to others.
I’ve seen that some people are able to do a lot of good even at a young age, and people at an older age might be remembering the younger ones. So each human being should think that ‘here in my human life let me do things without wanting praise, but which are worthy of praise’, and this will happen with attention. Then I get blessings. In this way, my life whether it is a short one or a long one, is one in which I live happily and one in which I give happiness to others around me.
Christine:
I have heard you speak of women creating heaven on earth – for the good of all humanity – do you see this as a key role in creating a peaceful world?
In a natural way, a woman has compassion and love and honesty, but the influences of today’s world are such that women have also forgotten these things. There was a time when women were very aggressive and just wanted to prove that they could play the role that men are playing – that is not useful. It’s not that somebody else is inhibiting us from moving forward, and God has given us this understanding and told us;
‘Hey mothers! Awaken – and awaken others. And use that compassion, love, and truth in your lives.’
When there is simplicity and economy in one’s life, then with that remembrance there is such power that one’s life is transformed and one can be an inspiration to others. In India it used to be a comment that two women can’t live together in the same house – in the sense of a mother in law, daughter in law, or two sisters in law – but Brahma Baba brought so many women together, and made them live together with a lot of love and harmony. It was hundreds at first, and then it became thousands, and now it is tens of thousand. The sisters keep the brothers in front and the brothers keep the sisters in front – so it needs mutual respect. That’s what happens in a practical way.
Christine:
Presence, and being present, seems to be at the core of your way of being – can you tell me more?
The most important thing is that I don’t worry. If I worry, even a little, then there will be a dilution of my thoughts.
At any one moment, we need to pay attention to three things:
At any one moment, we need to pay attention to three things:
- At all times to have a connection with God so that my mind is always at an elevated level and nothing happens to bring that consciousness down.
I don’t watch television but I know that when I met the Pope, his secretary was there with him all the time, and when there is a guru then their followers are with them all the time. So let me be present in front of God all the time so that I’m available for God. - I always pay attention to the fact that wherever I live I create a pure atmosphere, a good atmosphere, and that the people I live with should be a relationship of harmony, so making sure of that means that wherever I am present, there should be that sense of harmony.
- I’ve also seen that person’s presence and the atmosphere is felt even from a distance – if there is a person passing by a place of worship, a temple, a church or a mosque, what is the quality of thinking there – or if a person is passing a brothel or a cinema – what will be the type of thoughts than one has there? So wherever I stay, I would want the vibrations of these walls to be filled with peace so that others are able to experience it so even without stepping inside they should change their mind.
- People are now becoming aware of these things so they are searching for a source of hope, a source of peace, and so if I can be ready at all times to send out those vibrations of God’s light and peace then I will be serving him.
So I make sure I do all four types of service at all times.
Christine:
Last night in your talk you said, ‘Happiness consists of a stable intellect and a mind that is quiet – ‘I AM THE BASIS OF MY OWN PERSONAL HAPPINESS’’ .
Can you say more, please?
Last night in your talk you said, ‘Happiness consists of a stable intellect and a mind that is quiet – ‘I AM THE BASIS OF MY OWN PERSONAL HAPPINESS’’ .
Can you say more, please?
Do you think it is possible?
Christine:
Oh, yes; in fact, I think it is essential.
It is a matter of balance. For example, imagine there is a person selling jewels or a person selling grain – whatever their condition may be, if they don’t know how maintain balance in their life, then how can they feel that what they are doing is worthwhile?
Sometimes when you pass by shops you see the old fashioned symbol of a pair of scales – two scales and a centre piece on top – and each scale is held by three threads. If you hold the scale from one side, the whole thing will crash down, but if you hold the centre point it will stay balanced. If I put something very heavy into one of the bowls, and I don’t put an equivalent weight on the other side, it doesn’t work.
I have to learn to keep a balance in all aspects and if I don’t know how to keep a balance, people will say I’m not a good business person. If there is a business person who knows how to keep a balance with honesty then people will be drawn towards him and they will automatically come to him. God says ‘let your life be such that you glorify my name’. People blame God, and say God made the world like this; but that isn’t true – God didn’t make the world, God has transformed human souls.
Christine:
What is next – what are your new projects and plans?
It’s other people like you who look after projects and not me!
But the plans I have in my mind are that the sorrow and suffering of the world should finish very quickly, and peace and happiness should come. This is what I am concerned with: that I should be an instrument, but also that I should find others who can be instruments.
For example, I did nothing about yesterday’s programme – all of you planned it and made it happen. All I did was to make myself available, and become present. But I know that many members of the audience drew great benefit from it. So I am available to serve, but it is others who make the plans! Also, I’m not present alone, on my own; I always keep God as my companion, so wherever I go people can also feel that presence.
Christine:
Do you have a special message for our readers?
My hope that your readers will be able to experience true peace as they read these words because I want everyone’s attention to be drawn towards God, so that they can then connect with the ocean of peace, and experience peace in their lives.
My hope is that readers will be able to take inspiration, so that they can liberate themselves from the chains and bondages that they have, such as addictions and bad habits, and that they are inspired throw away old habits. They should forget the old things that are causing them suffering, and then humans can be a force for good. So far, what has happened is that we have allowed ourselves to get caught up in the chains of bondage, and with each other, and so it needs a great power of love to free ourselves so that those bitter feelings finish and we can be free.
Then once we are free from our habits, there should be no more bad action; because the old habits are creating a loss in terms of our minds, our bodies, and even our planet.
What I have to do is focus on my deep connection with God, detachment from my body, connecting with the being who doesn’t have a physical form at all.
And that will bring me a huge
RESOURCE OF LOVE
And that will bring me a huge
RESOURCE OF LOVE
© Christine Miller – ReSource Magazine
