Overview

"We have the potential to guide the world towards becoming a more loving place. It begins with our ways of thinking as our outer world is a reflection of what lies within our inner world." Or so the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization would have us believe (and to be fair, so do many other thinkers and spiritual organisations). By joining in a group think-athon with fellow peace-loving individuals, it is thought that the good vibes that emanate will do the world a lot of good - and the more people around the world that join in, the more of an effect it will have.

As well as putting on lots of courses, classes and workshops throughout the year for folks to learn about their special way of thinking, the Brahma Kumaris promote world peace each month by way of this World Meditation Hour group meditation. You don't have to buy into the whole Kumaris philosophy to take part, but you may want to do some research into whether it suits you - not least because the organisation sometimes attracts negative press.

Otherwise known as the World Spiritual University, the (now global and significant) following was founded in 1937 in colonial British India, by the diamond trader Dada Lekh Raj. His devotees call him Brahma Baba and believe he was a manifestation of the Hindu God Shiva. They also expect Brahma Baba's return soon, when a destructive but purifying fire will supposedly end the old Kali Yuga era and bring about a new Golden Era, in which the spiritual elite of Golden Souls (the Brahma Kumaris) will rule the world.