Since the mid ‘70s, the Brahma Kumaris have been offering meditation courses and programs on personal development in Australasia. In April 2007, a commitment was made to reach out to neighbouring countries in the South Pacific, offering more people in the region the opportunity to learn meditation and explore personal transformation. We have called this outreach initiative “Pasifika Peace”.
Pasifika Peace aims to deliver free-of-charge, courses in Meditation, Postive Thinking and Inner Leadership to the Pacific peoples in a culturally empowering manner and through sustainable programs. It is a joint New Zealand/Australia initiative of the Brahma Kumaris.
During September 2008, Pasifika Peace visited Samoa and Vanuatu to meet with community, government and business leaders, the media, students and local people. The welcoming and positive response has resulted in plans for sustainable follow-up in Samoa and Vanuatu - to teach meditation, and personal development courses in response to local needs. There will be a follow-up visit to Samoa of a longer duration in April – June 2009, and a follow up visit to Vanuatu in June 2009. It is further envisaged that courses may also be offered in Papua New Guinea in early 2009.
In March 2009, the BKs had a stall for the first time at the Pasifika Festival in Auckland, New Zealand. Amidst a display of 10 cultural villages, entertainment programs and stalls selling traditional foods and crafts, the BKs had a small stall promoting our meditation courses.
From April – June 2009, a longer follow-up visit was made to Samoa. The Positive Thinking and Meditation courses were offered to several organisations and interested individuals. These ranged from NGOs and organisations serving the community to spa staff and youth groups. Values activities in schools, vegetarian cooking classes and talks on Inner Peace and Happiness were also well received.
In July 2009, the BKs visited Vanuatu to offer Meditation courses. A public program on Stress Free Living and a talk specially designed for women and mothers titled ‘Inner Beauty’ were also given.
We hope to make follow-up visits to Samoa and Vanuatu in the near future as part of our commitment to deliver sustainable programs to the local communities. It is further envisaged that courses may also be offered in Papua New Guinea and other South Pacific countries in 2009/10.
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