The 7 Billion Acts of Goodness global campaign was officially launched at the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, 3 August 2014. On that auspicious evening, some 400 people had come together to witness the launch and many were inspired to pin their pledges on the Tree of Goodness. It was a truly beautiful sight and the atmosphere was charged with positive vibrations.
Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, an advocate of women’s rights, HIV/AIDS activist and TV producer, officiated the launch together with Didi Chakradhari, the Brahma Kumaris Director-General of Russia and other USSR Republics.
In her speech, Datin Paduka Marina praised the Brahma Kumaris for the timely campaign when human beings seem to have lost their own humanity and the whole world is experiencing extreme turmoil and suffering brought on by unnecessary conflicts, civil war, unrest and religious persecution. Didi Chakradhari said that positive change will only come through selfless service with no expectation of name or fame. She urged all to grow good seeds (thoughts) of divine virtues and inspire others by doing good.
To assist the audience to make their pledges, Sister Meera guided the audience with her commentary. She mentioned that every act performed is like a seed. She requested all to focus their thoughts to emerge their inner qualities of peace, love and mercy for empowerment to pledge to do goodness to the self and others for all to live in peace and harmony.
22 heads/representatives of organisations, associations, NGOs and Interfaith groups also joined the guest-of-honours on stage to pledge their Acts of Goodness on a huge picturesque Tree of Goodness.
Another Tree of Goodness was also placed at the back of the Hall for the other guests to make their pledges. Everyone in the audience were so enthusiastic to pledge their own acts of goodness so much so that the Tree of Goodness was completely covered by the pledges.
There was also an exhibition corner where posters were put up for people to understand better what the 7 Billion Acts of Goodness campaign is about.
The programme was very well received and a great success. Several organisations and NGOs indicated their interest to organize similar events at their respective places so that more people can be motivated to perform their acts of kindness.
किसी से निस्वार्थ भाव से प्रेम करने की शक्ति को क्षमाशीलता कहते हैं। आध्यात्मिकता हमारे अतीत के घावों, अपमानों एवं हानियों को भूलाने की शक्ति देती है। क्षमाशील होने का अर्थ है- स्व के प्रति एवं दूसरों के प्रति दयालु होना। आप स्वयं और किसी दूसरे के लिए वास्तविक अपेक्षाएं रखते हैं। आप दूसरों के दृष्टिकोण को देखते हैं और उनके अधिकार को स्वीकार करते हैं। क्षमा करने के लिए सहनशक्ति नामक आध्यात्मिक शक्ति की आवश्यकता होती है। क्षमा कर देने की आपकी वृत्ति में किसी को परिवर्तित एवं प्रेरित करने की शक्ति होती है लेकिन यदि आप किसी को सुधारने अथवा बदलने के लिए सावधान करते हैं तो लोग उससे असंतुष्ट होते हैं और विरोध करते हैं। हालांकि क्षमा करने एवं भूलने की बात कहने में तो आसान लगती है परन्तु इसे कर्म-व्यवहार में लाना कठिन होता है। आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान, आत्मानुभूति एवं अनासक्त भाव हमें व्यावहारिक एवं सहनशील बनाते हैं। उकसाने एवं चोटिल करने वाली घटनाएं आपकी जांच के लिए आती हैं और इससे पता चलता है कि आप वास्तव में अपने मूल्यों के साथ जी रहे हैं अथवा नहीं? एक प्रसिद्ध सूक्ति है कि आप इसे रोक नहीं सकते, नियत्रित नहीं कर सकते और बदल भी नहीं सकते। इस सच्चाई को मान लेने से किसी को क्षमा कर देना अधिक तर्कसंगत हो जाता है।
I felt good when i help my brother and i saw goodness in him. It made him happy and it made me also very very happy to find that I did something good to him. It felt very good to me.
– Darsh Desai (USA)
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Having attended a talk about “Goodness” at The Brahma Kumaris gave me more awareness around the importance of how little kind acts can make a big difference.
– Elaine Atcheler (Australia)
To know I am consciously helping to create a kinder and gentler place in the world drama.
– Denise Zeiff (USA)
It will feed the soul that I am, what gladdens your heart feeds your soul. It will deepen my connection with God, because it will be God,s love I am sharing
– Margaret McCathie (UK)
Gives Self Satisfaction and motivates me to reach others in making them feel one among the nature. To realize my self and others about how our inner world influence the outer world. Acts of goodness are to be understood and practiced in the welfare of society, mankind and Nature.
– BK Rekha (India)
I will accelerate my journey of less materialism to more spirituality. I will gain many moments of inner peace and happiness from seeing others excel beyond their dreams. I will smile more and worry less. My children we see their father become the man he has always wanted to be.
– Terry Denton (New Zealand)
No matter how many people doubt me or put me down, I will not repeat the action to them. This will help me know my positive vision of myself is correct, and this will shine from within me. When others see this, they will hesitate to doubt anyone and will choose to believe in others, as well. The domino effect will continue by these simple actions that anyone can do. Even if this starts with only two people, it will slowly spread to the whole world.
– Anand Dharawat (USA)
7 Billion Acts of Goodness booth was setup at Peace in the Park – an annual Brahma Kumaris event in New York, USA on Friday, July 18, 2014. The booth attracted people from all age groups and walks of life and instilled in them the spirit to perform acts of goodness
