Seeking a practice that fostered a mind-body connection, Marge Enriquez, then a dance student in a conservatory, stumbled upon an unexpected path during a visit to a holistic health store in San Francisco in 1981. A flyer advertising free meditation classes, featuring a silhouetted figure in lotus pose bathed in light, piqued her curiosity. The words "Peace, purity, and prosperity" resonated with her, particularly the concept of free meditation in a society driven by commerce. Marge contacted the Brahma Kumaris Center, drawn to their philosophy. A gentle voice confirmed their focus on mind-body connection, explaining, "We believe that when you discipline the mind, the body will follow." Raja yoga meditation, offered by the center, differed from other practices Marge had encountered. It emphasized the interplay between the self, soul, and physical aspects, allowing us to experience the world with a renewed perspective. This method aimed to reconnect us with our true nature – one of inherent peace – and shed the labels that often confine us. Through consistent practice, practitioners gain insights into the origin of thoughts and how to harness them for positive purposes. Most significantly, raja yoga fostered a personal connection with God, a source of unconditional love, replacing the sadness and stress that had long plagued her. Marge's inquisitiveness further propelled the movement. Upon noticing the Philippines missing from the official list of international Brahma Kumaris centers, she voiced her curiosity to her teacher, Sister Chandru Desai. Her response was simple yet empowering: "Why don't you start one?" This seemingly casual suggestion ignited a spark of determination in Marge. The discovery of Raja yoga in San Francisco rippled outwards, igniting a flame of spiritual exploration in the Philippines. Marge, brimming with newfound knowledge, shared her experiences with her close friend Lucy Perez, a prominent facilitator back home. Lucy, along with her husband Vic, a naval lieutenant commander, were drawn to Marge's enthusiasm and shared her desire for deeper spiritual connection. Marge's letters, filled with insights from Raja yoga, traveled across the miles. Inspired, Lucy and Vic began incorporating the practice into their lives. One Christmas, Marge sent them a painting depicting a radiant point of light, which became a focal point for their pre-dawn meditations at 4:00 am. Through Marge's correspondence, the Perezes embraced a transformative concept: God wasn't a distant entity, but a loving individual. This resonated deeply with them. In 1982, fate intervened during a layover in Tokyo on Marge's journey to India's Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU). Sister Rajni Daulatram met the American Raja yoga students at their hotel, and during this seemingly ordinary encounter, the seeds for a future chapter were sown. At the University headquarters, Marge expressed her desire to establish a meditation center in the Philippines. Dadi Prakashmani, the administrative head of the BK organization, listened attentively to this young student's proposal. Instead of imposing a decision, Dadiji (“elder sister” in Hindi) surprised Marge by offering flexibility. Though Dadiji suggested a teacher from Indonesia, she accepted Marge’s recommendation of sending someone from nearby Hong Kong. This act of humility from a senior leader of the organization left a lasting impression on Marge. On her way to Manila, Marge detoured through Hong Kong, where she was warmly received by Australian teacher Maureen "Morni" Chen and students from the local Brahma Kumaris (BK) center. While in transit at the airport, Marge was asked to the daily spiritual discourse. Upon reaching Manila in January 1983, Marge wasted no time connecting with Regina Dee, head of the Inner Peace Movement. Recognizing the potential of Raja Yoga, Regina invited Marge to introduce the practice at her residence. The event drew a sizable crowd, with nearly 60 guests attending. Five attendees were particularly interested and went on to take the foundational Raja Yoga course with Marge at the Perezes' residence. Lucy, eager to share her experience, spread the word about this "new meditation practice from America" that Marge had brought. Following the course, Vic, one of the participants, expressed a desire for a dedicated center. Marge encouraged them to contact the Brahma Kumaris headquarters directly. By the time Marge returned to pursue postgraduate studies at San Francisco State University, preparations were underway to welcome foreign Raja Yoga teachers. Dadi Janki, the head of Brahma Kumaris' international division at the time, officially designated Sister Rajni and Sister Morni to establish a presence in the Philippines. Hence, the Philippines became the first foreign country to start service on the invitation of the locals. The two teachers arrived in Manila on March 13, 1983, greeted by a welcoming committee that included Marge's father, Monitor, the Perezes, and the owners of the Tree of Life--architect Vi Santos, Tess Santos (Vi's sister-in-law) and Cielito Perez (Lucy’s sister-in-law). Their temporary residence, the Tree of Life, was an apartment that functioned as a restaurant, and venue for New Age lectures. The Filipinos' eagerness for Raja Yoga was evident – even before settling into their room, the sisters were met with requests for a class. Their living quarters, shared with staff from a neighboring salon, became an unexpected meditation space. Each night, the manager, hairdressers, and staff, clad in pajamas, gathered to listen to Morni's classes. Basic Raja Yoga courses were also conducted at the Tree of Life. Sharing a kitchen with non-vegetarians presented a challenge. Rajni, being a vegetarian, would light incense sticks to mask the occasional wafts of fish. Recognizing this, Vi Santos, a fellow vegetarian, generously offered the use of her kitchen in Bel-Air, allowing the sisters to prepare their meals in comfort. Once the initial Raja Yoga course concluded, gatherings for spiritual discourses, known as murlis, were held in Vi's serene garden. Morni spent three months in the Philippines while Rajni returned to her base in Japan after two weeks. The introduction of Raja Yoga meditation and its values quickly gained momentum, with the sisters delivering well-attended lectures at various locations. These included the now-defunct COD Department Store, owned by the family of Belen Rosario King (a major benefactor), Tess Santos' export factory, and even the Secretariat of the Batasang Pambansa, the former Philippine national legislature. To accommodate the growing interest, Vi, when overseeing the renovation of the Tree of Life meditation center, made provision for a kitchenette and a dedicated course room. The Raja Yoga students went above and beyond to show hospitality to the foreign raja yoga teachers. They took them sightseeing and eventually drove Sister Maureen to a retreat center run by a priest in Ilocos Norte, Vic's home province. While there, the students explained Sister Morni was a foreigner visiting the Philippines. During the retreat, Vic confessed he struggled with the center's vegetarian diet. A simple question from Morni, "Do you like animals?" followed by "Then why do you eat them?" sparked a change in Vic. He has since adopted a plant-based diet. Meanwhile, Lucy organized a training program at the Batasang Pambansa. Sister Morni conducted a class on the Eight Powers of the Soul" for a top official and their staff. Asked about the source of these powers, Sister Morni saw it as an opportunity to introduce the concept of God. Over eight days, she facilitated sessions for approximately 80 participants each day. The program even included a session by Dr. Nirmala Kajaria, director for the BK Asia Pacific Region, The positive response led to the establishment of a dedicated meditation room within the Batasang Pambansa. Following the successful program at the Batasang Pambansa, Sister Morni returned to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Australian Melinda "Mala" Hewitt and Nirjana Shah from India arrived in the Philippines, ready to continue the work. The initial center, called the Tree of Life, quickly outgrew its space. After a few months, the growing Brahma Kumaris community moved to a larger location on Nicanor Garcia Street in Bel-Air 2. Sister Mala embraced Filipino life, learning Tagalog phrases and navigating the city by jeepney and tricycle. This cultural immersion resonated with the community. When Sister Nirjana returned to India in 1984, Rajni stepped in to manage student affairs and engage with the Indian community's affluent members. The Filipinos’ dedication caught the attention of Dadi Janki, then Brahma Kumaris Additional Administrative Head. During a visit, she was impressed by the high level of service. The local members, the Perezes, arranged meetings with President Ferdinand Marcos, First Lady Imelda Marcos, and Jaime Cardinal Sin. Witnessing the Filipinos' commitment, Dadi Janki inquired about their plans for the center. The students unanimously agreed to continue their support. This unwavering dedication led two professionals, Alma Echano and Rebecca "Becky" Ortega, to move into the center, living by its principles. From the outset, senior officials from the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in India made regular visits to Manila to deliver lectures. This focus on the Philippines highlighted its growing importance within the organization. The skills and qualifications of the Filipino students were recognized as valuable assets in spreading peace and positivity. To formalize the operations, the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Foundation, Inc. was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Meanwhile Sister Mala introduced Raja Yoga to prominent individuals, among them Leticia “Letty” Shahani, then United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Social and Humanitarian Affairs and Secretary-General of the World Conference on the UN Decade of Women in Nairobi. Through Sister Mala’s perseverance, Sister Shahani as she was called by the BKs became a committed member of the Brahma Kumaris. In the 1980s, Sister Mala played a key role in fostering relationships with other prominent figures who supported the Brahma Kumaris' initiatives. In 1986, to contribute to the UN International Year of Peace, BKWSU launched the Million Minutes of Peace Appeal (MMPA). For one month, Brahma Kumaris centers worldwide collected pledges of minutes of peace, prayer, and meditation. Sister Mala's student, married to a hotelier, secured the free use of the Hotel InterContinental Manila's ballroom for the MMPA's Philippine launch. The Philippines mobilized schools and organizations, while businesses served as distribution and collection points for pledges. Celia Diaz-Laurel, wife of then-Vice President Salvador Laurel, championed the project, garnering support from the arts, entertainment, and media industries. Sister Letty Shahani, before entering the Senate, leveraged her connections to introduce the Brahma Kumaris to a wider audience. The Philippines achieved an impressive third place globally in MMPA collections, accumulating over 93 million minutes of pledged prayer or silence. Sister Mala, Merle Pimentel and Becky Ortega worked on the logistics. This likewise marked the start of Merle and Becky’s active involvement in major service programs. The campaign culminated in a grand concert at the Folk Arts Theater, featuring pro bono performances by Boots Anson Roa and other renowned artists. Notably, then-15-year-old Lea Salonga performed the theme song, "Moment of Peace." However, amidst this success, the local organization faced a challenge. When the owner of the Bel-Air place had other plans, the students were quickly expelled from the house and temporarily held classes at the residence of socialite Teresita Macasaet. The sisters temporarily stayed at her residence. Dadi Janki advised the students to buy property. In the site inspection, Sister Rajni felt a certain déjà vu and an instant connection with the two-story place. With the help of the Perezes, Belen King and other students, they purchased the present two-story home along Bagtikan Street, San Antonio Village in 1988. Regular operations resumed at the new home. Architect Vi Santos offered her services pro bono for the renovation. Sister Rajni says service has been relatively easy in the Philippines. The Christian influence has made them openly express their devotion to God. In the same year their main center relocated, the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) launched a follow-up project to the Million Minutes of Peace Appeal (MMPA). Titled "Global Cooperation for a Better World," it encouraged people to contemplate peace and unity. Participants were invited to express their visions for a better world through words or positive imagery. Human resource development consultant Becky Ortega played a key role in developing the project's "Creative Group" format. This approach empowered participants to share their individual perspectives, independent of their positions. Sessions focused on fostering creative thinking about a more positive future, fostering positive communication, and promoting collaboration towards achieving shared goals. A precursor to the UN's Climate Change Conference, the 1992 Earth Summit served as a platform for world leaders to discuss their vision for a sustainable future, balancing socioeconomic growth with environmental protection. This inspired the "Think Clean, Think Green" initiative promoting environmental awareness. Serendipitously, First Lady Amelita Ramos championed a similar vision through the 1993 Clean and Green Program, focusing on environmental education and waste reduction. The desire to promote positivity and cultivate a connection with the Supreme Being remained a driving force behind Brahma Kumaris Philippines’ programs in the new millennium. This philosophy extended beyond the BK community, with a focus on fostering peace and social well-being. In 2000, coinciding with the UN Decade for a Culture of Peace, the BK Davao center conducted a peace seminar for key leaders of the Mindanao People's Peace Movement. They even offered facilitator training for peace advocates, utilizing their modules on achieving peace. Furthering their reach, in 2003, on the suggestion of Senator Shahani, Asia's first Brahma Kumaris retreat center was built in Tagaytay. This Center for Spiritual Learning (CSL), inaugurated by Dadi Janki during BK Philippines’ 20th anniversary, has become a haven for those seeking spiritual growth and a meditative environment. The center's warm hospitality and familial culture have won the hearts of many. In the early years, pioneers such as Lucy Perez and Maraya Chebat, both facilitators and holistic health practitioners, introduced raja yoga through the lens of bioenergetics, emphasizing the connection between body and mind. Today, Brahma Kumaris Philippines (BK Philippines) has transformed into a vibrant community hub focusing on meditation. Through online talks, lectures, workshops, and retreats, BK Philippines fosters collaboration and equips individuals with tools for meditation and navigating life's challenges. Their recent innovation, the Peace Hub, offers a flexible approach, allowing for both virtual and mobile in-person meditation experiences Sister Rajni highlights the artistic spirit of Filipino families, a quality that Raja yogis have tapped into creatively. With the support of sponsors and friends, Marge Enriquez's one-woman dance theater based on Dadi Janki's wisdom is a prime example of sharing spiritual knowledge through the performing arts. Singers such as Tina Diaz and Timmy Cruz further enrich BK programs with their faith-inspired music. During her visits, Dadi Janki often watched the Filipino students with a warm smile. Their vibrant energy and infectious joy in song and dance rekindled memories of the early days of the Brahma Kumaris in Karachi. In their enthusiastic faces, she saw echoes of those young BK pioneers, basking in the same radiant happiness. "Their love for God and family creates a powerful sense of connection," Sister Rajni observes.