BK SERVICE NEWS
Dr. Nirmala’s Visit, Philippines
November 24 – December 2, 2009

Service News: Double Celebration in Bicol
November 30 – December 1
Legazpi City

Immediately after the BK retreat in CSL, Didi Nirmala and Sister Rajni flew to Legazpi City to inaugurate Baba’s study place  in the main thoroughfare of Penaranda.  The compact and efficiently organized condo unit is only 10 minutes from the airport and has a good view to the majestic Mayon Volcano which welcomed BK guests in a rare and very clear display of its cone-shaped (pyramid-like, according to Didi) slopes.    The mayor himself, who first came into contact with the BKs , shared how pleased he was that an oasis for peace has been established in the city as he recalled how typhoon Reming battered the area on the same day last year.   He also told the group that the LGU will tap the BK for its programs after his questions  were answered through a video presentation on the history and service activities of the institution. Fr. Lobrigo, head of the Social Action Center, was grateful that the center has come to an area where peace is much needed.  Aside from natural disasters which frequent the region, Bicol residents also have to face daily challenges of survival and development.  Having met the BKs through the Philippine peacebuilding movement,  he acknowledged the role that it can continue in promoting spiritual values in Legazpi City. 

Violence in its most extreme form has become a present-day reality, Didi Nirmala observed as she shared how the recent public program  on “Non-violence and Tolerance” in Manila sought to provide a new perspective to it.  It is not only physical violence but it is also damage brought to people emotionally and culturally which is causing a lot of sorrow and so she said the response should also be at the deepest level.  Didi explained how the BKs seek to address this issue at the spiritual level by enabling individuals to rediscover their true identity and from there emerge qualities of peace, tolerance, compassion and harmony.

Sister Rajni led the group into a meditation experience which brought them into a state of silence, serenity and peace where they stayed for some more time even after the commentary was finished.

 NAGA CITY

An intimate decade-of-service dinner celebration was held at the Hardin del Rio where around forty guests proceeded after the public program on “Global Awakening: My Role and Mission” at the Naga Colleges Foundation.   Spiritual values are the much needed antidote for the world’s increasing sorrow that comes from violence, loss of property,  unhealthy relationships and worsening diseases, said Didi Nirmala who invited each one to spend more time with the self and God. Everyone sat in introspective silence as she continued to share insights about state-of-affairs of the world and how awareness of the self can bring one into a stage of stability and strength that are necessary to be able to respond pro-actively to global events that are also reflected in the situation of families and organizations.

Under a canopy of lights and the full moon, the group was engulfed in golden silence as Sister Rajni did a meditation commentary where each one journeyed back to the self and to an experience of God’s presence.