Tamil Nadu   

"Teach adults about spirituality"

Total disregard for spiritual values has resulted in depression and dysfunctional family system

Her eyes brighten as she starts talking about modern value system. Anything good for society gets her immediate attention. Born to a British father and a French mother in the United Kingdom, she is adept in both English and French. Her experiences as a radio news researcher for the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Television News at its London office and as a short news filmmaker for the French and English language networks have led her to startling revelations about loss of human values in society.

Subsequently, in her pursuit of peace, she landed in Mount Abu, the headquarters of Brahma Kumaris, in 1974. Her interest in the study of philosophy and spirituality gelled with the ideals of Brahma Kumaris and she dedicated her life to their spiritual practice and service. She served as assistant coordinator of the newly established Brahma Kumaris centre in Frankfurt, Germany. She also initiated and coordinated a centre in Toronto. Besides, she was also associated with San Francisco and Los Angeles centres. She has coordinated and hosted several public events on spiritual themes in major cities of California. She has specialised in integration and contextualisation of Indian spirituality and Raja Yoga meditation to fit the modern western global village. She has produced and directed a series of 100 television programmes, titled `Introduction to Raja Yoga,' and participated in TV programmes on addiction recovery and spirituality. As a lecturer in meditation, spirituality and related topics, she has travelled extensively in the United States, South America, the Caribbean Islands, South East Asia, the West Asia, Africa and most of Europe. Now, as the coordinator of Brahma Kumaris Audio Visual Resources and advisor on academic affairs, she has evolved certificate and diploma programmes in Education in Values and Spirituality.

Meet Denise Lawrence, whose programmes are recognised and being offered as a course in many universities all over the country. During her visit to Madurai to deliver a series of lectures, she finds time to share her experience with T. Saravanan

"Materialism and consumerism have taken over the world where there is little space for human values. It is pertinent to make people understand the significance of the development of conscience," says Ms. Lawrence.

"There is total disregard for spiritual values in society which has resulted in escalating problems of depression and dysfunctional family system." She has been successful in her attempt to dole the people out of the present crisis of values and to make them comprehend the importance of inner spirit. In the process, she has come out with some interesting results.

"An intense research and series of experiments have given way to an understanding that people required a strong advice to make them realise their real potential and to make them feel accountable for their actions. Once they understand their responsibility, they will try to respect their self and things will change," she explains.

Her focus is mainly on adults. "I would like the adults in the age group of 18 to 40 years to understand human values and spiritualism. For, the adults are role models for the children. Most of the children act by what they see rather than what they listen. Hence, the grownups have to be educated first. Besides, children do not comprehend materialism," Ms. Lawrence says. "In an attempt to create awareness of value education, a `padayatra' from 31 places across the country has been planned in the second week of August," she says."I would be the happiest person in this world to see people change their perspective and learn to control their desire to amass wealth which would augur well for society and make the world a better place to live in," she expresses her wish before signing off.

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