This festival empowers both genders. It particularly protects and ensures women’s equality and safety.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan, celebrated annually in August, harks back to an ideal world where humanity was united by a loving relationship with God that protected and uplifted them. The present era has modernized and limited this festival to relationships within the nuclear family. Sisters lovingly tie the threads of beautiful, handmade ‘bracelets’, called Rakhis, around the wrists of their brothers to honor, protect and pray for their well-being. The brother, in turn, promises to protect the dignity and honor of his sister and family. The customs and lessons demonstrated in this special celebration help families remain close-knit as the festival strengthens the bonding, respect, caring, trust, and love among them.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated this year on August 30, the day of the Full Moon. When I am tied with this sacred thread of protection, the Rakhi, I promise to stay in my original nature of peace, love, purity, wisdom, and mercy. I remember to see myself as a soul with a body, rather than a body with a brain! This festival shows us what relationships should be — characterized by love, respect, kindness, and empathy. With soul-conscious knowledge, I see others as children of God and part of my spiritual family. This unlimited vision of universal brotherhood breaks all barriers of caste, color, creed, age, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, and personality traits. Our vision is broadened to the entire world as one family under God. Currently, many religions in scores of countries value and celebrate this festival in different forms.
Raksha Bandhan encourages respect for both genders. It particularly protects and ensures women’s equality and safety. Their protection and honor rests not only on brothers within their family but also on every member of society. No single individual can protect another person all the time, especially in today’s world. Lust and anger start in the mind, which can lead to criminality. Spiritual training and empowerment can bring about positive change. The antidote to lust and anger is to create pure feelings within, through the daily practice of meditation. This practice enables us to channel our thoughts in a positive direction and put a full stop to wasteful and negative body-conscious thoughts. It creates purity of mind and brings happiness, wisdom, and the power to keep on giving. All my thoughts, words, and actions become good, which work as my protection and stay with me forever!
Yes, this is possible! In these times of increasing crime and strife, the Supreme Being is bound to look after us and protect us. God is surrounding and tying an ‘unlimited Rakhi’ on his loving spiritual children with golden strings of pure love and light! Each time we meditate we can experience being tied and surrounded by God’s subtle ever present and loving Rakhi of light and might! My pure thoughts and actions ensure I receive blessings from God, my loving Father, and also receive good wishes from all souls, my brothers, and my global family. Together these work as my protection and stay with me forever.
All branches of the BRAHMA KUMARIS (Brahmakumaris.org) & (bkwsu.org) worldwide conduct special programs for Rakhi.
Call Peace Village Retreat Center at 518 589 5000 at Hunter Mt, NY, for details
