INTROUDUCTION
This book is long overdue, probably by several decades. In many ways it is quite remarkable that Dadi Janki has not yet been discovered by the world at large for her wisdom and her achievements.
Achievement is all too often measured by position, power and possession, normally acquired through the process of accumulation. Dadi's achievements are acquisitions of a different dimension: through renunciation. For the past sixty years, it has been Dadi's daily practice to take up her position as close as possible to God for a personal conversation and silent counseling. She now finds herself as the Joint Administrative Head of the internationally expanding Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Not bad for someone with no formal education.
Dadi will never pofess to having any possessions. apart from the virtues of her own soul, and even these she will attribute to God. yet, when her life is examined on a material level, she has been instrumental for a number of tangible miracles. When she arrived in London in 1974 she shared a small two bedroom flat in Kilburn. This was to be the first Brahma Kumaris centre outside India. During the decade of the eighties the number of regular students in London built up to several hundred. They would begin each day in a run-down and damp community centre in Dudden Hill. This was the time of renunciation, led by Dadi, which provided many lessons and inspirations for us all. By 1991 it had also enabled the building to Global Co-operation House, the University's new International Centre in north west London. In 1993, a Palladian stately home outside Oxford was purchased to become the Global Retreat Centre. And more recently, in 1995, Dadi inspired and oversaw the acquisition of the property in Regent Street which is now the Brahma Kumaris Information Centre.
Each of these, and numerous others around the world, are monuments to decades of selfless service and the shedding of ego. They are evidence of how the universe will rush to the aid of one whose sincere wishes and inspirations are for the spiritual upliftment of those who seek to improve themselves and know God.
For the past two decades, at the invitation of the students and teachers of the university in over sixty countries, Dadi Janki has repeatedly toured the world. Each morning she speaks at the centre she is visiting, including several days a week at Global Co-operation House, her base in London. In the evenings she gives lectures at public programmes and special tuition to the University's teachers.
It seems inevitable that at any moment now this remarkable woman will become well known to the world. May this book in some may be a step towards achieving that. Many heads and hands have been given with immense love to this, the first published compilation of Dadi Janki's words from her classes and lectures over the past ten years. While praise is not necessary, acknowledgment is important. Deirdrie O'Toole trawled hundreds of lectures and classes to compile extracts on a variety of topics. Sharonah Stillerman translated Dadi's words into crystal clear, powerful and essenceful language. Carol Rickard and Mary Newton gave their always gentle hands and intellects to editing and shaping the direction of the book. Jililian Sawers and Liz Corrigan processed many of the words and patient proofing was by Lunn Henshall and Joy Gense. Marisa Jacobs designed the simple and elegant graphics on each page, all contributing to the result you see before you now.
Welcome to the mind and the heart of Dadi Janki. We are sure you will derive much pleasure as you dip into these enchanting and powerful pages, whenever you wish to meet this living master of spirituality and close companion of God.