Ceps CEO attends the ‘Call of the Time’ dialogue |11 February 2023
The ‘Call of the Time’ dialogue’, organised by the Brahma Kumaris at the end of January 2023, conveyed African leaders from several non-profit organisations, members of parliament, artists and community leaders together in Muldersdrift, South Africa.
Privileged and blessed in this remote area, which hosted the first 1994 National Unity Government meeting of post-apartheid era, the dialogue brought leaders to pause and take stock of where and how they were heading.
Seychelles was represented by Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) chief executive Alvin Laurence who recounted the benefits of meditation, yoga exercise, spiritual lectures, sharing and more importantly silence to revive the zeal of serving others without compromising wellbeing.
Reminiscing our spiritual existence above, those ascribe status such as CEO, chairperson, parliamentarians, etc., we toured our life journey to realise that many of us are called to serve.
“Amid the challenges of our era, we are so focused on the service and often forget that we need to create space to renew our methods, our engagement and most of all ourselves. The dialogue reminded us that this could be done in spirituality to bring back the inner stillness and spiritual power,” said Mr Laurence.
It was also an occasion to address issues that “disappoint and dishearten us, but also about how forgiveness can release the poison of anger. We talked about how our memories can hold us captive until we find ways to transform them, and replacing a painful memory with a more beautiful one,” he added.
While the dialogue gave the opportunity for all to share, most sessions were animated by the Brahma Kumarist spiritual leaders, but also by other speakers such as South African former First Lady Zanele Mbeki and Kenyan businessman Nizar Juma.
However, the peak of the dialogue remains the so often forgotten silence; ‘when we quiet our minds, listen to our hearts and connect with God to appreciate the lightness emerge from inside’.
“I am forever grateful to the Brahma Kumaris Seychelles for proposing my participation. We are indeed broadening our network,” said Mr Laurence.
Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual movement, founded in India in 1937, which is dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal.
Brahma Kumaris has spread to over 110 countries on all continents and has had an extensive impact in many sectors as an international NGO.
The ‘Call of the Time’ dialogues convene leaders from all continents in retreat settings that allow for conversation, meditation, and extended periods of silence.
Since 1998 approximately 1,000 people have come together in these dialogues.
Other Seychellois who have participated before include former Mayor of Victoria, Florence Benstrong, former CEO Jean Claude Matombe and Dr Valentina Seth.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of Mr Laurence’s participation in the ‘Call of the Time’ dialogue.
Contributed
