Ever since she was a child, B.K. Raji knew she was different. "I felt I was a misfit in the world. I saw people telling lies and felt out of place. I didn't want to tell lies. I had a deep love for God and a desire to lead a life that was simple and clean."

She also had a series of visions. "I could see the light and feel like I'm flying like a bird," she told Flair.

Raji grew up in India and, for the last 13 years, has been living at the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris University in Mount Abu, India. It was founded in 1936 by Brahma Baba. At the age of 60, he went into a meditative state and said he felt a warm flow of energy surrounding him, filling him with light and exposing him to a series of powerful visions. The visions gave him insights into the innate qualities of human souls, revealed the mysterious entity of God and described the process of world transformation.

Today, his followers, who number 900,000, continue with the aim and objective to "bring people together to build a better world and create harmony" explained Raji.

On this her second visit to Jamaica, Raji brings the message of peace. Her first visit lasted 10 days and she felt that what she came to do was incomplete.

Spiritual Lifestyle

Raji stressed that Brahma Kumaris is not religious, but spiritual. "When we are spiritually inclined, we will be able to show mercy and compassion, go beyond any negative feelings. We teach that the whole world is a family, a universal brotherhood."

She noted that after she moved to Mount Abu, she experienced real bliss through meditation. "I found a true path. We have no tension or stress."

At the Brahma Kumaris centre located at 62 Paddington Terrace in St Andrew, they teach individuals how to achieve spiritual awareness though the various courses they offer. These courses, which are free of cost, include the art of self-esteem, Raji yoga, anger management, positive thinking and stress relief among others.

Their concept of God is not linked to any particular religion. "When you speak of God, it's of a spiritual being. God is a spiritual energy that cannot be seen but can be felt," she explained.

Brahma Kumaris has 8,000 branches in 125 countries. Followers' spiritual lifestyle include meditation twice daily, a strict vegetarian diet and celibacy. "Food gives energy to the mind and body and we are aware of it. It has an effect, good and bad. Some have to be eaten, some have to be avoided." Raji is married and has two children. "We don't have to leave everything to have a spiritual life," she said. The university in India is a large complex with mostly women though Raji explained that 'brothers' form the backbone. About 335 totally dedicated members live there.

They operate a global hospital that offers health care to those who can't afford it. They also have doctors who go out to remote communities to treat patients twice per week.

She admitted that the current wave of violence in the world is only getting worst, but she is optimistic.

"More should become spiritual. When we change, the world will change. We have grown from one to 900,000 in the world. Things will get better, we will continue doing what we have to do."

Raji felt she had unfinished business in Jamaica so this time she plans to complete it.