Good answer jamesy :)
jamesy wrote: in terms of the most vivid meditative moments I had as a BK, in truth I hadn't the foggiest how much was self generated, bequeathed by the person I was staring at, or to what extent if any, I/they/we were somehow acting conduit for him upstairs. What I do remember though, was that whilst I was enjoying the BK meditation, I wasn’t terribly troubled by this and readily accepted the received philosophy as a good practical tool to keep the momentum flowing.
Sounds familiar... looking back on my BK experiences I am still sure there were many times when there were connections with a divine entitiy or entities, both direct and indirect (ie through the drishti of others), and the level of spiritual energies was far higher and far more powerful than anything I have experienced before or since. Further I am sure that Brahma Baba was involved many times, having had personal interaction with Avyakt Brahma on a number of occasions - and that there was contact with an entity far more powerful than any bodily being I have encountered. That entity is God to me , and remains so, but whether it is the Shiva of BK teachings, or something more transcendant, or whatever, I have no idea. Once you lose faith in the accuracy of the Murli, there is no reason to accept anything you don't have direct experience of.
What I would say, is that at least when I did the 7 days course (it may have changed!), it was emphasised that the first lesson was also the final one. I feel that the lesson on soul consciousness is where the simplicity of BK lore is at is strongest and most potent.
I agree - it is the only bit I still accept unreservedly. As for my question to you, my own answer has to be "I don't know". I still practice Raja Yoga and connect to a source of energising and cleansing spiritual energy, but is that God? or is it my own higher divine self? or is it some intermediary: BB, Bap-Dada, or some other guide or master, or angelic host? I don't know. Could be Christ or Mohammed or Buddha for all I know.... Does it matter? Not to me. I will call it God or, even better, simply "the divine" and get on with it. If BB thought he was God to start with, then who is to say he got it right on the second attempt? His track record on accuracy of information is not looking too hot so far....
I see no reason why on an individual basis, someone cannot make genuine spiritual progress and assist others to do so within the organisation, whilst preferring to conceptualise God as an idea rather than an entity
Neither do I. :)