REPORT: Call of the Time Experiments-in-Silence Retreat The Global Retreat Centre, Oxfordshire, UK6-10 May 2026Silence is the most universal portal in all traditions to the path – beyond dogma, beliefs and sacraments - it just is. Peter Senge<figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Report_COTT_1_a189564b53.jpg" alt="Report_COTT_1.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Report_COTT_1_a189564b53.jpg 208w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Report_COTT_1_a189564b53.jpg 500w," sizes="100vw" width="500px"></figure>The Call-of-the-Time (COTT) Experiments-in-Silence Retreat took place at the Global Retreat Centre near Oxford, UK, from 6-10 May. The retreat was led by Peter Senge, a Senior Lecturer at MIT in the US, and Sister Jayanti, and facilitated by Sister Judy of New York. There were 22 international participants - from Belgium, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK. The days unfolded with a gentle combination of spiritual input, personal time for reflection, collective meditation, and meals in silence. Following a brief check-in on Wednesday evening, the retreat moved straight into silence. Each day began with an optional amrit vela, which quite a few guests joined. At 6:00 am, there were silent stretches in front of the house, led by Sister Marneta. Then, after some meditation together, Sister Jayanti gave a talk on a specific theme, such as the soul, connecting with the Divine, the Home, and integrating spiritual practice in daily life, followed by more collective meditation. Every evening, Peter gave a short talk, translating spiritual concepts into everyday language. This year with both check-ins and check-outs we experimented with small group discussions before whole group dialogue, which worked well. It seemed to allow people to speak more freely and authentically.<figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Report_COTT_2_ecac00ef4f.jpg" alt="Report_COTT_2.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Report_COTT_2_ecac00ef4f.jpg 245w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Report_COTT_2_ecac00ef4f.jpg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Report_COTT_2_ecac00ef4f.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw" width="750px"></figure>The retreat was held by a team of BKs – Sr Julia (NY), Sr Luciana Rossi (Brazil), Sr Carolin (Germany) and Sr Rachel (UK). Brother Jonathan from Sheffield offered interludes of beautiful piano music throughout. He also performed at the intimate ‘Family Night’ session after meditation on the final evening, in which many offered poems, songs, and readings close to their heart, reflecting what had been shared and experienced over the previous few days. The house, garden, kitchen, and support teams of the Global Retreat Centre all contributed hugely in a most unlimited way to the experience, and nature, also - with the abundance of May and unexpectedly good weather too. Om shanti.<figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Report_COTT_3_1dddc8c6da.jpg" alt="Report_COTT_3.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Report_COTT_3_1dddc8c6da.jpg 199w," sizes="100vw" width="199px"></figure>&nbsp;

Call-of-the-Time Silence Retreat Global Retreat Centre - Oxford, England

<figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_0_a8475b98c6.jpg" alt="Paris Event Report Sister Jayanti ji-images-0.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_0_a8475b98c6.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_0_a8475b98c6.jpg 353w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_0_a8475b98c6.jpg 530w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_0_a8475b98c6.jpg 707w," sizes="100vw" width="707px"></figure><figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_1_14c5a89208.jpg" alt="Paris Event Report Sister Jayanti ji-images-1.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_1_14c5a89208.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_1_14c5a89208.jpg 353w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_1_14c5a89208.jpg 530w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_1_14c5a89208.jpg 707w," sizes="100vw" width="707px"></figure><figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_2_7021505a9a.jpg" alt="Paris Event Report Sister Jayanti ji-images-2.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_2_7021505a9a.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_2_7021505a9a.jpg 353w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_2_7021505a9a.jpg 530w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_2_7021505a9a.jpg 707w," sizes="100vw" width="707px"></figure><figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_3_cbfc62e0d1.jpg" alt="Paris Event Report Sister Jayanti ji-images-3.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_3_cbfc62e0d1.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_3_cbfc62e0d1.jpg 353w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_3_cbfc62e0d1.jpg 530w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_3_cbfc62e0d1.jpg 707w," sizes="100vw" width="707px"></figure><figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_4_4c68fff3ef.jpg" alt="Paris Event Report Sister Jayanti ji-images-4.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_4_4c68fff3ef.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_4_4c68fff3ef.jpg 353w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_4_4c68fff3ef.jpg 530w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_4_4c68fff3ef.jpg 707w," sizes="100vw" width="707px"></figure><figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_5_0fe2a8264e.jpg" alt="Paris Event Report Sister Jayanti ji-images-5.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_5_0fe2a8264e.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_5_0fe2a8264e.jpg 353w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_5_0fe2a8264e.jpg 530w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Paris_Event_Report_Sister_Jayanti_ji_images_5_0fe2a8264e.jpg 707w," sizes="100vw" width="707px"></figure>Click here to download a pdf of this report.

Sister Jayanti Brings "Inner Freedom - The Gift of Meditation" to 800 Parisians Just Before Christmas

Christmas message to BK family from Sudesh Didi, Sister Jayanti

Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year! from Sr Jayanti

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:29.72%;"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/sister_Marjorie_ef8f7879ee.jpg" alt="sister Marjorie.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_sister_Marjorie_ef8f7879ee.jpg 124w," sizes="100vw" width="124px"></figure>Dear Brothers &amp; Sisters,(Shared by her daughter, Kim)Marjorie Angell (née Stevenson) was born in West Bromwich in 1934, one of nine children. From an early age, she developed a deep interest in God and became a regular member of her local church. As a young woman, she shared her faith by helping to teach children at the local Sunday School about Jesus.In 1956, Marjorie married Thomas Angell, and together they built a loving home. Their first daughter, Debra, was born in 1958, followed by Kim in 1960 and Tracey in 1964. Marjorie dedicated herself to her family, creating a warm and caring home where her children were deeply loved.As life went on, her children grew up and started families of their own, blessing Marjorie with four grandchildren whom she adored just as dearly as her own children.In the early 1980s, a chance meeting with a lady named Isabelle led Marjorie to visit the Brahma Kumaris Centre on Beeches Road in West Bromwich, run by Manuben. That visit marked a turning point in her spiritual journey — from then on, she became Baba’s child again.Through Raja Yoga and the Brahma Kumaris family, Marjorie met many wonderful people and immersed herself in the love, peace, and spiritual understanding it brought into her life. Over the years, she visited Madhuban as well as retreats in Oxford and London. She held a special affection for all the Dadis and would eagerly look forward to programmes where they were present.I remember attending many of these events with her — one that stands out was seeing Dadi Janki on stage at the Albert Hall, such a tiny lady radiating immense Godly power. Marjorie had a particular love for Dadi Janki and Sister Jayanti (who was a young woman at that time), as well as for dear Manu behn, with whom she was connected from around 1984 until the West Bromwich Centre closed.Marjorie cherished the Centre deeply and missed it greatly when it closed. She formed lasting friendships with Sister Margaret, Sister Paula, Sister Pat, Sister Shanti behn, Sister Gurdev, Sister Devkie, and many more.There is no doubt that finding Baba enriched her life beyond measure. Even in her later years, when anxiety about travelling — especially by car or on the motorway — made things more difficult, her devotion to Baba never wavered. She remained steadfast in her faith until she left the body.Marjorie will be deeply missed by so many. She was a loving and caring person who always saw the best in others.For me personally, no words can express how much I will miss my mother. Yet I take comfort in knowing that our souls will meet again — somewhere, sometime.Reflections from her BK Birmingham and West Bromwich FamilyWhen Sister Marj first came to the centre, I asked her name, and she replied, “Marj Angel.” Right then, I told her that she has to become an angel — and indeed, she truly was one, a real angel. I feel deeply honoured to have known such a special and unique sister. My heartfelt best wishes for her onward journey, with lots of love to her and the family — Sister ManuSister Marj was an original jewel of West Bromwich Centre. Angel by name, angelic by nature, so quiet and gentle, she created no fuss or conflict, only sweet kind words for everyone. Marge also loved the fun of being part of this BK family, especially significant events and gatherings. On many occasions her creativity contributed to decorating the&nbsp;centre or making props and costumes for our in-house performances. Before this technical age, she contributed hundreds of delightful hand-written blessings that were beautiful works of art. In recent years her age and health issues were challenges but she remained dedicated to Baba, Murli and shrimat. Her valuable presence in this family made a difference – Sr PaulaMarjorie was reflective, sweet, calm and accepting. She had a warm and pleasant smile and a good wish for all. She was at ease with herself and each situation. She had love for Baba and the family – Br BrianInformation about the funeralMarjorie’s funeral will be held on 11 November at 4.00pm. It will be a private ceremony, and the BK family is invited to join in meditation at that time.We send our good wishes to this special soul for her onward journey with Baba.With love,In Baba’s yaad,BK Birmingham and West Bromwich Family

news

Call-of-the-Time Silence Retreat Global Retreat Centre - Oxford, England

Sister Jayanti Brings "Inner Freedom - The Gift of Meditation" to 800 Parisians Just Before Christmas

Christmas message to BK family from Sudesh Didi, Sister Jayanti

Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year! from Sr Jayanti

Sister Marj (Marjorie) Angell of West Bromwich Has Taken Baba's Lap