By: BK Geeta
Source: The Daily Guardian https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/view/2475/the-daily-guardian/15
Dated: May 24th, 2025

Angels are said to be benevolent celestial beings who act as intermediaries between God and humans, and as guardians or guiding spirits.

Many people claim to have seen angels, usually describing them as having a body of radiant white light, clad in a robe, and with wings on their backs.

Are angels for real? Visions and dreams aside, there are individuals who are no less than angels to those around them. “Oh, he’s an angel”, and “She’s an angel” are remarks made about such persons.

What makes a person an angel? Can a person be an angel, or like an angel, while living in this world? To answer this question, we must know what sets apart angels from ordinary people. They are selfless, compassionate, non-judgmental, loving yet detached, and free of the flaws that blemish human character. It is possible for us to be like an angel: what it requires is a change of consciousness.

Through centuries of conditioning by society, religion, and other forces, we have acquired ways of thinking and behaviour which seem ‘natural’ or 'normal'. These include being critical, judgmental, possessive, and self-centred. We may also become upset, disappointed, depressed, or ecstatic with joy. Angels, on the other hand, are not influenced by anything. They remain detached in every situation, not because they do not care, but because they have no needs or desires, and their intellect is not clouded by any weakness. This enables them to discern accurately and respond appropriately, and their response comes from their inner store of virtues: peace, love, truth, and power.

Being an angel means to think, feel, and act like one. It will not come naturally to us in the beginning, but with constant attention on the self, and the examination and refinement of our thoughts and feelings to keep them aligned with what is true and good, we can develop an angelic consciousness.

One with such a consciousness will see the uniqueness of each soul, accepting them as they are, and at the same time appreciating their virtues. Most people, on the other hand, tend to have a critical vision that seeks faults in others. This is partly due to the subtle desire, generated by ego, to feel superior.

From critical vision to criticism and ridicule is a small step. When we focus on what we think is wrong in others, our feelings turn negative and there is little space for compassion or understanding. Angels do not do this. When they notice a defect in someone, they understand that every soul has its own story and is suffering because of its weaknesses. With empathy, they offer that person love, support, and inspiration to change.

Angels do not engage in the popular human pastime of speculating about people and events – an exercise that involves attributing motives and blame on the basis of ignorance and prejudice.

When angels see someone suffer, they do not quote the law of karma or tell themselves – and others – that the person is getting his just deserts. Instead, they provide succour and try to ease the pain of the sufferer.

Few people would have sympathy for someone who has done them great harm, and fewer still would help such a person if they are in need. Angels do not dwell on anyone's past, and knowing that everyone has the potential to improve, they offer them assistance.

While doing all this, angels do not get stuck with any person or situation, nor do they expect acknowledgement or applause: they do what is needed and move on, happy to have served. They also do not let others become attached to them, for they know that they are merely instruments of God, doing His work in the world. 

It is from that Supreme source of energy that angels draw their power. God is truth, they say,  and because angelic beings remain true to their innate virtues, their consciousness is elevated enough to enable them to connect with God and receive His blessings. Since they are full and complete, they freely share these blessings with their fellow humans, in the form of love, compassion, joy, and peace.

In doing this, angels guide the attention of every soul to the One who made them what they are, inspiring them to connect with that source so that they too can break free of their limitations and be liberated from all suffering.

BK Geeta is a Rajyoga teacher
at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.