I came to embrace the path of Rajyoga and the Brahma Kumaris. Looking back 30 years to my life in Birmingham, UK, it feels like a different lifetime. I was working for the university there, and life was incredibly stressful. The language barrier was a constant challenge – my English wasn't fluent, yet I had to teach seminars. On top of that, I didn't feel secure with my colleagues, and I had two small children to care for. My life felt complicated, and the stress was immense.

The Revelation of Karma and Self-Knowledge

Then, something shifted. I began a meditation course, and it was there that the law of karma was explained to me. This revelation was incredibly important. Suddenly, everything made sense. It was like a puzzle where every piece perfectly fit into place. This understanding profoundly changed my consciousness. Deeply comprehending the law of karma, and then discovering self-knowledge – recognizing that we are spiritual beings – was transformative.

The Power of the Soul's Vibration

I vividly recall an experience from those early days of the meditation course. It was my first group meditation session. I sat in front of an elderly lady, a Yogi. Frankly, my initial thought was quite judgmental: "Why did they trust this lady to be in front? From a physical perspective, she wasn't what I considered presentable for a whole gathering." My mind was still very much fixated on physical appearances.

However, as the meditation began, I started to feel an overwhelming sense of love and peace radiating from her. It was then that I truly began to feel the soul, the spirit, spreading its vibration. It was the first time I had ever experienced such an elevated and subtle vibration – so peaceful, so full of love. I knew instantly, "Oh, this is something incredibly valuable." All my previous mental models about physical beauty simply dissolved. 

I was only in the UK for one more month after starting the course, but I continued meditating when I returned to Spain. My background as a university professor had instilled a very rational and logical approach to life. I'm very practical and pragmatic. Sometimes, during those early meditation sessions, I'd even think, "What am I doing here? A university professor, in this strange place?" After all, it was my first-time meditating; I didn't even know what it truly entailed.

Following Intuition: A Life-Altering Choice

Yet, despite my rational mind's questioning, I could feel the immense value of what I was experiencing. There were two sides to me: the rational part asking, "What are you doing here with this 'strange' practice?" and another, intuitive side that firmly told me, "This is very valuable; you must keep this. It will be incredibly meaningful for your life." Looking back 30 years later, I can confidently say I followed my intuition, and it was the right decision.

The Unforgettable First Encounter

Then, one day, at a large exhibition center in Birmingham, amidst all sorts of stalls, I saw a small stand with two ladies. The moment I saw "Rajyoga meditation" displayed, I thought, "This is my place." It felt like an anticipation fulfilled. One of the ladies approached me, and instead of speaking, she looked at me with a spiritual vision, a Drishti. It was fantastic. My initial, physical thought was, "Oh, I must meditate so I can have beautiful, bright eyes like hers!"

Just as I was about to start the course, I fell ill with a high fever. But something very deep had already been touched within me. I called them every day, insisting, "Please, don't forget me. I'm going to take the course once I'm well." I was so profoundly moved by that spiritual vibration. 

Embracing Inner Beauty and Ageing Gracefully

The incident with the Yogi sister truly highlighted the journey of inner beauty. It doesn't matter how we look externally; when we cultivate our spiritual growth, external appearances fade in significance.

This spiritual path has been pivotal in my transformation. Things that once caused me sadness or insecurity, like aging or physical appearance, have receded into the background. While the body naturally ages when you are growing spiritually, this deterioration becomes less influential. I'm not bothered by external looks anymore; health is my primary concern. I stopped coloring my hair, a practice I started when I was very young, around 18. It was a significant decision for me at 50, as I feared losing my identity. My mother colored her hair until she passed away at 91, and I wondered what she would think. But to my surprise, everyone, even my mother, found me more refined and graceful with my natural silver hair. This experience taught me that spirituality helps remove fears, even seemingly small ones that can profoundly affect us. 

Early in my career, I was a very insecure young professor, teaching nearly 400 students in a lecture hall. But with experience, and definitely with the spiritual journey of the past 30 years, that fear of the public has dissipated. I'm so grateful for this path that has brought me such security and ease in life, freeing me from the grip of superficial concerns.

Maria Moreno
Centre Coordinator, Brahma Kumaris, Valencia - Spain