World Peace Through Experiencing Self-Peace

An interfaith conversation offered by the Brahma Kumaris Center of Los Angeles  *  Sunday, November 18, 2018, —  3:00 to 5:00 PM

Unfortunately, we had very little time to confirm and promote this meeting with our special guest, Brother Damian Outtrim who was passing through Los Angeles on his trip back home to Australia. Damian had just visited Peace Village, the Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center in upper state New York after participating in the Parliament of the World Religions in Toronto.

Damien has been with the Brahma Kumaris for thirteen years. He is an instructor of the transformative Raja Yoga Meditation in Australia and is the National Coordinator for BK Interfaith. He recently held the position of President of the Multifaith Association of South Australia and is an executive committee member of Religions for Peace Australia. Professionally, Damian is a community mental health practitioner.

Four religions were represented at the gathering on Sunday. Brother Damien’s interfaith interests are not just what individuals believe but he is more interested in their personal experiences within their religion. He is often amazed hearing individual’s personal experiences regarding the teachings of their religious founder and with God as they understand Him. Damian believes that these subtle experiences are often the basis of an individual’s faith. Once something is experienced, there cannot be any more doubt.

To facilitate some personal sharing, Damian asked questions for us to meditate on in silence and then share from our heart. He did one question at a time with time for personal sharing and then asked the next question with time to think in silence. As we shared, we discovered how similar the various teachings are as if each founder got their message from the same Divine Source. The sharing bought a feeling of closeness and trust. As best as I can remember, these were his questions.

1. What is the one thing that you feel is the most important teaching in your religion?
2. What is the main teaching that you remember and that keeps you inspired?
3. What teaching is relative to today and how do you use it in your life?
4. Is there any teaching that encouraged you to join people of other religions and work together to bring about peace in the world?

Following the sharing of experiences, Damian was quickly taken to the airport to catch his international flight to Australia. It was my honor and pleasure to host Brother Damian at my home while he was in Los Angeles.

Dennis Hiebert

UDC Board Member