Shift of Consciousness Brings about Shift in Climate: BKs at Climate Consciousness Symposium in Berlin

At the EUREF campus in Berlin the second symposium on ‘Consciousness and Climate Change’ was organized. The event began with four keynote speeches, followed by small group exchanges, music, a break and then a closing round. The keynote speakers were: BK Sonja Ohlsson, Environment Initiative, Brahma Kumaris, Copenhagen; Kerstin Löber, Strategic Consultant and Adviser, Berlin; Ajodeji Okunlola, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam (IASS); and BK Golo Pilz, Director, India Care, Solar Systems, India. The facilitation was done by Carolin Fraude, BK Environment Initiative and IASS.

Sonja Ohlson presented the BK Environment Initiative focusing on climate change and consciousness. Consciousness seems to be fundamental for decisions. It might provide a new perspective on world transformation. Awareness of consciousness itself has undergone transitions within recent years. Sonja introduced the cyclic patterns of life (a life span, values). There was emphasis on the transition age, the shift.

Kerstin Löber pointed out that there is a need to consider the anthropogenic factors within the climate discussion. Further, there’s a need of crossovers between spirituality and the world of matter. When there will be compassion within the systems, the systems will change. Everyone wants to be seen, but hardly anyone is aware of this. For everyone, it seems to be important to awaken their inner power. There is a lot of fear within society; we are only able to make a difference together. There was also an emphasis on female qualities. The masculine companies are missing female qualities. Men also have female qualities.

Ajodeji Okunlola works within the Co-Benefit Project at the IASS. In collaboration with national knowledge partners in India, South Africa, Vietnam and Turkey, the project elaborates country specific co-benefits of climate policies, with emphasis on the opportunities presented by renewable power generation. Calamities bring about attention, opportunities bring action. “You can’t talk about calamities anymore. You have to speak about opportunities. You have to bring an opportunity to bring a change. How can we further mobilize the opportunities of a just energy transition?” said Mr. Okunlola. There’s a need to improve co-benefits in the field of climate change and to sustain new energy paths.

Golo Pilz presented the Brahma Kumaris Solar Energy Centre and the fabrication of the Solar Plant in Abu Road, Rajasthan, India. He spoke about the financial support from the German and Indian governments and from the Brahma Kumaris itself. Meditation and Yoga seem to be good tools to induce a change within consciousness and climate change. The inside outside approach is: “I am a being of light.” There is an impact of these loving thoughts on the world.

After this, a small break was taken with drinks and a snack. Questions were collected for group conversations.

Three groups were created with the topics:

• Growth and development (with Ajodeji Okunlola)

• Meditation within companies (with Kerstin Löber and Golo Pilz)

• Hopelessness and fear (Sonja Ohlson)

Thereafter, in the Closing Session, feedback was taken from everyone present.