FIT

Thinking Big: The Meditation Museum

meditation museumAT MOST MUSEUMS, visitors hope to find something pretty to look at. But at the D.C. area's newest art gallery, the expectations are significantly higher. As the sign at the entrance reads, "Our hope is that everyone who experiences the museum finds his or her own authentic meaning for life."

That's because it's the Meditation Museum (8236 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring), brought to life last week by the local chapter of the Brahma Kumaris Organization (Bkwdc.org). The non-profit, based in India, is devoted to promoting peace. And a serene space filled with paintings and sculptures can boost that goal, according to D.C. director Sister Jenna. "It's designed to help us think from a pure place and transform us," she says. "People can come in for free, and feel better and enriched."

The focus isn't so much on the art, which will rotate every few months, as it is on what each image evokes. Next to an ethereal painting of a bridge winding between darkness and light is a series of questions: "What comes first: the chicken or the egg?" "Is life linear — an end and a beginning and that's it? If so, why do we find ourselves in similar situations?"

Prodding visitors to grapple with such issues, Sister Jenna hopes, can affect their way of viewing the world. And if they like their changes in consciousness, they can sign up for meditation classes, which the museum offers Monday through Friday.

Photo courtesy Brhama Kumaris

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COMMENTS (5)

  • The Event at the Meditation Museum was beautifully done, a GREAT EXPERIENCE.

    Would be nice to see posted images of that event.

    Ohm Shanti, ED

    By Dr. Edward Henry Dowdye, Jr. , Posted July 20, 2009 6:39 PM

  • This place will be the home for many souls to find peace.

    By Dr. Christar , Posted July 20, 2009 8:56 PM

  • The museum may be interesting, but the Brahma Kumaris organization is not what it seems. It is a cult and people should be weary when taking the free courses.

    By Mary , Posted July 21, 2009 7:38 AM

  • The Museum is a wonderful place! I know the Brahma Kumaris and have been a friend of there's for many years. I have seen them inside out and there is nothing cultish about them at all. To be quite frank they are quite simple and that is where there way of working seems different from the rest of the world.
    We can learn so much from them. "What the world needs now is sweetness and decency", as it is said on their bookmark!
    Liz

    By Liz , Posted July 21, 2009 8:13 PM

  • October 22, 2009

    Michael Karlan, President
    Professionals in the City
    2950 Van Ness Street, NW
    Washington, DC

    Dear Mr. Karlan:

    My name is Pervenia Brown. I'm a student of "well-being" and a writer. In my articles, I convey useful perspectives and approaches to help individuals enhance, empower and enjoy their lives.

    Now, I am ready to take my vision of well-beingness to the next level by hosting a seminar on "Life Cycles" to show others how to assess, pinpoint and change their lives through processes I've learned studying the works of some of the most profound and prolific New Age authors.

    I am presenting my idea to the Meditation Museum because it attracts people from all walks of life, who could also incorporate these processes of well-being into their personal, as well as professional lives.

    Please let me know if the Meditation Museum is interested. I welcome the opportunity to host a seminar on well-being.

    Thank you for your time and consideration.

    By Pervenia Brown , Posted October 22, 2009 11:24 AM
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