User talk:Amasintay - Misplaced Pages

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BKWSU

You are aware of the controversy on the BKWSU topic page.

May I ask;

a) What consensus are you seeking for your edit?
b) What is your actual experience within the BKWSU, is it personal or just purely academic? (Your use of Dada and preference for Brahma Baba suggests to me that you more than merely an undergraduate with an interest in the BKs but please tell us what aspect of the BKWSU you are studying).
c) Specifically, what access have you had to Sakar and Avyakt Murlis? I am trying to put into context the framework of your understanding of the topic

Some of your first edits were to REMOVE depth and detail. You added unreferenced and in places erroneous padding (I am sorry, I cant think of a more tactful way of saying that but e.g. "It was frequent practice in the early to mid 20th century to adopt a new name when beginning a life of spiritual endeavour" and the stuff about Jains is actually just plain wrong). It looks like the topic is heading back toward BKWSU whitewash or obfuscation, e.g. "Regular" for "daily" mediation at 4. And can I ask is that the correct use of the <ref> tags?

I am sorry but, you see, your use of the
tag suggests that you are using the same material as Luis. Being aware of the BKWSU team effort and having gone through a fair amount of heavy weather with this topic, you will appreciate why I would ask.

I added a few more comments on the topic page for you tolook at.

Thank you. 195.82.106.244 02:34, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

I responded by putting your queries in bold and my answers in regular type.

You are aware of the controversy on the BKWSU topic page. Yes, I am.

May I ask;

...of course...

* a) What consensus are you seeking for your edit?

Not looking for consensus, because people are people and even experts differ on their understanding of given areas. I am seeking to help in constructing a neutral and well-informed article.

* b) What is your actual experience within the BKWSU, is it personal or just purely academic? (Your use of Dada and preference for Brahma Baba suggests to me that you more than merely an undergraduate with an interest in the BKs but please tell us what aspect of the BKWSU you are studying).

I'm doing a PhD on three separate groups of people to determine the role of spirituality in creating resilience/ reducing suffering for people during events of disaster. My exploration is more into the role of spirituality rather than any particular dogma. In fact, I am researching three very diverse groups (to be confirmed). Brahma Kumaris (as a disciplined NRM), NY Firefighters (often secular/ atheist) and a more traditional religious group in Sri Lanka (Buddhist or Muslim perhaps). I find the Brahma Kumaris a fascinating organisation, from an emic and etic perspective both and, as with most researchers, my academic interest comes from a personal one. Yet the use of 'Dada' comes from the text of Adi Dev and pre-fieldwork discussions with BK's. Also, my preference here is really for accuracy and not for a pro or anti site which is not very useful to anyone... there are enough of both There's a unique opportunity here to co-author a high quality article of precision... My primary interest is in helping with that, in any way I can.

* c) Specifically, what access have you had to Sakar and Avyakt Murlis? I am trying to put into context the framework of your understanding of the topic.

I have attended murli's and so am familiar with sakar and avyakt versions of them and also how they are distinct from each other. While the article mentioned 'murlis', which is a new word for most Wiki readers, I thought it needed some elaboration so readers can understand what murli's are. I also know the history of the BK's from BK's themselves as well as BK scholars.

Some of your first edits were to REMOVE depth and detail.

You added unreferenced and in places erroneous padding (I am sorry, I cant think of a more tactful way of saying that but e.g. "It was frequent practice in the early to mid 20th century to adopt a new name when beginning a life of spiritual endeavour"

This is based on personal experience of growing up in the 1970's, people I know who have been to India and adopted a new name (not BK's although I know many of them have done similar), but you're right - I don't have an academic paper to support it so I will remove it. I'll check the 'notability' section again.

and the stuff about Jains is actually just plain wrong).

Actually, the information about Jain practise is right. Some comes from a great book by Dundas called "The Jains (Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices)" published by Routledge. The information is re-iterated on official Jain websites, one of them scholarly. I will post them up.

It looks like the topic is heading back toward BKWSU whitewash or obfuscation, e.g. "Regular" for "daily" mediation at 4.

Seriously not looking to whitewash. Honestly, I don't have time for that. You should see the ocean of paper and books I am living in! Regarding the 4:00 comments, "regular" may be less specific but it is in fact more accurate, as I have spoken to many that identify as BK's but don't necessarily get up every day at 4:00am. I even thought about changing the 4:00 to between 2:00 and 5:00 as it's more correct, according to their actual practice. What do you think?

And can I ask is that the correct use of the tags?

I don't really know about the tags. It was my first edit so bear with me while I learn the ropes - or tell me how to use them accurately.

Sure, I do understand - I had a peruse through the history and have seen that it got quite heavy on both sides. Also, it's true that I did cut and paste previous content into the new edit, but you'll have to explain the ref and br tags to me. I'm not clear on their use. How should they be used and does it matter if I use the same references as previous editors?

I added a few more comments on the topic page for you tolook at.

Thanks. Much appreciated. After this though, I may not be able to edit or respond for a while... my studies seem to be coming in second place a fair bit. I have a paper due mid-Jan.

Thank you.

You too. Amasintay 05:08, 22 December 2006 (UTC)