Awakening the Heart for the Planet: A Conversation with BK Aneta on Spirituality and Climate Action

Climate action requires conversation across various sectors, from law to science. However, one perspective that is often overlooked but can be incredibly powerful is spiritual consciousness. To extend The Final Stand;s mission of creating inclusive, cross-disciplinary conversations about environmental justice and sustainability, we spoke with BK Aneta, a senior member of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, who has been a pioneer in the integration of spirituality with climate advocacy. She has represented the Brahma Kumaris at numerous UN Climate Conferences, serving as a vital voice for faith-based organizations that enrich the ethical discourse on environmental issues.

In this conversation, B K Aneta explains how spirituality can not only alleviate eco-anxiety but also offers a transformative approach to reshaping climate policy from within.

In what way can spirituality guide climate policy, particularly when implementation is undermined by a lack of political will?

For me, the root of the environmental issued is due to crisis of consciousness. Yes, economics and bureaucracy are factors, but the real challenge is the inner state of the decision-makers. Every action or lack thereof comes from consciousness. If that consciousness is rooted in ego, selfishness, or disconnection from the larger whole, then even the most well-written policy will fall short.

I often use the metaphor of trying to harvest fruit without nurturing the seed. The seed, in this case is our awareness. If it is polluted by greed, fear or indifference, the outcome will always reflect that imbalance.

This is why, at Brahma Kumaris, our entire climate campaign centres around consciousness. Through our interfaith involvement at the UNFCCC, we bring in ethical frameworks, co-author interfaith statements, and offer meditative spaces even during intense negotiations. Emotional awareness is not just an idea but it’s the heart of our work.

In today’s world, people are deeply driven by materialism and consumerism. This creates disconnection from nature. Spirituality helps us reconnect with our true selves, with others, and with the Earth. When we are spiritually aware, we naturally become more simple in our lifestyle, and simplicity leads to sustainability.

We already have the knowledge, funds, and technology but what we lack is the heart. That’s why I believe spirituality is essential. Not to replace policy, but to support and guide it. When actions arise from a place of inner balance, clarity, and care, they naturally align with the well-being of the planet.

Many youth today suffer from climate anxiety. What can spirituality offer to those feeling hopeless in this fight?

Today, many young people feel overwhelmed, anxious, even hopeless about the future of our planet. But I truly believe spirituality provides a powerful anchor and helps us see the bigger picture.

Yes, we are going through a dark time, but darkness is never forever. Just like night turns into day, this phase too will pass. When we view the crisis as part of a larger, natural cycle, we begin to feel calmer. But more than hope, what we need is conviction. We need deep faith in who we are and in the process of change. I often say: don’t fight darkness with darkness – become the light. One peaceful person can uplift an entire space, just like one candle can light up a room.

At the same time, I caution against spiritual burnout. It’s easy to over-identify with outer crises. That’s why I always stress the importance of meditation, silence, and connecting with the Divine. These practices feed the soul. They restore inner strength.

I also believe that commitment begins with awareness. We live in a world that defines success by wealth and status, which fuels overconsumption. But if we regularly ask ourselves simple questions like, “Do I really need this?” we begin to take responsibility and move from being owners of the planet to caretakers.

And while some protest with loud voices, we at Brahma Kumaris protest in silence. Through deep meditation, we send out peaceful, compassionate energy. This silent activism has the power to shift emotional and collective atmospheres – and that, to me, is real change.

As members of The Final Stand advocating for eco-conscious living, how can we strengthen our commitment when our actions sometimes conflict with our values?

Seeing the youth take a stand with kindness, awareness and dedication gives me so much hope.

My advice is this: always go back to your original intention. Why did you begin? What touched your heart? Don’t just remember it mentally but feel it emotionally. That connection becomes your fuel. When purpose is felt deeply, it becomes a source of strength.

Sometimes we get distracted or influenced by others, or by old habits. That’s natural. What helps is understanding the difference between what I can control and what I can’t. I can’t control the world, but I can always choose how I respond. I can always work on my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions.

I also believe being open to learn new things. If I make a mistake or fall short of my commitment, I don’t judge myself. I learn from it. I forgive myself, forgive others, and move forward. Commitment isn’t about being perfect. It’s about continuing to grow.

Silence is a great companion. When we take quiet time to reflect, we reconnect with our values. In that stillness, our clarity and motivation deepen.

For me, sustained commitment comes from being honest with myself, gently persistent, and always returning to what truly matters in my heart.

Cultural and religious beliefs often create barriers to sustainable practices. How can we address these conflicts respectfully?

This is a question close to my heart, especially when it comes to food practices. I completely understand how personal and deeply rooted cultural or religious habits can be.

But we must remember that climate change is a relatively new crisis, while most traditions go back centuries. At the time these traditions formed, climate change didn’t exist, so it wasn’t considered in their practices.

I believe that values like nonviolence, compassion, and respect are eternal, but the way we live out those values must evolve with time. Let me share my own example. In Brahma Kumaris, one of our core values is nonviolence. For years, this meant being vegetarian. But today, the dairy industry is filled with violence and harm, both to animals and the planet. Therefore, just staying away from meat is not enough. Now I choose to adopt a plant-based lifestyle. Not everyone in our community has done so but I believe that the best way to inspire change is to live the change first. If people ask, I share my experience with respect, never force. And I don’t judge people who disagree with me.

Patience and acceptance are key. I’ve seen people who once resisted these ideas come around over time. I believe that when we sow the seed of awareness with love, it will grow.

Can you share any moments where spirituality and climate action intersected in a powerful way?

One of the most beautiful things I’ve experienced is how climate change brings different faiths together. In a world where religion often divides, our shared concern for the Earth unites us. People from all backgrounds are now walking together with one purpose.

Once, I led a meditation at a UN climate conference when I led a guided meditation from the main stage. This was rare in such a formal space, yet it moved people deeply. Some came up to me afterwards saying they felt peaceful, light and recharged. That moment reminded me that experience is in fact more powerful than words.

I’ve also worked on a practice we call “Yogic Agriculture” where farmers meditate on seeds and soil, infusing crops with spiritual energy. The results, studied with universities, show better crop quality and farmer well-being. This helps both nature and the farmers who are deeply affected by climate stress.

Another highlight was my time working on the India One Solar Plant project in Mount Abu, which is a solar project that provides 24-hour energy using a unique thermal storage system and is one of the first of its kind globally. Our motivation was not profit, but service. We wanted to benefit nature and society, and that’s why we succeeded.

Lastly, spirituality has shaped my own lifestyle. I’ve become vegan, live simply, and find my joy not in material things, but in meditation. I don’t need more to feel happy. I’ve found that everything I need is already within.

Final Reflections: Self-Care for Changemakers

Before ending, I want to share something important: take care of yourself. You, the changemakers, are doing such incredible work. But don’t forget to care for the soul. Just like the body needs food, the soul needs nourishment too – through peace, positive thoughts, and spiritual power.

This work isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. You need to be strong, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. That strength comes from silence and connection with the self. In such connection, we can find clarity and can remember who we truly are – and that’s when transformation becomes possible, for ourselves and for the world.

[This interview was conducted by Bhuvana Katakam, President of the Final Stand and transcribed by Turya Raghav, a second-year law student at JGLS.]