The Call of the Time (COTT) dialogues were the inspiration of Dadi Janki who served as the Spiritual Head of The Brahma Kumaris until her passing in March of 2020. The dialogues have been running since 1998. Invitations were sent to leaders and professionals working in areas of global influence to look more closely at the spiritual dimensions of transformation as they apply to major issues of the world concerns of our times.

The first Call-of-the-Time dialogue was convened in 1998 at Global Retreat Centre in Oxford, England, to provide support and sustenance for leaders who are on the field of world service in all sectors.  The convening question, “What is the call of this time?” was Dadi Janki’s inspiration.  The dialogues have been held on all continents.

There was a turning point at one of the dialogues held at The Brahma Kumaris spiritual headquarters in Mount Abu, India. One afternoon was dedicated to silent reflection and participants were taken to some of the special meditation places there. From that point onwards it became apparent that periods of silence were integral to the dialogues because dialogue is, at its essence, about a deep listening to what is trying to emerge from the collective.

The COTT dialogue is designed especially for those who have significant influence in the world and a spiritual dimension to their life and work. The participants have time to be in conversation in small groups as well as in plenary and a good deal of time is spent in silent reflection. Through these dialogues we have touched more than 1000 individuals, and then through them, the institutions they represent. 

Some who attended the dialogues became interested in looking more closely at the spiritual dimensions of transformation of their inner worlds as well as the outer world. At that time the COTT program was extended to include retreats and experiments in silence.