Spiritual gathering organized by Lotus, featuring edifying forms of entertainment
In the heart of Great Neck, New York, over 200 people gathered on June 22, 2021, for the International Day of Yoga. The event, co-hosted by Parveen Chopra, founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, and the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, aimed to explore the spiritual roots of yoga.
The Spirit of Yoga event reflected Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India's call of 'The World is One Family', with diverse religions and communities represented. India's Consul General In New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, was the Chief Guest, represented by Piyush Singh.
The event kicked off with presentations by Dr. Anjali Grover and Andonia Fthenakis, who led a dance and sound bath meditation, respectively. Rakesh Bhargava, President of the World Vegan Vision (NY chapter), spoke about the benefits of combining veganism and yoga for gut health and mental awareness.
Prominent people at the event included Arvind Vora, Dr Faroque Khan, Paul Chellani, Kamlesh Mehta, Prof Indrajit Saluja, Acarya Abhiramananda Avadhuta, Mohan Wanchoo, Varinder Bhalla, Mukund Padmanabhan, Chandra Bhansali, Ashok Vyas, Dr Urmilesh Arya, Rashmin Master, Jyoti Gupta, and yoga teacher Anita Rana.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of Rajyoga meditation as a pathway to peace and happiness. Mohini Didi and Sister Gayatri affirmed its first quality as love and its impact on the world when practiced collectively. Mohini Didi explained that Rajyoga meditation ignites the light of love in the heart, connecting to the supreme and touching the hearts of everyone in the world for peace. Sister Gayatri affirmed that seeing one's true self as love leads to seeing everyone as brothers and sisters from the heart, not the mind.
Eddie Stern, a yoga instructor, led the audience in performing the Brahma Mudra exercise. Stern explained that Sthiram Sukham Asanam, a sutra related to poses in Patanjali's treatise on the discipline, means finding stability through relaxed effort and expanding space through cognitively blending awareness.
Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, spoke about the harm social media causes to mental health, particularly for youth. Saeed Hassan, Director Interfaith Outreach for NYS Senator Steve Rhoads, presented citations to A Lotus In The Mud (accepted by Parveen Chopra) and the Brahma Kumaris (accepted by Erik Larson and Sister Anjani Seepersaud).
The event took place at the Global Harmony House, where guests and volunteers enjoyed vegetarian and vegan refreshments in the sunny outdoors. The speakers emphasised the importance of holistic health, yoga beyond asanas, and mindfulness. A recording of BK Mohini Didi's blessings message was screened at the event.
The Spirit of Yoga event in Great Neck, New York, was a testament to the enduring spiritual significance of yoga, aligning with the broader spiritual principles found in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and organisational philosophies like those of the Brahma Kumaris.
- The diversified Spirit of Yoga event in Great Neck, New York, also delved into the realms of health-and-wellness, as Rakesh Bhargava discussed the synergistic benefits of veganism and yoga for both gut health and mental awareness.
- Amidst the gathering, renowned figures like Anita Rana, a yoga teacher, and Eddie Stern, a yoga instructor, highlighted the importance of mental health, presenting concepts like Rajyoga meditation and the Brahma Mudra exercise for inner peace and happiness.
- In the fashion-and-beauty sector, the event also demonstrated a commitment to promoting a clean and conscious lifestyle, with guests and volunteers partaking in vegetarian and vegan refreshments at the sunny outdoors of Global Harmony House.
