In a soulful celebration to rekindle yoga’s spiritual roots, over 200 people came together to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in Great Neck in New York. Instead of yoga postures, they were introduced to the higher steps of the discipline that originated in India. The Spirit of Yoga event on June 22 was primarily curated by Parveen Chopra, founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, and cohosted with the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.
Parveen Chopra played a video of the Lotus web magazine he founded three years ago and moderated the evening, along with Erik Larson, Director of Brahma Kumaris WSO. Sister Anjani Seepersaud, Coordinator of the Global Harmony House venue, introduced them.
Yoga poses are a portal to spiritual practices
While acknowledging that almost all Yoga Day programs and yoga studios focus only on asanas and pranayam, Parveen brought out its positive side, “Asana practice will lead many to explore the spiritual side of yoga.”
India’s Consul General In New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, was the Chief Guest. He was represented by Piyush Singh – Consul, Press, Information, and Culture. Singh relayed the message from the Consulate: “We are privileged to support this inspiring initiative. The energy and intent that radiate from this gathering truly reflect the deeper essence of yoga. Not merely asanas, yoga is a profound spiritual discipline that harmonizes body, mind, and soul.”
Piyush Singh was introduced by Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, who mentioned that he had witnessed a record 10,000 people attending a yoga session in San Pedro Carcha, Guatemala, in early June, organized by the Indian embassy there, despite only 100 Indian families residing in the city.
Yoga way to manage life’s ups and downs
Eddie Stern, a yoga instructor and founder of the Ganesha Temple in Manhattan, positioned postures within the 8-limb yoga discipline and led the audience in performing the Brahma Mudra exercise.
Stern pointed out that Sthiram Sukham Asanam (comfortable and stable posture) is one of only three sutras related to poses in Patanjali’s treatise on the discipline. He then explained: “It means that everyone who’s around us, we are accepting of them, we’re happy to be with them, we’re understanding of their trials and tribulations. When we are in an expanded space, we can allow everything to be. We find stability through relaxed effort, we find expanded space through cognitively blending our awareness with that which has no limitation, and that is how we can manage the ups and downs of life.”
Role in mental health harmed by social media
Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, thanked the event organizers for “teaching about yoga, teaching about mental health, especially for our youth. We know they’re being harmed by social media, and we know that we’re also being harmed by it. But at least we’re adults and we had some chance to have some inner peace.”
The topic of the talk of Rakesh Bhargava, President of the World Vegan Vision (NY chapter), was, ‘Nourish your gut, awaken your mind—with veganism and yoga combined’. He pointed out that fiber is absent in animal and processed foods, including dairy, yet fiber is vital for gut health—aim for 30 different plant foods per week.
Dr Anjali Grover danced the story of yoga and Andonia Fthenakis presented sound bath meditation.
Saeed Hassan, Director Interfaith Outreach for NYS Senator Steve Rhoads, presented citations on behalf of the Senator to A Lotus In The Mud (accepted by Parveen Chopra) and the Brahma Kumaris (accepted by Erik Larson and Sister Anjani Seepersaud).
A gathering reflecting Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
In an expression of India’s call of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family), the speakers and attendees represented diverse religions and communities.
Prominent people at the event included Arvind Vora, Chair of Shanti Fund and founding trustee of Lotus, Dr Faroque Khan, Chair of Interfaith Institute of Long Island, Paul Chellani, head of the Sant Nirankari Mission – New York, Kamlesh Mehta – Chairman of The South Asian Times, Prof Indrajit Saluja – Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, Acarya Abhiramananda Avadhuta, sectorial secretary of Ananda Marga North America, Mohan Wanchoo, Varinder Bhalla, Mukund Padmanabhan, Chandra Bhansali, Ashok Vyas, Dr Urmilesh Arya, Rashmin Master, Jyoti Gupta and yoga teacher Anita Rana.
Guests and volunteers enjoyed delicious vegetarian and vegan refreshments, hosted by Global Harmony House, in the sunny outdoors.
Please watch the highlights of the Spirit of Yoga program here as telecast by ITV Gold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUliC7YO1d4
Rajyoga presented as a path to world peace
It was an afternoon of inspiration, serenity, and inner connection at the Global Harmony House. Both Mohini Didi, the Brahma Kumaris’ Chief Administrative Head, and Sister Gayatri Naraine, their NGO representative to the UN, spoke of Rajyoga meditation as the pathway to peace and happiness as we connect to the supreme and remember the eternal qualities of the soul.
“The light of love is ignited in the heart,” explained Mohini Didi. “When we connect to the supreme, our vibrations touch the hearts of everyone in the world, so we can have peace.” A recording of BK Mohini Didi’s blessings message was screened at the event
“The first quality of Rajyoga is love,” affirmed Sister Gayatri. “When you see your true self as love, you see everyone as brothers and sisters from your heart, not your mind. She explained that “it is the practice of Rajyoga meditation by individuals of a collective coming together that has the greatest impact on the world.”
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