World Peace Through Yoga and Spirituality

With His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj's immense blessings, a seminar on "World Peace Through Yoga and Spirituality" was successfully launched on January 5-6, 2008, in Greenville, Ohio. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Iqbaljit Singh Rai ji, Harlivleen Bajwa ji Gobind Singh and the coordination of Ashok Wahi ji, Sheelu Keswani ji, and Rajinder Gahunia ji, the concepts of yoga and spirituality were coalesced to create this unprecedented program, in order to promote peace. Months of planning and preparations were devoted in order to transform these ideas into reality and ensure effectiveness of the event. Saints had compiled a two- day agenda for the camp, which was held at the Greenville Inn Motel. The venue was humbly volunteered by Rakesh and Rani ji and was hosted by Dr. Kunal Gupta and Rashmi. A diverse age group of saints from Washington D.C., Michigan, Chicago, Houston, Florida and New Jersey attended this enriching event.

Jan 5: Day 1
The program commenced at 12 pm in a spiritual atmosphere as saints expressed their thoughts through melodious hymns and discourses. Rev. Pritam Singh ji, a distinguished saint visiting from India, presided over the congregation. Promptly after, Dr. Jyoti Kalra presented a lecture on health and nutrition, highlighting various nutrients and their impact on the health of the body. Additionally, Dr. Kalra provided insight into the concept of BMI (body mass index) and significance of daily exercise for the stability of the mind, body, and soul.

Consequently after, Rev. Ashok Wahi ji conducted an in-depth review on yoga, outlining its importance and connection with spirituality. He also explained that the word Yoga means 'union of' or 'interconnecting' the body and the mind. He further stressed that yoga and spirituality share three similarities in practice:

a) "Breathing" which is a vital factor for achieving a connection.
b) Not being judgmental.
c) Both yoga and spirituality are 'real time' events, in that they are in direct synchrony with the event itself without a time lag.

Ashok ji then linked select "shabads" from the Avtar Bani to yoga. He re-emphasized the importance of breathing as it helps connect the soul with Nirankar, eventually leading to self-surrender.

The session on yoga was followed by a very interactive discussion facilitated by Dr. Rashmi Assudani. To lead this session, she presented four questions to the attending saints:

1) What does Spirituality mean?
2) What does one attain with spirituality?
3) How does one practice spirituality?
4) How does the presence of Satguru keep us on our path of spirituality?

The entire audience was organized into four groups and discussed these questions among themselves. After each group presented their thoughts to the rest of the saints, an open discussion and assimilation of different ideas followed.

After a short break, a 'peace dance' was led by Mrs. Robin Mallor of Michigan. This imparted a common energy within the group through collective spiritual dances, along-with the chanting of various melodious rhythms, which all praised the Lord Nirankar.

Thereafter, the first yoga session commenced, where the attendees got a chance to do actual yoga exercises. In this session, the initial exercises allowed the devotees to warm up through breathing and stretching with the following asanas - Camel pose, Child pose, Taad asana, Vajra asana and Corpse pose. The warm ups were followed by a 10 question series related to the practice of spiritual laws. After a short break, His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji’s New Year message was presented to the saints. The evening activities were followed by langar prepared by the saints who hosted the program.

As the final activity on day one, members of the organizing committee moderated an informal discussion to gather feedback from the youth for further enhancement of such camps in the future.

Jan 6: Day 2
The first activity of day two of camp started early with a yoga session at 7 am, which included several intensive breathing techniques such as kapaalbhaati and pranayama. The attending saints were informed that these exercises are essential for the health of the lungs, as well as for the bond of the body with the mind.

The morning yoga session was followed by breakfast. Thereafter, all the saints gathered in the main hall for the sangat. During this congregation, which was presided over by Rev. Mrs. Sunita Arora ji from Kent (Ohio), saints of various ages and from various parts of the country praised Lord Nirankar through their thoughts and spiritual songs. The congregation also provided an opportunity to thank all the participating saints, as well as to distribute certificates to the young saints. These activities were followed by playing the speech by His Holiness, as is customary for the first Sunday of the month. In his speech, His Holiness emphasized the surrendering of one's ego attached to the acquiring of materialistic things. He also reemphasized the recognition that God is the ultimate caretaker and giver and protector of all beings and things. Babaji also apprised the saints that God knows and understands every human being, and gives importance to everything that is linked to the pursuit of truth. His Holiness also talked about 'grace' bestowed upon us 'chosen ones,' and that a true saint stays humble and submitted to His ultimate will.

The congregation was followed by Langar, after which the saints began their journey back to the respective destinations. These saints enjoyed the experience and left with rejuvenated and enlivened spirits, which were filled with the new-found energy of a spiritual mind, body, and soul.
 

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