Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnata Pragya, both disciples of Acharya Mahaprajna, are staying during 2004 in JVB Houston, Texas, USA. Monday to Saturday they teach Deep Relaxation, Preksha Meditation with Preksha Yoga and have Pravachan at the center. On Sunday they have Pravachan at the Jain center and give a talk on the radio. A choice of their further activities are reported as follows:
Preksha Meditation Camps
JVB Houston has got experiences in organizing such camps since five years. Main aims are spiritual development, mental peace, emotional purification, and physical health. From 25-27th February a Preksha Meditation Camp in retreat was organized in Houston. About 50 persons of all ages attended the camp. The program included daily sessions of Preksha Yoga, Preksha Meditation, Deep Relaxation, Perception Of Breathing, Bath Of Consciousness and lectures on spiritual topics, as talks on practice of solitude, healthy life-style, and anger management through perception of the psychic center of enlightenment in the middle of the front.
All talks were prepared as 'Power Point' presentations with LCD projector. The participants were full of appreciation for the simple and lucid explanations and vowed to follow the teachings in their everyday life.
Another Preksha Meditation Camp with focus on the most current problems as management of stress and heart disease had been organised in Arya Samaj from 4-6th June. The attraction of the camp was the presence of the renowned cardiologist Dr. Manchanda from New Delhi, India. He presented his research work showing how Preksha Meditation could be helpful for the reversal of heart disease. 62 persons from different social fields and ages remember it as energetic, rejuvenating and peace rendering.
Samani Sanmati Pragya gave lectures on "Why We Are Here" and "How To Escalate Energies". Samani Unnata Pragya practised healing and soothing meditation sessions. JVB Houston had arranged Yoga and Relaxation by Mr. Mahendra from California, another speaker was Mr. Premcandra Gupta.
After the camp JVB Houston convened a doctor's meeting on June 7th at the residence of Mr. Alok Jain, president of JVB Houston. On June 8th a special presentation by Doctor Manchanda was themed 'Healthy Life by Preksha Meditation and Preksha Yoga'. Preksha Meditation, according to him, is not mere exercise but an integral healthy life style.
Preksha Meditation at the Well's Fargo Bank, Houston
The Samanijis had given a Preksha Meditation session on 11th March for two hours at the well-known American Well's Fargo Bank. They introduced the participants into theory and practice of Preksha Meditation. The participants got very interested in the activities of the center.
Samanijis at Episcople High School, Houston
Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnata Pragya visited the Episcople High School on March 5th. Sessions were organized for two different groups of students, topics on the philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and meditation in Jainism were discussed. The students expressed their appreciation by sending cards with their own comments.
Samanijis in California
Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnata Pragya visited the Bay area in California for five weeks from March 14th to April 16th. They gave many different programs as Swadhyaya, Preksha Meditation & Preksha Yoga. Some sessions for the children were held there by JCNC (Jain Center of Northern California). The Samanijis taught Preksha Meditation at Dr. Suprabha's clinic. Their program was highly appreciated, Dr. Suprabha pointed out that "Americans need you..." She is applying Preksha Therapy in her clinic.
The Samaniji also visited Sacramento to celebrate Mahaveer Janma-Kalyanak. Professor Tara Sethia from the Ahimsa Center at Pomona had invited the Samanijis to present the Ahinsa Yatra of Acharyashree Mahaprajna. The Samaniji had prepared a 'Power Point' presentation with photographs of the Yatra. Professor Glan D. Page gave an example of non violence by showing appreciation through shaking fingers cheerfully instead of clapping the hands. He had learned this non-violent way of appreciation from His Holiness Acharya Tulsi. He pointed out that His Holiness Acharya Mahaprajna is giving example for all of us by going on Ahinsa Yatra.
Samanijis in Florida
Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnata Pragya were invited to Florida by the Jain community. The Samanijis stayed from April 17th-21st in Miami, for five days. They were invited to visit JVB - Orlando and stayed there from 22nd-27th April and gave lectures on different topics.
Samaniji at Dallas, Texas
Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnata Pragya were invited for three days by JORA (Jain Association Of Rajasthani Ancestry) from Dallas where they stayed from 21st-23rd May.
Pragya Divas at JVB Houston
Acharya Mahaprajna's 85th Birthday was celebrated at JVB Houston on June 19th. Mr. Alok Jain, president of JVB Houston spoke about the contribution of Acharya Mahaprajna to humanity. Ila Patel and Meena Kapasi sang a devotional song for His Holiness and Samani Unnata Pragya introduced the Ahinsa Yatra to the audience. On this occasion Samani Sanmati Pragya delivered a marvelous speech on Acharya Mahaprajna's introduction in his own words:
Soul is my God.
Renunciation is my prayer.
Amity is my devotion.
Self-restraint is my strength.
Non-violence is my religion.
Mrs. Bheravi Parikh presented some melodious songs about Acharya Mahaprajna. Mr. Sampat Rampuria, secretary of JVB Houston mastered the ceremony.
Samanijis at YJA [Young Jains America] Convention
The Samanijis were invited by 'Young Jains America' to participate in their convention at the Bay area on the long week end from 1st-4th July. The topic given for discussion was "Why can't we all be just Jain?" Samani Unnata Pragya discussed this subject in different sessions and spoke in the closing ceremony. Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya from JVB - Orlando also participated in the convention.
A camp for youth at JSH [Jain Society of Houston]
JSH organized a one-day camp on 18th July under the guidance of Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnata Pragya. More than 50 youngsters took part in it.