JVB London - Preksha Meditation Workshop 26 - 28 May 07 with Swami Dharmanandji & Dr. Manchanda

Despite the tremendous progress made by the mankind in the last few hundred years in scientific inventions, discoveries and technological breakthroughs, human beings are living very stressful lives. Modern medicine is not able to cure permanently all the diseases without side effects.

To alleviate these shortcomings, Acharya Mahapragya has bestowed on us a technique of meditation known as “Preksha Dhyan”. This practice helps us to bring about attitudinal change, behavioural modification and integrated development of personality. This meditation is based on the ancient wisdom from the time of Lord Mahavira and has been formulated in terms of modern scientific concepts. The technique is basically not concentration of “ thought ” but concentration of “ perception”. The process involves perceiving and realising the subtle aspects of consciousness by ones conscious mind.

JVB London had organised a three-day Preksha Meditation workshop on 26, 27 and 28 May 2007 at their London centre. Samani Prasanna Pragya and Samani Manan Pragya had invited Swami Dharmanandaji, Director of Adhyatma Sadhana Kendra - Mahroli, (Delhi) India and Dr Manchanda, an eminent cardiologist and a former Professor and Head of Cardiology Department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences from New Delhi, to conduct this workshop.

On Saturday, 26th May 2007 after the registration of participants the seminar started at 9.30 am with a recitation of “Namaskar Mahamantra” by the Samanijis, followed by singing in chorus of the “Preksha Geet”. With an objective of self-realisation through Preksha Dhyan, practical sessions of health rejuvenating exercises, postures, breathing, kayotsarga (total relaxation with self awareness), contemplation and mantras were carried out. Swami Dharmanandaji was ably assisted by Smt. Nirmalaji and Shree Ashok Gudka. These practical sessions were interspersed with lectures and power point presentations on diverse subjects from “Know your Body” including blood and respiratory systems to “Diabetes and Preksha Meditation”. Dr Manchanda in his lectures and power point presentations talked on reversal of heart disease through dietary controls, yoga and spirituality. There was a huge value addition, knowledge enhancement and self-development due to these effective presentations. The curiosity as well as hunger for the knowledge of Preksha Dhyan was very clearly evident in the question answer sessions between the lecturers and the participants.

The participants described their own experiences during the closing session of the seminar. The atmosphere had become so tranquil that it was clearly felt that positive vibrations had already started to flow in the minds of all the participants. They felt that through dedication and regular practice it is possible to achieve mental peace in our workaday world. Not only individuals but also the society as a whole would be able to reap the rewards of yoga life style. The audience expressed their gratitude to the Samanijis for arranging the seminar.

Finally, Samani Prasanna Pragya in her closing remarks thanked Swami Dharmanandaji and Dr Manchanda for accepting their invitations to share their knowledge and experiences not only with the participants of the workshop but also with other audiences in London and other cities in the United Kingdom and in Europe during their lectures. She said that the Acharya Mahapragya’s blessings are always on us and urged everyone to spread the message about the various activities of JVB London. Samaniji reinforced the message of Acharya Mahapragya “ that the knowledge should be spread not only to the people of Indian Origin but also to the Europeans and others as well, irrespective of their nationality or religion. All should reap the benefit of this ancient wisdom”.

There were nearly seventy participants from different religious faiths and various nationalities. All the sessions were conducted in English.

The time and energy deployed by Mr Dinesh Z. Shah in successfully managing all the sessions was appreciated.