Home Archives for 2025 Page 2 Tai Chi your way to good health From self-defence to self-growth, Tai Chi is the art for you. Move over Kung Fu and Karate, Tai Chi is the new martial art to try out. It will teach you how to enjoy yourself whilst conquering external opponents and inner demons, one hand-push at a time. This ancient form has picked up a lot of practitioners who are not after defence techniques, but better health. What is Tai Chi? Tai Chi is a consummate art, which can be practised alone or with a partner. In the solo version, you go through a series of slow movements, with emphasis on keeping a straight spine and focusing on abdominal breathing. When practising it as competitive sport, the focus shifts on meeting force with a level of soft acceptance. In contrast with traditional fighting, Tai Chi routines are about how energy is emitted from you to the opponent and vice-versa. Pushes and open-hand strikes are more common than punches. What are the Benefits? According to the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Tai Chi helps in improving balance, control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Tai Chi practice eliminates hyperactivity in teenagers. The symbolic movements combined with purposeful breathing have been shown to reduce depression and anxiety. Tai Chi has also become of special interest for those suffering from varying degrees of arthritis. As the postures are based on focusing your own centre of gravity, it helps in reducing the risk of falls in elderly patients. In an exercise conducted at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur, participants were encouraged to perform the awareness-filled Tai Chi walking. A distance that would generally be covered within a matter of seconds was intentionally slowed down; making each person aware of various aspects of their body and mind which would otherwise never have come to surface. This walking meditation brings about great peace and stress release. Who is it for? “It is open to all ages for practise,” says Ms.Radhika Jhaveri, a Tai Chi practitioner and instructor. “In children and youngsters, it helps diversify and concentrate their energies better. I have seen seniors who could not sit on the floor, practise cross legged sitting after they’ve done Tai Chi.” While it guarantees transformative powers for the body, Tai Chi brings harmony to the mind, as well. Tai Chi draws from your internal strength and as a result does not use great physical energy. This is one reason why the exercise has boomed within senior community centres and clinics and as a unique fitness option for the youth today. How can you learn it? Tai Chi is best practised under the guidance of an instructor, says Ms. Jhaveri. Books, CDs and several online articles are available, but if you want to solidify the practise, an instructor or a Tai Chi centre is most beneficial. So don’t wait for old age to slow you down, slow down your life at the right age. Ms. Radhika Jhaveri is a sixth degree black belt and has been teaching martial arts for twenty-one years. For those interested in learning more about Tai Chi practise, you may reach her in Mumbai at +919819374861 or [email protected].
Home Archives for 2025 Page 2 Festival of Bliss For the very first time on American soil, the serene grounds of Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA became the sacred stage for history in the making – the commencement of Pujya Gurudevshri’s 60th Birth Anniversary year. This momentous occasion, fondly known as The Festival of Bliss, was a symphony of devotion, gratitude, and unbounded joy. Let us reminisce those graceful moments and get elevated. The Occasion and Setting ‘Festival of Bliss’ – a historic, three-day celebration commencing the 60th birth anniversary year of Pujya Gurudevshri was commemorated from 26th to 28th September. The region of Poconos, Pennsylvania, radiated with an ethereal energy as Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA welcomed thousands of seekers from across continents, cultures, and backgrounds; uniting hearts in profound gratitude, inner transformation, and joyful remembrance of the spiritual Master’s gloriously purposeful life. Pujya Gurudevshri’s Birth Anniversary Celebrations The Ashram came alive on the night of 25th September. At the stroke of midnight, seekers gathered to usher in the milestone of Pujya Gurudevshri’s 60th year commencement. The atmosphere was filled with a melody of connecting songs, creating a tapestry of devotion that bound every heart with the Master in reverence. The morning of 26th September unfolded with grandeur as Pujya Gurudevshri was welcomed on stage with a vibrant dance. He was offered a garland, a life-sized card, and a towering six-foot bouquet; each symbolising the love of countless hearts. The entire gathering joined in heartfelt musical wishing ‘Happy Birthday Bapaji’, filling the hall with euphoria. A magnificent sixty-foot cake was presented, which He cut along with seekers who shared their birthday on the same day. Amidst the soothing strains of cello, trumpet, and violins, a moving dedication titled ‘Kaho ne Gurudev… Aapni paase evu te shu’ was offered, while simultaneously a painter captured Pujya Gurudevshri’s presence in a live portrait on stage. The Pravachans: Guiding Light of the Festival During the Festival, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed seekers with three profound pravachans, each illuminating a distinct dimension of the spiritual journey. 26th September The discourse explained that the human birth is only a potential, and true human life begins when that potential blossoms into awakening. Using the imagery of a seed becoming a flower, Pujya Gurudevshri showed how life gains fragrance and beauty only when one turns inward. 27th September This pravachan focused on the inner battle against passions and inclination towards sensual pleasures. Pujya Gurudevshri emphasised that victory requires faith and determination. He urged seekers not to remain in despondency but to transform regret into renewed effort, showing that liberation is attainable through perseverance. 28th September Amidst the sacred atmosphere of the Atmarpit Diksha, Pujya Gurudevshri highlighted that awakening is true life. He explained that the essence of meaningful existence lies in discerning the eternal from the momentary and in remaining absorbed in one’s inherent nature. Elevating Events Across the three days, seekers immersed in a series of spiritually uplifting events and programmes that deepened devotion and expanded hearts. Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Mega Humanitarian Event This event saw the spirit of service in action as seekers came together to pack meals for the needy. It was graced by esteemed guests including Minalben from Shri Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla; Manubhai and Rikaben Shah, Founders of the Sarva Mangal Family Trust, Shah Happiness Foundation, and CEO Emeritus of M S International; Sandeep Shah, CEO and Founder of Sandeep Diamond; Atul Kothari, Chairman of Jewelex Group and Prem Jain, Founding Member and former President of JAINA. A Mega Medical Camp was also organised, with 21 specialised booths – ranging from Occupational Therapy and Women’s Health to Vision Screening and Bone Marrow Donation, embodying the Mission’s spirit of holistic seva. Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr. and his wife were felicitated during the event, while Razin Karu from the Governor’s office read out a letter of appreciation from the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro. In recognition of their immense contributions towards humanity, Manubhai and Rikaben Shah were honoured with the ‘Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care – Heart of Humanity Award’ by the gracious hands of Pujya Gurudevshri. Lakeside Veneration On the serene evening of September 26, Pujya Gurudevshri and seekers gathered at the tranquil lakeside. Amidst the still waters stood a divine pratimaji of Param Krupalu Dev, seated on a lotus, symbolising His untainted inner state. A soothing recitation of Dev Vandan filled the air, drawing seekers into profound silence. The evening culminated in a moving Maha-arti of Param Krupalu Dev, leaving every heart overflowing with reverence. 20 Years of Grace in the USA This year also marked another historic milestone – the completion of 20 years of Pujya Gurudevshri’s dharmayatras to the USA. Since 2005, seekers across North America have been blessed with His grace through pravachans, pratishthas, padhramanis, retreats, and countless transformative encounters. A moving video titled ‘20 Years of Grace’ took everyone through two decades of divine compassion, showcasing how tirelessly Pujya Gurudevshri has nurtured the spiritual growth of mumukshus across North America. To commemorate this occasion, awards were presented to recognise outstanding contributions: Legacy of Seva Award: Pareshaben Shah Best Progressing Centre Award: Dallas Centre Best SRMD Divinetouch Centre Award: Toronto Centre Seva Champion Centres Award: Long Island and Parsipanny Distinguished dignitaries expressed their heartfelt admiration for Pujya Gurudevshri and the Mission’s benevolent initiatives. Mr. Aaron Mitchell, EVP and Head of R&D at ZS; Mr. Amit Chadha, CEO and MD of L&T Technology Services and Dr. Willie Underwood III, distinguished physician and president-elect of the American Medical Association spoke on the occasion, conveying their respect towards the Master and praising the Mission’s activities. They were warmly felicitated by Pujya Gurudevshri. Labour of Love Another deeply stirring moment came with the screening of ‘Making of the USA Ashram’. The video revealed how sevaks, driven by their love for Pujya Gurudevshri, accomplished what professionals had deemed impossible within the given time. They unloaded massive shipments, operated forklifts, assembled furniture, set up rooms, and even created a lakeside trail. The core sevaks honoured, along with their spouses, included Soham Shah, Vipul Gopani, Darshan Sanghvi, Hardik Sanghvi, Amit Sanghvi, Manish Mota, Vishal Doshi, Zarna Tarazona, Jigisha Rathod, and Parthvi Harde. Tales of Transformation An elevating dedication titled ‘Guru Krupa Bal Aur Che – Tales of Transformation’ brought forth heartfelt sharing from seekers across the USA. Their experiences reflected how Pujya Gurudevshri – with His creative and uniquely-tailored personal guidance – has uplifted beings of diverse backgrounds and mindsets, igniting in them the flame of inner transformation. Devotional Musical Evening A special bhakti evening elevated the audience with soulful renditions by Sachin Sanghvi of the renowned Sachin–Jigar duo, accompanied by his daughter Tanishka. Their offering of devotion impacted every soul present, and they were lovingly felicitated by Pujya Gurudevshri. Eminent dignitaries including Ray Manista, EVP & Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer, Northwestern Mutual; Paul Ayoub and Joseph Ayoub, Board Members of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Shamiram “Shami” Feinglass, Board Member of Sandoz; Haoda Fu, Vice President at Amgen; Shobie Ramakrishnan, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer at GSK; and Steve Pratt, Partner at Deloitte participated in the celebrations during the Festival. Atmarpit Diksha For the very first time on the soil of the USA Ashram, three blessed souls embraced the path of Atmarpit Diksha. The brave seekers were Neil Shah, Indianapolis, USA; Kevin Shah, Mumbai, India and Smriti Kothari, Mumbai. On the eve of the Diksha, a spiritually-elevating Atmarpit Mehendi and Pithi ceremony was held. A creative skit reaffirmed the timeless truth that wealth, power, family or praise cannot grant lasting happiness, but the sweet shelter of a Master can. Family and friends of the to‑be‑Atmarpits offered devotional dance performances, while the aspirants themselves shared their moving journeys of faith and surrender that led them to choose this exalted path of renunciation. Pujya Gurudevshri inscribed the pious name ‘Raj’ on their hands with mehendi, symbolising the eternal bond between the devotee and the Divine, and then blessed them with pithi, signifying the cleansing of negativities while embedding wisdom, discipline, and strength. On 28th September, amidst an atmosphere charged with devotion, the Atmarpit Diksha ceremony unfolded. The parents of the three seekers joyously granted them permission to embark on the path of renunciation. With a ‘vijay tilak’ adorning their foreheads, they were blessed by Pujya Gurudevshri with their new attire. Re‑entering the arena in their sacred robes, they were initiated into the Atmarpit order and were blessed with mala and kada. They then merged seamlessly into the community of existing Atmarpits, embraced as part of the Master’s spiritual family. The parents of the three new Atmarpits were felicitated on the occasion. In a moment of profound inspiration, the parents of Neilbhai and Kevinbhai also embraced the Ajivan Brahmacharya Vrat, while Smritiben’s father has already adopted this vow earlier. Continuing the tradition of recent years, where selected Atmarpits embrace higher vows and are honoured with the suffix ‘ji’, this year Atmarpit Payalben was chosen by Pujya Gurudevshri, marking her deepened commitment to the path. The Festival of Bliss shone as a sanctified blend of devotion, wisdom, and seva, leaving seekers inspired to live with awareness and surrender at the lotus feet of the Master.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 2 Festival of Bliss For the very first time on American soil, the serene grounds of Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA became the sacred stage for history in the making – the commencement of Pujya Gurudevshri’s 60th Birth Anniversary year.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 2 Mind your Wellness! Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Our definition of health is often restricted to physical well-being. Let us explore an area which contributes to our overall well-being – mental health. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This is the definition of health as given by the World Health Organization. The less understood and less emphasised aspect of health remains our mental health. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health plays a key role, but due to its intangible nature is often neglected. This is the missing link that explains why individuals with vibrant physical health and material comforts still do not experience a sense of overall well-being. Symptoms Of Mental Illness Due to the subtlety of its nature, mental illness often goes unnoticed or is ignored as ‘crazy’ behaviour. Following are a few of the symptoms that can help you detect mental illness: Depression that persists over a few weeks Lack of motivation over a prolonged period Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed previously Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness that persist over a period of time Fears and anxieties that are out of proportion to events Difficulty concentrating and/or sudden irritability Disruption of normal sleep Thoughts of suicide If you observe one or more of the above symptoms in yourself or a near one it is advisable to consult a trained psychiatrist and take guidance for restoring mental health. Promoting Mental Health Prevention is always better than cure. And this holds true for mental health as well. According to Dr. Ron Sterling, a Geriatric Psychiatrist, following are five factors that help promote sound mental health. Self-Appreciation We need to be able to assess not only our weaknesses but also our strengths. And also to appreciate our unique and individual contributions to this world. It is easy for the mind to focus on the negative. We need to develop an attitude of giving due credit to one’s self for all the great things that we are invariably doing. This fills us with positivity, a condition necessary for a healthy mind. Resilience It ensures that we are able to deal with, recover from and bounce back when faced with hardships, misfortune or change. It is the quality that makes one tough enough to absorb the shocks that life sends without adversely affecting our sanity. Affiliation It is the ability to develop healthy relationships and build mutually supportive social networks. It is fulfilment of one of the basic human psychological needs – of feeling connected. Negotiation It is the openness to see that we may not have answers to all questions and that we can learn from others as well as from experience and thus alter our beliefs based on new information. This quality makes sure that the mind does not get into ruts thus affecting mental health. Physical and Mental Exercises Physical exercises like dancing, gardening and mental exercises like chess, board games, crossword puzzles are known to help reduce the risk of mental ill-health as well as help in maintaining an active mind. “You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created,” said Dr. Albert Einstein. And so it is with the mind. To tackle the problems of the mind, as well as to realise the true potential of this marvellous device, we need to work on the level of spirit. Embracing spirituality as a way of life gifts one with all-round well-being.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 2 Shaping Futures through Guidance and Care Many rural students lack awareness of career options, competitive examinations, and government schemes. While industries are continuously seeking talent, several students are unable to align their skills with these opportunities. With the goal to bridge this gap, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care’s Educational Care programme had launched the Udyam Project – a pioneering initiative to support students in making informed career choices through guidance and counselling. This year’s initiative was launched by Dr Rajshree Tandel, District Education Officer, Valsad in the presence of over 350 principals and school representatives from the district. Through this programme, over 15,000 students from around 70 schools will benefit from career awareness sessions, while nearly 6,000 students will undergo psychometric tests, one-to-one counselling and will receive personalised career reports. A helpline number too has been set up to provide guidance and support. A live psychometric test for Class 12 students of SMSM School, Dharampur, showcased the project’s impact in action. The Udyam Project reinforces Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care’s commitment to empowering the next generation through education.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 2 Advanced Endoscopy brings Hope to Patients Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre organised a one-day specialised camp on advanced endoscopy with Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS). The camp was led by Dr Vivek Singh (DNB, DrNB), Interventional Gastroenterologist, with support from doctors and nursing staff from the Hospital. Endoscopic Ultrasound is an advanced diagnostic modality that provides a clear view of deep-seated internal organs such as the pancreas, liver, and gall bladder, especially in cases where conventional CT or MRI scans fail. During the camp, few patients successfully underwent EUS procedures, including a man with chronic pancreatitis and a large pancreatic cyst, and a woman with suspected bile duct obstruction, later diagnosed with a benign stricture indicating narrowing of a tube in the bile duct. Several other patients were provided consultations, with follow-ups planned for subsequent visits. This initiative highlights the Hospital’s commitment to bringing advanced and expert care to rural and tribal communities, ensuring timely diagnosis and better treatment planning. By bridging the access gap between healthcare and rural populations, it continues to deliver compassionate care with clinical excellence.
