Seeking spiritual intervention
A well-balanced life is essential for personal effectiveness, peace of mind and living well. Gita Lounge is a unique space bringing the age-old tradition in the context of our current lifestyle, writes VIBHA SINGH
“If we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always get what we’ve always gotten.” –Anonymous
D iscontent is woven into the fabric of our daily life. We eat breakfast and wonder why our usual cereal tastes bland. Driving to work, we find our attention drifting to the houses that seem nicer than our own, or the beautiful vacation spots advertised on billboards. Our mind and body are interconnected and affect each other tremendously. But most of us are not able to maintain a balance between both of them.
The challenge is to balance what we must do with what we enjoy and choose to do. This is not always easy. If, however, we are unable to reduce stress and manage a well-balanced life there can be physical and emotional health consequences. The answer to all the problems of the present world are being answered at the Gita Lounge a new learning center in Sobo, an initiative of Nagreek Foundation, is the philanthropic arm of the Nagreeka group of companies run by Patwari family and ISCKON temple, Chowpatty, which is successfully providing spiritual nutrition to individuals, the first step on the path to enlightenment, healing and Karma, and even answering deeper questions about our hectic lives in the 21st Century.
Following the traditional path
The aim of the lounge is spread the teachings of Gita to as many people as possible as it is believed that it contains the complete knowledge for life and has the solution to every problem. As the religious scripture doesn’t teach us to go to Himalayas to attain sainthood, but it teaches us to revive our sainthood within to bring the tranquility of the Himalayas wherever we go by the very presence of our shadow. Surprisingly, this knowledge is as practical and relevant today also as it was in that era of
Mahabharata. It is a place where people are learning to bring a balance between the age old traditions in the context of our current lifestyle by incorporating the essence of the principles of Gita. Sushil Patwari and Sunil Patwari, trustees, said, “Gita is one of the most powerful scriptures and is said to be the essence of the ancient Vedas. For instance, while personality development courses across the world only define the personality, the chapter’s tells you why you have a particular kind of personality.” In the present context as long as individuals do not take the responsibility to make changes in their behaviours, and make better choices, the thing are not going to change significantly at a global level.
Due to these reasons in present age many philosophers, politicians and scientists have been inspired by the book. Nityanand Charan Das, monk, ISCKON, the brainchild behind the lounge explains, “In today’s times, people are in constant search of happiness and peace of mind despite having wealth and material things. Questions such as, who we are, where have we come from, and where do we go from here, are all answered in here. The knowledge gives answers to how do we become happy and peaceful and how to attain freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth.”
What you learn?
From classes that are focused on yoga to classical music and the art of parenting to identifying your personality. The workshops address something for everyone be it a child, parent, teenager or working professional. The audience are given contemporary examples to find simple solutions to difficult problems. In-depth discussions are held on the impact that relocation, life changes, death in the family, loss of relationships, can have on your energy and chakra system which in turn affects your psycho-physical health, and the relationship with yourself and the people around you.
The workshop on eating right food gives you tips on how to choose right combination which would have an impact on your health, karma and mind. That involves paying attention having right food choices which affects emotions.
In another workshop on mantra equal importance is also laid on the role of mantra and its subsequent benefit. Das explains, “On a spiritual level, the repetition of sacred mantras helps one to remember and strengthen their connection to the divine within. It soothes the mind and body, allowing for a greater expression of spirit. Mantras can tame and disarm the ego, which frequently impedes us from accessing our true spiritual nature at any given moment.”
The sessions are conducted by trained instructors who themselves have experienced change in their life after following the different principles. Many other informative sessions are conducted focusing on children and their spiritual growth, yoga, music and personality development. Parents and children are made to understand each other’s perspective. Also at the fun school, ethics and morals are imparted in student via storytelling, music, drama and more. Address – The Gita Lounge 3, Sagar Villa building 38, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Opp Navroz Apartments, Mumbai-400026