Representatives from the Brahma Kumari organization, including central in-charge Rama Kumari, V.K. Kusum who led a session on meditation, and Vinita Ji who focused on stress management techniques, shared insightful information with the students. They elaborated on the various forms of stress that students encounter and offered practical strategies for overcoming them.

A key takeaway from the session was the importance of open communication. Students were encouraged to talk to their parents and teachers about any difficulties or anxieties they might be facing. Seeking advice and listening to the guidance of trusted adults was highlighted as a crucial step in stress reduction. The session also advised students to limit their screen time and embrace the practice of meditation as a powerful tool for mental well-being.

The school’s Principal, Guru Charan Verma, expressed his gratitude to the Brahma Kumari team, emphasizing the critical need for such counseling sessions. He noted that these programs are instrumental in helping students cope with and overcome stress. School Director Sangeeta Sharma also lauded the initiative, recognizing its significant positive impact on student welfare.

Following this, devotees participated in heartfelt bhajans led by Brahmachari Gautamananda and Brahmachari Aradhyananda from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, filling the ashram with devotional fervor. In the evening, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, devotees participated in a special two-hour meditation led by Brahmachari Hridayananda. Reading from the ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramahansa Yogananda, they shared Lahiri Mahashay’s words, “‘Remember that you belong to none, and none belongs to you. Contemplate that one day you must leave everything in this world, so know God from now itself,’ the great guru says to his disciples. ‘Prepare yourself for the future subtle journey of death by flying daily in the balloon of God-realization. You are considering yourself as a mass of flesh and bones under the influence of Maya, which is only a house of sorrows. Meditate constantly so that you can quickly recognize yourself as the eternally sorrow-free infinite Supreme Being. Learn to escape from the prison of the body through the use of the secret key of Kriya Yoga.’”

Lahiri Mahashay, one of the Gurus of the Yogoda Satsang tradition, was a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji—the great Himalayan immortal yogi. Mahavatar Babaji revealed the ancient, almost lost science of Kriya Yoga to Lahiri Mahashay and instructed him to initiate all true seekers. A significant aspect of Lahiri Mahashay’s life was his offering of Kriya initiation to spiritual seekers of every religion. He was a householder-yogi who led a balanced life of devotion and meditation, even while fulfilling all his family and social duties. This became an inspiration for thousands of men and women living a worldly life in society. He gave new hope to the excluded and the downtrodden in society, and although he himself was of the highest or Brahmin caste, he made courageous efforts to end the rigid caste fanaticism of his time.

For more information on the path of meditation and Kriya Yoga, please visit yssofindia.org.

Following this, devotees participated in heartwarming bhajans conducted by Brahmachari Gautamananda and Brahmachari Aradhyananda from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, filling the ashram with devotional enthusiasm.

In the evening, devotees participated in a special two-hour meditation conducted by Brahmachari Hridayananda from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Reading from the Yoga Sutras (written by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda), he quoted Lahiri Mahasaya’s words, “‘Remember that you belong to no one and no one belongs to you. Consider that one day you will have to leave everything in this world, so get to know God from now on,’ the great guru said to his disciples. ‘Prepare yourself for the subtle journey of death by flying in the balloon of God-realization every day. Under the influence of Maya, you consider yourself a mass of flesh and blood, which is only a house of sorrows. Meditate continuously so that you can quickly recognize yourself as the eternally free supreme element, free from all suffering. Learn to escape from the prison of the body and participate in the supreme element by using the secret key of Kriya Yoga.'”

One of the paragurus of the Yogoda Satsanga tradition, Yogavatar Lahiri Mahasaya, was a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji — the great Himalayan immortal yogi. Mahavatar Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya about the ancient, almost lost science of Kriya Yoga, and instructed him to initiate all true seekers. A significant feature of Lahiri Mahasaya’s life was that he gave Kriya initiation to spiritual seekers of every religion. He was a householder-yogi, who lived a balanced life of devotion and meditation even after fulfilling all his family responsibilities and social duties. This became an inspiration for thousands of men and women leading worldly lives in society. He gave new hope to the outcasts and the Dalits of society and, although he himself was of the highest or Brahmin caste, he made courageous efforts to end the harsh caste fanaticism of his time.

For more information on the path of meditation and Kriya Yoga, please visit yssofindia.org.

The session was led by Ajay Singh, a senior instructor from the ‘Art of Living’ and a former member of the Yoga Commission. He provided training to the inmates on various methods of meditation, pranayama, and yoga. Singh highlighted the numerous benefits of these techniques, including mental peace, emotional balance, stress management, and improved sleep.

Jail Superintendent Amit Shandilya emphasized the importance of integrating yoga into daily life. He announced that the jail administration will organize regular yoga, pranayama, and Sudarshan Kriya camps in the future.

The inmates participated with enthusiasm and discipline, demonstrating their interest in these rehabilitative activities. This initiative is considered a significant step towards the mental and spiritual development of the inmates. The program not only created a positive atmosphere within the jail but also strengthened the efforts towards rehabilitation and reintegration of the inmates into society. This yoga initiative in Raipur Central Jail is giving a new dimension to the reformative culture.

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