JVB Preksha Center Hosts Niyojikaji’s Welcome & Maitri Diwas Program
By Seema Jain
JVB Preksha Meditation Center hosted its first community event, Niyojikaji’s Welcome program & Maitri Diwas under the auspicious guidance of Samani Malay Pragyaji & Samani Neeti Pragyaji (Disciples of Acharya Shri Mahashraman) on Sunday, Sept 11th 2022 with a grand celebration. Niyojikaji Samani Dr. Amal Pragyaji & Samani Jigyasa Pragyaji were visiting Houston center as a part of their month-long tour of US to grace this auspicious occasion.
The joint ceremony was well attended by 100+ Community members comprising JVB Patrons & 40+ eminent leaders of Indo-American organizations to welcome visiting Samanijis and capture the spirit of Maitri Diwas which is a culmination of Paryushan & Das Lakshan Parv. It is also celebrated with the idea that friendship between people, countries and cultures can inspire peace and build bridges between the communities.
The first half of the program was dedicated to Welcoming Niyojika ji and was led by Samani Neeti Pragyaji. She welcomed the visiting Samanijis with a colorful Cultural program which included Welcome Bhajan by JVB Arham Bhajan Mandali, Welcome ance & geet by JVB Gyanshala graduates, Ruchika Bengani, Suvi & Rashu Jain and a short play enacted by JVB Gyanshala parents. The theme of the play was to highlight the achievements, accomplishments & charismatic persona of Niyojikaji. Samani Malay Pragyaji further explained how Niyojikaji has balanced the 7 Chakras of the body to reflect a positive aura in her day-to-day life.
The second half of the program was dedicated to Welcoming the Community leaders and celebrating Maitri divas which has been a tradition in JVB since 2009. JVB’s chairman Shri Swatantraji Jain welcomed the guests, emphasized the importance of Maitri Divas and introduced them to the Samani Ji’s. It was followed by a melodious Welcome Song. The emcees of the program, Nikhil Jain & Seema Jain kept the audience engaged by displaying JVB history through various event slides. The highlight of this hour was a special lecture & presentation by Niyojikaji on Forgiveness called “Forgive the Unforgivable.” This lecture was based on her doctoral thesis on the subject. She emphasized that Forgiveness is a part of our true nature and when we genuinely forgive people, we start the process of cleansing our soul.
When practiced frequently, it leads to releasing deep seated resentment and anger while growing the spirit of friendliness in us towards all living beings. She discussed a couple of models explaining how it manifests in our day-to-day life and what we must do to increase the art of forgiveness. She conducted a brief workshop on “Anupreksha (Contemplation)” to demonstrate the process. As a part of the Q& A session she explained the difference between Forgetting and Forgiving and also between Forgiving and Justice emphasizing that in forgiving people we should not lose sight of the fact that justice must be served for their wrongful acts.
To commemorate the victims of Sept. 11th, Jain Logassa Stotra was recited by Samanijis. JVB President, Amit Sacheti gave the vote of Thanks and the program ended with the Mangal Path followed by sumptuous lunch. Below are few testimonials from the event attendees which speak a thousand words in itself:
“क्या अगत्यपूर्वक स्वागत था। समनी जी का क्षमा पे विश्लेषण बहुत ही खूब था। २५ मी तक हम सबको मंत्र मुग्ध कर दिया। सारांश हमें महात्मा नहीं बनना सिर्फ़ “let go” और स्वयं से क्षमा धारी बनना है।“Mrs. Sangeeta Pasrija, Founder of IHA, Houston chapter
“Very thoughtful presentation, enjoyed and learned how to let go” – Nisha Mirani, ex-President ICC Houston
JVB Preksha Meditation Center envisions a blissful and peaceful society through Preksha Meditation, Yoga and Education of Non-violence. It conducts weekly Mediation, Yoga and Swadhyay sessions and runs dedicated events and programs like Children Gyanshala & Meditation Camps. Its open to all and every session or event is free of charge to its attendees. For further information, Call Amit Sacheti at 832-326-1190. Visit www.jvbhouston.org or send email at info@jvbhouston.org for more information.
Pratikraman is a ritual to be performed within 48 minutes of sunset , where Jains repent for all sins and seek forgiveness from all living beings for any harm we have caused them – knowingly or unknowingly – with our thoughts, speech, or actions.