On 1st February, Empowering the Self, a holistic spiritual and wellness initiative, was successfully conducted at the serene and lush green premises of Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosle Udyan and Zoo (Mumbai Zoo). The program was specially designed for IT professionals, finance and business professionals, and entrepreneurs and was organised by Brahma Kumaris Ghodapdev Meditation Center in association with the IT Wing of Brahma Kumaris, with the valued collaboration of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Mumbai Zoo.
The program was arranged amidst the natural beauty of the zoo, offering a refreshing and peaceful atmosphere. A rare and delightful experience for participants was the seamless view of penguins, as the zoo maintains more than 10 penguins in a safe and protected environment, adding a unique charm and calmness to the event.
The day commenced with an inaugural session, followed by spiritually enriching sessions conducted by BK Vidhatri Bahen (ORC) and BK Ritu Thakkar. In her Digital Wellness session, BK Vidhatri Bahen shared practical concepts such as digital calories, digital obesity, and the need for a digital workout, helping participants understand how excessive digital consumption impacts mental health. Her session on Overthinking – Understanding and Remedies highlighted the difference between relaxation and meditation, with key takeaways presented as actionable insights for daily life.
BK Ritu Thakkar conducted a deeply experiential workshop where participants wrote down what constituted the letter “I” on an A4 sheet, followed by a reflective exercise of letting go, guiding participants beyond roles and identities to experience the real I. The soulful use of musical instruments created a serene and meditative atmosphere, fostering inner stillness.
The event was graced by eminent Guests of Honour. Mr. Bhavesh Jain, Managing Director – CIBIL, emphasised that practical aspects of spirituality, essential for happiness, are often missing from formal education. Dr. P. K. Samantaray, Psychiatrist, highlighted Brahma Kumaris’ role in spreading peace in a volatile world. Dr. Shalini Sinha, Director – St. Francis Institute of Management and Research, stressed the importance of digital wellness, and Mr. Yashwant Patil, HQ Coordinator – IT Wing, Abu Road, extended encouragement and best wishes for such initiatives.
More than 150 participants from over 30 reputed organisations, including JP Morgan Chase, JSW Paints, Sodexo, CIBIL, and others, attended the program with enthusiasm. Participants were served breakfast, lunch, and evening tea at the venue, and received Brahma Kumaris blessings and toli, leaving them spiritually enriched.
A touching moment occurred when sevadharis, who had been active since 2:00 am preparing food, creating handmade badges, and designing toli boxes symbolising six virtues, came on stage before the concluding session.
The Question and Answer session addressed participants’ queries with depth and clarity, covering topics such as soul connections, the nature of God, and removing negativity from life. Even light-hearted questions, like “Who paid for our lunch?”, were answered with spiritual insights.
A nostalgic 40-year Ghodapdev service video was screened, concluding with images from the current event, bringing joy and warmth to the participants.
With over 15 Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga teachers and the dedicated service of 50 sevadharis, Empowering the Self proved to be a deeply impactful and memorable experience, empowering professionals with practical spirituality, inner clarity, and lasting peace in today’s fast-paced, digitally driven world.
