On Sunday, August 21, 2016, The Heartfulness Institute Atlanta, hosted an introductory event on Wellness and Heartfulness Meditation at The Cottage School in Roswell, GA, which was attended by over 500 people including children of all ages.

In that spirit, all the participants went through a practical session of heart-based relaxation and meditation. They also learned about the benefits of meditation and how to integrate it into their daily lives. The Atlanta Heartfulness Team warmly welcomed guests arriving at the free, family event. Meditators were encouraged to drop off their kids at the kids-center, where a bunch of fun activities awaited them, including a magic show.

The atmosphere was vibrant, and buzzing with joy. Volunteers seated people in the attractive and comfortable large meditation hall that little resembled the school gym it served as, during the week. The program began with an introduction by host Ravi Venkatesan. This was followed by the “main attraction”, a guided relaxation and meditation session led by Georgia Tech student and Heartfulness trainer Suraj Sehgal. There was a palpable feeling of inner peace and stillness experienced by the new meditators that continued as the program went on.

A panel of four experienced meditators then held a Q&A session on integrating meditation into daily life. Moderated by Talent Development Professional Leslie Byers, the panel consisted Dr. Aarthi Sridhar, E.R. physician; Dr. Muhammad Asif, cardiologist and anti-aging scholar; Rev. Xiomara Malagon, Atlanta Unity Church minister; and Mr. Sanjay Sehgal, CEO and serial entrepreneur.

Mr. Sehgal spoke about the positive influences of meditation practice on his high-pressure life of successful business leadership, as well as the positive changes he’s witnessed in the many people he has introduced to meditation over the years. He discussed how to integrate personal development into one’s life by prioritizing it, experiencing its results, then adopting it as an indispensable part of life.
Dr. Sridhar shared how meditation has given her a more ‘heartful’ approach to her work as an E.R. physician, working efficiently and effectively while approaching patients as well as colleagues with a supportive and caring attitude.

The discussion touched on science and meditation, with Dr. Asif speaking of the importance of heart-based meditation to the body's health.  He explained that science now knows that the heart, rather than the brain, directs and aligns many systems in the body so they can function in harmony with one another.  Aligning energy in the heart is thus critical to balance, harmony and health.

Rev. Malagon talked about how the addition of meditation helps assist an individual in opening the heart so that they are better able to receive spiritual knowledge and experience. In addition, all of the panelists mentioned meditation benefits such as feeling calmer, handling stress more effectively and becoming more at ease personally.

Questions from the audience raised topics such as how the Heartfulness Institute makes relaxation and meditation opportunities available to school children, citing the research in this area that points to its effectiveness. One question concerned the benefits of regular meditation in improving sleep cycles and reducing dependence on medications to cope with insomnia. Following the panel discussion, Ms. Chhaya Goorah, weight loss & wellness coach, spoke about the role of physical health maintenance through nutrition and exercise, and the connection between physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

The program ended with a healthy and delicious lunch for all, and interested guests were invited to connect with Heartfulness trainers at http://heartspots.hearfulness.org , to pursue the practice of meditation further.

As guests were walking out, there was happiness radiating on their faces, it was amazing to see what a few minutes of meditation in a nurturing environment can achieve!