Jain Vishwa Bharati – Houston
Bellville (USA), April 4-8,2012: JVB Preksha Meditation Center, Houston conducted a 3-day and 2-night Family Retreat Camp at calm and scenic 66-acre facility Camp Woodmen, Bellville, TX from April 6 through April 8. The camp was attended by over 100 people including families from all over Texas – Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and the Houston metroplex.
This was the 12th Annual Family Camp conducted by JVB Preksha Meditation Center since the first one held in year 2001; the theme of this camp was inspired by Acharya Mahapragya’s recently released book Transform Yourself.
JVB President Vivek Jain initiated proceedings, along with JVB Board Member Alok Jain. Acharya Mahashraman’s disciples currently stationed in Houston- Samanijis Parimal Pragya ji and Amit Pragya ji lead an interactive program which included multiple lectures/presentations on achieving personal transformation. Samanijis’ guided participants through discourses on related topics like Nurture your soul, How to control your mind, transformation through mantra chanting and how hope can change our life. They used everyday examples in their presentations and delivered tips that can be utilized to transform oneself via a discourse titled on the topic. The audience appreciated situational examples that they could relate to their familial and daily lives; which led to thought provoking discussions and fructified ideas to overcome them.
Participants relaxed and meditated during various meditation sessions during the course of the day with focus on relaxation, and on increasing tolerance. Daily early morning Yoga sessions by the lake were literally an icing on the cake. The retreat had concurrent special kids programs, where they focused on learning Yoga, Pranayam, and other creative activities. Some of the highlights of the children were interactive sessions on Preksha Meditation and How technology will transform our lives in the future conducted by Pramod Bengani and Nikhil Jain respectively.
All participants, especially kids participated in a cultural eve on Saturday night, which included knowledge snippets and skits performed by the kids. For the adults, 10 different participant teams were challenged to make presentations on various daily use items and relate them to family and relationships. Sunday morning featured special laughter yoga programs for adults and kids; everybody literally had a laughter filled morning. Families also enjoyed the excellent recreational facilities at Camp Woodmen in the beautiful spring weather. Unlimited paddle boating and canoeing had long wait times and kids and adults had a wholesome time.
All participants appreciated the great bouquet of programs, activities, and the way arrangements were handled professionally by the JVB team. The Annual camp concluded with a two hour interactive discussion with Samanijs’, where participants also shared their individual takeaways for the camp. Finally, JVB Vice President Sachin Jain expressed his thanks to all attendees, JVB volunteers and also thanked the board for their continued guidance.
Preksha Meditation is the practice of purifying our emotions, consciousness and realizing our own self. Meditation augurs attitudinal change, behavioral modification and integrated development of one’s personality. Started in 1970, Preksha Meditation is the result of the untiring efforts of Ganadhipati Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya. Preksha Meditation is for everyone, irrespective of his or her race, religion, language, color, gender and belief. Preksha Meditation has proved a panacea for transmutation of thoughts, development of favorable emotions, positive thoughts and towards increasing the efficiency of body & mind.
JVB Preksha Meditation Center is home to a specially designed Preksha Dhyan ‘Pyramid’ Meditation Hall and is located at 14102 Schiller Rd, Houston, TX 77082.
For more information and for current and upcoming programs, visit www.JVBHouston.org or call 281.596.9642. – News courtesy: indoamerican-news.com