Hempstead, N.Y., June 22, 2026 — More than 200 people gathered at the Vedic Heritage Hanuman Temple in Hempstead on June 14 for a devotional Yoga Day celebration that blended spirituality, meditation, music, movement, interfaith dialogue, and community service.
Organized by A Lotus In The Mud, a nonprofit online wellness and spirituality magazine, the event explored the theme of devotion as a pathway to inner transformation and spiritual growth. The program featured a distinguished panel discussion, cultural performances, guided meditation, yoga activities, and reflections from spiritual and community leaders.
The chief guest was Dattatreyudu Nori, the internationally renowned oncologist and 2026 Padma Bhushan recipient. Representing the Indian Consulate in New York was Mahesh Yadav.
Photos by A Lotus In The Mud.
Panel Explores Devotion as a Path to Spiritual Growth
The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion titled “Devotion as a Superhighway to Spiritual Evolution.” The discussion was curated and moderated by Lotus founder and editor Parveen Chopra.
Introducing the topic, Chopra noted that Indian philosophy describes four traditional paths to self-realization: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga, and Raja Yoga. He described Bhakti Yoga, or the path of devotion, as one of the most accessible and heartfelt approaches to spiritual growth.
The panel featured an interfaith group of speakers: ordained Buddhist nun Lama Aria Drolma, author and banker Yakub Mathew, finance executive and artist Nayan Kisnadwala, and yoga teacher Sharon Epstein.
Despite representing different faith traditions and perspectives, the panelists agreed that devotion involves both grace and personal effort. They emphasized that spiritual growth requires discipline while also remaining open to divine guidance.
Dr. Nori Highlights Equanimity and Witness Consciousness
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Nori reflected on the deeper dimensions of yoga and meditation, focusing on the importance of cultivating awareness and balance.
“Being the witness keeps you away from all the problems,” he said, encouraging participants to observe thoughts and emotions without becoming attached to them.
He also stressed the importance of equanimity, describing life’s apparent opposites as complementary rather than contradictory.
“Dualities of life are apparently contradictory, but inherently complementary,” he said.
Consulate Representative Praises Yoga’s Global Impact
Mahesh Yadav described yoga as “one of India’s most profound gifts to humanity” and said devotion plays a vital role in strengthening the yogic journey.
He noted that devotion nurtures qualities such as humility, compassion, surrender, and a deeper connection with the divine. Yadav also commended A Lotus In The Mud for sharing spiritual teachings with a growing international audience.
Interfaith Perspectives on the Nature of God
One of the most engaging moments of the discussion came when panelists addressed questions about God and spirituality from their respective traditions.
Responding to a question about Gautama Buddha’s silence on the existence of God, Lama Aria explained that Buddhism focuses less on theological debates and more on direct realization.
“The Buddha’s focus was not on proving or disproving God, but on awakening to the nature of reality and ending suffering through direct realization,” she said.
Yakub Mathew spoke about moving beyond intellectual concepts of divinity.
“Our mind is divisive. When we remove God from our mind and put it into our heart, then you will discover the God in you,” he said. “The God you want to know who made man, then you’ve got to remove the man-made God.”
Drawing from Hindu philosophy, Nayan Kisnadwala emphasized the belief that divinity can be approached through many forms.
“In Hinduism we can worship God in any form. In fact, we say that God is within us,” he said before discussing the nine forms of devotion, or Navadha Bhakti, described in Hindu scriptures such as the Ramayana and Bhagavatam.
Representing the Jewish tradition, Sharon Epstein said devotion is expressed through everyday choices and actions.
“Love for God becomes tangible through our actions and choices each day,” she said.
Meditation, Music, Dance and Community Spirit
The event also featured a variety of cultural and wellness activities.
Lama Aria led participants in a Loving-Kindness Meditation dedicated to world peace. Musical performances included devotional singing by Budh Prakash Jasuja and his daughter Nanki. Dance presentations centered on Radha and Krishna were performed by Preya Patel and students from her Vivarta Arts group.
Anne Moffatt, also known as Aanya Prarthana, engaged attendees with Chair Yoga and a Ribbon Dance session.
The evening began with a traditional ceremonial lamp-lighting attended by panelists, presenters, and community leaders, including Ravi Bhooplapur, Anil and Renu Jain, Kamlesh Mehta, Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, and Abhishek Mishra. Ashok Vyas recited Vedic mantras during the opening ceremony.
The program concluded with a charity auction of artwork created by Nayan Kisnadwala. The auction was conducted by Renu Jain, with proceeds benefiting both Lotus magazine and Vedic Heritage Inc.
Piya Jyoti Kachroo served as master of ceremonies, while Kripa Ranjan Prasad coordinated media outreach for the event. Attendees ended the evening with a healthy vegetarian meal served outdoors.
About the Organization
A Lotus In The Mud is a nonprofit online magazine dedicated to promoting health, happiness, and inner peace by sharing wisdom from multiple spiritual traditions alongside insights from modern science. The publication focuses on wellness, personal growth, and contemplative practices aimed at fostering holistic well-being.
Cover photo: Those joining the lamp-lighting ceremony included Renu Jain, Kamlesh Mehta, Ravi Bhooplapur, Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, Anil Jain, and Abhishek Mishra besides the panelists.
