Socialite Meera Gandhi, founder and CEO of The Giving Back Foundation, hosted a fundraiser at a daylong retreat at her private estate in Hyde Park, New York, July 18. Besides charitable giving, the event included instilling self-care and spiritual enlightenment through meditation and mindfulness among the guests.
The attendees were inspired and enlightened on how to practice mindfulness, happiness, movement, and meditation – all while giving back to charity. Unlike the traditional black-tie and evening-gown gala, Gandhi attempted something new that nurtures the soul and helps individuals to be more proactive within their community while helping others and connecting with them.
New Yorkers from the city and upstate took a break from their daily routine to take in some light yoga, meditation, vibrational music, body movement, chakra healing, and a light vegetarian lunch. The guests included Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a physician and publisher of Desi Talk who is a Padma Shri award winner.
Inga Benson from Integral Yoga, Rishikesh, India and New York City, led a pranayama meditation and a warm-up yoga session while Miriam Belov, founder of Wellness Agenda of Manhattan, spoke about the importance of self-love and chakra healing in daily lives.
British film director, writer, and producer Martha Fiennes flew in from London to be present while Brooklyn-based choreographer Jules Bakshi led a body-love movement session that instilled the values of appreciating and nurturing one’s own body. Los Angeles-based musician and feminist activist Kiran Gandhi of the Madame Gandhi electronic-music project showcased the power of meditation and mindfulness through music with her shaman drumming.
“It’s very important to take time out for ourselves in order to be able to function better in the world. We need to disconnect and recharge so that we can give back to the world in a present and meaningful way,” Gandhi said. The idea behind it is to exchange stories that empowers people, builds communities and hope.