A Blissful Gathering of Hearts and Minds
From October 21–23, 2025, a deeply uplifting Online Spiritual Festival was joyfully organized by Ácárya Abhirámánanda Avadhúta, Avadhútiká Ánanda Acirá Ácáryá, and Ácárya Diiptimánánanda Avadhúta, bringing together Margiis and friends from around the world for a bliss-filled weekend of collective sádhaná and inspiration. Originally initiated during the pandemic as a way to maintain spiritual connection across distances, the Online Spiritual Festival has since grown into the New York Sector’s main annual online program, offering a unique platform for the various departments and wings of Ananda Marga to share their work, ideas, and inspiration.
The 2025 festival was rich with kiirtan, meditation, spiritual classes, symposiums, Katha Kiirtan, Akhanda Kiirtan, Dharma Cakra, and a vibrant RAWA cultural program, creating a powerful shared spiritual atmosphere. Ácárya Abhirámánanda Avadhúta, whose vision and inspiration gave rise to this ongoing initiative, remained present throughout the program, offering words of appreciation, guidance, and reflection that helped weave the diverse sessions into a coherent and deeply meaningful collective experience.
Acarya Shankarananda Avadhuta sharing stories
Sister Bhagwanti singing a heartfelt Prabhata Samgiita
Deepening Devotion through Kiirtan and Sádhaná
The spiritual foundation of the festival was firmly established on Friday through profound classes delivered by Ácárya Shańkaránanda Avadhúta and Ácárya Iiśvarakrśńánanda Avt., both of whom emphasized the central role of kiirtan and devotion in spiritual life. They reminded participants that kiirtan is not merely a practice, but a living expression of love and surrender to the Supreme.
On Saturday morning, Central Representative Ác. Savitánanda Avt. further deepened this theme by strongly highlighting the indispensability of kiirtan as the heart of sádhaná, inspiring participants to renew their devotional connection through collective chanting and remembrance of the Divine. This was complemented by a slideshow presentation by Ácárya Abhirámánanda Avadhúta on the topic Neohumanism Is the Ultimate Shelter, which connected devotional practice with universal love and responsibility.
Throughout the weekend, a vibrant devotional atmosphere was sustained by continuous Akhanda Kiirtana and Dharma Cakra, with kiirtan lovingly led by many participants. Inspirational talks by various Ácáryas further enriched the collective spiritual experience, making the entire festival increasingly blissful, uplifting, and transformative.
Sister Rekha during Katha Katha
Sister Devika shared a Bhajan she had composed
Katha Kiirtan: Stories that Touch the Heart
One of the most cherished highlights of the festival was Katha Kiirtan, which deeply inspired and strengthened devotion. Beautiful, heartfelt stories shared by Margiis and Acaryas touched everyone present, offering living examples of faith, surrender, struggle, and grace. These narratives brought spiritual ideals to life and reminded participants of the intimate relationship between devotion and daily living.
ERAWS Symposium: Right Action in a Time of Transition
The ERAWS Symposium, led by Dr. Kathleen Kesson and Sister Krsnaprema, was a powerful and thought-provoking session titled “Right Action in a Time of Transition.” The presentation began with a contextual overview of the current era, global instability, and unfolding disasters.
Sister Krsnaprema courageously shared her family’s personal tragedy during the recent Maui fires, offering a moving and heartfelt reflection that deeply resonated with participants. Together, the speakers explained why social movements addressing today’s polycrisis are necessary but not sufficient on their own.
Dr. Kathleen reflected on the history of revolutionary movements that often merely reverse the oppressor–oppressed dynamic, while Sister Krsnaprema eloquently spoke about the “substance of transformation.” She emphasized:
“We need vision with ideological depth—one that exposes the root causes of exploitation, offers clear alternatives, and unites people across movements.”
Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. introducing the speakers of the ERAWS Symposium, Dr. Kathleen Kesson (right), and Sister Krsnaprema (Christy Shaver)
Sister Krsnaprema narrates the story of the fires in Maui and how the need and dispair brought community care and support to each other
The session beautifully illustrated why PROUT is an essential partner to Neohumanism, and why spiritual practice is a vital foundation for right action. A lively and engaging question-and-answer period followed, drawing strong participation and inspiration from attendees.
WWD Symposium: Voices of Women
The WWD Symposium, facilitated by Avadhútiká Ánanda Kalyanmitrá Ácáryá, featured Sister Arunima, Sister Madhavi, and Sister Shriraksha, and offered a thoughtful space for dialogue on contemporary issues affecting women. The session explored challenging and often polarizing topics such as workplace justice—including equal pay, when and how to raise concerns, and navigating complaint processes—as well as questions around self-determination and the ethical dimensions of abortion. Participants were divided into two discussion groups, allowing for open debate, careful listening, and respectful exchange of differing viewpoints. The symposium encouraged deep reflection, critical thinking, and compassionate dialogue on issues that are both socially relevant and personally meaningful.
Youth Symposium: Transforming Youth through Service and Spirituality
The Youth Symposium, themed “Transforming Youth through Service and Spirituality,” was facilitated by Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya and offered rich insights into youth development.
Brother Nirmal, the first speaker, presented “Youth vs. Adult Motivation: Cultivating Resilience & Practicing Neohumanism.” He highlighted that motivating youth and adults are fundamentally different processes and shared research-based insights from developmental and learning psychology, linking them with Shrii Shrii Anandamurti’s teachings. He concluded with a reflective question for all:
“What are you doing to better understand the person you serve and work with?”
Sister Garima, the second speaker, spoke about the deeper purpose of education. She emphasized that education is not merely about degrees, but about cultivating balanced development of body, mind, and spirit. Academic and spiritual education together empower youth to make ethical choices, pursue meaningful careers, and live lives rooted in service.
Sister Madhuvidya, the third speaker, shared an inspiring talk on believing in oneself, staying inspired, and serving as a young individual. She beautifully explained how confidence grows through the balance of sadhana and service, supported by gratitude, creativity, good company, and connection with the Divine. Her personal stories deeply touched participants.
A heartfelt interview session led by Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya featured Brother Aravinda, Sister Kumudini, and her 10-year-old son, Palash.
Brother Aravinda shared his sense of purpose in life and his inspiration to become an LFT early next year.
Sister Kumudini spoke openly about the challenges parents face when raising youth and shared practical insights on overcoming them. Young Palash inspired everyone with his sincerity as he spoke about being vegetarian and practicing meditation among peers who do not. His confidence, positivity, and joy were deeply uplifting.
Sister Garima gave a presentation on the importance of young Margiis pursuing higher education and the quality impact it can have on their lives as well as opportunities for research and service to the Ananda Marga community.
Aravinda sharing his inspiration working as an LFT with Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. in early 2
Service in Action: AMURT & AMURTEL
The AMURT/AMURTEL Symposium, featuring Avadhutika Ananda Uttama Acarya and Avadhutika Ananda Madhupurna Acarya, shared inspiring service work from Romania, reminding participants of the transformative power of selfless service grounded in spirituality.
RAWA: Celebrating Spiritual Art
Complementing the symposiums, participants were delighted by the RAWA cultural program, organized by Brother Sandeep Kanuja. The program featured Prabhat Samgiit, a soulful self-composed bhajan by Sister Devika, graceful yoga dance by Svasti, and beautifully choreographed Prabhat Samgiit dances. These artistic offerings uplifted hearts and added joy and beauty to the festival.
Brother Sandeep Khanuja was the RAWA host
PROUT Study Group: Exploring Economic Democracy
A special highlight of the Sunday program was the PROUT Study Group session, which brought together Margiis from the New York Sector and beyond. The PROUTist Study Group meets every Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Zoom to study and discuss selected discourses by Shrii P. R. Sarkar. During the Online Spiritual Festival, participants had the privilege of joining the group to study Baba’s discourse Economic Democracy. Since regular members had pre-read the text, the session moved quickly into a rich and engaged discussion, exploring both the philosophical foundations and real-world applications of Baba’s economic vision.
In Economic Democracy, Baba critiques both liberal and socialist political democracies, pointing out that while they promise equality, they fail to prevent economic exploitation because economic power remains centralized. PROUT instead calls for economic democracy—where political power is centralized in moral leadership, but economic power is decentralized and placed in the hands of local people. Key principles include guaranteeing the minimum requirements of life for all, increasing purchasing capacity, ensuring local control over economic decision-making, and preventing the outflow of local resources. Production is guided by collective need rather than profit, with balanced development across agriculture, industry, and services. Baba emphasizes that economic democracy is essential not only for human welfare, but also for the protection of animals, plants, and the natural environment.
The session concluded with words of appreciation from Ácárya Abhirámánanda Avadhúta, who thanked the PROUT Study Group organizers and participants for their sustained efforts in studying, preserving, and practically reflecting on Baba’s socio-economic vision. His closing remarks underscored the importance of continued collective study and dialogue as a foundation for meaningful social transformation rooted in spirituality.
Avtk. An. Siddheshvarii Ac. supported the program by singing her beautiful Kiirtana and Prabhata Samgiita
PROUT Study Circle
Shared Aspiration
As the festival concluded, participants unanimously expressed gratitude, inspiration, and joy. Many shared their hope that more online spiritual festivals like this will continue, as the program left everyone deeply nourished, connected, and uplifted.
The Online Spiritual Festival 2025 stood as a powerful reminder that through devotion, service, learning, and collective effort, we can continue to walk together on the path of transformation and bliss.