By Sydney Alexandra, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Sunday, November 27, Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network and their 100 Seeds of Joy initiative hosted their annual Festival of Inner Lights at the Burlington Lions Club, a heartwarming event that celebrates spirituality, community, and empowerment. This year’s gathering also honoured the memory of Shri Mataji, the founder of Sahaja Yoga, whose teachings inspired the initiative.
100 Seeds of Joy began as a personal journey for founder Ioana Popa, who sought to explore Sahaja yoga and share its transformative power with others, first through the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network, and then the 100 Seeds project. Her passion has since grown into a community that fosters meditation, self-discovery, and connection. Remarkably, in the project’s first year, the group far exceeded the initial goal of hosting 100 events, organizing an impressive 487.
Attendees at this year’s festival enjoyed a meditative retreat filled with meaningful activities. Highlights included guided meditation sessions and an uplifting performance by Ekaterina Lavrentyeva, a Montreal-based Ukrainian singer and guitarist. Lavrentyeva captivated the audience with Ukrainian Christmas carols and a bilingual repertoire that even included a Hanukkah song she learned specially for the event.
The evening’s focus was on connecting with the inner self and building a sense of community. Popa, recently recognized as a Halton Volunteer Impact Award Recipient for 2024, reflected on the initiative’s approach, saying: “You have to learn something, but you also sometimes have to let go of something. Meditation teaches us that being present and playful doesn’t take away from the depth we can reach. We don’t rely on notes or strict plans; we want to stay connected — with ourselves and with you.”
One attendee, a newcomer to Canada, shared how 100 Seeds of Joy transformed her life. Struggling with mental health and isolation, she discovered the group through ConnexOntario. She was so inspired that she invited them to her workplace, saying, “It was a turning point in my life.”
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, who met Popa through his Orchard Hub initiative at St. Christopher’s Catholic Elementary School, expressed his appreciation for her contributions to the community. The Orchard Hub provides free activities and events for local residents, and 100 Seeds of Joy has become a valued part of its offerings.
“Creating a space for spiritual connection and community is truly inspiring. To house that within the Orchard Hub has been a delight. You’ve made our community stronger and given it something of real value,” Sharman said.
He added: “What you stand for — self-realization, connectivity, and kindness — is something we all need to embrace.”
The event also highlighted the 16 E.M.Powers Program, an initiative inspired by the United Nations campaign to end violence against women. E.M. stands for “Enlightened Meditation,” and the program runs for 16 days, focusing on self-care, confidence-building, and resilience through meditation.
Local MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos attended to commend the initiative and its impact. She praised 100 Seeds of Joy for their dedication to creating safe spaces and highlighted her advocacy for Kira’s Law, which mandates training for judges, lawyers, and social workers on gender-based violence and coercive control.
“These meaningful measures are essential. As individuals and as a government, we have an obligation to create environments where all children and women feel safe,” Triantafilopoulos remarked. She presented Popa and her team with an accolade on behalf of the Government of Ontario, recognizing their contributions to empowerment and healing within the community.
To close the evening, attendees were invited to reflect on their experiences and wishes for the coming year. They wrote messages on star-shaped ornaments representing their “inner lights,” which were then added to a symbolic art piece of the Earth — signifying global connectivity and growth.
As a parting gift, each guest received a handmade Christmas ornament, a small token of the joy and warmth shared throughout the evening. The Festival of Inner Light once again illuminated the power of meditation, compassion, and community, leaving attendees inspired and connected as they carried their inner lights into the world.
Click here to attend the 100 Seeds of Joy: 16 E.M.Powers program.
