100 Seeds of Joy (Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network)

Cultivating a sense of unity

By Ioana Popa

I come from the Romanian community. As a student back in Romania, I met the founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network– Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, and it transformed me. I understood what “self-realization” means and that’s what I was searching for. That’s how I started volunteering as a meditation instructor in my free time. In my first year as a new immigrant to Canada, about 25 years ago I continued volunteering by offering free Sahaja yoga meditation classes for Romanian immigrants because they were very stressed. I wasn’t sure if

anyone else would be interested, but I spoke to the manager, they were very impressed and invited others to join.

Everyone is welcome.

Funny enough, the vast majority were Russians, Filipinos, and other immigrants. We had just a few Romanians, and it was lovely. They loved participating, and it made for a successful experience. “That’s when I knew this was bigger than one community.” Once I moved with my family to the Halton region I continued volunteering and offering free meditation and wellness classes, which were open to everyone. Recently, in partnership with Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network, we founded the 100 Seeds of Joy community initiative that provided 515 free wellness

classes and events in 2025 alone.

“I cannot even call it an organization. Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network is really a family.” It’s “…a family made of people from all around the world.” We build with each other. “The people are pure and strong, and they allow each of us to grow individually while building something together.”

For me, “connection is felt in the heart.” There are beautiful people everywhere. What we have created is not just well-organized events, but a space where people feel held. That’s what I’ve most loved and appreciated.

For me, meditation is not something to check off a box, it can become a spiritual journey. Yoga is not physical exercise. Yoga means union, connection: within yourself and with others.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation is open to both religious and non-religious people. We have atheists joining our classes. We have people from many backgrounds. You can take it as deep as you want. It’s a philosophy of integration.

What I want to see more of is this “sense of union.”

The person who teaches certainly makes a difference, even the space makes a difference. That’s why we focus on creating environments where people feel safe, grounded, and connected.

I would love to see more spaces like this - places where people can slow down, reflect, and grow together.

Everyone is welcome to join us - that’s always been true. We build community by being open, by being present, and by remembering that connection is what sustains us.

By helping more people find their way back to themselves, allows for more people realizing they don’t have to do this [life] alone. When people feel connected, within themselves and with others, and achieve the self-realization collectively, everything changes.

Story curated by Phillip McAllister

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This post is part of a larger CDH Member Story Project. The intent is to share the depth of our non-profit sector, name how community can support and imagine together what is possible through the non-profit sector to ensure Halton is a health, inclusive and resilient place to live. Are you a CDH member and want to let your story to the project. You can get started HERE.