On a poignant day, Acharya Ishan Shivanand, a revered figure in the Shiv Yoga lineage and a dedicated mental health researcher, graced the Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The essence of Akshardham, for Shivanand, transcended earthly realms; it was akin to witnessing heaven in reality.
“For me, all visualizations became reality here. There was no longer a need to imagine what heaven might look like. Each individual I met felt like a citizen of heaven, surrounded by angelic beings. I am deeply grateful to BAPS for allowing me to experience and witness this divine grace,” Shivanand shared.
A strong advocate for mental health, Shivanand emphasized the unparalleled benefits that faith offers to the individual psyche. “Akshardham stands as the epitome of a faith-centric life,” he noted, “a life which is immunized against many of the mental health challenges faced by today’s generation.”
Concluding his visit, Shivanand expressed gratitude to Swaminarayan for his visionary approach: “A heartfelt thanks to Swaminarayan for bridging the physical and spiritual divide, for ensuring that even though we are miles away from our homeland, we remain firmly rooted in our faith, community, and spiritual guidance.”