Meditation could hold answers to life’s purpose, advocate says

Jan 2, 2020 | Life

Harpreet Parmar is one of many people who attended a meditation workshop in downtown Toronto on Jan. 22 designed to improve one’s connection with the self. (Alina Zorina)
Alina Zorina

Harpreet Parmar learned to meditate in India but, after moving to Canada and having a family, she said she lost that spiritual connection.

“Now I feel so empty, so I want to connect back [with that] experience,” she said. “And I want to do meditation.”

Parmar found the opportunity to do that at “How to Find the True Purpose of Life,” a free event organized by Science of Spirituality, an international non-profit, in downtown Toronto on Jan. 22.

Mandeep Ahluwalia, a volunteer for Science of Spirituality, hosts a meditation workshop in downtown Toronto on Jan. 22. (Alina Zorina)

Mandeep Ahluwalia, a volunteer for Science of Spirituality, spoke about meditation at the event and how the practice may help people find their meaning in life.

“I’ve found the purpose of life after years of intensive self-analysis,” he said. “It’s called self-realization and God realization.”

Ahluwalia, who has meditated regularly for more than 30 years, said the practice helps prevent and stabilize mental health issues.

He said for him, meditation is a source of happiness, gratitude and love and it has helped him control lust, anger, greed and ego in his life.

“Meditation helps to free our minds and save time while accomplishing tasks as it lets our mind focus more,” he said.

Ahluwalia says daily meditation improves mental health and focus. (Alina Zorina)

“How to Find the True Purpose of Life” is one of many free meditation-related workshops conducted by Science of Spirituality in the GTA.

The sessions are particularly accessible to newcomers as no special set of skills or equipment are required for meditation.

All attendees must do is sit in a comfortable position and close their eyes.

Ahluwalia said the main goal of meditation is to keep people’s minds occupied, which is why he asks attendees to repeat the name of a god — or another word — during the session.

The method certainly seemed to work for attendees like Parmar, who said she is positive regular meditation will help improve her overall health.

“I’m excited … I’m going to go home and try to meditate,” she said.