Foreword

Dear Divine Family of the Universe,

This past month has been filled with moments of celebration, inspiration, and spiritual growth. At the ashram, we joyfully observed Raksha Bandhan and India’s Independence Day, honouring the bonds of unity and the spirit of freedom that guide our collective journey.

Beyond our shores, August 2025 shone with the radiant energy of the Pranic Festival in Romania, where Sunyogi shared his wisdom with seekers from around the world. The festival, immersed in nature and deep meditation, reminded us of the harmony between the inner self and the outer world.

Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the Universal Peace Conference (UPC) 2025, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 19–21. This global gathering of seekers and visionaries, led by a dedicated team under the guidance of Diamond Yong and Dr. Kiran Jayaraman, will feature inspiring talks, experiential workshops, and cultural celebrations dedicated to peace, unity, and sustainability. We warmly invite you to join us—whether in person or online—in this collective step toward a more harmonious world.

With love and gratitude,

Axel and the Sunyoga Editorial Board

Romania Pranic Festival 2025

by Swamiji Sunyogi Umasankar

From August 15th to 18th, 2025, the Romania Pranic Festival celebrated its 8th year in the heart of Romania. This year’s gathering offered an opportunity to connect deeply with nature, meditate, and share spiritual experiences. Participants explored breathtaking landscapes—from mountain peaks to serene caves and majestic palaces—blending spirituality with the natural beauty.

Lovingly organised by Cristina Ma, the festival welcomed dedicated practitioners who shared profound wisdom. Many attendees, some living without food or water, adopted intense spiritual practices, inspiring all to cultivate peace and higher consciousness in their daily lives. Special gratitude to Adi, Ramona Ma, Colin, and all who fostered warmth and connection. This profound journey of meditation and bonding reminded us of the potential for peace, bliss, and enlightenment in everyday life. We wish all participants and readers success, health, enlightenment, and inner peace.

Verdelot, France Workshop (August 27–29, 2025) – Testimonial from Jonathan 

The retreat was a  gem:

1. The location (la Maison Rouge) was beautiful and serene. Our hosts exceptionally kind, generous, with 4 energetic children
2. Though our group was small, every participant was truly special.
3. The food was simply fantastic – our generous hosts offered delicious homemade meals inspired by international travels (Indian-French recipes!), endless cheese (which Swamiji especially enjoyed!), coffee, tea, fruits, nuts, dates, biscuits – abundance with love.
4. And above all, the Wisdom shared by Sunyogi Ji and the meditation was deep top-notch, clarified all of our existential and practical questions, with a wide range of weather – sunshine, clouds, cool mornings, warm afternoons – perfect preparation for the seasons ahead.
5. After the workshop I felt a lot of my problems and burdens are gone. My inner serenity, Peace, and overall life force increased. I have had a lot of pressure recently because of personal, family, and professional obstacles that kept me up at night and prevented me from functioning normally. Now, thanks to the workshop, I feel lighter – as if I got rid of years of stress and darkness. Peeling the onion, climbing towards the top of the mountain to reach the goal is more about the benefits of the infinite process of learning to be a better human, more compassionate, more patient, more forgiving, understanding, loving and caring.  I am very happy about the journey achieved so far already, but I realize it is only the beginning of my new life, and I am very excited about it.

Nora and her 4 children

After the retreat:

• Philippe returned to Reims

• Véronique to Bayonne

• Vincent to Saint-Germain-en-Laye

• Olivier to Mulhouse

Together, we also spent two wonderful days and one night in Fournaudin (Yonne, 89) with Carole, after visiting the historic town of Sens where we took thousands of pictures of Sunyogi and friends visiting us. It was a very heartwarming experience I will never forget.

Right now, I am in Brie-Comte-Robert (77, Seine-et-Marne) with my brother Frédéric, my niece Erin, and my nephew Alistaire. Later today, Prakash and Sunyogi Ji will continue their journey to Colombes (92, Hauts-de-Seine).

It feels like we’ve traced a beautiful geometric shape across the map of France – our own mandala of light within the hexagon! 

And this is just the beginning. Our September journey continues to Slovenia, Mongolia, and the Universal Peace Conference 2025 in Malaysia. Stay tuned for more!

Happy 1st of September 2025!

We are living in fascinating and challenging times. Education starts with and within ourselves. Instead of pointing fingers, let’s look within.

Peace is the foundation — without it, we have nothing. The world suffers when we live in fear, judgment, greed, and illusion. But when our hearts open with compassion, forgiveness, and love, obstacles dissolve and solutions appear.

True intelligence is not in Instagram or Hollywood 30-second programs, random AI generated reels, shops or fancy projected hologram appearances, but in the Soul’s Wisdom. Wisdom and Peace, we cannot buy in any store other than with God. Thus, it has infinite value!

We have to kick our butt, like our grandma would lovingly do, correct ourselves and reach to our national highway, our stable path with the divine, simply by our humble, simple, gentle, dedicated and passionate work.

Every second is an opportunity to learn.

The present moment is our greatest gift. Let’s use it wisely — for peace, for love, for ourselves and for the benefit of our Universal Family, Humanity, Society, and beyond the Stars.

Om Anand Om
Jonathan Charpentier

A portrait of Sunyogi Umasankar Ji at Maison Rouge, Verdelot, France

Strengthening Society Through Sacred Bonds and Mindful Living

by Swamiji Sunyogi Umasankar

Marriage is a sacred institution that fosters strength, stability, and harmony in society. It is not only a union between two individuals but also a source of pride, honour, and respect for their parents and guardians. Upholding the sanctity of this bond reflects spiritual growth, not only for the couple but also for their families, contributing to a cohesive and thriving community. 

The decision to honour and maintain the marital bond signifies emotional maturity and spiritual wisdom. Conversely, divorce or separation, when approached without careful consideration, can weaken the social fabric and impact not only the couple but also their families. While every situation is unique, nurturing mutual respect and commitment in relationships fosters personal and collective growth.

Remarriage after divorce, though sometimes necessary, may be viewed in some societies as a less ideal path. Repeated divorces and remarriages can reflect challenges in emotional or spiritual resilience, affecting the individual, their family, and their social standing. Yet, compassion and understanding should guide our perspective, as every journey is an opportunity for growth and healing.

Mindful living extends beyond relationships to daily choices. Consuming home-cooked meals is a practice rooted in care, simplicity, and spiritual nourishment. Frequent reliance on outside food may disrupt this balance, potentially causing physical or mental discomfort and hindering personal growth. By embracing mindful habits, we cultivate peace, health, and harmony within ourselves and our families.

Universal Peace Centre wishes everyone a life filled with success, peace, health, and enlightenment.

The Balance Within: Seeing Good and Bad in Everyone

Inspired by the teachings of Sunyogi Umasankar

In a peaceful gathering, filled with stillness and sincerity, Sunyogi Umasankar shared profound insights into the nature of human behaviour and spiritual growth. With gentle clarity, he reminded us of a universal truth: every person carries both good and bad qualities within.

No one is entirely perfect, and no one is entirely flawed. Everyone makes mistakes, is influenced by circumstances, and acts from limited understanding. Yet, God has placed divine potential in every soul, waiting to shine forth.

Often, what we call sin is the result of ignorance—not deliberate evil. Swamiji emphasised that no action is inherently sinful or inherently virtuous. It is the intention, awareness, and effect behind it that determine its true nature.

When Actions Become Sinful or Virtuous

According to Sunyogi Umasankar, an action becomes sinful only when it disturbs inner peace and disrupts the harmony of others. A small deed may carry great weight if it creates restlessness or harm. Likewise, a simple action becomes profoundly virtuous if it restores peace and balance within and around us.

Thus, it is not the action itself but the state of mind and the impact it creates that makes it sinful or virtuous.

Peace Is the Measure of All Actions

Swamiji explained beautifully: peace is the true yardstick of right and wrong.

• Actions that steal away our inner calm or disturb others’ peace are grave sins.

• Actions that bring clarity, unity, and serenity are virtuous and uplifting.

This teaching turns our focus inward, urging us to observe the subtle emotions and vibrations we carry into the world.

Without Inner Peace, We Disturb Others

Sunyogi reminded us of a profound truth: when we lack peace within, we spread disturbance around us—through our words, our thoughts, and our actions. Restlessness cannot remain hidden; it seeps into relationships and environments.

No one else can give us lasting peace. We must cultivate it through self-awareness, discipline, and proper conduct. Harsh words and judgments often reveal our own turmoil, not others’ faults.

Judging Others Reveals Our Own Unrest

When we blame or criticise others, Swamiji said, we are usually projecting our own unresolved impurities. What we perceive as someone else’s fault may be a reflection of our own state of mind.

Recognising this mirror is the first step toward true transformation.

Our Environment Shapes Our Thinking

Sunyogi also reminded us that our environment greatly influences our perception. The company we keep, the ideas we absorb, and the vibrations around us all shape how we see the world.

If negativity surrounds us, it can silently take root. But even then, every person carries divine qualities. It brings calmness and humility to recognise goodness, especially in those we may have judged unfairly.

Looking for Goodness Brings Joy

Swamiji asked a simple yet powerful question: “When you speak of someone, does it bring you peace?”

If not, it means something inside us is unsettled. By consciously seeking the good in others, we awaken joy and balance within ourselves. This positive outlook uplifts those around us while strengthening our own virtues.

When we see the good in others, we reconnect with the light within ourselves.

Surrendering to Higher Guidance

Our upbringing, karma, and experiences shape our habits of judgment and appreciation. Swamiji encourages us to surrender to the higher truth and divine guidance. By doing so, we can correct our faults, release negativity, and walk a more peaceful path.

In this surrender lies true freedom and clarity.

A Prayer for Peace and Humanity

Sunyogi Umasankar closes with a prayer:

• May humanity walk the path of peace.

• May we correct our mistakes through sincere living.

• May we share our inner peace with the world.

True virtue is restoring peace within.
A great virtue is helping others find peace too.

If we lose peace, we lose our humanity. However, if we cultivate peace and spread it, we become a beacon of light for the world.

Collective Prayer

Let us honour the divine spark in every soul.
Let us cultivate peace in our own hearts.
And let that peace radiate into the world.

The Three Paths of Karma: Finding Peace Through Right Action

by Swamiji Sunyogi Umasankar

Today, let us contemplate the profound concept of karma—action—and the results it yields.
We often believe that action alone determines the outcome. Yet in truth, the mindset behind the action is what shapes its fruit. The very same deed, performed in the same way, can lead to three entirely different outcomes—depending on the intention behind it.

1. Tamasik Karma – Action Driven by Ignorance and Selfishness

When we act with the thought, “I am doing this”, we place ourselves at the centre of everything. We become attached to the results, inflating our expectations.

Imagine a weighing scale: on one side, we place our action (like a handful of vegetables); on the other, our desires (like a heavy stone). If expectations outweigh the deed, the scale tips toward disappointment.

This is tamasik karma—action clouded by ego and ignorance. Its fruit is dissatisfaction, frustration, and emptiness.

2. Rajasik Karma – Action Motivated by Desire and Balance

Now imagine acting not only for personal benefit but also for a greater purpose—such as supporting both one’s family and an ashram.

This is rajasik karma: motivated by desire, yet balanced with responsibility. The scale is more even, the intention nobler, and the satisfaction more genuine. Still, it is limited—conflicts may arise when individual and collective needs collide.

Rajasik karma brings partial harmony: a step forward, but not the final peace.

3. Sattvik Karma – Selfless Action Dedicated to God

The highest path is sattvik karma. Here, we renounce our sense of doership and offer all action to God.

We recognise:

• The Divine breathes through us.

• The Divine gives us intellect and energy.

• Without the Divine, not even a finger could move.

When we act as humble instruments, the weight of expectation vanishes. Action itself becomes the offering, and the fruits are magnified. The reward is not outward success, but inner peace, born from alignment with Divine Will.

Why We Suffer

Why do we suffer? Because we place our self-interest above the collective, forgetting that we are one divine family.

The fruits of karma depend entirely on our inner attitude:

• Selfish action brings sorrow.

• Shared action brings joy.

• Divine action brings peace.

No guru, no scripture, no external power can hand us peace. We must cultivate it through inner transformation.

The Path to Peace

To find peace:

• Love your work. Do it with care and dedication, not for reward but as an offering.

• Refine your actions. Make them more beautiful and pure, like polishing a mirror.

• Correct yourself first. Don’t waste time pointing out others’ flaws. Rotten potatoes spread rot; so do criticism and judgment.

And when you must correct others, do it with love. Correction without love wounds the heart. Love without correction, when someone is going astray, is equally harmful. A true community strikes a balance between compassion and discipline, always guided by love.

A Community of Peace

Externally, our actions may look the same—whether for self, society, or God. But inwardly, intention transforms everything. Even the simplest work, done with surrender, becomes sacred.

As a community, let us live this truth:

• Love one another.

• Serve one another.

• Correct one another with wisdom and compassion.

When we dedicate ourselves to this path—working with love, surrendering to God, and balancing discipline with kindness—we will discover the peace our hearts long for.

This is my humble prayer for each of us.