This Article is reminding us about this year’s amazing Milestone in Our Collective Journey of Volunteering in Burlington for 20 years, bringing Inner Peace and Joy!
Paula Erskine wrote this article for You about the Great Milestone achieved by Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network team that received the prestigious Civic Awards 2025 from the Burlington Mayor
It was a historic event when Mayor Marianne Meed-Ward along with all of Burlington’s city councillors honoured the 100 Seeds of Joy team with a prestigious Civic Recognition Award in the city of Burlington, Ontario. Knowing the gravity of being chosen amongst many nominees had us cheerfully showing up with the largest team present. The present was certainly a gift as we received the award collectively.
You Must Watch the following video-clip Before Exploring Paula’s Civic Awards 2025 Story and Ioana’s details about “The Moment” when she received the Good News
Paula’s Story continues, as she was present at the Event and among the nominated individuals by the Mayor of Burlington when the seventh Civic Awardee was announced: Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network of Halton Volunteers
Such an award was a milestone in the journey to spread Sahaja Yoga Meditation by Ioana Popa whose team the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network has grown and spread their joyful wings beyond Burlington and Oakville borders.
A mission to offer free meditation classes, personalized programs and events in excess of its initial goal of 100 programs has exceeded 480 classes, programs and events (for 2024 only!).
We shared only a few articles connected to some of the Hundreds of FREE Wellness Events!
As the Story goes, there were also some Really Nice and Touching Moments during the Ceremony showcasing the Beauty of People that Love to Honour their Community
Let’s get back on track as Paula has more to share about her Cultivators or Joy peers 🙂
Each councillor personally congratulated 100 Seeds of Joy along with 6 other equally deserving award recipients.
We were surprised and humbled to learn that these awards are carefully vetted twice a year to only a select few nominees.
Dear Sarah (who joined the Oakville and Burlington Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes only recently) brought flowers to congratulate Ioana.
Ioana brought a pink rose from her garden handing it to the Burlington Mayor just before the ceremony.
The Burlington Pink Rose’s story shared by Paula who witnessed it all
The Mayor in turn referred to the pink rose she had now placed on the podium while she spoke.
She referred to the pink rose as ‘taking its rightful place’ as she read the achievements for each Civic Award recipient.
Councillor Paul Sharman beamed, as we reconnected in another part of the city, together again, with his enthusiastic understanding of our mutual efforts to do and be better for the people of Burlington.
Councillor Lisa Kearns gave us a shout out in front of the audience in the mayor’s chamber on the importance of meditation. Indeed, we have coordinated efforts as 100 Seeds of Joy in various parts of the city throughout the year.
Lisa Kearns mentioned how special it was to join us on the day we raised our flag at Burlington City Hall along with other city councillors and Members of the federal and provincial Parliaments, supporters from both Burlington and Oakville.
You are invited to Visit the Links to Articles that can provide you a more Complete Picture of the Events mentioned in Paula’s Story, as well to further Proceed with this Article – as it has More to Say! Yes, you are embarked on a Real Journey!
Regarding the following Two Articles, Why not return to them later, OR Explore them now, then Continue here?!
(next to read) In the News: What would the Founder Say about Sahaja Yoga Day’s Flag Raising in Burlington?
(next to explore) A Blessed Flag Raising Ceremony at Burlington City Hall for Sahaja Yoga Meditation Day
Personally, I will continue with Paula’s Recollection of the Civic Awards 2025 Ceremony
It was a privilege and a pleasure to stand side by side for official photographs with the Mayor of Burlington, all the city’s councillors and our fellow esteemed civic award recipients.
Afterwards there was an exclusive and festive party to celebrate together at the City Hall where we got to know the councillors while enjoying delicious gelato, and other treats.
We extended our invites to other attendees who had overcome unbelievable struggles and became advocates for reform, to join our traditional (and the 10th annual) FREE Festival of Inner Lights 2025.
The group photo and the Burlington City photos shared above and below are from the Evening of October 21, 2025 -the Civic Awards 2025 Ceremony happened during our Beautiful Canadian Fall
Watch the Recognition Video-Clip – Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network team receives the Civic Awards 2025 from the Mayor of Burlington and All Burlington City Councillors on October 21st, 2025 in the Councilors Chamber of the City Hall
We reached to the Final Notes from Paula – volunteer instructor for the Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation Classes offered in Halton by the SYMN team
There were incredible people mingling and uplifting each other in so many ways.
We can’t wait to develop strong connections through these incredible individuals and volunteers.
So many reasons to be grateful.
Especially the team that we enjoy like found family that is growing and integrating hearts through thoughtless awareness.
It was a distinguished award and accomplishment from the municipality.
We can’t wait to grow our efforts to make our cities light up and radiate with the lights of our united wings.
Congratulations to the whole 100 Seeds of Joy once again, the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network of Halton volunteers.
Thank you Paula for the beautiful description of this memorable event!
We are also very grateful for the Board that selected Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network to receive this Great Honor and Recognition as we know that Burlington has so many deserving Wonderful People
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (March 21, 1923 – February 23, 2011)
Of course, we are Grateful to our Beloved Teacher – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – who is the founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation and Who was teaching us by example as well through Her Teachings about Self-Realization and Love being the Greatest Power
Hmm, there is a Strong Feeling that You would like to Know More about this Milestone
Indeed, even the way we received the Good News about being selected as an awardee for this great recognition, was quite special and I would dare to use the ‘auspicious’ word. Really.
Ioana received the news via email, while attending a collective function in the heart of Toronto – the ‘Big Brother’ for her Burlington hometown. It was such a vibrant place and day, celebrating Life, City and Nature as One.
Can You Find the image resembling Shri Ganesha among the Photo Gallery from that Day?
It was a beautiful autumn day, a splendidly sunny day! The event’s venue included an open air garden facing the CN Tower, and I noticed that one of the huge plant pots resembled (inconspicuously) the profile of Shri Ganesha – the guiding principle for the Mooladhara chakra in the yoga energy system. It was evident that it was not intentional.
It’s always joyful to notice omens or messages hidden around just for your eyes to uncover; the wisdom they carry are to be revealed maybe later. This is exactly what happened!
At first, I discovered ‘this incarnation of Shri Ganesha’ most humbly basking under the beautiful blue sky, facing the City’s most iconic landmark; reminding of all its subtle qualities we learn about from our Sahaja Yoga classes.
Shri Ganesha is the one that represents the eternal child within, bestower of divine wisdom and pure joy, innocence and spontaneity, the one that removes obstacles, connects to Mother Earth’s magnetism, supports the Kundalini energy that springs from the Sacrum bone. This archetype or one may call it as a divine principle of our Root Chakra (Mooladhara energy center in the yoga chakra chart) is known to make one lucky or bestow blessings and protection to those that are tuned to the divine will’s continuous flow; in a word, to the those that are ‘auspicious’.
As always, in our articles you can learn as well some bits of Sahaja Yoga knowledge – Enjoy finding out about the connections between Shri Ganesha and Kundalini energy.
Yes, later that afternoon, I checked my personal emails and there it was the Invitation to attend the Civic Awards 2025 at the Burlington City Hall on October 21st, as a Recipient of this Great Honour.
Remarkable was that the Award Ceremony was scheduled the next day after Diwali Festival and soon after Thanksgiving – Quite thoughtful, Kudos to the City’s Organizing Team
Did You Know about this another Award:
(click) Young Cultivator of Joy receives the Community Spirit Award 2025
We hope you enjoyed this article as an Arch over a Remarkable Year for our 100 Seeds of Joy Team from Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network! We only wish to continue to Cultivate Joy in our beloved Community!
Let’s Dance and Enjoy with Rachelle Jeanty -You have the Full “Dancing in the Light of Joy” and More
Drop a Comment by the end of this Article – Let us know about Your Impressions
What an absolutely fantastic event it was. I was absolutely thrilled to witness Sahaja Yoga being recognized for it’s immense contribution in making Burlington a truly wonderful city!
The interaction with The Mayor, and the Council Members, and the other amazing recipients of the Burlington community gave me a great sense of belonging and gratitude for making this city my home.
Thank you Ioana for this great opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful event.
The beauty of our cities are indeed individuals that are following and sharing a path revealed to them of ancient wisdom for a modern world. It can be passed from person to person, lighting each candle… until hearts glow so bright. It corrects our attention, and we see and feel what is right in the world, and what can be done to make this world a better place. The award winners share a bond with city councillors and are clearly a reflection of the many lights that make up a “glowing with goodness” community.
It was beautiful to learn about struggling individuals turning into powerful connectors in our community, as Councillor Paul Sharman would attest. It was an honour to be part of the ceremonies to celebrate volunteers who make our city an example for the world to live harmoniously. I really felt the acknowledgements to be so sincere from Mayor Marianne Meed-Ward and each and every one of the councillors, towards both our SYMN group and others. 100 seeds of Joy initiatives embody oneness and connection based on Sahaja Yoga teachings shared by the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network. Bravo, so proud to thrive through connection and help others to thrive too.
Very heartwarming to witness the recognition for the 100 seeds of joy volunteers for sharing the knowledge and practice of Sahaja Yoga with others!
The team has done an incredible work of spreading seeds of joy in the community. As Paula put it in her beautiful words, it’s such an honour to get the recognition from the Mayor. May we continue to get more opportunities to spread the love in the community and be part of something that’s transforming the world in the new year. All the pics were great, but the picture of Shri Ganesha was a big surprise. So clear and joy giving. See you in New Year.