Festival of Inner Lights a multicultural holiday celebration

The Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network celebrated the success of its 100 Seeds of Joy program at a special community event Sunday afternoon.

The Festival of Inner Lights featured guided meditation, Diwali and Christmas music, dancers and special guests at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The festivities also celebrated the 100th anniversary of Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network founder Shri Mataji and marked Burlington's 150th anniversary.

According to organizers, the 100 Seeds of Joy ran about 400 free sessions in Halton, far surpassing its original goal of providing 100 free mental health and wellness seminars in the community this year. 

Among the performers at the Dec. 10 event were Ukrainian singer and Heart in Action Award recipient Ekaterina Lavrentyeva and  Özlem Gibeau, who hasTurkish roots and adopted by the Métis of Canada. The Nirmal Lights band, which features Romanian and Iranian singers and instrumentalists, also performed.