Illustration by David Jesus Vignolli

As I sat down to read the morning newspaper, I was confronted with a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The war, which has now entered its second year, threatens the lives of those directly involved and the fabric of global peace and stability.

To gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground, I spoke with two Sahaja Yogis living in the town of Bila Tserkva, located about two hours from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Naira, originally from Brazil, and Serioja, a Ukrainian native, shared their experiences of the war and its impact on their daily lives.

"At the beginning of the war, it was extremely stressful because we didn't know what would happen, and there was a real possibility of having to flee the city," Naira shared. "But over time, things have become more stable."

Despite the relative stability, the war has taken its toll on the country. Power rationing is in effect, resulting in periodic blackouts and disruptions to internet service. And while the Sahaja collective in Bila Tserkva continues to function, the situation is more challenging for those living closer to the front lines.

"The bombings happen once every three weeks," Serioja noted. "And the problem is that the Russians are now attacking critical infrastructure."

Despite the challenges, the Sahaja Yogis in Ukraine remain committed to supporting one another through these difficult times.

"We have daily meditation in the morning and evening, and many people participate," Serioja said. "We read the names of Shri Lalita Sahasranama. Each collective has its set time to read, and we spend 24 hours reading the names."

But as the conflict continues, there is a growing concern about the impact on the Sahaja community, particularly as some yogis have been drafted into the Ukrainian army.

"Russia and Ukraine are the largest collectives of Sahaja Yoga after India," Serioja noted. "We need to keep our attention enlightened. You can help vibrationally as we now have this very sad situation where Sahaja Yogis are entering the army."

As I finished my conversation with Naira and Serioja, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about the ongoing conflict and its impact on the Sahaja community in Ukraine. May the sky under the clouds of Bila Tserkva shed divine vibrations and peace come to our beloved Ukraine. Jay Shri Mataji!