New Delhi, October 4 (IANS) Acharya Jonas Massetti, Brazil -born Yoga Guru, has inspired thousands of people through his remarkable journey from mechanical engineering to spiritual leadership. Acharya Masatti, who was honored with Padma Shri for his contribution to Vedic knowledge and yoga, shared and then shared cultural exchange, spiritual development and his vision for the future of yoga in India.
On spreading Vedic knowledge:
“Once you understand the value of Vedanta, you realize that happiness and welfare have nothing to do with your surroundings, nothing to do with external events. There is no need to change anything in your life to be happy and well happy. This is Vedanta’s main message.”
On his approach to teach Vedanta and Yoga:
“The number of colleges is increasing. We started with one, and now we have six six in India. It is not only about Vedant classes or music celebrations. We mix everything. Young experiences today’s experience mixed ‘hymns’ with electronic music, he said with short Vedanta lectures and stories.
“This is not just a party, it is a moment of learning, it is given in a language that youth can actually absorb.
On the language as a hindrance in understanding Vedanta:
“We understand that Vedanta and Vedic tradition is one of the biggest obstacles in learning. Often, this tradition is completely misunderstood as religious or something, which needs to renounce everyday life. But we are showing a different reality.
“In the West, we have more than 200,000 people – men, women, youth, elderly – who live normal lives and still embrace Vedanta. They live in society and live with its values. This is the message we want to share,” Acharya Masti said.
On meeting Baba Ramdev:
“I did not meet him recently, but I know him. I really met him during Swami Dayanand’s 80th birthday celebration, where I offered some ‘Seva’. It was a very special moment. After receiving the Padma Shri, I did not get a chance to meet him again. It would be a pleasant contribution to join him and other masters.
“I see myself as a Western messenger – someone who can show him how the West believes and gives importance to their culture,” he said.
On activities in India:
“After receiving the Padma Shri, my family and I felt a deep calling to give back to India. We decided to launch the ‘Samba Shiva Festival’ – an intercultural event that will be held in major universities across India.
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