The use of “Power of Prayer” as a means towards the alleviation of human suffering has been a part of all ancient, traditional cultures worldwide. Every culture has devised its own system of prayer in order to connect the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. In Indian traditions this is known as Prarthana and enables the anxious and fearful individual to move from a depressed state of feeling “alone” to an empowered one of feeling “All-One”.

In an illuminating article on “Spiritual factor in healing”, Prof KR Sethuraman, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Malaysia states that of the various factors that contribute to healing of illnesses in a community, only 20% could be ascribed to rational treatment using medicines or surgery. He quotes White (1988) who has stated that the remaining 80% is divided among three faith-based factors.

i) Placebo effect (faith in drugs or procedural interventions)
ii) Hawthorne effect (faith in a health care system, a facility or a professional)
iii) Factor-X or “spiritual factor” (faith in oneself or in the supernatural).

The relative importance of these faith-based factors in holistic healing may be debatable. However, there is no denying that these factors play an important part in the recovery from illnesses. In 1984, the 37th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution which made the spiritual dimension an integral part of the WHO Member States’ strategies for health. The definition of health has been revised as follows: “Health is a dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (Khayat, 1998).”

The Indian Yoga Association has been proactive during the Covid-19 crisis and adopted the “Synchronised Global Prayer (SGP)” that is being performed daily at 8 am and/or 6 pm as per the Indian Standard Time. According to Guruji Dr HR Nagendraji, the Hon President of IYA, a group involved in the Global Consciousness Project at USA’s Princeton University, will also be studying changes in the randomness or vibes during the period. This IYA initiative attempts to bring together and involve all traditions and groups, from across different cultures. The Protocol for the SGP is simple and can be practised by anyone.

The protocol is to be performed in four steps. The first part is the performance of Bhramari Pranayama (5 seconds inhalation, 10 seconds exhalation with a low-pitched humming sound) 27 times. This enables a sense of inner harmony to manifest and then a Sankalpa is done with the arms raised over the head. After the Sankalpa, an extended round of clapping is done to express cheerfulness towards all those involved in tackling the crisis. The prayer ends with the Shanti Mantra repeated three times.

Global Consciousness Project run by the Princeton University, USA has placed Random Event Generators (called REGs) in about a hundred locations across the world, and these check regularly for any changes in the randomness in the string of ‘zeros’ and ‘ones’ emitted by these REGs at the time of happenings in the world. These REGs will be active during our prayers to understand the changes in randomness, too as the establishment of a “consciousness field” enables everybody to benefit more than if they pray alone.

IYA organized an online Mega Conglomeration (Vishwa Yoga Satsangha) of the Governing Council Gurus of IYA on 14 April 2020 where the Synchronised Global Prayers were performed live on Sudharshan TV reaching an estimated 30 lack views worldwide. It was truly a coming together of so many Yogarishis including Swami Ramdevji, Sri Sri Ravishankarji, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudevji, Dr Pranav Pandyaji, Swami Atmapriyanandaji, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Hansa Jayadeva Yogendraji, Daaji Kamlesh Patelji and Guruji Dr HR Nagendraji along with Shri OP Tiwariji, Acharya Dr Lokeshji, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, Swami Amrta Suryanandaji, Swami Maheshwaranandaji and Antonietta Rozzi of Italy.

I have personally taken up this SGP as a Vishwa Yoga Prarthana and have leading the Sadhana twice a day from ICYER @ Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry for the four weeks. I have been overjoyed with the response from all over and it has been a great pleasure to have so many loving members of my World Yoga Family,

join me for these sessions. It has led to us all feeling a great heartfelt and mindful connection across the seas and we have all realised the truth of Ammaji Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani’s statement, “The spirit sees no distinctions, divisions nor distances! It only experiences oneness”!

At the end of each session, we experience a beautiful sense of ease (Sukham), calm (Shantham), harmonious flow (Soukyam), balanced equipoise (Samatvam), wholesomeness (Purnam), wellness (Swasthyam), and bliss (Aanandam) manifest in joyful abundance. Such positive vibrations enable our aspirational statements (Sankalpa) to manifest as a blessing for humanity to overcome the Covid-19 crisis.

The clapping and cheering on of the noble souls worldwide who are battling the crisis is based on Maharishi Patanjali’s advise to adopt an attitude of cheerfulness (Mudita) towards those who are virtuous and noble (Punya). When we express our heartfelt gratitude, respect, admiration and loving cheer for such humane beings, we strengthen their arms enabling them to be empowered further to serve humanity in the best positive manner. We cheer on each and every one who is in the frontline, the sidelines or “at home” thus enabling humanity to overcome this crisis. Everyone is part of this Global Team, and just as the small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the Rama Sethu, we can all contribute our energies towards this Vishwa Yoga Sethu.

From a Yogic perspective, we can understand “Covid-19” as a catalyst of change. It is an opportunity given by Mother Nature to us, her loving children to mend our ways as a race. This is truly the “Moment of Choice” in human history. It is a moment when we as a race, through the power of discernment (Viveka) and metacognitive non-attachment (Vairagya) can make an effort to transform ourselves into the best we can be, “Humanity Version 2020”. History will bear witness and judge us as to whether we stood up to the challenge and transformed ourselves and our world or whether we failed. We may be physically divided in these times, but united in spirit we will together overcome the challenge!

Hum honge kaamyaab!

Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

( Editor-in-Chief )