Certificate of Recognition & Support – From Alex Henshaw
Dear VND – Vishwa Nirmala Dharma,
I understand that VND has been approached with the opportunity to screen the movie Mahalaxmi Path The Evolution to audiences in the US. This represents a great opportunity to present Sahaja Yoga in a film format with a sweet story that promotes Sahaja Yoga in a simple story and extols the virtues for the Gruhalaxmi of the family. I have known Sanjay Talwar the producer of this film since 1984 when he visited Shri Mataji in London when I was staying with Her. She encouraged Sanjay from the early days to start writing and singing Sahaja bajhans. Sanjay was one of the founding members of Nimal Sangeet Sareet and traveled extensively with Babamama supporting Shri Mataji’s realisation tours in many countries. He was asked directly by Shri Mataji in December 2002 to make movies to reach a wider audience. I remember this time because when I met Sanjay he was very excited about the prospect but wasn’t sure how he could start such an venture. The first film that Sanjay produced GruhaLaxmi – The Awakening was such a success and screened in cinemas all over India.
Thousands of seekers across India were able to receive their realisation. What really worked is that the yogis in each of he collectives where the film was screened booked the local movie theatres and invited their friends and family and promoted the film extensively. There was also a buzz on social media and many interviews with the stars of the film and audiences attending the screening. The film also won many awards and was featured at international film festivals so it helped promote Sahaja Yoga to much wider audience.
When the opportunity came to support the next film in the series I was very happy to contribute to the funding. Both films were crowd funded and Sanjay established a non profit organisation and received the necessary charitable status from the government of India. All the accounts are open for scrutiny and audited to satisfy the Indian authorities. No one is making money out of this film as some rumours have been circulating. So far the funding hasn’t actually covered the cost of production and some loans are still to be paid back.
What is amazing is the ninety two awards that the film has won across India and Internationally. I find it extradorinaiy that the Indian Trusts have not supported the screening of the film despite the opportunity it presents to give realisation at the movie theatres. We should all be embracing these opportunities instead of playing politics because this trust or that trust did not approve or was involved.
I hope that VND can see the potential to screen the film in Theatres across North America. I understand that Sanjay has offered the film for free screening so this opportunity is not to be mised.
With love and respect,
Alex Henshaw – Director
World Council for the Advancement of Sahaja Yoga
Nirmal Intellectual Property Corporation