The flowering of Mumbai

The flowering of Mumbai

July 2014

With the launch of the Life Positive Soul Space in Mumbai on June 2, 2014, the journey of transformation led by this magazine has gone up a notch. Come and nourish your bodies, minds and souls, Mumbaikars!

Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”- Victor Hugo

Life Positive was born out of one such idea more than 18 years ago, when two visionaries, Aditya Ahluwalia and founder-editor Parveen Chopra, decided to introduce the concept of spiritual journalism to the country. For 18 years it has been our unique privilege to seed the country with inspirational and aspirational thoughts, experiences and conversations that have powerfully impacted and changed the country in ways we ourselves cannot fathom.

It is now time to take this journey of transformation to the next level by creating a space where these ideas and concepts can be communicated in real-time to truth seekers and aspirants.

Enter the Life Positive Soul Space, pristine and impeccable environs located in MIDC, Andheri West, Mumbai, considered by many to be the heart of the city.

The beautiful complex, resplendent in its white interior, studded with glowing paintings on the wall, spreads over 6,500 sq ft. It hosts a workshop area that can accommodate 35 people and a small meditation area that can accommodate 15 people. Located in the busy corporate zone of MIDC, the meditation area is free for all stressed-out executives looking to chill and tune in.

In addition, the Life Positive Soul Space holds a large retail outlet for organic food, spiritual books and music, organic clothing, herbal cosmetics, organic fruits and vegetables, singing bowls, feng shui items and other body-mind-spirit gift products. We invite retailers of body-mind-spirit products to contact us in order to have their products available to a custom-made clientele.

The complex also houses a brilliant vegetarian restaurant serving international vegetarian delicacies. Soul Cuisine, the brainchild of executive chef Deepak Dhir, whose other ventures include Zen Garden, Fresh & Fast, and Dream Cuisine, will serve sugar-free, microwave-free international vegetarian fusion food.

Deepak Dhir explains his food philosophy, “We cook our food with love and care. We prepare our meals from fresh, wholesome, natural, unadulterated ingredients. We use no MSG, food colour or precooked ingredients. We don’t heat our food in the microwave oven. We employ minimal, high-quality oils. Wherever possible we use natural sweeteners (jaggery, honey or cane sugar) and sea or rock salt.”

He adds, “Our produce is triple-washed with a natural solution to remove contaminants and harmful micro-organisms.  Soul Cuisine is Hospitality Plus Food Safe certified as per international food safety standards.”

When asked what the motivation behind the centre is, Aditya Ahluwalia replied, “To set up a space in the hustle and bustle of Mumbai where a seeker can find peace, quietude, and kindred souls. Plus indulge in activities that nourish the body, mind and soul.”

Life Positive Soul Space was thrown open to the public on June 2, 2014, with a full day of complimentary workshops and consultations, followed by the launch of Soul Cuisine, in the evening.

Mr Pradeep Pawar and his assistant Minal introduced the packed room of participants to the technique of Quantum Empowerment. Participants were taught three techniques that would help them to handle their issues of money, relationships or health. Mr  Pawar also introduced each to their own personal mantra which they were asked to repeat every day for about five minutes.

Party time at Soul Space

In the afternoon, Dr Geettanjali Saxena led participants through a Past-life Regression.

Devika Bhojwani, one of Mumbai’s Beautiful People and erstwhile Advisor with Life Positive was one among the many. Says she of the centre: “Soul Space is a wonderful concept whose time has come. I love the way it looks and I look forward to being part of its future programmes.”

In addition, right through the day, visitors eager to get a handle on their future, signed up for sessions of tarot reading with Dr Geettanjali Saxena, crystal ball reading with Noopoor Shriram and coffee cup reading with Vaishali Oza.

Said Noopoor Shriram, “The crystal ball does not show your future graphically. The readers get images that pertain to the subconscious of the client. Based on this we give our reading.”

Dr Saxena shared, “As a tarot reader, I find people come with many expectations. They resist my interpretation if it is not according to their desires, but I cannot twist the reading because in the long run, they will benefit from it.”

Vaishali mixes coffee powder in hot water and asks her clients to touch the rim of the cup before sipping.  The remains are swirled three times before being poured onto the saucer. She revealed that the remains of the coffee granules leave behind a pattern on the inside of the cup that reveals the subconscious mind of the client.

In the evening, people gathered around for the launch of Soul Cuisine. Life Positive president Mr DR Kaarthikeyan scheduled a stopover at Mumbai en route to Delhi from Coimbatore, simply to experience Soul Space. Says he, “It is a beautiful space. I predict that it is going to be a great success.”

Arundhati Subramaniam, the well-known poet and follower of Jaggi Vasudev lent her statuesque presence to the launch of Soul Cuisine. Others included the danseuse Mandakini Trivedi, facilitators, Vijay and Nilima Bhat Anu Mehta, and Veechi Shahi, artist, Papri Bose and many others.

As guests poured into the beautiful restaurant, whose highlight was a vertical garden, Deepak Dhir, the executive chef, produced a feast for the senses. Starting off with virgin mojito, a drink with lemon, honey, ginger and mint, he followed it up with a range of delicate, healthy yet delicious treats. Guests savoured vegetarian sushi, canapes, tacos with falafel, khandvi, dhokla, petrel, momos, pizzas, and rice paper wraps. Cooked with minimum oil, and combining various cuisines, the food is tailormade for the discriminating, satvic tastes of the seeker.

Conversations flowed at the tables as the guests, many of them card-carrying members of the holistic world, swapped notes and caught up with each other. As the curtain dropped on the inaugural launch, the one sentiment universally expressed was that the surpassingly beautiful centre situated in the pivotal Andheri location, was meeting a need deeply felt and that it deserved to be a great success.

So join us, Mumbaikars, in making the Life Positive Soul Space your spiritual sanctuary!

G4 Ackruti Centre Point, MIDC Road, Andheri East, Mumbai, Ph: 022 – 410 31 000 / 007 / 008 or
Visit: www.lpsoulspace.com

Detailed programme for the month of July appears elsewhere in the magazine.