One year after its creation and as it met in the land of Shri Krishna, the World Council for the Advancement of Sahaja Yoga (WCASY) is gaining a wonderful feeling of oneness and dynamism.
At the recent Guru Puja in New Jersey, the WCASY met several times. In a first informal meeting on Saturday, consensus was achieved to move together beyond the events of Adi Shakti puja in Cabella. While all members of the sangha are invited to pray from the depth of their heart for Mother's long life and good health, we need to trust those in whose care She has entrusted Herself.
FIVE COMMITTEES OF THE WCASY TO SERVE THE SANGHA
At its recent session, the World Council adopted its code of conduct and rules of procedures and it turned the existing task forces into standing committees. The creation of the Committee on Legal Affairs was ratified and accepted by the Members of the World Council. Paul Ellis was elected as Chairman of this committee until the end of 2006. Similarly the Committee on Communication and Publication was created with Alan Wherry as its Chair and the Committee on Budget and Financial Matters was created with Gagan Ahluwalia as its chair. The meeting at Guru Puja created two new comities:
- A new Committee on Health was formed, chaired by Dr David Spiro. Over the next few months it is intended to recruit the members of this committee and they will explore the function this committee can fulfil. National Leaders are requested to assist in this process. The committee hopes to support the very good work that is already going on, for example at the clinic at Vashi and the research project taking place in Australia and will submit its report and programme at the 3rd session of the Council.
- The Committee on Education, chaired by Dr Wolfgang Hackl, shall represent the World Council on the trusts of boards of the various Sahaja Yoga education institutions, such as the schools in India, Europe and America. National Leaders are invited to liaise with Wolfgang and to refer to him potential resource persons and inform him of any pertinent developments. The Chair will likewise report to the Council at its 3rd session.
The Chairmen of the committee were given the authority to set up sub committees in order to recruit personnel with appropriate skills to advise and implement the tasks in hand. The authority was also given to co-opt personnel outside the World Council. In other words, national leaders can help in identifying qualified member of the sangha that are willing to volunteer and join in the work at hands.
It was understood that the Chair of the respective Committees would prepare a work plan, report to the Council and seek the Council's approval to endorse their Committee's decisions. Between the sessions of the Council they would consult the Coordinator and the Secretary as appropriate.
INTRODUCING THE "SHRI MATAJI NIRMALA DEVI SAHAJA YOGA FOUNDATION"
An introduction was given by Paul Ellis to the new Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Sahaja Yoga Foundation and the constitutive formal board meeting took place on Monday 25th July.
We were reminded that the Council was not proceeding with setting up a foundation in Italy. The new nonprofits corporation foundation set up in America was to accept the generous gift of the house in New Jersey given by Shri Mataji; it is also the legal vehicle doing business as the World Council for the Advancement of Sahaja Yoga.
This nonstock, nonprofit corporation was filed in the state of Delaware on the day of the occasion of Guru Purnima, on 21st July 2005. Sir CP Shrivastava was offered to be an honorary member of the board of director of the Foundation in recognition for his constant support to Sahaja yoga and he graciously agreed.
COORDINATION WITH NATIONAL LEADERS
The WCASY seeks its inspiration from the nurturing leadership of Our Mother and Guru Shri Mataji. It was clearly recognized by the Council Members that WCASY should support, encourage and sustain the National Leaderships, but that it may, from time to time, need to intervene in the affairs of a country when global or institutional situations arise or when there is a need for arbitration. Shri Mataji gave a personal endorsement to the role of the Council in a wonderful session of evening bhajans at Her residence on Saturday evening.
There is a common desire to keep close contact with the National Leaders and to share experience and suggestions. In this respect a very positive meeting took place the same evening with national leaders present in New Jersey. It emphasized the spirit of the Council and of the national leaders forming one united global team. Information was exchanged and feelings of mutual respect, affection and support were expressed. It was agreed, whenever possible, to have similar coordination meetings at each Pujas.
OTHER DECISIONS TAKEN
Beyond the above mentioned significant developments, the Council entrusted specific tasks to some of its members such as advancing on issues of resource mobilization and intellectual property or liaising to support developments in specific countries or regions. In this respect Majid Golpour was requested to act on behalf of the WCASY in support of Africa.
Appreciation was expressed by all for the hard work that some of us were privileged to deliver in the service of the Council. Gathering in New Jersey, we were all grateful to have moved ahead in a wonderful spirit of togetherness and deeply aware of the protection that Our Guru bestowed on this second session of the WCASY.
On behalf of the Coordinator and with love and respect to the world sangha,
Signed
Alan Pereira
Secretary WCASY | 
