The First International Vedanta Society Centre in London
The first International Vedanta Society (IVS) centre in the UK opened its doors on November 17, 2024. The inauguration was not just the opening of a centre; it was an invitation for seekers in the West to walk the path of Vedanta. It serves as a reminder that spiritual movements transcend geography, speaking directly to the soul’s yearning for truth.
From its humble beginnings in a small railway colony over three decades ago to the establishment of a centre within walking distance of the historical London Bridge and the Thames River, in the bustling heart of London, the growth of IVS has been a testament to the transformative power, sincerity, devotion, and herculean spiritual realisation of its founder, Sri Bhagavan.
A weekend day was chosen for the inauguration so more people could attend. Two days later, other IVS centres around the world celebrated the anniversary of the society’s foundation in India. On that day in 1989, Sri Bhagavan declared the formation of the International Vedanta Society on the birth anniversary of His Guru, Swami Pravitrananda Maharaj.
Sri Bhagavan was deeply inspired by the words and life of His preceptor, Guru Swami Pravitrananda Maharaj, and was originally attracted by his laughter. However, due to a lack of travel facilities and family duties, He was unable to spend much time in the company of His Guru. He therefore wrote letters and waited eagerly for the replies. He would ruminate on the letters repeatedly and share the words with whomever would listen. He began hosting spiritual discourses from his small quarters in the railway colony, now affectionately known as 56B.
One day, someone gave Bhagavan ten rupees—approximately the equivalent of 10 pence—which prompted him to create the beginnings of an organization. The first committee was formed under the name of “Vedantic Study Circle” to organize Vedanta classes and distribute funds for welfare activities. Later registered under the name International Vedanta Society, the organization has spread worldwide, with activities in many countries and ashrams/spiritual centres in The Netherlands, Indonesia, various parts of India, and now London.
It was Sri Bhagavan’s wish to establish a centre in London.
With a dedicated space, the teachings and activities of IVS can now reach more individuals seeking inner clarity, lasting peace, and the fulfilment that comes with realising their life’s true purpose. This centre serves not only as a sanctuary for spiritual seekers but also as a bridge between East and West, providing a platform for the timeless wisdom of the East in the dynamic, multicultural environment of London.
Regular Vedanta sessions will be held in the new London Centre, sharing wisdom and practices with people of all ages, religions, and cultural backgrounds. As London is such a diverse and multicultural city, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that Vedanta is, as Sri Bhagavan said, truly another name for love. The centre aims to provide a platform for people from all walks of life to come together and realise the true nature of existence—the oneness within—not as an intellectual concept, but as an achievable goal of spiritual practice and the ultimate purpose of human life.
The centre is currently open at 6 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for Vedanta sessions but plans to gradually extend its opening hours in the new year. This will include drop-in times to peruse the library, sit quietly in the prayer hall for self-guided meditation and contemplation, or book one-on-one consultations. This will serve as a valuable resource for those working in the city and for anyone seeking a safe place and guidance to explore the depth of the inner world.
When Jahnavi Ma (who founded the UK branch of IVS) first met Sri Bhagavan and encountered the organisation in 2011, she was searching for two things: fulfilment and a way to serve humanity. Neither had been found during her pursuit through Southeast Asian countries or her upbringing in Australia and England. However, her search ended during her second encounter with Sri Bhagavan. As she was leaving the Lake Gardens Ashram in May 2011, a strong affirmation arose from within: “If you stay here, all your answers will come!”
“It’s not that everyone has such a strong inner calling or the determination to follow it across the world,” says Jahnavi Ma, “so we have to bring the wisdom of India to the streets of London. The opening of a centre near London Bridge has made that possible.”
When the name of the organisation was first shared publicly in 1989, people laughed; they could not foresee the spread of the organisation across borders and oceans as Sri Bhagavan had envisioned.
Even His close followers did not fully understand his mission back then.
However, with time, they were swept up by the wave of inspiration emanating from His realisation, playing their part in what has become a tsunami of love and oneness.
The motto of IVS, inspired by the words of the Upanishads, “Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha,” means “Self-Liberation and Welfare of the World.” The order of these aspects is important. The liberation of the self through the realisation of the nature of existence must come first. What follows is the expansion of the heart and the spontaneous love that emanates from it. The individual moves from a state of ego-centricity to one of thinking and feeling for the whole world. Sri Bhagavan is a great example and inspiration for this. He cares deeply about the world and established the organisation to spread the message of love, oneness, and a path to transcend suffering. He has always said that the main problem facing humanity is nothing but the lack of love.
When we realise who we are, love flows spontaneously because we know our Self as one with all beings.
Main – Photo by Pixabay
