This film has had a fantastic response from people who have watched it. I'm including some of their words on this page
"A truly memorable film which has covered a very important event, I enjoyed every minute of it as did everyone else who has seen it. Paramahamsaji (Swami Satyananda) has also seen and thinks it is very well made too"Swami Satsangi at the Rikhia Ashram
"A fantastic film. Am sure that anyone interested in the end results of yoga will be fascinated by and inspired as a result of it. A wonderful, very true and very personal account of an amazing journey and the amazing events at Rikhia, there is something here to appeal to everybody"Swami Pragyamurti-Director of Satyananda Yoga London"
For anyone serious about Yoga {and the truth that it is} don't squander your life on one more of the Asanas before you have watched this beautiful film....a significant contribution to the raising of consciousness" David Sye-Founder of Yoga Beats
Dear Simon
At last I’ve watched your work: What a wonderful expression of vitality. You must feel so satisfied. It is a beautiful film, and educational besides. You manage to capture the sense of the people and the place and certainly the essence of yoga. How wonderful that this can come through a western camera. I’m happy for you: this is important work. Cathy-Mae-British Wheel of Yoga
Great and blessed work dear brother, thank you for sharing your art. Cecilia Cordero
In letting people know about the screening of the documentary “Love and the art of Giving” this coming Sunday, I realized that I could no longer give an honest account of the movie. I watch the film and I’m transported instantly to the ashram. I watch the interview’s with Swami Niranjanananda, who has been our guiding light on this path of yoga, and who inspires so many to strive and bring out their best, and I’m almost in tears with the gratitude I feel for having met such a person. The word Guru is so misunderstood and perverted in the west. When people ask who that is in the picture, I always rather sheepishly tell people, that is Swami Niranjan, our Guru. Often I just say he is our yoga teacher, a yoga master, from India . Well actually he is our Guru, and for that I am eternally grateful. Guru, literally means, the dispeller of darkness. He who guides others to walk towards the light, to share that light and become established in this light. So when I watch an interview with him, I’m instantly overwhelmed by an intense feeling that burns inside my heart. A feeling which carries with in it, my highest aspirations, my ultimate goal; - to walk from ignorance to wisdom, from darkness to light, from the unreal to the real. I get a glimpse of all this, just from this feeling, and I’m inspired to continue walking the path. The Guru at work.
So let me say that, in my biased opinion, this film is awesome. I don’t expect everyone to necessarily feel the strong connection we have, as our memories and experiences are intimately tied to the ashram, but I do guarantee that you will leave the movie theatre feeling inspired and uplifted, a little lighter. The Guru at work. All are welcome!
Namo Narayan
SYC team South Africa
I think the film is fantastic. I'm afraid I'm not really one for soundbites, but it's really good, and I'm really grateful to you for making it. The opportunity to have Satyanananda, Niranjanananda and Satsangi talking to me in my living room is fantastic! Order for four just placed! Phil Lewis
Simon we've paid hundreds of times to see a movie or a documentary and we neither felt nor thought the 10th part of what we felt and thought with yours. That´s why we think it would be fare in this case to pay the price of our copy of your film. In what it transmits, in how it grips you when you see it. It´s exceptional! The first expectations transform into an experience, into a little ride into the heart which I think makes the answer to your question even more powerfull. To THE question!
Sarah and Mario (friends!)
"Simply one of the best spiritual movies ever made...and you can put my name to that" Swami Vedantananda
Dear Simon, I really loved your film, having been to the celebrations the following year it brought it all back so vividly. It was wonderful to see all the colour and beauty of the costumes and decorations as well as the more personal reflections of various participants. Seeing the Gurus close up and hearing their words was truly inspiring. I thought your commentary was excellent, from the uncertainties you had at the beginning to the joyous embracing of the whole experience. Very well done! Jivanmukta (Barbara Joseph)
Hi Simon - I just watched your film having returned from a Nonviolent Communication Festival in Sweden, so was very open to the message of the film, which I loved. Thank you so much for making it and for asking the questions you did. I absolutely concur with its view of love and spirituality. I feel so connected to you having watched the film. So, love to you, in the fullest sense of the word, and thank you-Sue Reid
Dear Simon Eugene,
I was one of the people that bought your film 'Love And The Art Of Giving' in Harrogate. I watched it with my mother just now and we were both deeply moved & inspired. Thank you. I liked the music very much too. Love & respect, Maggie Nicols
"A fantastic film. Am sure that anyone interested in the end results of yoga will be fascinated by and inspired as a result of it. A wonderful, very true and very personal account of an amazing journey and the amazing events at Rikhia, there is something here to appeal to everybody"Swami Pragyamurti-Director of Satyananda Yoga London"
For anyone serious about Yoga {and the truth that it is} don't squander your life on one more of the Asanas before you have watched this beautiful film....a significant contribution to the raising of consciousness" David Sye-Founder of Yoga Beats
Dear Simon
At last I’ve watched your work: What a wonderful expression of vitality. You must feel so satisfied. It is a beautiful film, and educational besides. You manage to capture the sense of the people and the place and certainly the essence of yoga. How wonderful that this can come through a western camera. I’m happy for you: this is important work. Cathy-Mae-British Wheel of Yoga
Great and blessed work dear brother, thank you for sharing your art. Cecilia Cordero
In letting people know about the screening of the documentary “Love and the art of Giving” this coming Sunday, I realized that I could no longer give an honest account of the movie. I watch the film and I’m transported instantly to the ashram. I watch the interview’s with Swami Niranjanananda, who has been our guiding light on this path of yoga, and who inspires so many to strive and bring out their best, and I’m almost in tears with the gratitude I feel for having met such a person. The word Guru is so misunderstood and perverted in the west. When people ask who that is in the picture, I always rather sheepishly tell people, that is Swami Niranjan, our Guru. Often I just say he is our yoga teacher, a yoga master, from India . Well actually he is our Guru, and for that I am eternally grateful. Guru, literally means, the dispeller of darkness. He who guides others to walk towards the light, to share that light and become established in this light. So when I watch an interview with him, I’m instantly overwhelmed by an intense feeling that burns inside my heart. A feeling which carries with in it, my highest aspirations, my ultimate goal; - to walk from ignorance to wisdom, from darkness to light, from the unreal to the real. I get a glimpse of all this, just from this feeling, and I’m inspired to continue walking the path. The Guru at work.
So let me say that, in my biased opinion, this film is awesome. I don’t expect everyone to necessarily feel the strong connection we have, as our memories and experiences are intimately tied to the ashram, but I do guarantee that you will leave the movie theatre feeling inspired and uplifted, a little lighter. The Guru at work. All are welcome!
Namo Narayan
SYC team South Africa
I think the film is fantastic. I'm afraid I'm not really one for soundbites, but it's really good, and I'm really grateful to you for making it. The opportunity to have Satyanananda, Niranjanananda and Satsangi talking to me in my living room is fantastic! Order for four just placed! Phil Lewis
Simon we've paid hundreds of times to see a movie or a documentary and we neither felt nor thought the 10th part of what we felt and thought with yours. That´s why we think it would be fare in this case to pay the price of our copy of your film. In what it transmits, in how it grips you when you see it. It´s exceptional! The first expectations transform into an experience, into a little ride into the heart which I think makes the answer to your question even more powerfull. To THE question!
Sarah and Mario (friends!)
"Simply one of the best spiritual movies ever made...and you can put my name to that" Swami Vedantananda
Dear Simon, I really loved your film, having been to the celebrations the following year it brought it all back so vividly. It was wonderful to see all the colour and beauty of the costumes and decorations as well as the more personal reflections of various participants. Seeing the Gurus close up and hearing their words was truly inspiring. I thought your commentary was excellent, from the uncertainties you had at the beginning to the joyous embracing of the whole experience. Very well done! Jivanmukta (Barbara Joseph)
Hi Simon - I just watched your film having returned from a Nonviolent Communication Festival in Sweden, so was very open to the message of the film, which I loved. Thank you so much for making it and for asking the questions you did. I absolutely concur with its view of love and spirituality. I feel so connected to you having watched the film. So, love to you, in the fullest sense of the word, and thank you-Sue Reid
Dear Simon Eugene,
I was one of the people that bought your film 'Love And The Art Of Giving' in Harrogate. I watched it with my mother just now and we were both deeply moved & inspired. Thank you. I liked the music very much too. Love & respect, Maggie Nicols
