he was simply introduced Monday evening as “a peaceful person here to speak,” but Jenna Mahraj came to the campus with a larger goal: to teach students the secrets to leading a more fulfilling life.
About 25 people gathered in the Carroll A Room in Stamp Student Union to meet “Sister Jenna,” a motivational speaker and founder of the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring. Mahraj has traveled to more than 80 countries to spread her message about positive living, and she is also a TV personality.
On Monday, Mahraj spent several hours advising students on how to live positively. She encouraged audience members to develop long-term decision plans based on lasting happiness and success.
“I had a 10-year plan, and if you stay focused, you will just know what to do. That’s confidence,” Mahraj said.
There are three elements that are essential for a successful plan, she said — relationships, money and health. Respect and appreciation of others in relationships are keys to reaching one’s full potential, she added.
“Relationships will be the door to happiness and the door to misfortune, but they will always be there,” Mahraj said.
Mahraj stressed the importance of money, but not in the conventional way. She argued people should not focus on how much money they earn but on how much of their happiness and energy goes into their career.
Moreover, Mahraj said if people do not maintain their health, other aspects of their lives may become even more difficult.
“If your body breaks down, your communication in relationships becomes hard,” she said.
Mahraj also advised students on how to deal with challenging people they meet in their careers. She argued such people should be used to improve self-confidence, and students should maintain humility rather than try to compete with them.
Knowing her audience, she offered tangible advice on how to deal with the stress of academics.
“If studying gets rough, at that time put it down; create feelings with friends,” Mahraj said. She admonished students not to turn to Facebook, but to instead call a friend on the phone or play sports.
“Feelings fuel the soul. Then go back to studying,” she said.
At the end of the evening, Mahraj brought the audience into a meditation session to relieve stress and clear the mind.
“It’s time for us to be courageous and come clean with ourselves, because that’s confidence,” she said.
Some students stayed late into the night to ask Mahraj for specific advice, even after the event was over. Several said they learned a great deal from Mahraj’s message.
“Relationships being the key to success really stuck out to me,” junior business major Lisa Dunn said. “It’s not all about money like you always think, but also about the relationships you make along the way.”
Senior biology and Persian studies major Omeed Sizar said the lecture also influenced him.
“I was looking to find the secret on self-exploration here tonight,” he said. “I liked discussing how becoming aware of your inner ability, or potential, enhances you.”
newsumdbk@gmail.com
