Spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy taught that meditation is not a means of escaping the everyday world, but a tool for achieving inner peace while operating within society. This deep inner peace can be achieved through selfless service to others and by deriving joy from working toward the betterment of humankind rather than by developing attachments to the fruits of one’s labour. To serve others selflessly, he encouraged his students to open up various enterprises that provide not just a quality product, but also an important service. These enterprises create peaceful environments in which people can shop and eat food that is imbued with goodwill.
Today, these divine enterprises exist in various countries throughout the world. Selfless service reinforces the unity of humankind and reinforces each person’s oneness with the universal Consciousness.