Madison Reporter

MADISON, WI -- "Mindfulness the Indian Way" is a full-day immersive experience planned for Saturday, September 28 at Central Library. Attendees will learn how the rich traditions of Indian culture can help them feel more present and aware in their daily lives. This program is part of Madison Public Library’s Library Takeover initiative.

From 9 am to 3 pm, the planning team—comprising Nita Ambedkar, Kiran Nautiyal, Deepti Awasthi, Vidya Matre, Arpita Joshi, and Vinita Shrivastava—invites participants to explore mindfulness during sessions led by local artists and organizations focused on health and wellness, art, dance, and food. A mini-bazaar featuring local vendors selling jewelry, art, food, and more will be available outside the community room on the third floor for the duration of the event.

“Mindfulness is about being present and savoring the little moments of life. Our goal is to share ways of incorporating mindfulness in your day-to-day life through art, food, health, and wellness—all inspired by Indian culture,” said Nita Ambedkar, Library Takeover team member and owner of THP - The Happiest Place. “Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your understanding, this event will provide an experience that blends cultural traditions with the principles of mindful living.”

Library Takeover supports communities in making their ideas happen at the library. This team applied for Library Takeover in January 2024. After being selected, they went through a four-part event planning bootcamp series in March provided by the library. The bootcamp was accompanied by mentorship from Sarah Akawa, another community-event organizer in Madison.

“Library takeover is a platform to bring to life diverse ideas that engage communities. We got a deep dive on how to really make this program a success through guided sessions and materials on planning, marketing, budgeting and getting the support we needed,” said Ambedkar.

Registration is requested; sign up at madpl.org/indianmindfulness.

Library Takeover is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation and TruStage. The event was largely made possible thanks to organizing efforts by Nita Ambedkar of THP (The Happiest Place).