Gita Chandra is all for reviving the soul. By Seema Chowdhry Sharma

Walk into the basement office of Moon Beam and soothing sounds of wind chimes and soft chants will greet you. The racks of this New Age store stock everything and anything from incense sticks, Sri Yantras, Tibetan bells, spiritual books and music, to organic and health food. “But Moon Beam is not just about fragrant candles and Feng Shui only. The basic concept behind it is ‘shikai shun funi’ or harmony of the body, mind and spirit,” explains Gita Chandra, the founder of this spiritual centre which also holds workshops from time to time on fusion dance, Falun Gong, Vedanta, Reiki, etc.

Starting Out
As a young girl, Gita had always been drawn towards prayer and spirituality. “This is not to say that I did not party with my friends or go out for dinners and movies, but whenever it was a question of giving precedence I would end up choosing a ‘satsang’ over a shopping trip,” admits the 37-year-old candidly. Though she received a fair share of ribbing and teasing from her friends from time to time, she never once thought of giving up her interest to blend in with the crowd.

Even though she was interested in spiritualism, Gita opted to begin her career as a middle-school teacher. However, a move to Mumbai saw a shift in profession and she joined Khazana, the Taj Hotels’ gift shop. “In retrospect, I don’t think I was cut out for a corporate job really. The hours were long, the job required aggressive marketing skills and competition in the hospitality business is fierce.”

Eventually, after about six years of working with the group, Gita called it quits. “I guess I was meant to work at the Taj to understand more about display, merchandising, how to manage a store. It is this training which helps me run Moon Beam efficiently today.”

In Body, Mind And Spirit
After quitting the Taj, Gita began designing frames for photographs, paintings and mirrors. During this period, she realised that, like her, other people were interested in learning more about religion, alternative therapies and spiritual philosophies. “I was always keen to do some work which gave me an option to see beyond myself, to help others and continue my dialogue with God.” With this thought in mind, she decided to set up Moon Beam in 1999.

Once she realised that her true calling was providing holistic guidance and soul aids, she has devoted herself to this centre. “Since I had always been drawn towards spirituality, I decided to open a bookstore with spiritual books and music. But I did not want Moon Beam to be just a shop. I wanted it to be a forum for exchanging views and expressing oneself through art, music and literature; a centre of holistic excellence.”

Today, her centre organises spiritual workshops for corporate houses as well as individual members. “From tai chi to chocolate making, from Kundalini yoga to lectures, Moon Beam organises all kinds of events which help a person feel better.” In the world where stress and tension rule our lives, Gita has created a retreat for people to get in touch with their inner self.