NEW YORK (Diya TV)  — Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan brought together speakers from several faith traditions for a multifaith discussion on spirituality, peace and human connection.

The event took place in the Bhavan’s elliptical hall on the 17th floor of a Midtown Manhattan building. Speakers shared personal experiences and spiritual ideas with an invited audience. They also discussed pluralism, service, faith and the search for a connection with the divine.

Syed Salman Chishty, Jonathan Granoff, Yakub Mathew and chef Vikas Khanna joined the panel. Each speaker offered a different view of spirituality and peace. Mathew, a banker and author of “Seeking the Infinite,” organized the program and led the panel discussion.

Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of the Ajmer Sharif shrine in Rajasthan, spoke about the shrine’s long tradition of welcoming people from different faiths. He also highlighted two important Sufi concepts: Shukr, or gratitude, and Sabr, or patience.

“Wake up with Shukr (gratitude) as every day is a grace, and go to bed with Sabr (patience) that all will be well,” Chishty said.

Later, Parveen Chopra, founder of A Lotus In The Mud spiritual magazine, asked Chishty about practices that can support spiritual growth. In response, Chishty encouraged people to spend a few minutes in silence. He also recommended breathing exercises to help people become more aware of themselves.

Granoff, an international lawyer and nuclear disarmament advocate, focused on self-knowledge and the relationship between people and the Creator. He serves as president of the Global Security Institute of the United Nations and received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2014.

“There are many waves on the ocean, but when they bow down, they all become the ocean,” Granoff said. He urged people to approach faith with courage and humility.

Meanwhile, Khanna shared a more personal view of spirituality. The Michelin-star chef attended the program in his kitchen apron before returning to his restaurant for dinner service. He spoke about growing up in Amritsar and his respect for the langar tradition at the Golden Temple.

For Khanna, serving food represents worship. He also described an experience that strengthened his belief in religious pluralism. During the 1992 Mumbai riots, a Muslim woman sheltered him in Ghatkopar.

Mehta also highlighted the Bhavan’s role in New York. He said the institution has promoted Indian art, culture and heritage in the city since 1981.

The program included music as well. Kunal Lamba performed Indian spiritual songs, while Kristin Hoffman closed the evening with “Amazing Grace.”

The audience included the Very Reverend Winnie Varghese, Lama Aria Drolma, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Bhavan Vice Chairman Kenny Desai and Executive Director Minesh Patel.

After the discussion, Khanna and Jimmy Rizvi served food to guests. Chishty described Rizvi as Khanna’s “dervish.”