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The Art of Living Foundation has been offering its Art of Living courses to people in all major cities. More than 2,000 people have attended these programs, as well as regular programs of music and meditation conducted for the public.
In 2004, in cooperation with the Art of Living Foundation, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was invited to Pakistan by Helpline Trust, Gharib Nawaz Foundation, and the Daily Times newspaper on a historic four-day peace mission, "Unity in Diversity and Globalizing Wisdom." He was the first spiritual master from India to officially visit Pakistan on such a mission.
Soon after his arrival in Karachi on July 19, Sri Sri met with Islamic clerics. The next evening, over 2,000 people from Karachi's business, entertainment and cultural fraternity attended Sri Sri's talk followed by a meditation session at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.
"I feel as if I have had a fresh experience of India."
Jaffar, a member of the audience after the talk
"For the first time, I feel in Sri Sri the true embrace from India."
Imtiaz Ahmed
Sri Sri then travelled to Islamabad, where he addressed a 1500-strong gathering.
"Friendly ties between India and Pakistan would not only bring peace in the region but rapid economic changes too."
Sri Sri
 During his visit, Sri Sri held informal meetings with political and business leaders, social activists, religious heads, and Islamic clerics in Karachi and Islamabad, during which he emphasized his message of "building mutual trust for lasting peace." His message reached the residents of Pakistan through television interviews shown on prime time and through a well-attended press conference.
Traditionally, diplomacy between India and Pakistan has included the political, cultural and sporting arenas. With Sri Sri's visit, a new dimension of spirituality was added to the peace process.
On October 8, 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province. The death toll was more than 79,000 whereas 3.3 million became homeless. Major relief operations started to rehabilitate the affected, most of whom belonged to the mountainous regions.
The Art of Living and its sister organization, International Association for Human Values, started mobilizing relief materials for the victims. In remote and mountainous areas including Shalkot in Baramullah district, volunteers carried blankets, food, milk powder and plastic sheets and walked a few kilometers to reach the survivors. IAHV volunteers donated $100,000 in relief materials including tents and generators for the trauma-relief centre in Islamabad. In Balakot, which was the worst affected area, volunteers set up camps to provide relief material and conduct special trauma-relief programs. Workshops were also held for doctors and nurses of the Baramullah Government Hospital.
"We distributed material, extricated bodies from debris, and did whatever we could. Now we will go back and help bring the people out of depression and trauma."
Khalid Wasim, an Art of Living volunteer
"After the sound meditation, I feel like I have been reborn, I can now be of help to others in this camp and share their pain while I look after them."
A woman who lost her infant under the rubble
"I am feeling light after a long time. Thank you for coming to us. We have smiled after a very long time."
A woman at a relief camp, after undergoing the trauma-relief program
"Naeem (an Art of Living teacher) went to Balakot and had a huge group of people come, breathe and meditate as he instructed. Soon, one could feel the peace in the air. People felt stronger to face the loss and continue to live with hope for tomorrow."
Sanniya, an Art of Living volunteer, narrates her experience
The directors of WAYE (World Alliance for Youth Empowerment), the youth body of the Art of Living Foundation, Dinesh Ghodke and Khurshed Batliwala, toured Pakistan for two weeks in March 2007. Under Sri Sri's guidance and inspiration, they visited Pakistan to bring about a greater understanding among the youth of the two countries. This was a continuation of the message of peace and goodwill that Sri Sri brought to Pakistan as the first Hindu spiritual leader to visit the country in July 2004.
Over 100 Pakistani youth from various universities underwent a seven-day program in the age group of 18 to 25 years at the Indus School of Arts and Architecture, Karachi. Muslims, Christians, Zoroastrians, Hindus and youngsters of the Sufi faith participated in the Youth Empowerment Seminar.
The aim was to create better channels of understanding and communication between the two countries: an initiative at bringing together people, social service, culture, arts and sports and breaking prejudices.
They all agreed to the fact that since we take food, fashion, music and technology from all over the world; it's time that wisdom too needs to be globalized. The youth have a major role in deepening the roots and broadening the vision of a nation.
The youth were inspired by the social work of the AOL volunteers during the Pakistan earthquake in June 2005.
The WAYE directors conducted programs in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and were featured in the television and print media. They also met with the UNICEF, UNDP, UN AIDS representatives and sought to find more avenues to work with the youth. They also met heads of various NGOs like Insaan and Maqsad Foundation and reached an understanding that youth exchange programs will be held between India and Pakistan for social service and cultural activities.
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"The Youth Empowerment Seminar has helped me immensely. I have been dependent on drugs for a while. I never thought I had the stamina to live without them. Amazingly, I am more calm and happy now. I have discovered a new energy in myself."
Maryam Mehboob |
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"AOL teachers, I am grateful to you. This is the greatest thing we have found in life. Most importantly, breathing. AOL has helped me recognize presence of my mind with each breath."
Babar Yousuf |
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Numerous Art of Living programmes have been held across Pakistan benefitting people across different age groups. Some voices:
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"I've always been fascinated by yoga and meditation. I bought a couple of books and tried to teach myself but I never truly understood its practice or benefits until I took the Art of Living course.
I feel very satisfied because I know that whenever I feel fatigued, stressed out or just simply want to refresh myself, I know of a simple exercise that will work wonders and is something I can rely on throughout my life."
Mariam Zaidi, Islamabad |
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"Art of Living is a very precious, holistic technique that has taught me how to live in the present moment. It is about breathing and yoga, so it goes beyond Hinduism and all other religions."
Muhammad Usman, Islamabad |
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"The course made me aware of my shortcomings as well as my hidden talents. It has taught me acceptance of myself and others. It enabled me to give up tranquilizers and to live in the present moment."
Tabinda Shah, Lahore |
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"I have been physically challenged since 1992. I suffered from a nervous disorder called Guillain Barre Syndrome. Despite a remarkable recovery, my feet, ankles and right-hand fingers could not become perfect.
This program helped me to accept the fact that I am disabled. Now, my condition does not stop me from enjoying life and living in the moment."
Sajid Ashraf, Karachi |
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