From Colombia to Mexico, Guatemala..

7 Dec 2016

The trip began in Cali, Colombia as a plan not to address any cartels but as an attempt at reconciliation of different parties who at one time, were on warpath against each other. The conference began in right earnest at Cali on the 30th of November and ended in Bogota the capital, the next day. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was the key-note speaker who launched the conference which was well attended by prominent people from the business community, social activists, religious leaders, NGOs, industrialists and community leaders. The idea behind the conference was to bring together various communities from all across Colombia to strengthen the peace accord which was mainly signed between the govt of Colombia and the FARC leadership. This was further ratified by the political establishment of the country.

On the 1st of December, people from all walks of life and in huge numbers were seen at the Simon Bolivar Plaza in the central district of Bogota. Gurudev as the founder of Art of Living is known by many, addressed the august gathering.

He said during the conference, “Peace and prosperity go together. When there is prosperity, there is peace and when there is peace, there is more prosperity. There is a new level of prosperity coming to this continent”.

He continued, “(Mis)Communication is the cause of all conflicts nowadays, can be helped if our expression and perceptions are clear. A good leader needs good quality to connect with everyone despite hierarchy. Connect to all people at every level and the right information will flow to you and you can avoid information that gets distorted by doing this.”

On the agenda in Colombia was that the victims of civil-war, FARC and the govt representatives would come face to face in a forgiveness process. Gurudev talked about the guerillas and said, “They need to know that they are also victims, this picture needs to be developed.”

From Colombia, the journey has moved northwards and is in the gang-war infested Mexico. Violence is rampant and youth are involved in turf war related to illegal drugs. Scores are getting killed on a regular basis. Gurudev has arrived here with a message of peace where Art of Living has been very active in reforming prisoners and juvenile offenders in several counties of Mexico and weaning away youth from drugs and gun culture. The activities of Art of Living have drawn the attention of several law makers.

Since then Gurudev has met with many religious leaders in Mexico City for an interfaith conference. Among them were Arjan Singh Dihion of Sikh community, Pablo Estrada of Buddhist faith, Rev Maria Lourdes Guitierrez of Lutheran Church, Rev Efren Velasquez Guitierrez from the Anglican Church, Rev Agricol Lozana of the Mormon Church and Fr Carlos Garfias Merlo of the Catholic Church. Ms. Karen Berg, the spiritual director of Kabbalah Centre based in the US, specially flew in for talks with Gurudev.

At the World Trade Centre, Mexico City, a huge gathering of around 4000 people thronged the place to hear Gurudev’s wisdom. He went to Reclusorio Veronil Norte prison located in Mexico City. The prisoners known for their violent past, listened attentively to Gurudev. Art of Living has been conducting Prison Smart Program to help these perpetrators and victims of violence.

To quote a prisoner who attended the session at the prison said, “My life after the meditation has opened up a whole new world for me. I now understand real jail resides only in my mind. I am very thankful for these techniques now, since I have experienced new joy.”

The Governor of Guerrero and his wife received Gurudev as the ‘Guest of Honour’ and was presented with the award aptly named “Ambassador of Peace”. Overwhelming crowds along the beach in Acapulco meditated for the first time. The Archbishop of Acapulco Felipe Aguirre Franco also met with Gurudev and held talks with Him. 

The journey continues --

 

Courtesy: LinkedIn