Take a breath, DC: Meditation outside the White House

Around 3,000 people gathered in front of the White House to meditate for world peace as part of the “Take a Breath, D.C.” campaign, organized by The Art of Living youth leaders. Around 125 graduates of the Yes+ program marched along 10 city blocks, to the lawn of Lafayette Park, located in front of the White House. In an area that attracts demonstrations, often with loud speakers and graphic images, tranquility and an unusual stillness marked the twenty-minute meditation. Youth leaders planned the “Take a Breath, D.C.” campaign to extend The Art of Living’s “Violence-Free, Stress-Free America” initiative, launched in March 2007 by global humanitarian and founder of The Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.