I Meditate Africa

27 May 2015

Africa Month, May 2015, saw over 500 000 people from across 25 African countries meditate for Peace for the continent.  The largest contributors to the peace campaign were the educational sectors across the continent, with prisons and the corporate sector.  Yasmin Sooka, key note speaker, addressed the event in Johannesburg on 23 May 2015. Read her address below.

GURUDEV SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE, HAPPINESS AND PURPOSEFUL LIVING

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, or Guruji – as he is affectionately known by his devotees – is the founder of the Art of Living Foundation – a not for profit educational and humanitarian organisation with a presence in over 151 countries worldwide.

He works untiringly to foster peace from the level of the individual as well as the greater society. He has said, “even if one corner of the world is not peaceful, there cannot be lasting peace throughout the world.”

He visits close to 40 countries in a year to mediate, engage in dialogue and facilitate programs with the purpose of nurturing peace and reconciliation throughout the world.  His message of a “One World Family” has gained widespread acceptance, respect and popularity among world leaders and everyone with whom he interacts.

He has inspired millions to take up the challenge of bringing happiness to people. The work conducted by his teachers and volunteers throughout the world have had far reaching effects – with communities torn apart by violence that come together in a spirit of comradery after going through the Art of Living programs.

Recently  in Ivory Coast,Africa – he inspired volunteers to bring two warring tribes together to participate in the Art of Living program.  Through the stress relieving breathing techniques and meditation taught in the program, the people that were initially ready to wage war against each other, now shake hands in the spirit of friendship and brotherhood.

This points to the powerful influence of meditation in transforming people and communities to be peaceful.

Numerous peace-building programs in Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Sudan and many other parts of Africa conducted by the volunteers of the Art of Living Foundation, have yielded positive results in these communities.  Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, these programs are still ongoing.

The I Meditate Africa peace initiative, inspired by Gurudev and driven by Vanishree Pavadai of the Art of Living Foundation, has been very effective in bringing masses of people together to meditate for peace.  The campaign was initiated in 2013 and on Africa Day, 25 May there were 10 000 people that came together in South Africa and Africa to meditate. The meditation was facilitated by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar via a live webcast which linked approx. 25 African countries.

In 2014, the peace campaigners reached out to 100 000 children, youth and adults collectively to participate in building peace through meditation.

Gurudev was quoted as saying” Never before have I been able to reach out to so many people in Africa at one sitting”

In the light of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the primary solution lies in building inner peace and removing the stress from people’s minds. Once the layers of stress fall away, our perception of the society and people around us becomes clearer and we view situations with a peaceful approach.

In 2015 we have reached a milestone of 500 000 people to come together in meditation. Africa is well on its way to being a model for the world to follow – in peace building.

With these few words, I wish you all the best of luck in your efforts and may you continue to do the wonderful work in making a positive difference in South Africa and Africa.

Thank you.