Peace (community) with your People
“We need to broaden the vision of our people. If we fail to do so,
we will bring disgrace to our own religion.” --
H.H. Sri Ravi Shankar
Introduction and Overview
In his excellent book “Creating True Peace”, Thich Naht Hahn (a Buddhist) describes a similar approach for Creating True Peace and ending violence in yourself, your family, your community and the world.
In his chapter on ‘Protecting Peace” he talks extensively about “Community and Sangha Peace” – going beyond family and work. This community can be friends, your social network, extended family, neighbors, members of associations that you belong to, and basically people that you run into beyond your immediate family and work environment, regardless of sex, color, ethnicity, background or religion.
Here is a quote from his book: “Once you begin to understand your interconnectedness with others, your inter-being, you begin to see how actions affect you and all other life. You begin to question your way of living, to look with new eyes at the quality of your relationship and the way you work. You begin to see “I have to earn a living, yes, but I want to earn a living mindfully. I want to try to select a vocation not harmful to others and to the natural world, one that does not misuse resources. Entire companies can and must adopt this way of thinking. Companies have the right to pursue economic growth, but not at the expense of other life. They should respect the life and integrity of other people, animals, plant and minerals. Do not invest your time or money on companies that deprive others of their lives that operate in a way that exploits people of animals or destroys nature”.
He continues in his book on the topic of “meditation for compassionate listening”: “Listening with an open heart we are able to keep compassion alive. Then we give the other person a true chance to express his or her feelings. Basically, preaching the meditation and breathing skills that we need for compassionate listening, and it is this compassionate listening skill, that will help us to be with peace amongst people in our community”.
He recommends the following meditation for compassionate listening (which could be potentially integrated with pranayam taught by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar or Sudarshan Kriya – to tone our compassionate listening skills):
· Breathing in I know that I am breathing in. Breathing out I know that I am breathing out.
· Breathing in I calm my body, breathing out I smile
· Breathing in I know I have suffered, breathing out I smile with compassion
· Breathing in I know you have suffered, breathing out I smile with compassion
· Breathing in I know we both suffer, breathing out I want us both to have a new chance
· Breathing in I listen, breathing out I hear
· Breathing in I hear your bitterness, breathing out I embrace you in my heart
· Breathing in I hear your wrong perception, breathing out I do not burn with anger
· Breathing in I know I have made you suffer, breathing out I am sorry
· Breathing in I open my heart, breathing out there is room in my heart for you
· Breathing in I want to be happy, breathing out I want you to be happy
· Breathing in I see us happy, breathing out that is all that I want
Just practicing Sudarshan Kriya as taught by AOL 1 will help us develop inner peace described in chapter 2 and peace with our peers as described in chapter 3. Plus incorporating this thought process of compassionate listening will make us be more in peace with all the folks around us.
BREATH BEGETS BLISS
Obviously one of the greatest gifts from His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the Sudarshan Kriya. How can breath be so significant where it can even produce bliss in ones existence, practice Sudarshan Kriya after competing AOL course 1, consistently for more than 60 days and you will know. This is more than stress relief when one practices it consistently every day, and if possible in groups.
What are the Conflicts in your community (neighborhood, profession and religious communities)?
Community development programs have taken an approach where community cohesion is nurtured while community conflicts are addressed;
The development of community cohesion is the attempt to build communities with four key characteristics:
· a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities;
· the valuing of diversity;
· similar life opportunities for all and;
· strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds and circumstances in the workplace, in the school and within neighborhoods.
Thus, community cohesion refers to a much wider set of concerns in relation to a community as a whole which may include service provision, economic development, issues relating to social inclusion, education, planning. An important area of community cohesion work is that body of knowledge and skills used to help people, groups or communities to find consensual strategies or common grounds on which they can work together. Thus, while these skills are more commonly known in the conflict resolution field they are also applicable across much of the work of community development, community health and education, youth work, anti-racism, equal opportunity and equality work.
Dr. Craig Zelizer from Georgetown University
“Within the field of community arts, many arts-based practitioners may become involved in work in conflict-affected settings both domestically and internationally. Examples might include creating a theater project with youth in a post-conflict divided community, providing refugee communities a safe artistic space for creation and healing, and organizing musical concerts to bring communities together in areas of conflict. Given that community arts-based practitioners often become involved in work involving conflict issues, there are valuable lessons that can be drawn from the conflict-resolution field. Over the past two decades, conflict resolution has blossomed as an independent field of practice, theory and research. Conflict resolution is a multidisciplinary endeavor that draws on relevant theory and practice from sociology, psychology, international relations, labor relations, law and economics, and from emerging work by practitioners and scholars within the discipline. The central goals of conflict resolution, regardless of the particular disciplinary approach or frame used, are to develop a greater understanding of the sources and dynamics of conflict and to develop and implement more effective responses to preventing, managing and reducing the effects of conflict”.
Arts-Based Conflict-resolution Approaches
The range of arts-based activities conducted by international and local conflict-resolution organizations and artists is quite diverse. A project may directly intervene in, or address the substance of, a particular conflict in a community. Arts-based processes such as theater can help groups to explore specific conflicts from multiple perspectives and envision alternative possibilities, or they can bring together groups that are in conflict to address the relational aspects of conflict. The specific arts-based process may not directly address the substance of a conflict, but may facilitate increased understanding and interaction among conflicted parties. Some efforts are more activist in nature and challenge existing and unfair social orders, while others aim to help individuals and communities deal with the potentially traumatic effects of conflict. The various approaches are summarized below: Arts for Peacebuilding – Largely based on community arts in which groups from different sides of a conflict are gathered together to conduct joint artistic products, sometimes focusing on the conflict. Social Protest Art – Although this does not fit within a traditional model of peacebuilding, this type of art is often used during higher stages of conflict. Through artistic processes, individuals seek to resist and protest against violence through cultural means. Creative Therapies – Processes largely focused on promoting individual level healing of individuals who have suffered because of conflict and/or trauma.
While it is unlikely those community-arts processes have the ability to halt the violence of severe conflict or directly address the more structural and economic components of conflict, it is clear that they can play an important role in building relationships between groups in conflict, fostering reconciliation, healing and much more. As William Kelly, a community-arts practitioner from Australia
The Importance of Collaboration
In order to achieve significant results, practitioners in the conflict-resolution field have expanded their collaboration efforts within and across fields. Although this can be challenging given the competition over limited funding, the logistical challenges of facilitating collaboration and competing agendas, the field has made significant strides in this area. Within the U.S. , the Alliance
At the practical level for community-arts practitioners, partnerships might involve a number of areas. First, in some arts-based and conflict-resolution projects, professional artists have teamed with conflict resolution practitioners to develop programming. For example, in Vukovar , Croatia
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s AOL and IAHV have conducted art and cultural programs and intermixed them mostly with other program all over the world. For His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s devotees this is referred to as “Satsang” – where there are a lot of singing and music, blended with spirituality. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar always states the 3 primary things to follow for his devotees;
Sadhana (sudharshn kriya, pranayama, yoga and meditation)
Seva (Service activities of all kinds)
Satsangs (participating in arts and cultural events)
Evaluation Matters
One of the challenges that the conflict-resolution field has faced is a failure to document the impact of our work. To date, much of the evaluation work has been anecdotal in nature, consisting of narrative stories about the outputs and outcomes of our work. In recent years there have been increasing efforts to build rigorous design, monitoring and evaluation (DME) procedures into all aspects of our work. This is necessary for several reasons. First, funders are demanding accountability. Second, in order to build our credibility with external actors, we need to be able to document not only the short-term results of our work, but also the long-term impacts. Of course this is challenging in a real-world conflict setting, where there are multiple interveners conducting processes that may or may not be coordinated.
Dealing with Trauma and Self-Care
Given the high-stress situations many individuals place themselves in, particularly those working in international conflict situations; the field has done a very poor job of addressing the importance of self-care. Most helping professions ranging from social work to psychology have well-established systems of self-care, in terms of peer support groups, mentors and training provided in instances of burnout and secondary trauma. As a field, we are just beginning to incorporate these concerns into our practice.
Do No Harm
Within conflict resolution and international development, the concept of Do No Harm has developed over the past decade, largely through the work of Mary Anderson. As Anderson explains, “When given in conflict settings, aid can reinforce, exacerbate, and prolong the conflict; it can also help to reduce tensions and strengthen people’s capacities to disengage from fighting and peaceful options for solving problems. Instead of seeing conflict-resolution activities as a process that neutrally seeks to promote peace, it is important to see that outside interventions in conflicts can have unintended negative outcomes. They could come from introducing resources that leads to increased competition, through imposing culturally inappropriate processes, through legitimizing one group over another, through poor staffing decisions and many other factors. (Anderson
Grounding Work in Local Contexts
While outsiders can make valuable contributions to conflict-resolution work, it is vital that local peacebuilders and civil-society activists have a strong say in developing activities. Much of international development work (including some conflict resolution) has had a strong power imbalance, with outside experts coming in to help train, educate and work with locals. However, in recent years there has been an increasing emphasis on collaborative partnerships based on local contexts and culture. In order for conflict-resolution work to be effective, it should be built on local realities and be participatory in nature.
What is Peace in your community (SEVA and Service)?
Along the lines of compassionate listening and art & culture based community integration, communities that engage in self-help service and seva programs will ensure peace in the community with prosperity for the community and the folks living in such communities. Community Cohesiveness is achieved when a common Seva Project is taken up. For example – a community of villagers coming together every Sunday morning to clean the public areas of the village. A group of folks living in a city neighborhood, collecting all used computers, printers, fax, and other electronic equipment to be used for remote connectivity from a village, and many more such community driven seva projects.
For example AOL’s sudarshan kriya that cleanses body and mind has been taken to different affected communities worldwide with specialty programs customized for individual communities (prison, affected communities, trauma relief, etc.).
Programs such as PURA (providing urban amenities in rural areas) in India
IAHV and AOL’s programs for Peace in communities worldwide
Strengthening Broken Spirits
Disaster Relief
With children in a refugee camp in Lebanon
Counseling the grieving in Nagapattinam after the Tsunami.
Providing food to the firemen who worked non-stop for four days after 9/11.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s commitment to society is evident in his disaster relief initiatives. Attending to the mental, emotional and material needs of those struck by man-made or natural disasters, His Holiness has designed a three-stage intervention program for disaster relief – Material Relief, Trauma Relief, and long-term Rehabilitation.
- Immediate Material Aid and Service: This entails providing emergency services and material aid in the aftermath of a calamity that includes food, clothes, medicine and shelter. Doctors, counselors and other physical and mental health experts form an integral part of immediate relief efforts.
- Near-Term Trauma Relief: For disaster survivors, who have experienced severe physical and emotional trauma, material help alone is not sufficient. It is necessary to alleviate the trauma and help them reclaim their lives. A study on the Art of Living Foundation’s trauma relief programs conducted for large groups of south-east Asian tsunami survivors showed they experienced significant relief from post-traumatic stress disorder within four days of beginning the practice.
- Long-Term Rehabilitation: True relief can only happen when disaster survivors are rehabilitated physically, emotionally and socially and have the means of earning their livelihood. To achieve this, volunteers work in villages and with local communities, building homes, sanitation systems, roads, schools, vocational training centers and other necessary infrastructure. Trauma relief programs have also been instrumental in alleviating post-traumatic stress disorders in war zones.
Through this unique intervention program, volunteers are able to provide a holistic solution to the specific needs that arise after a calamity. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Unless the trauma is released, food and medicines won’t work. People can’t eat or sleep because their mind is full of the terrible tragedy that has befallen them.” With a healing touch, support and a vision for the future, disaster victims are able to reclaim their lives.
Ending the Trauma
The December 26, 2004, tsunami washed away the homes, livelihoods, and sense of security of hundreds of thousands of survivors. The Art of Living Foundation embarked on a major initiative to help the victims reclaim their lives. Within hours of the disaster, more than 5,000 volunteers swung into action, distributing medicines, clothes, food and other relief material in the areas affected, including Indonesia
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited the tsunami-affected areas for four days and met with the victims. He worked with the volunteers in deciding the immediate course of action and distributing relief measures. Trauma relief programs also began at that time. The Foundation conducted Breath Water Sound workshops, during which participants learned meditation and powerful breathing techniques. These programs helped people overcome their shock and trauma, and provided immediate relief from their anguish and depression. Many participants reported that they could sleep properly and experienced an inner calm, after several days of turmoil.
“At the time of the tsunami, many NGOs provided food and material needs but very few took care of the mental trauma like the Art of Living. Over 35,000 people have benefited from the trauma-relief programs.” - Tenkasi S. Jawahar, District Collector, |
In Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
“They (The Art of Living) have been working with us, focusing on trauma care. They have a full time presence in the area. What I am happy about is that throughout, their volunteers have been working with us in a selfless manner, involving the communities, so that they can be mainstreamed now. The Art of Living services will definitely be remembered in Nagapattinam. I am sure their value-based services will help in improving the quality of life of its affected citizens.” - Dr. J. Radhakrishnanam, Ex-District Collector, Nagapatitnam |
Bringing relief to New Orleans
On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana , evacuating millions of people throughout the Gulf coast region of the United States
Katrina left survivors who were traumatized by the suddenness, sheer unreality and magnitude of the devastation. While about 1,500 people perished in the flood, thousands more were battling an internal trauma. The loss of family, shelter, and livelihood created aftershocks, which continue to grip New Orleans
This is where the Foundation sprang into action. While many organizations were providing necessary material and physical relief, the Foundation recognized the need to release the trauma, fear and psychological unrest in the minds of the affected people.
“I’ve noticed that with each day, after completing the program, the kids are happier, less restless and their minds are so much more settled. I have personally experienced the benefits of the Art of Living techniques during this experience, and found it very helpful in clearing my mind.” - Dr. Reginald Shaw, Director of GBL Inc. Youth Ministries |
Volunteers in Houston Houston
Within 30 days, volunteers were teaching stress and trauma relief workshops to evacuees in Baton Rouge , Houston , Dallas and Austin India
“We very much appreciate the fact that His Holiness His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar has taken an interest in the needs of - Raul Alvarez, |
Building Lives
Volunteers of the Art of Living Foundation reached the affected area within hours of a deadly earthquake in Gujarat , India
Apart from providing relief materials such as food, clothing, medicine and rehabilitation kits, the Foundation also built a high school, a hostel and 15 temporary schools. It provided post-traumatic stress counseling and trauma-relief programs to more than 100,000 people in 120 villages, including many children. In Nana Dahisara, volunteers rebuilt the village with 124 homes, a multi-purpose community center, a primary healthcare center, a village government center, a primary school, a place of worship, a water tank, a water supply system and a drainage system.
Washing Away the Pain
Art of Living volunteers began disaster relief efforts for people in areas badly affected by the July 2005 flooding in Mumbai immediately. Volunteers distributed 43,000 packets of food in the initial week, sprayed disinfectants to maintain hygiene, removed truckloads of garbage, cleaned toilets, distributed medicine, water purification satchels and ran a community kitchen that fed 2,000 people per day.
After meeting their material needs, volunteers began counseling sessions and trauma relief programs. Participants reported that the Art of Living course helped take away their fear and allowed them to sleep at night.
The state government recognized the Foundation’s work and appointed it a nodal agency in the most badly affected areas of Mumbai. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited the affected area that August and met with more than 10,000 victims.
Aiding flood victims
In August 2006, heavy floods in Surat , Gujarat , claimed hundreds of lives, and affected thousands more. More than 1,500 Art of Living volunteers provided food, medicine and other essentials. The Foundation aided more than 11,000 people in medical camps across the city. The volunteers worked closely with local government officials, the army, other NGOs and service organizations, to extend assistance to the affected, including people trapped in remote areas.
Supporting victims of terror
On September 1, 2004, Beslan's Secondary School Number One was seized by a group of at least 32 terrorists related to the Second Chechen War. The siege ended on September 3 with a bloody shootout between the terrorists and Russian security forces. According to official data, 334 civilians were killed, 186 of them children, and hundreds more wounded. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s volunteers conducted programs to help alleviate the psychological trauma of victims’ relatives and the Russian army. More than 1,000 people, including nearly 300 Russian army personnel, benefited from the Art of Living course.
Building Trust between Estranged Communities
Communal riots broke out between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. According to official figures, 1044 people, 254 Hindus and 790 Muslims, were killed in the violence. Independent estimates by rights groups and NGOs place the figure higher, closer to 2000. More than 150,000 people were displaced. The Foundation held trauma-relief workshops for victims in 25 camps. The programs helped residents sleep and overcome the stress and pain caused by the riots.
Apart from conducting trauma relief programs, Art of Living volunteers also worked with local leaders to restore harmony among people from different communities. One of those efforts led to a joint peace rally, which resulted in an end to the violence in the area.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited the affected areas after the riots and interacted with people sheltered in relief camps run by both the Hindu and Muslim communities. He held discussion with community leaders on how to restore normalcy and build trust among people from different communities.
A partial listing of the Art of Living's post-disaster management initiatives · Flood relief in · Virginia Tech Campus shootings, · Vidarbha farmer suicides, India (ongoing, 2007) · · · Mumbai train bomb blasts, · Kashmir & Pakistan earthquake (October 2005) · Hurricane Katrina, USA (August 2005) · Mumbai floods, · Gujarat Floods, · · · Beslan school hostage crisis, · · · Bam earthquake, · · River Elbe floods, · Afghanistan War (October 2001, ongoing) · 9/11 terror attack, · Gujarat earthquake, · Orissa cyclone, |
Building Society at the Grassroots
Sustainable, Community-driven Development
The 5H program is making a huge difference in the world through service and spirituality. The aim of the program is to uplift individuals and communities so they become self-reliant, both socially and economically.
5H program goals · Raise the standard of living in impoverished areas · Educate individuals at every level: mental, physical, emotional, spiritual · Create a grassroots model for progressive social change · Give every human being a chance to live a disease-free body and a stress-free mind · Inculcate human values and foster harmony in diversity |
Since its inception in 1997, the goal of 5H is to create a social transformation that will eradicate poverty, misery and disease, and ensure peace and harmony among communities. In India South Africa , Cameroon , Brazil , USA and Kenya
A team of motivated and committed volunteers who are a direct product of the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) are writing the script of this phenomenal success story in social development.
Launched in August 1999, the program has provided 51,460 youth with intensive training in all aspects of 5H service projects. The innovative workshop combines breathing techniques and meditation with leadership and communication skills and human values. Through practical life-management skills, youth are trained inculcated with a sense of responsibility toward socio-economic development.
Homes:
5H helps communities with basic building needs such as homes, schools, and multi-purpose community centers. The Foundation provides these structures, and at the same time, fosters self-reliance in the community by educating people in areas such as construction, land-and-water-resource management, crop planning, and modern animal husbandry. The Foundation has built 1,526 houses so far.
The security of having one’s own house has a deep impact on human lives. In 2002, the media reported the suicides of a widowed woman and her four children in Basvangangur village of the Shimoga district in Karnataka. The reason was the failure on the part of the concerned authority to provide her family with a house. The Art of Living Foundation decided to prevent this tragic story from repeating in other families of the village. A 28-year old Art of Living youth leader conceived project to build free homes for the homeless, fired by a desire to make a difference to the lives of the people. Within a few months, 30 families got a roof over their heads. The youth leader, who spearheaded the project, credits the Youth Leadership Training Program for instilling confidence in her. “Before doing the program, I used to be very lazy and very shy. The solid training I received through YLTP has prepared me to face any challenge,” said Manjula Patil, who comes from a small village in Belgaum district in Karnataka , India
Health:
The 5H action plan for health includes educating people about general health practices and healthy eating habits, particularly children and expectant mothers. The 5H program believes that an emphasis on hygiene is the key to eradicating the majority of health problems in many villages. Great importance is placed on clean drinking water, spreading awareness about and dispensing viable alternative medicines, educating entire villages in methods of disease prevention and organizing free health, dental and eye clinics in rural areas with volunteer medical professionals.
Youth leaders in West Bengal organized Breath Water Sound workshops, and distributed medicine and relief materials to address the devastation caused by the 2007 floods.
Hygiene:
Achieving and maintaining good health is difficult where there are inadequate sanitation practices and lack of clean drinking water. 5H volunteers help create vital awareness about hygiene through a variety of programs. Projects include finding and providing clean drinking water, developing clean surrounding and a garbage disposal system, and organizing camps on personal hygiene, drainage and sanitation awareness. 5H volunteers have adopted a practical approach, motivating and helping villagers to build toilets, drill wells for clean drinking water, construct water storage tanks and construct garbage bins where needed. Participants are inspired to take responsibility for their surroundings and keep them clean.
In a village in Haryana , India
Human Values:
The core of all the service programs is human values – friendliness, caring, respect and trust. Through the projects, volunteers actively promote these values. Local community members embrace this unique attitude through integrated interactions, motivating each other and spreading the spirit of service with love. This attitude is the force behind the success of the 5H program.
In Mid-March 2007, violence broke out in Nandigram, West Bengal . The massacre claimed many lives, including those of women and children. In an atmosphere heavy with tension and distrust, youth leaders from the Art of Living Foundation invited residents to attend stress-elimination workshops. Satsangs were organized to create a relaxed atmosphere. These initiatives helped restore a sense of normalcy.
Harmony in Diversity:
Through education that instills honor for diversity in nature and a sense of belonging to the world, the 5H program creates a platform for sharing the common moral and spiritual values inherent in all religions. The 5H program provides cultural exposure to diverse populations through group meetings and community gatherings.
In a village in Haryana , India
Holistic Community Development in · Implementing the 5H Program in 34,422 villages · Giving a New Direction by training 61,460 youth leaders · Creating Stress-free Individuals by conducting 1,21,589 workshops · Fostering Better Ties among People through 59,814 community gatherings · Promoting Better Health by 23,618 medical camps, 87 primary healthcare centers · Giving a Stable Life by gifting 1,527 homes · Providing Water Supply through 1,036 borewells · Creating a Healthier Environment by planting 22,51,091 trees · Development Employment Opportunities through 2,915 Self Help Groups · Developing a Cleaner Society by carrying out 48,869 cleaning camps, constructing 5,670 toilets and 528 new drains |
Kapsi, Maharashtra
A four-year drought in Kapsi, Maharashtra between 2000 and 2003 worsened the economic conditions of its residents. The 5H program adopted the village in 2003, and has since revived the village’s fortunes.
Twenty-seven check dams were built to ensure water is collected for future agricultural use, which helped raise the water table. Regular Breath Water Sound workshops greatly reduced alcoholism in the village. In order to help women who suffer from respiratory problems due to coal fired stoves, the Foundation worked with local leaders to set up a biogas plant as a clean alternative. The Foundation built toilets in Kapsi for women, many of whom suffered from digestive tract illnesses due to unsanitary practices. Today, every home in the village has an individual toilet.
The Art of Living Foundation’s sanitation project has helped eight villages from Maharashtra win the Nirmal Gram Puraskar, awarded by the President of India to initiatives that improve hygiene and sanitation. More than 5,760 toilets have been built in across the country.
Experts from the His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, advised farmers from Kapsi and neighboring villages on better farming methods. The techniques of chemical-free and zero-budget farming have improved the yield of sugarcane and other crops in the area.
Youth Leaders in Youth training programs have been held in the West and “The experience I got is out of this world. The YLTP is a dream come true to me. I don’t know how to describe the feeling of peace with myself. I’m calm and I know how to control my emotions and my mind is clear now. In fact, my body, mind and soul are at peace,” said Pumeza Jack from Ntsimango. “I experienced that there are a lot of good things I can do, like letting go of things like thinking too much about the past, stress, anger and depression. I have gained a smile back in my life. I’ve just learnt to live my life golden,” Lonwabo said. “The greatest thing I have learned is to use knowledge positively and not to fear life. The YLTP has taught and made me aware of how to love and care for another in order to make a difference and to find the true leader in me. Now I understand how to lead my community, country and our universe, to find peace, love, harmony. We can only achieve this through service. Service is not an employment, it is a blessing.” -Mario Davids |
Education for Underprivileged Children
Building a Future of Unprecedented Opportunities
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s education-based initiatives focus on marginalized communities. There is a high possibility that children in many of these rural and tribal areas would go into child labor if not given this educational opportunity. In October 2007, the Foundation unveiled a joint declaration with UNICEF to further the cause of child rights.
The Art of Living Foundation runs 86 schools in tribal and rural belts of India
Along with making quality education accessible to underprivileged children, the Foundation also provides access to health care. Students and their parents receive regular medical check-ups and stress-relief workshops. They are also provided with uniforms, stationery and mid-day meals.
One such rural school is located near the Foundation’s international center in
“I come to this school from a far off village and my school provides free bus facility from my home to school. We have a good playground and our teachers encourage us to participate in various sports’ activities. We also have various other courses like computer training and tailoring. I am very grateful to be able to come here.” - Niranjan Balakrishnan, 14 |
Similar schools have also been set up in slums in urban areas, such as Dharavi in Mumbai, the largest slum in Asia . The first English medium school in Dharavi was started by the Foundation. More than 150 students are provided with stationery, uniforms and a quality education.
“My child seldom interacted with others, but after joining the school, he is a regular boy, running around and shouting. He has gained confidence with the Art Excel Course taught at the school. He loves going there so much so that he wants to go to school even on Sundays.” - Vasanti Kulkarni in Dharavi |
Empowering Women
Instilling Confidence and a Sense of Independence
The Foundation and its partners have initiated numerous vocational programs for women around the world.
In South Africa
“The project has done a lot to help our people help themselves. We no longer need to beg and this has done wonders to our self-esteem.” - Muzi Maphumulo, Coordinator of the Ohlange Bead |
In Jharkhand , India
In Bangalore India
“I head a self-help group of around 300 women. We need the help of The Art of Living Foundation to train and instill confidence in them to become women entrepreneurs, leaders of their community and participate in elections.” - Laxmi Krishnamurty, a woman from Malur, Karnataka |
In 1985, the Foundation began the VISTA India (Value Integrated Services to All) project geared toward providing vocational training to illiterate, emotionally abused and sick women. Located near Bangalore
The Path to Empowering Women
Imparting Vocational Training - Setting up units in the areas affected by the tsunami in Tamil Nadu, India
Providing Assistance to Existing Projects – Giving a peanut butter machine to 80 women in Murewa , Zimbabwe
Empowering Women to Take the Lead – One woman in Gujarat led a project to plant 100,000 fruit trees, which addressed issues of environmental imbalance and provided a livelihood for an entire village
Collaborating with Other Agencies on Women-related Issues – Partnering with United Nations Population Fund to increase awareness against sex selection and female feoticide in India
Addressing the Victim in Every Culprit
Rehabilitating Prisoners
“Expand your vision and see that inside every culprit is a victim crying for help. If you heal the victim, you will eliminate crime from the planet.” - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar began the Prison Program to provide prisoners with an opportunity to integrate into the mainstream and heal themselves. The workshop teaches the Sudarshan Kriya, which has been extremely effective in helping prisoners cope with their emotions.
More than half of the 604 inmates who participated in study after the prison program reported a reduction in emotions such as anger, depression and fear. The inmates, of the Taipei Tu-Chen Detention Center and the Taichung Detention Center in Taiwan
Rehabilitation of Prisoners Around the World Since the inception of the Prison Program in 1990, thousands of inmates, victims of crime and law-enforcement officers across the globe have been transformed - Kosovo The Department of Justice has opened the doors of all of Kosovo’s prisons to the program |
Tihar Jail, Asia’s largest prison, is home to some of India
SRIJAN –Social Rehabilitation of Inmates in Jail and Aiding the Needy
SRIJAN is a new program introduced by the Foundation to provide a variety of opportunities for prisoners, such as theatre, music and dance workshops, personality development and vocational training (commercial arts, costume jewellery, fashion technology, weaving.) There are three SRIJAN workshops in New Delhi India
Special programs are also being held for police officials with very encouraging results.
“Prison Programs were conducted for the Delhi Police Training College
Violence Ends Where Love Begins “I used to actually look forward to fights… but now, since doing this course, I’m a totally different person. I can now walk away from a fight.” -- Inmate, Pollsmoor Prison, “Since doing this program, my mind doesn't snap like it used to before. I know now that I can live a positive life with no anger whatsoever. I'm not really a person of crime, the only problem was that I was shaking when people irritated me, and my anger started controlling me. But now that's a memory of the past.” -- Inmate, “The Prison Smart Courses has brought out remarkable transformation in jail inmates. Even the most hard core of criminals have been touched by the essence of the basic course. In the bitterness and monotony that surrounds the life of a jail inmate, The Art of Living Foundation has given the inmates an opportunity to vent their emotions and cleanse their psyche. Medical camps and other social events have further strengthened their belief in the innate goodness of mankind and has rekindled the good side of their personalities.” - Ashok Choudhary, State Minister, Home (Jail) Dept., “The Art of Living Course was very beneficial for me uncovering things about myself that I never realized had been bothering me. It helped me be at peace with myself from issues, feelings and the things that I participated in at war. The breathing brought out memories in me that I didn't know existed. Through that I have been able to come to peace with some of the things that I did and the way I felt about them. I wish I could have been availed this breathing 40 years ago.” - Noel Olsen, “If an iron rod is heated in the middle, the rod bends at that point – like that, my life has turned. In the ’90s, I used to smoke. In the millennium, it was something even worse. But now, I am changed – completely transformed. Now we have understood that only love can win the world.” -- Hardcore Terrorist Inmate, Udhampur Jail, “There were times when I wanted to die so I could be rid of all the embarrassment of being in prison. I have spent so many sleepless nights and would constantly have to take sleeping pills. But now after doing the Sudarshan Kriya, for the first time I felt all past impressions and rigidity dissolving and I cannot explain how light I feel. I can talk to myself now. I feel free from inside.” - Niloufer, Byculla Jail, “These sinners have turned into saints.” - Ganesh Prasad, Head warden, Beur Jail, |
Across the Table:
An icon of non-violence, human values and universal brotherhood, His Holiness His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar is continuously engaged in bridging the existing religious divides in the world. He stands up strongly against anything that polarizes the world along religious lines.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has played a strong role in various interfaith conferences across the globe exhorting people of all faiths to celebrate their differences and work towards a peaceful society where human values, rather than religious dogmas, flourish.
Religious Harmony
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been active in meeting the heads of different religions to foster better understanding between different ideologies and usher in a spirit of harmony and non-violence.
In January 2005, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed the First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace held in Brussels Belgium and King Mohammed VI of Morocco
“Even if a small place is left without wisdom, the world is not going to be a safe place.”
At the conference on “Religions and Peace: From Terrorism to Global Ethics”, held at the Kremlin Palace
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has offered to mediate between the Hindus and Muslims factions in India
Unity Among Castes
Although the Dalits comprise around 25 percent of India New Delhi , India
“Caste discrimination can be solved only through reforms and by educating people in human values, not by creating hatred between communities. Hatred will only polarize the society and create civil wars,” said His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar.
Inspired by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the gathering adopted a seven-point action plan which aims at spreading the spirit of reconciliation across India
His Holiness Sri Sri § Ensuring temple entry rights for Dalits § Organizing collective celebrations including community festivals § Abolishing the practice of segregating the utensils used by Dalits § Empowering women and educational facilities for the economically weaker sections of society § Providing spiritual and religious education to Dalit children Emphasizing equality and justice for all |
“We need to make people realize that discrimination is not sanctioned by religion. It is time to move forward instead of being mired in past mistakes. The anger of the past should not engulf us and divide the country. Fear and communication gaps between communities is what is keeping us apart. We must accept the reality and reconcile the differences.” - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
“What we have started today will resonate across the country and unite people. When leaders come together and take a vow, the people will follow them. My main concern is how to bring people together. This is not about one religion only. I want to bring all communities together on one platform.” – His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Walking Together
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has often reminded us that all the great traditions of the world have the same message of love, peace and harmony. In 2008, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brought together two ancient Indian traditions in a two-day conference titled ‘Vedanta and Buddhism: Bringing Global Peace in the Current Scenario’. Over 700 representatives from the Vedanta and Buddhist traditions attended the conference.
“The world needs to know how to live amidst differences and celebrate those differences,” His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told the audience which consisted of delegates from over 26 countries. Organized in association with the Maha Bodhi Society of India, the speakers included the Dhamma Master Hsin Tao, Founder of the Museum of World Religions and President of the Global Family of Love and Peace; Hon. B. K. Modi, President, Maha Bodhi Society of India; Ven. Wathuruwila Siri Sujatha Thero, Sri Nagavihara Temple, Sri Lanka; Rajyogini Sudesh Didi, Director, European Centers, Brahma Kumaris, and Dr. Mano Mettanando Laohavanich, Buddhist Master, advisor to the secretary general of Religions for Peace for the Buddhist affairs, Thailand. The participants pledged to work together towards global peace, social justice, and harmony.
Honoring Human Values
Much of the violence that is seen today is born out of religious and ethnic divides.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar developed the Universal Declaration of Human Values, which recognizes the need to address the root cause of violence and conflict and emphasizes the spiritual aspect of human existence. The Declaration supports the goals for which the United Nations was formed, including universal human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the objectives of the Millennium Declaration.
The Universal Declaration of Human Values was unveiled at an event at the John F. Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington , D.C.
Drafted in the form of a proposed resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the Universal Declaration of Human Values represents a fresh approach towards fostering harmonious co-existence and offers a roadmap for the way out of the increasing conflict and violence that is engulfing the world today. It emphasizes the urgent need to rekindle human values throughout the world in order to achieve peace, security and universal human rights. It is hoped that, in due course, member States will formally bring this document forward to the United Nations in accordance with normal General Assembly processes and channels, for discussion, adoption, and subsequent implementation. It is His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s intention that this Declaration serves as a tool to begin a global discussion of the issues it raises.
“We can all work toward a dual goal. One is to protect our environment, our planet Earth. The second thing is to protect human values -- compassion, friendliness, cooperation, and a sense of belonging to each other. This will protect our minds, save our hearts – the soul of the planet. These human values need to be nurtured so we can have a stress-free, violence-free society,” His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told the illustrious audience.
Incidentally, the day, March 28, was also declared ‘His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar Day in Washington ’ and the week ‘Human Values Week in Washington
Some focus areas of The Universal Declaration of Human Values § Promoting multi-cultural, multi-religious education to foster harmony in diversity § Rekindling human values to achieve universal human rights, peace, security, harmonious co-existence § Fostering creation of role models who epitomize human values |
Conclusion
Both IAHV and AOL under the guidance of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have accomplished unbelievable number of peace and community development programs worldwide, with volunteers in the millions all around the world across all 7 continents and 100’s of nations. This systemic approach by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar when spread to every nook and corner of this world, is bound to create a more positive, productive and peaceful society all over.
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