Art of Living opens its first peace centre in Islamabad
Spiritual guru of the ‘Art of Living (AOL)' fame Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Tuesday offered to engage with the Taliban to help resolve the ongoing conflict. Speaking to his followers in the federal capital after opening the first AOL Peace Centre in Pakistan, he said: “I want to talk to the Taliban, understand them; give them my opinion, my piece of mind.”
This was his refrain through his interactions here; both with his followers and the media. Asked how AOL could be used to deal with the situation facing Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said: “AOL should engage in conflict resolution wherever possible. We can make a difference. We should keep trying and not give up.”
Earlier, while interacting with the media, ‘Guruji' said he was willing to meet the Taliban and have a dialogue with them. “Life is too short; we do not have enough time to love. Where is the time to fight?”
Asked what he would say to the Taliban, he said: “I don't have ready answers but when I meet them and talk to them, will find the answers.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived here from Lahore in the morning and headed straight to the outskirts of Banigala where the Peace Centre is located along the edges of the Rawal dam. After a fleeting interaction with his followers, he spent the next hour giving interviews to the international media before addressing the gathering, taking a few questions and leading a short meditation.
Conscious of the Pakistani chattering classes' angst over corruption, he dwelt on the subject — claiming that AOL had managed to create a revolution in India by administering an oath against giving and taking bribes and pasting ‘I do not take bribe' stickers on the desks of officials.
He also met some religious leaders of Islamabad after which he visited the shrine of Bari Imam, the patron saint of the federal capital. He is set to open the second AOL Peace Centre in Karachi on Wednesday; thereby providing a base camp for his followers to keep up with the meditation and stem the tendency to ‘drop out.'
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar first came to Pakistan in 2004 and since then has had a following here with several trainers in meditation in the three main cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Though security was tight for him, the guru claimed he was able to move around more freely this time round as opposed to the last visit when he was surrounded by security men and holed up in a hotel.
Keywords: Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Pakistan AOL centre
The spiritual guru has offered to talk to the warring groups, and the governments abroad
should accept this offer, to find out whether peace can be established through the good
Offices of a spiritual chief. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has made this announcement with all good
intentions, and it is a well known fact That he as no vested interests in making this offer to
bring the parties to the same table. He believes in peace for the entire humanity. If the
peace is established, the world becomes a better place for humanity. C.P.Chandra Das,
from USA.
In these difficult days where everything negative and scandalous attracts attention, we also have sincere people like Sri Sri taking efforts to bridge differences between countries. Few hundred years back this was part of one nation, but it does not take much time to hate each other. I hope this visit will lead to change in our attitude towards our neighbours
Venkatesh Patil there is hatred neither among the masses nor among the countries; both India and Pakistan are being played upon each other by some interest seeking persons and factions.... as far as Guru Ji's efforts are concerned, they are highly revered and appreciated but to solve the Taliban issue it is something far more than the peace game! Guru and Shahid I totally second your opinions!
This is the best way to engage in peace process. Hope Islamabad realises this and engages with India in meaningful discussions without spreading hatred in their backyard.
I recently watch a youtube video, where the "Guruji" was spitting fire and ridiculing Islam and Muslims. I used to have great respect towards Ravi Shankar. But, after watching the video I decided then and there that he does not deserve that respect. I fail to understand how he preaches about peace and unity on one hand and on the other utter such nasty things about a religion. I feel he does not have any locus standi to talk to Taliban. He should first reform himself before preaching to others.
The ‘Art of Living (AOL)' fame Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's statement
“Life is too short; we do not have enough time to love. Where is the time to fight?” reminds one of another great adage-"No wrong is great enough that it cannot be corrected by love." Indeed! only mutual understanding based on the pillars of LOVE, TRUST, and RESPECT for fellow human being offers the hope for a better world than the one we are struggling somehow to hang on. "Blessed are they with pure heart for they shall see the truth."
let him talk to RSS first and get them straight. First clean own home.
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