Thaindian News

Washington, Oct 16 (IANS) One of the largest collective meditations for world peace and social harmony was organised by the Art of Living Foundation in over 30 cities in the American continent, from Argentina to Venezuela to the US.
“Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace. We have to create harmony within the individual, and harmony in society,” says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, which began its movement from Bangalore.

Following his vision of a stress-free and violence-free society, one of the largest collective meditations in the continent was hosted by the Art of Living Foundation in over 30 cities in America, according to a press release by the foundation. These included cities in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, US and Venezuela.

With the slogan ‘America Meditates because Peace is Contagious’, thousands of Art of Living members, including politicians, musicians, government officials and journalists gathered at public places like parks, plazas, schools in a simultaneous demonstration of peace and harmony.

In Argentina alone, the meditation included thousands of celebrities, led by Gran Rabbi Sergio Bergman, former head of government Jorge Tellerman, renowned TV anchors Ari Paluch and Pablo Dugan, the release said.

As thousands came together, Beatriz, an Art of Living teacher, commented that meditation and Art of Living techniques have transformed the aggression and violence inside people into compassion, love and care.