Jubilee of Love and Joy
The ancient dream of a One World Family, came alive at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Art of Living in Bangalore
Who was there? OR…. Who wasn’t?
Kings, prime ministers and presidents and World Bank executives brushed shoulders with housewives, NASA engineers, rural villagers, and movie stars at the three-day 25th anniversary conference of the Art of Living Foundation in Bangalore, India.
““His Holiness, who is the symbol of selfless service to humanity, has shown us that we can live together in peace and love.”
~ King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of Ghana.
Historically conflicting communities seemed to find peace in those 72 hours. Indians and Pakistanis, Chinese and Taiwanese, Bosnians and Serbians, Iranians, Iraqis and Americans were among the 2.5 million people who stood side-by-side in the 265-acre Jakkur Airfield. They brought into fruition, the ideal of the One World Family or Vasudhaiva Kutukbakam, that was the echoed theme of the event.
“This was the first attempt of its kind to bring all religious and spiritual leaders on a single platform."
~Maulana Haseed Siddiqui
Religious leaders of all of the world’s major faiths, political leaders from opposing parties and artists of screen, stage and sound shared the 30-foot-tall, 3.85-acre stage, whose design was inspired by Hampi architecture.
Celebration and serenity merged as His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar lead millions through Sudarshan Kriya, the stress elimination breathing process, and a session of deep meditation, thus marking the event as the largest group meditation ever recorded.
“My name is Hashmi, but it does not matter any more. I am from Saudi Arabia. It doesn’t matter anymore. I have been wondering why I’m here. I have two answers. First, I don’t know and second, which is more important, is I don’t want to know. We don’t have to find reasons to love each other.”
An orchestra, comprised of 3,800 South Indian musicians who had never played or rehearsed together, spontaneously performed a musical symphonyeach night. They played 100 ghatams, 360 mrudungams, 60 tamburas, 770 veenas, 782 violins, 750 flutes, 150 guitars and many other instruments. Performances by revered Indian and international musicians reiterated the theme of unity among different people and cultures of the world.
The event was managed and coordinated by about 30,000 volunteers, many of them rural youth who’ve been part of a sustainable rural development project called the 5H program and participated in its Youth Leadership Training Program.
“He (Sri Sri) has blessed the world like the sun.”
~Poojya Ramdev Maharaj
Security was less than 10 percent of the norm for an event of this scope and magnitude, particularly one that included the presidents of India and Mauritius, King of Ghana and former prime ministers of France and the Netherlands, according to police and other security personnel.
“It (Art of Living) is the beginning for every being and everything. The love that Sri Sri embodies will prevail and empower humankind.”
~Ruud Lubbers, Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands
The three days at Jakkur February 17, 2006: Saints and religious leaders from all of the world’s major faiths spoke for the peaceful resolution of the world’s conflicts. More than 150 religious leaders from the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Jain and Zoroastrian communities reinforced the need for a broader understanding of the common values across religions.
February 18, 2006: The evening’s speakers included businessmen, citizens of Iraq and Saudia Arabia and political leaders from countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, Mongolia and Sri Lanka. Many of them made the case for a united march toward tackling poverty, violence and corruption.
Ruud Lubbers, a former prime minister of theNetherlands who currently heads the Earth’s Charter, and the King of Ghana, his royal highness Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, emphasized the importance of bringing the knowledge of the Art of Living to communities around the world in order to strengthen governance and reduce corruption.
“What a great world we live in. We speak different languages, we look different, we may eat different food but His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has brought all of us together,” the King of Ghana said. “All over the world, people are aware of the tremendous work of the Art of Living Foundation and the spirit of volunteerism it fosters in communities”
More reviews about the The Art of Living,The Joy of Life