Headlines
Indian spiritual leader brings meditation to US lawmakers
Washington, May 2
Indian spiritual leader Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar led a meditation session with US lawmakers on Capitol
Hill that House member Jan Schakowsky termed as a "beautiful and
self-empowering experience."
The event Thursday morning
highlighted how meditation can help resolve several concerns
particularly Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among America's
veterans and youth issues.
"The secret of meditation is in
letting go," said Shankar to the gathering, which also consisted of war
veterans and policy leaders.
"Stress arises when we have too much
to do, and not enough energy or time to do it. We can neither change
time nor the number of things we need to do.
"So, the only option
is to increase energy levels. And this can be accomplished through
breathing techniques and meditation," he said.
Shankar's "Project
Welcome Home Troops" (PWHT) programme in the US has helped more than
1000 veterans experience reduction in PTSD symptoms, and re-adapt to
civilian life, through breathing techniques and meditation.
The
event also highlighted the Indian guru's youth programmes, which aim to
equip youth with practical tools and life skills to manage stress and
emotions.
When asked about the secret behind his philosophy,
Shankar said, "What we really look for in life is happiness. Societal
progress should not only be measured based on GDP but also GDH (Gross
Domestic Happiness)."
"When an individual is able to deal with his/her negative emotions in a healthy way, he/she can be truly happy," he said.
Among over a dozen lawmakers attending the meditation session was the lone Indian-American House member Ami Bera.