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"It is a meeting no politician could organize!" Ms. Edith Cresson,
Former Prime Minister, France speaking at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Event.
This tongue-in-cheek remark from the Honorable Ms. Cresson carried the weight of truth behind it. Who could have imagined organizing a peace gathering of 2.5 million people from 110 countries? It required the vison of an exceptional spiritual leader, one who looked at all people in the planet as members of a One World Family. Sri Sri led a world-wide group of thousands of enthusiastic volunteers in organizing this gigantic event, always confident that the power of love could bring the impossible within reach.
One World Family: The massive crowd reflected the diversity of the One World Family, perhaps the most unique gathering ever - members of tribes from the farthest reaches of India to the King of Ghana, simple folks using bullock carts as means of transport to fast talking New Yorkers on jumbo jets, the President of India to a Pakistani psychiatrist from San Francisco - all had come together for one purpose - to celebrate humanity.
World Stage: Such a fantastic event demanded a magnificent stage and it certainly got one. A 30-foot-tall stage spread across the length of three football fields with a design inspired by Vijayanagara (Hampi) architecture was the jewel that adorned the 243-acre Jakkur airfield on the outskirts of Bangalore. Only half of this beautiful stage was enough to accommodate the 3800 Indian classical musicians who came together in an incredible orchestra and with very little practice performed a memorable musical symphony each of those three nights of celebration in Bangalore. They played 100 Ghatams , 360 Mrudangams (percussion), 60 Tamburas , 770 Veenas , 782 Violins, 150 Guitars, 750 Flutes, and many other instruments. Other harmonious performances by renowned Indian and international musicians reiterated the theme of unity among different peoples and cultures of the world.
Meditation of Millions: The first day was devoted to spirituality with a 1000 saints and religious leaders from all faiths gracing the stage to bless the large gathering. The second day had kings, presidents, and political leaders from all over the world stressing the path of spirituality and service championed by the Art of Living over the last 25 years. While each of the first two days ended with a peaceful meditation it was the third day that was truly spectacular as waves of the primordial sound "Om" swept the massive airfield from one end to the other. On this day H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led the crowd in an energizing Sudarshan Kriya culminating in the sweet silence of meditation. Never before had millions come together in such deep silence to foster an atmosphere for global peace and harmony. The evening continued with a rousing address from His Excellency, Abdul Kalam, the President of India and culminated with the "One World Family Dance", incorporating dance and music from all parts of the world.
Human Values Conference: On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee, the Foundation hosted a Human Values conference. Political, business and cultural leaders addressed about 500 delegates in the Vishalakshi Mantap meditation hall at the Foundation's international center in Bangalore. Speakers at the conference included United Nations Messenger of Peace, Vijay Amritraj; Dr. Michael Nobel, head of the Nobel Family Society; German musician Peter Maffay; CEO of American satellite company WorldSpace, Noah Samara; and Dr. Myron Scholes, Nobel prize laureate in economics.
The Jubilee celebrations continued a week later with a conference on Science, Consciousness, and Spirituality in New Delhi. Two impressive studies showed that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was relieved after just a few days of Art of Living trauma relief with Sudarshan Kriya-both for tsunami survivors and for a group of Australian War Veterans, some of who had experienced PTSD for more than 30 years.
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