Sri Sri reaches Israel, chants 'Shalom'

Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 8, 2003
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=273347

Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises may soon become part of the daily routine of hardened criminals and extremists in Israel's high security jails if the violence-torn Jewish state implements prison programmes designed by the Indian spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who is here on a mission of love and peace.
 
At their meetings with the high-profile Indian new age Guru over the past couple of days, Israeli leaders including President Moshe Katsav, former Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Natan Sharansky evinced keen interest in the activities and programmes of Sri Sri Shankar's Art of Living Foundation including prison reforms.
 
Katsav told the Guru that Israel was facing a situation of war, bloodshed and terrorism since its independence and "the last three years have been the most difficult in our history."
 
Spiritual leaders will have to come together and educate people to shun suicide bombers, Katsav said The Israeli president said relations between Tel Aviv and New Delhi "are developing very well. I believe Israel and India share common values, interests and concerns."
 
The president was appreciative of the work being done by The Art of Living Foundation and the international spiritual movement launched by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
 
The Guru told the president that the only solution for the problems of the day was to bring about change of mind and heart as external forces alone would not be effective in combating terrorism.
 
He informed Katsav that the foundation has been helping in providing post- traumatic rehabilitation programme and prison programmes in various parts of the world.
 
Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres also called on the Guru and hosted a lunch in his honour.
 
Asserting that the spiritual wisdom of India was "very close" to his heart, he appreciated India's progress inspite of all odds.
 
The founder of the internationally acclaimed 'Sudarshan Kriya' breathing exercises, who is here on a five day visit with a message of love and peace, touched many a heart as he met victims of terror, visited resettlement colonies and hospitals.
 
During the visit, he also went around the walled city of Jerusalem and met with Jews, Christians and Muslims besides addressing students at Tel Aviv University.
 

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