The Art of Living, Sri Sri Rai Shankar und Die Kunst des Lebens - Yoga, Meditation, Humanitäre Projekte -NewsAbout usCoursesHumanitarian Projects

Virginia Tech Campus Shootings, USA (April 2007)
During the early morning hours of April 16, 2007, a gunman went on a rampage on the Virginia Tech campus, USA leaving 32 students and faculty members dead and several others injured. The massacre, the deadliest shooting incident by a single gunman in United States history shook the world, in particular the student community in USA. A few days after the shootings, Art of Living volunteers and youth instructors were invited to organise a programme for the Virginia Tech community on campus in which around 40 students participated.

“This course has been wonderful for me. Generally, I never get a chance - or take a chance to have some moments of peace or reflection. I tend to get angry and agitated easily. Over the past few days, I have had a calmness that has felt like a relief. I didn't know I was missing it until I felt it. Being aware of the calm, is for me, a gift in and of itself. I know how I want to be and feel for the first time in a while.” - Sandra Chelliah, Student, Virginia Tech

Suburban Railway Bomb Blasts, Mumbai, India (July 2006)
On July 11, 2006, Mumbai, India's financial capital was hit by a series of seven bomb blasts within 11 minutes on its Suburban Railway. The attacks left 209 dead, over 700 injured in the attacks and caused fear and panic among the residents. Art of Living conducted several trauma relief workshops benefiting hundreds of survivors and their families, witnesses and residents.

Voices of Relief
”Memories of the blast, the bleeding bodies and the screams haunted me for nights until my wife Pushpa finally forced me into attending this course that has completely rejuvenated my entire being.” -Dinesh Tirodkar

”It was only after the meditation that Dinesh slept soundly an entire night." -Pushpa Tirodkar

"After attending just these few days of the course, I have now geared up to deal with any disaster with a smile. In fact, I boarded a local train to attend today's session. It was the first time since the blasts.” -Vishwas Rao

Terrorist Attack, Madrid, Spain (March 2004)
The 2004 Madrid train bombings were a series of coordinated bombings against the commuter train system of Madrid on the morning of March 11, 2004, which killed 191 people and wounded over 1700.

Witnesses and victims were so traumatised, they could not even cry. Anger and vengeful tendencies were common, while in some cases depression and shock were overwhelming. Through its trauma relief workshops, Art of Living taught stress-elimination techniques to several thousand people who were directly and indirectly affected by the terror attack.

"I have seen people who could not cry, they where haunted by the images of the tragedy. Many had busted ear drums caused by the explosion," says Sylvie Dunand French therapist and representative of The Art of Living Foundation in Spain, who organised free post traumatic stress release courses.

Communal Riots, Gujarat, India (2002)
When riots broke out between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, the carnage had led to death and displacement of thousands of people from both communities. In an atmosphere of unrest, instability and fear, trained volunteers of the Art of Living worked to reduce tension and uncertainty through trauma relief workshops and counselling session.

Art of Living conducted trauma relief programmes in 25 relief camps for the residents. The outcome of the trauma programmes that included Art of Living’s time-tested breathing techniques and meditation was so powerful that 450 residents of Kutub-e-Aalam Dargah camp were able to overcome the pain and stress of the riot and return to their homes within a short time. As a result, the camp was closed in 45 days. A similar outcome was seen in the Jahangir Nagar relief camp where the workshops helped 300 people resume normal lives and this camp too was closed in 10 days.

Over 250 people attended the workshop at the Shah Aalam Baba Dargah camp, located in one of the most volatile and sensitive areas. After the camp, a group of at least 50 women publicly admitted that they could now sleep very peacefully for the first time since the riot broke out.

The trauma relief programmes also helped around 300 high school students, who suffered from anxiety attacks post the incident, overcome their fear and appeared for the final exams. They were part of a group of 750 people at a relief camp.

“I was scared to walk down these roads even though these are familiar to me and I am a journalist. How did you (volunteers) manage to reach here?” -A reporter from a national daily to some volunteers conducting a trauma workshop at the Jahangir Nagar relief camp

H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar himself visited the affected areas after the riots and interacted with people sheltered in relief camps run by both the communities. He held discussion with community leaders on how to restore normalcy and build trust among people from different communities. Nearly 7,000 persons attended a session conducted by HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in a Muslim camp.

9/11 Terror Attack New York, USA (September 2001)
On September 11, 2001, nineteen Islamic terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda carried out coordinated suicide attacks, hijacking and intentionally crashing commercial passenger jet airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. This first major attack of global terrorism resulted in close to 3,000 casualties.

Within hours of the attack, Art of Living and its sister concern, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) were out on the streets to set up public trauma relief workshops benefiting over 1,000 victims, witnesses of the attacks and residents across USA.

They also arranged food for hundreds of fire-fighters in New York City, who dealing so thoroughly with the disaster had not been able to get any food for their members.

“I will always remember how this city rallied around its firefighters during this tragedy, but I will remember most of all the contribution of your group," says Battalion 32 Fire Chief James Bossert in his letter to The Art of Living Foundation's New York chairman Noah Hoffeld.

The Art of Living Foundation was invited to participate in "Back on Track America," a coalition aimed at getting businesses across America back on track in the post-September 11 business climate. Through this initiative, Art of Living Foundation's team of stress-management specialists toured several cities across America, providing stress-management services to small businesses and their employees.

"Life is stressful for all of us these days, and a meditative practice not only helps people deal more effectively with stress and anxiety, it also aids mental clarity and focus - qualities that any business can appreciate. The Art of Living Foundation was at the top of my list - I know their programmes, I respect their credentials and experience in this area. I'm very pleased to have them as part of this coalition." - Jane Applegate, CEO & Founder, SBTV.