Many escape from traumatic circumstances. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar gets on the first flight to the crisis, and recently it was Oslo.
Text: Kari Bu kari@erlikoslo.no
Since being a small boy, the Indian peace worker has been saying that the world is his family. In 1981 he started the Foundation Art of Living, which now operates in 151 countries. Humanitarian work is only one part of the activities. Because people can be frustrated even if they are not poor. Art of Living is also giving courses to overcome stress, depression and aggression. The Foundation is religious independent, and cultivates spiritual and humanitarian values across national interests.
After studies at the university of Bangalore, Gurudev travelled around with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - the guru who was the spiritual mentor of the Beatles. at Lysebu hotel in Holmenkollen he is walking around like a common guest. Or almost common. In the 2nd floor, he has placed some sheets on the floor in the colour of peace. He is a small man with a light and pleasant voice.
- When I heard about the bomb and shootings in Norway, I cancelled all other plans. If there a problem in one part of my family, it is my duty to come. I will try to give people peace of mind. I have been present after tsunamis, earthquakes and terrorist attacks. It was shocking that such a thing could happen in Scandinavia. Now we understand that no place can call itself fully trained in peace. We must attend to the youth, and get non-violence and care into the education system.
- You have previously said that terrorists have no religion. Can you elaborate on that?
- People who kill, do not believe in the values that religion is all about. Religion is about honouring life and love. If human values are missing, it cannot be called religious. Some people have a lot of accumulated anger and frustration. They do not know what to do with it. They have never learnt how to get rid of negative emotions. They can take out the aggression on people who are different, because they do not know them. In order for the world to be a safe place, people must learn how to achieve inner peace.
Many times,Gurudev has seen violent people change. Art of Living work a lot in prisons, and has also given Al Qaeda supporters a new life. Mohammad Afroz was arrested at Mumbai Airport while the U.S. was hunting terrorists. He wanted to perform terrorist attacks in India, UK and Australia. Later, he created headlines in Mumbai's local newspapers, because he refused to be released on bail. He wanted to stay in prison in order to complete an advanced course in the Art of Living. The teacher, Dinesh Ghodke, said that the student new calm was due to meditation. He had overcome the past and broadened the perspective.
- Everybody is wondering about how a terrorist can become a person who wants to serve mankind. Then I say that there are no bad people, only unconscious people. Inside the culprit is a victim crying for help. We cannot remove hate with hate. Only love can transform hate. Recently Norway has inspired the whole world to show love. Generally we consider it a private matter. But love is the language the world should speak now, also in public. We must realize that love is more powerful than hatred, says Gurudev.
- When I grew up, non-violence had a high status. All were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. If someone was aggressive in the classroom, it was looked down upon. But slowly the pride has become associated with aggression and violence. The aggressive has become the hero of the class, not the peaceful. We must reverse the trend, honouring non-violence and valuing care. We have approximately 70 years each on this planet. It is not even enough time to express love, so how can we have time for hatred?
- What can Norway learn from the catastrophe, Gurudev asks himself. - Yes, to live with differences and disagreements. Not run away from it. People who make trouble must get to tell their side of the story. We must listen to how they view reality. A one-sided view on a case tells us nothing. It is only when we look at the situation from different angles that we are able to understand it.
At the Oslo Convention Centre at Youngstorget Gurudev gets to meet a multicultural assembly the same evening. He gives a lecture along with the mayor of Oslo and several others. The politician Abid Raja talks about dialogue meetings he has held at the House of Literature. Here also people with rabid opinions got a chance to speak. Police and politicians have listened to them. Youth who used to cause trouble, say that the meetings have given them new attitudes.
We are also at the Oslo Convention Centre, and we get to hear what a woman in the audience saw right after the 22nd of July.
- A man from the Romani people went around with several bouquets of roses. I thought that he wanted to sell them, but he didn’t. He placed them outside the church. That made an impression on me.
A male participant at the meeting asks if Gurudev thinks it is possible to create a just world within today’s financial system. He himself sounds doubtful.
- My short answer is yes. It is possible to combine business and ethics, usefulness and care, says Gurudev. We who are working with =Oslo already know it.
