TheCable

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, global peace ambassador and humanitarian, has recommended meditation in businesses, families and communities as a necessity in creating lasting peace.

Gurudev made the call over the weekend during the Business Leaders Roundtable hosted by the Art of Living Foundation Nigeria and attended by leading personalities, prominent business leaders and dignitaries from across the country.

In his opening remarks, Shankar emphasised the importance of empathetic and community-focused leadership in helping to bring peace to the world.

“Countries around the world spend billions and trillions of dollars. I’m saying if they spend even 0.1 percent of their national resources on education and holistic health of their citizens, I’m sure the world would be a better place,” he said.

The peace envoy, who was joined by Lanre Olusola, Africa’s premier life, mind, and behavioural catalyst, highlighted how meditation practice has improved relationships between warring factions in countries such as Colombia and can help to address depression, create a positive mindset and also build emotional resilience.

“Each year, thousands of lives are lost to depression due to suicide,” Gurudev added.

“Studies say one person dies every 40 seconds from suicide, but it is preventable. One of the ways we can do that is to teach people how to use their breath to get rid of tension and aggression, and it is an effective method to relax and calm the mind. About 80% of the toxins in our body can be released through our breath, but unfortunately, we do not pay attention to it.

“How can we change a nation through emotional resilience? By learning the basic steps in meditation and breathing techniques.

“There are different sources of energy — food, rest, breath and meditation. Before leading a short meditation session.”

He called on business and community leaders to create a sense of belonging.

According to the humanitarian leader, building personal connections among people through meditation will ensure peace and a better world.

The roundtable forms part of activities leading to the first-ever Culture Festival in Africa, which started on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre.

Themed “Vibrant Africa: The Rising Rhythm”, the festival aims to build a compassionate and harmonious society by bringing the people of the world together in celebration through song, dance, meditation, and dialogue.