{"id":28011,"date":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-30T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gurudev.artofliving.org\/work\/uncategorized\/us-congressional-representatives-meditate-with-sri-sri\/"},"modified":"2024-11-17T18:45:11","modified_gmt":"2024-11-17T13:15:11","slug":"us-congressional-representatives-meditate-with-sri-sri","status":"publish","type":"work","link":"https:\/\/gurudev.artofliving.org\/de\/work\/leadership-ethics\/us-congressional-representatives-meditate-with-sri-sri\/","title":{"rendered":"US Congressional Representatives meditate with Gurudev"},"content":{"rendered":"

Washington, DC
\nApril 30, 2015<\/p>\n

Even as the world gears up to mark the maiden International Day of Yoga, US Congressional Representatives yesterday acquainted themselves with an authentic experience of yoga and meditation with Gurudev.<\/em><\/h4>\n

On Thursday, April 30, 2015, Congressional Representatives began their morning with a meditation led by global thought and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The unique event served as a platform for the nation\u2019s leaders to discuss the importance of meditation in resolving the nation\u2019s pressing concerns, particularly PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms among the country\u2019s veterans and youth.<\/p>\n

\"Gurudev<\/p>\n

Gurudev addressing the US congressional representatives at the Capitol Hill<\/em><\/h5>\n

\u201cThe secret of meditation is in letting go,\u201d Gurudev told the gathering, which included war veterans and policy makers. \u201cStress arises when we have too much to do, and not enough energy or time to do it. We can neither change time nor the number of things we need to do. So, the only option is to increase energy levels. And this can be accomplished through yoga, breathing techniques and meditation,\u201d Gurudev elaborated.<\/p>\n

\"Gurudev<\/p>\n

The Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with US congressional representatives<\/em><\/h5>\n

\u201cIt is just wonderful to have Gurudev come to Congress and remind us of the power and beauty within us,\u201d said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. \u201cClearly, the meditation was the very best part. The feeling of self-control and empowerment got reinforced. I feel so good right now, after 20 minutes of meditation. I think it\u2019s a really beautiful and self-empowering experience and I\u2019m so excited about the impact that it can have on veterans and school students,\u201d said Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now know as a matter of science that [meditation] produces empirical benefits to our society, to our country, to the world. There is no better spokesperson for it than Gurudev,\u201d added Congressman Steve Israel.<\/p>\n

\"Gurudev<\/p>\n

Gurudev with Congressman Steve Israel at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC<\/em><\/h5>\n

The Art of Living\u2019s \u2018Project Welcome Home Troops\u2019 (PWHT) program in the US has helped more than 1000 war veterans experience reduction in PTSD symptoms, and re-adapt to civilian life, through breathing techniques and meditation. \u201cI struggled for 10 years. I looked to medication, and I was at a point where suicide seemed like a really good option\u2026. until I found PWHT and that was a life-changing event.\u201d shared Tom Voss who served in the infantry in Iraq during 2003-2006.<\/p>\n

Congressman Tim Ryan, who is also a long time meditator and PWHT supporter, commended the effectiveness of Gurudev\u2019s techniques, and his commitment to social causes. He said, \u201cGurudev has an approach that can solve a lot of problems. He is very much an inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Gurudev<\/p>\n

Congressman Ryan thanking Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Capitol Hill after Gurudev addressed the US congressional representatives<\/em><\/h5>\n

The inspiration for programs across 152 countries is Gurudev\u2019s message which focusses on individual transformation through a peaceful, stress-free mind as the basis for societal peace.<\/p>\n

Last week, Gurudev addressed a series of events in Europe, including a talk on Yoga at the European Parliament and a discourse at UNESCO in Paris.<\/p>\n

Prior to the Congressional event, on 29th April 2015, the Embassy of India in Washington, DC, hosted a talk by Gurudev on \u2018Nurturing peace through Yoga and Meditation\u2019 wherein Gurudev launched the series of events to welcome the International Day of Yoga. On Wednesday, he also addressed All Souls Church in Washington DC.<\/p>\n

www.artofliving.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even as the world gears up to mark the maiden International Day of Yoga, US Congressional Representatives yesterday acquainted themselves with an authentic experience of yoga and meditation with Gurudev.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":28029,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"work-categories":[234],"content-tags":[250],"class_list":["post-28011","work","type-work","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","work-categories-leadership-ethics","content-tags-news"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t