Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar inspires 1 million in Africa to meditate for Peace

Peace Initiatives | Published: May 27, 2017 | 5 min read

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May 28th 2018

“I Meditate Africa” is an Art of Living Foundation initiative, inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, to promote meditation/quiet time, as part of peace building, across the African continent.

Africa has many burning issues of violence, conflict, & crime. In tackling the challenges facing Africa, the benefits of meditation can be given more consideration as being part of peace building. Meditation is not the answer to everything, & cannot provide direct solutions around poverty, hunger or unemployment, but it provides one with basic inner strength, and stability of mind. Behavior, attitude, decision making & problem solving all stem from inner strength and clarity of mind, so it becomes a useful tool in peace efforts. Building inner safety and security is imperative to address outer safety.

I Meditate Africa conducts mass peace meditations/prayers for Africa at schools, colleges, universities, prisons, factories, churches, corporates, for an entire month across the continent, culminating with a guided Peace Meditation on Africa Day with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Part of the campaign is to encourage learners across the continent to recite the African Union Anthem in a bid to create more belongingness amongst the countries.

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2017

Over 1 million people from multiple locations in 24 African countries participated in “I Meditate Africa” event in May 2017. Many more people from other countries also joined the online guided meditation by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

“Our brain functions on vibration. Mass meditation creates a positive vibration, which impacts not only on us but on our surroundings as well. Recent research shows meditation impacts on the grey mater in the brain. There is much research on meditation to show its impact on human consciousness and society at large.” – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

iMeditate Africa 2017

2016

In May 2016, over 750 000 people from 23 African countries contributed to peace building during the month of May. Prisoners at Luzira Prison from Kampala-Uganda joined Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s in the guided online Peace Meditation to mark Africa Day.

“When you meditate in a group, then the desires you have in your mind gets fulfilled. And when this desire is for a better and safer planet, the collective intention and energy of so many people is sure to manifest. There is a definite strength in the union of the hearts and minds of people.” – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

2015

During May 2015, over 500 000 people across Africa meditated for Peace in Africa. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar marked Africa day celebration on May 23rd, by uniting 25 African countries in a global online peace meditation for the prosperity of the continents people, resources, animals and natures.

2014

In Africa Month, May 2014, over 100 000 people from 24 African countries meditated for Peace for the African continent. Support from the international community was welcomed with a total of 76 countries participating in this effort. The largest contributors to the peace campaign were the educational sectors across the continent.

“Africa is known for its rhythm. Meditation is the rhythm of the soul & life; the way to bring a wave of Happiness on the planet. Thousands meditated for peace & prosperity in Africa & also across the world. May our intention for a peaceful & conflict-free Africa materialize. ” – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

2013

“On Africa’s 50th anniversary of unification in 2013, an estimated 10 000 people from 23 African countries, 30 African cites and 54 International countries were led into a peace meditation for Africa, with humanitarian & Global Peace Ambassador Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Participating countries were: Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Cameroon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Nigeria, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, Mauritius, Morocco, DRC, Zambia, Ethiopia, Togo, Sudan & South Africa.

“Every action begins with a seed. That is intention. We have sown the seed for a prosperous and peaceful Africa. We now have to nurture this by our actions “, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar after guiding the Peace Meditation in Africa on 25th May 2013.