Humanitarian leader spreads message of peace on the occasion of World Tolerance Day

• On a 4-day visit to the UAE, Gurudev inspires thousands to take up meditation to find inner strength and fulfilment
• Gurudev visited the country on the invitation of the Fujairah government

November 19th, 2018; Dubai, UAE:   Meditation is the technology to expand the mind and the key to spread positivity and happiness among people. This was the crux of humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s message to the people of UAE on his 4-day visit to the country. Gurudev, who was in the UAE on the invitation of the Fujairah government, conducted series of talks and workshops across the UAE, teaching thousands of people the art of de-stressing themselves. The events, held in Fujairah, Sharjah and Dubai left a lasting impact on people from all walks of life across all backgrounds, nationalities and professions as they celebrated diversity on the occasion of International Day of Tolerance. 

Speaking to a packed audience in Dubai over the weekend during the 2 –day Meditation Masterclass at DWTC, Gurudev called people with a positive mindset the “game changers” who will be more proactive in creating happier surroundings. 

“A strong mind can carry a weak body but a weak mind cannot carry a strong body,” explained Gurudev, “Mind contains the body, not the other way around. And once you experience this truth, there’s no going back and transformation is inevitable. You will feel connected with every human being as well as nature and life will be much more purposeful.” He also underlined the importance of making meditation a regular part of life, advising people to find a few minutes to relax and meditate every day to gain strength, peace and fulfilment. 

The purpose of the practice is to go back to our natural disposition, the way we were as children — always smiling, bubbling with enthusiasm, joy and happiness; living in the present moment with non-cluttered minds, living every moment a 100 percent.

With his first event in Fujairah on the eve of International day of Tolerance, Gurudev inspired over 8000 people with his motivational talk and meditation techniques insisting that in this time of conflict and stress, there is a need to raise our voices of love and peace. The event which took place at Fujairah Football Stadium celebrated UAE’s spirit of tolerance, peace and human values. The meditation master also thanked the Government of Fujairah for the invitation, particularly appreciating the Crown Prince of Fujairah, His Highness Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi’s visit to India for the World Culture Festival, showing respect and love to the country. 

On the morning of second day of his trip, Gurudev conducted a meditation and yoga session for thousands of UAE labourers at the Expo Center, Sharjah, teaching the blue-collar workers simple methods for stress relief on the go. Workers learnt instant techniques particularly designed to bring comfort and drive away exhaustion that comes from physical labour. Keeping in line with his message of peace, Gurudev further asserted that one needs to find happiness in every-day tasks and jobs in order to find inner contentment and positivity. 

At the Fujairah event, Gurudev touched upon the humanitarian work that his organization, Art of Living is doing for war victims and war refugees in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. The AOL has been instrumental in helping thousands of people affected by war – particularly children, youth and women – overcome trauma and in bringing back smiles on their faces. 

“Across the Middle East, there are burning issues and millions of people are suffering. In this regard, the Art of Living is doing its little bit to bring solace to people in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. We wish to bring more happiness in the whole region, and we assure His Royal Highness that Art of Living is with you to bring peace and happiness and we want to carry this wave of love throughout the world” he said during his talk in Fujairah. 

In the last leg of his trip, Gurudev visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on Sunday and hailed the UAE model for tolerance, cultural pluralism, and peaceful co-existence. He was welcomed by Dr. Yousef Al Obaidly, Director-General of SZGMC along with his accompanying delegation.