Hundreds of thousands of war displaced Sri Lankan Tamils, helped by the Art of Living Foundation, observed Aadi Amavasya on July 21 with prayers, meditations, breathing techniques, satsang and pujas to pay tribute to the departed souls of their kith and kin.The programme was aired live by the Sri Lankan Tamil channels.
Aadi Amavasya is the day that Tamil Hindus the world over observe remembrance of all the departed souls through special pujas and rituals. For the war displaced Sri Lankan Tamils, the day is particularly poignant, as they struggle to cope with the tragic loss of their near and ones in the three-decade long bitter war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka.
This year, they had a unique opportunity to let-go off their deep- seated grief, anxiety and stress on Aadi Amavaysa. A team of dedicated Art of Living teachers helped the internally displaced Tamils in the camps of Vavuniya, Batticoloa and Trincomalee express their heartfelt emotions for their loved ones. Women wailed for their family members who have either gone missing or killed in action during the war. Survivors huddled and consoled each other finding solace, peace and a definite direction in the Art of Living’s breathing techniques and healing satsangs organised at the camps. At the conclusion of the program me several participants came forward to express their gratitude to His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for specially sending his team of teachers to help them relieve their sad and miserable past and look forward to a new life.
Currently over 2, 75,000 Tamils displaced after the war are housed in various camps in Vavuniya District of Northern Sri Lanka. Over 10,000 persons participated in the camps in Batticoloa and Trincomalee.
For over five years His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of The Art of Living has been organising a series of programmes and initiatives directed at bringing peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
Currently in a post-conflict scenario in Sri Lanka, Sri Sri`s healing initiative titled `Uniting hearts and minds` is being delivered to the internally displaced Tamils in the camps.. Cooked food, rice grains, milk powder, medicines, clothes and other essential items have been distributed to the displaced.
(Photos and Message from Shri.K.K.Ganeshji - Senior Faculty - Art of Living.)
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