Is it really possible to go from agony and despair to celebration and joy in 30 days? Some would say, "Yes, quite!" But for the same to be accomplished in two and a half days, that’d be quite a daunting task!
If anybody were to believe the testimonials of the persons who underwent the Trauma Relief Workshop that was conducted by the Art of Living over the weekend, not only would they be amazed, but they’d also respect the age old wisdoms bestowed on us by the likes of H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a lot more, especially in today’s turbulent and trying times?. The Art of Living volunteers have been very successful in conducting similar trauma relief workshops around the globe; post the Gujarat earthquake, 9/11 New York, present day Iraq, Beslan children, during the Tsunami? be it natural or man made calamities.
On Friday evening in Mumbai, 180 participants commenced the program, which had been organized for the victims of the bomb blast, their friends and relatives. The atmosphere was solemn, the energy; nervous. The type of people present and how the course benefited them could broadly classified into 4 categories.
Those that were directly affected by the blast ? with injured hands, bruised torsos, busted ear drums?. The knowledge they gained during the course managed to drive home the experience of the indestructible nature of the soul despite the intransient nature of the mind and body. Complimented by powerful breathing techniques and meditation, the participants mustered up immense inner strength. Throughout the program, many shared the fact that they could feel their physical pains dissolving and their traumatic psychological impressions vanishing.
Then there were the ones who were indirectly affected ? the people who were in the trains, who saw the blood, the body parts being flung out, heard the shrieks and the cries and experienced the ugly stench of death. The wife of one such gentleman complained that every day was like a living nightmare for the entire family ? a routine of the TV being switched on at 2am, pacing up and down the house, waking up the kids and so on. On Saturday, the 2nd day of the course, she very gratifyingly shared, that, for the first time in 11 days, her husband had actually slept!
There were also those whose life is either directly or indirectly connected to those affected. One participant who’d lost an earning member of his family in the blast seemed visibly disturbed and shaken. He commenced the course being overshadowed by the anxieties of the future. He ended it, being healed – in mind, body and spirit, with hope regained and an evolved sense of trust that some higher power is taking care of him and his family. And he definitely could see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
One more section was the people who were involved in the relief work ? railway staff, police, hospital doctors, nurses and various NGO volunteer workers. It was a miracle for many. Surubhi, a volunteer working in the Meghavati hospital, said that dealing with traumatized people left behind a secondary trauma. "I have never felt this good in the last 5 years. With regular practice, I’m sure I’ll be able to handle and offer any kind of help in any sort of calamity that assails me or our world". One railway official spoke up, "I shall be very vocal in telling all the people working with me to do this, so that, they too can experience exactly what I did". A youngster stood up in class very confidently and said, "If I were the Prime Minister of our country, this course wouldn’t be voluntary. I’d make it compulsory for every citizen!"
In order to mobilize the course, volunteers and youth approached police stations, railway stations and hospital for days on end. After weeks of being bombarded with negative news, many television and radio channels and newspapers featured the trauma relief course as a positive response. Firms like United Way, Mastek and JP Morgan helped along the way. This event truly showcased how all sections of society came together unanimously, in our fight against terrorism. It was indeed touching to see everyone dancing on the last day of the program.
In true Indian tradition, when tragedy strikes, one is allowed to grieve for 13 days. On the 13th day you feed everybody, celebrate and move on. Sunday happened to be the 13th day of the blast. For all present, the course relinquished the ghosts of the past and brought with it a breath of fresh and fragrant air.
— Dinesh Ghodke: Teacher conducting the workshop
Director, Youth Empowerment Seminars (YES!+)
Art of Living Foundation
