Political India: Engaging America

From The Hindu

First it was the United States army turning to mindfulness meditation and now even members of the U.S. Congress are seeking alternative means of attaining a peaceful state of mind.

Marking a renewed interest in Eastern philosophy in this country, this time it was Senator John Millner of Illinois who, along with his entire office, sought lessons in “anger-management, stress-management, and freedom [from] vices with techniques of meditation and yoga”, from His Holiness Acharya Lokesh, a Jain teacher.

Hosting a conference in honour of HH Lokesh, Senator Millner said that India was an economic power, and future world economic power, yet both India and the U.S. were affected by violence and terrorism.

Senator Millner said to the assembled audience that HH Lokesh had helped establish non-violence, peace, and harmony worldwide and he had seen “so many different forms of violence growing that he believes everyone needs to unify to find more effective methods against violence and terrorism”.

On the occasion, Senator Millner also accepted the position of Chairman of the Reception Committee for the International Interfaith Convention, which will be hosted by the Jain Centre of Chicago in 2011.

Labels: Acharya Lokesh, Jain teacher, Senator John Millner, yoga