Prema Seshadri, who taught yoga in Lebanon, believes the country can become a centre of peace
It has been 18 months since she first went to Lebanon, a country, that Prema Seshadri reinforces has been experiencing the horrific scars of the 35-years of conflict. After all this time, she is now able to see the signs of change, watching groups of people gradually come out of the trauma.
Prema, a doctorate in psychology , has been teaching at the Art of Living Programs, including yoga, meditation and pranayama in the Gulf and the Middle-Eastern regions for over 18 years now.
“Initially, I thought there wouldn’t be a bright future. But today, I can say I am at peace with myself. I am happy that I can move ahead and see this transformation. It is indescribably satisfying to be witness to it,” says the Bengaluru-based counselling and HR professional and writer who has also worked as an academic advisor for first generation of Emirati women coming into higher education.
The ancient Indian science of yoga, which has now become a global phenomenon, is not completely new to Lebanon, observes Prema. “But the culture in Lebanon is different. It is important to keep in mind that the Middle-East is different from the Gulf region. There is a huge Indian population in the Gulf, but I can’t say that about Lebanon.”
What this means, she adds, is though yoga is not completely new to the region, it is limited to the concept of yoga studios. “And for us, yoga is beyond what is perceived and practised in a studio because it goes beyond the body towards the most subtle layer of existence. It is about finding the connection with one’s self. That is where your peace and consolation lies. That is what Lebanon desperately needed.”
“Meditation is an almost effortless, simple, natural process which cannot be understood intellectually. It has to be experienced. Both these core aspects of yoga are being appreciated by people. There is now a greater awareness about the practise in the country and more people are joining us. More importantly, more people want to teach these techniques to their community,” explains Prema, who has worked to bring these programs to hundreds of people.
Prema has brought these programs across the Lebanese social spectrum from villages to corporates, ministers and politicians, municipal leaders and social service organizations. “It is amazing to watch their faces and see new doors opening up inside them. One would never have thought something so simple could give such a deep sense of contentment.”
She admires the demography and the social structure of the mountainous country, which, she describes, is divided into tribes. “Everybody in the village is related to one another. If I build a connection with one, that person will open the door to everyone else there. And so, more people are coming in to volunteer with us,” she says.
Prema points out that the Lebanese society is progressive and tolerant. She has never faced an issue, as a woman. “They are deeply resilient and have a lot of potential. They just need to come out of their shells. The country has become a second home for me.”
“There is no family in the country that has not lost a dear one in the past 30 years. The losses have been terrible. When you drive through, you can sense what they have gone through. You can see it in their eyes, whether they are policemen, villagers, rich or poor. For me, just being able to gain their trust was enough.”
“The only thing I want is to bring about is a positive transformation in the country and I see it happening in the future. When I go back in August, I plan to work towards training more volunteers who are interested in becoming teachers.”
She also plans to work closely with the country’s youth.
“We have over a million Syrian refugees in Lebanon and there are several issues in the country that need to be taken care of. The very fact that Lebanon is moving in this direction is a good sign. If Lebanon becomes strong enough to be a centre of peace, it can be of great assistance to its neighbours.”
Meditation is an almost effortless, simple, natural process which cannot be understood intellectually. It has to be experienced. Both these core aspects of yoga are being appreciated by people.
Courtesy: The Hindu
