Detroiters explore meditation, breathing for peace as faith leader visits Detroit

Growing up in Chicago and Detroit, LaTrece Cash attended Pentecostal churches and went to Catholic and Lutheran schools.

But while rooted in the Christian faith, the Detroiter said she "tried to understand different aspects of life," and so a couple of years ago, she signed up for a meditation class through a group called Art of Living.

"I love it," Cash said. "It's very helpful, helps me to relax. ... It just calms your mind. Basically, you just stop the random thoughts, and stressing and overthinking things, and just pause and concentrate on breathing. And it helps you relax your brain and relax your body."

Cash was one of about 1,200 who attended a recent group meditation and talk at Orchestra Hall in Detroit by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a faith leader from India who created Art of Living and is touring the U.S. for a series of lectures called "The Journey Within." Shankar developed the breathing techniques that Cash tried, called sky breath meditation, or Sudarshan Kriya. It's one of several ways that some in the U.S. are trying out meditation and breathing as a way to relax and connect at a time of stress and social anxiety.

"I've been traveling from coast to coast, north, south everywhere, with one message: to see America free from violence," Shankar told the Free Press at the Detroit Marriot hotel at Renaissance Center before his talk last week. "It's only the inner peace that can bring the outer peace. Mental health is a very big crisis today, all over the world. So we need to address that. ... We are teaching the sky breathing techniques, Sudarshan Kriya meditation, breathing exercise. We want to make it a household name so that people can take good care of their own mental health."

During the summer months, spiritual leaders such as Shankar often visit metro Detroit and other parts of the U.S. to give lectures or visit temples. And in August, there are usually several events highlighting Indian culture around India's independence day, including an India Day event in Novi that was held Aug. 19, attended by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, and the Chutney Festival held in Royal Oak last month, featuring Indian food and entertainment.

Shankar was raised in a Hindu family and once followed the late Maharishi, the guru the Beatles learned from after they traveled to India, known for creating Transcendental Meditation. But Shankar later formed his own group and techniques, drawing followers from different religions and ethnic backgrounds. At the Aug. 22 Orchestra Hall event in Detroit emceed by WDIV-Local 4 reporter Priya Mann, the crowd included a mix of races and religions: white, Black, Indian, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu. Two state legislators on opposite sides of the aisle in Lansing, state Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton, and state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, met with Shankar before his talk at a reception, taking photos with him. U.S. House Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 22 Gurudev Sri Sri Shankar Day in Detroit.

Shankar is continuing his tour in coming weeks and will conclude with the World Cultural Festival, an event featuring international music and food at the National Mall in Washington D.C. from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 that some metro Detroiters are planning to attend. His last two visits to metro Detroit were in 2018 and in 2008 at Renaissance Unity Church in Warren.

During his Detroit talk, Shankar spoke of what he called "a violence-free society, disease-free body," linking the health of minds and bodies to a more harmonious society.

"Let's make the society a much happier place, a better place to be," Shankar said. "And this is the essence of all religions. This is exactly what Jesus said, what Buddha said, what Muhammad said, the Hindu scriptures have said: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit phrase), 'The whole world is one family.'"

He then led the crowd in a meditation of about 20 minutes, where the crowd sat quiet and took deep breaths periodically.

"Let's be still," he said softly to the crowd. "Take a breath in, and relax."

Sunil Goyal, a Canton resident who meditates regularly, said he attended Shankar's talk to get inspired.

"His idea of one community, one world, and helping everybody through the meditation and having respect for each other irrespective of religion, or where you live, is what I get inspiration from," Goyal said. "He's conducting a big event in D.C. in October, and looking forward to attending that one as well."

The same day that Shankar spoke in Detroit, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan Cavanagh announced via video the recommendations of a task force she co-chaired to promote well-being in the law.

Sitting cross-legged in a yoga pose on a yoga mat, Cavanagh spoke about problems in the legal profession with anxiety, depression and substance abuse. She suggested being more mindful and deemphasizing alcohol at events for attorneys and judges.

"Activities like yoga promote wellness," but more support is needed in the legal profession, Cavanagh said. Among the task force recommendations include "demonstrating dedication to mindfulness/spiritual practices."

Cash said some Christians may be reluctant to meditate because they feel it may clash with their faith, such as when it includes chanting. But, she said, "the chanting is up to you, I personally don't chant. It's just about relaxing your mind. It's the same principle for any religion that you have: Control yourself and control your thoughts and just relax and breathe."

Cash spoke with Shankar before his talk, asking him about Christians who may be interested in breathing and meditation.

"Meditation does not interfere with your ideology or with your faith," Shankar replied to Cash. "In fact, it enhances your faith. You can continue to be a churchgoer. But meditation helps you to find what you hear intellectually, make your mind sharp, help you to express yourself better without violence, helps you in many ways."

Cash also talked about the 60th anniversary of the late Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington and whether the Art of Living techniques can help reduce violence and inprisonment. Shankar spoke about Mahatma Gandhi's influence on King and how his group has worked in some prisons in the U.S. Shankar has also been involved with some conflict resolution in Iraq and Colombia. In the U.S. last year, there was a record number of suicides, a topic he addressed during his visit.

"Post-COVID, we have seen rising aggression and rising depression, the two extreme tendencies, that are so harmful for human life," Shankar said. "To be happy, you need to calm down, you need to be centered. And an aggressive attitude or atmosphere is no good for oneself or others. Suicidal tendencies and depression has taken a toll of mankind today, all over the world."

Asked about political divisions in the U.S., Shankar offered: "I would say, see life beyond politics. There is so many other things which can unite us all. Of course, in election time, you need to make your choice. But the society getting divided on these lines, or any contentious issue is no good for the society, for the growth of the country."

For more information on Art of Living classes and events in Michigan, email: michigan@us.artofliving.org

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, Facebook.com/nwarikoo, Twitter @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits Detroit amid rising interest in meditation