Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – William Kellibrew was 10 years old when he witnessed the murder of his mother and brother. He turned the horrific experience into a lifelong mission advocating for civil, human and victims’ rights.

For him, real peace beckoned after meeting Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, world-renowned humanitarian and Founder of the Art of Living Foundation.

After hearing William’s story, Sri Sri advised him to go “work on his breathing.” Soon after, William took the Art of Living Course, learning Sri Sri’s breathing and meditation techniques.

“The Art of Living course and meditation were powerful, really powerful. It gave me strength. I could focus on the here and now. And it kindled the values of compassion and inner peace,” William said.

As part of his global mission to build a “violence-free, stress-free society”, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will speak on April 2, 2013, at the D.C. Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. He will also guide DC residents through meditation in an event titled “Peace Begins Within.” This coincides with his Foundation’s I Meditate DC campaign, launched in August 2012 to combat societal violence, to encourage stress-free living through the practice of meditation.

“Domestic and social violence both arise out of stress,” said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. “Meditation is, therefore, all the more relevant. It not only provides relief from stress and strain, but also enhances our abilities, strengthens our nervous systems and soothes our minds.”

Now an international motivational speaker and president of a foundation, William is spreading the message of non-violence and hope, drawing inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi.

“I associate Sri Sri so strongly as a person of non-violence. More than that, he takes it a step further and talks about personal peace,” William said. “Meeting Sri Sri was a turning point for me.”

Numerous studies have confirmed the health benefits of meditation. Meditation energizes the body and mind, reduces stress, increases focus and concentration and creates more harmonious relationships at work and home. Through the achievement of mental and emotional well-being at an individual level, the Foundation hopes to curb the rise of violence in society at large.

About The Art of Living Foundation
Founded in 1981, the Art of Living Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization working in consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council on initiatives related to health, meditation, education, sustainable development, conflict resolution and disaster relief.

Information on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: www.srisri.org
Information on the Art of Living Foundation: www.srisri.org
Information on I Meditate DC: http://www.IMeditateDC.Org