The Art of Living (AOL) is a multi-faceted organization with one of the largest volunteer bases in the world, founded by the world-renown philanthropist and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981 as "an educational and humanitarian movement engaged in stress-management and service initiatives." The organization operates globally in 152 countries and has touched the lives of over 370 million
people. Its international headquarters is located in Bangalore, India. Globally, the organization operates as The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF), which was formed in 1989 in the United States of America and in Germany. AOLF works in collaboration with The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and has successfully implemented numerous humanitarian projects and service initiatives. These include conflict resolution programs, sustainable rural development, empowerment of women, education for all, and environmental sustainability. Some of the most notable projects and initiatives applied in the Philippines are prisoner rehabilitation and disaster relief. The Universal Declaration of Human Values drawn up by AOLF's founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar includes the ‘right to lead a stress-free life’ –regardless of whether the stress is induced by a natural disaster, or day-to-day situations. Stress comes from various situations –it may be poverty-related, man-made, or it may result from a natural disaster. "Sometimes even wealthy and successful people experience stress – but in every case, the Art of Living offers support." No matter,
"The stress-releasing techniques learnt in Art of Living programs are powerful enough to deal with the trauma involved in extreme situations of natural disasters." Our mission here is to "uplift the lives of people living in the Philippines", and this could not be more timely than in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda (HAIYAN). The Art of Living Philippines together with the International Art of Living Foundation has deployed local and international volunteers to conduct psycho-social trauma relief. The programs are on-going within evacuation centers in Metro Manila, and within the outlying islands of the Province of Cebu. "With its worldwide network of volunteers, the Art of Living Foundation is often able to respond swiftly to disasters anywhere in the world, providing physical and mental relief as well as material aid. Through this network, The Art of Living Foundation has established itself as one of the vital providers of disaster rehabilitation programmes the world over." Due to the scope and nature of this recent and unprecedented natural disaster and devastation, it may be best to collaborate and seek partnership with well-established foundations working on the ground for an organized, coordinated and effective form of action, while bringing vital aid to the affected areas scattered around the southern regions of the Philippines. For more information, please visit our websites:
The Art of Living Global
http://www.artofliving.org/global/home
Art of Living Foundation Philippines
http://www.artofliving.org/ph-en
Art of Living Updates
http://artoflivingupdates.artoflivinguniverse.org/2013/11/appeal-for-typhoon-haiyan-relief.html
Art of Living Projects > Disaster Relief
http://www.artofliving.org/disaster-relief-home
