With the aim of developing a common vision and understanding in the
new millenium amongst all devotees of yoga and meditation.
CONGRESS OBJECTIVES:
- To share with the global community the knowledge and wisdom associated
with the traditions of Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda and Eco-sensitivity
- To provide a forum and platform for practitioners of these ancient
traditional forms of holistic mind-body wellness techniques and to
discuss and formulate strategies to adapt them to meet the needs of
modern society
- To develop a truly international community of those practicing the
techniques of Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda and Eco-sensitivity as an east-west
alliance
- To promote the concept of holistic mind-body wellness as widely as
possible among the people of the world to enable conflict resolution
and peaceful coexistence
- To provide a backdrop for the forum in Sri Lanka to take advantage
of being at the cross road of the East and the West and the rich and
diverse cultural ecological environment Sri Lanka offers.
What has the World Yoga Congress to offer its delegates?
The second congress will commence with the inauguration and plenary session
at Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort.
There will be practice sessions of Hatha Yoga on the beautiful grounds
of the Barberyn Ayurveda Beach Resort situated near the ancient fishing port
of Weligama in the south of Sri Lanka; discuss, compare notes,
listen to lectures by the world's leading and erudite yogis on different
forms of yoga such as Raja, Bakti, Karma, Kundalini and Tantra;
visit some of Sri Lanka's energy centers and sacred sites; and eventually
bring this once in a lifetime rendezvous of yogis and yoginis to a
fitting finale by participating in a mass peace meditation to usher
in peace all over the world on the full moon (Poya) day in the open air
at the Sithulpahuwa - an energy center and ancient sacred site sanctified
by the hallowed feet of Arahats (Buddhist saints) over two thousand
years ago.
Kataragama is the sylvan abode of the Hindu god Skanda the son of Lord Shiva the King of Yoga. Kataragama is one of the holiest shrines in Sri Lanka, respected by both Buddhist and Hindu communities. The vicinity of this jungle shrine (Kataragama) will be the final venue of the congress.
Congress Organizers
The Second World Yoga and Meditation Congress is being organized by four
well known establishments which have demonstrated the pioneering spirit
in their respective fields.
Sarvodaya Shramadana movement is the largest Non-governmental organization
in Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1958 by Dr AT Ariyaratne, who is a Magsaysay
and Niwano Peace Laureate and recipient of the KING BADOUIN AWARD. He
continues to be the president of the organization up to today.
Sarvodaya is a peoples' organization, helping women and men worldwide
to reconcile conflict through non-violent persuasion and dialogue.
Sarvodaya is committed to the idea of bringing peace through the spiritual
power of people, and peace meditation programmes have been held in
different parts of Sri Lanka. The meditation programmes are conducted
by Dr Ariyarathna and thousands of people have participated in these
programmes.
The Organization of Professional Associations (OPA's) Meditation
and Relaxation Centre
The Organization of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) is
the apex body of professional associations, having in its membership
over 35 professional associations. As the apex body of professional
associations, the OPA's voice is heard in high level Govt planning
and policy making circles, and it contributes its views on matters
of professional and national interest.
The OPA's Meditative Relaxation (MR) Centre was founded in 1991 under
the direction and guidance of Mahaguru Winston Dissanayake. The objectives
of the OPA MR Centre is the promotion of meditative relaxation through
the practice of "Viveka" yoga to achieve a proper management
of stress to which all professionals are particularly subject, and
to achieve a mind-body wellness.
Mahaguruashram
Mahaguruashram was founded by Mahaguru Winston Dissanayake who pioneered
the regular practice of Yoga in Sri Lanka when he established the
Yoga School of Ceylon in 1969 and the Yoga clinic in 1970. In 1971 he
founded the Mahaguruashram for the purpose of teaching Yoga and meditation.
A man of many facets, philosopher, visionary, and spiritual activist,
Mr Dissanayake has 35 years of experience as a teacher of Yoga, meditation,
philosophy, psychology, Tantra, and Viveka.
Having been tutored by many, including Yogi Ramaiah of India, the
late Most Venerable Mahasi Sayadow of Burma, and the late Most Venerable
Kahapitiye Sumathipala Nayaka Thera of Sri Lanka, he eventually found
his true Master, Mentor and Muse in the late Bhagavan Shri Sharma
of India, who completely transformed his life and bestowed on him
the honoric title " Mahaguruyogi". Today the Mahaguru (as
he is called by his disciples) guides thousands of people around the
world. He is also the leader of the organization of the Professional's
Association of Sri Lanka Meditative Relaxation Centre which celebrated
its 10th anniversary in September 2001.
The Mahaguru is also the founder of the White Flag Movement. The White
Flag is the symbol of a truce in hostilities, a moratorium on violence
and world peace. The White Flag Movement is comprised of Karma Yogies
dedicated to "Nishkama Karma" which means selfless service without
any greed for the fruits of the service.
The Barberyn group of companies was founded in 1968 with the establishment
of Barberyn Reef, the first tourist resort
on the southern beaches of Sri Lanka, paving the way for the development of Sri Lanka tourism
in the south. Barberyn is now owned and managed by the second generation
of the Rodrigo family, who practiced sustainable tourism with a focus
on the development of the community long before it became a buzz word.
In 1982 Barberyn pioneered the resort concept of Ayurveda, introducing
Ayurveda treatment and healing to overseas guests and continues to
be a leader in this field. The Barberyn philosophy of Ayurveda rests
on the three pillars of Ayurveda medicine, Yoga and spiritual enrichment.
In 2003, Barberyn opened a beautiful new property, Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort, in the coastal town
of Weligama, introducing guests to the Ayurveda way of life. A
center of palm trees and a verdant valley which slopes to the ocean
is the back drop to the main residential venue of the world Yoga and Meditation Congress
2006.
