The three-day World Culture Festival 2023 concluded on a high note, with vibrant performances from South Asia, Latin America and Caribbean islands, also as several interfaith leaders took to the stage to pray, in their unique ways, for global peace, making a call for rising above hate and bigotry.

Over the last three days, over a million people from 180 countries descended at the iconic National Mall in Washington DC in a historic gathering of humanity with an aim to send out a single message of belongingness and brotherhood; to celebrate human diversity through dance, music, meditation and culture.

The event was replete with shared moments of human connection, solidarity and upliftment of human spirit. Among the festival’s most memorable moments were a poignant minute of prayer for the people of Ukraine, led by Gurudev, after a heart-felt recital from Ukrainian contingent. Yet another one was a thousand people enjoying a yoga flow and yogic wisdom at the Lincoln Memorial with Gurudev. People swayed; waved flags as Skip Marley (Bob Marley’s celebrated grandson) performed the iconic One Love; a lively performance from Go-go band had everyone, from the dignitaries to the festival goers grooving to the lively beats in joy and celebration. In another historic moment, heartfelt prayers from diverse faith leaders for peace in the world touched a chord with everyone present.

Juan Carlos-Teres, the MP of Colombia, drew a roaring applause from the attendees when he shared, “Gurudev, there is one country in the world that has to be in total gratitude with you – mine. Because you decided to come to Bogota, meet with our president, and then go to Havana. You convinced the rebels of the FARC to walk the path of nonviolence.”

This event also brought together 17,000 artists; more than 60 performances representing diverse cultures and traditions from across the world; and global leaders from the world of business, politics and religion who shared their vision for a more co-operative and interdependent global community.

“There is goodness inherent in us, and that needs to come up, and that comes when we realize we are one world family,” said global humanitarian and spiritual master, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar during his address.”

A glimpse of India’s cultural canvas, the festival featured ‘Panchabhootam’ represented through 5 Indian classical dance forms- Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniattam, and symphony of 250 instrumentalists playing Sitar, Veena, Tabla, Mridangam, flute, Ghatam and Violin; a spirited 10,000-strong Garba performance, high-energy Bhangra with 200 artists, Kashmiri folk dance, and 200 Chenda drummers. Global performances included mesmerizing dances from Africa, Japan, the Middle East, the Caribbean Islands, Argentina, Nepal, the Slavic countries, and Mongolia. It also showcased a spectacular ensemble of 1,000 Chinese-American vocalists and dancers, a heartfelt performance from Pakistan, Latin American dances, Sri Lankan drum and dance, and Nepalese cultural presentations. “This is overwhelming and so beautiful. We grew with this experience,” shared Beena Mohan, choreographer of the Mohiniyattam performance.

“Gurudev, you have created a microcosm of the global family,” said Shri Ramnath Kovind, Former President of India, talking about the diverse representation of geographies and people at the WCF.

Among the notable attendees were former President of India Sri Ramnath Kovind, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, former speaker of Lok Sabha, Hon. Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Mr. Hakubun Shimomura, MP, Japan, Eric Solheim, former UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNEP, and other statesmen(extended list of dignitaries is given in the link above.)

Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, asserted, “This gathering represents a powerful affirmation that humanity is above all divisions. We must work together to build a world where peace and harmony prevail.”

H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, further added, “Unity is not a choice but a necessity. Events like the World Culture Festival 2023 remind us that we are part of a shared destiny.”

Interfaith leaders from diverse backgrounds came together at the festival to share a common message of unity, compassion, and collective responsibility for global peace efforts. Faith leaders included Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Ambassador of Sikh Dharma- USA & Chief Religious and Spiritual Authority of Sikh Religion- Western Hemisphere, Rabbi Sharon Anisfeld, President of Hebrew College, and Ms. Sousan Abadian, Zoroastrian Faith Leader, among others.

Sharing his wisdom, venerable Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, said, “We must recognize the common thread that binds us all, transcending boundaries and beliefs. Unity and compassion are the path to lasting peace.”

The iconic National Mall in Washington DC was witness to an event of grand proportions, with an unprecedented and record breaking 1 million people gathering there to be part of The Art of Living’s World Culture Festival, which truly resembled a bouquet of world’s cultures, as people from 180 countries converged for the planet’s biggest festival of humanity, peace and culture.

The event saw the coming together of global dignitaries, enthralling music and colorful dance performances by Grammy Award Winners and other renowned artists- with a common message of celebrating the One World Family. 

Global humanitarian and peacemaker, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of The Art of Living shared, “It’s such a beautiful occasion to celebrate our diversity. Our planet is so diverse, yet there is an underlying unity of our human values. Today, on this occasion, let’s commit ourselves to bringing more happiness to society. Let’s put a smile on everyone’s face. That’s humanness. That’s what we all are made up of. No celebration gains depth if it’s not supported by wisdom. And that wisdom is within all of us. Wisdom is to recognize we are all unique and that we are all one. Let me tell everyone once again – we all belong to each other. We all belong to one global family. Let’s celebrate our life. Let us accept and face the challenges pragmatically. Let us dream of a better future for this and the coming generation.” 

The global event also awakened our senses and serenity with captivating performances such as America the Beautiful and Vande Mataram by Grammy Award Winner, Chandrika Tandon and 200 artists, Panchabhootam, a 1000-strong Indian Classical dance and classical symphony, 1000 global guitar ensemble led by Grammy Award winner Micky Free and other renowned guitar players, and traditional dance performances from Africa, Japan, and the Middle East.

Finally, it concluded with a Reggae Rhythms performance by Skip Marley, celebrating ‘One Love.’

“While we all endeavor to expand prosperity and secure our planet’s future, it is natural that we are confronted with challenges of oppressing nature. Whether it is natural disasters, man-made ones, conflicts, or disruptions, it is important that in an interdependent world, we are always there for one another. The Art of Living has been an inspirational example in this regard and I personally have seen the difference that they have made most recently in the Ukraine conflict. Today, their message, your message, our message should be of caring, sharing, generosity, goodwill of understanding, and cooperation. This is what has brought us all together here,” expressed Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India.

Day one of the World Culture Festival saw global dignitaries like H.E. Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser; Michigan Congressman Sri Thanedar; Mr. Hakubun Shimomura, MP, Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Science and Technology, Japan; Eric Solheim, former UN Deputy Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP, as well as former Minister of International Development Norway, and others share their common vision for unity, peace, and harmonious coexistence in a conflicted world facing multiple global challenges.

The Pope through The Reverend Bishop Emeritus Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Chancellor Emeritus of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences; The Holy See, shared a venerable message on this occasion as well; “To have world peace, we need inner peace. To communicate peace, we need to live in peace. And to live in peace, we need the Art of Living. To have the art of living in peace, we need to have communication with God. God is not an enemy of the human being. God is a friend. God is love. And, to have God, we need to come back to the meditation, to the prayer. We need to come back to our roots. So, in this delicate moment, we need to invoke God and in the name of Pope Francis, that we, the fraternity of all human beings, I bless you, and I bless this very big meeting, and I think that this act of living really will the future of our humanity.”

Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and organized by the Art of Living Foundation, the World Culture Festival transcended borders and celebrated the rich tapestry of cultures tied together in the thread of humanity snd brotherhood. WCF provides a platform for the preservation of local and indigenous traditions through music and dance, as well as the opportunity for everyone to relish and enjoy. This is a movement for the revival of universal human values such as love, compassion, and friendliness.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations said, “Culture builds bridges, breaks down walls, brings the world together through dialogue and mutual understanding, and enhances unity and harmony among people and nations. Culture can create powerful exchanges between all global citizens. Today, all of the world’s cultural richness has come together, here, at the National Mall of the United States. I commend Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s inspiring vision of unity and diversity. We need more of these celebrations,  more coming together, more peace, and more cooperation, solidarity, and partnership. This is how we will persevere over the great challenges we are facing now. This is how we will build peace and resolve conflicts, end hunger, ensure healthy lives, advance quality education, and empower women and girls. This is how we will advance, and leave no one behind.”

The enthusiasm and happiness of the crowds was palpable as thousands of national flags fluttered in the air in the spirit of oneness, and the energy was equally infectious among the artists. 

“This is overwhelming and so beautiful,” shared Beena Mohan, choreographer of the Mohiniyattam performance, “it is a dream to be part of this show. Putting this work together has been an unbelievable experience for me and my students. We all have grown through this experience and After the show, it’s definitely going to be a different feeling, the confidence, the happiness, and all of that the show brings in for us.”

As the World Culture Festival 2023 continues to unfold, we eagerly anticipate two more days of cultural richness, unity, and global celebration, building on the foundation of harmony and cooperation.

We all want what’s best for the people we love. If their mental health makes life hard for them, it’s understandable to want to step in and help. However, long-term assistance can devolve into enablement, which can do more harm than good for everyone involved. 

If you suspect that your attempts to support your loved one have shifted into an enabling relationship, help is available. Consider these strategies to change your behavior and promote their mental health and healing.

1. Encourage Them to Seek Assistance from Professionals

Whether your loved one is a child, spouse, or sibling, your relationship puts you in close contact with their struggles. However, proximity doesn’t mean you’re trained or prepared to manage a mental health condition. No matter how good your intentions are, there’s no replacing the expertise of a mental health professional. 

Therapists have had specialized training in how to recognize, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders. They’ve learned how to manage the difficult process of helping someone who’s struggling through their darkest moments. This process can be especially taxing on someone who has not developed the coping skills of a professional. That’s why it’s important to support your loved one but also to know when to recommend professional help. 

Sit down with the person during a calm moment and discuss how they’re doing. Open up a conversation about their circle of support, focusing first on listening before advising. Then share what you know about potential resources, like outpatient therapy and mental health rehab. Sometimes, stepping away from daily life and focusing on their mental health is what struggling individuals need to achieve clarity and healing. 

2. Stop Intervening in Their Problems

Stepping in to stop your loved one from feeling pain, failing, or harming themselves is a natural reaction. But there’s a difference between stopping someone’s fall and fully eliminating the consequences of jumping. When the habit of intervening between a person and the fallout of their choices persists into adulthood, it can quickly shift into enablement. Long term, it can create a false sense of confidence and an abandonment of responsibility for their behavior. 

This step is up to you to initiate, because your loved one has now come to expect your intervention. If they know that you’re always there to save them from their poor decisions, what’s their motivation to improve? When you apply this question to yourself, it’s easy to see the answer. But when it’s someone you love, especially a child, the decision-making waters can get muddy. 

Instead of stepping in, focus on listening, asking probing questions to help them get clarity on their situation. Resist the urge to fix a situation for them, even if doing so isn’t hard or problematic for you. The goal here is to encourage them to identify solutions that they can then pursue, creating resiliency and reinforcing responsibility. An argument may follow, but stand firm in your commitment to stop enabling. 

3. Establish Clear Boundaries

Boundaries are among the most challenging things to uphold, especially with beloved family members and friends. You want the best for them, and it’s natural to wish to be generous when you can. However, unclear boundaries and pliable rules make it easy for someone to manipulate your love in unhealthy ways. 

Sit down with your troubled loved one and discuss how things have gone in the past. If you’ve bailed them out of their problems, stepped in and mediated arguments, or removed barriers, they’re accustomed to being saved. Let them know that you’re no longer going to do these things, not because you don’t love them, but because you do. 

If you’ve been supporting them financially, it may be time to cut that monetary lifeline. For those who can work, ready access to money may have made neglecting their mental health a viable option. Whether you’ve paid their bills, covered their expenses related to poor choices, or simply said yes to loans, stop. This habit is harmful to your long-term financial wellness, and it makes it possible for them to delay getting help. 

4. Prioritize Your Well-Being

The mental strain of enabling is not one to ignore. While you may not have intended to have an enabling relationship style, your love may have clouded your judgment. Remember that this behavior change is good for your loved one’s long-term healing and yours, too. 

Immerse yourself in things you enjoy, especially if enabling has taken you away from them. Reassign the time you may have spent managing your loved one’s issues to something just for you. Set an appointment for coffee with a friend, book a massage, or sign up for a course you’d like to take. By consciously reserving this time, you’re more likely to keep this commitment to yourself. 

Consider enrolling in therapy for yourself as well. Everyone deserves mental health support, and if you’ve been in an enabling relationship, you could likely benefit, too. Speak with your therapist about your experiences, challenges, and healing journey as well as topics unique to you. Prioritize your own mental health, take time to destress, and get to know yourself outside of the enablement relationship. 

Stopping the Cycle of Enabling Is Possible

Enabling is often stigmatized, but at its root is love. However, the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved one is to step back. It may be painful, but it’s a necessary element in their healing journey. By removing the safety net of enablement, they’ll be able to heal, and you’ll build a healthy relationship together.