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Airtimes:
Indian Standard Times
Saturday, March 25 at 1630hrs
Sun, March 26 at 1130am and 1730hrs
From the gurus and ashrams of India to New York’s very own
brand of spirituality, CNN’s Richard Quest goes in search of
inner peace in March’s edition of QUEST.
Despite all of life’s luxury and convenience, people are often
overworked, over-stressed and ultimately unfulfilled. Quest talks
to his Holiness the Dalai Lama, actress Goldie Hawn, musician Cat
Stevens, also known as Yusuf Islam, and cult film director David
Lynch to discover how they make their worlds a happier and more
peaceful place.
Quest’s journey begins with a pilgrimage to the remote village
of Dharamsala in the Himalayan foothills of India, home to the 14th
Dalai Lama. His Holiness tells Quest how he manages to cultivate
inner peace.
In her apartment 54 floors above Manhattan, New York City, actress
Goldie Hawn talks to Quest about becoming a ‘Jew Bu’ -
her conversion from Judaism to Buddhism and explains how she found
a spiritual path away from Hollywood. Back in London, UK, Quest
is captivated by Karen Armstrong’s story. The so-called ‘run-away
nun’ broke away from a strict Catholic upbringing to become
one of the world’s foremost authors on world religion.
Pop star Cat Stevens, also known Yusuf Islam, tells Quest that
God is indispensable to a spiritual life. However according to scientist
and prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins, it’s best
to look for answers not in heaven, but in the world around us when
it comes to inner peace. Quest also hears from cult film director
David Lynch, who argues that “a spiritual nirvana lies inside
us - all you need to do is ‘dive inside’ through transcendental
meditation or TM.”
Quest’s journey ends where it began - in India. Outside the
southern city of Bangalore, the Art of Living Foundation is preparing
to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Over a million dedicated followers
travel from all corners of the globe to join in the festivities
and pay homage to their spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. To
many, Shankar’s blend of philosophy, meditation and breathing
exercises make him a messiah. But some sceptics think he is too
self-promoting and offers false hope to lost souls. Either way,
this modern spiritual movement symbolises a desire for inner peace
and the anniversary event promises to be a party that Quest will
never forget.
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