Swami Vishnudevananda (1927-1993) exemplified the principles of the classical raja and hatha yoga traditions handed down to him by his Master, Swami Sivananda. After becoming a leading teacher of yoga to Western audiences, Swami Vishnudevananda established the worldwide group of Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres that continue to enlighten students today. Along his path to popularizing this ancient wisdom, he befriended numerous Western celebrities who also helped to spread his message of love, universal harmony, and peace. Peter Sellers, famed for his starring role as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies of the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, was one of the most well-known entertainers to join the Swami on a peace mission. Noted for his skills as a private pilot, the Swami was accompanied by Sellers on a notable visit to Northern Ireland in 1971, during a high point in the country’s violence. The two went to Unity Flats, a Catholic housing complex near a large Protestant area in Belfast. They offered messages of compassion and hope to the entire community, Catholic and Protestant alike. The visit occurred on the occasion of Sellers’ 46th birthday. BBC archival footage shows Sellers and the Swami exchanging friendly greetings with people on the street. A clip of Sellers speaking to the media shows a very warm and human side of the slapstick comedian when he said that he hoped the whole world could enjoy, like in “a fairy story,” the blessings of peace and happiness. via WordPress https://ift.tt/3v6wSua
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