Conference on Health and Healing for those infected with HIV/AIDS

06 January, 2007

6 January 2007, Coimbatore: A state level conference on Health and Healing of those infected with HIV/AIDS was organized by Isha Foundation, AIDS Prevention and Control Project and USAIDS in Coimbatore on the 6th of January, 2007.

Speaking at the conference, Sadhguru said that society should create a conducive atmosphere for the HIV patients to lead a dignified life. “Even though medical science has advanced sufficiently to treat the disease, society has not accepted them. As a result, there is a situation where the impact of the disease is set to increase and engulf large portions of the population”, he said. Explaining that there is a deep connection between body and mind and that the very thought process triggers chemical reactions in the body, he said, just the fear of disease would reduce life expectancy of the patients.

Elaborating further, he compared life to a vehicle and said one should have awareness and control while travelling in it since only this can ensure a safe journey. Similarly, if there is no harmony between the mind and the body, it would lead to a disaster. Harmony of body and mind could be brought about through yoga and meditation, and that this can bring in a healthy situation where the mind is under control and free from fear. One’s present status can only be attributed to actions performed earlier, and one should prepare to face the future, he added.

Emphasizing that the immune system can be enhanced substantially through yoga and meditation he drew attention to the plight of 12,000 plus children that are affected by HIV in Tamil Nadu. Proper diet and certain simple yogic practices which would bring transformation could easily ensure that these children lived a normal life he said and added that Isha Foundation was prepared to take this up, if there was organizational and financial support for it.

Noting that the youth were the highest risk group in India, he said, celebrities should step in, in a big way to bring awareness among people about AIDS, and that this can go a long way in the prevention of this immune deficiency. He further stressed that society should embrace HIV patients with love and compassion and should extend support to them. Social workers also should be inspired and supported to work for their benefit. All this can help alleviate the consequences for those already infected and prevent people falling prey to the disease, he said.

Sadhguru also announced the intention of Isha Foundation to establish specially equipped care and support communities, which will not only have testing, counselling treating facilities for HIV/AIDS patients, but also residential communities for the care and support of those terminally ill, and for destitute patients to live and die in dignity. Imparting vocational training and livelihood skills, making handicrafts as well as practicing organic farming, will also be an essential part of this community which will serve as a model and a resource center to society at large.

Over 800 people, including over 200 HIV positive people from all districts of Tamil Nadu, children infected with HIV/AIDS, those orphaned by the disease and representatives of NGOs working in the area of HIV/AIDS took part in the conference, which in many ways was the first of its kind.

For further information please contact:
Dr Veena Singh – 9442184838

Participants Arrive