Spirituality lies in embracing those in distress: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 6 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday said true spirituality lies in embracing those who are suffering and in distress, and lauded Shanthigiri Ashram here for promoting the vision of a peaceful and harmonious world. Inaugurating the 'Vishwashanthi Sandesha Yajnam' organised as part of the birth centenary celebrations of Shanthigiri Ashram founder and spiritual leader Karunakara Guru, the CM said the Guru's teachings had inspired people to become spiritually conscious and live with hope, according to an official statement. Satheesan said he came to know about Karunakara Guru through noted writer O V Vijayan's book "Gurusagaram", in which the spiritual leader was described as "an ocean" of wisdom. The chief minister said the Guru had opened new dimensions of spiritual awareness and spread the message of universal peace and love through charitable initiatives such as feeding the needy, healthcare and spiritual enlightenment. Referring to the devastation caused by the First and Second World Wars and the widespread poverty of those times, Satheesan expressed concern over the conflicts currently unfolding across the world. He said society could overcome such crises only by embracing the Guru's message of universal humanism and love, and added that the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence could also contribute to achieving that goal, the statement said. PTI LGK ADB