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.
