26/11: Survivors return with forgiveness in heart

The last time US-based spiritual guru Charles Cannon and his followers were in Mumbai for a meditation programme at the Trident, they were “rudely interrupted by violent fundamentalism”.

Two years later Cannon is back to the city he “loves and remembers” along with 12 of his disciples who lived to tell the terrible tale of 26/11.

The group, which has been advocating the “rehabilitation and education” of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab instead of the death penalty, will hold a commemorative event at the Trident on Friday. They will also be launching the Indian chapter of One Life Alliance, a non-profit organisation that “responds with compassion to acts of terror”.

“Terrorism is not unique to Mumbai or to a particular fundamentalist group. All of us terrorise ourselves and others by limiting love and compassion,” says Cannon who has forgiven the perpetrators of the attacks in which two of his followers were killed and four were injured. He himself was trapped in his room for more than 48 hours. However, the guru is quick to add that he is not condoning terrorism but is simply showing compassion for those “who have filled their lives with hatred and misery”.

The One Life Alliance is in the process of developing training programmes focusing on the “sacredness of life”. It will also work towards bringing together people from conflicting nations and will create an online global community.

“Conflicts can only be resolved in a peaceful manner. We have to communicate with and honour each other,” says Kiia Scherr, who lost her husband, Alan and daughter, Naomi during 26/11. Kiia was at home in the US at that time. She says that she finds strength to go on with her life after losing her family only because of her spiritual leanings. “Meditation has given me the strength to balance my inner and outer world. It has sustained me at the darkest of times when I couldn’t do anything but cry all day.”

It is spirituality and the belief in the innate goodness of all human beings that keeps the group together despite the ordeal they have gone through. The survivors say that they have come all this way to heal themselves and to give the message that all life is sacred.

“One cannot give much to oneself and to the world through anger and grief. Life will go on, we just have to find that happy place within ourselves,” says Bonnie Sullivan, one of the survivors.

Another group member, Carol Wise says that through forgiveness, they are taking a stand for themselves and for all the other victims and survivors of terrorism. “I have three children and five grandchildren. I cannot imagine what I would do if something was to happen to them. My heart goes out to all those who have lost their families during 26/11,” she adds.