Loved Ones of U.S. Victims of Mumbai Terrorist Attacks Create One Life Alliance to Foster Forgiveness, Compassion

FABER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly one year after terrorist attacks in Mumbai killed more than 170 people, including two members of the Synchronicity Foundation for Modern Spirituality, Synchronicity Foundation leaders have put their beliefs into action with the launch of One Life Alliance, a new organization honoring the sacredness of all life and the power of forgiveness as a means of inspiring and encouraging peace and unity in the world.

“Together we can change the world, beginning with each one of us, with the choices we make from moment to moment. Let us choose love, understanding, acceptance, compassion and forgiveness as a baseline for all of our interactions. In so doing, we elevate not only ourselves, but everyone we meet.”

A coordinated three-day attack beginning November 26, 2008 targeted the Hotel Oberoi, where members of Synchronicity Foundation were staying during a spiritual retreat. Master Charles Cannon, founder of Synchronicity Foundation, and Kia Scherr, whose husband Alan and daughter Naomi were gunned down in the attack, stunned world audiences for refusing to condemn the terrorists, speaking instead of compassion and forgiveness, unconditional love and the affirmation of life. Following a global outpouring of support and appreciation, One Life Alliance was established to lead others to recognize the value of life as sacred.

“The time has come to join together as one human family,” said Scherr. “Together we can change the world, beginning with each one of us, with the choices we make from moment to moment. Let us choose love, understanding, acceptance, compassion and forgiveness as a baseline for all of our interactions. In so doing, we elevate not only ourselves, but everyone we meet.”

One Life Alliance has included in its work the “Peace Dragon” art project spearheaded by author/illustrator Linda Ragsdale, who herself was wounded in the attack. To honor her promise to teach Naomi Scherr how to draw a dragon, The Peace Dragon project will tour schools in the U.S. and around the world, including countries in conflict, to work with children on creating peaceful images. In Ragsdale’s hands, the dragon is transformed from a frightening creature into a peaceful, benevolent symbol that inspires children to celebrate individual differences.

The organization also plans to offer a one-day training course in individual empowerment, community building and conflict resolution. Its website, www.onelifealliance.org, offers an interactive community that inspires and encourages the conversation about unity and the sacredness of life.

“In the past year, so many people have extended their support and asked how they can be of service, so the idea of One Life Alliance came through us as a way to continue spreading this message of forgiveness and unity,” said Cannon.

Kia Scherr has been a meditation teacher for more than thirty years. She serves as President of One Life Alliance, devoting her full-time focus to inspiring the conversation of honoring the sacredness of life in all areas of the world. Previously she served as the national executive council member for the Synchronicity Foundation, directing hundreds of people through intensive retreat protocols as retreat coordinator, presenter and mentor.

Master Charles Cannon is one of the most innovative spiritual teachers of modern times and is known worldwide as a master of meditation, contemporary spiritual visionary and holistic educator. In 1983 he founded Synchronicity Foundation as a non-profit, non-sectarian, spiritual, educational organization dedicated to the art and science of meditation and holistic lifestyle. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide currently practice meditation using his contemporary approach to the traditional context of spirituality.

For more information on Synchronicity Foundation please see http://www.synchronicity.org. For more information on One Life Alliance please see http://www.onelifealliance.org.

Editor’s Note:

Kia Scherr and Master Charles Cannon will appear in a webcast on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday November 26), offering One Life Alliance vision and mission to inspire and encourage the conversation about the oneness and sacredness of life. To receive an email reminder please sign up at www.onelifealliance.org.