Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is regrettably best known for its violent past. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was unexpectedly assassinated there, sparking the first World War. More recently, it became the site of the longest running siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare, lasting from 1992 until 1996. Despite this recent period of civil unrest, a few individuals have continued to make a stand for peace: not just societal peace, but a tangible peace that can be felt within each individual.

In Spite of War

The message of Prem Rawat first came to Sarajevo in 1975 when Seid Trnka—who first heard about it in Germany—informed his local friends. Soon there were quite a few interested in learning more, many of whom ended up receiving the techniques of Knowledge, a practical method that Prem Rawat teaches to experience peace within. As a result, approximately 150 people were listening to Prem Rawat’s teachings in Sarajevo before the war began in March 1992. Interest was growing steadily.

Unfortunately, the aggression of the siege of Sarajevo changed everything. Violence became an everyday phenomenon, and there was little guarantee of survival. However, even during Sarajevo’s darkest hours in the winter of 1994, when bombings occurred daily and the city was without electricity, food, water, or telephone, a few determined people managed to organize video presentations of Prem Rawat’s message. These weekly meetings continued from February to August of 1994, despite obvious difficulties. For the organizers, these presentations “were like an oasis in a hostile desert, offering refreshing insight to the reality of life.” Even in the midst of war, it was possible to be reminded to focus on existence itself rather than the external circumstances that threatened to take it away.

After the war, two-thirds of those listening to Prem Rawat’s teachings left Sarajevo. Not much happened until the Keys—a series of videos designed to explain key points of understanding—were introduced, which inspired a small team of enthusiasts to take on the massive effort of translating and subtitling them into the Bosnian language, with help from Serbian colleagues. The translation of these videos provided a solid foundation for interested people to learn more, and allowed them to easily inform fellow citizens about the possibility of experiencing inner peace.

Expanding Outreach

At an event held on July 28, 2009 in Belgrade, Prem Rawat expressed the desire to visit Sarajevo. Inspired by his words, the team dedicated themselves to informing all of their fellow citizens about Prem Rawat’s message. They began holding presentations in the Holiday Inn, with a plan to invite anyone and everyone they could.

After several attempts were made to get the word out through newspaper advertisements, posters, and e-mail, they tried an Internet ad. This brought half a dozen newcomers to an event in October. Not satisfied, the team decided to hold yet another event, this time advertising through a regional TV station called TVSA which broadcasts to 400,000 people. For the first time, an invitation to hear more was broadcast widely in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This was a milestone for the organizers, although it took a great deal of effort to make it happen. As Nihad Ajanovic explained, “The idea of broadcasting the message via TV in Bosnia and Herzegovina had existed for some time, and a team had been steadily working and translating many events from the series Words of Peace.” Thanks to these translators’ efforts, it became possible to hold regular events at the local Holiday Inn, although the cost of renting the hall and audiovisual equipment was “nearly the same as a monthly salary in the region.” To the team, however, it was worth it. And this time around, there were quite a few new faces in the crowd.

Heartfelt Thanks

“I just hope this feeling will stay.”

“This is what I have been looking for.”

“I felt the joy in my heart so that I started to cry.”

These were some of the comments made by guests who attended the presentation at the Holiday Inn in Sarajevo.

Biljana Radanovic, who recently began practicing Knowledge, felt very inspired by the audience’s reaction. “It was so beautiful to see the audience embrace this message. People came to learn what it was all about, and listened to Prem Rawat with open minds. Their expression of disbelief changed to one of recognition,” she said. “That they, too, can have an experience of peace.”