Remains of 2 Nelson residents set to return from India today

The bodies of two Nelson County residents killed in last week’s India terrorist attacks are returning home.

Alan Scherr, a 58-year-old meditation teacher, astrologer and former art professor, was shot to death Wednesday in the lobby cafe of the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai. Scherr’s 13-year-old daughter, Naomi, was also killed.

The father and daughter were among six known deaths of Americans in last week’s coordinated terrorist attacks across India’s financial capital that left at least 172 dead and 239 wounded.

The Scherrs had lived at a 450-acre complex in the Blue Ridge Mountains for more than a decade. They were members of a mystical group called the Synchronicity Foundation that emphasizes meditation and visions of a female figure known as the “Blessed Mother” or “Divine Feminine.”

The Scherrs were in India as part of a religious pilgrimage with the founder of Synchronicity, Master Charles Cannon, and roughly 25 others.

Cannon is returning from India and will appear today at Synchronicity’s Nelson County headquarters to speak with reporters about his harrowing experience in Mumbai during the three-day battle between security forces and as-yet-unidentified armed extremists.

Cannon, who was not injured in the attacks, hid in his locked hotel room for 45 hours. Many of Synchroni-city’s other followers hid in their rooms behind barricaded doors. They could hear automatic gunfire and explosions throughout the hotel for nearly two days.

In a statement posted Monday on Synchronicity’s Web site, Cannon thanked his followers for their support as the organization heals from the loss of two longtime members.

“I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for your love and support in the midst of this most tragic experience,” Cannon wrote. “As I write these few words, tears fall from my eyes. Yet, while I am humanly sad and grieving, I remain wakeful of the divinity of life and my soul rests in the blissful peace of Source Consciousness. I love each and every one of you with all my heart and soul, and hold you in my Sourceful awareness.”

Cannon, a disciple of Indian Swami Muktananda, established the Synchronicity Foundation in 1983. Its sanctuary near Faber includes a monastery, living quarters for about 30 and a community building.

The community supports itself through seminars, retreats and the sale of Cannon’s meditation tapes.

Appearing alongside Cannon at the news conference today will be Kia Scherr, wife of Alan Scherr and mother of Naomi. Kia Scherr had not gone on the group’s pilgrimage to India. She was in Florida last week with her two adult sons when she heard the news that her husband and daughter had been slain.

Members of Synchronicity declined to speak on the record Monday.

The group’s Web site gave an update Sunday about four Synchronicity members who were wounded in the terrorist attacks. Michael Rudder of Montreal, who was shot three times, was scheduled to undergo surgery Monday to remove a bullet. He was expected to remain hospitalized in Mumbai for eight weeks. Rudrani Devi and Linda Ragsdale, both of Nashville, Tenn., had successful surgeries and were expected to return after a week of recovery in the hospital. Helen Connolly of Toronto was treated for minor injuries and already has been released. She was expected to return to Canada in the coming days.

It is not yet known when the bodies of the Scherrs will be returned from India. Funeral arrangements had not yet been announced.

A Web site was established Friday in memory of the Scherrs. As of Monday afternoon, mourners had posted some 800 messages in tribute to the father and daughter.

“Like so many, who were blessed and assisted by Alan and marveled at and laughed with Naomi — I think of you in your loss and in this very hard, dark and difficult phase, with love, with great care,” one friend wrote. “May you find strength, moment by moment, in the presence of who you are and the tenderness of those around you, who are aware and loving.”