Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a globally revered spiritual Master, International Ambassador of Peace and Humanitarian Leader. He was born to Smt. Vishalakshi Ratnam (Amma) and Acharya Sri Ratnananda (Pitaji) in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, India.
Gurudev studied Vedic literature under Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi. He simultaneously went to school at MES in Bengaluru and at the age of seventeen received a Bachelor’s of Science in Physics from St. Joseph’s College in Bengaluru, India.
Soon after graduation, Gurudev travelled with his teacher - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, rendering talks and arranging conferences on Vedic Science, setting up Meditation and Ayurveda centres.
Gurudev has been well-received throughout the world as a revered Spiritual Master and he intrinsically describes that spirituality fosters human values such as love and compassion and can be embraced by people of all faiths. In his view, a ‘violence-free society’ can be achieved through spirituality and not solely through religion.
Gurudev has received numerous awards and recognitions globally as well as he has been distinguished with honorary doctorates from many universities and institutions throughout the world.
In the year 1982, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar took a ten days silence period at a place called Shimoga which is located little away from Bengaluru in Karnataka. This was during this time that the most miraculous gift to mankind and immensely sacred as well as powerful technique - Sudarshan Kriya was revealed to Him.
Right from its initial days in 1982 till today, millions of people have been experiencing clarity in mind, purity in heart and sincerity in action with the practice of Sudarshan Kriya. Many universities of the world have researched on Sudarshan Kriya and have discovered amazing outcomes.
The Art of Living Foundation was formed in the year 1981 with the core commitment of eliminating stress and foster a sense of well-being.
It is the world's largest volunteer-based international, non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization. Gurudev beautifully describes: 'Art of Living Foundation is a people's movement which has been started to empower people'.
The Art of Living offers different techniques and programs for a joyful, happy and enriched life. The foundation is aimed to provide a beautiful combination of traditional wisdom and its applicability in the modern age. It portrays a perfect blend of science and spirituality.
Spreading Peace, Healing Hearts - Globally.
Gurudev has been globally recognized as an ambassador of peace, receiving numerous awards for his work. He has initiated an exceptional worldwide movement for a stress-free, violence-free society.
His work has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, going beyond the barriers of race, nationality and religion with the message and vision of a 'One-World Family'; emphasizing that inner and outer peace are possible; and that a stress-free, violence-free society can be created through service and the reawakening of human values.
Gurudev has been playing a vital role in peace negotiations across the globe and spreads his vision of non-violence at public forums and gatherings worldwide. Lakhs of people attend his conferences and meditation gatherings throughout the world.
A peace Campaign for Africa inspired around 10,000 people from 23 African countries to meditate for peace, making it the largest peace meditation on the continent, led by Gurudev.
He also visited Pakistan in 2004 on a 'goodwill mission' and again in 2012 when he inaugurated Art of Living Centres in Islamabad and Karachi.
Art of Living trauma and stress relief camps were organized for people of Mumbai following the terrorist attacks in November 2008. Gurudev visited the city and conducted peace meditation for traumatized people.
Gurudev negotiated a peace deal between the Colombian government and the guerrilla movement FARC during his visit to Cuba in June 2015. The FARC agreed to follow the principle of non-violence to attain its political objectives and social justice.
Healing Hearts initiative for Kashmir by Gurudev hosted Paigam-e-Mohabbat, a reconciliation program for the family members of martyred security personnel, victims of cross-firing and slain militants on 10th November 2017. This program brought together 200 families that had lost their loved ones to violence in the Valley on one platform to heal their hearts and give peace a chance.
Through his initiatives and addresses, Gurudev has consistently emphasized the need for reinforcing human values and recognizing humanity as our highest identity.
