Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a globally revered spiritual Master and Humanitarian Leader. He was born to Smt. Vishalakshi Ratnam (Amma) and Acharya Sri Ratnanandaji (Pitaji) in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, India. Gurudev was a gifted child who was able to recite the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture and was often found in deep meditation since a very tender age. He holds degrees in, both, Vedic literature and physics. Sri Sri studied Vedic literature under the renowned Sanskrit scholar, Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi. He simultaneously went to school at MES in Bangalore and at the age of 17 years, he received a Bachelors degree in Physics from St. Joseph’s College in Bangalore, India. Gurudev spiritual quest led him to join Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, from where his journey began. After graduation, Gurudev travelled with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi out of India, giving talks and arranging conferences on Vedic science, and setting up Meditation and Ayurveda centers.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a globally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader. He has spearheaded an unprecedented worldwide movement for a stress-free, violence-free society. Through a myriad of programs and teachings, a network of organizations including the Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values, and a rapidly growing presence across 155 countries, Gurudev has reached an estimated 370 million people. Gurudev has developed unique, impactful programs that empower, equip and transform individuals to tackle challenges at global, national, community and individual levels.
The Birth of Sudarshan Kriya:Gurudev Sri Sri’s desire to find ways to help people lead a happy and healthy life lead to the discovery of ‘Sudarshan Kriya’.
Sudarshan Kriya came into being in 1982 in Shimoga, India when Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, went into a ten-day period of silence.
“I had already traveled around the world. I had taught yoga and meditation. But still, I was concerned about how to help people live a happy life. I felt there was something that was lacking. Though people do their practices, their life is in compartments when they come out in life, they are very different people. So, I was thinking how we can bridge this gap between inner silence and outer expression of life.
During a ten-day period of silence, the Sudarshan Kriya came like an inspiration. Nature knows what to give and when to give. After I came out of the silence, I started teaching whatever I knew and people had great experiences.” - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Since then, Sudarshan Kriya - the powerful, rhythmic breathing technique has been the cornerstone of all Art of Living courses. The first course was taught by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at Shimoga. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has made ancient wisdom very practical to modern day and has introduced yoga, pranayamas, and meditation into the daily lives of millions over the last three decades
