Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, was born on 13 May 1956. He is also frequently referred to simply as “Sri Sri” (honorific) or as Guruji or Gurudev. He is a spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, which aims to relieve individual stress, societal problems, and violence. In 1997, he established a Geneva-based charity, the International Association for Human Values, an NGO that engages in relief work and rural development and aims to foster shared global values.

His Life

Sri Sri Ravishankar was born in 1956 in the southern part of India. It is said that at the tender age of four, he could recite parts of the scared Bhagwad Gita. By time he was 17 years old, he had already attained an advanced degree in Modern Physics. Some time later, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University of India. Other than that, there is very little information on the childhood and the early life of Sri Sri Ravishankar.

Receiving Enlightenment

It is believed that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received Enlightenment in the year 1982. He had retreated into silence and on the tenth day of his silence, he became Enlightened. Enlightenment also bestowed Ravi Shankar with the technique of Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing exercise.

Establishing Art of Living Foundation

In 1982, the year he received Enlightenment, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar established the Art of Living Foundation. Thorough this foundation, he promoted the Sudarshan Kriya. Today, his foundation is considered to be one of the largest volunteer-based educational and humanitarian organizations in the world. In 1997, he founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), along with Dalai Lama and a number of other people.

Philosophy of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar teaches people to replace hatred and suffering with love and wisdom. He spreads the message of universal love, peace and brotherhood throughout the world. He aims at promoting spirituality amongst people and making them realize that there is goodness in every individual. He advises people to accept as well as respect each other.