Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a universally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader. His vision of a violence-free, stress-free society through the reawakening of human values has inspired millions to broaden their spheres of responsibility and work towards the betterment of the world.
He is a multi-faceted social activist whose initiatives include conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, poverty alleviation, empowerment of women, prisoner rehabilitation, education for all and campaigns against female foeticide and child labour. He is engaged in peace negotiations and counselling in conflict zones around the world. His expertise in bringing opposing parties to the negotiating table in areas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, Colombia, Venezuela, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ayodhya, Kashmir and Bihar is widely acknowledged.
In recognition of his initiatives, the Supreme Court of India appointed him as one of the three mediators to resolve the Ayodhya dispute which finally ended in 2019. In 1981, Gurudev established The Art of Living, an educational and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisation that works in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Present in 180 countries, it formulates and implements lasting solutions to conflicts and issues faced by individuals, communities and nations. In 1997, Gurudev founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to foster human values and lead sustainable development projects.
He has pioneered and supported movements to revive ethics in public life such as India Against Corruption and the World Forum for Ethics in Business.
He has reached out to an estimated 500 million people worldwide through personal interactions, public events, teachings, Art of Living workshops and humanitarian initiatives. Not since Mahatma Gandhi has one person united people of different traditions and faiths into a spiritual communion across the length and breadth of India.
He has brought to the masses ancient practices which were traditionally kept exclusive, and has designed many self-development techniques which can easily be integrated into daily life to calm the mind and instil confidence and enthusiasm. These techniques have helped thousands overcome depression and violent and suicidal tendencies. One of Gurudev’s most unique offerings to the world is the Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that facilitates physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.
Numerous honours have been bestowed upon Gurudev, including the highest civilian awards of Colombia, Mongolia and Paraguay. In 2016, he was conferred with the ‘Padma Vibhushan’, the highest annual civilian award of India. He has also been conferred with 26 honorary doctorates from around the world. Gurudev is the Lifetime President of Sri Sri University. He is a member of the Amarnath Shrine Board (appointed by Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India) and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, India. He was appointed the Chairman of Reception Committee for the 500th anniversary celebrations of the Coronation of Krishnadevaraya (by Government of Karnataka, India).
He travels to nearly 40 countries every year and has addressed several international forums exemplifying his call to globalise wisdom. His universal and simple message is that love and wisdom can prevail over hatred and distress.
Gurudev is engaged in bridging religious, social, ideological and economic divides in society by enlivening the ancient Indian ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One World Family). He reminds us that diverse traditions and cultures have their roots in the same basic human values of peace, compassion, truth, belongingness and non‑violence. The Art of Living serves society with a non-denominational, secular and holistic approach.
In March 2007, the Universal Declaration of Human Values, authored by Gurudev, was unveiled at the John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington DC. This document, in the form of a proposed resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, represents Gurudev’s vision for a fresh approach to fostering understanding and harmonious coexistence between different peoples and cultures. In January 2005, Gurudev gave the keynote address at the First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace held in Brussels.
He has hosted and facilitated several dialogues and reconciliation events between different caste groups in various parts of India. In 2002, he hosted a three-day conference at The Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru to showcase the contribution of Dalits to the rich heritage of India.
Respected as a neutral party with unquestionable integrity, Gurudev has inspired many groups to adopt peaceful means to resolve conflicts. He has engaged all the stake holders in the peace process in areas such as Sri Lanka, the Balkans, Iraq, Kashmir, Israel, Lebanon and the Ivory Coast. Trauma relief programmes have been conducted extensively in these areas to help individuals release negative emotions such as anger from the past, revenge and frustration, which can hamper the peaceful resolution of disputes. Gurudev convened the South Asia Peace and Reconciliation
Conference in Oslo in April 2008. “Pluralism and embracing people of all cultures should be part of our education,” said Gurudev at the Presidential Conference entitled ‘Facing Tomorrow 2009’, in Jerusalem. “The Middle East crisis can be solved through educating people with a multi cultural, multi religious and broader spectrum of knowledge,” he said.