On Tour with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits Ukraine for the first time

3 May

Sri Sri visits Orthodox shrines in Kiev

Sri Sri visited Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra and St. Vladimir's Cathedral. In the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra, Sri Sri was warmly welcomed by Abbot Hilarion. He showed the various shrines and shared the history going back one thousand years . Abbot took with special interest Guruji’s invitation to come to India, as he studied a variety of philosophical schools of the world. Sri Sri and Abbot Hilarion talked on the best Russian-language edition of Indian philosophy and religion - "Indian philosophy", written by the President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

The first official person who met Sri Sri in Kiev was the deputy of the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine Ivan Zyatc, he welcomed the international guests in Ukraine. During the meeting, deputy noted that human values, which are being revived by Sri Sri are very important both for Ukraine and for the whole world.

In the Vladimir Cathedral, Sri Sri met Boris the Abbe - rector of the Cathedral. Abbe heads the main church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev’s Patriarchate.  Abbe Boris met Sri Sri with the words: "It is a great honor to welcome the representative of such ancient culture as India. Not only for Ukraine but for all states of the former Soviet Union, Indian culture is particularly valuable. Back in 60s, 70s every educated person knew and appreciated the culture of India with its dance and music, thanks to an amazing masterpiece of Indian cinema. Ukrainian and Indian culture remarkably similar in spirit. You, as a representative of an ancient culture, of course, have something to share with us". In parting, Abbe Boris warmly embraced and presented Sri Sri with a rare icon and said: "This meeting will remain forever in my heart. I wish you success in whatever you do. You do goodness to people - this is especially important for the modern world."

4 May

Tree planting, Spiritual values in politics and Charge yourself with action

Sri Sri together with volunteers in the Kiev botanical garden, planted the "Pink Magnolia" tree - a symbol of purity, nobility and perseverance. A total of 20 trees were planted. Sri Sri, then interacted with journalists and answered several important questions concerning the ecology of Ukraine and the world: "There are 3 important things we should do: stop pollution of air, of water and of earth. We should switch to organic farming and plant more trees."

In the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine Sri Sri lead a seminar "Yoga for Health and Happiness." Sri Sri taught more than 800 people the basics of yoga, unique breathing techniques, as well as how the sounds and songs affect on our mind and intellect.

Sri Sri participated in a round table discussion on "Spiritual values in politics, business and charity" with progressive Ukrainian politicians, businessmen, sportsmen and artists. Immediately after the round table discussion he joined a press conference.

In the evening more than 1 500 people gathered for an open conversation with Sri Sri entitled “Charge yourself with action”. All present had the opportunity to ask Sri Sri questions and learn the secrets of happy living. Sri Sri conducted a meditation and the 1500 people in the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine in the very center of Kiev was in absolute silence.

Sri Sri visits Norway 

29 April

Spirituality is an appointment with yourself

"The first rule on the spiritual path is to stop blaming yourself. That does not mean that you justify all the mistakes you do. It is not to justify your mistake but recognize your mistake and at the same time, not blame yourself."

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30 April

Human beings have the most advanced intellect

"Consciousness works in four ways; there are four functions of one consciousness: like one person, when he goes to the office he is an officer, when he goes to the market he is a buyer or a seller, and the same person, when he is in the classroom he is a student. Right? And at home he is a father or a husband or a son or something. He plays different roles. Similarly, this one consciousness, it plays four important roles."

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27 April

From your heart don’t encourage animosity with anybody

"You should sing, dance and dwell in knowledge. Knowledge does not mean simply information, like you read books and get some information. That is not knowledge. Knowledge is experiencing the reality the way it is. When knowledge becomes very strongly embedded in our consciousness, it is called wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge very well lodged in our self. That makes you wise. Everybody has wisdom. Some may have a little and some may have more. It is only a matter of time that life takes you from a little wisdom to more wisdom."

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28 April

Peace is the first step towards God

"You use the intellect. Use it fully, but also know that the intellect is not all that is. The truth is beyond that; one step ahead of it."

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18 April: University of Southern California 

Human Values & Hollywood

“Through films, science can trigger the quest, inquisitiveness in a person. Through films, art can bring beauty, ecstasy and joy. Through films, spiritual awakening can also happen,” said Sri Sri at the ‘Human Values and Hollywood’ talk held in the University of Southern California, Los Angeles on April 18. “To me, spiritual awakening is where you become aware of your true nature, your connection with the whole universe and with all the people in the planet,” he continued.

“Your very nature is love, compassion, beauty. And it just gets covered by stress, distrust and mistrust and lack of trust. We cant lose this at all, because it’s our very nature. We are made up of both matter and spirit. Spirit is all that beauty, love, true integrity, honesty. All these values that we posses, we are born with. Paying little attention to that. Giving a broader vision to life, seeing life from a broader perspective, in the context of universe makes a very big difference.”

20 April: Los Angeles Art of Living Center

Secrets of Meditation

"In the next three days we will explore all about meditation. Are you ready for the journey? Then buckle up! Fasten your seat belt! Do you know what the real seat belt for meditation is? Feeling at home, being natural! If you feel very formal, you can’t meditate. Meditation requires being informal and feeling at home."

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21 April: Los Angeles Art of Living Center 

If you have meditated you should feel light like a flower

"Meditation is the journey from sound to silence, from movement to stillness, from a limited identity to unlimited space. Last night, I said that there are five ways through which meditation happens. Let us recapitulate."

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22 April: Los Angeles Art of Living Center

In one moment of samadhi there is a million years of rest

"How meditation can happen in many ways. Meditation is a happening, this is the first point. Second is, meditation is effortless. The key for meditation is effortlessness." 

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Sri Sri visits Taiwan

Wisdom is the best shock absorber

This afternoon when I was talking to the press they were telling me that Taiwan is losing its traditional values. I said they should hold on to their roots. Taiwan has a very long history of values and these values should be nurtured and preserved. Especially family values are very important. Personal integrity is very important. Don't you think so?

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Sri Sri visits Bali

Our consciousness is very ancient

See the ocean, how non-stop the waves keep coming. It doesn't get bored. Birds sing the same song, they don’t get bored. Every morning birds sing, all their life. They don’t get bored. It is human beings who get bored. ’Oh once again the same thing.’ And why do we get bored? It is because of memory.

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If you are at ease with yourself everyone will be at ease with you

Contentment and happiness are very important. Other things come and go. We have come on this planet so many times, we will come again. Life is continuous; it is coming and going, coming and going.

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There is no short cut for making money

"What is most essential today are role models. Young entrepreneurs need to see role models; industries which have ethical practices, which are fair and which have corporate social responsibilities. This can happen and in fact this should happen, for there are ample number of businesses who have grown steadily following code of conduct and ethics." said Sri Sri who addressed business leaders as the key note speaker.

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The best gift is wisdom

"When you turn the candle upside down, still the flame always goes up. In life also, so many incidences will come where your enthusiasm is put down; your spirit goes down. At that time remember ‘I am like the candle and I will come out of this. Nothing whatsoever can stop my spirit and enthusiasm." Sri Sri

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Trust in the goodness of people

"There are three types of trust essential in life; one is trust in the infinite power that is governing this world. Second is trust in the goodness of people around. There are good people in the world, if you think everybody is bad then you will become bad as well. If you think everybody is not okay then you become so small, you shrink and you will also be part of them. There are good people on this planet, trust in the goodness of people." Sri Sri

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Trust in the goodness of people around

Sri Sri visits Malaysia

"There are three types of trust essential in life; one is trust in the infinite power that is governing this world. Second is trust in the goodness of people around. There are good people in the world, if you think everybody is bad then you will become bad as well. If you think everybody is not okay then you become so small, you shrink and you will also be part of them. There are good people on this planet, trust in the goodness of people."

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