THE JOURNEY FOR PEACE

It might have seemed like a child's fantasy when H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told his friends in school, "People are waiting for me all over the world. One day, I am going to visit them." But in reality, he was revealing the real purpose of his life. Today, H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar travels to nearly 40 countries every year, exemplifying his call to globalize wisdom. His travels serve to bridge existing divides among people by reinforcing the ancient Indian ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One World Family. Hundreds of thousands are moved by his presence alone, getting a profound experience of love, celebration, silence, and serenity.

Many of his tours have also translated into significant peace-building developments. Take for example his travel to Iraq as a peace ambassador in 2007. It brought to focus the possibilities of combating violence in non-violent ways, even in a war-torn country. H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar travels to strife-torn places not only to heal the wounds of victims, and calm the aggressors, but also to galvanize the local population to work towards peaceful co-existence.

His travels have helped activate many sustainable social, and economic developmental projects. Whether it is helping suicide-prone farmers of India or bringing solace to victims of Hurricane Katrina, H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has always been the first to rush into action to bring peace to every member of the global family.


Jan. 30-Feb. 2 Orissa : Jan. 31 Mahasatsang & Mahakriya in Bhubaneshwar

Feb. 12, 2010 – Shivratri in Kolkata, India For more details..click here

Feb. 4 - 10, 2010 – Adavance Meditation Program in Bangalore ashram, India For more details..click here

Addressing masses in troubled Bodoland, North-east India, Feb. 17

Addressing masses in troubled Bodoland, North-east India, Feb. 17Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as a part of his eight-day long tour in the North-East of India, addressed the rural masses in Bongaingoan, the troubled district of lower Assam. Over 100,000 people turned up in Salmara in Abhayapuri to hear Sri Sri's message of peace and love. Sri Sri also urged people to adopt organic farming methods (rishi krishi) and Ayurveda. The Art of Living runs five schools in that area and has plans to build more. Volunteers of the Art of Living have been working in this area to bring peace and understanding.

Garbage cleaning drive, Kolkata, India, Feb. 11

“No one single agency or authority can undertake this mission. We need all to join hands so that together we make a difference,” said Sri Sri as he shoveled garbage from the once-famed Lily Pool in Kolkata, India. 125 youth volunteers joined Sri Sri in the garbage cleaning drive. Sri Sri emphasized the need to look after the environment and encouraged people to take responsibility for the environment.

Address to 1,000 Roman Catholics priests, India, Feb. 9

Sri Sri addressed 1,000 Roman Catholic priests at the Indian Priests's Congress in Velanganni, a little hamlet in Tamil Nadu, India.
Excerpt from Sri Sri's address: “The world is undergoing an identity crisis!.. A reversal of identity is needed.. First of all, our identity is that we are all Divine... then we are human beings, then our gender, religion, country and so on. We have to educate the society about the ONE divinity.. When that shift happens, we can relate to anybody, whatever be our ideology.Fear will be eliminated.
This education is the only way to bring peace around us, to make this world a beautiful place to live in.”

Addressing lawyers, Bangalore, India, Feb. 8

Sri Sri spoke on meditation and relaxation at the Federation of Bar Associates of Karnataka. The best of the legal minds followed Sri Sri through a routine of simple sukshma yoga asanas. “Usually we think that meditation is concentration. There is an effort to concentrate. Meditation is effortless relaxation. The fruit of meditation is concentration. After you get up from the sleep, how is your mind? Concentrated, right? Any work entails concentration. But relaxation doesn’t require concentration.
Meditation expands the size of this vessel called mind. Meditation helps to increase the container not the contents.

Opening the dialogue table with Maoists, Orissa, India, Feb. 2

Sri Sri met with the Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik to speak to him about the problem of Maoists in the state.
Only a day earlier, Sri Sri invited Maoists to a discussion with him. "I request the Maoists to talk to us and leave the path of violence. Though the sole intention of the rebels is to work for the society, the path of violence which they have taken is not proper way,” said Sri Sri, who had spoken to Maoists in Lalgarh and encouraged them to resolve differences with the government through dialogue.

Honored guest at the Hampi Utsav, India, Jan. 27

Sri Sri was an honored guest at the Hampi Utsav, a festival which celebrated the 500th anniversary of Hampi's emperor Krishnadevaraya's coronation. Hampi, located in the state of Karnataka, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony at the famous Hampi temple, Sri Sri said: “Every stone, here in the ruins, is lit - shining, reminding us of its glorious past. Similarly, our human values should shine through.
Celebrations brings us together. Drop your worries. Intelligent people spend their time in celebrations.”

Driving community development, Bangalore, India, Jan. 7

Driving community development, Bangalore, India, Jan. 7Sri Sri interacted and guided over 1,200 rural youth leaders from 14 states of India at a 3-day meet. Organized at the Art of Living International Center, these youth leaders are pioneering grassroots development across India’s rural heartlands. Graduates of the youth leadership training program, these youth shared their success stories, discussed the challenges they face on field and strategies adopted by them.

Youth leaders carve a silent rural transformation Ravi Meher - From Roadside Boot Polishing To Becoming The City Mayor Swapnil Ramdas - Leading a Successful Campaign against Cow Slaughter in Akola District Maharashtra

Sri Sri felicitated, Karnataka, India, Jan. 7

Sri Sri felicitated, Karnataka, India, Jan. 7“By loving each other, we can stop terrorism and Naxalism,” said Sri Sri at the ‘Santha Sandesh’ program in Udupi, Karnataka. Organized by the Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt, the chief seer honored Sri Sri with the title of Nava Yuga Guru. In his speech, Sri Sri emphasized on learning the Sanskrit language and practicing chemical-free farming.



 

Last Updated : January 21, 2010

Date Location Events
Jan. 6-11 International Advanced course, Art of Living International Center, Bangalore, India  
Jan. 12-14 Pune, India Jan. 12
Antarnaad - symphony of 2,000 vocalists
 
Jan. 15-Jan. 26 Art of Living International Center, Bangalore, India  
Jan. 27-Jan. 29 Hampi, Karnataka, India  
Jan. 30-Feb. 2 Orissa Jan. 31
Mahasatsang & Mahakriya in Bhubaneshwar
Feb. 4-10 Art of Living International Center, Bangalore, India  
Feb. 11-15 Kolkata, India Feb. 12
Mahashivratri celebrations
Feb. 16-21 North-east India Feb. 16-17
Tripura, Agartala
Feb. 18
Guwahati, Assam
Feb. 19-21
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
Feb. 25-Mar. 17 Rishikesh, India  
Mar. 21-23 Netherlands Mar. 22-23
Summit of Religious Leaders in response to HIV
Mar. 27-Apr. 4 Bali, Indonesia Mar. 27-28
Art of Living's Women's Conference
Mar. 31-Apr. 4
Advanced meditation course
Apr. 5-7 Fiji  
Apr. 8-9 New Zealand  
Apr. 11-12 Hawaii  
Apr. 14- May 1 United States of America  
Apr. 14 Inauguration of the Art of Living center  
May 3-10 Arosa, Switzerland  
May 13 Sri Sri's birthday  

 

* The schedule is tentative, and may change without prior notice

The Journey: 2009

The Journey: 2008


The Journey: 2007