On Tour with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  

"Love without wisdom (gyan) can bring trouble," said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, while addressing thousands of people at the Rabindra Sarovar stadium in Kolkata on February 14. "If love comes with wisdom, there will be joy, satisfaction, and benediction," he continued. Several among the audience asked H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's guidance on life, suffering, and happiness. Later, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led the gathering into a meditation for global peace.

"Years ago, a wave of spirituality went to the entire world from India, especially from Bengal," said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from the famous Dakshineshwar Temple on Feb. 15. He inaugurated a program to commemorate the 500th year of sanyas (worldly renunciation), and paribrajan (travels for spiritual teachings) of Sriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was also the 500th year of his initiation of the masses to the Hare Krishna Mahamantra (Mantra on Lord Krishna). "All one has to do is to revive spirituality in every nook and corner of Bengal. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu lives in everyone."

“There is one humanity, and nobody is bad,” said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at a gathering of 25,000 Muslims in Bangalore. “A terrorist is not bad but he needs guidance, and we should look to change the course of humanity with love, and not through violence.”

He was addressing an anti-terrorism convention, ‘Fight against Terrorism’ organized by the Jamiat Ulama -I- Hind. The large gathering took an oath to fight terrorism, and promote peace.H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also addressed another gathering organized by the Jamiat Ulama -I- Hind in November 2008. “We will move ahead,” said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the time, promoting the values of non-violence, and peace.

Concerned over the plight of displaced people from Sri Lanka, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met over 3,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees at Mandapam in Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu).

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar promised them that he would make “all efforts” to get them back to their country where they could lead dignified lives.He assured them that their lost jobs, homes, and land would be restored to them. He also appealed to the Sri Lankan Government to compensate the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees for their losses, and rehabilitate them.

Citing the example of Germany and Japan, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also emphasized that a new beginning followed every destruction. H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offered solace to the refugees at the camp, and distributed clothing. The Art of Living has been conducting trauma relief workshops at the camp.Incidentally, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has visited Sri Lanka in a bid to diffuse the tension between the government, and the LTTE.

He has, repeatedly, been gathering international support for the crisis on the island nation. In April 2008, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brought peace experts together at the Conference discuss the situation in Sri Lanka.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was present at the consecration ceremonies of a Buddha idol at a Buddhist Vihara in Gulbarga (Karnataka). He led Nobel Laureate, and spiritual leader Dalai Lama to the idol, and assisted the latter in the ceremonies.H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar stressed the need to revive, and spread Buddha's message of tolerance, peace, and non-violence.

"It's a time for people to follow Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar, and their preaching in every aspect of life," he said. H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has, time and again, encouraged people of different philosophies to come together, especially in light of the rising conflicts, and violence in the world today.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed a seminar on 'Spiritualism for Combat Leadership' at the National Defense Academy in Pune. When asked about the connection between spirituality and combat, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the knowledge given in Bhagvad Geeta (Indian scripture) was delivered on a battle field. Speaking on the importance of meditation, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: "Meditation raises the level of prana (energy).

When the prana rises, life is enhanced by three-fold: integrative, innovative and intuitive." H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also gave some practical tips to withstand physical, and situational challenges when stationed in sensitive areas.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also pointed out that worldwide soldiers read spiritual texts belonging to their countries. "Similarly our India soldiers should read the Guru Granth Sahib which has the essence of Indian spirituality," he said. This seminar was part of several to commemorate to Academy's 60th anniversary.

Encouraging grassroots development, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar urged 550 village heads to develop specific products in their villages. Speaking at Ahmednagar, (Maharashtra), H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that rural entrepreneurship would financially strengthen villages.He also urged youth to come forward to participate in the development of the country.

"Youth need direction, especially after the terror attack in Mumbai. They need something that can take them towards development. Spirituality can give that direction," he said. H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar added that "Educated youngsters should take responsibility for the country."H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also taught pranyaam, and yoga to 15,000 people in Ahemednagar, giving them tools for a disease-free body, and a stress-free mind.

Earlier, on Jan. 13, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led one hundred thousand people through a meditation for global peace at the famous temple of Shirdi.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Shirdi: Star News (Hindi)

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation in Bangalore. While speaking of the Indian philosophy behind space, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also touched upon the working of the mind. "At any point in time, there are thousands of thoughts streaming through our brains. Look at the thoughts. We hardly act upon them: Less than two percent are acted upon. Each thought is an impulse of energy, and consciousness. Calming the mind can give that much energy to us instead of wasting it in useless thought. What is a worry? It is the same thought getting stuck like an orbit, going around, and around."

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar further said: "If the sky is clouded then even through the most powerful telescope, we cannot see far out into the universe. Similarly, with a clouded mind we cannot innovate, look far and create."

To increase citizen participation against the growing threat of terrorism, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar launched the state-wide, government-led campaign against terrorism in Mangalore, (Karnataka).

"Parents, and students must become responsible, and fight unitedly against terrorism without any bias towards region, and caste," H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar urged the gathering of 25,000 students.

Higher education minister Aravind Limbavali, and home minister Dr. V.S. Acharya also attended the program. "It is not only the responsibility of the police to curb terrorism.Individuals have a major role to play in identifying terrorists," he said. The campaign envisions creating awareness among 1.8 million students in a month.

Anti-terror campaign begins
H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Calls to Fight Against Terrorism