On Tour with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  

Sri Sri spent the final days on his US tour at the Art of Living Center in Los Angeles, California - a US city known for being one of the first to embrace and popularize Eastern wisdom. Sri Sri said, “Meditation is putting a break on our galloping mind. This is the basis of all growth. This is what is called “yoga” – uniting with what you are.” He led 2,500 people in meditation over a series of public events. His commentary on the ancient Indian scriptures, the Upanishads, was welcomed by a diverse audience.

Sri Sri conducted a day-long yoga-cum-meditation workshop for the people of New Jersey, sharing tips on how to lead a lifestyle conducive to stress-free living.

Sri Sri highlighted techniques to harmonize the mind, body and breath, to achieve inner peace and outer dynamism. Participants learnt how to use meditation as a tool to calm the mind and live in the moment.

Sri Sri had an hour-long meeting with Dr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations about peace situation in the world. The Art of Living has been active in many conflict-affected countries across the world and is involved in peace efforts.

Mr Rainer Wieland, Vice President of the European Parliament called on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Art of Living Center in Bad Antogast, Southern Germany. He was accompanied by Mr Nirj Deva , Member of European Parliament. The meeting lasted for over an hour and they discussed a wide range of global subjects.

Thousands of people gathered as Sri Sri led a meditation for world peace on the auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri.

The city’s Sivaji University ground was full of youth who had gathered to participate in the ‘Abhanganaad’ event. 2,500 warkaris and 1,356 traditional drummers from the Dhangar community performed the region’s cultural arts.

Praising the art of abhang or devotional songs, Sri Sri encouraged the youth to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage.

He also asked the audience to shun corruption, female feoticide and addiction to drugs. “We want a spiritual India, not a country of slums and scams,” he added.

Spreading the message of corporate culture and spirituality, Sri Sri encouraged bureaucrats, corporates and decision makers to inculcate spirituality and human values in their working lives. The program titled, ‘Manthan’ emphasized the importance of the daily practice of stress-relieving techniques.

Thousands attended ‘Gyandhara’, an evening of wisdom with Sri Sri. With a vision to preserve cultural heritage, over 3,000 artistes came together to perform a traditional dance form at the ‘Layatarang’ program.

Urging the public to stand united against corruption and violence, Sri Sri toured Trivandrum, Trichur, Calicut and Kannur in Kerala.

Addressing a large gathering in Thrissur, Sri Sri said: "Our great country is in between scams and slums now. Corruption begins when we are losing the sense of belongingness. We must stand united to fight against these social evils."

Pointing out to the widespread corruption in the country, Sri Sri asked government officials to put a board on their table, saying they won't take bribes.

"We must strike a balance between our needs and responsibilities and lead a life high in responsibility and less in needs. Spirituality plays an important role in achieving this state of mind. The world is a mirror which reflects your inner self," Sri Sri said.

Later that evening, the Thekkinkadu Maidan was packed with followers who came to seek Sri Sri’s blessings. Sri Sri’s last visit to Thrissur was in 1993 when he held an advance course for just 20 people in a small room. Today, after almost 18 years, there are several Art of Living branches all over the district and thousands of practitioners of the Sudarshan Kriya.

At the event, 150 Kathakali dancers explained the phenomenon of meditation using the nuances of the ancient Indian dance form.

Sri Sri later honored eminent Kathakali artistes Padmashri Madavoor Vasudevan Nair, Kalamandalam Gangadharan, Kalamandalam Raman Nampoothiri and Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair.

Sri Sri also visited Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidyamandir (SSRSV) at Pullazhi where he laid the foundation stone for a new school building. He also inaugurated the new Art of Living building, Temple of Knowledge, at Poothole. This will serve as a community center for yoga, meditation and service initiatives.

On February 14th, Sri Sri led thousands in meditation at the Sri Vadakkunathan temple.

21,000 singers sung the ‘Thevaram’, (considered to be the richest Tamil devotional poetry sung over centuries) in the presence of Sri Sri, who was on a three-day tour of the country. Speaking on the relation between music and spirituality, Sri Sri said, “Spirituality and music together can uplift people, get them out of depression and help them start a new life with enthusiasm. For a stress-free life, you have to embrace both these facets.”

Sri Sri emphasized the need to apply the human virtue of forgiveness in our daily life. He also called upon the people to unite in a spirit of unity and respect for all religions.

Also present on the occasion was Chandrakanthan Sivanesathurai, the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province. He thanked Sri Sri and the Art of Living for their wholehearted support in providing relief and assistance in the recent floods that had impaired life in several areas of Batticaloa.

The event was organized by Art of Living’s several hundred youth volunteers in Sri Lanka.

Sri Sri launched 'Swatcha Mangalore' – a campaign aimed to keep Mangalore city clean, green, plastic-free and eco-friendly.

At the function, ‘Mangala Sandhya’ organized at Mangala Stadium in Mangalore, the Spiritual Guru called on the audience of thousands to make the country free of slums and corruption. Sudarshan Kriya was held for those gathered and Sri Sri later graced the Mahasatsang. A large number of devotees from various places in and around Mangalore were present. The students of Alva's Education Foundation, Moodbidri performed Yakshagana (a musical dance drama from the coastal regions of Karnataka).