On Tour with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  

“Spiritual essence unites the hearts and minds of people.” said Sri Sri as he embarked on a ‘Spiritual Awakening Tour’ in Tamil Nadu.

On the first day of the tour, Sri Sri also suggested that the 1.25 lakh Sri Lankan Tamils living as refugees in the 112 camps in Tamil Nadu should be given immigrant status like their counterparts living in Europe and America.

“It is just humane to give hope and opportunity to these people living in Tamil Nadu”.

He also called for a signature campaign by the citizens to absorb the Sri Lankan Tamils into the mainstream of Indian society. They should be given ration cards, homes, jobs and citizenship.

The tour aims at reviving ancient Indian value systems and traditions. Temple visits, tour of the Pancha Maha Bhootha Sthalas (temples that epitomize the Five elements), prayers and meditations. Sri Sri’s tour of the Pancha Maha Bhootha Sthalas is of particular significance.

It is believed that the universe and our body is made up of five elements (tatvas) – Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Ether –which are called Pancha Maha Bhoothas.

In the Indian culture and tradition, temples epitomize these Pancha Maha Bhoothas, besides being centers of learning, knowledge and culture which enrich value systems. Sri Sri will be launching environmental sustainability campaigns along the different spots of the tour.

Sri Sri encouraged a Tamil gathering to pray for Tamils in Sri Lanka at the Sivananda Ashram in Val Morin.

Before the public address, Sri Sri attended a prayer meeting and was honored at the ashram.

The Vice-Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Laszlo Hornok confers Sri Sri with the title, Professor Honoris Causa

Sri Sri spoke at the 10th Annual International Conference hosted by the Szent Istvan University. The University conferred Sri Sri with their highest honor, Professor Honoris Causa.

To promote an understanding among various religious groups in India, especially in light of the attacks on minorities, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar attended an inter-faith conference in Mumbai on June 12.

This event was the “first official meeting between the pope's representatives and top Indian Hindu religious leaders”.

Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt; Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamiji and Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai shared their perspectives on increasing inter-faith understanding.

With the aim of globalizing human values, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar recently visited Lithuania. He emphasized human values, and a broad-minded approach to find solutions to the global challenges of fanaticism and terrorism.

“Every child needs to know about every religion of the world. Today, a big problem is fanaticism. Education about the human values of every religion will solve this problem,” Sri Sri said in his address at a public forum on May 31.

Sri Sri’s called upon the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Andrius Kubilius on June 1 to deliberate on solutions for global problems.

He also met with Vytautas Landsbergis, member of the European Parliament and ex-chairman of Lithuania on May 30.

Many residents sought Sri Sri’s guidance on meditation and stress-elimination breath techniques at an advanced meditation course held between May 30-June 1.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was the key note speaker at the centenary celebrations of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore on May 25.

His talk spanned a wide range of subjects: from ancient Indian scriptures to the theory of relativity. In response to a question on scientific research,

Sri Sri said: “When love for science is intense, it is already moving the world. The ultimate aim of a researcher is not to earn a livelihood.

If the main aim of a researcher is to earn a livelihood it is not best quality research. It has to lead to a soul-search. Research is to know. The joy of knowing is itself the goal. Getting recognition is immaterial.”

“Every graduation, you are reminded of your duty. May the world become more prosperous, violence-free, and peaceful,” said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as he was conferred with a doctorate from the Bangalore University at the Art of Living International Center this evening.

As the Vice-Chancellor of the university read out the citation, he highlighted Sri Sri’s work as a peace negotiator, and counselor, as well as all the work done as a social activist.

“I accept this doctorate with all humility,” said Sri Sri. “Vidyaa dadaati vinayam – Knowledge brings humility. I would urge all to remember what you need to do for society - social responsibilities, as well as personal responsibilities.”

When disembarking from the flight to Sofia, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was asked: What made you commit your life to building a world without violence? He said: “I do this work because of my love for humanity.”

On his first visit to the country, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was asked his guidance on many critical issues facing the world, including the role of religion in conflicts, and the Easter violence in Bulgaria.

“A multi-cultural outlook would bring in more tolerance, and learning. We all need to create a stress-free, and violence-free society,” H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said. He emphasized the need to teach children how to control their minds through the breath.

“There is violence in the youth today because they have emotions trapped inside, and they are not taught how to handle their own minds.”

To deliberate on solutions, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met with the Ministers of Health, Justice, Social Affairs as well as the Vice-Minister of External Affairs.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar shared his vision of a One World Family, stressed the need for religious tolerance, and dialog for resolving conflicts at a seminar in the Palace of Culture on April 26.

Over 4,000 people from Bulgaria, and other Balkan countries gathered to learn breath techniques, and meditation at a Health & Happiness workshop personally conducted by H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

He also met the Head of the Orthodox Church.

Concerned about the conflict in Sri Lanka and the plight of the civilians, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar went on a 3-day peace mission to Sri Lanka.

He closely interacted with refugees in the Manik camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP) as well as a camp in Vavuniya.

“Whatever you need for a good and dignified life, we are there to support you,” H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told the troubled people.

“The Art of Living Foundation and I are right with you in your hour of need,” he assured them. “All your children will study and have a good future. This is my guarantee.”

While H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar distributed the relief material, many refugees shared their plight with H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. An engineer in one of the camps said, “We will lose our mind, we are going crazy as we are here for four months.”

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conveyed the desire of the Tamils to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse. “The untold suffering of the Tamils will make any heart bleed.

A place that has never seen beggars has to beg for water, food, clothes, and for life itself,” H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told the President during their interaction.

The Venerable Bellanwilla Wimalaratana Thero, chancellor of Sri Jayawardhanapura University expressed his happiness on H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar`s visit, and said that this augurs well for the people of Sri Lanka.

As part of his peace mission, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also met up with several dignitaries including Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, American Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake, Ministers in the Sri Lankan cabinet, and Parliamentarians with a notable exception being the Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka.