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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Human Values & Hollywood, Los Angeles, April 18

“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 can’t 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.”

Later, from April 20-23, Sri Sri delivered a series of talks entitled: Secrets of meditation. 

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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Japanese Premier lauds Sri Sri’s ‘Wave of Happiness’ campaign, April 11-13

Lauding the efforts of The Art of Living and Sri Sri for its mission to create ‘Waves of Happiness’, Mr Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, who met with the spiritual leader said, “I am very happy that Sri Sri visited the epicenter of the tsunami and met with the displaced victims. I appreciate the participation of The Art of Living in Japan where the suicide rates are becoming very high.”

He also mentioned that apart from the economical and political relations, spirituality has its vital role to play. “Since this year is marking the 60th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relationships, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's visit to Japan adds more value,” he added.

Mr Hiroshi Yamada, leader of the ‘Spirit of Japan’ party and former Mayor of Suginami city organized a civic reception for Sri Sri. This was attended by the former Prime Minister of Japan Mr Abe Shinzo; MrHiranuma Takeo, Minister of Parliament; MrSonoda Hiroyuki, Minister of Parliament; MrNagashima Akihisa, Minister of Parliament; Governor of Saitama prefecture Mr Ueda Kiyoshi; Chairman of Osaka prefecture assembly, Mr Asada Hiroshi; former Mayor of Yokohama MrNakada Hiroshi; Mr Kasai Noriyuki, Chairman, Central Japan Railways Corporation. Also present were many parliament members, political leaders and corporate heads.

On his three-day tour, Sri Sri also addressed the students of Tokai University. His call to create a stress-free and violence-free society struck a chord with one and all.

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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Emphasizing on ethical corporate practices, Singapore, April 2

Sri Sri was a keynote speaker at the World Forum for Ethics in Business in Singapore. Emphasizing on ethical business practices, Sri Sri said: "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." 

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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