May 13 

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's 56th Birthday Celebrations

Today’s message is that everyone one of you is a leader. You lead somebody somewhere. Either lead them on the right path or lead them astray. This is for sure that everyone is a leader. And if you have to lead everyone in the right path your life needs to be very pure, spotless. . . Read more

May 11

Devotion is like a diamond

Devotion is a gift, you can’t take mileage out of it, and you shouldn’t. If you take, then that is the way we start slipping out of mediation and out of devotion. Feel grateful for being devoted. Be like a child and let go . . .  Read more

May 10

A criticism should go with compassion and care

Love is something that you can never get rid of. It is your nature. Either it presents itself in its pure form or it presents itself in a distorted form. Either there is pure love, or pure love gets expressed in a distorted form. What are the distortions of love? . . . Read more

May 09

Being useful is the purpose of your life

In life there are two situations: One is when you are comfortable and happy. Another situation is when you are upset and unhappy. So what is needed to maintain this comfort and happiness is a willingness to do service. . . Read more

May 08

You don't need to learn anything

In ancient times, the Kings used to support those who would sit in Samadhi. Their job was to just sit in Samadhi for a few hours every day and create those beautiful vibrations all around. They were called Purohits – those who do good things, beneficial things for the society, for the town. They would chant everyday and sit in Samadhi and create an atmosphere of vibrant positivity. . .  Read more

May 07

Faith comes to play only at time of crisis

This whole creation is made up of one energy. Everything is made up of just one thing. Whenever anything bothers you, if you come back to this one principle - there is only one energy which everything is made up of, so there are a lot of possibilities; that brings great relief . . .   Read more

Buddha Purnima

Today is Buddha Purnima, the day Buddha was born. He got Enlightened, he attained Nirvana and he died also on the same day.

Read more as Sri Sri shares insights into the life of the Buddha

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits Ukraine for the first time, May 3-4

Sri Sri visited Kievo-PecherskayaLavra and St. Vladimir's Cathedral. In the Kievo-PecherskayaLavra, Sri Sri was warmly welcomed by Abbot Hilarion. He showed the various shrines and shared the history going back one thousand years. Abbot took with special interest Guruji’s invitation to come to India. Sri Sri and Abbot Hilarion talked on the best Russian-language edition of Indian philosophy and religion - "Indian philosophy", written by the President of India SarvepalliRadhakrishnan.

The first official person who met Sri Sri in Kiev was the deputy of the VerkhovnayaRada of Ukraine Ivan Zyatc. During the meeting, the deputy noted that human values, which are being revived by Sri Sri are very important both for Ukraine and for the whole world.

In the Vladimir Cathedral, Sri Sri met Boris the Abbe - rector of the Cathedral. Abbe heads the main church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev’s Patriarchate.  Abbe Boris met Sri Sri with the words: "It is a great honor to welcome the representative of such ancient culture as India. Not only for Ukraine but for all states of the former Soviet Union, Indian culture is particularly valuable. Back in 60s, 70s every educated person knew and appreciated the culture of India with its dance and music, thanks to an amazing masterpiece of Indian cinema. Ukrainian and Indian culture remarkably similar in spirit. You, as a representative of an ancient culture, of course, have something to share with us".

In parting, Abbe Boris warmly embraced and presented Sri Sri with a rare icon and said: "This meeting will remain forever in my heart. I wish you success in whatever you do. You do goodness to people - this is especially important for the modern world."

Sri Sri together with volunteers in the Kiev botanical garden, planted the "Pink Magnolia" tree - a symbol of purity, nobility and perseverance. A total of 20 trees were planted. Sri Sri, then interacted with journalists and answered several important questions concerning the ecology of Ukraine and the world: "There are 3 important things we should do: stop pollution of air, of water and of earth. We should switch to organic farming and plant more trees."

In the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine Sri Sri lead a seminar "Yoga for Health and Happiness." Sri Sri taught more than 800 people the basics of yoga, unique breathing techniques, as well as how the sounds and songs affect on our mind and intellect.

Sri Sri participated in a round table discussion on "Spiritual values in politics, business and charity" with progressive Ukrainian politicians, businessmen, sportsmen and artists. Immediately after the round table discussion he joined a press conference.

In the evening more than 1 500 people gathered for an open conversation with Sri Sri entitled “Charge yourself with action”. All present had the opportunity to interact with Sri Sri and participated in a meditation.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits Ukraine for the first time

3 May

Sri Sri visits Orthodox shrines in Kiev

Sri Sri visited Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra and St. Vladimir's Cathedral. In the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra, Sri Sri was warmly welcomed by Abbot Hilarion. He showed the various shrines and shared the history going back one thousand years . Abbot took with special interest Guruji’s invitation to come to India, as he studied a variety of philosophical schools of the world. Sri Sri and Abbot Hilarion talked on the best Russian-language edition of Indian philosophy and religion - "Indian philosophy", written by the President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

The first official person who met Sri Sri in Kiev was the deputy of the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine Ivan Zyatc, he welcomed the international guests in Ukraine. During the meeting, deputy noted that human values, which are being revived by Sri Sri are very important both for Ukraine and for the whole world.

In the Vladimir Cathedral, Sri Sri met Boris the Abbe - rector of the Cathedral. Abbe heads the main church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev’s Patriarchate.  Abbe Boris met Sri Sri with the words: "It is a great honor to welcome the representative of such ancient culture as India. Not only for Ukraine but for all states of the former Soviet Union, Indian culture is particularly valuable. Back in 60s, 70s every educated person knew and appreciated the culture of India with its dance and music, thanks to an amazing masterpiece of Indian cinema. Ukrainian and Indian culture remarkably similar in spirit. You, as a representative of an ancient culture, of course, have something to share with us". In parting, Abbe Boris warmly embraced and presented Sri Sri with a rare icon and said: "This meeting will remain forever in my heart. I wish you success in whatever you do. You do goodness to people - this is especially important for the modern world."

4 May

Tree planting, Spiritual values in politics and Charge yourself with action

Sri Sri together with volunteers in the Kiev botanical garden, planted the "Pink Magnolia" tree - a symbol of purity, nobility and perseverance. A total of 20 trees were planted. Sri Sri, then interacted with journalists and answered several important questions concerning the ecology of Ukraine and the world: "There are 3 important things we should do: stop pollution of air, of water and of earth. We should switch to organic farming and plant more trees."

In the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine Sri Sri lead a seminar "Yoga for Health and Happiness." Sri Sri taught more than 800 people the basics of yoga, unique breathing techniques, as well as how the sounds and songs affect on our mind and intellect.

Sri Sri participated in a round table discussion on "Spiritual values in politics, business and charity" with progressive Ukrainian politicians, businessmen, sportsmen and artists. Immediately after the round table discussion he joined a press conference.

In the evening more than 1 500 people gathered for an open conversation with Sri Sri entitled “Charge yourself with action”. All present had the opportunity to ask Sri Sri questions and learn the secrets of happy living. Sri Sri conducted a meditation and the 1500 people in the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine in the very center of Kiev was in absolute silence.

May 01

Ojas – Fluid of Life

When we run behind happiness and joy, we don’t get it in small material things, and it is like that for our good. Read more

30 April

Human beings have the most advanced intellect

"Consciousness works in four ways; there are four functions of one consciousness: like one person, when he goes to the office he is an officer, when he goes to the market he is a buyer or a seller, and the same person, when he is in the classroom he is a student. Right? And at home he is a father or a husband or a son or something. He plays different roles. Similarly, this one consciousness, it plays four important roles."

Read more 

29 April

Spirituality is an appointment with yourself

"The first rule on the spiritual path is to stop blaming yourself. That does not mean that you justify all the mistakes you do. It is not to justify your mistake but recognize your mistake and at the same time, not blame yourself."

Read more

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."

Read more 

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."

Read more

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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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. 

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?

Read more