An advanced meditation programme, the first ever Health & Happiness workshop in Australia, a public talk at the Majestic Theatre, and a keynote address at the 2nd International Ayurveda and Yoga Conference in Sydney.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s days in Australia were filled.Meditation for world peace was the dominant flavour of every event - a cruise along the Sydney Harbour, evening satsangs or afternoon sessions with participants of the Health & Happiness workshop.

Diverse backgrounds from different parts of the world, opposing ideologies, and beliefs were erased as H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar interacted with the audiences. The ensuing question & answer sessions gave the solutions to many of the current global concerns.

“It is up to us to create a time without wars,” said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar when speaking with 122 youth at a special Q&A session at the Art of Living Ashram in Germany.

Amidst the continuous snowfall, was the warmth of laughter, and cheer as these youth, from 31 countries, had a heart-to-heart chat with H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. When asked about leadership, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: “A leader has 12 qualities

• sets an example
• cares for those who follow him
• a good leader creates leaders
• does not depend on authority
• does not worry about position
• alert, and undisturbed by challenges
• stretches himself beyond comfort zone
• does not mix head, and heart
• is multidimensional, appreciates other point of views
• evaluates both sides of the situation before a decision
• directly approachable
• does not judge himself.”

This session is part of the ongoing Yes! We can workshop which envisions the creation of a peaceful society.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar encouraged the group to lead society, citing the challenges of modern living: “In Europe 28 percent of the population are under depression. More and more people are becoming unhappy day by day. We have to change this.”

“A spiritual guru, and journalist, both, are respected in society. So, both should be impartial,” said H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar when he met members of a media house on March 3.

“If we get carried away by emotions, and take somebody’s side, how can we point out his/her mistakes later? By siding with people, we end up committing injustice against others.A journalist should bring reality to light, and write to ignite hope rather than creating pessimism.”As a humanitarian, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was also asked his views on education, the voting system, and terrorism.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was in Aurangabad to teach people the techniques of yoga, and meditation for better living. After undergoing H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Health & Happiness workshop, many participants shared healing experiences.Corporates interacted with H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with questions on the role of moral ethics, and spirituality in business.

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Innovation, technology, and spirituality were given a new dimension when H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed the annual Strategy & Action Planning meet (STRAP 2009) at Infosys Technologies’ in Bangalore (India)

An excerpt : “Notice the difference between inspiration, and motivation. Motivation is material-oriented. Inspiration is goal-oriented, value-oriented, and stays for a long time.You see these highly motivated Maoists? You will be surprised. In the prime of their life they go through the forest. They don't live a comfortable life. They are inspired by Karl Marx, or Mao. Can't we use the same inspiration in a creative manner? They should know that what they do will contribute to a larger cause of humanity.

Mahatma Gandhi inspired people, and so the entire nation united. This inspiration has been used politically, religiously - what makes a young boy of 22 put his life in suicide missions? If he puts this into science, technology - what couldn’t be achieved?”
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led the 500,000 people present in Kollam (Kerala) in a special meditation for world peace. He explained the significance of the Shivaratri festival to the gathering which comprised people of different nationalities, and walks of life.

Quoting the Naasadiya Sukta, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: “A true devotee, a true atheist, and a true scientist have one thing in common, and that is uncertainty. Anything which is inert can be certain but anything which is alive can only be uncertain.

The highest truth declared here (in the mantra) says that you can only say ‘perhaps’ to that realm of the unthinkable, incomprehensible reality, and that is meditation. That is Shivaratri.”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also said, "Shivaratri is uniting with the shiva tattva (the essence), which is not in the Kailash Parbat (the mountains where Lord Shiva lived). Look for the shiva tattva right here, and right now in your atma (soul). Wherever you cognize the shiva tattva, that becomes Kailash. Shiva tattva is where there is only bliss, or celebration.”

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On the morning of Feb. 17, H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reached Patamda, a town in the heart of a Naxalite belt in Jharkhand. Transformed Naxalites, who have given up the path of violence, build an Art of Living center there to give an impetus to the developmental activities in the region.

Since Feb. 14, there was a curfew in the area. Naxalites lifted the curfew, on learning about H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's visit. Their welcome was evident in the messages written across the mud walls of the houses there : "Welcome Guruji."

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed a crowd of 3,500 people comprising Naxal leaders, villagers, and panchayat leaders. He called upon all Naxalites to work for social development : "Naxalite youth are our children. They have taken to this path (of violence) because they are tired of poverty, discrimination, and corruption.

We need such strong children in our country who are willing to give their lives. We want people like you to give up the bullet, and take to the ballot. Don't kill policemen. They are servants who are doing a job. I welcome you all to come forward. We will be behind you, and support you. We need compassionate, strong, and responsible leadership."

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also addressed developmental issues of the village: "India is a country of villages. If villages don't prosper, the country will not move forward.

The focus has to shift to villages. We need to focus on chemical-free farming. Disease, and body ache are due to the chemicals put in the food. We need to go back to the old systems of nutrition. Pranayama, yoga and satsang are a must."

Emphasizing education, he said : "Are all the women sending their children to school? Not a single child must be illiterate. Every child must be well educated, and have a bright future." H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar asked the people to abstain from alcohol.

"This should be an alcohol-free village. Alcohol destroys man, village, city, and nation. Stop this river of alcohol, and move into the river of love. Once we let go of our quarrels, our village will prosper."

"Let us take a vow :  not to harbor hatred, to vote, and to plant five trees each."
H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been driving community developmental measures in villages like Patamda with the aim of making them self-sufficient and reliant.

H.H.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed 150,000 people in Durgapur, West Bengal while leading a meditation for world peace. He encouraged youth to engage themselves in nation-building. "It is the strength of the youth that will transform the nation.

I urge all youth to give six months of their lives to the nation. Go from village to village, and create an awareness of a beautiful, safe, and prosperous nation." He also encouraged them to enter politics, and make a difference. "Every party needs good people."

"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.