Thousands joined Sri Sri in Canada to meditate on Guru Purnima, with many joining online.

Sri Sri asked everyone to reflect on their life and honor the wisdom that shines through. “Throw light on your own life, the wisdom that shines through your life you need to honor, that is honoring Guru. See life has taught you so many things. So reflect on your own life and honor the wisdom that life has offered you that is honoring Guru. So everyday could be Guru Poornima in your life when you honor what life has taught you.” Read more

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Marking the 30th anniversary of The Art of Living, around 50,000 people from across 151 countries, 6000 artists and 804 dignitaries including ministers, members of parliament and ambassadors were present at the Olympic Stadium.

“It is time that walls come down between cultures and civilizations. We all should remember we are a one world family. We need to bring everyone together in a spirit of love, compassion and service. One divinity, one humanity and celebrating the diversity - this is our sacred duty,” said Sri Sri. Read more

In an impressive ceremony in Brussels attended by several Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ambassadors, Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar became the first Indian to receive the Crans Montana Forum Award. This award has been mainly received by politicians of high repute like Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, Shimon Peres, President of Israel, Yasser Arafat, Former Leader of Palestine Liberation Organization, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Mikhail Gorbachev, Former President of the Soviet Union. Read more

Sri Sri conducted a meditation-cum-question-answer session for young representatives of eight SAARC countries at the South Asian Peace Conference.

“I want you to take charge of the world. I want you to get into politics, cleanse and spiritualize it, socialize business and secularize religion,” said Sri Sri when asked what he expected from the youth of today. “Only then will the world be a better place to live in.” In response to the question why there is conflict in the South Asian region, Sri Sri answered, “I have the same question. If every country in this region gets together, the economy will boom. We have the largest number of young people. Instead of eradicating differences, we need to bind them and leverage the strength.”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was the Chief Guest at the Peetarohana Golden Jubilee celebrations. The event celebrated 50 years of Sri SriSriKesavanandBharati being in the seat of the Sri Edneer Mutt. Sri Sri invited Sri SriSriKesavanandBharati to the Bangalore International Center.

Other guests at this function were: Mr.Khoday, Khodays Group of Industries; ParamPoojya Sri SriSriSureshwaranand Swami ji, Gosai Mutt; and Mr.Anant Krishna, President of Karnataka Bank Limited.

“A politician with a vision, spiritual leader without a mission, and a business man without compassion are no good!” said Sri Sri at the launch of the book titled Indomitable Spirit – a Biography on Mr. R. V. Deshpande by Dr. R. G. Hegde.

Praising Mr.Deshpande’s foresight as a politician, Sri Sri said that centeredness for a spiritual leader, foresight to a politician, and fruits of profit to the business man are very important. “Business ventures which have a secular mindset, spiritual inclined politics, and concern about society are extremely important at present. Politics must be just and honest and service to the public should be its motto. Only then the youth which is looking upon politics and politicians as untouchables at present will change their views.”

Other dignitaries who were present at the event were: K. V. Kamath, Chairman, ICICI Bank Limited; M. V. Rajashekharan, senior Congress leader; Mohandas Pai, Director, Infosys Technologies Limited.

All roads led to Bangalore for the thousands of national and international devotees who have gathered at the Art of Living Ashram to celebrate the 55 birthday of Art of Living Founder Sri Ravi Shankar. Devotees participated in the day-long celebration beginning with devotional chants and ‘Devi Puja’ led by Sri Sri.

During the day, Sri Sri inaugurated a health camp at Laxmipura and also presided over a saree distribution ceremony organized by the local zilla and gram panchayat members of Kagglipura and Agara. The Art of Living also launched a nation-wide plan to support the UN’S campaign for better road safety. Sri Sri was also congratulated by Mr.Chandrashekhar, President, Rajiv Gandhi Auto and Taxi Driver’s Association. The celebrations ended with a satsang and meditation attended by thousands of people.

Sri Sri urged a gathering of thousands at the Siddhartha Stadium in Bhairahawa to envision Nepal as a center of world peace by resolving the country’s existing crisis. He expressed hope that that country would be instrumental in spreading Buddha’s message of peace and harmony across the globe.

The gathering, which consisted of people from Chitwan, Kaski and Dang; and from the Indian cities adjoining Bhairahawa, committed themselves to banning caste-based discrimination as well as animal sacrifice.

Earlier in the day, Sri Sri visited Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha.

At Sri Sri’s calling, thousands pledged to condemn caste-based discrimination at a mahasatsang (gathering) in Tudikhel‚ Kathamndu. He, then, led the audience in a meditation for world peace.

Sri Sri announced plans to open 30 schools in different parts in Nepal to provide free education for the underprivileged children.

Urging media to play a positive role in re-building Nepal, Sri Sri, said: “Politics and spirituality should come together for a prosperous society. Spirituality should not be avoided at any cost…as it works well to lessen corruption and irregularities.”

He also said that for the harmonious development of any country, its four pillars, namely, spirituality, economics, politics and people, should be strong.

Encouraging greater participation in community development, Sri Sri called upon the people of Kathmandu to preserve their temples and rivers.