Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a prominent Indian spiritual leader, humanitarian, and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, a non-profit organization with centers in over 150 countries, including United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He has been influenced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and has worked with various organizations, such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, and International Association for Human Values. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also collaborated with notable figures like Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and Jimmy Carter. His teachings emphasize the importance of yoga, meditation, and breathwork, as practiced in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other Eastern spirituality traditions.

● Early Life and Education

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, India, to Visalakshi Ratnam and R. S. Venkat Ratnam, and grew up in a Tamil-speaking family. He was educated at the St. Aloysius College in Mangalore, Karnataka, and later studied Vedic literature and scriptures under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. He also studied physics at the Bangalore University and was influenced by the teachings of Adi Shankara, Ramana Maharshi, and Jiddu Krishnamurti. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's early life was shaped by his experiences at the Ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, where he met notable figures like George Harrison and John Lennon.

● Spiritual Career

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's spiritual career began in the 1980s, when he started teaching yoga and meditation in India and later in Europe and United States. He founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981, which has since become a global organization with centers in over 150 countries, including China, Japan, and Brazil. He has also established the International Association for Human Values, which aims to promote human values and social responsibility in society. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has worked with various organizations, such as the World Economic Forum, Harvard University, and Stanford University, to promote peace, sustainability, and human development. He has also collaborated with notable figures like Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, and Gro Harlem Brundtland.

● Teachings and Philosophy

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's teachings emphasize the importance of inner peace, self-awareness, and human values in achieving personal growth and social transformation. He has developed various programs, such as the Art of Living Course and the Happiness Program, which aim to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression through breathwork, meditation, and yoga. His teachings are influenced by Vedic philosophy, Advaita Vedanta, and Bhakti movement, and have been compared to those of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Vivekananda, and Osho. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also written several books, including "Be the Change" and "God Loves Fun"', which offer insights into his spiritual philosophy and personal growth techniques.

● Humanitarian Work

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been involved in various humanitarian initiatives, including disaster relief, education, and sustainable development. He has worked with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing countries. The Art of Living Foundation has also established several schools and healthcare centers in rural areas of India, Africa, and Latin America. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also supported initiatives like the Global Peace Initiative and the International Day of Yoga, which aim to promote peace, harmony, and wellness globally.

● Criticisms and Controversies

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has faced criticisms and controversies, including allegations of commercialization of spirituality and cultural appropriation. Some have also questioned the scientific basis of his breathwork and meditation techniques, which have been compared to those of Transcendental Meditation and Reiki. Additionally, the Art of Living Foundation has been involved in several legal disputes and environmental controversies, including the Yamuna River pollution case in India. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also been criticized by some Hindu nationalist groups for his pluralistic and inclusive approach to spirituality, which has been seen as a departure from traditional Hinduism.

● Awards and Recognition

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has received several awards and recognitions for his humanitarian work and spiritual contributions, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, and the Gandhi Peace Prize. He has also been honored by organizations like the United Nations, World Health Organization, and European Parliament for his efforts to promote peace, sustainability, and human development. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also been recognized by institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and Oxford University for his thought leadership and spiritual contributions. He has also received awards like the Dr. Nagendra Singh International Peace Award and the Sant Shri Dnyaneshwar World Peace Prize.

Category:Indian spiritual leaders