BIOGRAPHY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and multi-faceted humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free family has inspired millions of people worldwide. The icon of non-violence and universal human values, Sri Sri seeks global peace through service and dialogue.
Born in 1956 in southern India, Sri Sri’s appeal transcends class, race, religion and nationality. Millions of people revere him as their spiritual leader, and look up to him for inner peace and promoting ecumenical values.
In 1981, Sri Sri started the Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization. The Foundation, now active in more than 140 countries, offers educational and self-development programs designed to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. In Europe and the United States, the Foundation’s programs are helping inner city youth turn away from gang violence, drugs and alcohol. Sri Sri’s Prison Programs have helped transform the lives of an estimated 150,000 inmates around the world.
In 1997, Sri Sri founded the International Association for Human Values, a humanitarian nonprofit organization that advances human values in political, economic, industrial, and social spheres. In South Asia, South Africa, and Latin America, the Association’s sustainable development programs have reached more than 30,000 rural communities.
While his self development programs have popularized traditionally exclusive ancient techniques, Sri Sri’s social initiatives address an array of issues such as conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, prisoner rehabilitation, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, female foeticide, child labor, and access to education. In Kashmir and Sri Lanka, Sri Sri is working to further dialogue between opposing parties to resolve the conflicts peacefully.
Sri Sri travels to more than 40 countries a year to share his message of social responsibility, and that all great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His teachings of love, practical wisdom, and service promote harmony among people, and encourage individuals to follow their chosen spiritual path, while honoring other paths.
1956, May 13: Born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, India
1960, age four: Recites Bhagavad Gita, which he has never heard before
1962, age six: Begins study of Vedas under his first teacher, Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi’s
1966, age eight: Declares to friends and family, ?All over the world people are waiting for me. One day, I will visit them.?
1973, age 17: Completes his traditional studies in Vedic literature and an advanced degree in modern science
1977 – 1982: Gives discourses, travels widely and also interacted closely with renowned spiritual teachers such as Anandamayi Maa, Tiruchi Swami, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
1981, age 24: Starts the first rural school on the outskirts of Bangalore, India
1982, age 25: Cognizes Sudarshan Kriya during a period of silence, formulates Art of Living course, establishes the Art of Living Foundation in Bangalore, India
1986, age 29: President of India awards the title of ?Yoga Shiromani” (Supreme Jewel of Yoga)
1995: Launches the Prison Stress Management and Rehabilitative Training program in India and the United States
1995: Launches ART EXCEL (All Round Training in Excellence ) program for children between ages of 8 and 13
1997, age 41: Establishes the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) in Geneva, Switzerland. Initiates the 5H program for rural development
1998, age 42: Launches Youth Empowerment Seminar, a program for youth between ages of 13 and 18
1999, age 43: Establishes Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (http://ssrvm.org)
2000, age 44: Launches the Youth Leadership Training program to train rural and urban youth to become leaders of social and economic change
2001, age 45: Establishes Sri Sri Centre for Media Studies to promote journalism based on ethics and human values
2003, age 47: Inaugurates the Vishalakshi Mantap meditation hall at the Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore. The hall capacity exceeds 2000.
2003 ? Establishes Sri Sri Ravishankar Pre University College and Sri Sri Centre of Fine Arts and Performing Arts
2004, age 48: Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India, confers honorary doctorate.
2004: Launches the first ?Corporate Culture and Spirituality” conference in Bangalore, India. The annual conference focuses on business, social responsibility and ethics
2004: Undertakes the historic ?Love Moves the World? tour of 175 cities across five continents in 12 months.
2004 ? Establishes Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research in Bangalore, India (Offers Bachelor’s Medical Degree in Ayurveda)
2005: Government of India awards Bharat Shiromani Award
2005: Launches first international Women’s Conference at the Art of Living International Headquarters, Bangalore, India
2005: Launches Sri Sri Institute for Agricultural Science and Research to teach low cost natural farming techniques to the farmers.
Feb 2006, age 50: 2.5 million people from more than 100 countries participate in the Art of Living Foundation?s 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) celebrations in Bangalore. Event becomes largest recorded gathering for peace in history.
Aug 2006: Founds Committee for Peace in Sri Lanka in association with the Maha Bodhi Society. Committee members include Dalai Lama, the Archbishop of Sri Lanka, and D.R. Kaarthikeyan.
2006 – Establishes Sri Sri Institute of Management Studies in Goa, India
March 2007, age 51: Convenes ?Truth and Reconciliation? Conference in New Delhi, India, to reconcile Dalits with upper caste Hindus, and end caste based discrimination
April 2008, age 52: Hosts Conference on ?Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia? in Oslo, Norway
BOOKS – BIBLIOGRAPHY RAVI SHANKAR
Celebrating Love: Short discourses on violence, fear, anger, dispassion, service, spirituality, and God.
Celebrating Silence: Short discourses on situations and challenges on the spiritual path.
An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker: Applying ancient wisdom to modern life, Volumes 1-7.
Hinduism and Christianity: Understanding the common thread between these two religions.
Hinduism and Islam.
Narada Bhakti Sutra: Commentary on Narada’s 28 Bhakti Sutras, a classic Vedic scripture.
One God, One Truth, One World: Discussing the common ground for all religions and the Eighteen Laws of Spiritual Life.
Prayer – Call of the Soul: Spirituality and Science.
The Source of Life: Discourse on the Yamas (social ethics) and Niyamas (personal ethics), the first two steps/limbs of Yoga, and the mystery of science and spirituality beyond life and death.
Time: An investigation into the nature of space and time from both an ancient vedic and modern scientific understanding.
Wisdom for the New Millennium: Practical knowledge on how to increase human values in children and society, defeat negative emotions, develop harmonious relationships, and live a happier and richer life.
AWARDS & HONOURS
– Honorary Doctorate, Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, India, 2008
– Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, 2007
– National Veterans Foundation Award, USA, 2007
– Honorary Doctorate of Science, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India, 2007
– Varshada Kannadiga (Kannadiga of the Year), ETV, 2007
– Leadership Award for Extraordinary Promotion for World Peace and Harmony, Amity University, 2007
– Sant Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2006, World Peace Centre, Pune, India
– Doctor of Philosophy (Holistic Medicine), Open International University for Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka
– Order of the Pole Star, highest state honor, President of Mongolia, 2006
– Fervent Global Love of Life 2006, The Cultural and Education Foundation of Human Life, Taiwan
– Peter the Great, First Grade Award, Russian Federation, 2006
– Mongolian Prime Minister’s Award, 2006
– Mahavir-Mahatma Award for Contribution to Peace, Times Foundation, India, 2005
– Dara Shikoh National Award for Harmony, New Delhi, India, 2005
– Global Humanitarian Award, Illinois, USA, 2005
– Member of Martin Luther Collegium of Scholars, USA, 2005
– Bharat Shiromani Award, New Delhi, India, 2004
– Honorary Doctorate of Literature, Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India
– The Illustrious Visitors Award, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2004
– Phoenix Award, Atlanta, USA, 2002
– Guru Mahatmya Award, Government of Maharashtra, India, 1997
– Title of Yoga Shiromani (Supreme Jewel of Yoga), President of India, 1986
– Source : official site of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
