A universally revered spiritual leader and a humanitarian, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and his Art of Living Foundation are a global phenomenon.

Sri Sri is a spiritual inspiration to millions of people of all faiths, cultures, and traditions.

For some, he is the epitome of an enlightened master. His universal message of peace, love, service, and human values has attracted the attention of world leaders and international humanitarian organizations. The numerous programmes for stress reduction and self-development designed by Art of Living has given a new life to thousands of followers.

The Foundation's community initiatives such as tribal welfare, education, women empowerment, rural development and animal welfare, along with the global conflict resolution and trauma relief have proved a boon to the victims of calamities and to the society at large.

Sri Sri Ravishankar was in the city recently for a three-day Pranayama and Meditation camp.

What is the secret of the Art of Living? What draws millions to the institution?
Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji: It’s the sincerity; sincerity to help people and the usefulness of the technique. If something is useful to people, they take it and if the intentions of the people who are doing it are sincere, people take it. So Art of Living has both, sincerity and usefulness.

What does the Art of Living offer, which is not present in traditional spirituality?
Who says the Art of Living is not traditional. It is also traditional. The tradition itself says combine the old and the new; it stands for new leaves and old roots. And we are moving with the traditions. Perhaps, some traditions forgot the newness and some the oldness, the ancient aspect of it. The Art of Living combines ancient and the modern.

What is the importance of silence in the Art of Living technique?
(After a long silence…) It is foolish to give a long discourse on silence. One who knows it, knows the value of it. And to the one who does not know, speaking about the importance of silence is not going to make much difference. If you are silent, they will catch the silence.

How did the Sudarshana Kriya come about and how does the technique work?
It came out of silence and it makes everyone silent. And, it also makes the silent more open. It just works. You do it and feel it and see how it works. Scientists are welcome to do research and find out how it works and what impact it has on one’s system.

Has the world become a better place to live through the Art of Living?
You have to ask the million who have experienced the Art of Living and they will definitely vouch for it. People’s lives have become better and when one’s life becomes better, it definitely has an impact on the environment, on the people around. Hence, if people become more peaceful, more happy through the Art of Living, the world will be a better place.

Do you believe in religion, Guruji?
Religion has an important role in one’s life. Many events in one’s life revolve around religion. For example, a new born child is named according to his or her religion, when the person grows up, he or she marries according to his or her religion and last rites are performed according to his or her religion. Even the atheists have names that conform to some religion. Rituals form integral part of any religion and religion form part of rituals. So religion becomes indispensable in some way.

I would say the spiritual aspect of religion is all inclusive and universal. That is what the Art of Living espouses. Spirituality unites people of all religions towards one goal, towards Divine Light. Indian spirituality, Indian religion is broad - minded all accommodative. That’s why it is called Sanathana Dharma, the ancient path.

Is spirituality the key to a healthy society?
Yes. Spirituality checks the violence in society. It brings up human values, makes one more compassionate and loving; it makes one righteous and it checks corruption. Today, corruption has become a problem in society because people have moved away from spirituality. Wherever there is setback in spirituality, that’s exactly where corruption sets in.

Has the Art of Living’s tsunami rehabilitation programme concluded?
Yes and No. Our programmes to rehabilitate the survivors is continuing as we are planning to start more schools and training centres. Many houses have already been handed to people. A primary school is already operational, vocational training programmes are going on. Thousands of people have completed our trauma relief programmes.

You have visited Mysore a number of times. When is the project of an Ashram at the foot of the Chamundi Hill expected to be completed? What are the other plans for Mysore city?
That is left to the citizens of Mysore. All devotees and practitioners of the Art of Living will together decide what they want to build and when and start working on the projects. It all depends on their needs. In the Art of Living, one project leads to another. We can never say something is already complete.

Ashwini Nagaraja
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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