Darul-Uloom, Ulemas change stand on Vande Mataram

Chennai: In a significant development, Darul-Uloom and the Ulemas of Deoband, have changed their 12-year-old stand on rendering Vande Mataram to bring the Hindu-Muslim communities closer.

This development took place yesterday after a one-hour long meeting between the Ulema and Spiritual Guru and humanitarian leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living. Present at the meeting with Sri Sri, were Maulana Margub Urrrehman of Darul-Uloom, Darul Iftah in charge Mufti Habibur Rehman, who issued the fatwa 12 years ago, Mufti Ehsaan Qasmi and Usman Mansoorpuri of the Jamiat Ulema e Hind, an Art of Living press release here said. Read more

Living in the rhythm of nature - Article by Guruji

Ancient scriptures mention the human beings as having five sheaths--the environment, the physical body, the mind, the intuitive sheath and the fifth sheath is purushartha, ie., the blissful state.


The environment is our first body. Historically, nature has always been adored in India; mountains, rivers, the sun, the moon, the trees have always been honoured. It's only when we start moving away from nature that we start polluting it. We need to revive the ancient practice of honouring and conserving nature.

Today, man has become greedy, he wants to make profits and achieve results. This not only pollutes the physical environment but also stimulates negative emotions at some level.
These negative emotions do not stay limited to one person but rubs off on all those who he comes in contact with. These negative vibrations once compounded are the root cause of all disasters and misery in the world. Read more

No apocalypse in 2012, says Guruji.

MANILA, Philippines--The world is not going to end in 2012.

The reassuring voice dispelling fears of an apocalypse in that year brought a collective sigh of relief to the audience at the SMX convention center.

“We are going to see 2013, as good as 2012,” declared international humanitarian leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The spiritual head of the UN-affiliated The Art of Living Foundation gave this assurance not as a prophet but as a social activist who has taught people of different traditions and faiths the “art of living” through techniques that calm the mind and instill self-confidence. Read More

Reaching Out Spiritually

A man dressed in a beatific smile, with a hand constantly reaching out to bless the ones streaming in can most prospectively be a saint’s. One such saint, Swami Sri Madhusudan, has been walking Kolkata’s streets, doing exactly this, under the Art of Living (AOL) Padayatra program Anugrahotsav (the divine present).

Swamiji is in the city to spread Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Said Swamiji about this spiritual-walking movement, “We are reaching out to more and more people as it is the need of the hour. They are waiting for us. We’ll give not only practical wisdom but also walk on the road.” Read More

Human touch will reform Maoists- Guruji

“Peace is not just absence of conflict”

Bangalore: Spiritual leader Ravi Shankar addressed the second Israeli presidential conference 2009 on Wednesday in Jerusalem.

Titled ‘Facing Tomorrow’, global leaders discussed issues like leadership concerns in Israel and Palestine, continuing ecological deterioration, political instability in the Middle East, the economic crisis and Iran’s push to acquire nuclear weapons at the conference.

“The youth need vision and mission to resolve the conflict in the region and I am optimistic that patience and perseverance will bring peace,” said Shankar.

Other panelists of the session were Isrraeli president Shimon Peres, founder for Wikipedia Jimmy Wales, counsellor of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco Andre Azoulay, president of Cecilia Attias foundation for women Cecilia Attias, entrepreneur and philanthropist Guma Aguiar. The session was moderated by talk show host Dan Shilon.Read More