China rolls out red carpet for Art of Living ashram

China's hunger for India’s cotton, minerals and plastics is well-documented and, at times, controversial.  Now China is importing a raw material of a different kind — Indian spirituality.


Last month, with the full support of China’s Communist Party, Indian guru Sri Sri Ravishankar launched his Art of Living ashram in Beijing, a 168-acre landscaped marvel that came up in less than six months, complete with hundreds of natural hot springs and wooden buildings in traditional Chinese architecture.ReadMore

BIGGEST YOGA CLASS ON AFRICAN CONTINENT

Saturday, 20 November, saw the launch of Africa’s largest yoga class with almost 400 yoga 

enthusiasts arriving at the open-air Maynardville Park in Wynberg to participate in Cape Town’s 

Art of Living Festival.

Hosted by the Art of Living Foundation (AOL), a non-profit, educational, charitable and 

humanitarian organization with 3000 centres worldwide, the festival, a family event, was dedicated 

to celebrating cultural diversity and promoting a healthy, holistic lifestyle.
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Have a combination of both – sensitiveness and strength Guruji's Message from Montreal Canada

Wake up to the present moment now. It is not just a fleeting moment. The present has the depth of infinity in it. The entire past and future is in the now. You entire exercise should be to be in the now. Who cares how you feel? Are you doing what you need to do? Whatever you do, are you keeping the delicate aspect of your consciousness or are you being a bulldozer? The present moment is sensitive. Usually when you are sensitive, you become weak. When you are strong, you become insensitive. Have a combination of both – sensitiveness and strength. That is wisdom. The effect of past actions is limited. It is not forever. Brooding over the past is not alright.

Face the consequences. Be calm now. Wake up! When you wake up, even the consequences you fear will not occur. The moment you acknowledge your mistake, you are forgiven. You are innocent every moment.

Revamping Education: Taking Pride in Non-Violence

When I was growing up in India, non-violence was considered the highest virtue. In fact, my grandfather was a strong supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, and an advocate of non-violence to bring about social and political change. Modern society also has prominent icons of non-violence such as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Lech Wałęsa. Yet today, basic human values are being eroded, resulting in violence and aggression.

The high incidence of violence in the society is appalling, whether at the domestic or societal level. Aggression has become an integral part even in the lives of children. In the United States, violence in school and college campuses is on the rise. In classrooms, aggressive children are sometimes considered heroes. If children lose their temper, they feel it is normal and even take pride in it. Many of them grow up thinking that they will have their say if they are aggressive. Bullying incidents are often seen and reported by the media. Strength and dignity lie in peace and cooperation, however these qualities go unnoticed.

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Former militants find a new way of life with spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's guidance

"My anger has now turned into a smile. Earlier, it was difficult imagining a normal life. Today, after coming to the Art of Living, I am leading a normal life. I feel very good and peaceful." said Amar Singh, a surrendered Manipuri militant.  Read More from Mid Day

128 Manipuri militants undergo rehabilitation training

Bangalore, Nov 23 (PTI) Nearly 128 Manipuri militants underwent a 90-day intensive spiritual, behavioural and vocational rehabilitation training conducted by the Art of Living and its sister organisation, International Association for Human Values (IAHV) here.

The militants from KCPMC Lallumba that laid down arms on August 6 joined the programme on August 16.
"Manipur, today, is one of the worst insurgency affected states in the north-east. We were not merely looking at training them in technical skills and soft skills, but their complete rehabilitation," said Darshak Hathi, International Director, Art of Living.

Based on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar''s ideals of ''Inside every criminal, there is a victim crying for help'', the programme aimed at stress elimination, bringing inner peace, sensitivity and making them socially responsible citizens.  Read More

Alongside, there was a Vocational Skill Development Training programme to impart technical training to the group in computers, mobile-repair and other electrical equipment.
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Cheers for Sri Sri from across the border

Art of Living Foundation founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has called upon people of India and Pakistan to recognise the voice of peace within and create a violence-free world.


Addressing a mammoth gathering at the Indo-Pak border at Wagah in Amritsar, Sri Sri said: "We are committed to follow the path of non-violence and peace. Standing here at the border, I can feel the wave of love and peace from across. I urge the citizens of both the countries to recognise the voice of peace within and create a violence-free world."

Hundreds of followers had also gathered at the Pakistan side to listen to the spiritual guru. Some on the Pakistani side were disappointed that Sri Sri had been denied the visa to cross the border.

The spiritual leader visited the Indo-Pak border as part of his five-day tour to Punjab. Read More

Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji conducted one of His Lecture- Series at Lovely Professional University

Jalandhar: Guru of Joy, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shanker Ji, the founder of the Art of Living, an International NGO working in more than 160 countries around the globe visited Lovely professional University, today.
 
He was warmly greeted at the University Square by the Chairman of the Lovely Group, Mr Ramesh Mittal, Vice-Chairman Mr Naresh Mittal, Chancellor of University Mr Ashok Mittal, Director General Er HR Singla and Executive Dean Ms Rashmi Mittal.  Out of his Lecture series Schedule, he had to have an Interaction Session with the students, members of the staff and registered visitors to satisfy their different queries in relation to their life and peaceful existence in this world. 

The Theme of the session was 'Life is Joy, Life is Love, Life is Enthusiasm'. This session was a second day of the four days event 'Utsav' being organized by the students which is going to conclude tomorrow, that is 13th instant. It was specially organized to have free talk through great spiritual learning of His Holiness.Read More

Sri Sri addresses thousands on both sides of Wagah border

Bangalore, (India) November 12. 2010. “We are committed to follow the path of non-violence and peace. Standing here at the border, I can feel the wave of love and peace from across. I urge the citizens of both the countries to recognize the voice of peace within and create a violence-free world,” said spiritual leader and Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Wagah border in Amritsar today, addressing 5000 people from Punjab. Hundreds of followers had also gathered at the Pakistan side waving and carrying The Art of Living and Youth Leadership Training Program placards to listen to Sri Sri. Many were disappointed as he was denied the visa to cross the border. 

The spiritual leader, who was a state guest, visited the Indo-Pak border during his five-day tour to the state and also witnessed the official retreat ceremony held in the evening.

As part of his peace campaign, he inaugurated ‘Saanjh’, a musical concert in Amritsar. The concert, based on the Indo-Pak peace mission, saw artists from both countries showcase their talents on a shared platform.  Read More

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Chandigarh city, meets students, lawyers, other sections

“Meditation will lead you to eternal peace; do it with joy and commitment,” said Sri Sri, as he conducted a meditation session for the audience. He talked about the importance of a guru and how a mother is the first guru in one’s life.  Read More

Meditation for P&H High Court judges & lawyers

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had an unusual visitor today. The matter which the visitor was pursuing was not even listed before any court. On the contrary judges and lawyers both attended a speech rendered by the visitor Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Lawyers who generally advise others today received some advice on meditation and relaxation. Read More

Sri Ravi Shankar to carry peace message to Wagah

BANGALORE: Spiritual leader and the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will carry a message of peace during his visit to the Wagah border on November 12.
Sri Sri, who is on a five-day tour to Punjab starting on Tuesday, is expected to promote the concept of 'One World Family' during his visit to the Wagah Border, a release from the city-based AOL foundation said.
"His visit to the Wagah border will underline his mission of bringing peace and harmony to the world," said Sejal Thakkar, International Faculty of the Art of Living. Read More

Sri Sri to help lawyers beat stress - The Times of India

CHANDIGARH: To help lawyers of Punjab and Haryana High Court de-stress, the bar association has invited spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, for a discourse on Tuesday.


Sources in the association said the focus of Sri Sri's lecture would be on ways to beat the stress.


Sri Sri would give tips to the bar and bench on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and remaining cheerful amidst their working environment.


Besides advocates and other staffers of HC, the chief justice and all other judges would also attend the discourse.


Bar association president GS Attariwala said, "When some members floated the idea, it was immediately accepted and approved by the executive. It will be a good experience for lawyers who works under tremendous pressure." Read More

Let love churn out of your heart: Sri Sri Ravishankar

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“Make your heart a factory of love, let there be an ice factory in your head and let your tongue be a sugar factory” — this was the Diwali message from the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar to his spellbound audience at port town Gandhidham.


The yoga guru, on his maiden visit to the border district Kutch, urged people to forsake hatred and ill-will to lead a happy life. In the course of his hour-long Satsang, Shri Shri, donning traditional Kutchi attire, demonstrated Gyan, Dhayan and Gaan of Sudarshan yoga technique. The audience acknowledged it rousingly as he explained the threes steps. Read More 

Happy Birthday Swamiji

Happy Birthday to our dearest Swami Sadyojathahji on his birthday on November 6th 2010.

Don''t protest Obama''s visit to India: Ravishankar

Vadodara, Nov 5 (PTI) Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar today urged the Left parties not to protest US President Barack Obama's visit to India. "It is the culture and civilisation of this country to welcome guests," the spiritual guru told PTI, ahead of the the beginning of five-day Diwali Yagna here tonight. Accusing America of not helping India on terrorism issue, Left organisations in Maharashtra - including CPI, CPI(M), Forward Block and Krantikari Samajwadi Party - would hold a protest tomorrow on President Barack Obama's arrival in Mumbai. Ravishankar appealed the concerned parties in the Ayodhya title dispute case to resolve the issue through dialogues. He favoured the construction of a Ram temple at the site and a mosque at a little distance from the temple in Ayodhya.PTI COR VKV ( News Coutesy IBN Live)

Diwali: Celebrating the Light of Wisdom

At this time of the year people around the world are getting ready to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. One of the biggest festivals of the East, Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

For an oil lamp to burn, the wick has to be partially immersed in the oil. If the wick is completely drowned in oil, it cannot bring light. Life is like the wick of the lamp, you have to be in the world and yet remain untouched by it. If you are drowned in the materialism of the world, you cannot bring joy and knowledge in your life. By being in the world, yet not drowning in the worldly aspect of it, we can be the light of joy and knowledge. Read More

30,000 Amdavadis attend 'Annam Brahm' for a Guiness record

Ahmedabad:  More than 30,000 Amdavadis attended the "Annam Brahm", a grand event organized by The Art of Living and Sri Sri Ravishankar near Shivranjani crossroads. This event served two purposes -- to seek entry in to the Guinness Book of World Records and to spread happiness among underprivileged children.

More than 5,000 Indian vegetarian dishes, prepared by the devotees were put on display here. These dishes totalling nearly 5 tonne of food items were prepared at 250 community kitchens across the city and state. This mammoth task is likely to gain an entry in the Guinness Book for the sheer quantity of food prepared. The food will later be distributed among poor children.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/30-000-amdavadis-attend-annam-brahm-for-a-guiness-record-64255?cp

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Message for Diwali 2010

Eradicate Slum India and Scam India: Sri Sri.

AHMEDABAD: As the Art of Living was preparing to present 5,000 vegetarian dishes as part of its Annam Brahma programme on Tuesday, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - the organisation's founder - urged India to stop obsessing about records. Sri Sri said: "A record may be set, but it is a small aspect of the programme, which is based on the premise that 'food is God'." 


The gentle caution comes at a time when the latest global hunger index reveals that India is ranked below neighbouring countries such as China and Pakistan. So when Sri Sri Ravi Shankar enamelled his spiritual exhortations with pragmatic counselling, his devotees found his guidance affirming and accessible. "Respect food, and help those who don't have it," he said. Read More

Food is god, honour it: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

When more than 1.25 lakh people from across the country and beyond were readying themselves to welcome Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for Annam Brahma event, a few hundreds were jostling for space to meet him at a private residence. That is also where followers, believers, educationists and some from the media had gathered. 


Sri Sri came to Ahmedabad, where as many as 5,500 different food items were prepared, to be later distributed among 30,000 underprivileged children. This “mahaprasad” prepared by several hands — some of which came from as far as Taiwan, Norway, Australia, the UK and the USA — is an exercise to “bond people through food (annam)”.Read More