Founder

“My vision is a stress-free,
violence-free society”

A message from Gurudev

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual leader and ambassador of peace on a mission to create a society free of stress and violence. He is globally regarded for his contributions to human happiness and world peace.

In 1982, Gurudev spent 10 days in meditation in Shimoga, India, and emerged with Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing technique he would go on to teach all over the world

Sudarshan Kriya’s marvelous effects on stress, sleep, immune function, and even cholesterol levels in the blood are proven empirically by researchers at Yale University and Harvard Medical School.

Since the first teacher training program in 1991, Sudarshan Kriya has been taught to over 500 million people in 180+ countries. Over 800,000 prisoners and countless militants worldwide have had their lives transformed through Sudarshan Kriya.

I have this crazy idea… a world without violence. If we could instill
pride in being non-violent, in being compassionate, in being
helpful to others, our lives will take a new direction. And this
should be our unwavering commitment.

Today, Gurudev travels all over the world spearheading
some of the world’s biggest humanitarian projects
and spreading the message of peace

Prisoner Rehabilitation

Inside every culprit, there is a victim crying for help. That person is also a victim of ignorance, small-mindedness...

Women Empowerment

Women, especially in rural regions, face challenges that are unique to them. The Art of Living helps face these...

Breathing Life into Education

“Education is this civilization’s greatest leveler. It has the power to empower the weakest of the weak, bring...

Environmental Sustainability

The Art of Living, with its roots in spirituality, has nurtured a deep respect for our planet in thousands of people...

Disaster Relief

The Art of Living has adopted a multi-faceted approach to bringing comfort to those affected by disasters. With...

Rural Development

Any country’s progress is directly connected with rural development. Lasting rural transformation can be achieved...

Born in 1956 in Southern India, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
began as a young child reciting the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, by heart.

He was also often found in meditation, both shocking and pleasing his teachers and parents. He was raised in a family that honored Mahatma Gandhi’s values of non-violence and the classical heritage of India—this would later influence him deeply as an ambassador of peace. Famously, he once said “People are waiting for me.” And as it turns out, they were. He went on to become one of the most prominent sages of the modern world. 

All his life, he would dedicate himself to reviving ancient knowledge, tools and techniques buried under ritualistic practices and religious gatekeeping and making them accessible to people of all races, creeds and religions. His vision and mission continues to illuminate the world today.