Gurudev
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Spiritual Leader, Global Humanitarian, Peace Ambassador and Founder, Art of Living Foundation
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free global family has inspired millions the world over to broaden their spheres of responsibility and work towards the betterment of the world. An icon of non-violence, he seeks global peace through service and fostering human values.
In 1981, he started the Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization with a presence in over 150 countries.
He developed a powerful breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) that makes use of the relation between breath and emotions by including specific rhythms of breath that harmonize the body, mind and emotions and help individuals find relief from stress. In 1997, he founded the International Association for Human Values, a humanitarian organization that advances human values in political, economic, and social spheres. He is also an author of several books on how to live a life of greater happiness and contentment.
Gurudev has been a leading proponent of integrating ethics and integrity in business and government through major international initiatives and keynote addresses in international symposiums. A leading activist in human development and social transformation, Sri Sri’s initiatives include conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, environmental conservation, prisoner rehabilitation programs, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, campaigns against female foeticide and child labor, and education. Gurudev has revived ancient techniques that were traditionally kept exclusive, and made them available to the world. Through personal interactions, teachings and humanitarian initiatives, Gurudev has reached out to millions of people worldwide.
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Gurudev and the FARC
As part of his global initiatives for peace, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar traveled in June 2015 to Bogotá, Colombia and Havana, Cuba to meet president Santos, victims of the armed conflict in Colombia and FARC peace delegation