In the modern world with its accelerated pace of life, various types of spiritual practices are gaining more and more popularity. They strengthen human he alth and contribute to the harmonious development of his personality. One of the popularizers of the spiritual way of life is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. He is often referred to simply as "Sri Sri", Guru Ji or Gurudev. He is actively involved in social activities and has many followers of his teachings around the world.
Life of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
The future Indian guru was born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu. At birth, he was given a common name in India - Ravi, which means "sun", and Shankar - in honor of the religious reformer Adi Shankar. The young Ravi's first teacher was Sudhakar Chaturvedi, an Indian Vedic scholar and close friend of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1970, Ravi received his B. A. from St. Joseph's College of Bangalore.university.
After completing his studies, Ravi Shankar traveled with his second teacher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of transcendental meditation. Together they talked a lot about spirituality and spoke at conferences where they shared their knowledge of Vedic science and Ayurveda.
In the 1980s, Shankar began a series of practical and experimental courses on gaining spirituality. One of the main components of his courses was breathing exercises - Sudarshan-kriya. According to Shankar Ravi, the rhythmic breathing practice came to him like inspiration after a ten-day period of silence on the banks of the Bhadra River in Shimoga, Karnataka.
In 1983, Shankar taught the first course, called "The Art of Living", in Switzerland. In 1986, he traveled to California to conduct his course in North America.
Philosophy and teachings
An Indian guru teaches that spirituality is anything that enhances human values such as love, compassion and inspiration. Ravi Shankar's art of living is not limited to any one religion or spiritual movement. He believes that the spiritual connection that people experience is much more important than nationality, gender, religion, profession, or other categories that separate them along various lines.
According to Guru Ji, science and spirituality are inextricably linked with each other, as they both arise from the desire for knowledge. The question "who am I?" leads a person to spirituality, and the question “what is it?” leads to scientific knowledge. Shankar Ravi claims that joy is only available in the present moment, so the goal of his teaching is to create a world free from stress and violence.
Humanitarian aid
Ravi Shankar's humanitarian work:
- In 1992, he initiated a prison rehabilitation program for prisoners to help them reintegrate into society.
- In 2012, he visited Pakistan, opened the centers of the international organization Art of Living in Islamabad and Karachi.
- During his visits to Iraq at the invitation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in 2007 and 2008, Guru Ji met with political and religious leaders to promote world peace. In November 2014, he visited relief camps in Erbil.
- Ravi Shankar promoted peaceful relations between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement during his visit to Cuba in June 2015. The leaders of the FARC group agreed to follow Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence to achieve their political goals and establish social justice.
- In November 2016, India hosted a conference bringing together representatives from eight South Asian countries to cooperate in areas such as entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, education partnerships and women's empowerment initiatives.
Art of Living Foundation
The Guru Ji Foundation operates in more than 150 countries acrossaround the world. The organization is engaged in settling conflicts and providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable segments of the population. The foundation also conducts courses on the Art of Living, in which much attention is paid to the spiritual practice of Sudarshan-kriya.
Authoritative medical studies have been conducted that have noted the positive effects of spiritual practice on the human body. The following positive changes have been identified: reduced stress levels, strengthened immune system, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved brain function.
The photo below shows the building of the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Art of Living International Center. The center is located in Bangalore, a major city in southern India.
Advice from an Indian thinker
Wise thoughts and advice from the guru:
- Control your mind. Never jump to conclusions about a person or label them.
- Love people for who they are.
- When you let go, the best comes to you.
- Troubles happen to make a person realize the value of what he has in life.
Guru Ji's Books
The best books of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in which he shares his thoughts on the topic of gaining spirituality with readers:
- "God loves fun" is a thematic collection in which the guru talks about the importance of laughter and sincere fun in human life.
- "Knock ondoor" - conversations with Guru Ji, a careful reading of which will help you find the truth within yourself, learn how to apply it in life.
- Relationship Secrets is a book about human relationships and the importance of three things: right perception, right observation and right expression.
In addition to the books listed above, materials of conversations with the sage, his comments on famous spiritual works, as well as articles on his teachings and philosophy have been published in Russian.
