Know more about Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living

New Delhi: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living movement, believes in spreading the knowledge of living a healthier life through his message of compassion, commitment to society, and a cosmic understanding of life.Born on May 13, 1956 in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Ravi developed an inclination and an amazing acumen for the study of the ancient Vedic scriptures.Sri Sri was born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu to Smt. Visalakshi Ratnam and R. S. Venkat Ratnam, who was then active in the automobile business. He was named "Ravi" because his birth was on a Sunday and "Shankar" after the 8th century Hindu saint Adi Shankara. After graduation, Sri Sri traveled with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and was invited by Maharishi to give talks on Vedic science, arrange conferences on the Vedas and science, and set up Ayurveda centers.He was with the Maharishi at the inauguration of the first of the Golden Domes at Maharishi International University.The 1980s saw Sri Sri initiate a series of practical and experiential courses in spirituality around the globe. Sri Sri says that every emotion has a corresponding rhythm in the breath and regulating breath could help relieve personal suffering.After realizing Sudarshan Kriya, Sri Sri started sharing it with others through the Art of Living course, first held in Shimoga, Karnataka.Sri Sri inspired his father and several other prominent citizens of Bangalore to found Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, an educational and charitable trust, in 1981. Under the auspices of this trust, he opened a school south of Bangalore for local rural children. The school now provides free education for 2,000 such children.In 1983 Sri Sri held the first Art of Living course in Europe in Switzerland. In 1986 he travelled to Apple Valley, California in the USA to conduct the first course to be held in North America.Sri Sri teaches that spirituality is that which enhances human values such as love, compassion and enthusiasm. It is not limited to any one religion or culture. Hence it is open to all people. He feels the spiritual bond we share as part of the human family is more prominent than nationality, gender, religion, profession, or other identities that separate us.Sudarshan Kriya is a "breathing-based technique" that is a core component of the Art of Living courses and "the cornerstone of ... Art of Living Foundation's trauma relief programs".Sri Sri is the recipient of numerous honors including the “2005 Global Humanitarian Award” by the state of Illinois, “Guru Mahatmya” award by Government of Maharashtra, India, the title of “Yoga Shiromani” by President of India, the Phoenix Award from the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, only to name a few… He was a guest speaker at the Millennium World Peace Summit during the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Sri Sri is also a member of the Council of the Divinity School at Yale University.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar travels extensively across the globe to inspire youth to work together for a better society. As he says, “Religion is the banana skin and spirituality is the banana. The misery in the world is because we throw away the banana and are holding on to the skin.” Sri Sri believes that all religions and traditions have a common value system, and these shared values have to reach every corner of the world in order to make it a better place for all.