Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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- For other persons named Ravi Shankar, see Ravi Shankar (disambiguation).
Ravi Shankar is a Indian spiritual master (Guru) born in 1956, in a Tamil Iyer family in Papanasam, India. He is often referred to by the self-chosen double-honorific "Sri Sri".[1] He is considered a spiritual leader by his disciples and is the founder of the international Art of Living Foundation that aims to globalise traditional indian wisdom. Ravi Shankar is also a driving force behind charitable organizations such as the International Association for Human Values, which conducts the 5H program.
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[edit] Biography
According to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's parents and biographies, at the age of four he could recite parts of the Bhagavad Gita [1]. Even at a young age, he was said to be often found in deep meditation. He is a former disciple of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. While his organization claims that he obtained an "Advanced degree in Modern Physics" by the age of 17, very little is known about his childhood, education and early career.
According to a biographical article, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ascended into enlightenment in 1982, after a 10 day retreat into silence, and emerged with the technique of Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing exercise. [2] He founded the Art of Living Foundation that year to spread this breathing technique. In 1997, he along with Dalai Lama and several others [2], founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to "foster a deeper understanding of the values that unite a human community on a global scale".
[edit] Thought and Philosophy
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's key message is that, spirituality is the banana and that religion is the banana skin and the emphasis on secularizing religion[citation needed]. He emphasizes breath as the subtle link between body and mind, and many of his techniques use the breath as a tool to relax the mind. He also lays an emphasis on service and volunteers are encouraged to meditate as well as serve. According to Ravi Shankar science and spirituality are linked and not in conflict.
[edit] Current Activities
Every year Sri Sri Ravi Shankar travels around the globe to reinforce the message that all religions and spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His stated vision is to create a world that is free of stress and violence by globalising wisdom, and his programs aim to offer practical tools to accomplish this.
In 2006, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar took part in a debate with an Islamic scholar Zakir Naik in Bangalore. [3]
[edit] Sudarshan Kriya
Developed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Sudarshan Kriya is the core component of the Art of Living Course. It is a cycle of breaths - long, medium and short. However, since persons taught the technique are required to sign non-disclosure agreements, not much is publicly known about the specific details [3]. Some of the starting asanas and exercises are disclosed in a newspaper article [4]. Ravi Shankar has claimed that the method has been patented, although no records to this effect are found in US Patent and Trademark Office, or the Indian patent databases.
The Sudarshan Kriya is claimed to infuse the body with energy and harmonize the natural rhythms of the body, mind and emotions.
Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation offers many programs centered on Sudarshan Kriya, meditation and group-dynamics. In USA, a course fee of $375.00 is charged for the basic course taught by volunteers. The fee varies from country to country and there are discounts available for senior citizens and students. Though designated as a donation, such a fee is mandatory. The organization teaches Breath Water Sound workshops (or Nav-Chetna Shibirs) in urban slums and villages, and Prison Smart workshops in prisons. These workshops are offered free of cost.
[edit] Community Development Programmes
Ravi Shankar has initiated several community development programmes which cover development planning as well as emergency relief support and assistance to societies worldwide.
[edit] Notes
- ^ A. Salkin, Emperor of Air, Yoga Journal
- ^ S. Verughese, Lessons in Living Life Positive
- ^ A Debate with an Islamic scholar Dr. Zakir Naik
