Sri Sri Ravi Sankar Biography

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a humanitarian leader, a spiritual teacher, and an ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people the world over through service projects and the courses he has developed.

The Beginning

Born in 1956 in Southern India, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was a gifted child. By the age of four, he was able to recite parts of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, and was often found in meditation. At the age of seventeen in 1973, he graduated with degrees in both Vedic literature and physics.

In 1982, Sri Sri entered a ten-day period of silence in Shimoga located in the Indian state of Karnataka and in that silence, Sudarshan Kriya – a powerful breathing technique – was born. Later Sudarshan Kriya became the centerpiece of the Art of Living courses.

Founding the First Organizations

Sri Sri founded The Art of Living Foundation as an international, non-profit, educational, and humanitarian organization.  The educational and self-development programs of the Art of Living Foundation provide powerful tools to eliminate stress and improve well-being. These programs include breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, and practical wisdom for daily living which have helped millions around the world to transform their lives.

In 1997, Sri Sri created the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) as a global platform for humanitarian initiatives that solve problems by uplifting human values.  Through its country organizations and partners, IAHV conducts service projects and raises funds for humanitarian and disaster relief initiatives throughout the world.  Activities administered or funded by IAHV include prisoner rehabilitation, trauma relief for veterans, youth and community development, disaster and trauma relief, and organizational excellence programs.

Inspiring Service and Globalizing Wisdom

Sri Sri is a noted humanitarian leader who has developed and led programs that provide assistance to people from a wide range of backgrounds—victims of natural disasters, survivors of terror attacks and war, children from marginalized populations, communities in conflict, among others. The power of his message has inspired a wave of service based on spirituality through a huge body of volunteers who drive these projects forward in critical areas around the globe.

Sri Sri is a spiritual teacher.  He has rekindled the traditions of yoga and meditation and has offered them in a form that works in the 21st century. By reviving ancient wisdom, Sri Sri has created new techniques for personal and social transformation. These include a powerful technique called Sudarshan Kriya® which has helped millions of people to find relief from stress and discover inner reservoirs of energy and peace in daily life. In only three decades, his programs have affected the lives of participants in over 150 countries.

 Collected From http://srisriravishankar.org/life/biography/

Inspirational Stories #124 - Aesop's tales # 9 - The Boy who cried Wolf

There once was a boy who kept sheep not far from the village. He would often become bored and to amuse himself he would call out, "Wolf! Wolf," although there was no wolf about.

The villagers would stop what they were doing and run to save the sheep from the wolf's jaw. Once they arrived at the pasture, the boy just laughed. The naughty boy played this joke over and over until the villagers  got tired of him.

One day while the boy was watching the sheep, a wolf did come into the fold. The boy cried and cried, "Wolf! Wolf!"

No one came. The wolf had a feast of sheep that day.

Moral: No one will believe a habitual liar even when he is telling the truth

Inspirational Stories #123 - Aesop's tales # 8 - The Tree and the Reed

"Well, little one," said a Tree to a Reed that was growing at its foot, "why do you not plant your feet deeply in the ground, and raise your head boldly in the air as I do?"

I am contented with my lot," said the Reed. "I may not be so grand, but I think I am safer." 

"Safe!" sneered the Tree. "Who shall pluck me up by the roots or bow my head to the ground?" But it soon had to repent of its boasting, for a hurricane arose which tore it up from its roots, and cast it a useless log on the ground. while the little Reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

Moral: Obscurity often brings safety

Inspirational Stories #122 - Aesop's tales #7 - The Milkmaid and her Pail

Patty, the milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a pail on her head. As she went along, she began calculating what she would do with the money she would get for the milk.

"I'll buy some fowls from farmer Brown, she said. They will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs, I'll buy myself a new dimity frock, and a chip hat. When I go to the market, won't all the men come up and speak to me! Polly Shaw will be very jealous. But. I don't care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this". As she spoke, she tossed her head back, the pail fell off, and all the milk was spilt.

Moral: Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

Inspirational Stories #121 - Aesop's tales # 6 - The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

A country mouse invited his cousin who lived in the city to come visit him. The city mouse was so disappointed with the sparse meal which was nothing more than a few kernels of corn and couple of dried berries.

"My poor cousin, said the city mouse. You hardly have anything to eat! I do believe that an ant could eat better! Please do come to the city and visit me, and I will show you such rich feasts, readily available for the taking".

So, the country mouse left with his city cousin who brought him to a splendid feast in the city's alley. The country mouse could not believe his eyes. He had never seen so much food in one place. There was bread, cheese, cereals, and grains of all sorts scattered about in a warm cozy portion of the alley.

The two mice settled down to eat their wonderful dinner, but before they barely took their first bites, a cat approached their dining area. The two mice scampered away and hid in a small uncomfortable hole until the cat left. Finally, it was quiet, and the unwelcome visitor went to prowl somewhere else. The two mice came out of the hole and resumed their abundant feast. Before they could get a proper taste in their mouth, another visitor intruded on their dinner, and the two little mice had to scuttle away quickly.

"Goodbye, said the country mouse. You do indeed live in a plentiful city, but I am going home where I can enjoy my dinner in peace".

Moral: A modest life with peace and quiet is better than a richly one with danger and strife.