The youths siding with the Naxals are not bad. They are victims of injustice and are fighting their own battle, opined Sri Sri Ravishankar, the Founder of Art of Living while interacting with media persons in Jagdalpur on Saturday. Notably Sri Sri Ravishankar had earlier also proposed to act as interlocutor for conducting talks with Naxals, which was turned down by the insurgents. Talking to reporters, he appealed to Naxals for shunning the path of violence and join the path of 'Bhakti' so that the country could be lead towards a right direction. “Guns cannot solve any problem, talks are necessary for it,” said Sri Sri Raivshankar. Earlier talking to reporters in Raipur over Asaram Bapu's arrest, he said nobody is above law and if he has really committed any crime then he should be brought to book. The acclaimed spiritual leader was of the view that if Asaram is found innocent then stringent action should be taken against the people involved in distorting his image. When asked whether the incident of Asaram Bapu has not tarnished the image of religious leaders in India, he categorically denied by saying that only one incident is not enough to call all the Gurus as wrong. Sri Sri Ravishankar further said that youths of Chhattisgarh are very hard working and they have proved it while conducting the relief works during floods in Bihar and the natural disaster in Uttarakhand. Sri Sri Ravishankar also praised the development works done by Gujrat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and said that the leader has done commendable work in making Gujarat’s villages free from pollution besides enriching the life of the people. Source: The Pioneer                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Download Sri Sri Calendar for October 2013

Jai Gurudev Dear ones,  Download October 2013 Calendar with beautiful pic of Sri Sri (Gurudev), by visiting the Art of Living Universe website : www.calendars.artoflivinguniverse.org PS: Send us a blank email to calendars@artoflivinguniverse.org and get notified as soon as the new calendars are uploaded.                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Now you can receive Sri Sri's Tweets on our phones via SMS!

Dear ones, Now you can receive Gurudev's (Twitter: @SriSriSpeaks) Tweets on our phones! Twitter has started an SMS service where one can give a missed call to 080 3005 0005 and one can receive Gurudev's tweets as an SMS. (This service has been opened only for for people in India as of now ! This is only for Indian phones.) Gurudev had tweeted about it on his twitter on 16 Sept. The tweet read: "Don't have internet? Dial 080 3005 0005 to get my tweets (@srisrispeaks) as SMS on your phone! Catch me if you can ;)" So give missed call to the above number now and get connected with Guruji soon... Enjoy this special facility!                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

The world is one organism : Sri Sri's message for World Peace Day (21st September 2013)

Our existence is not in isolation with the rest of the world. While this idea sounds spiritual, it is very pertinent to social and global situations that we see every now and then. When a house is on fire in the neighborhood, if we don’t act, it is only a matter of time before the fire reaches our own doorstep. There is an idea found in many ancient cultures that this world is one organism. The microcosm is a reflection of the macrocosm. Just like within us there are billions of cells with their independent existence that collectively make up our existence, all the billions of people and other creatures make up the Being of this world. Today, there are many parts of the world that are on fire. Many governments and authorities, like in Syria and Egypt, end up using force in conflict-zones. While sometimes necessary in extreme situations, such an approach is reactive and often leads to complications in the long term. Taking care of hygiene and preserving health is easier than to go through treatment after the onset of disease. Just as we need to be proactive in maintaining our health, we need to be proactive in maintaining harmony in the world. A healthy multi-cultural exposure to children can go a long way in eliminating religious fanaticism. An attitude of service cultivated in young minds can be a preventive approach to tackling corruption. Therefore, proper education – one that inculcates human values and honors diversity, is necessary for sustainable peace in the world. Only a few people in the world cause terror, not the whole population. Of the seven billion people on this planet, there are hardly a few thousand who cause crime and the whole world is affected. With the same law, won’t the reverse also work? Just a few thousand of us, being really peaceful, loving and caring for the whole planet — can we not bring a transformation? One should not think, ‘‘what can I do?’’ or that one is insignificant. Everyone has a role to play when the world is in turmoil. A tiny homeopathic pill has the power to heal an 80kg body. In the same way, every individual has an influence on this cosmos, on this planet. When we radiate peace and good vibrations, it definitely makes an impact. Those of us who have been fortunate to find some peace within ourselves, now have a challenge to reach out to all those who are not at peace with themselves as well as to those countries and parts of the world where there is conflict. The knowledge of the oneness that we share with the world can bring people out of their narrow mindsets. A bigger vision of life can kindle human values, enabling one to see diversity in oneness and unity in diversity. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Twitter: @SriSriSpeaks                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to tour north Karnataka

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, will address students and professionals during his three-day tour of north Karnataka from September 22. Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Jagadish Sastry, faculty member at the Art of Living ashram, Bangalore, said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s tour will begin in Bijapur. From there, he would go to Bagalkot, Hubli, Dharwad and Shiggaon. Mr. Sastry said that he would hand over solar lamps to residents of Konnur village, near Dharwad, and in Shiggaon of Haveri district, where power supply was irregular. He said that a music and meditation programme would be held on September 22 on BDA Ground in Bijapur, followed by another programme on the same day at Bagalkot where he would address students. On September 23, he would hold a ‘satsang’ on the Sri Hurakadli Ajja Law College ground in Dharwad. The next day, ‘Hubli Manthan’ would be held at Nehru Stadium in Hubli. Source: Ka25.in                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Like mobile networks, spirituality should reach every home: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that means that the whole world is one single family. According to this phrase; animals, birds, plants, trees and other organisms in the ecosystem have soul and they are all part of one family. But, is our soul ready to accept the world as a family? Does the feeling of oneness still prevail in our hearts? Or, is our society is decaying at a rapid pace? A show from the Bharat Bhagya Vidhata series - Zara Hatke - discussed all of the above and much more. The distinguished guest on the show - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation - shared his thoughts on why patience was waning among people today. When Mimansa Malik, the show's host, asked him if spirituality and business could go side by side, Sri Sri said, “It has always prevailed in India. Business is a part of our society, and spirituality has not left any area untouched— politics, economics, society, traditions and everything else have taken the support of spirituality of survive and thrive. Spirituality is the backbone of our country.” “Spirituality refers to the process through which regeneration of life takes place, through which one can achieve internal happiness and through which you meet the almighty powers. Happiness can only be attained through it. If someone honestly and internally wants to be happy, he must have a fragrance of spirituality in self. One gains the inner strength in their being to counter the negative elements in life,” said Sri Sri when asked about the importance and meaning of spirituality. Regarding the question over the integrity of gurus left, Sri Sri said, “Every village should have a guru who can guide people on the path of spirituality. Spiritual way of living should reach every home and cover the expanse like mobile networks. We lack prudent gurus in our society. I accept that there are people who exploit under the guise of spirituality but they are miniscule when compared to the real ones.” “According to a statistical data, about ninety percent of all cases of crime against women happen when the culprits are in an intoxicated condition. Also, the sale of liquor in our country has increased three times over the past two years. Spiritual gurus should raise their voice against consumption of liquor. Women have to be empowered to safeguard their interests in the society. Regular yoga and ‘pranayam’ can rekindle morality in our society. Spiritual gurus need to take an active part in the process of society-building,” Sri Sri said on the topic of safety of women in our country. “Globalisation is not the cause of societal decay. Our Vedas too have mentioned Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means that the entire world is one single family. So, it is not correct to blame Western influence on our culture for the societal decay here,” Sri Sri added. In conclusion Sri Sri said, “We should avoid negativity in all forms and think positive. We should look out for positivity in each and every thing. One should harness their inner power and seek strength from it to serve others.” Source: ZEE News                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Only meditation can stop societal decay

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says yoga and meditation is the only way to put an end to pervasive moral decay in the society. In an exclusive conversation with Zee Media anchor Mimansa Malik on Bharat Bhagya Vidhata’s Zara HatKe show, the spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, dwelt at length on the vexed issue of societal decay, making a fervent appeal to focus on the positive side of life and neglect the negative energies. According to the Annual Health Survey 2012 conducted by the ministry of health and family welfare, nearly 62.5 million people in India drink alcohol with the per capita consumption being around four litres per adult per year. For every six men, one woman drinks alcohol in India. India has one of the largest alcoholic beverage industries in the world, producing 65 per cent of the alcohol in south-east Asia. It also contributes to about seven per cent of the total alcohol beverage imports into the region. Demanding a total ban of alcohol sale in the country in view of the adverse impact it has on youth in the country, Sri Sri told #BBV on Zee News, “About 90 per cent of all cases of crime against women happen when the culprits are in an intoxicated condition. The liquor sale has increased three folds in the last few years in India which has further worsened the situation.” On being pointed out that despite of having spiritual gurus the situation of our society is pathetic, Sri Sri replied that the population of corrupt people is more and to cater to the services of people the number of spiritual gurus is less, hence there should be a spiritual guru in each and every village to serve the people. Globalisation is not the culprit behind societal decay in India. Concurring with the above view, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “It is very wrong to blame globalisation and western world influence for the societal decay in the country. India has and always be a part of the global world. Our country has shown the path of non-violence to other countries through yoga, meditation and spirituality.” Offering solutions to check the problem of societal decay, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in his Zara Hatke #BBV interview, urged people to focus on the positive side of life. “All, especially children and youth, should practice yoga and meditation.” He also requested people to look deep inside one’s own inner self and serve people selflessly. Source: DNA                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest