Download Sri Sri Calendar - APRIL 2014

Posted on: Monday, March 31, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Sri Sri Updates

Dear ones,

Download APRIL 2014 Calendar with beautiful picture 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.

Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Ugadi Special LIVE Webcast with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today


Subscribe to Sri Sri Updates

Dear all,

There will be an Ugadi special LIVE Webcast from Bangalore Ashram with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today 7 PM IST onwards.

Webcast link: www.artofliving.org/webcast

Share with all!

Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest

Padmanabha: The Lotus Navel

Posted on: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
Different organs of our body are governed by different devas. The solar plexus is connected with the sun, that’s why it is called solar plexus. When the first rays of the sun fall on the solar plexus, it is very good for your body. This is why it is good to do Surya Namaskar (sun salutation yoga asana) in the early morning.

The solar plexus has a profound impact on the central nervous system, optic nerves, stomach, and what we usually call our “gut feeling.” It is the second brain in your body. Usually the solar plexus is slightly bigger than an almond. With the practice of yoga asanas, meditation, and Sudarshan Kriya, the solar plexus can become as a large as an apricot. Then it performs better and balances the bodily functions.When the solar plexus contracts, one feels horrible, sad, depressed; all the negative feelings come. When the solar plexus expands, the intuitive mind awakens; the mind becomes clear and focused.Krishna was called Padmanabha, meaning whose navel is the size of a lotus flower. If you become Padmanabha, you become absolutely creative. Brahma, the Creator, is said to be born out of a blossomed solar plexus.These days, the solar plexus remains small, but the tummy keeps getting bigger.

Source: Indian Express


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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 intervenes to end resident doctor's strike

Posted on: Monday, March 17, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
The six-day-old fast-unto-death by the resident doctors of Sir Sundar Lal Hospital of Banaras Hindu University ended after intervention of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Saturday.

The resident doctors had initially started the strike following an altercation between the inmates of two hostels on March 1. After two days, they changed the issue and started demanding upgradation of Institute of Medical Sciences of BHU to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). They also ran parallel OPD at IMS campus and prescribed medicines and diagnosis on the letterhead of AIIMS. The university administration closed the IMS on March 8 and ousted the agitating medicos.

The resident doctors continued the stir at doctors' lounge of SSL hospital. To increase pressure on BHU administration, their leader Om Shankar started fast-unto-death on the same day. Later, he was joined by Namrata, Shubham, Khushbu and Shubhjit. The BHU administration took action against some officials and medicos after which majority of resident doctors returned to work. Om Shankar continued the stir as the talks with the vice-chancellor failed to yield a solution.

On Saturday, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reached the doctors lounge. After discussing the issue with the agitating resident doctors, he assured to support to their demands and appealed them to end the stir. They agreed to consume fruit juice and announced to call off the fast-unto-death.

Source: TOI


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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 Favours single Party Government at Centre

Posted on: Thursday, March 13, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
Addressing a large number of his followers at Samastipur on Monday evening, the Art of Living founder and spiritual leader Shri Shri Ravi Shankar strongly favoured one party government at the Center. He said 'khichdi' government always fails to deliver good and could be disastrous for the country. He asked the people not to give a fractured mandate and vote for a strong government in the ensuing general elections. He added such a government is also needed to fight corruption prevailing everywhere in the country.

He advised them to take a vow 'not to give or accept any bribe'. He gave a call to the people, especially youth, to spare one hour everyday to do social work. Shri Shri expressed his serious concern over moral devaluation and corruption in the field of politics and religion.

The spiritual leader, who was greeted with a Mithila pag, expressed his serious concern over the dearth of Sanskrit scholars in Darbhanga and Varanasi educational institutions, which once gave the country such scholars in large numbers. Shri Shri also advised the people to learn good things from anywhere even from foreign countries. Citing examples he said, "We should learn team work from Japan, value of time from Germany, etiquette from Britain, replicating of things from China, marketing from America and humanity from India."

Earlier in the morning, the followers of Art of Living took out a 'prabhat pheri' in the town under the leadership of its conveyor Pankaj Jyoti. Several others including Ritesh Raj, AK Lal, Rajiv Gautam, Madan Chandna and OP Khemka participated in the pheri.

Kisan Mela: A three-day Kisan Mela was concluded at Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa, in Samastipur on Monday. A large number of farmers, agriculture scientists, bankers and agriculture product sellers participated in the mela. The university provided latest techniques to the farmers in the field of agriculture. Speaking as a chief guest the agriculture scientist and agriculture advisor to CM Dr Mangla Rai, advised the farmers to make farming in groups and purchase fertilizers, seeds and pesticides in bulk and also sell their produce in wholesale to get more benefit for their produce. The concluding function was presided by RAU vice chancellor Dr RK Mittal.

Source: TOI


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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

Nation needs strong, corruption-free govt: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Posted on: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
The Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is on a tour of Bihar these days to create, besides other things, awareness among the voters about their franchise and guide them in taking what he considers to be the right decision in this crucial parliamentary elections. The Godman shared his views on politics and spirituality with Abdul Qadir at his Bodh Gaya ashram on Sunday evening.

What is the purpose of your Bihar tour?
It is two-fold. I had to see for myself the development of the Bodh Gaya ashram. Besides that, I am also here to create awareness among the voters about their right to franchise to ensure their cent per cent participation in the election process and help them make the right decisions while exercising their franchise. But let me make it clear that being a spiritual leader, I shall not campaign for or against any political party or candidate.

Now that you are trying to create voter awareness, let me know your views on what kind of government the nation needs.
I am very clear in my mind that coalition governments have weakened the system and virtually played havoc with the economy. Another spell of coalition government may be disastrous for the country and in that situation, the dollar may touch the 100-rupee mark to make the economy extremely weak. Moreover, we need a strong government to send the right message to the muscle-flexing neighbours and for that reason too, the country needs a strong government. Never in the last sixty years has the economy been so much in disarray with industrial production registering negative growth to the extent of minus 2.5%. We need a government that is strong and not marred by corruption.

Going by your idea of what the next government should be like, does Narendra Modi fit the bill to be the PM?
Being a spiritual leader I cannot take sides but you are free to draw inferences which may or may not be correct. It is for the people to decide what to do. I am only expressing my opinion. If the people think that UPA can provide a strong and honest government let them vote UPA to power. Who am I to dictate their choice? I can only tell them what was in the best national interest and "khichdi' governments are certainly not in the national interest.

You favour a strong and non-corrupt government, but the traits of 'strong leadership' and commitment to fight corruption, as per the popular perception is to be found in two different parties, as the party claiming to provide strong leadership has its own heavy baggage of corruption?
If you mean the AAP, they are just toddlers in the field of politics and governance. It will be too premature to take them seriously. Let them do the political apprenticeship first by running a state government. Governance is a very serious business and AAP has to cover a lot of ground. They (AAP) are not in the reckoning.

History shows that strong leaders tend to be dictatorial, autocratic and anti-democratic. What is your opinion?
We are a very mature democracy and the system is well in place. The people will throw leaders who show anti-democratic and dictatorial traits out of power. We must trust our people and institutions. They will never allow the weakening of the democratic institutions.

Do you not think that Godmen should directly join politics to cleanse the system from within?
Politics does not mean elections alone. Godmen have done a lot of positive things in the field of politics. I regard Gandhiji and Vinoba Bhave as Godmen who have done a lot of good work in politics. However, electoral politics is something else and Godmen (as you call religious and spiritual leaders) need not join the electoral race.

Do you not think that in the recent past the credibility of Godmen/holy men have witnessed some erosion?
True that some unfortunate things have happened. But it would not be proper to jump to conclusions. In any case, everybody has to be innocent until proven guilty and this also applies to people who you call Godmen. In case such people (Godmen) are proved guilty, they must be awarded double punishment as, besides breaking the law, they also break people's faith and confidence. In my opinion, the media has been less than fair while reporting such things. For example, the murder charge against the Shankaracharya got 225 hours of airtime on TV channels and his (Shankaracharya's) subsequent acquittal was given only eight minutes.

What is the relationship between money and happiness?
No doubt money was needed to lead a comfortable life but beyond that money does not necessarily bring happiness. Happiness comes through spirituality. Citizens of developed nations are more or less an unhappy lot and for that reason, GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) is gradually replacing GDP as a country's growth indicator.

You have come to Bihar after a gap of two years. Do you notice any change?
I came only yesterday and I have little occasion to go outside. But I found Mahabodhi Temple to be much cleaner and better maintained. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said about the Vishnupad temple. There was lot of filth around the Vishnupad temple. We must keep our religious places clean. I have asked people to do something to make the Vishnupad area clean. But as compared to the days when there was curfew-like situation from early evening and people lived in fear in the state, a lot of change for the better has taken place.

During your last visit you promised jobs to the local youth. To what extent has the promise been met?
We are running several skill development centres including one at Aurangabad and young men and women trained at these centres have got jobs in companies like Larsen and Turbo. More than 50% of the employees at our Bangalore ashram are from Bihar.

Source: TOI


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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 Ravishankar To Release Narendra Modi's Book 'Sakshibhav'

Posted on: Friday, March 7, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
'Sakshibhav', a book penned by Shri Narendra Modi, will be released by spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravishankar ji, on 7th March, 2014, at the University Convention Hall in Ahmedabad, at 6.30 pm. The book, published by Image Publications, encapsulates Shri Modi's 'antarmann ni yatra', through his letters addressed to Jag Janani Ma. The book release will witness the presence of renowned author Shri Gunvant Shah and other distinguished names from the literary world.

Source: News Hunt


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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 March 2014

Posted on: Thursday, March 6, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
Jai Gurudev Dear ones,

Download March 2014 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.


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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

There are Nine Kinds of Worship and Love

Posted on: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 | Posted by: Art of Living Universe


Subscribe to Guru Updates
Poojasakti - love the form and then adore the form - worship. Pooja means that which is born out of fullness. Poo means fullness, ja means born out of fullness. In love, when you feel so full, you want to act, do something and that act which is born out of love is called Pooja. Poojasakti - in pooja you use all the five elements, all that nature has done to you, you replicate it, you do it back again. What did the nature do to you? It has given you grains, the nature has given you grains … you offer the grains. The nature has given you flowers, you offer the flowers. Nature has given you fruits, so you offer the fruits back. Nature takes the sun and moon around you and you also light the camphor on a small wick or candle and you also move them around. That is called aarti - the ultimate ecstacy. Aarti means the ultimate ecstacy, because nature is doing aarti to you every day - taking the sun and moon around you. Remembering that let this fire of life always move around the divine. Life is like fire, goes up, you know a lit fire or a glow, if you turn it upside down, then also it just moves up. Let the enthusiasm, that joy in life, always move upward. This feeling you take - pooja sakti.

Smarnasakti - constant rememberance of the divine. It is almost like a worry. You know, when you are worried, as soon as you wake up in the morning, the same worry comes to the head. And before going to bed, the same worry comes. While you are eating, same worry comes. When you’re drinking tea, same worry comes. So, dwelling in the same memory of the Divine is another type of love - smarnasakti.

Dasyasakti - wanting to be the servant of god. the Jewish tradition has glorified this, being the servant of god. That aspect of love is emphasised in Jewish tradition - “I am just a servant of God, I am nothing other than a simple servant of god.” Dasya sakti - to be a devoted servant.

Sakhayasakti - companionship. He is my companion. I am his companion. There are two different things. One is dasyasakti - “I am just a servant of god” and then, “I am his companion. He is my only companion.” The saints of the Bhakti movement in India all adored god as the beloved, their companion. The gopis took god as their beloved, their companion. In the Muslim tradition, some Sufi saints also consider god as their beloved. Sakhya sakti - taking god as one’s beloved.

Vatsalyasakti - considering god as one’s child. In Brindavan in India, people consider Krishna as their own child - Bal. When a child is born in the house, they say, “Oh, Krishna has come.” Infant Jesus worship is also prevalent in some parts of the world. There is a certain charm, a certain motherly or fatherly feeling towards the Divine. ‘Parenting the Divine’ is another form of Divine love.

Kantasakti - is one’s own partner. God as the centre of attraction of all sorts in life. “My only goal and my only centre of attraction is divinity.” This feeling that comes up in you, that god is only centre of atraction, is Kantasakti. You adore the divine as your beloved, as your partner, as a part of you - Kantasakti.

Atmanivedanasakti - every moment this entire body, mind - physical, mental, emotional, my entire life is all yours. I offer, I surrender everything, every moment, including the time, this moment is yours. If this moment is pleasant, it is yours. If it is unpleasant, it is yours. Who cares, it is all yours. Atmanivedanasakti - offering of the entire self, your total self, total letting go, that is atmanivedanasakti -another flavour of love.

Tanmayatasakti means being immersed in knowing that he is already in you and every part is immersed in him, soaked in the divinity. Tanmayata is also a deep meditation, a state of deep meditation, a state in which you forget everything else, nothing exists, nothing whatsoever exists, just me and me alone. Tanmayatasakti - forgetful of everything else, including your own body, that is tanmayata . Those that forget everything are really blissful. A lady once said, “Guruji, I keep forgetting everything.” I said, “Wonderful, don’t worry about it. The whole essence is to forget everything. Why do you have to remember anything? Just be happy.” An ability to forget everything - we often forget all the nice things, the good things, and remember only those unwanted, horrible things that stick to the mind. That shift is essential. If you want to forget, forget everything - tanmayatasakti.

Paramvirahasakti means longing, excruciatating longing. There is a joy in longing. Love blossoms only in longing. If there is no longing, I tell you there is no love also. Love and longing go hand in hand, so when longing arises in you, don’t kill it. Though it is excrucitating, don’t try to run away from it. Nurture the longing. Nurturing the longing deepens the love. Often, when longing comes, people run away from it and then the love turns into hatred and anger. Longing brings a certain amount of misery - you don’t like anything, you don’t want to eat, you don’t want to see television, you don’t want to go anywhere, nothing is appealing to you, that is the name of longing. These are the characteristics of longing. Longing means what? Nothing whatsoever can charm you, can interest you, can draw your attention, nor are you at peace.

Source: The New Indian Express


Official facebook page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official twitter page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Official G+ page of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Huffington post   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Speaking Tree   Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Tour Schedule
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