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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a world-renowned humanitarian, peacemaker and spiritual leader of India will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 27th as part of his world tour to promote peace and will hold a lecture on “The Voice for Peace and Human Values” in the Bosnian Cultural Center in Sarajevo, starting at 19 a.m., writes BH news agency Patria.

Citizens from Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and other Eastern European countries are coming to Sarajevo on that day as well.

In an official visit to Sarajevo, he will be received by the member of the B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegović.

Shankar’s vision of society without stress and violence united millions of people around the world through service projects and social programs of The Art of Living Foundation (Umijeće Življenja), founded by him. The message of this spiritual teacher and peacemaker is: “The whole world is one family”.

Art of Living involves yoga and breathing techniques that reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and improve your mood. These techniques are taught in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Source: Sarajevo Times

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Yoga Session Inspires European Parliament

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call at the UN for an International Day of Yoga reverberated in the European Parliament, the world's largest legislative body, on Tuesday, with internationally known guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar leading a major yoga event.

The event titled 'The Yoga Way' was organised by the Indian embassy in Brussels in cooperation with the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with India.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's discourse, the interactive question and answer session and the relaxing meditation exercises created a unique buzz among the large audience comprising members of the European Parliament, European Union (EU) officials and ambassadors from various countries.

As a curtain raiser event to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was invited to speak on yoga and conduct a meditation session.

At the instance of Manjeev Singh Puri, Indian ambassador to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, the event was supported by members of all political groups in the European Parliament. This was perhaps for the first time that any event had found resonance among members of all the political groups in the European Parliament.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was received at the European Parliament by Puri and Members of European Parliament (MEPs) Geoffrey Van Orden, Nirj Deva, Neena Gill, Jo Leinen and Alojz Peterle.

A video of Prime Minister Modi's exhortation at the UN general assembly (UNGA) for declaration of the International Day of Yoga by the UN started the event.

Van Orden, chairperson of the Delegation for Relations with India, welcomed the guests and said that the delegation was happy to organise yoga in the European Parliament.

Puri said that yoga was important for a holistic approach to health and well-being and was one of the many Indian contributions to the world.

Deva, a British MEP of Sri Lankan origin, and a close associate of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, delivered the vote of thanks.

The European People's Party, the largest political group in the European Parliament, issued a statement saying, 'Sri Sri's presence in the European Parliament has been a true inspiration for European leaders to strongly engage in more inter-cultural dialogue that would lead towards non-violent societies.'

Source: TOI

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Joins CM Oommen Chandy to Launch Subodham

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Art of Living proponent Sri Sri Ravi Shankar joined hands with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday to launch Subodham, a campaign against alcohol and drug abuse.

Initiated jointly by the Art of Living Foundation, the UNICEF and the State government, the campaign aims at ridding one lakh people of the substance addiction in a year.

A UNICEF official was also present on the occasion. Ravi Shankar lauded the government’s decision to enforce phased prohibition and initiatives against the increasing influence of alcohol and drugs and put an end to violence against women and children.

“In my last visit I was shocked learning about the statistics about the use of alcohol in the State and this is indeed a welcome change for a State that boasts of 100 percent literacy,” Ravi Shankar said.

The spiritual leader also lauded excise minister K. Babu’s declaration in his presidential address earlier that the State would introduce anti-alcohol and anti-drug literature in the school curriculum.

“Kerala can become a model for the rest of the States in the country,” he said. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wondered how a section of the State’s population continued to abuse alcohol.

“Women of the State do not use alcohol, nor the children up to 10 years and also elders beyond the age of 80. So it’s from among the remaining population that the alcohol users come. The State Government is willing to forego the Rs 7000 crore income from this source but there needs to be co-operation from all quarters to end the menace,” he added.

Social welfare minister Dr M. K. Muneer, mayor Tony Chammany, Swami Adyadmananda Saraswati, bishop Karikkassery and imam Shamsudin Qasimi also spoke.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

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Ban Liquor Completely: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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‘Art of Living’ guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Saturday said that liquor should be completely banned in a state like Kerala, which is called the ‘Gods Own Country’.

He was speaking at the ‘Mega Happiness Programme’ organised at the Kunnathunadu SNDP Union ground in Perumbavoor.

While interacting with his followers at the programme, he said that knowledge, meditation and music were the key to a blissful and happy life. “The sign of healthy living is unshakable smile that always appears on one’s face. Life is a celebration, and one should practise ‘pranayamam’ and mediation as they are the key to happiness. Human beings should live in the present and should always leave the issues behind,” he said.

On the occasion, Ravi Shankar distributed ‘vishu kaineetam’ to his followers, and later left for his Art of Living hermitage at Thottava near Kalady. At the function, he also sang a song, following a request by his followers.

Source: New Indian Express

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Faith in Action

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The Art of Living, UNICEF and the Kerala Government have come together to organize a conference - “Faith in Action – Interfaith Response to Alcohol, Drugs & Violence against Women and Children”. The conference will take place on April 19, 2015 at Indian Medical Association House, Palarivattom, Kochi and will commence at 8:30 AM.

The ‘Faith in Action’ conference aims at creating awareness about the social ills of alcohol and drug addiction. It will also deal with the grave issue of violence against women and children in our society.

The conference will see more than 250 religious and spiritual leaders from all faiths come together and to take a stand against these social ills. Over 300 student leaders and teachers will also be a part of this event.

Jointly supporting the conference are the Social Justice Department, Kerala Women’s Commission and Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Source: AOL Global Website

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Belgium Set to Celebrate International Day of Yoga

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will lead a special yoga event in the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels on April 21 following efforts by Indian ambassador to the EU and Belgium Manjeev Singh Puri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the call for an International Day of Yoga at the UN last September. A record 177 countries co-sponsored the resolution piloted by India and declared June 21, the day of Equinox, as the International Day of Yoga.

Ambassador Puri obtained the support of members from all political groups in the European Parliament (EP) and persuaded the Delegation for Relations with India in the EP to host the Brussels yoga event.

The Indian embassy in Brussels has also put together a broad group of yoga federations, schools and teachers from across Belgium and Luxembourg to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21.

The flagship would be a large public event in the central park of Brussels, the Bois de la Cambre. Many enthusiasts are expected to participate in a mass yoga programme to coincide with events across the world.

A big participation at the June 21 event is expected from high-level representatives from the EU and Belgium.

Source: Business Standard

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Thanks Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: 15 Tips for a Happier, Less Stressful Life

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“If we keep dividing ourselves according to race and religion, there will be no end to it [conflict],” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said on Wednesday at the PICC. “We have to honor diversity.”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is not the Ravi Shankar that is Norah Jones’ dad. This Indian guru started The Art of Living Foundation in 1981 and advocates meditation, yoga, and breathing to help control the mind, manage stress, and allow a certain level of clarity of thinking.

He was in Manila for a speaking gig on Wednesday, the last stop of his 6-country Asian tour that included Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

At the PICC Plenary Hall, Sri Sri led a 20-minute meditation session and answered questions from the audience.

No wonder he attracts so much attention and so many followers. Sri Sri had clear answers to pretty much everything: from battling cancer to dealing with a 12-year-son rebellious son, to mending a broken heart to stress.

Below are 15 things we learned from Wednesday's talk. We will surely be keeping these in mind:

1. Work and life are one and the same. There is no such thing as a personal time and a public time that you keep separate.
2. When we think, we should not be reactive and instead be responsive.
3. Let go of the past. Carrying it with you will only drain you.
4. Do not feel guilty. It only brings anger in you and creates a platform to be nasty. Past is past. Mistakes happen when you’re not in the right state of consciousness. Resolve not to repeat it and do good work instead.
5. Happiness and love are our true nature. And the happiness that you feel is actually connected to the people around you.
6. Accept there are pleasant and unpleasant moments. You need to remember this to maintain the equanimity of your mind.
7. Learn to accept diversity. Honor it. It should not be tolerated, but instead be celebrated. You have to see the world as one family.
8. Men should not step on women’s emotions, and women should not step on men’s ego.
9. Do not ask for proof of love. It is a burden to have to prove love.
10. Think of destiny and free will as this: Height is your destiny, weight is your free will.
11. Make one new friend a day. Don’t be too serious. Smile more.
12. Don’t give up.
13. Battling with cancer? Don’t say that. Saying you’re “battling cancer” will make you feel weaker.
14. There are no bad guys. There are only misled and misguided people.
15. Make room for imperfection. Think of it as the area in your house where you keep your garbage. You need that area to keep your entire house nice and clean, right?

Source: Coconuts Manila

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A Dialogue with Sri Sri

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Women are the backbone of any society and ethics helps build the trust between people that is crucial for societal progress. The lack of ethics is often symptomatic of a society with low trust and lack of social connectedness; women’s role in the development of a society is of utmost importance. In fact, it is the key criterion that determines the strength and harmony in a society. Yet, women are constantly searching for answers to the multitude of issues that hinder their progress and peace of mind. When solutions are infused with human values, when they bring together people from all walks of life and create a sense of belongingness, only then can a violence-free and stress-free society emerge where women are given due regard, respect and importance.

To address this issue, we will play host to "A Dialogue with H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar” as a part of 7th International Women’s Conference entitled "Ethics and Leadership: Where Walking the Talk Matters” Sunday, 5th April, 2015. A LIVE Webcast of the event will be available from 7:30 AM IST onwards on www.artofliving.org/webcast

This event is a platform for dialogue between eminent women leaders with Sri Sri to highlight solutions and add new perspectives to the challenges women face with a focus to understand how they can help to reinforce ethics in leadership today.

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