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IT’S IMPORTANT that freedom of speech be honoured at all costs. Everyone has freedom of expression. But sedition and saying things like ‘Bharat ko barbaad karke rahenge’ will not be tolerated by any democracy and any civilised society,” said spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Express Adda in Delhi on Monday.

A Padma Vibushan awardee, Sri Sri spoke on a range of subjects, from freedom of speech to gay rights, and moderating in times of conflict to the arrest of JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest on sedition charges.

“We can’t leave such seeds further unattended, which will further grow and criminalise the whole atmosphere. We need to nip criminal tendencies in the very beginning. It’s not done with vengeance, it is only done with more compassion. If a child is going with a criminal tendency, what will the parent do?” he asked.

“Action needs to be taken and we cannot tolerate such provocative things,” said Sri Sri. However, he added that the government could have handled the situation “with compassion”.

“They (government) could have done much more. They could have included some mediators, people who can give them some sense,” he said.

Source: Economic Times

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Spiritual Leaders Alone Can Ensure Harmony

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living movement, on Thursday claimed that spiritual leaders alone can put an end to caste and communal clashes in the country.

Speaking after inaugurating a three-day All India Sanyasin conference at Govindapuram near here, to coincide with Mahamaham, Ravi Shankar said political leaders cannot end caste and communal tensions in the country but spiritual leaders could.

Appealing to Sanyasis to guide the nation in the right direction, Ravishankar lamented that people are straying from the path of ethical living and it is the duty of spiritual leaders to set this right. Though the heart of a Sanyasi should be filled with happiness, there should be also a tinge of sorrow, which will push them to work towards making people come back to ethical ways of life, Ravi Shankar added.

Further, he said a mere dip in the Mahamaham tank is not enough to cleanse one of his or her sins. Instead people should take a holy dip in the pond of wisdom. Quoting from Srimad Bhagavatam, the spiritual leader said Bhakti movement was born in Tamil Nadu, nurtured in Karnataka and attained old age in Gujarat.

Earlier, Ambalavana Desiga Paramacharya Swamigal, head of the Tiruvavaduthurai Mutt, hoisted the flag and presided over the conference. Addressing the gathering, he claimed that the present name of the town, Kumbakonam, was a Sanskrit word and said Devaram and Tiruvasagam referred to the place as “Kudamukku”, later Kudanthai, which is a Tamil word. He further added in the beginning there was no religion and it is manmade. He added that one can take a holy dip in the Mahamaham tank in any day and said Kumbakonam is holier than Kasi.

Kundrakkudi Ponnambala Adigalar said Saivite saint Manivasagar preceded Darwin in outlining the evolution theory. He said faith is the only anti-dote for sorrow and added that the real Sanyasi is one who takes the risks and gives security to others.

Speaking at the meeting Ramagopalan of Hindu Munnani criticised the district administration for not allowing Annadanam inside the town during Mahamaham. He also claimed there is a need to create a “Hindu Vote bank”. Marudachala Adigal of Perur Mutt, Coimbatore, and V Ramasubramanian, High Court judge, were present.

Source: The New Indian Express

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Take the Lead if You Have Passion for People & Society

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Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who mastered the Art of Living, urged Gen Y to enter into the country’s political scene and ‘make the change’ in a conference on Wednesday.

Present in The New Indian Express ThinkEdu Conclave, the spiritual guru said, “Politicians are not some special class or species who have come from another planet. They are one among you, among us. So, one of you must take the lead. If you have the passion for people and service to society, you must come.”

Discussing among the gathering of curious students and academics on the wrong way politicians view their ‘jobs’ in today’s time, he said, “Unfortunately in this country and everywhere else in the world, politics is no longer a service, it has lost its sheen and respect, which it had during the time of Kamaraj and Mahatma Gandhi and a few generations before us. That needs to be set right.” He exhorted the youth to make that change, en masse. “Not one or two persons can do it, but all of you collectively can. Youth of this country have the power to bring change. So you need to ask politicians whether they’re here for service or business.”

He also spoke on the country’s ever burning issue of Corruption. Calling it a debilitating factor that took a toll not only on politics but also impacted several spheres, he held corruption responsible for obstructing a nation’s progress.

“Corruption has entered every field. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of education. It should create a sense of belonging. The sense of belonging is the only way to combat corruption. Corruption begins where this sense of belonging ends and to create this, education must be attuned to human values,” he said and added, “Whether religion should be taught in schools or not is secondary. Students should be taught ethics and values first. That is essential.”

Claiming ‘yoga’ and ‘ayurveda’ of being mediums to imbibing ethics necessary for an education with sound knowledge, Ravi Shankar said yoga should be mandatory in schools and colleges and imparted as an art.

The guru was further interrogated upon whether these practices, innately related with ‘Hindu’, give it a political colour, seeing the political repercussions on Yoga Day. He replied, “Just because Yoga or Ayurveda are part of Hinduism, it doesn’t mean that it won’t work for a non-Hindu. We are global citizens today and education has no boundaries.”

He emphasised that one should choose values and ethics without thinking twice, adding that many of the ethical and value-centric practices have their roots in Hindu culture. Despite that, they follow a scientific trajectory which proves the fact that religion and science could co-exist peacefully.

Source: News Gram

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India Has More Indifference Than Intolerance

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The Art of Living Foundation will celebrate 35 years of service this year by organizing a World Culture Festival in Delhi on 11-13 March. In an interview, founder and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar talks about the intolerance debate in India, a potential Nobel Peace Prize nod, the changing paradigms of good leadership and why he does not worry about any backlash to his views on the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community or gender bias in temples.

Edited excerpts:

Q: What do you hope to accomplish through the World Culture Festival?
Sri Sri: Celebrations are themselves an achievement. You don’t need an achievement for celebration. One message definitely we would want to give to the world through celebration, through this particular festival, is that we are one family and good people are together. Divisive forces and people who are spreading violence and hatred will have to wake up, and see that the world is coming together.

Q: Why should one attend the World Culture Festival?
Sri Sri: It’s a celebration, everyone’s invited. Like when there’s a wedding or a function in the family, you go and invite all the family and friends. For us, the whole world is a family, so we are inviting everyone.

Q: What will be the highlights of this festival?
Sri Sri: There is a leadership summit. Leaders from all walks of life will come and they will share their experience. They will inspire youngsters to participate. There is also a youth summit. The cultural festival, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, will see lakhs of people.

Q: What has been Art of Living’s biggest achievement so far?
Sri Sri: Art of Living’s main aim is to bring a smile on everyone’s face, and it has done that to a great extent, wherever it has reached. It has also inspired people to take up social activities, service activities.

Q: When did you realize that you wanted to become a spiritual guru?
Sri Sri: In school.

You say spirituality begins when people ask themselves ‘Who am I?’ When did you ask yourself that question?
Sri Sri: Actually, I knew when I was very young that I have come here to do some work. Meditation was like breathing for me. It was a part of me.

What is the hardest part about being a spiritual guru?
Sri Sri: The hardest part is communicating what you really are, what you feel, to the world which has prejudice and cynicism.

Q: What is your strategy to navigate the cynical world?
Sri Sri: I love to take such challenges. I like to interact with people who have no idea about spirituality, interact with people who are anti-spiritual. I find atheists are amazing people. The interesting thing is they are the real seekers somewhere deep inside. Scepticism, I welcome. Cynicism, I tolerate. Foolishness, I have compassion (for).

Q: So there is no intolerance in your camp?
Sri Sri: No. I feel that this country has more indifference than intolerance. We are indifferent. Whatever happens, we don’t care, we don’t bother. That should go. It is better to be a little bit intolerant, move away from indifference. (Let us be more) intolerant to injustice, intolerant to crime, intolerant to meaningless endeavours that people undertake.

Q: If you look at the ‘Puranas’, there is so much of healthy debate and that is how great ideas came. What is causing the rising intolerance in India towards any criticism of religion?
Sri Sri: Religion is criticized maximum in this country, like nowhere else. So we have always been open to criticism in this country.

Q: So you don’t think it has changed at all?
Sri Sri: No. This country has (had) freedom for (a) long time. People make fun of anything, everything. Humour is part of our tradition. That is the beauty of India, unlike in other countries where you will be beheaded if you write something wrong. Here we don’t mind criticism because we know the truth is not going to change by criticism.

Q: You recently won the Padma Vibhushan. There are rumours you could be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for your role as a peace mediator in Colombia. How do you feel about that? What is it about the award that excites you the most?
Sri Sri: I don’t think any of these awards have at any time excited me. What excites me is when I can see tears turning into smiles and smiles turning into tears of gratitude. That is what excites me, not someone’s opinion about me or the work I do.

Q: Tell us about your role as a peace negotiator.
Sri Sri: I don’t do it as an extracurricular activity. I just do it as part of my job. It is in my nature to bring peace so I keep doing it, wherever it clicks and works.

Q: Tell us about your experience with the Columbian rebel group FARC.
Sri Sri: They are atheists and such nice people. We had three days of (2-3 hours each day) deliberations and later on they also joined meditation, and it was a sea change. The day I was leaving, they said please don’t forget us. They each brought a stone and told me please touch this stone so that your energy is with us. That itself shows that deep within every one of us there is a thread of spirituality. Whether they accept or acknowledge it, it continues to be there. I told them, look, your goal is to have prosperity for your people and prosperity does not come by violence. So, peace precedes prosperity. First there was resistance and later on they understood my point of view. And they unilaterally declared a ceasefire. That is their greatness, I tell you. Many people in conflict don’t even come for talks. They don’t even listen to others. Their ears are shut like the ISIS. They won’t come for any talks because they are so fixed in their mind. They feel only they have the right to live on the planet. Their version of God, if people don’t accept it, then they have no right to live on the planet. With such people, you cannot even start a dialogue.

Q: Have you tried talking to ISIS?

Sri Sri: Well, I mentioned that I would love to have a dialogue with them and they sent me a death threat. There ends the whole story.

Q: You have engaged with Yazidis in Iraq, HIV patients and natural disaster victims globally. What’s next for you?
Sri Sri: We walk the talk. We say one world, one family and we have to be true to that statement. Whatever comes, I am right there. If you plan from now on, okay I want this, then you may miss out on many things that nature is going to bring in front of you.

Q: What is your idea of a good leader?
Sri Sri: There are many characteristics of a good leader. One who does not impose himself/herself on the people who he/she is leading. They facilitate and have lots of patience for their growth. It is almost like a coach of soccer or cricket who waits there and allows people to move ahead. (Somebody who is) ready to take the challenge and walk the talk. You can’t tell somebody, be calm and get agitated yourself.

Q: Do you think the paradigm of leadership has changed considering the world around us has become more chaotic?
Sri Sri: Definitely. A leader in the past used to be in an ivory tower. They would not connect with all the cadres. Even today, some political leaders don’t even talk to the cadres or members of the lower ranks. This is not good. When you are encircled by a certain group of people, they become a fort and they filter every communication coming in and going out. A leader should be really aware of this and not let this happen. He should keep his lines of communication open throughout, through all levels, without disturbing the hierarchy. This, itself, is a great skill.

What are the human values you would like to see in the leaders of today’s corporate world?
Sri Sri: Large-heartedness, patience and the ability to check greed, and be more humane.

Q: You have come out strongly against gender bias in temples and supported the LGBT community. Do you fear you might alienate some of your more conservative followers?
Sri Sri: I don’t worry whether someone follows me or not. I have to be true to myself. What I feel, I say. If people don’t like it, it’s their choice. They don’t need to like everything I say.

Q: What is the best way to teach spirituality in schools?
Sri Sri: Children are spiritual by nature. We just have to preserve their innocence while kindling intelligence. Children don’t like anything forced on them. So I would like to keep it extracurricular. Our children’s programmes are conducted with a lot of fun and games. Yoga, pranayama and breathing techniques give them practical tools to deal with stress. It helps them develop pleasant personalities while being strong from within so that they don’t succumb to peer pressure.

Q: Many people see God in you and even worship you. How does that make you feel?
Sri Sri: It’s okay. I see God in them too.

Q: What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
Sri Sri: Leaving a legacy is very far ahead. I would like to see a stress-free, violence-free society now and we are working towards it.

Source: Live Mint

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Says Politics Has Gone from Service to Business; Asks Youth to Make It Respectable Again

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He may have perfected the Art of Living, but when asked what could actually make our politicians more "positive", spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the solution was to get Gen Y to enter politics and "make the change".

Delivering the closing address of The New Indian Express' ThinkEdu Conclave, the spiritual guru said, "Politicians are not some special class or species who have come from another planet. they are one among you, among us. So one of you must take the lead, if you have the passion for people and service to society, you must come, he said to a hall filled with starry-eyed students and curious academics.

He didn't merely end there. Explaining that the problem began with the way politicians looked at the way they viewed their 'jobs', "Unfortunately in this country, and everywhere else in the world, politics is no longer a service — it has lost it's sheen and respect, which it had during the time of Kamaraj and Mahatma Gandhi and a few generations before us. That needs to be set right," he said and exhorted the youth to make that change. En masse.

"Not one or two persons can do it, but all of it collectively can. Youth of this country have the power to bring the change. So you need to ask politicians whether they're here for service or business," he concluded to rapturous applause.

Turning to another one of India's burning issues — corruption — he called it a debilitating factor that takes its toll on not only politics but impacts several spheres, obstructing a nation’s progress . "Corruption has entered every field. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of education. It should create a sense of belonging. Sense of belonging is the only way to combat corruption. Corruption begins where this sense of belonging ends and to create this, education must be attuned to human values," he said and added, "Whether religion should be taught in schools or not is secondary. Students should be taught ethics and values first. That is essential".

He called for an education that is not only sound in knowledge but also foster Yoga and Ayurveda, which he says are mediums of imbibing these ethics. Asked if these practices which are innately ‘Hindu’ gave it a political colour, in the light of Yoga Day being critiqued by some as a political move, he replied that they were merely part of universal education.

“Just because Yoga or Ayurveda are part of Hinduism, it doesn’t mean that it won’t work for a non-Hindu. We are global citizens today and education has no boundaries,” he said emphasising that wherever values and ethics are, we should pick it up.

He added that many of our ethical and value-centric practices sprouting from Hindu culture follow a scientific trajectory which is why religion and science could coexist peacefully since time immemorial. Yoga, he opined is very important to impart among school and college students as an art that helps spread value education.

Source: The New Indian Express

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Art of Living Guru Launches 24/7 Legal Cell

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Madras High Court judge Justice V Ramasubramaniam said the difference between spirituality and law was that while law 'resolved' all disputes, spirituality 'dissolved' all disputes. This came as a booster shot for The Art of Living movement, founded by spiritualist Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who launched its Legal Cell-Tamilnadu Chapter on 9th February 2016.

A legal cell can function well only if there is a spiritual organisation behind it, pointed out the judge in appreciation of the initiative.

The cell was opened to help the economically weak people clear their doubts and redress legal problems without litigation through telephonic conversations. The facility will work 24X7, 365 days of the year, including mediation process.

This was one of the number of social welfare programmes launched under the 'Pudhu Malarchi' initiative of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The other welfare schemes launched on the occasion were Happy Child, Happy Chennai, Naganadhi river rejuvenation, rehabilitation programme for the flood-affected, development of Melanur village In Tiruvallur district and life skills training at Perumbakkam and Okkiyam Thoraipakkam slum re-settlements.

Actor Vivek spoke on how he met the spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and his project 'Lakshmi Taru', which involves planting saplings.

Source: News Today

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Politics and Caste Shouldn't Be Mixed: Sri Sri Speaks on Rohith Vemula

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Spiritual leader and founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has spoken out on the death of Hyderabad University research scholar Rohith Vemula.

Speaking to The Quint, he called the death ‘an act of crime’, but was also quick to add that the issue shouldn’t be politicized in the name of caste.

Not denying that casteism still exists in schools and colleges, he says that "The caste system is not playing a big role like it used to - once upon a time. It does exist even today, but on a political level."

When asked if all the activism surrounding Rohith's death was justified, He said:

This is an exercise to divide society. A crime happened. Someone dies, you think only that caste person will have feeling for that? That's nonsense. Any good human being, his heart will cry for anybody who has been a victim of a crime. People of all castes have stood up against such violence.

Source: The News Minute

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Launch New Initiative

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Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living movement, who has recently been conferred the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award, will be in the city on 9 and 10 February to launch a slew of social welfare programmes.

According to a press note, the initiative, named 'Pudhu Malarchi', includes the unveiling of Art of Living Legal Cell - Tamilnadu Chapter, which will be held at Chettinad Vidyashram, Raja Annamalai Puram.

Senior judge of Madras High Court, Justice V Ramasubramanian, would preside over the event. President of Art of Living (Tamil Nadu) R Krishnachander would give a brief outline of the programmes.

The release said 'Pudhu Malarchi’ initiative is to bring a host of advantages to every strata of society from children to rural people on the outskirts of the city. The agenda includes 'Happy Child. Happy Chennai'; Naganadhi river rejuvenation; rehabilitation programme for the flood-affected; development of Melanur village in Tiruvallur district; youth leadership training programme; life skills training at Perumbakkam and Okkiyam Thoraipakkam slum re-settlements, among others.

On 10 February at 6:30 AM, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will be performing Rudra puja at Avichi School, Virugambakkam, for invoking the blessing of Lord Shiva for harmony and peace in the country. Around 5,000 people are expected to take part in the event.

At 6:30 PM, on the same day, he would deliver a knowledge talk as part of the Great Chennai Dialogue series. He will delve on cultivating the three 'I's - Intuition, Intelligence and Innovation - in every sphere of one’s life, at hotel Le Meridian, Guindy.

Source: News Today

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Gender Row Ends: Shani Temple Sanctum Closed for All

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Mediating on the issue of gender bias at Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Sunday claimed to have arrived at a solution that allows both men and women to have darshan of the deity some distance away from the sacred "Chabutara".

Citing two models of facilitating darshan, practised at Kashi Vishwanath and Tirupati Balaji temples, Ravi Shankar said, "It is agreed that no one - man or woman - will step on the sacred Chabutara at the Shanti temple where oil is constantly poured as it can result in possible skidding."

"This contentious issue has been settled. There will not be any discrimination based on gender and all will have equal right of worship," he told a press conference at Balewadi near here.

While the temple trustees present at the meeting agreed with Ravi Shankar's formula based on the Tirupati Balaji darshan model, Trupti Desai, who led the recent agitation of the Bhoomata Brigade seeking women's entry into the temple's inner sanctum, said, "If nobody is to be allowed on the Chabutra, the priests who perform pooja of the deity at the sacred platform should include women."

Desai said if both men and women are going to be banned from stepping on the Chabutara, activists of Bhoomata Brigade should be given an opportunity to perform the "last pooja" on the sacred platform in the temple in Ahmednagar district, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

She also said that it was wrong to disallow men to perpetuate ban on women.

Source: TOI

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Prayer for Peace and Transformation - Rudra Puja on 14th March 2016

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The World Culture Festival is a celebration of The Art of Living's 35 years of service, humanity, spirituality and human values. It will take place on March 11-13, 2016 in New Delhi, India. The festival will celebrate the diversity in cultures from across the world while simultaneously highlighting our unity as a human family.

The celebration will extend to 14th March, where we will thank Lord Shiva, a tattva or state of consciousness, a being which is so divine yet so personal, so fierce and so benevolent at the same time. The all-pervading energy, formless, peaceful & loving all personified into one, is SHIVA. A principle so sublime that it finds its way through every heart.

Rudra Puja from 6 AM - 8 AM on 14th March 2016 in the Divine presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji will be the cherry on the cake of the World Culture Festival.

Please book your stay and tickets accordingly. See you there with your family and friends.

Venue: Grounds opposite Mayur Vihar Phase 1 Metro Station & Mayur Vihar Extension Metro Station, Delhi, India

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Visit Shani Shingnapur for Mediation

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ell-known spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will visit the Shani Shingnapur shrine in Maharashtra in a bid to resolve the row over the customary ban on entry for women inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Karthik Krishna, media co-ordinator of Art of Living, said the spiritual leader had suggested two "models" of entry protocol to the trustees of the Shani shrine in the village.

"One of the models that Guruji has suggested is the Shani temple trustees follow the Kashi Vishwanath model where everybody, be it men or women, can go inside the sanctum sanctorum," Krishna told PTI.

"The other is Tirupati-Balaji model, where nobody is allowed to go inside the sanctum sanctorum except the priest," he said.

Ravi Shankar also proposed greater participation of women on the temple committees, to which the trustees agreed, he said.

"Sri Sri is likely to visit Shani Shingnapur next week where he will interact with villagers and temple authorities," he added.

According to a source, Sri Sri is scheduled to visit Balewadi and Alandi on February 7 when he is likely to squeeze out time to visit Shani Shingnapur in Ahmednagar district.

The founder of Art of Living movement had recently justified the campaign by women activists who sought to enter the sacred sanctum of Shani temple, saying there is no scriptural sanction for such a discrimination.

Defying an age-old tradition of not allowing women inside the sanctum sanctorum of Shani shrine, hundreds of women protesters on January 26 tried to force their way in but were stopped.

Source: TOI

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Visits Krishna Math, Meets Pejawar Swamiji

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Spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Saturday, January 30 q4visited Shree Krishna Math and met Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, who recently ascended the Paryaya Peetha.

Sri Sri Ravishankar made a 'darshan' of Sri Krishna deity through the historic Kanaka Navagraha window along with Pejawar Swamiji on the occasion.

In a simple ceremony held later, Pejawar Swamiji felicitated Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on being conferred the Padma Vibhushan award. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also draped Pejawar Swamiji with a shawl and honoured him.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaking on the occasion said that Pejawar Swamiji had laid the foundation for the Art of Living university chair when it was started in Bengaluru. "It has grown into a gigantic tree. The involvement of Pejawar Swamiji in any venture always brings success," he said.

He also invited Pejawar Swamiji for the World Cultural Festival scheduled to be held in New Delhi from March 11 to 13. Pejawar Swamiji said that he was happy that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had visited the Math. "I am proud that his organization has grown and spread throughout the world.

"Ravi Shankar has been instrumental in spreading yoga to the world. We need both science and spirituality. We need spirituality to put a break on science if it crosses limits," he said.

Source: Daji World

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