Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is an internationally respected humanitarian, spiritual teacher, and ambassador of peace. Known for making timeless wisdom practical and accessible for everyday life, he has inspired millions around the world through the courses and service initiatives of Art of Living, guided by a vision of a stress-free and violence-free society.
LEADER, VISIONARY, AND PEACEMAKER
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is widely honored across the world as a spiritual and humanitarian leader. He has sparked a remarkable global movement dedicated to building a society free from stress and violence. Through a wide range of programs and teachings, along with organizations such as Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values, and with a rapidly expanding presence in 180 countries, Gurudev has touched the lives of an estimated one billion people. His unique and practical programs empower individuals to take responsibility for themselves, strengthen their inner resilience, and transform their lives in order to meet challenges at the global, national, community, and personal levels.
Born in South India in 1956, Gurudev displayed exceptional gifts from an early age. By the age of four, he could recite the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, and he was often found in meditation. He went on to earn degrees in Vedic literature and physics.
In 1982, Gurudev entered a ten-day period of silence in Shimoga, in the Indian state of Karnataka. From that time emerged Sudarshan Kriya™, a powerful breathwork technique. Over time, Sudarshan Kriya™ became the centerpiece of Art of Living courses.
On an individual level, Gurudev’s personal development programs have helped hundreds of millions of people worldwide reduce stress and return to a state of calm and wellbeing. These programs draw on ancient yoga techniques adapted for modern life, as well as Gurudev’s signature offering, Sudarshan Kriya™, a powerful breathwork practice that supports physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Independent medical research from respected institutions has documented the effects of these techniques in easing depression, lowering cortisol, the stress hormone, and strengthening the immune system.
The power of his message has also awakened a wave of service through a vast global volunteer network.
As a revered global leader, Gurudev has played an important role in peace negotiations around the world. From Kashmir, Assam, and Bihar in India to Colombia, Kosovo, Iraq, Syria, and Côte d’Ivoire, his programs have shown a positive impact on people affected by armed conflict, inspiring them to choose a path of peace. In a world marked by rising violence and tension, Gurudev offers an alternative path: one in which individuals discover inner peace that becomes a source of harmony and peace in society.