Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Biography 
Ravi Shankar, commonly called Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation. He is one among the most respected and influential spiritual leaders of India at present, and has followers all over the world. In 2009, Shankar was named by Forbes Magazine as the fifth most powerful leader in India. He is simply called by the names - "Sri Sri" (honorific) or as Guruji or Gurudev. He was involved in the movement demanding a strong lokpal bill. Art of Living Foundation aims to relieve individual stress, societal problems, and violence. Celebrating Silence, An Intimate Guide to Sincere Seeker, God Loves Fun, Ashtavarka Gita and Patanjali Yoga Sutras are his noted literary works.
Ravi Shankar was born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu to Visalakshi Ratnam and R. S. Venkat Ratnam on 13 May 1956. His father has been active in the automobile business. Ravi completed graduation from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore University. After studies, he joined his Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and delivered speeches on Vedic science, arranged conferences on the Vedas and science, and set up Ayurveda centers. He was present at the inauguration of the first of the Golden Domes at Maharishi International University.
In the 1980s, Shankar initiated a series of practical and experiential courses in spirituality around the globe. His rhythmic breathing exercise, Sudarshan Kriya, came to him in 1982 "like a poem, an inspiration" after a ten-day period of silence on the banks of the Bhadra River in Shimoga. He learnt it and started teaching it. Guruji believes that every emotion has a corresponding rhythm in the breath and regulating breath could help relieve personal suffering. In 1983, Shankar held the first Art of Living course in Europe in Switzerland. He is a preacher of Advaita Vedanta. Ravi Shankar has been involved with several charity organizations also.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 21, 2014
