Artist Profiles

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

// Spiritual Leader & Teacher

SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR is a world-renowned spiritual leader and teacher, global humanitarian, and Founder of Geneva-based charity the International Association for Human Values, and The Art of Living Foundation based in Bangalore, India. His mission of uniting the world into a violence-free and stress-free global family has inspired millions of people to broaden their share of responsibility and serve society. Shankar teaches that spirituality is that which enhances human values such as compassion, enthusiasm, and love. His spiritual books “God Loves Fun” (2000), “Celebrating Silence” (2001), and “Celebrating Love” (2006) are all available from Art of Living Books.

Websites: www.srisriravishankar.org and www.artofliving.org
Photo: The Art Of Living Foundation

Interview:

Everybody has the capacity to love and forgive. It is our very nature, but it just gets covered due to stress. Art, music, and other creative pursuits can put us back in touch with our self. In yoga, we learn about the different energy centers in our body and the different feelings associated with them. Through creative activities, we can direct our energy toward higher values of love and compassion.

From a different angle, we tend to use our left brain most of the time, which is responsible for making decisions and planning. Music, dance, and other such activities awaken our right brain and bring balance and harmony to our being. Love and forgiveness are natural qualities that we find present within us when we are in a harmonious state of mind. Along with these activities, I would also highly recommend meditation to achieve that perfect balance.

Art and music are associated with finer feelings like creativity and a sense of wonder, without which life is not complete. Music is also a universal language that unites people from different backgrounds. It brings people closer and promotes bonding. In our daily congregation in the evening, we have people from all parts of the globe who sing and dance together, and it creates such an atmosphere of joy and love. A lot of the ancient cultures all over the world have a tradition of singing or chanting in groups, because it uplifts the vibrations of the place. Many mystics and poets also express their revelations and experiences in poems or songs. The depth of meaning in these songs makes them timeless. They remain popular even after decades or centuries.

I still think of myself as a child who refuses to grow up, and by nature, children are creative in anything they do. I want to see a smile on everybody’s face, to tell them that life is a celebration. I just started teaching and sharing whatever I know. People had good experiences, and more people came and the Art of Living evolved. When you are willing to be an instrument of the divine, what comes out of you is exactly what is needed at that time. All the talents or abilities that we have are gifts to us. It is up to us to use them to serve others and make the world a better place.

“Through creative activities, we can direct our energy towards higher values of love and compassion.”
– Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Spiritual Leader & Teacher

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