Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Embracing the Chaos, Celebrating the Sangha – Sabarimala Pilgrimage

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Planning of a Sabarimala pilgrimage is never just about logistics, it is a spiritual exercise in surrender, flexibility, and collective faith. Over the years, our Sangha has witnessed an almost perfect adherence to schedules, but this year, the divine rewrite of our itinerary reminded us that the Bhagwan plans better than we do.

Calm after Chaos

Dance of the Dates

Initial blueprint set the Irumudi Kettu for June 15th (the 1st of Mithuna Maasa) and Darshana for June 16th. A simple request for office leaves sparked the first shift, advancing the dates by a day. Then, eyeing the calendar, wisdom prevailed. June 13th was a weekend. To lock down a foolproof buffer against unforeseen transit delays, Irumudi was advanced once more to June 13th noon. Crafting this point-to-point milestone plan was a puzzle of shifting pieces, but executing it with a seasoned team turned a complex scheduling challenge into a deeply satisfying milestone.

Economy of Grace

A pilgrimage for a large group requires meticulous financial and material coordination. Securing transport and budgeting every expense became a collaborative triumph. Arun stepped up first, securing three distinct quotes to anchor our options. Then, Deepika’s father stepped in with a masterstroke, landing us the absolute best deal that included seamless pickup and drop right from our Irumudi venue. When the final budget was presented to the team, concurrence was instantaneous. In our Sangha, financial alignment has never been an issue; it is always handled with complete transparency and trust and concurred without any questions.

Anchor of Rituals

Before the journey to the hills begins, the heart must be prepared. Our annual Deeparadhane and Padi Pooja serve as that spiritual anchor, traditionally held a week before departure. Scheduled for June 7th, the budgeting and collective contributions for the event fell into place seamlessly. This year, the sacred rituals are being hosted by the gracious Shanbhag family, ensuring our traditions continue in an atmosphere of warmth and devotion.

Digital Ascent: Sannidhanam and Virtual Qs

If the physical climb requires stamina, the digital booking phase required absolute nerves of steel. Accommodating a contingent of 43 pilgrims at the Sannidhanam was a monumental task. The rules were strict: 10 rooms needed, but only one room allowed per account. The moment the booking window opened, madness ensued. Multiple accounts logging in simultaneously, buffering screens, and racing against time. Yet, against all odds, every single room was secured. The collective sigh of relief was palpable.

But the real test of endurance lay in the Virtual Q coupons. Because the temple opens its doors on the evening of June 14th, the window for Darshana is tight, making the available slots incredibly scarce. What followed was a whirlwind of coordination on our messaging groups. We scrambled to gather every pilgrim’s vital details, Names, Mobile Numbers, Dates of Birth, Government IDs, Addresses, and Photographs, to register everyone on the official portal. Fact that about 30 of them are regular helped the matter a bit, since all are provenly registered and it was just a case of perfect data entry to finish the job. The portal opened at 6:00 PM, plunging us into absolute chaos. While the bulk of the registrations were pushed through within the first hour, a few stubborn profiles pushed the battle late into the night. It wasn’t until 1:00 AM that the final confirmation flashed across the screen, bringing a triumphant end to a gruelling digital trek.

Method in the Madness

They say all’s well that ends well, but the narrative is far from over. Up next is the Deeparadhana this weekend, and Irumudi the next, and the weather forecasts are already predicting rains. Instead of anxiety, there is anticipation. Over the years, we have come to realize that a Sabarimala pilgrimage is never truly complete without an element of unpredictability. We have learned to embrace the storm. With His ultimate grace, what looks like chaos from the outside always transforms into a beautiful method in the madness, leaving us with nothing but absolute calm at the center of the storm.

Sweat and Joy of Irumudi Prep

As the departure date draws near, a whole new flurry of physical activities takes over. Procuring the Samagris (sacred offerings) is a massive coordination effort, ensuring everything is ready both for and at the venue. Then comes the intense preparation of the items, most notably, the dehusking of around 160 sacred coconuts. While we are fortunate to have a mechanized solution today to help with the heavy lifting, it still demands a huge physical effort. Yet, this labor of love is transformed entirely by the Sangha, folks join in with their own unique contributions of fun, laughter, and banter, turning hard work into a joyous, communal celebration of devotion.

Gratitude to Sangha

What makes this upcoming milestone, my 67th Pilgrimage, possible year after year is not just personal resolve, but the incredible strength of our Sangha. It is a fellowship so vibrant and deeply supportive that it transforms a rigorous spiritual journey into an experience of pure joy, drawing me back to the holy hills time and time again. I remain profoundly indebted to the unique individuals who form the backbone of this journey – Arun and Nagesh, who served as true pillars of support during the critical initial planning phases and throughout the pilgrimage, Santhosh Shanbhag and his energetic gang; and dedicated contingents from the NEC and AOL gangs. Sharing this sacred path with Prathibha, my classmate since our very nursery school days, and her wonderful family adds a layer of lifelong connection to the trek. Each group and individual brings a distinct, irreplaceable flavor to this collective devotion, proving that while the destination is divine, it is the Sangha that makes the journey eternal.

A Tribute to Pujya Gurudev

At the very heart of this 67th Pilgrimage lies the divine grace of my Master, Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It is His boundless blessing that infuses every single climb with the exact same unbridled enthusiasm, purity, and wonder I felt decades ago as a wide-eyed Kanni Swami. In the face of logistics, shifting dates, and digital storms, Gurudev’s teachings are the compass that guides us, showing us how to seamlessly create magic out of madness in any situation. Under His spiritual umbrella, what begins as a test of human endurance transforms beautifully into an effortless flow of divine energy, proving time and again that with His grace, we can navigate any chaos with a smile.

🙏Swami Sharanam🙏

From Grassroots to Affluence: Universal Canvas of Art of Living (AOL)

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Disclaimer: This is not an official reply from the Art of Living, but a clarification from a Sadhak and ardent follower of Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, since he has been posed this question by many during post-Satsangs chats or privately on various SM platforms. The views here are personal and doesn’t reflect organisation’s in any manner either in part or whole

Art of Living (AOL) foundation, established by Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981, operates with a core vision of creating a stress-free and violence-free world. Philosophy rests on the belief that global peace can only be achieved by fostering inner peace within individuals. To realize this, Art of Living champions a practical, experiential brand of spirituality centred around Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing technique designed to flush out physical and emotional stress, balance the nervous system, and anchor the mind in the present moment. While rooted deeply in ancient Vedic wisdom-incorporating yoga, meditation, and traditional rituals, the organization presents these activities as secular, universal sciences of sound vibration and mental discipline rather than religious dogmas, making them fully accessible to people of any faith or background.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-True Reflection of the One World Family

Despite this inclusive philosophy, a persistent public perception exists that Art of Living is an elite club catering primarily to wealthy and famous people. This misconception is largely driven by visibility, when a Bollywood celebrity, high-profile politician, or corporate executive attends a program, it naturally captures media attention, whereas participation of everyday citizens goes unnoticed. In reality, an overwhelming majority of Art of Living followers arrive at venues via bus stations or railway stations, quietly outnumbering those arriving at airports. Yet, because society and media focus heavily on airports and high-profile arrivals, the true, massive scale of regular public participation remains obscured behind a narrative skewed toward the affluent. Additionally, Art of Living‘s urban centers charge registration fees for courses, which can give an appearance of exclusivity. However, this fee structure is an intentional economic model designed to tap into affluent resources to fund the foundation’s massive, often invisible, humanitarian and grassroots operations (explained later in this article).

Being wealthy or famous is not a crime, nor should it act as a disqualification from spiritual growth or being a beneficiary of Grace of a Master. Affluence and public status often come with unique, crushing burdens, including intense isolation, relentless public scrutiny, high-stakes professional stress, and constant anxiety of maintaining success. Disregarding spiritual and emotional needs of public figures simply because of material wealth is a form of reverse prejudice. True spirituality does not discriminate, just as it does not exclude the poor, it cannot exclude the rich. Grace of a Master is universal, recognizing that under layers of wealth, fame, or poverty, core human longing for peace, love, and Ananda is exactly the same. Excluding anyone based on socioeconomic standing would contradict the very essence of Art of Living‘s inclusive philosophy, which holds that every individual, regardless of status, deserves tools to alleviate suffering and realize highest potential.

Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji

Crucial to this spiritual and cultural mission is extensive work done by Art of Living‘s Vaidic Dharma Sansthan (VDS), which dedicates itself to promotion and propagation of ancient Indian heritage. Vaidic Dharma Sansthan actively preserves knowledge of the Vedas, Yoga, Vedanta, Puranas, Itihasas, and Sanskrit language through educational literature and specialized publications. By establishing and supporting a network of schools, colleges, pathashalas, and research centers, Vaidic Dharma Sansthan provides institutional advancement for Indian culture while training new generations of Swamis and Brahmacharis capable of spreading this ancient wisdom globally. Vaidic Dharma Sansthan bridges ancient traditions with modern life by organizing universal festivals, conducting authentic pujas, Homas, and traditional Vaidic wedding ceremonies, all designed to purify environment and elevate human consciousness. Through these comprehensive efforts, Vaidic Dharma Sansthan successfully inculcates a deep love and appreciation for art, culture, yoga, and heritage in today’s youth, anchoring them in time-tested values.

In reality, the organization is completely agnostic to gender, religion, caste, and nationality, using resources to bridge deep socioeconomic divides. Revenue generated from urban programs directly powers extensive social welfare initiatives, most notably through the 5H program, a massive grassroots model designed to ensure sustainable development in rural areas. Focusing on Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Values, and Harmony in Diversity, this core framework has uplifted thousands of villages by building homes, conducting medical camps, establishing sanitation facilities, and resolving community conflicts. Alongside this, Art of Living funds over 700 free schools for underprivileged and tribal children, trains lakhs of farmers in sustainable natural agriculture, and revives dying river basins. Additionally, Art of Living runs global trauma-relief operations, disaster response teams, and prison rehabilitation programs that have transformed lives of hundreds of thousands of inmates. Ultimately, while celebrities and wealthy people are highly visible participants, they represent only a fraction of a massive global matrix where the ultimate goal is Ananda (bliss), a universal human experience that remains identical on the meditation mat, regardless of social status.

Art of Living drives comprehensive social change across India through targeted initiatives in rural transformation, ecological sustainability, human empowerment, and crisis rehabilitation. At the grassroots level, the organization fosters self-reliance and community growth through initiatives like Rural Development, Skill Development, and Project Bharat, which train local youth and leaders to uplift village economies. Its commitment to the environment is reflected in massive Water Conservation, River Symposium, and Environment care campaigns, running alongside Organic Farming programs that transition farmers to chemical-free agriculture. To empower vulnerable populations, the organization provides holistic Education for underprivileged children, fosters Women Empowerment, and tackles menstrual hygiene taboos through Project Pavitra. Finally, it promotes deep societal healing and resilience by anchoring Peace initiatives, executing rapid Disaster Relief operations, and driving inmate rehabilitation through its Prison Program.

You can visit this link to know more about the Social Impact of Art of Living‘s activities.

🙏Jai Gurudev🙏

(Victory to the Guru Principle in you)

Seventy Years of Grace: A Lifetime Under Your Gaze – Happy Birthday Pujya Gurudev

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Pujya Gurudev, My humble Pranams to you 🙏

On the grand, historic occasion of your 70th Birthday, my heart overflows with deep gratitude. Looking back at nearly three decades of walking this path, a beautiful journey of documenting a lot of lessons, moments, and events on my blogsite, I realize that every word I have written has been silently guided by your grace.

When Adarneeya PM Narendra Modi ji called on Pujya Gurudev Sri Sir Ravi Shankar ji

My journey with you did not begin with immediate, blind faith. Like many who pride themselves on analytical reasoning, I initially approached the spiritual realm with a guard of heavy skepticism. I looked for proof, relied strictly on logic, and questioned the intangible. Yet, you patiently and subtly showed me that life’s deepest truths lie just beyond the boundaries of intellect. You didn’t ask me to drop my rationality; instead, you effortlessly expanded it, transforming my rigid skepticism into a deep, experiential spirituality. Moving beyond mere logic, I realized that true faith isn’t about shutting your eyes to reality but opening your heart to a larger dimension of existence. Read that story here

When people ask what it is like to sprint alongside a Master who moves at the speed of light, I point them to the massive expansions we have witnessed. From the intimate amphitheatre, Narayana Hall or old Kitchen of the ashram before 2003 or so, to the magnificent Vishalakshi Mantap and the new Amphitheatre, and then to the sea of humanity packing Gurupaduka Vanam for Maha Shivaratri, the scale always leaves us breathless. Watching millions gather at the World Culture Festival on a seven-acre stage, or witnessing over a hundred thousand voices sing in perfect harmony during Naada Vaibhavam, taught me a profound truth about you: while the world sees massive logistical chaos, you effortlessly turn it into perfect, divine precision. When the world asks if we believe in miracles, we simply smile and remember your words: “We not only believe, we rely on miracles.” But your greatest miracle hasn’t just been conceptualising, guiding or blessing mega-events,  it is the quiet transformation within our everyday lives.

As a professional navigating a career spanning nearly four decades, your wisdom became my anchor. It was through observing you that I discovered the true essence of “Spiritualising Work and Humanising Workplace.” You taught me that spirituality isn’t a retreat into laziness or an escape from responsibilities; it is the ultimate energy source that allows us to work harder and more effectively without burning out. Because of you, I learned to clear the mental cobwebs, access intuition, and practice true equanimity, understanding that success is ultimately “a smile that no one can snatch away.” You showed us how to move past labels, titles, and workplace stresses to recognize the human family underneath.

The way you sharpen and appreciate our work is often filled with your profound, unpredictable play of wisdom. I will never forget the moment I handed you a summary of a complex Himachal Pradesh court order. You went through this 1 page summary and to my utter shock, you looked at me in front of a whole bunch of people and announced, “This guy Suresh, does nothing great or dramatic.” A heavy silence fell all around (in front of Kashyap); everyone was completely stunned and started casting sympathetic looks my way.

That Unforgettable day!!!

But then, in your classic, customary style, you took a small pause, smiled, and added, “He does no great things, but does small things perfectly.” The atmosphere instantly shifted from tension to pure grace. I am simply unable to forget that moment, it remains the biggest, most treasured certificate of my life.

That Twist of Ears ❤️

You gave us the ultimate shelter in the form of Satsang. In a world full of noise, you built a nest where our minds could finally rest. You gave us the beautiful formula of Gaana, Dhyana, Gyaana, and Khaana—a sacred space that consistently touches the heart, douches the mind, fills the spirit, and stills the intellect. Through the chanting of the Guru Puja, you didn’t create thought-clones of yourself; instead, you patiently guided us to recognize the Guru Tattva, the eternal essence of wisdom hidden within our own selves. You taught us the real Art of Living: the strength to “DROP IT” and move on. You showed us that holding onto negativity only numbs us to inaction, while dropping the burden of expectations every single moment keeps us fresh, recharged, and ready to grow. You taught us to look at this planet not as a block of sand and stone, but as a living, vibrant entity that responds to our care, inspiring us to clean rivers, plant trees, and serve humanity.

Your protection has not just wrapped around my work and mind, but has deeply enveloped my entire family, generation after generation. I will never forget that unforgettable moment near the Narmada Tank on the hilltop, when you held my young son Vishnu’s hands, gently holding his hands and guiding him to cut his birthday cake. At that moment, looking at the pure grace unfolding, I turned to my wife and everyone around us and said with absolute certainty, “My son is in the safest hands.” I told my boy then that the true significance of that picture would only be understood much later when he grew up. Today, as he navigates his life as a postgraduate student, those words have come full circle. He realizes it now. The grace that held his tiny hands on the hilltop continues to guide and shield his steps today.

In Safest Hands of the World – Vishnu guided by the Guide to cut the cake

Your boundless love similarly shaped my daughter Akhila’s life, encouraging her to soar. When she was given the immense platform to perform a Bharatanatyam recital during the sacred days of Navaratri in the Ashram, your eyes showered her with immense encouragement. The way you showered her with praise afterward, specifically showering compliments on her amazing, vivid expressions (abhinaya) during the performance, is a memory etched into her heart forever.

Blessings come along for lucky one and We considers ourselves luckiest. Divya with her Guru Arpane

Years later, when she made the deeply personal decision to marry the person of her choice, you stood by her choice like a pillar of support, ordering us to stand by her decision and that He was certain she would do great, filling her path with abundant blessings at every single step.

The circle of this divine love beautifully expanded when we brought our next generation, our grandson Anay, to receive your blessings. Watching the Master of millions transform into a completely playful, joyful presence just to interact with little Anay was the absolute best part of our journey, a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.

Reminded me of His advise – To be Happy, Be Childlike, not Childish

Year after year, on every single birthday and wedding anniversary, Aparna and I have had the ultimate fortune of standing before you, receiving your personal blessings and taking home memorable mementoes that we treasure as sacred tokens of your love.

Milestones becomes Extra Special
Moments that We Cherish

On this auspicious milestone of your 70th Birthday, as we look at how securely, lovingly, and beautifully you have held our entire family, Aparna and I consider ourselves truly the luckiest human beings in the world.

Looking back at these seventy magnificent years of your life, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that your journey on this planet has been a monumental gift to mankind. You have walked among us not just as a teacher, but as a living bridge between ancient wisdom and modern life, untangling the complexities of human existence with an effortless smile. From leading massive peace negotiations to healing broken hearts, from inspiring global waves of selfless service to creating a stress-free, violence-free world, your footprint on earth has elevated human consciousness itself. Every river revived, every tree planted, every mind comforted, and every soul awakened stands as a testament to your tireless devotion to the planet. On this historic milestone, we bow down in absolute awe and reverence. On behalf of all mankind, and indeed the entire creation that has pulsated with greater joy under your gaze, we offer our deepest, endless gratefulness for the privilege of walking this earth at the same time as you.

Thank you, Pujya Gurudev, for teaching us to move from the rigidness of “This should be” to the ultimate, meditative freedom of “Let It Be.” We offer our gratitude, our seva, and our smiles at your lotus feet today and always.

🙏Jai Gurudev🙏