The Art of Living confirms October visit for founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

After a 15-year-long wait, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation The Art of Living has confirmed that founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will visit Australia from October 17 to 20, to share his message of positive mental health, nonviolence, and global harmony through meditation, breath work, and community acts of service.

Nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is one of the most influential Happiness experts on the planet and is respected by world leaders. He has met with everyone from Presidents to royalty and is followed by millions on social media for his wisdom and insight. At a time when depression, anxiety, stress, and conflict is at an all-time high, he presents ancient yogic knowledge in an accessible way that empowers individuals of all backgrounds to attain greater perspective, calm, centredness, resilience, and positivity.

Affectionately known as Gurudev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been the voice of wellness and peace for over 40 years through his organisation, The Art of Living, which pioneered Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) breathwork in the world-renowned Happiness Program. SKY breathwork has over 100 peer reviews, proving it to lower anxiety, impulsivity, stress, and depression; and to increase cognitive function and deep sleep.

Gurudev’s objective is to inspire people towards a vision: creating a stress-free, violence-free society through easy, secular yogic meditation practice. Starting in 1981 as a humble mission in a Southern Indian village, Gurudev’s work has grown into a global phenomenon of education and service, inspiring 800 million people in 180 countries. The Art of Living is now one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world, bringing stress relief, reconciliation, and positive impact wherever there is need. For example, they operate in US and Australian prison systems, with veterans struggling with PTSD, and provide trauma relief to communities following natural disasters, violent conflict, or attacks such as the recent Bondi Westfield incident.

Gurudev has been invited to speak at Harvard and Stanford Universities, the United Nations, the European Union, and other prestigious forums. He has received over 30 governmental awards and 21 honorary doctorates. Gurudev also established the World Culture Festival series, an Olympics of harmony and cultural diversity across Washington DC, New Delhi, Berlin, and Bangalore. This international celebration has brought together more than seven million attendees from around the world in a joyful and harmonious cultural exchange.

At a series of three transformative events across Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will share his message of wellness, healing, and wisdom with Australians: “Love and wisdom can prevail over hatred and violence”.

According to Padi Fazelzadeh, Country Spokesperson for The Art of Living, Gurudev is revered globally for his groundbreaking work that helps people find calm, positivity, and insight within themselves.

“The Art of Living and Gurudev’s practices have had a profound impact on millions of people, from not only a healing and self-love perspective but also the global humanitarian work to the benefit of others. At a time of great global turmoil, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s visit to Australia is an open invitation to all to find peace and resilience, as well as be a powerful voice to uplift ourselves as individuals, our community, and society,” said Fazelzadeh.

The Art of Living has initiated conflict resolution and trauma-relief programs in many countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Cameroon, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel-Palestine, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mauritius, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia and the United States of America.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has fostered peace by way of dialogue and strategic initiatives that engage multiple levels of government, business, and NGOs. In June 2015, he was awarded Colombia’s highest civilian award, the Orden de la Democracia Simon Bolivar, for his work in brokering peace between the Colombian government and the rebels of the FARC.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has positively impacted the lives of millions around the world through his emphasis on emotional and spiritual well-being, human values, and service. Going beyond race, nationality, and religion, Gurudev rekindles the message of One World Family free from stress and violence.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Australian visit will take in:

Perth – Thursday, October 17th – Regal Theatre – GET TICKETS
Melbourne – Saturday, October 19th – Margaret Court Arena – GET TICKETS
Sydney – Sunday, October 20th – ICC Sydney Theatre – GET TICKETS