Can a rhythmic breathing technique bridge the gap between science and spirituality?
From the banks of the Bhadra River to the halls of the United Nations, Ravi Shankar has transformed a personal moment of inspiration into a global movement. Discover how his Sudarshan Kriya practice and humanitarian efforts attempt to navigate the complex intersection of ancient Vedic wisdom and modern global conflict.
Born in 1956, Ravi Shankar—known by the honorifics Sri Sri or Gurudev—began his spiritual journey as an apprentice to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. After studying physics in Bangalore, he transitioned from academic science to spiritual leadership, eventually founding the Art of Living Foundation in 1981. His philosophy posits that science and spirituality are fundamentally compatible, driven by the same human urge to understand the world: science asks 'what is this?' while spirituality asks 'who am I?'
At the heart of his work is Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing technique that Shankar describes as arriving to him in 1982 like a poem. While the practice has been the subject of clinical research regarding stress and anxiety, scientific findings remain mixed due to limitations in study size and duration. Beyond individual wellness, his influence extends to large-scale social initiatives, including river rejuvenation projects in India and the implementation of stress-management modules at institutions like Yale University.
Shankar’s role as a mediator has placed him at the center of intense geopolitical and domestic disputes. He has been involved in the Colombian peace process, met with Venezuelan leaders to encourage dialogue, and attempted to mediate the sensitive Ayodhya dispute in India. His work often sits in a space of high tension; for instance, his 2016 World Culture Festival in New Delhi drew 3.5 million people but faced legal challenges over environmental impacts on the Yamuna River floodplain. Despite such controversies, his humanitarian reach continues through programs like the International Association for Human Values, addressing issues from disaster relief to interfaith dialogue.
Source: Ravi Shankar (spiritual leader)
