![Received by Iceland’s Prime Minister Received by Iceland’s Prime Minister](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Gurudev-with-Prime-Minister-of-Iceland-Bjarni-Benediktsson-Jun-2024.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
This post is also available in: हिन्दी
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a global humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace envoy, who has been teaching breath-based meditation techniques for health and well-being for more than 40 years. His flagship breathing technique, the Sudarshan Kriya (SKY breath) is the center-piece of the Art of Living courses. His approach blends ancient Vedic wisdom with modern sensibility for a new paradigm of leadership and living – a stress-free, violence-free society.
Through Gurudev’s programs, millions of people worldwide have found peace and resilience in the face of adversity, learning not only how to excel in their own lives, but also how to become powerful agents for social change.
Gurudev has thus inspired a wave of volunteerism and service, resulting in the growth of one of the largest grassroots volunteer-based organizations in the world, with more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers engaged in service projects in 180 countries.
Standing for the Gandhian principles of non-violence, Gurudev has also mediated and progressed negotiations for peace in conflict-stricken areas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, Venezuela, and Colombia, where he is credited for playing a central role in ending the violent 52-year conflict between FARC and the Colombian government.
He has received 38 governmental awards, including the highest civilian honors in Colombia, Mongolia and Paraguay, as well as the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest annual civilian honor. 24 universities have awarded him honorary doctorates for his humanitarian and conflict resolution initiatives.
This post is also available in: हिन्दी
![Received by Iceland’s Prime Minister Received by Iceland’s Prime Minister](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Gurudev-with-Prime-Minister-of-Iceland-Bjarni-Benediktsson-Jun-2024.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
![Yoga for the Mind: European Tour Yoga for the Mind: European Tour](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gurudev-in-prague.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Yoga for the Mind: European Tour
![Inspiring public participation for a developed India Inspiring public participation for a developed India](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Viksit-Bharat-Rudraksh-Convention-center-Gurudev-speaking.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Inspiring Public Participation for a Developed…
![Gurudev Inspires Wellness and Unity Across India Gurudev Inspires Wellness and Unity Across India](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Gurudev-in-Durgapur-WB-Dec-2023.jpeg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Gurudev Inspires Wellness and Unity Across India
![World Culture Festival 2023: A Call for Celebrating Diversity World Culture Festival 2023: A Call for Celebrating Diversity](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/wcf-2023-day-1-Gurudev-speech-close-up-shot.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
World Culture Festival 2023: A Call for…
![Visit to Sri Lanka: Promoting Peace, Development and Unity Visit to Sri Lanka: Promoting Peace, Development and Unity](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Gurudev-welcomed-by-Sri-Lankan-PM-Dinesh-Gunawardena.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Visit to Sri Lanka: Promoting Peace, Development…
![Mahashivratri: Celebration of Ancient Wisdom and Meditation Mahashivratri: Celebration of Ancient Wisdom and Meditation](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mahashivratri-2024-with-Gurudev-Sri-Sri-Ravi-Shankar-performing-the-traditional-Rudra-Puja.jpeg?fit=283%2C159&ssl=1)
Mahashivratri: Celebration of Ancient Wisdom and…
![A Historic Milestone: The Consecration of the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya After 500 Years A Historic Milestone: The Consecration of the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya After 500 Years](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Pran_Pratishtha_ceremony_of_Shree_Ram_Janmaboomi_Temple_in_Ayodhya_Uttar_Pradesh_on_January_22_2024.jpg?fit=283%2C180&ssl=1)
A Historic Milestone: The Consecration of the…
![Gujarat Revels In Diwali Bliss Gujarat Revels In Diwali Bliss](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Farmers-meet-with-Gurudev-in-Gujarat-during-Diwali-2023.jpeg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Gujarat Revels In Diwali Bliss
![Texas and Howard County, Maryland declare Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day Texas and Howard County, Maryland declare Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Maryland-proclaimation-2023.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Texas and Howard County, Maryland Declare Gurudev…
![Waves of Bliss in East Asia Waves of Bliss in East Asia](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/355-Gurudev-Sri-Sri-Ravi-Shankar-in-Bali-2024.jpg?fit=283%2C159&ssl=1)
Waves of Bliss in East Asia
![Harvesting Hope: Ending Farmer Suicides, Cultivating Prosperity Harvesting Hope: Ending Farmer Suicides, Cultivating Prosperity](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Pune-farmers-meet-Gurudev-waving-at-the-audience-feb-8-2024.jpg?fit=283%2C159&ssl=1)
Harvesting Hope: Ending Farmer Suicides,…
![Journey of Peace and Sustainability in the UAE Journey of Peace and Sustainability in the UAE](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gurudev-at-Al-Maktoum-Stadium-in-Dubai-Dec-2023.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Journey of Peace and Sustainability in the UAE
![Gurudev encourages students to ‘Communicate fearlessly’ in the National Induction Meet Gurudev encourages students to ‘Communicate fearlessly’ in the National Induction Meet](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/national-induction-meet-4-2023.jpg?fit=283%2C157&ssl=1)
Gurudev Encourages Students to ‘Communicate…
![Republic Summit 2023: Transformations, Spirituality & India's Impact Republic Summit 2023: Transformations, Spirituality & India's Impact](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Republic-Summit-2023-Gurudev-answering-questions.jpeg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Republic Summit 2023: Transformations,…
![Empowering Youth: Pledges and Partnerships Empowering Youth: Pledges and Partnerships](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/eduyouth-vizag-Gurudev-talking-close-up.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Empowering Youth: Pledges and Partnerships
![Advancing Research and Spirituality in Jodhpur Advancing Research and Spirituality in Jodhpur](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pearls-of-wisdom-jodhpur-jan-24-gurudev-closeup-better.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Advancing Research and Spirituality in Jodhpur
![Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Development in Maharashtra Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Development in Maharashtra](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Gurudev-during-volunteers-meet-in-Mumbai-Nov-2023.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Development…
![Sri Sri University Marks 10th Convocation with Innovation Showcases Sri Sri University Marks 10th Convocation with Innovation Showcases](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10th-Convocation-at-Sri-Sri-University.jpg?fit=269%2C202&ssl=1)
Sri Sri University Marks 10th Convocation with…
![Advocating for Global Environmental Responsibility in Slovenia Advocating for Global Environmental Responsibility in Slovenia](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gurudev-in-Slovenia-Jun-2023.jpeg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Advocating for Global Environmental Responsibility…
![Discourse on Peace at United Nations Discourse on Peace at United Nations](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Discourse-for-Peace-with-Gurudev-at-UN-Sep-2023.jpg?fit=283%2C186&ssl=1)
Discourse on Peace at United Nations
![Atlanta embraces Gurudev’s #IStandForPeace call Atlanta embraces Gurudev’s #IStandForPeace call](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/276-Gurudev-Sri-Sri-Ravi-Shankar-receives-the-Pilgrim-of-Peace-Award.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Atlanta Embraces Gurudev’s #IStandForPeace Call
![Global peace tour continues to Denmark Global peace tour continues to Denmark](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/255-Gurudev-Sri-Sri-Ravi-Shankar-at-I-Stand-for-Peace-event-in-Copenhagen-audience.jpg?fit=283%2C189&ssl=1)
Global Peace Tour Continues to Denmark
![South America stands for peace South America stands for peace](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/I-Stand-for-Peace-Santiago-Gurudev-cropped.jpeg?fit=283%2C164&ssl=1)
South America Stands for Peace
![Agnipath Scheme - An appeal for peace Agnipath Scheme - An appeal for peace](https://i0.wp.com/gurudev.artofliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CE71DF61-7CDB-4CD0-AFCB-C9312A3BC098.jpeg?fit=283%2C148&ssl=1)
Agnipath Scheme - An Appeal for Peace
Gurudev has inspired a wave of volunteerism and service, resulting in one of the largest volunteer-based organizations in the world, with more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers engaged in service projects in 180 countries.