The Guru of Joy : Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and The Art of Living

A vibrant and exhilarating narrative that portrays the life and times (and achievements) of a man who is recognized as the messenger of peace and the embodiment of love. This is the definitive biography of one of the most magnetic and unconventional gurus in the world today – a man who has an ever‐growingfollowing (which runs into millions) across the globe. From Bengaluru to Bosnia and from Tamil Nadu to Trinidad, his very presence, his grace and his technique have touched and transformed numerous lives. A tireless travellerand a constant seeker of knowledge, he has addressed the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and bright young minds at Harvard University. In a world torn apart by strife and hostility, he has carried the eternalmessage of love and compassion and has sought to revive basic humanvalues. Wherever he goes, people from all walks of life - housewives, students, working people and celebrities – seek his blessings and advice. Amazingly, he makes each one of them feel special and cherished. Each gesture of hisexudes love, innocence and joy. At the same time, he comes up with practical solutions for all the problems plaguing us today: Terrorism, war, political dysfunction, personal conflicts and psychological complications. Who is this playfully profound, child‐like, ever‐smiling guru, with atwinkle in his eyes, whose avowed mission is to ‘put a smile on the face ofevery person he meets’? He is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art ofLiving Foundation, the world’s second largest NGO with centres in over 151 countries. This timely and insightful volume, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation, presents a fascinating look into Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s childhood, adolescence, formative years and his subsequent growth that catapulted him onto the international stage. The authordescribes in graphic detail how he set up his foundation, how he developed, after meditating deeply, the Sudarshan Kriya (a transformative process that has miraculous healing powers) and how he strives ceaselessly to spread hissimple but remarkable philosophy: Celebrate Life!

This is the authorized biography of one of the most magnetic men in the world.

He is a man whose presence and grace have touched and transformed millions of followers all over the world—from Bangalore to Bosnia, Surinam to South Africa, Tamil Nadu to Trinidad.  A tireless traveler, he has addressed the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and bright young minds at Harvard University. In a world torn with strife, he has carried the eternal message of love and revival of human values. Wherever he goes, people from all walks of life—homemakers, chiefs of industry, politicians, and film stars—seek his blessings and advice. Amazingly, he manages to make each one feel special and cherished.

Who is this playfully profound, childlike, ever-smiling guru whose avowed mission is to “put a smile on the face of every person he meets”? He is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the international Art of Living Foundation, with centers in more than 140 countries of the world. This book offers you hitherto-unpublished material about his childhood, his adolescence, his spiritual development, his organization, and his Healing Breath Workshop. He has devised the Sudershan Kriya, a transformative process that has miraculous healing powers. This is a man who practices no religion but teaches, through example, the meaning if true spirituality: being ever-joyful!

Let me start off with stating that I did not finish this book. I read the first several chapters and I just couldn't finish it. It was all fluff. Don't get me wrong. I am well disposed to like this book, for I find Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to be an amazingly interesting person. I have known him personally and have been intrigued and greatly inspired by him. But this book misses the mark. It reads like one long PR piece. It offers no real insight into who Sri Sri is. It just gushes like an infatuated teenager. I was greatly disappointed.