16-02-2002 Saturday

Sri Sri Ravishankar arriving on Sunday 

Kochi: The world-renowned spiritual master Sri Sri Ravishankar will be arriving in Kochi on Sunday as part of his one-week visit to the state. The Guruji will be arriving at the Nedumbasserry Airport at 10 a.m. He will conduct Mahasudarsana Kriya for thousands of Art Of Living participants at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor at 4pm. 

About 250 foreigners from 37 countries will participate in the Mahasudarsana Kriya and Viswasanthidhyana Mahasangamam. At 6pm he will guide the gathering to a meditation in the Viswasanthidhyana Mahasangamam. The foreign participants will sing devotional songs in their own languages. He will gift the key of the first house built at Ernakulam as part of the House for Homeless programme. Guruji will leave for Kayamkulam to attend the Anandoltsav on February 19 and will be in Thiruvananthapuram on February 20 attending various programmes.

 

17-02-2002 Sunday

Transcend the barriers of religion and unite in love: Acharya Sri Sri Ravishankar    

Kochi: Arriving here on a six-day visit, the modern guru of the philosophy of universal love, Acharya Sri Sri Ravishanker received a tumultuous welcome here from his elated followers. The Swamy speaking to the press at the airport stressed the need for obliterating the limits of religion and race, for believing in universal love and for practicing modern personality development techniques. The Swamy later left for a visit to the Sabarimala Temple. On Sunday, the Swamy will visit Guruvayoor Temple and later in the day administer the unique “Sudarshana Kriya” to thousands of devotees at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium.  

Sri Sri Ravishanker dazzles lakhs of devotees with message of universal love

Kochi: Lakhs of ardent fans and devotees, braving the merciless sun, assembled at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here, to get a glimpse of the globetrotting guru of modern yogic practices and Mahasudarshanakriya. They were not disappointed at all. Dressed impeccably in spotless flowing white apparel, the Swamiji looked divine and enlightening. His beatific smile was matched by the unending flow of words of wisdom and eternal truth from the bottom of his heart. The presence of unhindered universal love in the evening air was palpable and almost touchable. The monumental pin-drop silence of a million people, unrehearsed and spontaneous, was an enthralling experience. Every word, the guru uttered was lapped up by the nirvana-seeking crowd with alacrity and uncanny precision. The six-hour long session was a stupendous success in organization, discipline and unparalleled philosophic fervor, transcending the barriers of religion and race. Representatives from 38 countries participated in the mammoth function, adding diversity and color to the evening of love. 

‘Realize the potential within you’ Guruji says

Kochi: Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of the Art of Living Movement conducted a mass meditation programme for his followers who thronged the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Sunday evening. In an evening marked by bhajans and meditation followed by chanting of ‘Ram Ram’, Ravishankar spoke to the followers about love and the hidden treasures in oneself. 

“Ram means light within me .It was also the favorite meditation of Gandhiji. No God will punish you, if you love everybody. Allah will not be angry with you if you chant ‘Ram’. When we are taking food and music from every part of the world, why should we resist accepting wisdom?” he asked. To be in love with God, confident of oneself, Manavaseva and Rashtraprem were the essential duties of a man, he said. There is no place for extremism in India and here; all are the children of God. 

“We have a treasure in ourselves and we are sitting on it unaware of our potential. The mind, thoughts and soul posses high potentials” he said. There is an ancient tradition in India that we seek the blessings of the elder person of the family before every auspicious event in the family. There is a scientific reason behind this custom. As a person becomes older, he will be more content, happier and composed. At this stage, when he wishes something that is certain to happen, he said.

 

18-02-2002 Monday 

Sri Sri Ravishankar meets Kashi Pontiff 

Kochi: Sri Sri Ravishankar, the guru of the Art of Living Foundation, today visited the Ernakulam Tirumala temple and met the Kashi Mattadhipathi, Sreemath Raghavendra Theertha Swamikal. They talked for 45 minutes during the one to one meeting, which took place inside the temple. Ravishankar reached the temple at 10.45 a.m with a prior appointment and left at 11.30 a.m 

Ravhshankar was accorded a reception jointly by Ernakulam Kshethra Kshema Samithy, Subrahmanya Swami temple Trust, Hanuman Kovil Trust and Ernakulam Gramajana Samooham here today. He visited the Siva temple, Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Hanuman Kovil and Gramajana Samooham. He was briefed about the developmental activities of the Siva Temple. Sri Sri Ravishankar also visited the Sri Sri Vidyamandir here today. He gave away the awards to the winners of an all India Children’s painting competition conducted by the school on January 26.


19-02-2002

Globalisation of social values and humaneness is the need of the hour:Sri Sri Ravishanker 

 Thiruvananthapuram: Addressing a seminar on “ The plight of the farmer in the light of globalisation” organised here by the Thiruvananthapuram chapter of the Vyakti Vikas Kendra, the guru of Art of Living and integrated personality development projects, Sri Sri Ravishanker told the gathering that it was imperative to hold up the light of human values aloft and to globalise them for the perpetual benefit of mankind. The people of the country should inculcate in themselves the courage of conviction and strength of character to oppose reforms under globalisation, which are not of any use to the country. The crucial deficiency of our country is the lack of planning and lack of vision. People should believe in themselves and the goodness of mankind to go forward. They should have ample faith in their country,if not in its administrators. Petty squabbles and clashes in the name of communities and religion should be totally eliminated so that the country can concentrate on progress. 

20-02-2002

Let life be full of fun: Sri Sri Ravishankar

Thiruvananthapuram: Individuals and families from all strata of the society danced to the haunting melodies of the divine music, flowing through the mellow voice of Sri Sri Ravishanker and purged their minds clean of the accumulated scum of day-to-day mundane experiences. The enthralling experience catapulted every one to a state of nirvana. With wit and humour and philosophy flowing effortlessly from the gifted tongue of the guru, people could hardly resist indulging themselves with gay abandon and celebration of life and its joys. The swamiji said Let Life fun. Enjoy it. Every one indeed enjoyed it.

Universities should teach Vedas: Sri Sri Ravishankar

Mavelikkara: Sri Sri Ravishankar, the founder of the Art of Living Movement said here on Wednesday that universities in the country should take necessary steps to include Vedas and other teachings of the unique cultural heritage of India in its curriculum. He was addressing a large gathering of devotees who thronged Kayamkulam Pattanipparambu Maidanam to participate in the Viswasanthi Dhyanasangamam.

“Some of the universities in foreign countries have already taken the initiative to include the cultural heritage of India in the curriculum. Only one university in India is teaching Vedas and other teachings of the unique cultural heritage of our country,” he said.