On May 23, a grand spiritual gathering was organised to commemorate the 70th birth year of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the completion of 45 years of the Art of Living Foundation. Thousands of participants from across Bharat and several countries joined the Anandotsav celebrations, meditation sessions, and spiritual discourses centred on peace, consciousness, and service to humanity.
Addressing the grand spiritual gathering organised on the occasion of the completion of 45 years of the Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya highlighted the growing global influence of spirituality, meditation, and India’s timeless civilisational wisdom through the Art of Living movement.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that a powerful wave of transformation had emerged across several regions of the country, particularly in rural areas of Chhattisgarh and Bihar, where extensive social and spiritual work has been carried out by Art of Living volunteers. Referring to Andhra Pradesh, he said that a similar wave had risen from Machilipatnam and praised the growing popularity and impact of the movement.
Emphasising the centrality of meditation, Gurudev remarked that “meditation is the root; everything else is merely dressing upon it.” Inviting the gathering for a collective meditation session, he said that the Anandotsav celebrations had brought together people from all across the country.
Welcoming over 33,250 participants connected to the programme, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar described spirituality as “the mother of all disciplines.” He said spirituality is necessary for everyone, irrespective of profession or field. According to him, spirituality sharpens the intellect of scientists, deepens the imagination of artists, and provides energy and enthusiasm to workers and people carrying responsibilities.
He further stated that creativity itself is a manifestation of spiritual power. Referring to the three-day Anandotsav celebrations, he said the joy and inner energy experienced during the gathering could not remain confined within individuals. Comparing spiritual wisdom to the fragrance of a flower and the light of a lamp, he remarked that knowledge and happiness naturally spread in all directions once experienced.
Leading the audience into meditation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar guided participants to relax the body, observe the breath, and become aware of the present moment. He described the human body as “a divine gift from nature” and urged participants to recognise the impermanent nature of life, saying that both past and future resemble a dream. He asked participants to let go of past burdens and future imaginations and instead realise that they exist “in the lap of the Divine.” He also spoke about the omnipresence of consciousness, comparing human existence in air to fish living in water, and described creation as an “ocean of consciousness.”
During the meditation session, participants collectively chanted “Om,” which Gurudev described as the eternal vibration existing from beginningless time to infinity. He urged everyone to dissolve the body, mind, and intellect into the sound of Omkar and experience deep rest and stillness. Addressing the gathering, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya extended birthday wishes to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on behalf of millions of devotees across the world and prayed for his blessings to continue guiding humanity for years to come.
Recalling his visit to Colombia as part of the Operation Sindoor delegation, Tejasvi Surya narrated his interaction with a Colombian Member of Parliament named John, who introduced himself “first as a devotee of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and then as a Member of Parliament.” Surya said this reflected the global spiritual legacy created by Gurudev.
He remarked that the Art of Living Foundation, under Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s leadership, had reached places “where even armies hesitated to go,” carrying messages of peace, reconciliation, and hope to conflict-affected regions abandoned by world leaders.
Highlighting the contribution of volunteers, Tejasvi Surya said no organisation can function without a dedicated band of workers. He stated that Gurudev had transformed millions of ordinary people into contributors to an extraordinary cause, which is why Art of Living today has a presence in more than 188 countries and continues to expand globally.
He further thanked Gurudev for reviving and presenting the distilled essence of India’s ancient wisdom in a form accessible to modern society, especially for the youth. According to him, Art of Living has played a major role in reconnecting India’s younger generation with the country’s timeless spiritual and civilisational roots.
Concluding his remarks, Tejasvi Surya expressed hope that an even larger gathering would assemble in the future to celebrate Gurudev’s centenary and once again receive his blessings.
