Art of Living Foundation

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The Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-based, non profit, humanitarian and educational non-governmental organization (NGO).[1][2] It was founded in 1981 by Ravi Shankar with the vision of creating a stress-free and violence free society,in Bengaluru, India, which also serves as the location of its international centre.[3][4][5] The Art of Living Foundation has centers in 180 countries.[6]

Organization

History

Before founding the Art of Living Foundation, Ravi Shankar worked as an associate of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement.[7][8]

Ravi Shankar has said that he conceptualized Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing technique, following a period of silence in Shimoga, Karnataka, in 1982, which forms the basis of the foundation's courses.[7][8]

The first Art of Living course was held in Shimoga in 1982.[8]

Evolution of organizational activities

The Art of Living Foundation was established primarily as an educational organisation offering stress management programmes centred on Sudarshan Kriya, along with yoga and meditation. [8] Through the 1980s and into the early 1990s, its activities were concentrated on delivering courses in India and expanding internationally through teacher training. The organisation expanded internationally in 1983, when Shankar conducted the first international course in Switzerland.[8] In 1986, he travelled to North America to hold the first courses in Apple Valley, California.[9][8]

The Art of Living Foundation has been an educational and humanitarian organization in the U.S. since 1989.[10]

In 1996, the foundation received special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), marking its formal recognition as a humanitarian non-governmental organisation at the international level.[11][12] The following year, in 1997, the foundation co-founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) in Geneva, a separately registered organisation that obtained its own ECOSOC consultative status and through which many of the foundation's humanitarian and social programmes have since been implemented.[13] During this period, the foundation expanded its scope to include disaster relief, prisoner rehabilitation, and environmental initiatives. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the foundation deployed trauma relief programmes in affected communities in India and Sri Lanka; a subsequent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found significant reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among tsunami survivors who received the breathing-based intervention.[14] In 2008, the foundation launched the Mission Green Earth campaign in partnership with the United Nations Millennium Campaign, targeting the planting of 100 million trees to address climate change.[15] The foundation's Prison SMART programme, which delivers breathing and stress management techniques to incarcerated individuals, was independently reported operating in South African prisons during this period.[16]

From 2015 onwards, the foundation's founder Ravi Shankar became directly engaged in active conflict mediation. In June 2015, he participated in peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla organisation in Bogotá and Havana.[17] In August 2017, 68 militants from 11 armed outfits surrendered in Manipur, with the state's Chief Minister crediting Ravi Shankar's peace-building engagement in the region.[18] In March 2019, the Supreme Court of India appointed Ravi Shankar as one of three mediators in the Ayodhya dispute.[19]

The majority of the officers of the organization, along with most of its teachers and staff, are volunteers.[20] Many of its programs are conducted through or in conjunction with a partner organization, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV).[21] It's programs draw on Advaita Vedanta tradition and practices.[22] The Foundation operates as a charitable or a non-profit organization with chapters in many parts of the world.[23]

Global centres

The Art of Living Foundation maintains residential centres that serve as regional hubs for its programmes and retreats.

The foundation's primary global hub is the Art of Living International Center, located on Kanakapura Road in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The centre was established in 1986.[24] Its principal structure is the Vishalakshi Mantap, a five-tiered meditation hall inaugurated by then Vice President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on 17 January 2003.[25][5]

The foundation's European centre is located in Bad Antogast, in the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in the municipality of Oppenau.[26][27]

In North America, the foundation operates the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, a 380-acre property in the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic wellness programmes.[28]

The foundation also operates a centre in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, situated on a 232-acre property and offering retreat accommodation and an Ayurvedic medicine programme.[29][30]

Programmes and courses

Its stress-elimination and self-development programs are based on the breathing technique Sudarshan Kriya, Meditation and yoga.[23] This technique is a major part of Art of Living courses.[31][32] These courses have been conducted for students and faculty,[32] government officials,[33] firemen,[31] ex-militants,[34] and prisoners.[35]

Social service

Its areas of work cover disaster relief,[22] poverty alleviation,[36] prisoner rehabilitation,[35] empowerment of women, campaigns against female feticide,[37] and environmental sustainability.[38]

Project Vidarbha

In 2007, with the support of the state government, volunteers from the foundation provided training to farmers in six Vidarbha districts in organic and zero-budget farming, rainwater harvesting, and multiple cropping, as well as teaching them the Art of Living course. The next year, the foundation said it had to reduce the scale of its work after the state government announced loan waiver for farmers and pulled back funding for the foundation's project[36]

In 2008, Ravi Shankar announced the extension of the program to Andhra Pradesh to end farmer suicides from financial stress in that state.[39]

Mission Green Earth

in 2008, the foundation launched 'Mission Green Earth Stand Up Take Action' campaign to plant 100 million trees to help reduce global warming and protect the environment, in partnership with United Nations Millennium Campaign and United Nations Environment Programme.[38][40][41]

River Rejuvenation Projects

In February 2013, the foundation launched a three-year program to rejuvenate the Kumudavathi River (in Bangalore) under its 'Volunteer for Better India' campaign along with civic authorities and environmentalists to address water shortage problems [42][43] Ravi Shankar led a walkathon in Bangalore to create awareness about the program.[44][45] The project had revived five water-recharge wells, constructed 74 boulder checks, cleaned up 18 step wells and planted 2,350 saplings in seven villages by June 2014.[46]

Similar efforts were held to revive Pallar River in Andhra Pradesh, Manjra river in Maharashtra,[47] and Vedavathi River in Karnataka.[48]

Volunteer For a Better India

The Art of Living, along with UN agencies, NGOs and civil society, launched Volunteer For a Better India (VFABI) on 5 December 2012.

VFABI protested against the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case.[49] In May 2013, 1,634 volunteers distributed medicines worth Rs. 2.2 million under the guidance of 262 doctors to over 20,000 slum dwellers in Delhi through 108 free health camps organized in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association.[50]

In September 2013, the 'I vote for better India' initiative was launched to increase awareness of the importance of voting as a responsibility towards the nation.[51][52][53]

Controversies

Settlement with anonymous bloggers

In 2010, Art of Living sued two anonymous bloggers for defamation, trade libel, copyright infringement and disclosing trade secrets. The two claimed to be former teachers/followers of Art of Living and had written posts critical of the foundation. The Foundation's request to unmask the bloggers' identities was denied, and the judge allowed only the trade secrets claim to go to trial.[54]

In a 2012 settlement, the bloggers agreed to freeze their existing blogs with no restriction on starting up new blogs critical of Art of Living.[55][56]

Land encroachment

In 2011, a public-interest litigation petition filed in the Karnataka High Court alleged that Art of Living had constructed structures on the Udipalya tank. The government of Karnataka found on inspection that the foundation had encroached upon Template:Convert of the tank area and issued a show cause notice.[57][58]

World Culture Festival on Yamuna flood plains

Art of Living Foundation organised the World Culture Festival on the Yamuna Flood plains in March 2016. A committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal recommended a fine of Rs 1,200 million on Art of Living Foundation for damaging the ecology of the flood plains.[59] The fine was later reduced to Rs 50 million, with no further events to be allowed at that location.[60] After initially disputing the fine,[61] with Ravi Shankar declaring that he would rather go to prison,[62] the foundation paid on 3 June 2016.[63] The matter is still under litigation with the Foundation denying any wrongdoing.

Burning of the Islamabad center in Pakistan

After the organization's yoga center in Islamabad, Pakistan was burned down by armed men in March 2014,[64][65] the Foundation reported receiving threats from the Taliban.[66] The center has since been rebuilt and is functioning.

References

  1. ↑ Art of Living Foundation. GuideStar. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  2. ↑ Hindu spiritual leader and ‘Art of Living’ founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits Southern California. Los Angeles Daily News(April 18, 2018). Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  3. ↑ Hindu spiritual leader and 'Art of Living' founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits Southern California. Los Angeles Daily News(April 18, 2018). Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  4. ↑ A yogic birthday. The Hindu(July 15, 2011). Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 A structural feat: on Vishalakshi Mantap. The Hindu(December 25, 2017). Retrieved March 19, 2026. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "HinduStructure" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's 59th Birthday: 10 Interesting facts you shouldn't miss about him. India Today(13 May 2015). Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 New Age Rage: The Art of Breathing. CBS News(July 13, 2004). Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Art of Living Foundation, Tøllefsen, Inga Bårdsen. World Religions and Spirituality Project. Virginia Commonwealth University(October 8, 2016). Retrieved March 20, 2026. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WRSP" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ Know how Sri Sri Ravi Shankar started the Art of Living. The Financial Express. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  10. ↑ United Nations Civil Society Participation (ICSO) – Login. United Nations – Civil Society Participation. UN. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  11. ↑ Art of Living Foundation — NGO Profile. UN ECOSOC Civil Society Database. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  12. ↑ List of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council as at 1 September 2019. United Nations – Civil Society Participation. UN.
  13. ↑ International Association for Human Values — NGO Profile. UN ECOSOC Civil Society Database. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  14. ↑ Effects of a yoga breath intervention alone and in combination with an exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in survivors of the 2004 South-East Asia tsunami. Journal of Health Psychology({Template:Year).
  15. ↑ AoL project to tackle global warming. The Times of India(2009). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  16. ↑ South African prisoners embrace yoga(December 2008). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  17. ↑ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar joins Colombia peace talks. South China Morning Post(June 2015). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  18. ↑ 68 militants surrender in Manipur(August 2017). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  19. ↑ Supreme Court appoints three mediators for Ayodhya dispute. The Hindu(March 2019). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  20. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  21. ↑ School for tsunami-affected children inaugurated in Tamil Nadu. The Times of India(21 July 2007). Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Historical dictionary of new religious movements{{#if:Chryssides|, Chryssides}. Scarecrow Press(2012). ISBN 9780810861947
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Gautier, Francois. The Guru of Joy. New York: Hay House, 2008.
  24. ↑ A structural feat. The Hindu(25 December 2017). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  25. ↑ Vishalakshi Mantap inaugurated. The Hindu(18 January 2003). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  26. ↑ Gewaltlosigkeit setzt Zeichen. Offenburger Tageblatt. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  27. ↑ Richtfunk ermöglicht Online-Yogakurse in Bad Antogast. Offenburger Tageblatt. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  28. ↑ In North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat is a balancing act of rest and activities. The Washington Post(17 December 2015). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  29. ↑ L'art de vivre de Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc avec Pierre Laflamme. Estrieplus. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  30. ↑ Le Nouvelliste. Le Nouvelliste(9 August 1991). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Pranayam lessons for Mumbai firemen. The Times of India(4 February 2013). Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 USF community learns 'The Art of Living', Naseer, Briana. usforacle.com(4 March 2013). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  33. ↑ 30 state officials try to master Art of Living without stress. The Times of India(14 June 2003). Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  34. ↑ Ex-rebels head for meditation courses. The Times of India(12 March 2012). Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 South African prisoners embrace yoga. BBC News(24 December 2008).
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 After loan waiver, no Art of Living course for Vidarbha farmers(27 June 2008).
  37. ↑ Voices against female foeticide filed by: Nirmala. The Times of India(13 September 2009).
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 AoL project to tackle global warming. The Times of India(14 March 2009).
  39. ↑ Sri Sri to help AP farmers. The Times of India(7 January 2008). Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  40. ↑ Art of Living launches 'Mission Green Earth Stand Up Take Action'. Oneindia. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  41. ↑ Students take up 'Mission Green Earth'. The Hindu(4 October 2008). Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  42. ↑ Art of Living initiates Kumudvathi River rejuvenation program. The Times of India(18 March 2013). Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  43. ↑ Hoping for more water. The New Indian Express(22 June 2013). Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  44. ↑ Kumudvathi revival plan draws citizens' interest. DNA(9 June 2013). Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  45. ↑ Ravi Shankar leads walkathon for water. Business Standard(8 June 2013). Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  46. ↑ He tames criminal instincts in jailbirds. The Times of India(9 June 2014). Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  47. ↑ Reviving water bodies is an Art of Living now. The Economic Times(6 December 2017). Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  48. ↑ Copying nature is the only way to revive our rivers. downtoearth.org.in. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  49. ↑ Mumbaikars hold public vigils to condemn Delhi horror; seek security for citizens, not VIPs. The Times of India(21 December 2012). Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  50. ↑ Free health camps for slum dwellers by Art of Living. Business Standard(10 May 2013). Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  51. ↑ Foundation urges citizens to vote. The Times of India(15 October 2013). Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  52. ↑ NGO volunteers enrol 35,000 people in voters' list. Sakal Times(1 November 2013). Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  53. ↑ YCCE Supports 'I Vote For Better India' Campaign. Nagpur Today(11 October 2013). Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  54. ↑ Unmasking The Art of Living(6 June 2010). Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  55. ↑ Blogger vs. Alleged Cult Case Ends in Favorable Settlement(26 June 2012). Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  56. ↑ Art of Living Foundation v. Does 1–10. Citizen Media Law Project.
  57. ↑ ‘AoL has encroached tank’. The Hindu(16 December 2011).
  58. ↑ Sri Sri Ravishankar grabs Rs 50 cr land illegally in K'taka?. OneIndia News. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  59. ↑ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art Of Living Foundation Fined 120 Crore For Ecological Damage, Dasgupta, Piyasree. huffingtonpost.in(28 February 2016). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  60. ↑ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar event gets NGT nod, Art of Living fined Rs 5 crore. The Indian Express(10 March 2016). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  61. ↑ Art of Living Foundation hints at moving SC against NGT order. The Hindu(6 June 2016). Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  62. ↑ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Will go to jail, but won't pay Rs 5 crore fine; NGT fixes deadline. The Times of India(11 March 2016). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  63. ↑ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar gives in, pays Yamuna fine. asianage.com(7 June 2017). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  64. ↑ Police Investigating If Yoga Center Was Targeted Due To Links To India And Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.. Newsweek(10 March 2014). Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  65. ↑ Did Pakistan TV Debate Prompt Burning of Yoga Center?. NBC News(10 March 2014). Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  66. ↑ Taliban Threatens Art of Living Volunteers in Pakistan: AOL. Retrieved 25 June 2014.

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