Leadership Project Essay

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and multi-faceted humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free family has inspired millions of people worldwide. The icon of non-violence and universal human values, Sri Sri seeks global peace through service and dialog. Born in 1956 in southern India, Sri Sri’s appeal transcends class, race, religion and nationality. Millions of people revere him as their spiritual leader, and look up to him for inner peace and promoting ecumenical values. In 1981, Sri Sri started the Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization. The Foundation, now active in more than 140 countries, offers educational and self-development programs designed to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. In Europe and the United States, the Foundation’s programs are helping inner city youth turn away from gang violence, drugs and alcohol. Sri Sri’s Prison Programs have helped transform the lives of an estimated 150,000 inmates around the world. In 1997, Sri Sri founded the International Association for Human Values, a humanitarian nonprofit organization that advances human values in political, economic, industrial, and social spheres. In South Asia, South Africa, and Latin America, the Association’s sustainable development programs have reached more than 30,000 rural communities. While his self development programs have popularized traditionally exclusive ancient techniques, Sri Sri’s social initiatives address an array of issues such as conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, prisoner rehabilitation, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, female foeticide, child labor, and access to education. In Kashmir and Sri Lanka, Sri Sri is working to further dialogue between opposing parties to resolve the conflicts peacefully. Sri Sri travels to more than 40 countries a year to share his message of social responsibility, and that all great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His teachings of love, practical wisdom, and service promote harmony among people, and encourage individuals to follow their chosen spiritual path, while honoring other paths. Spreading the message of a One World Family Spreading the message of love, compassion and non-violence, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tirelessly advocates harmonious co-existence among people. While he addresses innumerable forums on diverse subjects, the common thread through all his speeches is the principle of humanity, and brotherhood. His universal, and simple message is that love and wisdom can prevail over hatred and distress. Whether it is speaking to parliamentarians in Argentina, business leaders in Europe, peace organizations such as the United Nations and Muslim and Hindu leaders, Sri Sri emphasizes human values, and unity among people. Sri Sri has been invited to address the World Economic Forum at Davos on two occasions, the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, the first World Congress of Imams and Rabbis in 2005 among other forums. With an aim of bringing together leaders from diverse walks of life, Sri Sri has also hosted a number of symposiums. The Truth & Reconciliation Conference to foster equality of the Dalit community (2007), International Conference on Human Values (2006) and the annual Corporate Culture and Spirituality Symposiums being a few of them. Through his public talks and symposiums, Sri Sri addresses issues of inter-faith harmony, environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation and grassroots development. He inspires thousands across the globe to live the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or a One World Family. University Doctorates Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Bangalore University, India, 2009 ?Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Nagarjuna University, India, 2008 ?Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India, 2007 ?Doctor of Science, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India, 2007 ?Doctor of Philosophy (Holistic Medicine), Open International University for Complementary Medicine in Sri Lanka, 2006 ?Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, India, 2004 International Honours Culture in Balance Award, World Culture Forum, Dresden Germany, October 10, 2009 ?Professor Honoris Causa, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, (Hungary), June 24, 2009 ?The Ball of Peace awarded by The Peace Doves, Norway, June 13, 2009 ?Phoenix Award, Atlanta, USA, 2008 â€Å"Corporate Culture & Spirituality† (CCS) is an initiative of the International Association for Human Values. While central themes vary, this unique annual symposium provides business and spiritual leaders with a platform to share insights and experiences on social responsibility, business ethics, and sustainable and profitable leadership. CCS was first launched in 2003 in Bangalore, India, and was attended by business leaders, academicians, and spiritual leaders from across the world. Encouraged by its success, a second CCS conference was hosted in 2004 at the Art of Living Foundation Headquarters in Bangalore. In 2006, the conference was held in European Parliament, Brussels, where more than 300 participants from 20 countries engaged in a dynamic discussion on ethics and business as an integral part of innovative and sustainable development. The conference was once again hosted in Brussels in 2007, and was attended by prominent leaders such as Prof. Ruud Lubbers, Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and co-Founder of The Earth Charter; Dr. Jacques Santer, Former Prime Minister of Luxemburg and Former President of the European Commission; Mr. Niels Christiansen, Vice-President, Nestle; Mr. Rutger Koopmans, General Manager, ING Wholesale Banking; Mr. Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman, Videocon Group; Dr. Hanns Glatz, Delegate of the Board of Management, Daimler; and Prof. Peter Eigen, Founder, Transparency International Germany. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS The Art of Living Course gives participants the practical knowledge and techniques to unlock their deepest potential and bring fullness to life. Whether happy and successful or feeling the stress of poor health, disappointments, or fear, every participant is cared for and comes away lighter, with effective techniques for releasing mental and physical stress and increasing his or her health, energy, peace, self-knowledge, awareness, and joy. Simple Techniques for Daily Life A remarkable feature of the course is that participants are able to re-discover the present moment, not as a concept but as a direct experience. Participants leave with simple but powerful techniques that they can practice every day. The Art of Living Course has been enjoyed by people of all traditions, religions, and walks of life, in universities, churches, governments, businesses, prisons, and war zones. The Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to inspiring, uplifting and empowering individuals to live life to its fullest potential. Its youth programs emphasize human values common to all cultures, religions and traditions such as non-violence, compassion, caring for the planet, enthusiasm for life, and an attitude of service toward others. Art Excel (All Round Training In Excellence) for ages 8 to 13 Presented in a practical and fun framework that appeals to youth of all ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds, ART Excel offers an enlightening approach that awakens youth to their deepest potential and life’s higher values. YES! for Teens (Youth Empowerment Seminar) for ages 14 to 18 Both fun and challenging, this 18 hour seminar provides teens with a comprehensive toolbox to both manage their own emotions and stress, as well as dynamically navigate through adolescence. YES+ for College Students and Young Professionals for ages 18 – 27 An innovative and dynamic educati onal and life skills program that provides young individuals with the tools to achieve their ideal life with ease, creativity, energy, and without inhibitions Balance can be achieved without lowering goals or lessening achievements ? it is about managing stress and managing ourselves. Based on the Sudarshan Kriya, the APEX Course is designed for business professionals. It is a simple, practical, and effective training program that empowers managers and employees, and promotes calmness and focus in the midst of any challenge or responsibility. The course is designed to improve concentration, enhance creativity, increase efficiency, and build a greater sense of purpose and teamwork. The APEX course differs from most management and employee development programs because it is not based on quick-fix solutions, theoretical concepts, or superficial success formulas, but rather on practical techniques that offer direct and tangible results. It has been developed for businesses to facilitate change from within each employee and manager. The course also incorporates basic principles of effective living and emphasizes the essential human values that help professionals lead more fulfilling and productive lives. SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS The Art of Living Foundation, a nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization, was founded by Sri Sri in 1981. The Foundation has chapters in more than 140 countries and its sustainable development projects, trauma-relief and self-development programs have benefited more than 25 million people around the world. By nurturing the spirit of service and compassion in every individual, the Foundation seeks to build a global society that is free of stress and violence. The mission of the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a non profit organization founded by Sri Sri in 1997, is to foster a deeper understanding of the values that unite us as a global human community, and to encourage the practice of human values in everyday life. The IAHV, working in conjunction with the Art of Living Foundation, has initiated several disaster relief and sustainable development programs in South Asia, Africa, Europe, Central and South America and North America. Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth (VVM) is the umbrella organization under which various service projects of the Art of Living Foundation in India operate. In addition to rural development programs, women’s empowerment projects and educational initiatives, VVM is also involved in Vedic research, medical research and social research. The upcoming Sri Sri University in Orissa, India, will be a full fledged 15,000 student multidisciplinary university that will combine quality education with leadership skills, social responsibility and ethics. The academic majors that will be offered are Management, Law, Government, Mass Communications, Cultural Studies, Engineering, Medicine, Ayurveda, Vedic Sciences, Biotechnology and Research Sciences. University admissions will be based on aptitude tests alone, and the campus will include recreational facilities, meditation halls, and a sports complex. The Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM) Trust was founded in 1999 as a Charitable Spiritual and Educational Public Institution to impart a valu-based education in a stress-free and child-friendly environment. The Trust supports several educational institutions, from rural schools to urban universities. The Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Pre-University College started in 2003 in Bangalore, India. Affiliated with the Pre-University Board of Karnataka, the College’s aim is to provide affordable and high quality education to students on the threshold of their careers. To overcome the increased burden of private tuitions outside the school, the concept of â€Å"Integrated Coaching† was started. The initiative gives students the special training needed to face competitive examinations for professional courses. The Sri Sri Center for Media Studies’ mandate is to train and empower responsible and committed media professionals who will be reliable and objective information resources for people in a democracy. The Sri Sri Institute of Management Studies was founded in 2005, with the vision of blending high quality management education with spirituality and human values to create 21st century managers. The institute offers a 2-year post-graduate diploma in Business Management, and diverse programs in investment and portfolio management, debt securities, modern manufacturing, and supply chain management. The Sri Sri Rural Development Trust was founded in 2001, with a vision to provide permanent and alternative sources of income to the rural population in India. The Trust works in conjunction with the Art of Living Foundation to implement initiatives such as empowerment of rural women, vocational training programs for women and youth, self development workshops, free medical camps, and the Youth Leadership Training Program. The Sri Sri School of Performing Arts and Fine Arts, located in Bangalore, India, is a centre of learning for traditional dance forms, folk and classical music, and the fine arts.   The Sri Sri College for Ayurvedic Science and Research was started by Sri Sri to revive Ayurveda, the ancient system of healthcare that is native to India. The college is affiliated to the to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, and offers a five year B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) professional degree course. Some of the special features of the college include a herbal garden with diverse varieties of medicinal plants and a state of the art Research and Development Center. Incepted in 2003, the key objective of the Sri Sri Mobile Agricultural Institute is to provide guidance to farmers to become self-reliant, to revive organic farming, and to educate farmers on water management and irrigation. The Institute?s projects include workshops on chemical-free farming awareness, environmental conservation, and the advantages of organic fertilizers and pesticides. The use of indigenous seeds (instead of genetically modified ones) is also emphasized, and cooperative seed storages have been set up. WHY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR IS MY LEADER? For me he is not only spiritual leader but also peace advocate, meditation teacher, humanitarian. I am really inspired with his concept of spirituality. He has made many efforts for people to become stress free. I also like his vision to make stress-free and violence free world. He is not just limited to spirituality; he has also performed many social activities such as peace, disaster relief, promoting literacy, women empowerment, prisoner’s rehabilitation etc. he has also set many educational programs for students which we have seen earlier. He teaches people love and wisdom spreads message of love, peace, brotherhood throughout the world. He aims at promoting spirituality amongst people and making them realize that there is goodness in every individual. He advises people to accept as well as respect each other.