Renowned humanitarian, spiritual leader, and advocate for peace, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation, has expressed optimism about peace between India and Pakistan, if India’s neighbor ceases terrorist activities in the interest of stability on the subcontinent.

“I envision peace for every country. India and Pakistan should become good friends and become peaceful, provided Pakistan shuns terrorism. You can’t encourage terrorism on one hand and try to be peaceful on the other hand,” Gurudev told South Asian Herald during a press conference on March 20, 2025, at the Art of Living Center in Washington DC.

Regarding global conflicts, including those between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, Gurudev emphasized that world leaders must adopt a broader vision for the future of their youth.

“We are not in isolation now. The world is connected. We are one human family. So that global vision of every leader should be to bridge gaps, and conflicts on small things should all be resolved through dialogue.”

He recalled his lifelong aspiration for a nonviolent society, inspired by mentors who had worked with Mahatma Gandhi for four decades.

“I have never seen Mahatma Gandhi. He had gone long before I was born. But the people who stayed with him, who lived with him, were my inspiration. They would tell me stories of how the Mahatma, with a resolute mind, would hold on to the principle of nonviolence,” he noted.

Commenting on Finland’s No. 1 ranking in the World Happiness Report, Gurudev attributed its happiness to security and reduced anxiety about the future. “People in Finland are safe and secure. They don’t worry about themselves, they worry about the other parts of the world,” he added.

He also questioned Bhutan’s exclusion from the index, and criticized India’s ranking at 118, far below nations facing conflict. He mentioned India can be ranked No. 7 or 8. 

“I have traveled all over the world, and I see in India, the human values are much higher. The compassion and the way one treats the guests and shares resources is something incredible,” he said, emphasizing that poverty does not necessarily equate to unhappiness and that even people in slums exhibit remarkable joy.

He urged a more comprehensive survey of happiness in India, encompassing rural areas. Having recently toured Bihar, he observed significant economic progress in the state. Stress, he noted, is the primary cause of unhappiness, and meditation can help alleviate loneliness and foster inner peace.

“Inner peace is essential for someone to be happy. A stressed person can never be happy” he added.

Gurudev highlighted that the Art of Living teaches people to be free from stress, improving their communication, expression, and perception – three essential elements that influence everyone’s life. 

Commemorating World Happiness Day on March 20^th, Gurudev participated in a panel discussion at the World Happiness Summit, hosted by Semafor in Washington, DC. Speaking with Semafor Co-founder and CEO, he challenged India’s ranking in the happiness index, asserting that India fares far better than war-torn nations like Ukraine, Israel, Mexico, or Pakistan.

“A government’s agenda should not only be to provide shelter and food to people but to ensure that they are happy,” he stated. “Poverty is not actually related to unhappiness. I’ve seen this around the world, even in the poorest colonies, where there is so much compassion and togetherness. They jump out to help each other. There is more community feeling in the slums than in urban areas.”

Expressing concern about American youth, Gurudev pointed to rising aggression and violence in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, alongside increasing depression and suicidal tendencies. He advocated for wellness programs to help young people manage their emotions. 

“Neither at school nor at home do we learn any technique that can help us self-actualize. This is why we have started the SKY meditation campus programs in 145 universities across the United States. We teach meditation, breathing, and small techniques that help students regulate their emotions,” he added.

On March 20, Gurudev also participated in a talk, Unlocking Happiness, with Harvard professor and New York Times bestselling author Arthur Brooks at the Warner Theatre in Washington DC. Brooks summarized key takeaways from their discussion:

• On Mediation: Gurudev emphasized that meditation is about seeking truth. You think you’re seeking the truth, It’s not true. The truth is seeking you. 

• On Religion: Find truth wherever you can. Our different practices are just another source of unity.

• On Boredom: If you’re bored of the world, it means you’re being beguiled by idols, and now it’s time to go deeper toward the divine and to transcend those idols. Boredom is the sign from the universe that is time for you to go deeper into transcend.

• On Nature: Nature is not about tree or plants. Nature is about being awake to the world around you. Wake up and notice the beauty.

• On Suffering: Suffering teaches compassion. Without suffering, we wouldn’t learn to empathize.

• On Love: Love is my nature. When I am still, I can be found, and the Divine can seek me.

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