INTRODUCTION
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TRANSFORMING VISION INTO IMPACT Gurudev was born in South India in 1956. From an early age, he showed remarkable gifts, reciting the Bhagavad Gita at just four years old and naturally entering into deep meditation as a child. Bridging the worlds of science and spirituality, he graduated with a degree in modern physics at age 17. In 1981, after ten days of silence, he emerged with Sudarshan Kriya, a transformative breathing practice that has helped hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The same year, he founded the Art of Living, a movement to create a stress-free, violence-free society. His teachings make ancient wisdom into accessible practices that people can apply in daily life, helping them experience inner peace. The Art of Living, along with its sister organization, International Association for Human Values has grown into a global movement with self-development courses, service projects, and peace-building initiatives. 40,000 teachers and many more volunteers are active across 182 countries, standing for human values like compassion, love, and service. Gurudev’s programs have also reached both victims and perpetrators of violence in conflict zones. From Latin America to the Middle East to Kashmir and Assam in India, his teachings have inspired terrorists and gang members to give up violence and turn towards peace. Through mediation, he has helped resolve entrenched conflicts including the Colombian Civil War and the Ayodhya Temple dispute. His work has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan from the President of India and the highest civilian honors in Colombia, Mongolia, Suriname, Paraguay, and Fiji. The World Culture Festivals organized by the Art of Living are a testament to Gurudev’s vision of uniting people as a “One World Family.” To date, the events in Bangalore, Berlin, New Delhi, and Washington, D.C. have brought together more than seven million people.
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