It was an era when religion outweighed human values, when the wisdom of yoga had been buried under years of ritual practices, when games were becoming wars and wars were being played like games. It was at such a time that, in a quaint village in south India, a young boy was found in deep meditation. He would say, ‘I have family everywhere. People are waiting for me.’
Nobody believed him then.
Time revealed the destiny of the millions who came to him to discover themselves. Over the years, his pragmatic teachings and sublime presence would foster the values of peace, joy, and love across the world. His transformative art of breathing, the Sudarshan Kriya, became a household practice, an alternative way of life that inspired people to seek self-realization. He became the guru who made the ethereal tangible, who brought about a profound shift in every sphere of human endeavour—from art to architecture, health care to rehabilitation, inner peace to outer dynamism.
From a carefree child to a teenager often found in the company of saints, from a young meditation teacher to a revered spiritual Master, this book “Gurudev: On the Plateau of the Peak: The Life of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar” is an intimate and affectionate account of the life of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar by his sister Bhanumathi Narasimhan, who witnessed his mystical life unfold up-close.
The book is a front-row view of the phenomenon that has turned into one of the world's largest global spiritual movements. It shows a personal look at someone with a universal appeal.
Gurudev: On the Plateau of the Peak is an attempt to fit the ocean in a teacup, offering readers a sip of infinity.
About the Author of the Book
Bhanumathi Narasimhan is the younger sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Innocently at first, and with joyful awareness later, she has followed her brother, her Master, throughout her life. She shares his vision of putting a smile on every face on the planet.
Bhanumathi Narasimhan is a meditation teacher. Her workshops have brought about an experience of deep inner peace to thousands of people worldwide. The outer expression of this peace is service to humanity.
Bhanumathi leads the child care and women welfare initiatives at Art of Living. From a small free school with 30 children of construction workers, the Gift a Smile project now supports 435 schools with over 58,000 underprivileged children. As the chairperson of the International Women’s Conference, her vision is to create a global network of responsible women to catalase positive transformation in society. Over 5000 women from eighty nationalities have participated in these conferences so far.
Bhanumathi Narasimhan holds a master’s degree in Sanskrit Literature from Bangalore University. Trained as a Carnatic singer, people across the world wake up to her soulful albums of melodious bhajans and sacred chants. She has previously authored two books, Lalitha and Tejasvini, which expound on the spiritual significance of popular Hindu scriptures and practices.
