2-24-98 SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

A one-time disciple of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Founder of "The Art of Living", this eastern sage is one of the most charismatic and dynamic of the present day Indian gurus. His teachings are especially suited for present day seekers because his spiritual stream corresponds to that which predominantly influences the entire world, the path of Saturn. This is a path which emphasizes physically based methodologies such as postures and breathing techniques as a primary means of purifying the psychosomatic personality. Of course, a teacher as charismatic as Ravi Shankar also includes a host of other modalities, including devotional ones; nevertheless, his primary creative teaching tools will be Silence and Hatha Yogic oriented techniques.

On the other hand, I have repeatedly explained the downside of the Indian guru model and its unsuitability for our age. I encourage individuals, therefore, to experiment with the techniques Ravi Shankar offers, especially if they think that they are, themselves, on the path of Saturn, and yet, to remain alert not to buy into all the trappings which typically surround Indian gurus and their organizations, including his own.

Ravi Shankar likes to suggest that "all paths meet under his umbrella." However, through The Art of Multi-Dimensional Living (TM) we know that seekers develop more rapidly with teachers of the same spiritual stream, all other factors being equal. Spiritual science requires this delineation.. Thus, his "umbrella" statement tends to blur what is a very important principle: if you have a choice between two or more spiritual teachers, choose the one who is most aligned with your own predominant strength of personality and spiritual path. Don't accept the idea that an enlightened spiritual teacher is all that is needed for your own enlightenment, regardless of the teacher's stream of evolution. Some might suggest that this selection process and affinity happens naturally. That may be true, but it is often at the expense of a lifetime of mistakes in practicing techniques which are less than fully aligned with the person's own nature.

It is apparent that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has another significant drawing card: a powerful destiny related to the field of creative play. Students learn how to "lighten up" in the spiritual quest recognizing that it need not be a heavy, ponderous process, and that one's relationship to the world can be friendly, playful and joyful, even while one is losing any attachment to it. "The Art of Living" is a name well suited to his creative gifts and destiny.