Leaders at ‘The Art of Living’ summit focus on human resilience and peace

Amid rising concerns over mental health, social fragmentation and youth stress, governments and institutions are increasingly turning to preventive and community-based approaches that extend beyond traditional policy frameworks.

Emotional resilience, civic responsibility and social cohesion are gradually being discussed not only as social priorities but also as elements of long-term development strategies.

These formed the backdrop to a recent international gathering in Bengaluru, hosted at the International Centre of The Art of Living Foundation, marking its 45th anniversary alongside the 70th birthday of its founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The event brought together political leaders, diplomats, educators and civil society representatives from several countries, reflecting a broader global interest in the intersection between inner well-being and public life.

The gathering drew international attention with the participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the newly constructed Dhyan Mandir, a meditation and wellness centre intended as a space for reflection and collective well-being.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said: “The realisation of a developed future will be possible through youth who are mentally calm, socially responsible and sensitive toward society. Spiritual well-being, mental health, yoga and meditation have a very important role in this journey.”

During the programme, organisers announced a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates to support the Leading by Example curriculum, aimed at advancing peace education, ethical leadership and youth engagement through international collaboration.

The gathering reflected broad international participation, bringing together former Japanese Education Minister Hakubun Shimomura alongside African leaders including Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah.

It also featured Moe Hemani, founder of Every Living Thing, who joined discussions on humanitarian advocacy, youth engagement and community-led social initiatives.

One of the major moments of the celebrations was the Global Meditation for World Peace led by Gurudev, with participants joining both in person and online from multiple countries. Organisers said the initiative focused on emotional well-being, reflection and social harmony during a period marked by growing global stress and uncertainty.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reflected on the global spread of meditation and mindfulness practices rooted in Indian traditions. “Go to the northernmost point of the world to Tromsø in the Arctic. People are meditating there, singing devotional songs,” he said. “At the southernmost point of the earth too. This is India’s heritage and today it is universally accepted.”

The month-long programme also includes discussions on prison reform and rehabilitation, with a policy roundtable scheduled later this month bringing together policymakers and experts to examine approaches centred on mental health, rehabilitation and reintegration within correctional systems.

Across four and a half decades, The Art of Living has grown into one of the largest volunteer-driven humanitarian movements, touching the lives of over one billion people in 182 countries through breath, meditation, education and grassroots service.