Spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, has been conferred with the 2025 World Leader for Peace and Security Award by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the AI World Society (AIWS). The award was presented on Monday (3 November 2025) in recognition of his decades-long work in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and humanitarian leadership.
Previous recipients of the award include French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, among others.
While presenting the award, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-founder and CEO of the Boston Global Forum, said, “In honouring Gurudev, we celebrate a spiritual luminary who bridges the wisdom of the East and the innovation of the West. His work exemplifies moral courage and humanity in the AI age.”
According to a statement from the Boston Global Forum, Gurudev’s peace interventions have extended far beyond dialogue. He has personally mediated conflicts in Colombia, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, and Kashmir, bringing together opposing sides through non-violent dialogue and reconciliation efforts.
The BGF said the award recognises Gurudev’s “decades-long commitment to peace-building, conflict resolution, and humanitarian leadership across 180 countries.”
The Art of Living Foundation’s Global Work
Founded by Gurudev in 1981, the Art of Living Foundation has spearheaded humanitarian initiatives in multiple sectors. The organisation has:
- Rehabilitated over 800,000 prisoners through spiritual and emotional education programs.
- Revived more than 70 rivers across India through community-led water conservation projects.
- Educated over 100,000 children in rural and tribal areas through its free schools.
The Foundation’s Sudarshan Kriya (SKY Breath Meditation) technique has reached millions globally, helping people manage stress, trauma, and anxiety. The BGF noted that Gurudev’s approach “makes peace a tangible experience rather than a distant ideal.”
Gurudev’s Message on Peace and Spiritual Leadership
In his acceptance speech, Gurudev emphasised the need to integrate spirituality into governance, education, and global policy-making.
“Peace cannot come by words; it has to translate into action. We often say ‘peace and security’ in one breath. A lot is done for security; but very little attention is given to peace,” he said.
He added, “Peace building is essential. A moral and spiritual force is essential to quell the distrust and distress our societies face today. Let us dream of a stress-free, violence-free world — a society where peace, compassion, and creativity flourish.”
Bridging Science and Spirituality
Beyond his humanitarian and peace work, Gurudev continues to explore the interface between science and spirituality. His newly established Institute of Absolute Intelligence in Los Angeles brings together neuroscientists, philosophers, and AI experts to study the relationship between consciousness and technology, aiming to guide the development of ethical and human-centered innovation.
The Boston Global Forum described Gurudev’s recognition as a milestone for spiritual leadership in the modern era, noting that his “vision of global peace aligns moral wisdom with technological progress.”
(Source: Hindustan Times)
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