Sunrise Yoga on the Mall

Civic and religious leaders from all over the United States will attend the World Culture Festival in Washington, DC. The festival will take place from September 29th to October 1st, 2023. Many have sent their congratulations and best wishes to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation. Read some of their inspiring messages below. Susie Lee, Congresswoman from Nevada’s 3rd District in Las Vegas, NV  Hi there, I’m Congresswoman Susie Lee, and I’m so proud to welcome the World Culture Festival to the United States this year. I represent one of the most diverse communities in…

Leaders from all over the world will attend the World Culture Festival in Washington, DC. The festival will take place from September 29th to October 1st, 2023. On September 30th, there will also be a Global Leadership Forum. Those who cannot attend have sent their congratulations and best wishes to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation. Read their inspiring messages below. Ted Ballieu, Premier of Victoria, Australia 2010-2013 I’m a very proud member of the Welcoming Committee for the World Culture Festival in Washington. Now, sadly, because of some recent hip surgery, I’m now not…

As part of the 2023 World Culture Festival, the Art of Living and its founder, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will hold a Global Leadership Forum on September 30th.  What is the Global Leadership Forum? The Global Leadership Forum (GLF) convenes over 1000 global leaders from business, government, and international institutions to exchange ideas and solutions and forge partnerships to tackle key corporate and societal challenges of our time. The theme of this year’s GLF is “Shaping a Humane Future.” It will showcase three frontiers of corporate and societal challenges and innovations: Individual Mental Health Work-Life Balance Corporate and Community…

Everyone’s excited about the upcoming World Culture Festival! If you don’t already have your pass, stop what you’re doing and get your free pass now! Topics covered: Getting to and from the National Mall What to bring each day Prohibited items Programming overview Friday, September 29th Saturday, September 30th Sunday, October 1st Festival Village: Offstage activities Food options Bonus program: Wisdom series with Gurudev Getting to and from the National Mall Uber and Lyft may not be able to get you close to the National Mall given the number of visitors for the World Culture Festival (WCF), but MassTransit options…

So you’re going to the World Culture Festival in Washington, DC! Woo hoo! While you’re in town, you might as well take in some of the sights. DC is the home of many, many museums and attractions. We’ve outlined some of the best places to visit along the National Mall (where it is ALL happening!). Plus, how to get around the greater DC area. Getting to and from the National Mall Uber and Lyft may not be able to get you close to the National Mall given the number of visitors for the World Culture Festival (WCF), but MassTransit options…

You’re probably sitting at work or home right now, reading as a welcome distraction from a task or chore, maybe listening to music. If you are, are you drumming out a beat with your pen? Or tapping your toes?  It’s what we all do–multi-tasking, unaware of the rhythm around us. An unnoticeable, insignificant, singular tap of the foot. Perhaps out of boredom, or maybe there’s a familiar song you’re streaming. There it is. Your toes start tapping. The song was a distraction at first, but now you feel its beat and your awareness shifts. That rhythm, that power, that shift…

Let me ask you a simple question, How are you doing, really? Just pause for a few seconds, close your eyes, and bring your complete attention to yourself. And now, answer the question, how do you really feel? Are you calm, energized, and capable of taking on the challenges in life? Or are you feeling tired, dull, frustrated? If you often feel that way, yoga, a tried and true practice, might be the answer you seek. If you answered yes to feeling calm, energized, and able to handle life’s challenges, you probably already practice yoga! A Way to Peace &…

From the 17th to the 19th of February 2006, the world witnessed Art of Living’s very first World Culture Festival (WCF), also known as the Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Borders faded as millions came together from over 150 countries to experience and celebrate His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's message.  From erecting the world's largest stage of 3.5 acres (until WCF 2016, when the stage was seven acres) to managing the 243 acres of ground at Jakkar airfield, a team of 20,000 volunteers put together a sensational three-day event.  For the first time in the history of Indian music, a gathering…

The National Mall in Washington, D.C., is the perfect location for the World Culture Festival. Washington, D.C., has a rich history, especially related to the National Mall. Read on to learn what makes this location so special. In the beginning In 1791, President George Washington hired Pierre Charles L'Enfant to design the layout of the federal city. L'Enfant concentrated on the space between Tiber Creek, now Constitution Avenue, and the Eastern Branch, also known as the Anacostia River. L'Enfant surveyed the area in the spring of 1791 and created a plan for the city by the end of the year.…

On the occasion of the Art of Living Foundation’s 30th anniversary, visitors from 151 countries converged at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, in numbers greater than 70,000, celebrating Art of Living’s accomplishments and diversity from every corner of the world. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of the World Culture Festival (WCF) 2011. Topics covered Some of the Messages from World Leaders Cultural Performances The Yoga Park The Light of Leadership Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a portrait Invitation to attend WCF 2023 Some of the Messages from World Leaders Prof. Ruud Lubbers Former Prime Minister…

World Culture Festival is a global event series organized by the Art of Living Foundation and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. These festivals celebrate the diversity of culture on this planet, with the aim of increasing peace and belongingness through meditation and celebration.  The most recent World Culture Festival (WCF) was held in 2016 in New Delhi, India, and was attended by more than 3.5 million people. The festival also set a world record for having the largest stage in history, seven acres!  Here’s Charlie Baldwin’s personal story from WCF, culminating in an unexpected experience on that historic seven-acre stage.…

If you haven’t heard of a World Culture Festival yet, you are about to know about the biggest spiritual gathering on the planet! I’m thrilled to share with you my experiences at not one or even two of these unique gatherings, but three global celebrations. I’m even more excited to share that the U.S. will host multiple state-level celebrations across the U.S. in 2022 and two global celebrations in 2023!  Read on to be inspired! First-ever World Culture Festival – Bangalore, India Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t like to miss big events hosted by the Art of…

According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), three-quarters of the world’s conflicts have a cultural dimension. How do we have less division and more harmony on the planet? Reggae artist Ziggy Marley believes that festivals can bring collective well-being! And he’s not the only one! Art of Living founder and global humanitarian, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has been at the forefront of World Cultural Festivals since 2006. His message is that “diversity is the beauty of creation” and that celebrating diversity with millions of people has a healing impact. With the United States set to host…

What does a world culture festival have in common with spirituality? Read the inspiring story of one former participant’s experience. If you haven’t heard of a World Culture Festival yet, you are about to know about the biggest spiritual gathering on the planet! I’m thrilled to share with you my experiences at not one or even two of these unique gatherings, but three global celebrations. I’m even more excited to share that the U.S. will host multiple state-level celebrations across the U.S. in 2022 and two global celebrations in 2023!  Read on to be inspired! First-ever World Culture Festival –…

Are you looking for a one-stop guide to all your meditation questions? This ultimate guide has everything you need! Read to learn more. Why does it seem that meditation can be so complicated and difficult to learn?!? In spite of ourselves, we can sometimes make a mess of what should be a simple process, in part because we try too hard. Just like with anything worth mastering, we all need a guide and clear instructions when it comes to meditation. Let’s get you started with our ultimate guide to meditation so you can easily master meditation. Topics covered:  What is…

Read part of this lovely conversation between global meditation master, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and André Duqum of the “Know Thyself” podcast. In an interview with André Duqum on his “Know Thyself” podcast, Gurudev responds to questions about laughter, joy, ignorance, acceptance, and the self. Read just some of this conversation below.  Wisdom and laughter Why is it that the more wise you are the more you laugh? That’s life. Life is joy and bliss. Our spirit is that way if you’re free from stress and tension. Laughter is natural to us. When a baby isn’t hungry, sleepy, or…

The event of a lifetime is happening September 29th through October 1st in the US for the very first time. Here’s what you need to know. One of the largest multicultural celebrations on the planet is happening at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this fall! To help you wrap your mind around this stellar event, I am here to share some past experiences and what you can expect when you attend! #WCF2023 First, a little background… Who, what, why, and how much  Who This massive celebration is organized by the Art of Living Foundation and its founder, Gurudev Sri…

Learn how you can be a part of the largest celebration of diversity in history when the World Culture Festival comes to the USA! Here’s a question for you. When was the last time you got out and really experienced the world? I know, things haven’t been easy lately. We’ve all had to manage challenges we never could have imagined just a few years back. But we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, so it’s time to get out and celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than at the World Culture Festival (WCF) when…