04/08/2026
Rendezvous of an Antitheist and a Spiritual Guru: writes on his meeting with
This Sunday at 4:30 a.m., I left Delhi for the Art of Living International Center in Bangalore. I returned at 4 a.m. on Monday — exhausted yet exhilarated by a day that felt both unexpected and deeply meaningful.
It all began with my dear friend Divam Kapoor, a true believer, who had been gently nudging me for some time:
“Buddy, hold on to your atheistic views — I have no issue with them. But please, just meet my spiritual guru once… for my sake.”
Among the many spiritual figures out there, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was the only one whose work I had followed with genuine curiosity over the past 25 years. Not out of faith, but fascination. Time and again, I would introduce a concept or exercise in my leadership workshops, only to discover soon after that the Art of Living trainers were also offering something remarkably similar — the sole difference being that I framed it through leadership and team-building lenses, while they wrapped it in spiritual and mental health and will being insight. A subtle yet powerful tweak.
What truly drew my admiration, however, was his extraordinary global program for prisoners. Over 800,000 inmates worldwide have experienced these workshops, and the transformative potential of such spiritual tools in that context feels nothing short of remarkable. In my view, this remains the most profound and impactful application of the Art of Living course.
For those unfamiliar, the Art of Living workshops center on spirituality, stress management, and personal growth — distinct from the formal, ritualistic aspects of Hinduism. Rooted in ancient Vedic traditions like yoga, pranayama, and meditation, the techniques are presented in a beautifully universal, secular format accessible to people of every background and faith.
- The cornerstone is *Sudarshan Kriya*, a rhythmic breathing practice designed to dissolve stress and nurture mental and spiritual well-being.
- The programs are positioned as educational and self-development tools, not religious rites, with the inspiring vision of a “stress-free mind and a violence-free society.”
- Advanced courses and silent retreats invite deeper journeys toward lasting inner peace.
Thanks to Divam’s warmth and connections, I was granted a thoughtful VIP tour of the sprawling 400-acre campus — a place of serene beauty and meticulous care.
A few observations that lingered with me:
1. The Gurukul stole my heart. Its ambience and architecture were simply enchanting — serene, elegant, perfectly landscaped. The entire campus reflected the same thoughtful design. While young minds there immerse solely in the Vedas (a path I find of limited relevance in our scientific era), it is clearly fulfilling its purpose: preserving India’s ancient wisdom. Many of the country’s most respected priests trace their roots here, and in that light, it stands as one of the most exquisite sanctuaries for such a mission.
2. The Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, and meditation offerings are, without question, exceptional. I knew the content intimately through an old friend who was among the earliest Art of Living teachers in Mumbai. These practices hold real value — especially for those seeking calm — and science increasingly affirms their benefits for cognitive vitality and mental resilience.
3. The gaushala housing 1,600 cows was impeccably clean and world-class, more akin to a refined stud farm than anything else. The highlight? A delightful treat of in-house A2 milk products — Bengali rasmalai, almond milk, kheer, and ice cream — pure indulgence. Our guide, an ISB 2002 batch MBA, had once read my book *Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch*. Remarkably, nearly every teacher and guide I met (all in their 30s to 60s) turned out to be longtime admirers of my work. The compliments flowed freely, and I confess — it made for a rather delightful afternoon. 🤍
4. The kitchen, preparing 17,000 meals daily, operated with effortless excellence. In the dining areas, I encountered more admirers — business leaders spending weekends on campus for courses. Lunch at the Indian restaurant and dinner at the European one were both outstanding.
5. I visited two of the campus’s four or five temples — serene, immaculate spaces of quiet devotion.
6. The Ayurvedic Centre was a scenic haven of traditional therapies and world-class spa facilities. While claims around face reading or pulse diagnosis to discern every ailment lacked modern empirical science, the overall experience promised genuine excellence and deep relaxation.
7. Though I wasn’t staying overnight, I glimpsed the five-star guest residences — pure luxury resort elegance. One overlooked one of the two pristine lakes on campus, right beside Sri Sri’s own home.
8. The evening satsang unfolded in a vast open-air amphitheater with around 8,000 joyful participants singing and dancing in pure celebration — echoes of Hare Rama Hare Krishna, yet infused with warmth and inclusivity. The sequence included a soulful Bangla Baul song, a Hindi piece, then an African melody. A thoughtful Q&A followed, then the launch of General Bakshi’s book *Beyond Fear* — an ironic moment, given the general’s frequent divisive commentary on television, juxtaposed against a host who has always championed peace and harmony. The session closed with a gentle ten-minute silent meditation. Aside from that one discordant note, the atmosphere radiated everything beautiful about genuine belief: happiness, calm, shared song, and dance. At least 5% of those present were foreigners — a quiet testament to the universal appeal.
9. And then, the heart of the day — my meeting with Sri Sri himself. Scheduled precisely at 5 p.m., it began without delay. We watched a short, touching video beforehand. He sat on a simple, throne-like sofa in a spacious, unadorned room. I entered, touched his feet, and a single sofa was drawn up facing him. He was exactly as one sees him — serene, smiling, soft-spoken. I shared openly why I had followed his work for two decades: “I noticed your trainers offering precisely what I teach in my workshops, only reframed spiritually — and reaching far greater numbers because so many seek that deeper upliftment over leadership models alone.”
His smile widened. He leaned forward, pulled me close, and enveloped me in the warmest, tightest hug. I returned it fully. He then draped a stole around my shoulders, handed me an apple and a few of his books — gestures he offers many — and listened as I mentioned being completely anti-establishment. “Yes, yes,” he replied gently, “I always tell people: if you don’t like something, you must criticize. That’s very important.”
When Divam asked him to offer me guidance, Sri Sri laughed softly and said, “What do I tell him? He knows everything.”
As I stepped out, word spread that Gurudev had hugged me. One after another, people approached in quiet astonishment: “Gurudev doesn’t touch anyone. He doesn’t hug anyone.” Divam, who has visited over 50 times in 13 years, confirmed it was the first time he had witnessed such an embrace.
Divam himself shone brightest that day — introducing me with genuine pride, his face alight with smiles, his energy brimming with positivity and joyful stories. Every person I met radiated the same calm happiness — believers living in harmony, a stark contrast to the division often cloaked in religion across today’s India. Much of that grace, I believe, flows from Sri Sri’s lifelong commitment to inclusivity and peaceful coexistence across all faiths and paths.
In the end, this became a singular encounter: an antitheist (one who has even authored a book on the subject) meeting a revered spiritual guru. Perhaps the first of its kind for both of us.
What touched me most? Despite knowing my stance — my profile, shared in advance, opens with “Arindam is a proponent of science and rationale…” and closes with my vision to eradicate religion, income inequality, and gender discrimination while championing equal access to health, education, and justice — he welcomed me openly and warmly.
I remain eager to meet and learn from everyone, especially those whose views differ from mine. Only through such encounters can I hope to write, speak, and think with greater clarity and depth.
A day richly spent. Thank you, Divam — from the heart.
NB. One final, small note of concern: a demonstration claiming children could "read without seeing" through intuitive training. Having studied illusionists and such phenomena extensively, it didn't convince me. If the organization really aspires for Nobel Prize for the truly noble prison work (which I sincerely believe Sri Sri deserves) — this particular activity and its claims should be set aside without delay.
The Art of Living Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Arindam Chaudhuri Arindam Chaudhuri
