It becomes the 34th city, after Vancouver, to honor the Art of Living’s extensive work for global peace, mental health, and community empowerment
Seattle (US): Recognizing one of the world’s foremost voices for peace and human values, the City of Seattle has proclaimed October 18, 2025, as “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day.” The declaration honors Gurudev’s vision to build a stress-free, violence-free world and acknowledges his global contribution to transforming mental health, fostering interfaith harmony, and uplifting communities worldwide.
“We are honored to have you here. There’s a lot of spirit here, calmness here,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell at a special ceremony held on October 18 in Seattle.
In his official proclamation, Mayor Harrell recognized Gurudev as “a globally respected humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace ambassador whose vision of a stress-free, violence-free world has uplifted more than 800 million people across 180 countries.” He also commended the Art of Living Foundation’s contributions to the Seattle and Puget Sound region through “stress-relief workshops, youth programs, community wellness events, and volunteer service that help residents cultivate resilience, belonging, and well-being.”
The declaration coincided with Gurudev’s visit to the city for “Soak in Bliss: A Masterclass Beyond Mindfulness,” which brought thousands together in meditation and collective reflection. “This event embodies our One Seattle vision of inclusion, engagement, and well-being for all residents,” the Mayor noted.
Just a day earlier, the City of Vancouver had also honored Gurudev by dedicating October 18, 2025, as “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day.”
In his proclamation, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim stated, “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar envisions a violence-free, stress-free society through the reawakening of human values and inspires millions to broaden their spheres of responsibility and work towards the betterment of the world.”
The Vancouver citation acknowledged Gurudev as a “revered spiritual and humanitarian leader whose tremendous service work—and the work of the Art of Living—bring harmony and understanding to our community.” It also recognized his initiatives in “conflict resolution, peacebuilding, trauma relief, poverty alleviation, empowerment of women, prisoner rehabilitation, and education for all.”
Extending his welcome to Washington State, Senator Derek Stanford remarked, “Your inspiring work through the Art of Living Foundation and your peace initiatives have touched countless lives, bringing solace, clarity, and renewed purpose to people all around the world. As you have pointed out, meditation and public service are not separate paths — a calm, centered mind can also be an active and courageous force for good in society.”
He added that Gurudev’s message of civic responsibility and compassion “resonates deeply in communities seeking ways to turn mindfulness into meaningful action.”
