Why an internationally known guru is coming to Battle Creek

Gurudev from India speaks at WK Kellogg Auditorium on July 9

By Lucy Hough / For Black Squirrel News

BATTLE CREEK — A spiritual leader from India is visiting Battle Creek July 9 for an event focused on handling stress and creating balance in everyday life.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar travels around the world as a humanitarian and teacher, offering breath and wellbeing practices for everyday people.

“From what I’ve seen, he’s one of the few people whose life is totally dedicated to service,” said Dustin Vassari, a teacher and organizer with Art of Living, the organization that shares Gurudev’s teachings. “Like every conversation and initiative is oriented to reducing suffering and live with a smile and a little more ease.”

A local resident was influential in bringing the guru to Battle Creek, which is rare for him to visit the Midwest. Srekumar Bandyopadhyay is president of Nexthermal Corp. and a member of the Rotary Club of Battle Creek. The topic of mental health came up often in Rotary meetings, and that made Bandyopadhyay think about his experiences learning from Gurudev. He felt that the lessons he has learned from Gurudev could be directly applicable to this community.

“Everyone can get something to help them handle their stress better than we have in our daily life, and be more connected,” Bandyopadhyay said. “Beyond that, events like this help strengthen community by bringing people together in a shared experience that is uplifting and constructive. Wherever he goes, he uplifts the people and the mind in a way that people get really into it.”

Gurudev’s practices are shared through the Art of Living organization. A component of the offerings is Sudarshan Kriya, or SKY, which is a breathing technique that has been used in scientific studies on reducing stress and anxiety. This technique has been used in prisons or with combat veterans for navigating trauma and managing stress. Vassari, the representative from Art of Living, and Bandyopadhyay both expressed that these skills can be beneficial for everyone, and they hope regional Michigan residents can experience that as well with the guru’s July 9 visit.

“I think it’s a great chance for the community to come together and experience something new and take a pause from their daily lives and give themselves a reset and a chance to really relax and recharge. We’re all moving at a hectic pace and we don’t always make time to do this,” said Vassari. “And this is a time to do this with someone whose life work is to help people relax and let go of stress and experience calm. They’re in the right hands.”

These lessons have had a significant impact in Bandyopadhyay’s life, who has been practicing these techniques since 2009. His connection to the practices has deepened over the years, he said. Once, while driving to Toronto, as he was going through Jackson, his car hydroplaned and he nearly drove into a solid concrete barrier. He was able to steer through it but he recalls that the incident felt like it happened in slow motion and he had a realization that has stuck with him.

“I thought, when you value so much about what is mine, it belongs to me, but at that time if I died, I couldn’t have taken anything with me. And that was the question in my mind and also that I learned from the breath tactics — it can help you not only structure your life but to see what you can do and what you can give, rather than what you have,” Bandyopadhyay said. “It’s still emotional for me.”

IF YOU GO

What: The Journey Within: Live with Gurudev

When: 7-9 p.m., Thursday, July 9

Where: W.K. Kellogg Auditorium in Battle Creek

Admission: Tickets can be purchased online.

How we reported this

An interview was conducted with Dustin Vassari, Art of Living teacher and organizer, and Srekumar Bandyopadhyay, a local resident and president of Nexthermal, which is located in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. Information was also gained from watching videos and reading online about Gurudev.

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