Operating in 156 countries, The Art of Living is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981.- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual teacher. Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace.”Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual teacher and founder of Arts of Living. The Art of Living community is diverse and attracts people from all walks of life.