“Gurudev, how do we make a comeback after failure?” “How do I stop worrying about what people think of me?” “How do I overcome body image issues?”
At Gen Z × Gurudev 2.0, 2,000 young people brought their questions to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and received answers that were just as candid, witty yet deep. The conversation moved from social media anxiety and identity to failure, belonging and the responsibility young people carry for the world around them.
Asked how to build an identity without simply following the crowd, Gurudev’s response was simple: “You be the trendsetter.”
To a youngster anxious about putting themselves out there on social media, he recommended meditation, Sudarshan Kriya and bhastrika to help them express themselves freely. On body image, he offered a reminder of how constantly the body changes.
When someone asked how to recover after failure, Gurudev urged them not to get caught up in attachment or detachment to results. “Take it as it comes,” he said. The advice struck a chord with one participant, who later shared how liberating it felt to know that failing even ten times was no reason to stop moving forward.
The questions were personal, but the answers often opened up a wider perspective. Asked how people could rise above divisions of caste and race, Gurudev pointed to commitment to a greater cause-to the planet and the nation-as a force that could unite people beyond their differences.
Another youngster wanted to know how they could be sure they were cared for. Gurudev’s answer came with characteristic lightness: it was as obvious as knowing that it was afternoon. The exchange captured the easy familiarity of the gathering, where young people could ask what was on their minds without the formality of a conventional lecture.
When asked what it meant to say that the Guru is the goal, he explained, “Make wisdom the center of your life.” And when the audience requested stories, Gurudev quipped, “I don’t tell stories. I create them.”
The mood turned more serious when Gurudev addressed youth suicide, urging young people to take responsibility for one another and challenge the despair that can follow a breakup or disappointing exam results. A setback, he emphasised, should never be mistaken for the end of life’s possibilities. He encouraged the gathering to build their careers, acquire new skills and make room for music, art and creativity, whatever their chosen profession.
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“The world is yours. You own it. Take responsibility,” he told the young audience. “The sky is the limit for you. Don’t lose the zeal and enthusiasm.”
A conversation that travelled beyond the stage
The lead cast of Hanuman Ansh-Shobhinaw Satyaa, who portrayed Neem Karoli Baba, and Purnima Tiwari, who played Rambeti-also joined the gathering. Shobhinaw spoke about how Gen Z had helped take the film to a wider audience and recalled learning Sudarshan Kriya during its promotional journey.
“I had heard of Kriya, but when I did it, I understood what it is,” he said, describing how he noticed a difference in his daily interactions from the very first day of practice.
From bhajan jamming to breakdance
The evening blended Gen Z culture with tradition as Sri Sri Institute of Fashion Studies brought fashion to the runway, Kathak dancer Anarghya Patil and Meghalaya’s viral breakdancer Padmanabh showcased their talents, and an interactive flash mob got the audience moving. Children from Meghalaya, who live and study at the Ashram, charmed the gathering with a musical mashup featuring Gurudev’s signature Ram Ram Ram bhajan. Nirvana Station’s bhajan clubbing and Sukoon Wali Qawwali brought devotional music alive with contemporary energy.
Rajeev, the band’s lead singer, said, “Gen Z is the future of our world. But it is also a generation battling constant distraction and rising stress. Gurudev’s proactive effort to guide this generation towards growth and happiness is truly inspiring, and Gen Z × Gurudev 2.0 is a beautiful step in that direction.”
