Trump, JD Vance Need Meditation Classes? How Guru Dev Sri Sri Ravishankar Reacted to Oval Office Showdown

New Delhi: Spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has agreed to teach US President Donald Trump yoga and meditation. Speaking at The Republic Plenary Summit 2025 on Thursday, he responded to a suggestion from Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami , who proposed that Trump and US Vice President JD Vance should take meditation sessions from Guru Dev, after their viral peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval house last week. 

‘Western Influence on the Rise’  

During the event, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was asked about the shifting global influence, particularly whether Western dominance is on decline while Eastern traditions is on the rise. 

“I think the reverse is happening; the influence has taken root in the West now. People used to think yoga was only for those who stand on one foot and put ashes on themselves by the banks of the Ganga somewhere. Today, more than 2.5 billion people practice yoga around the world. Yoga and meditation are a more than 30-billion-dollar industry in the US alone,” he said.

He also mentioned a growing global interest in meditation, highlighting that in December last year, 190 countries came together to urge the United Nations to declare a World Meditation Day. "Yoga and meditation are becoming more accepted. Last year, in December, 190 countries came together and wanted the UN to declare a World Meditation Day. This was not moved by India, because we already have International Yoga Day, which includes meditation. This was wanted by many other countries like Mexico and Liechtenstein. They believe we need meditation, and mental wellness is of dire consequence and importance today." he said.  

READ MORE: Four Immediate Fall Out Of Trump-Zelenskyy-Vance Unprecedented Public Showdown | Republic World

A Meditation Session for Trump and Vance?  

Goswami then joked that Gurudev should consider teaching meditation to Trump and Vance, given their current approach to diplomacy. "Maybe Gurudev, you should teach Donald Trump some meditation, the way he's going these days. Maybe even JD Vance—after that last video, both of them need your session. A peaceful mind could make their peace-making efforts even more effective."  

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar smiled and responded, "I can’t agree less."

The Republic Plenary Summit 2025, India’s biggest and most influential news event, is live, bringing together the brightest minds to shape the future of a Limitless India—an India of infinite potential, innovation, and global leadership. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest, the summit opened with a ceremonial lamp lighting by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, setting the stage for transformative discussions. 

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