[8][9] After graduation, he travelled with his second teacher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,[10] giving talks and arranging conferences on Vedic science, and setting up Transcendental Meditation and Ayurveda centers.

He says that his rhythmic breathing practice, Sudarshan Kriya, came to him in 1982, "like a poem, an inspiration", after a ten-day period of silence on the banks of the Bhadra River in Shivamogga, in the state of Karnataka, adding, "I learned it and started teaching it".

According to him, the spiritual bond we share as part of the human family is more important than nationality, gender, religion, profession, or other identities that separate us.

[19][20] During his visits to Iraq, at the invitation of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, in 2007[21] and again in 2008,[22] he met with political and religious leaders to promote global peace.

[26] In 2019, Shankar met with Venezuelan leaders from both sides to encourage dialogue, end the political conflict and restore peace and stability in the country.

This forum is intended to bring together eight South Asian countries to cooperate in areas such as entrepreneurship, skill development, cultural exchange, educational partnerships and women's empowerment.

The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, lauded Shankar for his efforts in making this happen and "bringing peace in troubled areas".

[34][35] In September 2017, at the "Strength in Diversity – North East Indigenous People's Conference", Ravi Shankar claimed that another 500 militants were waiting to "lay down weapons and join the peace process".

[36] Former ULFA General Secretary, Anup Chetia, who was also the convenor of the conference, appreciated Ravi Shankar's interest and efforts for peace in the region.

Based on Supreme Court of India's suggestion for an out-of-court settlement,[39] he proposed a mutual compromise where both communities "gift" neighbouring pieces of land to each other.

[51] In July 2013 at a meeting in UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva, issues including HIV prevention, gender based violence, stigma and discrimination were discussed.

[77] In 2012, Ravi Shankar, while attending a function in Jaipur, claimed that some Indian government schools are breeding grounds for Naxalism, a movement of militant communist groups in India declared to be terrorist organisations.

"[81][82] In March 2018, he faced criticism from political leaders for his commentary, where he said, India will turn into Syria if the Ram temple issue is not resolved soon.