Deep Breath

Libby Copeland with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The guru comes to Washington and sleeps on the floor, as is his wont.

He tells a joke about the folly of material things and giggles and is asked why he smiles so much.

He answers with a question: Why don't others smile more?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in town from his ashram in Bangalore, India, for a U.S. tour, combs his wispy hair and smoothes it over one shoulder. He reports that he had oatmeal for breakfast. "With Tabasco," he adds impishly.