India, Sept. 2 -- Janmashtami is often associated with midnight prayers, Krishna bhajans, temple visits and stories from his childhood. But for spiritual teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the festival can also point to something much closer to everyday life: joy.

In a recent article published by the Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar describes Krishna as Ananda, or bliss. He connects Krishna with happiness, love, joy and a natural way of being.

That offers a different perspective on the festival. Instead of only remembering Krishna's birth, you can ask what the idea of Krishna means to you.

Ravi Shankar's teaching presents Krishna as a symbol of joy that exists beyond the ups and downs of daily life. The Art of Living describes Ja...