March 20th 2025,
Meditation is the journey from movement to stillness, from sound to silence. The need to meditate is present in every human being because it is a natural tendency of human life to look for a joy that doesn’t diminish, a love that doesn’t distort or turn into negative emotions.
-GURUDEV
Born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, on May 13, 1956, Gurudev displayed an early inclination towards wisdom, reciting the Bhagavad Gita at the age of four and being found in deep meditation even as a child. By age 17, he graduated with a degree in modern physics, bridging the worlds of science and spirituality.
In 1981, he founded the Art of Living, a charitable and educational organization, alongside eminent trustees like Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and Justice P.N. Bhagwati. During a period of ten days of silence, he emerged with Sudarshan Kriya, a transformative breathing technique that has since helped hundreds of millions worldwide lead more peaceful lives.
Over 44 years, his vision has expanded the Art of Living into 182 countries, fostering values of love, compassion, and service. Today, Art of Living is a movement of 37,000 active program leaders and more than one million volunteer peace leaders engaged in building conscious and caring communities worldwide. Specialized programs have provided rehabilitation for victims and perpetrators of violence, helping former terrorists, militant insurgents, and gang members renounce violence and pursue peace in Kosovo, Iraq, India, and beyond. He has also helped bring peace through mediation to long-lasting conflicts like the Colombian Civil War and the Ayodhya Temple dispute.
His work has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan from the President of India and highest civilian honors in Paraguay, Colombia, Mongolia, Suriname, and Fiji. The World Culture Festivals organized by the Art of Living are a testament to Gurudev’s vision of bringing people together as a “One World Family”. The events in Bangalore, Berlin, New Delhi and Washington, D.C., have brought together more than seven million people so far.
At his core, Gurudev’s mission is simple: building people, not just institutions. Through his teachings, millions have transformed life’s struggles into a celebration.
-GURUDEV
“The secret to happiness is to be yourself and find that inner reservoir of peace we have all been gifted with. Just be yourself!”
Take a look at your own life. You have gone through and come out of many problems, which you had thought were impossible. It appeared to have shaken you at that moment, but later on you found that you were as complete as you were before.
If you have a problem now, realize that this too will go because you have the energy and power to overcome it. Do some breathing exercises and meditation to stay calm. And most importantly, have the confidence that you will be helped —a power in the universe is going to help you.
You cannot imagine how much you are loved by God. No more doubts about that, and no more self-doubt. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘When doubt enters into the heart of an individual, he is totally lost, and he becomes miserable.”
A discontented or grumbling mind, even if it gets everything on this planet, will still remain miserable. Purity, clarity, and contentment is the formula for happiness.
Nature will put many events in your path to shake your faith, but even then if your faith still remains then you have become a really perfect person, and things will move smoothly.
If you keep your mind quiet at small intervals, you will be able to establish connection with God. Then, whatever you desire and wish for, will be fulfilled. It may take some time for it to be completed, but it will happen. God isn’t in the sky somewhere; He is residing in our hearts. And if we cleanse our hearts, then the Divine will-power will emerge from within us. One only needs to have patience and faith.
If there is lack of contentment and you are complaining and grumbling, then you should become aware of it and snap out of that state. Do everything happily. Walk, talk, sit happily; even if you complain against somebody, do it happily.
A discontented or grumbling mind, even if it gets everything on this planet, will still remain miserable. Purity, clarity, and contentment is the formula for happiness.
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WE BELIEVE THAT A STRESS-FREE, VIOLENCE-FREE SOCIETY BEGINS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL’S ABILITY TO MANAGE THEIR OWN MIND, AND THE ART OF LIVING AND IAHV OFFER POWERFUL TOOLS BACKED BY SCIENCE TOWARD THIS END.
The Art of Living is a nonprofit, educational, and humanitarian organization that helps individuals bolster their mental health, relieve stress, and build resilience through evidence-based techniques and training. Since its inception in 1981, the Art of Living has touched the lives of millions of people in 180 countries, and has inspired the cooperation of tens of thousands of active volunteers worldwide.
-GURUDEV
The Art of Living works in partnership with the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) in offering tailored mental wellness and resilience programs for veterans, healthcare workers, police officers, students, prison inmates, teachers, atrisk youth, and more. AOLF & IAHV also work in disaster mitigation, education, environment, skill development, renewable energy, river rejuvenation, sanitation & waste management, and women’s empowerment.
800+ MILLION LIVES TOUCHED
20+ MILLION FOLLOWERS ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
5.6 MILLION PEOPLE SERVED IN TRAUMA RELIEF
700+ THOUSAND STUDENTS EDUCATED
800+ THOUSAND INMATES REACHED
7.4 THOUSAND EXTREMISTS TRANSFORMED
70+ RIVERS & TRIBUTARIES REJUVENATED
This course teaches SKY®—a powerful rhythmic breathing technique that harmonizes the body-mind complex. Participants notice reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, a stronger immune system, and increased energy levels.
Sahaj translates to “effortless,” and Samadhi signifies a state of profound meditation. In simple terms, it’s a technique to effortlessly enjoy deep meditation, as well as the profound rest and wealth of other benefits that meditation provides.
You’ll receive a personalized mantra, a charged sound, that makes meditation easier and more effective. The mantra acts as a conduit, guiding you through mental clutter into a state of serene repose.
“THE FASTEST, MOST EFFICIENT TOOL FOR MENTAL HEALTH”
us.artofliving.org
The Part 2 Course builds on your Part 1 experience* with a unique blend of advanced breathwork, signature guided meditations, daily yoga, and profound insights into the mind. This is all designed to provide an optimal environment to break free from a busy mind, dive deep within, and experience transformative shifts—fresh perspective, deep insights, and clarity.
These moments supercharge the rest of your year, making it more vibrant, productive, and full of energy. As you emerge, you feel centered, recharged, and ready to embrace life with renewed focus and joy. This retreat is your avenue to rekindle your connection with SKY Breath Meditation, elevating your energy to new heights.
Millions have taken Art of Living courses, and experienced the benefits of practicing the SKY Breath Meditation technique, developed by Gurudev: Let’s look at what the research says.
In total, more than 100 independent studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals confirming a comprehensive range of benefits, including reduced levels of anxiety and depression, better sleep, and enhanced brain, hormone, immune, and cardiovascular function.
on SKY Breath Meditation (SK&P) published in peer-reviewed journals
“SHOWS PROMISE IN PROVIDING RELIEF FOR DEPRESSION”
“THE EASY BREATHING TECHNIQUE THAT CAN LOWER YOUR ANXIETY 44%”
“IMPROVED IMMUNE CELL COUNTS WITHIN AS LITTLE AS 3 WEEKS”
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
33% INCREASE
Immune Cell Count in lymphocytes in 6 weeks & remained in normal range
21% INCREASE
Life Satisfaction within 1 week
57% REDUCTION
Stress Hormones in serum cortisol in 2 weeks
The Art of Living Foundation partners with International Association for Human Values, also founded by Gurudev to incorporate Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) breathing practices into service projects for diverse organizations and communities around the US.
Resilience training for veterans, active military and their families
Members of the armed forces and their families make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and we aim to give them the ultimate care in return. In this spirit, we offer our restorative mind-body resilience program to these heroes, giving them tools to reduce chronic stress and PTSD, and opening the door to a lifetime of mental wellness. More than 8000 veterans benefited from this program. pwht.org
In the current high pace, high stress university environment, students report more depression and suicidal ideation than ever before in history. Students are studying hard, but unfortunately, learning to manage their own minds isn’t part of the curriculum.
Our on-campus program bridges this gap by offering stress reduction and resilience training designed to help students, faculty, and staff achieve their highest potential. These programs have reached more than 650,000 students on 145 university campuses. skycampushappiness.org
Our SKY Schools program breathes life into education by giving students and educators the tools they need to optimize the educational experience in these challenging times. Over the past 17 years, more than 161,000 students, teachers and parents at 251 schools across the U.S. have participated in our programs skyschools.org
Stress Management and Rehabilitation Training
One of the biggest challenges faced by our prison system is the rehabilitation of offenders. Since its inception in 1992, our prison program has helped more than 50,000 inmates across 30 states to manage stress and trauma, and begin the process of true rehabilitation.
Our program goes to work on the root of the problem: individual stress; transforming the mindset, attitude, and behavior of offenders. www.prisonprogram.org
Our Cities4Peace initiative actively promotes peace and social cohesion in cities grappling with violence. We empower community stakeholders including social justice activists, former gang members, and law enforcement officers with evidence-based breathing and meditation techniques. cities4peace.org
Many people struggling with addiction lose hope of ever gaining control of themselves again, but our program offers them a lifeline.
Through a breath-based, mind-body intervention, recovering individuals are given practical tools to stay calm in the face of triggers, reduce emotional volatility, and ultimately to gain freedom from addictive patterns. skyrecoveryprogram.org
Supporting Healthcare professionals and organizations
Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to caring for others, yet they face immense physical, mental and emotional challenges.
The Healing Breaths self-care and resilience program provides evidence-based techniques that improve well-being, combat burnout and help healthcare professionals reconnect to the joy in medicine. healingbreaths.org
WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL 4
2023
Attended by 1.1 million people
UNITED WE CELEBRATE
The World Culture Festival is a global event series, organized by the Art of Living, that aims to build a more compassionate and harmonious society by bringing the people of the world together in celebration.
Through global cuisine, song, dance, meditation, and dialogue, we share and explore our rich cultural diversity, and honor the underlying spirit that connects us all as one global family.
Attendees and speakers have included heads of state, diplomats, dignitaries, spiritual leaders, singers, dancers and artists of all kinds. More than seven million people from different countries, cultures, and religions came together to take part in the first four World Culture Festival events.
7+ MILLION
Attended by more than 7 million people from across the globe
WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL 2
2011 BERLIN
Attended by 70,000 people
62+ THOUSAND
Hosted more than 62,000 performers from diverse cultures and backgrounds
25+ THOUSAND
Attended by more than 25,000 religious and spiritual leaders from all faiths and traditions.
wcf.artofliving.org
WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL 1
2005 BANGALORE Attended by 2 million people
WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL 3
2016 NEW DELHI Attended by 3.75 million people
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Today many are anxious about how to deal with their anxiety! Here are some of the ways you can manage your anxiety:
1. Sing, dance and celebrate. The very intention to celebrate will pull you away from anxiety to a more harmonious state.
2. Think about what you can do for others rather than just about yourself. Energize yourself with some service activity.
3. Combined practice of yoga, breathing and meditation.
4. Know the impermanence of the world.
5. Having faith and surrendering to the Divine and knowing that there is a supreme power who loves you. The supreme power is behind you and accepts you totally. The sense of security comes with the sense of belongingness.
6. Valour/courage: Invoking the lion within you and having an attitude of sacrifice will rescue you from anxiety.
7. Reminding yourself that you are committed to a greater goal will keep the anxiety away.
8. Being unpredictable for a while. Anxiety is always related to some anticipated action. Do something completely irrelevant and unpredictable.
9. Readiness to face the worst will leave you with stability in the mind.
10. Remembering a similar situation in the past when you were able to overcome your anxiety.
There are three golden principles for meditation.
The first is “I want nothing.” Not even a glass of water. I’m not expecting you to want nothing in your life. If you want many things, just keep them aside for now. For the next few minutes, “I want nothing.” When you want nothing, you also do nothing.
The second golden rule is “I do nothing.” Can you just be, doing nothing?
I’m not going to be mindful. If the mind drifts somewhere, let it drift. You only breathe. Do not make an effort to think either “I want nothing” or “I do nothing.” It is just an effortless attention before meditation.
The third step is “I am nothing.” You have to let go of all the labels you put on yourself, including being a teacher, a businessperson, a man or a woman, a scholar or whatever. You let go of all these labels and say, “I am nothing.” Also, if you think you’re very wise, forget it. If you think you’re stupid, you’re in the same boat. If you think you’re too poor or too rich, there’s no way you’ll be able to meditate. If you think you’re very holy or a sinner, that you’re somebody great or worthless, then also you can’t settle down into the deepest core of your being. After meditation, you can again be something. It’s your choice.
I want nothing. I do nothing. I am nothing. These three basic principles let your mind be free from the outer stimuli with which it engages, day in and day out. The mind goes to its source and there it becomes no-mind.
You can be at ease with the uncertainty of the world when you realise the certainty of the consciousness. Often people do just the opposite. They are certain about the things in the world and uncertain about God. They rely on something that is not reliable and get upset. Uncertainty causes craving for stability and the most stable thing in the universe is our Self.
The world is of change, the Self is of non-change. You have to rely on the nonchange and accept the change. If you are certain that everything is uncertain, then you are liberated. When you are uncertain in ignorance then you become worried and tense. Uncertainty with awareness brings higher states of consciousness and a smile.
Often people think that certainty is freedom. If you feel that freedom when you are not certain then that is ‘real’ freedom. Often your certainty or uncertainty is based on the relative world. To be certain about the uncertainty of the relative, makes you certain about the existence of the absolute and brings a ‘certain’ faith in the absolute. Nitin says: Yes, to understand this you certainly need to have awareness!!!
To settle into the consciousness of which all of us are made up, this must be our initial step. It is the journey from sound to silence.
Excerpts from the book, Notes for the Journey Within, a compilation of practical wisdom by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Wall Street Journal Bestseller #1 Amazon Bestseller
Arthur Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular weekly “How to Build a Life” column
Brooks is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 13 books, including Build the Life You Want in 2023, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, and From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.
Brooks is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in the media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies, and
faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others.
Brooks began his career as a classical French hornist, leaving college at 19, touring and recording in the United States and Spain. In his late twenties, while still performing, he returned to school, earning a BA through distance learning. At 31, he left music and earned an MPhil and PhD in public policy analysis from the Rand Graduate School, during which time he worked as an analyst for the Rand Corporation’s Project Air Force, performing military operations research analysis. Brooks then spent the next 10 years as a university professor, primarily at Syracuse University, where he taught economics and nonprofit management, and published 60 peer-reviewed articles and several books, including the textbook “Social Entrepreneurship” (2008). In 2009, Brooks became the president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington, DC, one of the world’s most influential think tanks. Over the following decade, he was selected as one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 World’s Greatest Leaders” and was awarded seven honorary doctorates.
“Devote the back half of your life to serving others with your wisdom. Get old sharing the things you believe are most important. Excellence is always its own reward, and this is how you can be most excellent as you age.”
arthurbrooks.com
“Who in the world am I?” asks Alice in Wonderland. It turns out that business school has a useful theory to help you answer that.
ARTHUR C. BROOKS
At business schools, scholars of entrepreneurship generally follow one of two basic theories of how enterprises start. The first, called the discovery theory, holds that the universe is filled with opportunities, and that entrepreneurs are the ones who discover and exploit them. The second is called the creation theory, and holds that opportunities are created by the actions of the entrepreneurs themselves. So either a pocket-size computer always existed in theory and Steve Jobs discovered it and called it the iPhone, or Apple’s developmentand-experimentation process was what created it.
This might sound like an esoteric debate, but it is actually extremely useful for anyone looking at the enterprise that matters most: life. Probably all of us at some point have felt the pull to “find yourself,” to ascertain your essence: who you are, what your life means, what you are supposed to do with it. To find yourself, you first need to decide if at your core you are a discovery theorist or a creation theorist: whether your essence already exists but you need to discover and understand it, or whether it has yet to come into existence and you need to create it through your choices, beliefs, and actions. Deciding between these two theories will give you purpose and intentionality—and a way to proceed with the enterprise of your life.
Figuring out which theory you favor requires a bit of philosophy—specifically, philosophical knowledge about the relationship between your existence and
your essence. Existence means that your being is real, not imaginary, and usually in some physical sense. Essence is what Aristotle defined as τὸ τί ἦν εἶναι, which means, roughly, “the what it was to be.” Your essence is the inner, expressive “you-ness” of you—what makes you you, as opposed to a pencil, a goat, the person next door, or any other physical entity that can be said to have existencebut not your essence.
To find yourself, then, is to understand your essence—to know who you are inside. And this is absolutely necessary for well-being. Psychologists haveshown in experiments that having a clear sense of your “true self”—being able to make explicit who you believe you really are, not just leaving it implicit in how you act—more strongly predicts a feeling of meaning in life than positive emotion and/or high self-esteem. In addition, people who can describe their true self have a much higher sense of life’s meaning than those who can describe merely the way they act in daily life. No one said this was easy. Your essence is not obvious, and to find yourself demands thought and effort.
“Who in the world am I?” asks Alice in Wonderland. “Ah, that’s the great puzzle!” To crack that puzzle involves knowing how and where to look, which brings us back to the theories of entrepreneurship. If your essence already exists and precedes your existence, you must discover it. And if it does not exist, you must try to create it.
1.Essence precedes existence.
Many people turn to religion to help answer Alice’s question, and that option generally follows the discovery theory. Many faiths assert that your essence is ordained before you are born, and that your life’s work is to discern and embrace it. For example, Christians and Jews believe that humans are made in God’s image, and so to find yourself is to know God and discover his will for your life.
Not all beliefs that essence precedes existence are religious, though. Take evolutionary psychology, which posits that our essence is to survive and reproduce. This body of thought explains why you do what you do, even when your behaviors and motivations seem strange or absurd. For example, to envy a social-media influencer may seem senseless, but envy of those who are richer or more beautiful—while tough on the soul—makes sense in evolutionary terms, possibly because it may impel us to compete by trying to improve ourselves.
2.Existence precedes essence.
Theories of an essence that precedes existence assume that there is a true self to discover. But what if that isn’t true, and we have no intrinsic essence? That is the argument from the existentialist philosophers, who say instead that we must create our essence in order to lead a fulfilling and responsible life. Most famous for this line of thinking is Jean-Paul Sartre, who in 1946 said, “We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world—and defines himself afterwards.”
Lest you think that the self-creation idea is an esoteric 20th-century European concept best entertained over filterless cigarettes and strong
coffee, note that it is utterly woven into American individualist thinking through the work of writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson begins his most famous essay, “Self-Reliance,” with the Latin phrase Ne te quæsiveris extra—“Do not seek for anything outside of thyself.” Whereas his Puritan forerunners in New England argued that people are defined by traditions and institutions, he maintained that these were nothing more than dead weight impeding the creation of one’s own meaning.
3.There is no essence.
Of course, both theories could be wrong— there could be no such thing as essence, either discovered or created. This is the argument of nihilists such as the 19th-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who bluntly writes, “Human life must be some kind of mistake.” He suggests that life has no meaning or purpose, and that to look for it is delusional. An honest, ethical life requires acknowledging this fact and simply learning to live with it, Schopenhauer maintained.
I believe that the no-essence option defies human experience (and also happens to be a profoundly non-entrepreneurial approach to life). Evidence, if not proof, of the potential existence of something is our desire for it. As the 13th-century theologian and philosopher Thomas Aquinas put it, “It is impossible for a natural desire to be void of object, for nature does nothing in vain.” Thirst presumes the existence of water; a feeling of loneliness with its commensurate desire for companionship presumes the existence of other people. And the craving to know our essence is evidence that this essence does—or can—exist.
Whichever of these philosophical positions speaks to you, the quest to find yourself should begin with this question: Do I believe I have an inherent essence? If not, the second question that follows is: Can I create an essence? Different paths to selfenlightenment depend on how you answer.
If the answer to the first question is yes, then the job is one of discovery. If you are a religious person, this can be a straightforward process: Dive into your faith to find yourself. Read the texts; take classes; participate in worship. Become a student of your religion in order to be a student of your own essence. In this practice, you may relate to the words widely ascribed to the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi: “I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.”
If the source of your preexisting essence is more mysterious to you than the exercise of a religion can reveal, then a different journey of discovery is in order. Treat your essence with the exploratory spirit of Lewis and Clark, and with a hunger to see what lies around the bend. Try out different things in work and life: Experiment, reflect, and assess what your wanderings bring to your sense of meaning and purpose.
If you answer no to the first question but yes to the second, that means you suspect that your essence doesn’t preexist but can be created. Finding yourself, then, requires an alternative approach. To create an essence, start by imagining the person you wish you were—not in trivial terms, such as money and possessions, but in what matters, such as relationships, values, and integrity. Then assume the essence of that person in your life by acting like that person. As I’ve discussed in a previous column, research suggests that this method can enable you
to reap the benefits of those qualities. To grow into this person, act as if you were them—and make their essence fully yours.
But what if you answer no to both questions, either because you believe that there’s nothing you can do to find your life’s meaning or because, like Schopenhauer, you believe that life really has no meaning? As I stated above, I don’t happen to agree with either point of view, but some people do. If you are in this position, then your path is straightforward: No need to agonize, just live—at which point, you have found yourself.
After all of these options, one nagging possibility remains: What if you choose a theory, but it is in fact incorrect? What if you believe that your essence preexists, but it doesn’t, or you believe that it doesn’t preexist, but it does—and then, either way, you have chosen the “wrong” strategy?
The answer is: It probably doesn’t matter. The greatest benefit of this exercise is not to get the metaphysics just right, which might be impossible, but to choose a life of conscious action. I teach my business students about the discovery and creation theories not to paralyze them, but to get them started on their venture with a sense of direction. The truth is that in discovery, they create, and in creation, they discover.
So it is with life. The real danger is not that you find yourself too slowly or with unnecessary struggle; it’s that you never start your search at all.
© 2023 Arthur Brooks, as first published in The Atlantic.
sravanvenkat@yahoo com https //bit ly/saregame
AYURVEDA IS THE STUDY OF LIFE.
AYUR IS LIFE AND VED MEANS TO KNOW.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, means “the science of life” (Ayur = life, Veda = knowledge). It views health as a balance of body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing harmony with nature.
Sri Sri Tattva brings the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda to daily life. Rooted in authentic traditions and backed by scientific research, it offers high-quality wellness products, including herbal supplements, skincare, and personal care.
With a focus on purity, sustainability, and efficacy, Sri Sri Tattva integrates ancient knowledge with modern innovation to support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
#1 Recommended by Ayurveda Practitioners, Wellness and Health Experts with Online Ayurveda Consultations Visit us at www.srisritattvausa.com
Set amidst 380+ breathtaking acres of pristine forest high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat Center is a renowned sanctuary of peace that eases the mind and inspires the soul.
From our signature meditation and Ayurveda Wellness programs to events with teachers, authors, and thought leaders in the fields of self-discovery, yoga, nutrition, creativity, and more—there is something here for everyone. artoflivingretreatcenter.org
“A 380-acre sanctuary at the tippy-top of the Blue Ridge Mountains”
“I was noticeably less stressed when I headed home...Best of all, I learned that can conquer my social anxiety”
A Center of
in the Heart of our city
Where you’ll find transformative tools and a sere ne space to let go of stress and anxiety and increase happiness with classes led by caring, expert facilitators in a convenient location in Meridian Hill dc.artofliving.org Named to USA Today’s Annual Top Ten Wellness Retreat List 2018- 2021
“Vast open spaces, outdoor activities, with yoga and meditation set against scenic backdrops. The perfect spot to get away from it all.”
“I have done a couple retreats here and they are now my favorite thing to do in my free time. I would recommend this place to anyone interested in yoga or meditation.” - K.K.
www.artofliving.org
gurudev.artofliving.org @Gurudev