The Magic of the Art of Living

The Art of Living_9th Chaitra

2013-03-25T12:31:00.000-04:00

जीवन जिउने कला | Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ko Jeevani

2013-03-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

Understanding Meditation

2012-10-10T09:38:00.001-04:00

The higher goals in life can only be realized through a few minutes of meditation and introspection.

What is meditation?
Mind without agitation is meditation.
Mind in the present moment is meditation.
Mind that has no hesitation, no anticipation is meditation.
Mind that has come back to the source is meditation.
Mind that becomes ''No Mind'' is meditation.

The deeper you are able to rest, the more dynamic you will be in activity. Even though deep rest and dynamic activity are opposite values, they are complementary. Before the body leaves you, you learn to leave everything. That is freedom. What are you looking for?
Are you looking for some great joy? YOU ARE JOY!

I will give you an example. Have you seen dogs biting bones?
You know why they bite bones?

Biting creates wounds in their mouth. Their own blood comes out and the dogs feel that the bone is very tasty! Poor dogs spend the whole time chewing the bone but getting nothing out of it! Any joy you experience in life is from the depth of yourself, when you let go all that you hold on to and settle down being centered in that space. That is called meditation. Actually, meditation is not an act, it is the art of doing nothing! The rest in meditation is deeper than the deepest sleep that you can ever have, because in meditation you transcend all desires.

Meditation is letting go of anger from the past and all the planning for the future.

Meditation is accepting this moment and living every moment totally with depth. Just this understanding, and a few days of continuous practice of meditation can change the quality of our life. The best comparison of the three states of consciousness-waking, sleeping and dreaming is with nature. Nature sleeps, awakens and dreams! It happens in a magnificent scale in existence, and it is happening in a different scale in the human body. Wakefulness and sleep are like sunrise and darkness. Dream is like the twilight in between.
And meditation is like the flight to the outer space, where there is no sunset, no sunrise, nothing!

I am sure that deep within, every one of you feel that you have not grown, meaning you have not changed, not grown old. This indicates the soul in you, the depth in you, the spirit in you doesn't change, doesn't grow old, it's not aging. The body is aging but something in you is not aging. Getting in touch with that something that doesn't age, brings beauty in life. That is mediation.

Benefits of regular practice of Sudarshan Kriya

2012-10-03T17:31:00.003-04:00

Reported benefits of regular practice of Sudarshan Kriya include:

Physical health benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Reduces stress
Improves health and well-being
More energy
Strengthens immune system
Reduces cholesterol levels

Mental health benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Greater creativity
Greater clarity of mind
Improves sleep
Enhances brain function
Improves ability to manage challenging situations

Improved interpersonal relations with Sudarshan Kriya

More ease, joy and harmony in personal and work relationships
A deeper sense of community
Increases awareness both of self and surroundings
Improves patience
Increases confidence and self-esteem

Psychological benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Relieves depression and anxiety
Relief from anxiety and depression (mild, moderate, and severe)

Spiritual benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Enhances yoga and meditation practices
Experience a deep inner peace of mind

Wherever you are, you meditate and you find the divinity

2011-06-15T11:11:00.000-04:00

Wherever you are, you meditate and you find the divinity

Q: Guruji, India is compassionate with Pakistan. Pakistan does not seem to like India much. America pretends to love both but actually does not love anyone. It is a very complicated love triangle. Will it ever get sorted out, what should India do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just continue to do what it has been doing, wait and watch. India and US are naturally partners. We both have liberty, secularism, democracy. Artificially, they are partnering with Pakistan and it is not working out as much as it should. So there is a basic conflict of interest and Pakistan is suffering a lot. That is why multi-religious education is a must in Pakistan to root out fanaticism. Unfortunately, in Zia-ul-Haq’s time they changed their whole history, they disowned their ancient heritage. So it is a civilization without deep roots and that’s why this is happening.

Q: The more I gain knowledge from sadhana, seva and satsang, my faith in worshiping idols and visiting physical temples is going down. What is that Guruji?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes. it is okay that you don’t go to temple after temple. Wherever you are, you meditate and you find the divinity. The Divine is everywhere. You don't have to run to temples. That is the first stage; you have crossed that stage and have come to the second stage where Hari comes to you. There is a saying that when Kabir was calling, ‘Hari, Hari, Hari’ he didn’t find Hari. But when he started meditating, he said, ‘ab Hari lage peeche keheth Kabir, Kabir’, Hari is now coming to me wherever I am.

Q: Dear Guruji, are there many other planets where there are many other Gurujis or are you the only Guruji of the universe?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, why do you want to worry about other planets now? I think I am enough for you to handle.

Q: Guruji, I am an astrologer. Is it okay to listen to the problems of people and would that affect me in any way?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, you are astrologer and the work of an astrologer is very good. You can give people some direction, this will be beneficial. Sometimes people have Ashtama Guru, Ashtama Shani. Make them aware that they have Ashtama Guru, and they need to be a little careful. Those who have Ashtama Shani, this brings trouble to the mind. So advise people to be cautious.
Like this give advice to people. You must do that. That is how people will understand why sometimes too many thoughts arise in the mind or so many doubts come and one does not have any interest in doing anything. Then when an astrologer explains that this is reason why the mind is disturbed and it will get okay and these are the remedies, it will help. Everyone should chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, all the negative effects due to planetary positions will be neutralized with chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. Negative effects become very less, as good as gone.
That is why one field of astrology is remedies. There is a saying that an arrow was coming which was supposed to hit the head, just blew a few strands of hair and went away.

Q: Guruji, I have learned how to manage my emotional problems, please tell me how to endure extreme physical pain, my leg hurts a lot.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, when your leg is paining and you are watching TV for two hours, you forget that your leg is paining, isn’t it. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. If there is pain in the body, that happens sometimes here and there, do some Yoga Nidra, get massages done. Whatever can happen through some treatments, you do that. After that, don’t keep your mind on the pain, divert your mind, okay?

Q: Jai Gurudev Guruji, Indian higher education has moved away from Indian roots and has been captured by commercial educational barons. Doesn’t it need to be redeemed and if so how?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There could be many ways. You think. You all sit and brain storm what we can do, how we can change the education system. Education should have more compassion, not commerce. Of course it has to sustain, anything you make should have a self sustaining model but it should not be like a cash cow. That is what has happened now.

Q: Guruji, in day to day life spirituality does not always work; I have now come to understand this. I am not able to even ask people for money for the work I have done. Please give me a solution.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you are working then do your work giving your 100% and when you are doing charity do that also to your best. Charity in work and work in charity will create problems.

Q: Dear Guruji, I have already taken a mantra from a saint but now I am getting attracted to this path and to you. To be like you do is it necessary to take a mantra, if yes am I being dishonest to the first mantra that I have received?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, don't get so confused. You have served another saint and you have taken knowledge from him that is why you are here. He has made you progress. So just be grateful. Here you are doing kriya. Learn Sahaj Samadhi and in that you will get a mantra and continue to meditate. Even if the other mantra which you previously had comes to your mind while you are meditating no problem, it comes and goes, you just relax.

Q: If one member of the family is an Art of Living teacher, then will she be able to reform a husband who is an alcoholic? Please answer Guruji.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is very difficult. It is said ‘Ghar ki murgi dal barabar’. At home they already know you, even though you have become a teacher they won’t listen to you, you should not teach them. Take them to another teacher; they will listen to what another teacher says. If you teach them they will not receive it well, they will take it for granted. You should never teach your own family members. There are so many teachers. Take them to any teacher's class and you also learn with them.

Q: Guruji, I can understand being centered and doing sadhana and seva but when criticism and jealousy turns to harmful proportions, what should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Be aware, be alert. Is it jealousy in you or in others? If it is in you wake up and see what are you jealous about, everything is going to finish one day. Know that everything is going to be gone, everything is going to finish, your jealousy will right away go down.
If it is others’ jealousy, don't recognize it, they will bear their cross.

Q: When my sister gets angry it disturbs the whole environment of the house. My parents get hurt and cannot correct her as it leads to fights and they want peace, what should we do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know it is very necessary to bring the knowledge to everybody, make everybody do the course. If you have done blessing course, give them blessings or have someone give them blessings and things will improve. Know that in your life things will always go forward. We need to have patience, yes.
There is so much strength in our sankalpa, we forget this. You have come here. Ask for what you want. You are getting what you want or not? How many of your works are getting done? See, so many people, their work gets done without asking. Have faith, with faith a lot can change.
But if you have a sankalpa in your mind that things will not change then it will take more time.

Q: Guruji, I see people dying in my dreams and sometimes it has come true. I fear the death of my loved ones, please help.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, don’t worry, this is all illusory. Sometimes it can come true but it is not necessary that it always come true. Everyone has come at a certain time and will go at a certain time.

Q: What is Dharma? Is Hinduism or Islam dharma? If not then what is dharma. Between dharma and karma which is more important?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Dharma is that which keeps you on track, keeps you on the path. Dhriti (that which sustains), kshama (forgiveness), dama (piety or self- control), asteya (non-stealing), shaucha (cleanliness), indraiya-nigraha (control over the senses), dhi (intellect), vidya (knowledge or learning), satya (truthful) and akrodha (absence of anger). All these 10 rules are there of dharma, if you go on google you will know all the ten rules and what is dharma. Now knowledge is available at the press of one button on the computer.
What we don’t want others to do to us, not doing that to others, is dharma. Not treating others the way we would not like to be treated, that is dharma.
Now karma and dharma are very close, dharma is that which we have to do, which is our duty, which we hold on to. Karma is of two types, that which is for dharma and that which is against dharma. If you do karma which is against dharma that become adharma and karma which is for dharma is known as Sat Karma.

Q: I am very impulsive in nature. How to handle impulsiveness and emotional outbursts?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First don’t put a label in your head that I am emotional in nature. Every person has emotions. Who is not emotional? Everybody has some emotions. But if you label yourself as emotional by nature then you are giving a license to yourself not to be intelligent or you are giving a license to yourself to be weak. You can be emotional but you can't be emotionally weak. Wake up and see you are not weak, you are strong. You have to assume you are strong.
You have heard the story of Mullah Nasiruddin? Mullah Nasiruddin started thinking that he is dead. So walking here and there he kept saying I am a dead body, I am dead. If someone would ask him something he would say a dead body cannot talk, I am a dead body even though he was speaking. So his wife got very concerned, anything she would ask him he would say I am a dead body why are you asking me. So she took him to a psychologist, and the psychologist told him,' look you are not dead you are alive,' but he said,' no I am a dead body'. So the psychologist told him in a dead body there is no blood, there is water and he agreed. So the psychologist took a needle and pricked him and he started to bleed. Then the psychologist said see that means you are not a dead body, you are alive. Then Mullah says, ‘today I have found out that there is blood even in dead bodies’
So in this way whatever we believe our self to be, we become that. So we should not think ‘I am emotionally weak’. Who said you are emotionally weak? Wake up now and see that you are strong. Emotions are natural and it is very beautiful to have emotions. Otherwise you will become so dry. Even the elephant here has emotions. The birds, elephants, horses, cows and buffaloes, they all have emotions, even a dog has emotions and then how can you not have emotions. There are emotions in you as well but to think I am emotional, I am weak, this label which you have put on yourself needs to be taken off. You are fine with the emotions; there is no need to beat yourself up. You need to feel from inside that I am strong. If tears come sometime, there is nothing wrong in that. But don’t get too carried away with your emotions.

Q: My dear Guruji, I am devoted to you and after you I think I am devoted to chocolate. I love eating chocolate, everyone says it is not right, please tell me how do I stop loving it.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, if one day you are asked to eat a whole box full of chocolates, as much as you, and I tell you the same the next day, you will start nauseating, you will have trouble at least for a day or two. If you are ready to undergo that pain, one day sit and eat as much chocolate as you want, as you usually cannot eat. Do you see what I am saying? There is nothing wrong in liking chocolate but if you think it has become an obsession then do it for one day and see if you can get over the craving for chocolate.

Q: Guruji, masters have declared that enlightenment is here and now, this very moment. Then what is the role of techniques, yoga and meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: So that it becomes here and now really. Just reading a menu card your stomach does not get full. If fire is written on a paper it does not burn your hands. The difference between fire written on paper and fire in reality, this is the difference here, okay? You have intellectually understood that enlightenment is here and now but to experience it, it happens only in meditation. The techniques take the mind away from the cravings, aversions and all the obstructions that has come to be in the here and now.

Q: First time when a human being was born, the consciousness was pure. When and how did it become impure Guruji?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, during the course of time impressions started piling up on the consciousness. Consciousness never become totally impure, its only impressions which are on top of it and that goes away with meditation, seva, sadhana and satsang.

Q: In the wedding vows does the couple get to accumulate their past karmas or do they exchange it and carry it forward?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well all is possible.

Q: Guruji, how do I deal with people’s jealousy and greed that I may encounter on my spiritual path?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, don’t recognize it, if they are jealous, it is their problem. You, thinking about their jealousy, you get angry. So, they got jealous but you got angry. You feel disgusted because they got jealous. Don’t recognize it, that’s their problem, from your side you be hollow and empty.

Q: Guruji, after Sudarshan Kriya you chant some shlokas and it feels so good. What is the meaning of these shlokas?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: More than the meaning, feeling good is important. If you are feeling good then that is good enough.

Q: Guruji, in the past three years I have seen that every year your grace in my life increases. I fear whether this will continue to happen in the future. Does this grace come with a lifetime guarantee?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, definitely. With lifetimes guarantees, not lifetime guarantee.

Q: Guruji, what do you think of Anna Hazare’s Lokpal bill or constitution?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: He is coming here to the Ashram in a few days. He will speak to you and you can ask what you want to ask.

Art of Living Courses, YES Plus, Yoga-Meditation-Salsa Party & More

2011-05-12T00:13:00.000-04:00

YES Plus in May

YES Plus is all about unleashing the inner creativity, potential and dynamism! This program has been conducted on university campuses around the world.
For more about YES Plus, visit YES Plus.

Dates: May 6 - 8
Times: 6 pm - 10 pm (Fri), 10 am - 5 pm (Sat, Sun)
Location: Art of Living Center

Register online for YES Plus!

Art of Meditation Course

Meditation can provide deep rest to the mind, body and spirit. Yet it is completely effortless and simple to practise. The Sahaj Samadhi meditation technique taught on the Art of Meditation Course is a great complement to the Sudarshan Kriya and deepens the regular practice.

Dates: May 13 - 15
Times: 7 pm - 8:30 pm (Fri), 10 am - 12 pm (Sat, Sun)
Location: Art of Living Center

Register online for Art of Meditation Course!

In This Issue

Art of Living Courses

YES Plus in May

Art of Meditation Course

World Cultural Festival

The Art of Living Foundation will celebrate its 30th anniversary in July with a grand event in Berlin, Germany. World cultures pavilion, Yoga Park, Grand Guitar Ensemble, World Peace Meditation and more... To find out more, please click here.

Yoga, Meditation and Salsa Party

Join us at the Center for a special event on Saturday, May 14! Fun yoga, meditation, salsa dancing, delicious vegetarian tapas and flavored beverages... Welcome to the Yoga, Meditation and Salsa Party!

Date: Saturday, May 14
Time: Starting 6:30 pm
Location: Art of Living Center

No prior dance experience required. You will learn to do the Salsa in no time! All you need is a big smile and an appetite for fun! There will be prizes for the Salsa King and Queen.

Cost of admission is $8 per person. Buy your ticket today at Yoga, Meditation and Salsa Party. Cost of admission at door is $10, so register today and bring your friends along!

Human Values Award Ceremony

2011-05-12T00:03:00.000-04:00

Human Values Award Ceremony

June 12, 2011

Student Center Theater

Georgia Institute of Technology

350 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta GA 30318

Greetings!
The Human Values Awards are given to extraordinary individuals and organizations that uplift human values through their selfless service to society. These awards have been presented to over 100 people and organizations in more than 30 cities across the United States.

In honor of its 30th anniversary, the Art of Living Foundation has partnered with the International Association for Human Values to recognize unsung heroes, youth and community leaders who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the lives of others through their dedication in service to humanity.

The award categories include disaster and trauma relief, environmental stewardship, ethics in business, non-profit governance, conflict resolution and peace building.

Nominate local leaders in your city/community by going to Human Values Awards/Nominate. You can also visit us on Human Values Awards - Facebook.

Help us celebrate and honor leaders who inspire and uplift the world by attending the Human Values Award ceremony at Student Center Theater, Georgia Institute of Technology, at 4 pm on Sunday, June 12.

RSVP
for the event and join us in celebrating the heroes in our communities!

Sincerely,
Art of Living Atlanta

Jay Guru Dev !!! - Kathmandu to experience divine bliss

2011-05-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

KATHMANDU: The city of Kathmandu will be at a spiritual high on April 30, as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar — a leading humanitarian and spiritual leader — is holding a Maha Satsang at Tundikhel.

A dreamer of violence-free and stress-free World is coming to Nepal on April 30 afternoon and he will be with his beloved after a couple of hours of landing in Kathmandu. The next day he will fly to Bhairahawa for yet another Maha Satsang.

The inventor of Art of Living, Sri Sri ravi Shankar will help his devotees perform Sudarshan Kriya — one of the most beautiful meditation techniques — at the Police Training Academy Maharajgunj on May 2 before flying back.

“Meditation brings an authentic smile — a natural smile from the depth of one’s heart. When one meditates, it improves observation, perception and expression of one self,” according to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who had last visited Nepal in 2004.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Lumbini- Nepal

2011-05-04T15:19:00.000-04:00

BHAIRAHAWA: Renowned spiritual guru Ravi Shanker visited Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha, and held a religious discourse at Bhairahawa in Rupandehi district on Sunday.

Addressing a mass of thousands at the Siddhartha Stadium in Bhairahawa, the champion of Art of Living Foundation said Nepal should be developed into the centre of world’s peace by resolving the existing crisis in the country.

Saying Lord Buddha was born in Nepal and that there is no controversy over it, the guru expressed happiness over succeeding to visit the birth place of the harbinger of peace. He further stressed on spreading Buddha’s message on peace and harmony to the entire world.

Ravi Shanker, who arrived in Kathmandu from India on Saturday, expressed sadness over the caste-based discrimination that still exists in Nepal and India, and said that it is the obstacle to the development.

He further urged the people to abandon animal sacrifice by giving up the misconception that the deities would be appeased with it. Killing animals in the name of sacrifice is sin, he said, adding that the beast within the humans should be sacrificed instead.

People from different parts of western Nepal including Chitwan, Kaski and Dang, and from the Indian cities adjoining Bhairahawa had gathered at the stadium to attend the Maha Satsanga this morning.