Whisper from the Infinity

Chalo Berlin

2011-09-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

“I have told Guruji that we would be about 100+ people from YES!+ coming to Berlin”. I remember the day when Bawa told me these lines with a big bright smile on his face World Culture Festival. The Olympic Stadium has been booked for this grand ensemble. Only GOD(Pun intended) knows why on all earth he has selected such a venue! I was like…Kyun yaar, India mein Jagah ki kami hai kya? (Is there lack of space in India?). Bawa had also mentioned about the month long Euro trip after the event which was too irresistible. I mean it. You can read it here. And what about the money, honey? Roughly about 2 lacs! plus some thousands…Come on…you go there so far and you just cant just return empty handed right? Would be so stupid!

Can you imagine, the moment I heard that number, my mind was already on its way doing all mathematics with the money I had in my RDs, FDs, shares etc. but it would not sum up to it

The Olympic Stadium, Berlin

Saying YES to this trip took some time but once I did, arranging for the money was the biggest challenge! But as every salaried class person, there were many other hurdles for which I needed money. The next few days…the song – Apna sapna…money money…was humming in my mind. Thoughts of taking different workshops, courses, gambling in share market, take a loan etc bombarded my head for quite a long time…and I mean days together. I was not ready to risk anything. The anxiety and confusion rose to such an extent that I decided not to go and watch the event via webcast. Big deal! And what about the trip? I had already visited some of the places which were in the plan. So it was not all that bad either…I consoled myself. :’(
My appraisal had just got over couple of months back. Thoughts like – “Oh! I should have asked for a onsite trip that time itself. Probably they would have agreed.”, “Should I go and ask now?” etc were bombarding my head every now and then. All this was happening just before and during the Manavathe season

It was another regular Friday afternoon in office. I was in no mood to work. Whats new you might ask. But more importantly, now what has this to do with Berlin? It does!
That friday evening, my manager calls me and says – “We have planned travel for you to Germany for 3 months. You will have to leave in a month or so…” I coolly replied – “Ok.” and came back to my seat. Just browsed through the calender to check the dates. Taking passport,visa factors into account, I might mostly travel by May end. 3 months, so June, July and August. Wait a second! July?! Will I be there? For a minute(or little more) I didnt know whether to laugh, cry, feel grateful…absolutely stunned! Tears just brimmed in my eyes and a drop just trickled down from the right eye…

WCF Logo

Thats the month…July 2nd, 3rd the dates for the World Culture Festival which I badly wanted to witness. Can it get better?
Guruji had charted out a plan already and I was here doing all circus to be there and finally when I gave it up, he offered it to me in a platter. As i was driving back home that evening, i was thinking what had I done to deserve this? The answer was – Nothing! I had done nothing to deserve this. Probably this is what is called as GRACE.

JaiGurudev!

Suman Ramaswamy
(Art of Living Teacher)

Intention Manifest with Surrender

2011-07-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

With full of gratitude, I am sharing my guru story with all of you.

Guruji says, Keep Intention and Surrender, Your intention would be Manifested!!! We have practically experienced this in our life.

In the month of February 2011, we had a live Webcast with Guruji in New Zealand. This was the time when we first heard about the World Cultural Festival in Berlin, Guruji told all of us to come and be a part of celebration of the 30th anniversary of Art of Living. I and my wife were so excited to hear about the festival.

That day my wife had a strong intention to go to Berlin, she told me that we should definitely be a part of this once in a lifetime event. To be there one should have a good amount of spare money for travel tickets, accommodation and other expenses. We kept this intention in our mind with a strong faith that we would definitely go but don’t know how, so surrendered this intention to Guruji.

Our country coordinator for this event sent us an email saying that 27th March is the last day to confirm for the event ticket booking and suggest us to send the confirmation as soon as possible.

On 25th of March our intention manifested with Guruji’s grace and guess what ???? We won a lucky draw of the amount that was sufficient for the trip. Not more nor less. Isn’t it unbelievable? By the way,for Art of Living People this is “mostly believable”.

We have just come back from the Berlin with lots of memories tocherish for our lifetime. Guruji We love you ..

Jai Guru Dev,

With Love,
Neeraj

Guruji's Birthday Message 2011

2011-05-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

Jai Gurudev!

Happy Birthday to Everybody

2011-05-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Guruji, we love you! Wish you very happy Birthday.

Jai Gurudev!!!

Car in Whirlpool of faith

2011-04-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

I’m practicing my DSN follow-up @ RTCC, Indira Nagar, Bangalore. I normally drive my 2 Wheeler for the early morning follow-up since I can zip thru 9kms in 15mins. On 23_april, I was woken up by a Heavy Thunderstorm which was much stronger than the previous Night Down pour. It was already 5.30am & I wished to reach the RTCC Centre about 9kms away from my Residence.When I looked out of my Apartment Balcony, I could feel the Intensity of Rainfall & the water logging around my Building.

Finally, I managed to drive my Maruti Esteem, a Low Ground clearance car into the Outer Ring Road. Then I realized that The Road was completely jammed with Cars, Buses & Lorries Waiting for Water Logged Cars & Buses to be cleared from the Railway under Pass near Marthahalli. I managed to Squeeze through the Jammed Cars & reach the entry point of Underpass when I was Shocked to find even a BMTC Bus broken down in the Water Pool. The Car in front of me was an ALTO & he was also stuck in the Water pool. Now, that I have decided to drive through this Route, I just looked @ Guruji’s Portrait in my Car’s Dash Board & Prayed that I’ve to clear this Wave Pool to reach the Centre for the Follow-up session. My Car was splashed up to the Bonnet and Side Window panes with the Waves from other Moving Heavy Trucks & was about to get Chocked. I somehow managed to Keep my cool & Restart the Engine & kept my faith & managed to cross the Water Logged Underpass when so many other Tall & Sturdier Vehicles were Chocked & Broken down.

In spite of my Ailing Car’s Health, I managed to swim through the Whirlpool & reached the Center to attend my Weekly Long Kriya. I feel car was not in logged water but in the whirlpool of faith that's why it could swim through.

Jai Guru Dev!

Aravind M.
Bangalore India.

Grace gave rebirth

2011-04-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Car that run on Grace

2011-04-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

My name is Ravi. I am originally from Bangalore, quite close to Ashram. Currently living in Perth, Australia.

One of the most touching experience was when i driving between Sydney and Perth (2004). I had a job interview over the phone from Perth, which clicked and had to join in a weeks time. I had to make a choice to fly and get the car transported by road. I had 1 week and without a car its tough to commute to my new job. However, I had done only a basic course (1996) at that point in time. My younger brother who was in Australia was winding up for good, and had some bhajans from AOL. He left them all for me.

Between Sydney & Perth, its a distance between 2 tips of the continent (About 6000 kms). However for my journey i had very little time for major preparation. its a gutsy thing to make an adventure in a small car thru the desert. However, I started with a good feeling and the only music that was running thru and thru the whole journey was guru brhama guru vishu and few bhajans snug by bhanu didi.

I was just about to hit the Nalabore stretch the following day. As i was driving may be @ 140 - 160 kms/hr , listening to guru brahma, Ganesh om my tyre blew (Rear LH) into pieces, shaking my car as though its going to roll on the ground. I was astonished to see that it came to a slow stop without making a scratch on the ground, nor any major problem to my wheel.

No one to help as people rarely travel on that stretch. Got on the ground, may be which is 50° C + and replaced it with spare, which had low air pressure. Well, I had one song and one destination. When I reached the nearest town got the tyre replaced to a new one and continued my journey.

My journey began then and guruji is with me now and for ever. even a small peek to see him brings so much happiness and treat for the soul. His grace is with me always and I feel my car not run on tyre but run on Grace. love you guruji.

jai gurudev

Jai Gurudev!

Experiencing the knowledge

2011-03-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

Lotus feet of Master healed everything!

2010-12-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

My name is Ginny Bedi from Ludhiana. Yesterday when I was surfing the net I came across this guru Story page and I thought its God sent me opportunity to reach to dear Guru ji and to tell the world my healing through Sudarshan Kriya and Guruji.

I did aol basic course five years back and it has changed my life forever! I have had a very happy childhood and was an exceptionally healthy child, a brilliant student, won all sorts of prizes and accolades with God's grace but I suffered so much on health grounds during my youth, I don't know when the youth came and went as I was suffering so much with not a soul to console! After marriage I found a wonderful friend and sympathizer in my husband who took me to various doctors and I was even operated for ovarian cysts which had grown very big in size and had damaged one fallopian tube too. But even after that I was not enjoying good health and something was definitely missing in my life .

It so happened that one day my maid suggested me to see someone in whose house she was working for help. She told me that she is a yoga teacher. I thought its a good idea to take up yoga so I went to see this lady named Rajni who is now a very dear friend of mine. On meeting her she told me that she is not a trained yoga teacher but is closely associated with Art of Living. She tried to convince me that Sudarshan Kriya can really improve my asthama but I was not sure as I had never heard about Art of Living. Anyhow she convinced me and I signed up for the basic course.

That night when I went to sleep I had a dream in which I saw that I was very miserable and crying a lot as if something wrong was going to happen to me. On the road I saw a temple and a small group of people were sitting there. Iask them that I want to meet their Guru to which they
replied that He comes very rarely and I can talk to them instead. But I was not interested and I sat near an elevated platform with my head down. Suddenly I hear a sound as if a door has been opened . I look up and see a very bright golden door opening and I see a sanyasi with a bald head wearing saffron robes. Immediately I see someone wearing white robes with a beard and flowing hair. He said KAUN HAI, KAUN HAI, AAJ TO HUMNE DARSHAN NAHI DENE THE, YE KAUN HAI JISNE HUME DARSHAN DENE KE LIYE MAJBOOR KAR DIYA? (Who is this who has such deep longing for me that forced me to come) And then He swiftly came to me and held my hands. I was already crying and he also started crying with tears rolling down His cheeks! He felt my pain and anguish as nobody had done before. He carressed my hands lovingly as if erasing all the troubles that were to come in the future! Then he did healing on me. Next he granted me three worldly wishes which i declined. He asked me THEN WHAT DO YOU WANT ? I SAID I WANT YOUR CHARAN DHOOR (Dust from your Lotus feet) to which He agreed and I touched his lotus feet. Guru ji changed my life forever. He healed me not physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

Jai gurudev!
Ginny Bedi
Ludhiana India.

Call from the heart

2010-09-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

I had not met Guruji for last 7 months and things had now happened that by hook or by crook, I wanted to meet Him. I wanted to go to Ashram during Ashtawakra, but somehow, I could not manage to go there. Now I had come to Jharkhand just 15 days before and it was coming in my mind, when I will meet Him now. For the last one month I had called Guruji from my heart and every day in Kriya, meditation or otherwise also, I just prayed to Him that I want to meet you Guruji. I cried a lot in this period to meet him.

This is my all time experience that whenever I had remembered him from my heart and wanted to meet him so eagerly, I don't know how but he was in front of me. Suddenly someone would tell me, that Guruji is coming to Delhi (since I am basicaly from New Delhi). Now also, there was no chance or indication of Guruji coming to Jharkhand. But suddenly one day, I got this amazing news that Guruji is coming to Bokaro. I was in Ranchi and it has been just 15 days that I came here. I could not believe on my ears. My master is Coming. I felt so greatful to him that since I could not go to Bangalore to meet him, he is himself coming to meet me. By this incident, my belief in him got more stronger then before that, whenver I called him so intensely, he is always there for me.

In Bokaro also, by the grace of my master, I was staying in the same BOKARO NIWAS where Guruji was staying and the whole night I could not sleep, thinking feeling greatful that me and my Master was staying in same place. The other day, Guruji was to Visit CHAS JAIL, Bokaro and to address the inmates there. I was so fortunate again that the Jail cordinator of Jharkhand told me to join the Satsang group. Although I sing but never in the huge satsang and that too in front of Guruji. But by Guruji’s grace I was in front row (just by the side of Guruji). I don’t know, how I was manage to do satsang and when Guruji came, He saw me and smiled at me. I cant express that moment in words. He said me everything by his smile. Again, when he was going back from Bokaro, We were meeting him and when he came, I just folded my hands and to my amazement Guruji also folded his hands and greeted me with his eyes and smiled again . I knew what he was saying. For last 6-7 months, I was crying to meet him and He told me everything and given his message to me by his eyes and smile. Now I feel every call from the heart is heard.

Jai Gurudev

Ritu Chopra

I will write on your Heart

2010-09-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

11th jan 2009 ,The date ill never forget , I am basically from Hyderabad(A.P.) studying in manipal( karnataka), I had done a yes course in hyderabad in 2007, in my winter vacation I wanted to do a YES+ course, I contacted my yes teacher, she gave me the number of the yes+ teacher in Hyderabad, I was told the course is from 5th jan 2009 till 11th jan, I felt really happy, thought I will be doing the course and going back to manipal (my vacation was ending on 11th and I had college from 12th). Then I went to my native place to celerate new year. I was back on 3rd jan and contacted the yes+ teacher, to my shock he told me that the course has been postponed to 19th jan and it will be happening from 19th now , I was really heart broken, I asked him if there was any way I could do the course, he told me if I wanted to do the course in Bangalore (I pass through bangalore to go to manipal) , I said YES and he gave me the number of the yes+ teacher in Bangalore, I called her and the teacher told me that the course was happenning from 5th and i'd have to come the next day, I said ok. I did'nt know how I could get the tickets to go to b'lore just one day before, I went to many travel agencies but I did'nt get tickets , then I went to a government booking centre and as soon as he checked for the tickets I got a ticket ,he said I was very lucky as the tickets were going full from a week and the moment I asked for a ticket some one cancelled his/her ticket and I got the ticket, I was all packed and went to Bangalore, the accomodation and everything was taken care of by the teacher, everything was happening like a flow and my course started, it was the best time I ever had in my life, during the course they said me that guruji was in the ashram at that time.

I really wanted to meet him, my course was in the evening and I was free in the mornings, the day guruji arrived in the ashram I was sent for some work in the ashram, my teacher had to give some bread and other things to bawa and dinesh, I was sent to their place in the ashram, I was really excited, I saw bawa and dinesh, they are amazing people ,then I had a look at shakti kutir, I really wanted to see guruji, where is he ??? where is he??? I roamed around the ashram for 2-3hrs, no sign of him, I went to have lunch, I lost hope that I will meet him and I was having lunch and coming back, I was climbing the setu in the ashram and as I came in front of the VM a car passed by and everyone was shouting "HI GURUJI", I turned and saw guruji waving at the crowd. I was really happy that at least I got a glimpse of him, my anxiety of meeting him increased, my course went on till 11th january. I was to catch a bus that night for manipal, I really really wanted to meet guruji, we all yes+ participants were taken to the ashram in the morning, we had a session with bawa, then we came and sat in the satsang, I somehow manged to get a seat really close to the place where guruji was sitting, the satsang was going on, I had bought a diary that new year and I wanted guruji to write something in it for me on the day I meet him ,but there were so many people in the amphitheatre I thought how will I get him to do that, after the satsang guruji was giving gifts to people who had their birthday and anniversary that day , every one started to get up as it was time for guruji to go, I dont know what struck me, I crawled below the railing and went and stood along the way where guruji was to pass by , as he came near I was feeling goosebumps ,then I was really close to him, people were pushing me, that moment I thought, meeting him in this rush is not easy, will just stand here if he looks at me and I will smile. THEN GURUJI LOOKED ME IN THE EYE AND GAVE A BIG SMILE, MY MIND WENT COMPLETELY BLANK, NOBODY TOUCHED ME OR PUSHED ME AS I WALKED TO HIM, I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE, NOT EVEN WHERE I WAS WALKING, GURUJI'S EYES WERE SO SO CAPTURING, THEY COMPLETELY FILLED ME WITH DELIGHT, I WENT NEAR HIM. HE ASKED ME WHERE I WAS FROM, I SAID I WAS FROM HYDERABAD. I SAID " GURUJI WILL YOU PLEASE WRITE SOMETHING FOR ME IN MY DIARY". GURUJI LOOKS AT ME AND GIVES ME A BIG SMILE AND TOUCHES MY HEART AND SAYS" I WILL WRITE IT IN YOUR HEART". I TOUCHED HIS FEET AND HE LEFT. IT WAS A FEELING THAT I COULD NOT PUT IN WORDS. I THINK I WAS THE ONLY ONE AMONGST THE PEOPLE STANDING THERE WHO COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH GURUJI. I FEEL GURUJI HAS LITERALLY WRITTEN SOMETHING FOR ME IN MY HEART :-)

With Love

Kulpreet Singh

Another Escape

2010-09-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

It was early November when Guruji had come to Vrindavan to inaugurate an Ashram there. Like many other Guru-chasers, we decided to drive down from Delhi to have Guruji’s ‘darshan’ there. We reached Mathura/ Vrindavan in the morning and the day that was to unfold brought us face-to-face with many miracles. Here I shall recount only one of them.

After being able to meet Guruji in person and having attended a Satsang with him, we started back for Delhi in the evening. I was driving a Maruti 800 and there were four of us in the car and we were doing a decent speed on the Mathura-Delhi highway as it was not too crowded at that time of the day.

We were about half-an-hour on the road when I was overtaking a huge trailer-truck, the type that are generally used to transport new cars from one city to another. The trailer-truck must have been about 40 feet long and I was half-way through overtaking it from the right when the driver of the truck suddenly started to move into my lane on the right.

Our tiny Maruti had nowhere to go, squeezed between the divider and the huge trailer. I braked desperately hoping that trailer will pass me before moving into my lane. That was not to be. We could only watch helplessly as the huge metal side-wall of the trailer moved closer and closer till there was a huge noise of metallic banging and scraping.

At the driving wheel, I could do nothing but wait for the moment when our tiny car would be toppled over the divider into the traffic on the opposite lane. Suddenly, there was silence as the huge trailer pulled away into the distance and we were sitting in the stationary car. I looked back – everybody was at least unhurt. I tried the ignition key, hoping against hope, while mentally trying to work out how to get help to tow the damaged car. Surprisingly the car moved smoothly and I could pull it up on the side of the road for an inspection of the extent of damage.

I did not have the heart to look at it and let my wife get down and see it from outside. She walked from back-to-front and front-to-back twice in utter surprise as we sat inside waiting for her verdict. “Not a scratch” that was what she could report.

By that time, even without talking to each other, we knew exactly who did this miracle. We all felt so blessed and peaceful at our heart that, a little later, when I overtook the same trailer-truck, I did not feel any grudge against the driver and did not even give him a glare.

A few kilometers ahead we stopped at a road-toll plaza where quite a few other cars were already waiting to go through. In one of them was Guruji - he was also travelling to Delhi to attend a Satsang at Chhattarpur! His car must have been a little distance behind us when we had our “accident”!

Kishore

Guruji did it!

2010-09-17T20:26:00.001-07:00

I was working at a scientific establishment two years back. I kept a picture of Guruji in my lab and used to tell researchers about AOL and the course but seemingly, no one seemed interested. I finally got my colleague from the laboratory to register for the course and he asked for a lift to the venue on the first day.

We were running a little late and I sped in my vehicle. While I was crossing a road, a traffic policeman stopped me. There was checking going on and he asked for registration papers. I did not have any ! He said that I would have to go get them. I pleaded with him for a while. Then I told Ritwik (course participant) that he would need to take a rickshaw and began explaining the route to the venue to him, since he had not been there earlier (MDI). The traffic policeman was listening.

As I was bidding Ritwik farewell, the collegue of the traffic policeman came up to us and told us we could take our vehicle and go. The previous traffic policeman protested but the collegue pacified him and we took off. Ritwik was silent for a while, and then with a smile said - "What do you guys say - something like - Guruji did it ????!!!!!!"

;-)

Jai Gurudev!

Gurupreet Singh

I am with you

2010-06-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is sashank(sashankp@gmail.com), I recently completed my B.Tech. I have a lot of stammering problem because of which I was not even able to spell my name properly. Once for my first advanced course I went to ashram and I was so eager to meet Guruji and wanted to explain my problem. Its already two days but still there is no sign of Guruji's arrival thought I am not lucky enough but in the evening suddenly Guruji came and we had a beautiful satsang there after Guruji was about to leave then I slowly jumped from the ashram window and went to Guruji. He was coming and my excitement has no bounds after I meeting him he simply laughed at me and said don't jump from windows and laughed and he also said "to catch a train we need to run but once when you enter into the train you can happily sit and enjoy it." I didn't get why did he say in that way so I told Him my problem that I have a lot of stammering prob and I cant speak to anyone properly and I need to attend the interviews for which I need good communication skills then He said "no problem, I am with you". that's all over and I went back home happily thinking that my stammering problem is gone and till one year there is no change in my stammering problem and the time has come for my interview and written test for qualifying the interviews.

This is my first on campus placement in my college and I went to attend it. First I have a written exam, group discussion, technical and then HR round. I wrote my written exam normally. Now it's the time for group discussion and I was praying to Guruji that "I don't know how I was through the written exam" but please be with me. Then the topic in GD was 'success and education'. This is the topic which I read in the "celebrating silence" book by Guruji in the morning of the exam. I was dumbstruck and was not able to understand what is happening. At last I got selected and while going to canteen the HR called me and asked me where did you get such a valuable information and you know I never stammered atleast for once, the flow came with full of command.

Now its time for tech round and HR round, in technical round each round went on for 40 min so my turn is last and I asked everyone what the interviewer is asking and luckily everyone answered the questions with the answers and when I went inside the room there were 2 people sitting, I entered into the room and they started asking questions I was easily answering them and one of the interviewer said that he was so inspired by the way I answered questions but I was so tensed as I don't even know a single answer properly except the basics. But at last while leaving the room the interviewer said "WHY DO YOU WORRY I AM WITH YOU" I was not able to understand what is happening to me. I was praying to Guruji to be with me from morning and how come he is answering my prayers and again I was sent to next round.

HR round, the climax, it decides on my body language and my communication skills and till now the person who can't even spell his name has cleared all the rounds very efficiently. When I entered room for HR interview, I thought that this is all is done by Guruji only so I decided to say all about Art of Living in HR. She asked about me, I said few things about my self and after that I started that I am interested in spirituality and started saying about Art of Living....., you know the real wonder started here I was able to speak so fluently with out stammering which made the HR to know more about Art of Living and she said, "I am so eager to join Art of Living."

Hmmm I came out and started crying like anything. I was wonder struck the person who can't speak had convinced the HR not only for my job but even made her to join art of living and out of 500 members only 2 got placed in that company and I was the first person to get placed in my college. Then I remembered the words which Guruji said to me, "No problem, I am with you" and he also said "till you catch the train you need to run but once you caught the train you can happily sit and enjoy it" at last now I understood why he said those words....

love you Guruji
Sashank

PS: Not only Knowledge of Guruji's book help us in day to day life but also help us in our job interview! :-) Please request to all readers, even if you want to gift somebody, give them Books and knowledge CDs of Guruji. You can buy Books and CDs HERE

Divine is serving you all the time!

2010-06-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Quite a few years back in Bengalore Ashram, there was a devotee who was so proud of himself for being a big sevak for Guruji/Ashram.

Accompanying Guruji on a trip, as usual, he was called to Guruji's room after satsang. Guruji was alone and, as usual, he started giving details about the satsang and journey. Guruji stopped him and asked, "Have you had dinner, would you like something to eat ?" The devotee said no. Guruji says - " No, No, have something, order something from the hotel, Here I ll order it for you." and Guruji ordered a burger and some fries for him.

When the meal arrived, the devotee offered it to Guruji. Guruji said no, no - you have, and sit here on the table and have it. And Guruji himself sat on the floor of the hotel room. The devotee was embarrassed - How could Guruji sit on the floor while I sit on the chair and have food. but Guruji persisted, and he reluctantly began to have the meal.

Midway through the meal he began to enjoy the importance he was getting and just as his mind was soaring to cloud 9, Guruji said - "You think you are serving the Divine ? The Divine is serving you all the time !!! "

Any other doers here ? :-)

All Glory to Gurudev!

Jai Gurudev

My Guru wanted to see you

2010-06-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

Well, All of you don’t know that I was in Bangalore last weekend attending a session of the “Ashtavakra Gita”. I had an experience which is worth sharing…After the recent controversy I had built up some barriers in my mind that meeting Guruji would be difficult than ever. Besides, I had always felt that getting close to him is difficult and requires you to be a staunch volunteer or Teacher etc.I had gone to Chennai for an official trip, return was planned on the weekend. I decided to take a sneak peak of Guruji at Ashram. Took a torrid night BUS journey with little sleep from Chennai to Bangalore. Reached early morning at a friend’s place to freshen up … couldn’t get any sleep there also and found myself at Ashram gates around 4:30 PM on Saturday. It was very hectic and so the thought of meeting Guruji hadn’t occurred to me till that time… Just a Darshan was enough! So here I was registering for a room at the Ashram reception at about 4:45 PM. The guy standing next to me asks… “Where are you coming from ?” - “Chennai”. After exchanging pleasantries he asked “With which group do you plan to meet Guruji ?” - “Dunno”“Come along with our group from Kerala… Darshan time @ 5PM”… I stared at him in amazement… Was he joking, You mean just like that… - “Yes Ofcourse!”I joined the kerala group [last to have arrived] outside “the Kutir”. And there I saw…. Swarms of people (Not less than 1000) waiting for Darshan. So the rising feeling settled… “Koi chance nahi (I thought no chance to see Him or meet Him)” I said to myself. “Okay, Be with them” I thought. After a while announcements were being made from the area where the security guards the way to the kutir… every body started moving forward… slowly, I don't how we reached right at the start… and then the announcement “Kerala group” …. What… In first… Is this a dream… all of us go inside.

There I was sitting in the darshan area with more than 100 devotees expecting Guruji to arrive. He comes... Walks through… Smiles… Winks… Taps.. listens to weeping ladies… accepting gifts… Shaadi (Marriage)?… "haan haan karo!” (YES YES go for it.) he answers to a devotee… tapping with the lotus flower he moves forward. And then he arrives… I stand up and talk (for the first time ever)… he listens casually, doesn’t answer, looks at me then… the golden tap! PHEW! I sit and grasp what had just been conspired by destiny… Whatever was bothering was offered, offered without trying!I made way out for other devotees… awed by the happenings… I look at the watch… it was about 6 PM!! Never ever in my life could I have imagined an effortless Darshan in an hour’s time. Those who have been there and done that know the significance! Outside I met my messiah … the guy who offered me a seat on the bus to Heaven… I hugged him… told him about the effortlessness of the experience… He said “My Wife and infant son had also come to see him from Kerala. They couldn’t cause my son got unwell… It is not you who wants to see him… My Guru wanted to see you!” Incidentally, his name was also “Shiju”, which is my school’s best friend’s name at whose place I had stayed in Bangalore!

Jai Gurudeva!

With Love
Shantanu Somani

First Ever Advance Course in Chiplun

2010-03-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Jai Gurudev!

Happy to share that in Chiplun we have organized an Advance Course from 11th – 14th March 2010 at Vindhyavasini Mandir. In fact this was the first ever Part II Course in Chiplun. And the experience was just awesome, amazing, stupendofantabulously fantastic!!

It is said that one cannot miss the knowledge points while organizing a course…..but one simply cannot miss the grace that flows, overtime, either. We just need to have utter conviction that it is possible no matter what the situation!

Art of Living Part I courses started in Chiplun from 2003. Till I came here in August 2009 (yes straight from Ashram after completing TTC) as many as 900 plus people had under taken the Part I Course. Devotees had taken the initiative to organize an advance course but somehow that didn’t materialize.

When we decided to have the First Ever Advance Course in Chiplun, many devotees were excited but skeptical, quoting past experiences……. Gradually work started and as the days grew near the only question our core team heard was “How many ???” , “Kitney aadmi hain?!”. We were having difficulty in getting to the minimum figure of 50 to make the course happen.

One day amidst discussions of whether this course will happen or not, in front of Guruji’s picture, comes a call from Bangalore, reassuring us that no matter how many people register, the course will happen since this is our maiden effort. And in that one day we had 10 registrations! One after the other the jigsaw puzzle started fitting in, registrations happened. People who were involved in work elsewhere had no choice but to come and complete the work for our Course as their work in other sites had stopped without any reason. All we could say was Jai Guru Dev!!

Bingo! the Course happened successfully which was commissioned by Advance Course teacher from Mumbai - Pankaj Mirgh ji with 32 participants - Bhaiya’s “Batiso barkarar!!!” :-)

Those who were pushed to do the course are ecstatic; those who wanted to do the course, and did it, are asking for more!! And the merry band of volunteers (including me) just can’t stop grinning!!!

Love N Regards,
Subhaashini
Chiplun, India

Gratitude!

2010-02-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

Like a feather I was roaming in the roads of world,
Without anyone to take care and being hurt by someone very own,
Like a soft feather u held me in your hand,
And very lovingly u took care of me and to me u could understand.

I was lost somewhere and didn’t knew how to return,
You bought same faith and courage in me back which I thought was vain,
You held my hand and made me believe that love does exist,
And very soon I found myself coming out of my own mist.

From this wonderful feather u wrote lot of knowledge books,
And made me the way to flow the knowledge to people around,
With the ink of love you have wet me as a whole,
Now I don’t see anyone other then you as my goal.

After getting immense support and love,
Once in my mind a question came to ask how much u love me,
U just came in front of my eyes,
And resided in my heart saying that is the place where I reside in u.

U took me and decorated on your crown,
I am filled with gratitude for the love u have showered me with,
I couldn’t believe that so much I am loved,
But u made me believe that I also reside in your heart inside.

When I saw my own reflection in your heart deepest core,
I was surprised and u left me just with wonder in my heart,
I didn’t knew what to ask from u more,
Cause u made me so complete just with your unsaid words that I adore.

I can only express my gratitude and love for you,
By bowing down at your feet and by walking on your destination and goal,
Now I just have one wish for my every birth,
That I move forward only with your teachings and love ahead.

-Nisha Gilra
India

Let Go!

2010-02-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

I got introduced to AOL almost 5 years ago maybe even longer, at that time I was only intellectually knowing about Sri Sri. I had read and listened to him. I signed up and paid for the basic course but never went to attend it. As I was busy with work. Then came an occasion to meet him face to face. it was over a 100O people and i asked him My burning question -

ME: Guruji, why is it so difficult to let go?

Guruji, asked me Can I repeat the question!

ME: Guruji, why is it so difficult to let go?

Guruji, can you say it a bit louder!

ME: Guruji, why is it so difficult to let go?

Guruji: can you say that again!

ME: Guruji, why is it so difficult to let go?

THIS WENT ON FOR 9 COMPLETE TIMES ME REPEATING THE SAME QUESTION. Then the first miracle happened.

ME: Guruji I got it, I got it, I got it.
(I finally let the question and the problem GO)

THEN THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER MIRACLES

One thing for sure all the ignorance has gone away and the light has reached. When I finished my Advanced course at Montreal ashram in 2006. I was doing the toilet cleaning Seva during the course.the bus was ready to leave for the airport from the Ashram. Guruji was scheduled to leave airport 3 hours before I would. I thought I want to do Seva one more time, I went back and cleaned everything one last time, before leaving Ashram. while doing that, I thanked Guruji and wished that i can see him soon again. However I knew that his flight is already leaving even before I leave the Ashram. Anyway, we left ashram in the bus and reached Airport and on reaching airport I came to Know that Guruji flight got rescheduled and I met Him Again.. or did I meet myself more closely.

Deepak B

(C) Art of living Foundation

Time for Action: Haiti Relief

2010-01-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Blog Readers

Service is the Rent we pay for living

we know last week that Haiti was struck with one the most horrific earthquake where more than 100,000 people lost their lives and most of the national infrastructure collapsed. Art of Living and IAHV (International Association for Human Values) along with its team heading for relief work. If you can spare few dollars to help less fortunate who have lost everything, it will be great help for somebody. For you it might be little stretch but for somebody it might be new life again. Organization has set up online donation for the cause please donate on the following link.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Martine leads a group of Art of Living youth leaders in Carrefour, Haiti, near Port au Prince. She emailed a report and pictures of the street children the group is working with. She signed off with "I love you. Big kisses." This email was sent just hours before the earthquake ripped open her neighborhood. Martine, 22, wants to dedicate her life to empowering her people. She is starting her teacher training this summer. We haven't heard from her since the earthquake.

"My Haitian students are fierce and proud, with incredible devotion and resilience. When they smile, they light up a room. There's a depth in their eyes that comes from a deep connection with both pain and love. Whenever they start any activity, they pray. When hardship comes, they pray. God is almost always on their minds. They are praying right now." - Uma Viswanathan, Art of Living Teacher

Dr. RoseMarie Toussaint, a surgeon and Art of Living teacher, talks lovingly of her homeland. "Being born and raised in Port-au-Prince, I am devastated by what has happened to my people, my friends and family. My country is suffering. I want to jump on a plane right now to help. But I need help to make a real difference."

- Immediate supplies and food
- Trauma relief programs
- Long-term rehabilitation programs

Volunteer. Especially seeking French-speakers. Contact: jonathan.woodward@gmail.com

Fundraise. Host a Fund raising Event. Spread this letter.

For more information: umav@artofliving.org

Thank you for your continued support and dedication in uplifting the people around you.

Service is the Rent we pay for living-Sri Sri

From the Master-Happy New Year

2010-01-09T22:55:00.000-08:00

He does Good luck sign to everybody and then suddenly a small boy comes with sticker….Guruji says :-

You got a sticker for me?
Stick it on me?
Only one sticker….no.1 sticker…..I am number 1? Ohh good good good

Another year is passing by…
Has passed….
Let us welcome 2010….
Past year has made us rich by its experience…
With the problem bought to us…
Whenever problem comes it only brings more skills and talents within us as how we handle them….So we are thankful for that…

Just imagine person life without any challenges….

Any crisis….It will be so dull….Challenges or crises they bring up the talents from within u…it make you aware of ability u to overcome them…

In Chinese they only have one word for crises as well as opportunity…Cause every crises is opportunity to exhibit your skills and abilities and strength…How you can endure the situation and circumstance…is exhibit by situation. Crises brings up that opportunity to exhibit your skills…of course brings you an expansion…

Happiness you contribute to the world…serve …your happiness coupled with service makes the happiness rich...And your trouble and misery will have strength of let go..

Renounce….
Dispassion..
You learn a lot…

We often get so attached to misery too…you know why? Cause when you were child…some point in life…when you were miserable you got more attention…You were crying then parents attended you….You had sad face then someone came to cheer you up…So there is certain sense of getting attention so you started enjoying misery…So grow beyond that…

You gain the power to renounce…
So in the new year…Wish for happiness in which you can serve and share so that it grows…

If any trouble of misery comes…then they come...They are part of life…when problem comes ask for strength to be centered….when problem arise…And willingness to serve when pleasantness to serve. It will be rosy rosy…most of the day will be one or another. With this prayers or with this wish you will see the day of trouble will be very little…And skill will be within u…make u more skillful and strong and more beautiful…That is the practical way…yeah :)

So the new year…learn from the previous year and move on to the new year….Knowing you are timeless..And those moment of meditation that you experience the timeless ones…That is when the event don’t touch you or shake you…or don’t disturb you….Nothing what so ever throws you off the balance…In that serene space that you are reposed…..then neither pain or pleasure touches you…You go beyond this duality…Yeah

Ooook :) More satsang and seva is the way to reduce misery…Satsang and seva…satsang and seva….

We are so fortunate….We have this opportunity to even think discuss knowledge and have an experience of that inner space …Imagine those billion of people who doesn’t know how to be in that inner serenity even for a moment…People who are in insomnia who doesn’t know how to sleep and its so natural to be happy to be in peace…Who does not know how to be happy and peaceful..They are like insomnia patient…They don’t know how to rest or sleep. They are so restless…

Can you imagine what sort of situation?
Huh?
Or intervention is so precious and so much needed. Many times you don't have to talk much… Just be around people who are not in peace… Bring them the wave of peace…Brings them that….relief….that is :)

Question and Answers of Guruji :)

Question - Is it true to love yourself before anyone can love you?

Guruji –My dear you are love…When you relax when you let go off your feverishness and desire…You are love you realize that…You don’t have to sit and say yourself “I love myself”…
Make an effort to love...Love is not verb concerning you…Love is noun…Your name is love…

I remember we had discourse in Patanjali Yoga Sutra
And couple of our participants in the break time went to have cappuccino in restaurant near by...
They found another couple there who doing physiological therapy in some spiritual path…And they had a talk with each other and they were exchanging notes. The wife of other man said that he wake up at 3:00am everyday and repeat

“I love myself”
“I love myself”
“I love myself…”

Art of Living people said we don’t do anything like that…We have good sleep…We simply love our self… And they give intro talk and said about breath and about SKY and the in coming week they did course and they had great experience and now they can sleep well…

They don’t have to get up in morning…Especially wife was not disturb to hear husband anymore saying I love myself…They were so relieved.

If someone says you don't love yourself…Its not sure…Even if you are in misery…Then you love yourself…Because misery bring attention to you…When you understand this…You will snap out of this tendency…

Question –Dearest Guruji what to do…If husband is not taking responsibility, doest want to work…Have fun all day…Sleep in separate room…Spend much more then he earns….Years of talking didn’t help…Will love and gratitude make any difference….??

Guruji-What do you do with such husbands? I think I have to hear his side of story also….. :) Before I can comment….I think you should continue the way you have been nagging...May be with little interval...Sometime when he have fun…You also join him and have fun….Or may be for a month...You do lot more then what he does…

You spend more money…
You start living in separate house….
See what is his reaction….
Life is a game so move your part with fun…not too calculative with it…. :)

Question - Dear Gurudev….you have given me great friend…Great house….still I feel lack as I don’t have life partner..

Guruji -This was my challenge all the time in India…Why in India….All over world…But in India parents comes and ask I want good boy or daughter for my son….

Ok. We started with matrimony….Let them choose in matrimony…I think we should start one in Europe as well…_____ (some volunteer) Volunteering as well…(to a volunteer) don’t choose and keep all option for yourself….All choices….. (hahaha)So we can start one matrimony here…Twice or thrice we will have this festival…all single men and women come…. :)

Question -Dearest Guruji is it possible to be too attached to another person? If so…what to do to break that attachment?

Guruji -Serve serve serve. Attachment is painful because you want to posses it. When you want to posses it …Its no more beautiful…..But ugly…
Beauty is that which you can never renounce….or reject…or you capture…you cant capture beauty…nor u can renounce or reject beauty…that is why it is called beautiful….
When we start possessing it….we get jealous and all the pain suffering that comes along…
When you find something beautiful…serve it…beauty if that which you can never reject nor capture it.
Truth is that which you can never confront…one day truth will stair on your face…
You can’t avoid it…nor u can’t fight or destroy it…
It will stare at your face….neither you can confront truth nor u can avoid…
Love is that which u cannot fully express nor u can hide it….
Even if u try to hide….it will shown in your eyes or expression
Love is that which you can never hide it...Nor fully express…As much as you express… You feel its not full y expressed…nor hidden….truth is that which u cannot confront nor avoid
Beauty is that which you can neither reject nor posses

Question - Dearest Guruji…I am thinking to leave my country and focus completely on seva…but not sure if this is best of me…Pls guide me and let me know…

Guruji -Choice is yours blessing is mine…World is ours…Its good you can spend a year or two in seva why not…Spend few years…huh?

(Some connection problem….and then Guruji was telling about his grandfather who helped Mahatma Gandhiji during freedom fight)

My grandfather gave all the gold of house… It was 10 kg of gold he had….He took all the gold and gave it to Mahatma Gandhiji…While my grand father went to give the gold…at that time my father was wearing one chain on his neck…when he met Mahatma Gandhi…he saw this chain on his neck…he asked my dad if he need that… before my father could have said anything….

My grandfather took out the chain and said he doesn’t need it…You take it…

My grandfather did seva for 20 yrs… He served in Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram….and they were many here who was doing seva…
Our needs will always be taken care….
Nature takes care of your body…
We must strongly belief that this body belongs to this world…
We came on this planet with 4 kg and now with weigh 70kg or 80kg or 90kg and this body belong to this world…And world will take care of this body….

This confidence you must have…I don’t mean to empty your bank balance thinking this world will take care of your body…But this fact...this is true…Don’t think how will I survive? When you are doing some good work…you will never suffer…

Once Arjuna asked Krishna…suppose I don’t reach my goal….neither perfect in spiritual nor my life…

(Then Guruji said some shloka in sanskrit which I couldn’t hear)

When you are doing good things in world…
You will never find yourself in miserable situation…
Misery will never come to you…
When You want to do good….good action will never make you feel miserable…
If anyone think like that….then there is something wrong :)

Question - (couldn’t hear the question properly ) I am so small….compared to forest…I am so small compared to you..(something like that)……but I am alive..I belong to you….no questions at least on last day of the year…

Guruji -People love miniature things….(Sorry couldn’t hear properly as telecast was buffering…Guruji said something about tree in Japan… :) )You know you are alive...
That is more important….their are two things…..
Feeling one is I am small…I m little…
Another is I am useless….
You are insignificant ….you are tiny…but if you say I am good for nothing…this is no good…..
Don’t say I m good for nothing…or useless…never say that…I am tiny little star or ping pong is ok…..
Never say I m selfish ….dirt…this type of self realization you shouldn’t have…this is exhibition of self ignorance…

Question -Dear Guruji….. in my dream last night I saw that I am editing book of veg. recipe…can I have your permission to work on such a book?

Guruji -On yeah go ahead and present it to all men :)

Question –Dear Guruji a HUG Pls…love :)

Guruji-Hug is possible when I am away from you or separate from you...When I am here…I am you.

Question – (not audible clearly) When I come across people ...who are not spiritual …they seems be in more peace…at times they are more peaceful then me…how does this happen please tell me….

Guruji-If u have heard my Patanjali Yoga Sutra…There are some people by birth they have this ability to be in peace…by birth…Some are by their impression or karma….by their past…Don’t think they have not done anything now…but in previous life they must have done quite a bit of practice..That bought in them in this lifetime…very peaceful and sanskara…

If parents are very peaceful….and mother have peaceful time..that also gives impression in the child…and that is tuned in the childhood…nothing else disturb them more…Some people have tough childhood…Then they don’t have anything to throw them off the balance….

Its like someone lived in the area which is so nosy…Lived next to motor way…they are so used to it...any amount of voice don’t disturb them….If you live in black forest…even if some noise for few minutes its unbearable..How much stress you can handle….Or how much contrast u have with the situation...everything makes difference……

If you go to third world country….it doesn’t bother them …There can be huge fight a moment….And next moment they are having tea together….You will feel they fought like cat and dog…and now they are together….Was it a drama…now you wonder…Fight was it true or thinking true is true?

You are not used to bad fight and make up again in no time…And this all…..as how we have trained our life…as I said I live it can be past life thing….training is done earlier…

Training orientation all matter….Many people think about you also like this…Even in disturbance…these people are happy and content…

Question – (not heard properly) Everyday I feel as if I am fighting against someone…Battle field excites me...Is it war? (something like this question was)

Guruji -No just put a tape and have fun…fight as much as you can…fight as much as you can…just sit let go and smile…let go of all…Fight for the justice...There are many thing you can fight for…ight with your negative tendency…Fight for greater good of humanity…Fight for good direction…
But I tell you this….tendency as I said the more you encourage them…the more they become part of you…If you keep watching fighter movie…naturally those impression will become stronger…you have to take a break...if u really want to be at peace… :)

Question – (not audible clearly) What can I do next year to be in service to you…I feel I ask lot and don’t give enough…how can you be proud of me?

Guruji-I would like to keep this question with you…cause keeping this question with you…You will be able to do much better…this is fuel for you….Again and again u will think and do...plan and do...Which will help you to move forward….we need to do lot of work…we all can do together…

Question – (not audible, it was something regarding violence and collective karmas)

Guruji -I can understand many countries in world who have continue violence…92% are depressed in Palestine ….I don’t know how much true it is…But they are depressed in Palestine..Afghanistan….similar situation….in Pakistan now….Iraq…..Yemen is going from bad to worse…. But lot to be done….Whole orientation had to be changed….how to deal in violence…whole thing has to change…

We don’t have to lose our heart…we keep doing…when u we see the magnitude of problem…..dont lose heart…lets keep doing…Something beautiful will for sure come…

Just two or three teachers taught…and to 8000 people they have reached….and people who did Sudarshan Kriya are grateful…In Pakistan they are so happy…

Recently in Palestine…22 people did the course….Some Israeli and Palestine did the same course and they were all very happy, very touched….So we have 5-6 centers in Palestine…Malika is our teacher form Palestine….

This time when I was in Israel …I did go to Palestine…though it was half a day visit...they gathered so many people…It was nice meeting...one teacher from India is there working...He is giving courses in many places…We also had an advance course there… :)

You know it is lack of trust and spiritual wisdom all the talk fail…

People with broad mind and broad vision…not only think of my my my…if they had gone and continue the meeting with this broadminded ness….

This environment talk wouldn’t have failed…they have thought of their own…Not world…

We need people who can think big….
Only spiritual people can think of big….
Have connected with all nationality….
It can happen when you are connected with DIVINE…
All maps and boundary are man made..
Only spiritual person can think everyone is part of me…
All religion all nationality...have come as all are part of one family…
To some extent it is there...
But there is lack of spirituality…
Problem of Palestine and Israeli can be solved in no time…
So many lives are lost…Billion are spend is defence
Only if 0.1 % can be spending in spiritual education...
We don’t need Defence…on educating people on spiritual human values….

Question -Can you please speak on human mind…technology…highly develop human and space shuttle…Will GOD come in flying saucers…or will knowledge of our ancient scriptures will just pop up in mind (not correctly audible question)

Guruji -There is one Bharat Gyaan which have done some research….dept in India. They are doing some research….Now after this last question we will do short meditation…..Then we have BIG cake…Cake will be there or will it come here?

We shouldn’t be up till 12…welcome it little earlier…and….there is winter summer time…they always change the clock…In new year time we will change our clock…and wish New Year bit early :)

Ooook

Lets do short meditation …………. :)
Happy new year to all :)
Tang tang tang (Guruji rang the bell)
Any birthday or anniversary?
Haaaaaaaaaaaan
Others those who are not in course…how are you doing?
Happy?
Very nice
Do u want to say or share something or ask something? Those who came just for today? u wanna say something?
Ahh haaaaaaaaaaa :)
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (cant hear wht they are saying)

U know 3 thing are needed to continue pratice
1st when you love then you continue it….
2nd is greed…if you know you are doing 20 mins sadhan….your job will be more easier…you will have more benefit and profit in business...you wont leave….
3rd is fear…if u don’t do SKY then u will have bad luck…

I wouldn’t prefer the last one…you have to put your own mind…
If you think of bad luck...You will certainly do…one - two day you miss don’t mind…
But missing shouldn’t be habit….

Ok even if it becomes habit…you will realize….how I wasted time…and you will start again…
Don’t make to much effort…if effort is practice...then u dont want to do it…
But effortlessness is key…Few minutes of breathing will help you to slip into meditation

Anybody else?????
We can sing now…before we go for cake…yeah read………. (cant hear )

You know its good everybody thinks we should do some service….2010…
2012 will be more important for more spiritual awakening…especially children prog.…
Euro A Day…Atleast everyone should do sponsor for 10 kids….
10 kids everyone start sponsoring ..and talk to other to sponsor…

This is all I could manage to write :)
Wish you all a Very Happy New Year 2010 :)
Wish you stay Ever New…Happy You… :)
Jai Gurudev :)

A Devotee

(C) Art of Living Foundation

New Year's Eve at the Montreal Ashram

2010-01-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

Last year, I spent my first New Year's Eve at the North American AOL ashram in Quebec's picturesque Saint Mathieu du Parc. I thought nothing could beat the love and grace I felt at that New Year's Eve satsang. Well, this year's holiday celebrations completely blew me out of the water.

Having taken several courses this year, including three advanced courses, YES!+ TTC, and the Blessings Course, naturally my budget was... well, non-existent! As much as I wanted to join the YES!++ course that would be taking place over New Year's at the ashram, I decided to do seva instead. My sister and I arrived at the ashram on Dec 30th, excited to be with our lovely friends and our wonderful Swamiji.

"Even though I'm not on the course, doing seva will be a learning experience, and at least we will be there for the beautiful satsangs every evening," I thought. Yet the idea that I would be cleaning or cooking while Swamiji was upstairs in the meditation hall lingered in my mind. How I longed to be there for the meditations and knowledge sessions!

On New Year's Eve, we spent the full day in the kitchen, kneading, rolling, folding, and stuffing dough to make samosas. Suppertime approached. I ate in silence (the entire ashram kept silence to respect those who were on the Advanced Course), then ran upstairs to help the priest set up for the pooja. I felt so honored to be there, lighting the candle by Guruji's picture, bringing up the silver trays of fruits and nuts from the kitchen, and arranging the pink and red rose petals.

At seven o'clock, the meditation hall filled with people dressed in festive garments: everything from embroidered silk saris to lululemon yoga attire. We Canadians love our comfort - represent!

The Vedic priest commenced the pooja, explaining the significance of the ceremony along the way. As he made offerings to Lord Ghanesh, Shiva, Durga, and Lakshmi, we complemented them with heartfelt bhajans. At one point, after the pundit made an offering to Durga and Lakshmi, we sung Parameshware Jaya Durga. As the bhajan ended, the priest asked: "You sing for Durga - ok! We have to sing for every kind of wealth - money, too! What about Lakshmi? Do you guys know any bhajans for Lakshmi? " Did we ever! The exquisite Lakshmi Narayana bhajan took over, and we all swayed along to the melody with Swamiji. The priest was blown away by the liveliness of the crowd and the vigor of the musicians. What a sweet space it was, so joyous, so full of smiles and enthusiasm!

The New Year's satsang ended as one by one we bowed before a picture of Guruji, offering rose petals as a symbol of our surrender to the Divine. We sang Nama Shivaya Shiva Om until each person had received their prasad. Weaving his characteristic wit with practical wisdom, Swamiji then told a story about his earlier days with Guruji. It went something like this...

Many years ago, Swamiji was visiting an undisclosed location (in the interest of sparing the cooks' feelings). Dinner was served upon his arrival. Swamiji approached the table and beheld a glass of yellow water and bread. The next day, he was greeted by a glass of blue water and bread. On the third day, a glass of red water and...you guessed it, bread, waited for him on the table. As exciting as it was to anticipate the color of the water each day, one morning Swamiji woke up and had a vision: "Cake!" He dreamed of tasting delicious cake.

Later that day, there was a mahasatsang with Guruji. A big cake was being served. Guruji wrapped pieces of cake inside a napkin and threw them out to the audience. Naturally, Swamiji wished for a piece of cake also. He thought: "If Guruji can read minds, he can see that I want cake!" All of a sudden, Guruji got up and hurried out of the room. For a split second Swamiji thought: "Cake? Guruji? Cake? Do I stay for cake or do I follow Guruji?" At once, he ran out of the room and followed Guruji to his qutir. When he arrived, Guruji was facing him. "You wanted to stay for cake, didn't you?" he smiled mischieviously. "Wooow!" Swamiji thought. "Guruiji knows! Amazing! " Guruji told Swamiji to go have a piece of cake, but Swamiji wanted to stay and prepare Guruji's food instead. At this point there was a knock on the door, and a woman walked in, carrying a plate with a big piece of cake on it. "We saved the biggest piece for you, Swamiji," she said. Several minutes later, another piece of cake was brought in by someone for Swamiji.

Moral of the story: "When you follow fun (cake), misery can follow you. But when you follow wisdom (Guru), fun runs after you! Guruji told Swamiji that he would be provided with absolutely everything on this path, even something as seemingly trivial as cake. And Swamiji replied “I know - that is why I chose you.” This of course applies to all of his devotees. We will lack nothing as long as we are with Guruji. We have the best of everything in this world.

After the story, Swamiji bid everyone goodnight. The TTC group were allowed to stay back, as their late night session was about to begin. I went downstairs with the others, and served chocolate cake to the Advanced course participants. My sister walked up to me and whispered: "We have to go up in five minutes. Swamiji told the ashramites and people on seva to come back upstairs." I was overjoyed. But my mind doubted. "I didn't hear Swamiji say this," it pestered. "What if my sister heard wrong?"

Nevertheless, five minutes later I was one of a couple dozen others who walked upstairs to join Swamiji and the TTC group for Round Two of the New Year's celebrations. We all sat down. Swamiji asked: "So, you guys want to be awake till midnight?" We nodded our heads with giddy smiles on our faces. "Why don't you all come back at 11:15? There is one more thing the TTCs need to do." Elated, we skipped downstairs, chit-chatting, eating scrumptious carrot halwa, and watching the clock inch its way closer to our special second satsang of the evening.

The advanced course participants went to bed. At last, it was time for us to join Swamiji in bringing in the New Year. Once again, we went upstairs. After joking around for a minute or two, we started singing. I don't remember which bhajan it was, exactly. It was one that we had heard before, as beautiful as always. I closed my eyes and absorbed the soothing sound, relishing each note, and feeling lucky to be together with Swamiji in such a wonderful moment. All of a sudden, the melody turned into something completely otherwordly. We were all witnessing a new bhajan being born. It was flowing through Swamiji so gracefully. The melody - subtle and resplendent. The lyrics - full of adoration.

Chahun tujhe mein itna
Tere bahon mein khone laga
O mere Guru, mere Hamsafar
Tere bahon mein khone laga
Radhe Radhe Radhe
Radhe Radhe Shyam

The whole room was awestruck to witness such divine yearning, such a sweet cry of the heart. Swamiji sang with such graceful longing - it was so exquisite, so sublime. With each new turn of the melody, another tear rolled down my cheek. The bhajan was so beautiful, we kept singing it for almost an hour. At one point I thought: "Swamiji, this is so beautiful, I don't know what to do. I could die right now." Burning, sweet tears came from my heart. My hands covered my face and I felt privileged to be there to experience the creation of this beautiful song. "Thank God I didn't do the course," I thought. "This moment was worth it all."

For that perfect hour, I stayed still and alert, waiting to hear which corner of our hearts this beautiful bhajan would visit next. As midnight approached, Swamiji wished us all a Happy New Year and said: "Isn't it wonderful if everyone experiences this feeling of love? We have to share this." Inspired to share Guruji's knowledge and love, I set a personal sankalpa to welcome more people than ever to journey along this adventurous path. Yet I also wanted to share the experience of that evening, but wasn't sure how. "Maybe I could write something," I thought. "But for whom?" I wondered.

As a few of us were driving back to Montreal the next night, I found out that Swamiji had suggested that I write about New Year's Eve at the ashram. I was delighted! "How did he know I wanted to write something!" I wondered...

On that note, I am grateful to have the opportunity to shape the splendor of that beautiful evening into words, and to share it with everyone!

Happy New Year, Everyone!
Jai Guru Dev!
Anna Chigo

(C) Art of Living Foundation

Spellbound Conversation

2009-11-25T06:44:00.000-08:00

This happened in Kerela

Sri Sri gave an audience to the SIMI (Student Islamic Movement of India) leaders. Four leaders from SIMI came to meet Sri Sri at the residence of one of the organizers. Following their entry, an air of tension enveloped the hall where hundreds were waiting to meet with Sri Sri. Naseeb, one of the devotees, guided them to the room where Sri Sri was sitting with a few of us. They (the SIMI leaders), were dashing youths in their mid 20s. One of them was carrying the holy Koran. They were little stern and stiff. Their eyes were fixed and seemed to reflect an inner fire. They looked prepared to repulse anything that Sri Sri would tell them and most unlikely to listen to reason.

Sri Sri was His usual smiling self. The stage was set. It had all the signs of a classic confrontation. On one side were the brash youth intemperate, impatient, driven by ideology and out to prove their superiority. On the other was a youthful, realized sage, unperturbed, offering sane explanations that echoed an uncommon depth and breadth of understanding. Those of us in the room, were eager to see how

Sri Sri would deal with these firebrands. Sri Sri embraced them and offered them chairs to sit. There was not an iota of difference in His attitude. Any casual onlooker could be forgiven for thinking that Sri Sri considered these gentlemen as amongst His most ardent devotees. Perhaps the only difference that we could see was that they were seated on chairs while the rest of us were on the floor! For us, it was yet another opportunity to witness the unconditional love that Sri Sri exemplifies. The leader of the group spoke first. He asked

SIMI: You had wanted to meet with us.

SRI SRI: Yes. I wanted to understand why your organization was opposed to the Anandotsavam.

SIMI: We thought that holding an Anandotsavam (celebration) on December 6th was a deliberate move to insult our religious sentiments. Do you know about our religion?. Do you believe in the Koran at all?

SRI SRI: Yes of course.

SIMI: (Not expecting this answer, pointing to the Koran, they shot the next question) We believe that Koran is the only knowledge. What about you?

SRI SRI: This is one amongst the various knowledge revealed to man from time to time.

SIMI: But God has said this is the only knowledge. The way of the Koran is the only way. There is no other way.

SRI SRI: This message can be found in scriptures of all religions. In the Vedas it is said Naanyah Panthaah Ayanaaya Vidyate meaning There is no other way but the way of Truth! The same is said in the Bible, Jesus says, To go to my father, you have to go through me. I am the only way.

SIMI: But our scripture says worshipping any form or idol is evil, it is blasphemy.

SRI SRI: What is Good and Evil after all? It is relative. Relative existence is not the complete picture For example: Milk is good, but too much milk can kill you. Poison is harmful, but a drop of poison can save your life. Most lifesaving medicines have poison written on them! These are neither absolutely good nor bad they are just there. Truth transcends duality, and God is the Absolute and only Truth. So, where is the place for evil?

SIMI: Yet you Hindus worship many Gods, whereas our ideal is there is only one God and His message is what is required to go to heaven.

SRI SRI: There is only one god in many forms&

SIMI: (Restless and unwilling to listen to any explanation, they interrupted Sri Sri.) But the Koran says you should only worship Allah who is formless whereas the Hindus worship idols which are only stones.

SRI SRI: At this, Sri Sri suddenly asked them: Do you honour the Koran?

SIMI: (They seemed a little taken aback at this question from Sri Sri and with a righteous air answered). Yes, it is Gods word!

SRI SRI: Do you honor the Mecca?

SIMI: Yes, of course! That is our sacred place.

SRI SRI: So also, Hindus honour Gods creation as God. Just like sound (Koran), the crescent moon, Kaaba and the month of Ramadan are sacred for you, Hindus consider the River Ganges, the Himalayas, Saints as sacred. See, a picture of your daughter is not your daughter, but you still adore the daughters picture. When you see the picture arent you reminded of your daughter?

(They nodded a yes)

SRI SRI: So also, a symbol is not God but is honoured as God. This sense of honouring and sacredness makes you awake and alive. That is why the ancient Rishis said to feel the entire creation and your whole life as sacred. They considered God as omnipresent, as inseparable from His creation; like the dance and the dancer.

Sri Sri elaborated further Spirit loves diversity. Is there only one type of vegetable or fruit? God created many type of fruits and vegetables. There is not just one type of tree, not just one type of snake, cloud, mosquito&.Even you change your dress for different occasions. So how could this consciousness that manifested this whole creation be monotonous? There is only one God in many forms. Only one God is advocated. When you accept the variety of Divinity, you cease to be a fanatic and fundamentalist. A pregnant silence filled the room as they looked at each other expecting the other to speak. Then as a face saving measure, the SIMI leader replied, I will need to go and consult my higher scholars. With a compassionate expression on His face, Sri Sri said: Never mind, (with a wave of His hand) forget about religion. We are all human beings. Let us have a peaceful society. Let us focus on development.

SIMI: No No No! What are you saying? You are talking about this world. What we do here is immaterial. The Koran tells us that what matters is what you get in eternal life and not to worry about material life. By doing service to the society you will simply remain here. You have to obey Allah. Allah is the only God and Mohammed is the last prophet.

SRI SRI: At this Sri Sri stopped them and after a pause asked them: Do you think the Sikh Gurus are not prophets. Isn't Mirabai a prophet? What about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?

Once again, there was silence. Their expressions had changed. The rigidity had weakened and in its place was some confusion/uncertainty. Sri Sri seemed totally at ease unmindful of the challenges posed at Him.

SIMI: No! You can go to heaven only if you believe in Allah and the Koran.

SRI SRI: No my dear there was Buddha, Mahavira, Nanak, Jesus, Shankara & Do you think they are not in heaven? If not, then I would rather be with them!

SIMI: You are such a nice person, but we pity you because you cannot get the truth. You can't go to Allah. You can't be rewarded by Allah. God will never show mercy on you.

SRI SRI: Never mind. (with a mischievous smile) I will be with these people (Shankara, Jesus, etc.)

(Even as we were admiring Sri Sri patience and objectivity, we were concerned at the wrong indoctrination that these youths had been subjected to. We also observed a few others who were in the room were getting a little restive, possibly wondering why Sri Sri was spending so much time with these people who were obviously not at all receptive and that too when hundreds were waiting outside just for a glimpse of Sri Sri.)

SIMI: Do you know, that over 1400 years ago, in the middle of the desert, God revealed the secrets of creation. Even when there was no science, God said that the Atom is the smallest particle!

SRI SRI smiled and said: Yes, the same is there in the shaastras too which were known more than 10,000 years ago. In the shaastras it is said that the Earth is over 19 billion years old! Truth is beyond time and space. It is not confined to one time or one place One needs to have a scientific spirituality.

As if to conclude the conversation Sri Sri gave them Ladoo as prasad. By now there were traces of a smile on their faces. When they were about to leave He gave them a hug. They definitely seemed to be less stern than earlier. Could their attitude have changed? We wondered whether this (changed attitude) would persist or would they go back to their old fanatic ways. But one thing was for sure, Sri Sri had made an impression that they would not forget!

Later, while Sri Sri was having His lunch, someone asked Him, Why is that Islam is producing so many terrorists all over the world? No other religion has given rise to so many terrorists in the world. What is the reason?

SRI SRI: Look at the commitment and the fire in them. Take the good from them and learn what you should not be doing. Dont label them as bad people. They have not been imparted the knowledge of Vedanta. (Then as He was adding ghee to the chilli powder) He smiled and said In this creation, there is a place for everything.

(Excerpted from an article written by Swami Sadhyojata and Harish Ramachandran)

Jai Gurudeva!

love
Khurshed Batliwala
Art of Living Teacher
Director, WAYE (World Alliance for Youth Empowerment)

(C) Art of living foundation

longing and love

2009-11-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

I started on this path in the beginning of 2009. I wanted to be in the presence of Guruji on Guru Poornima. Considering that I just did my advanced course with Guruji in March and also my work status wasn't quite stable, I thought of going to Chicago only for Guru Poornima. I still don't know how but I ended up signing up for Advanced Course(Perhaps my intense longing to be with Guruji). I booked my flight tickets as well. Only 2 days before the travel did I notice that I had booked tickets for the wrong date. I panicked and paid extra money to rebook my flight tickets. On the day of travel, I was so excited and reached the airport. I was about to enter the security line and then realized that I didn't have my driver's id. I was in tears and asked my friend to pick me back from the airport. My friend asked me to check at the ticketing counter. The guy at the ticket counter asked me to talk to the security personnel. I was pulled aside and I showed them my insurance card, my credit card, bank card with photo etc. The security personnel was still not happy and asked me what else do I have. All through I was praying to Guruji, please I want to do the course and want to be in YOUR presence on Guru Poornima. I searched my handbag and pulled my checkbook out. The security personnel was happy with the checkbook and let me go through security clearance. The best part: I was about to leave the checkbook at home but in the last minute decided to take it with me. None of friends believed when I told them that I was allowed to travel without passport or ID. All I can say is "Guruji's grace". I had wonderful time in Guruji's presence and beautiful darshan on Guru Poornima morning. Within a week after my return, my project got stable and had a choice of 2 projects to choose from !!!

Radha is longing Krishna is love. Where there is longing there is love :)

Jai Gurudev!
Jayashree, USA

(C) Art of Living Foundation

Guru di Gaddi

2009-11-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's been 5 years of association with this wonderful Knowledge and Miracles just continue to happen. Sharing one of them from Guru Poornima,09

The moment I came to know about Guru Poornima on the Weekly Satsang in Ludhiana-my heart sprang up to thank my guru on the day. It has been only 2 months for me in Ludhiana since i started working in Trident Group. With GuruPoornima-Guru Pooja and satsang (7th July) scheduled outside the city in the evening-I was all set and excited from the morning to join the celebrations in the evening and thank my guru for such precious knowledge. I was scheduled to leave at 6.30 in the evening with a volunteer whom I had requested for a lift as I was unfamiliar with the locations in Ludhiana and as it is without a vehicle it was impossible for me to reach GYAN MANDIR situated outside the borders of Ludhiana. All set to leave I got a call from one of our Plant Locations to dispatch some trophies for a function in Plant on the next day. With nobody left in office it was left on me to dispatch the trophies in a vehicle which was scheduled to leave at 8.30pm. All plans for the evening suddenly looked a distant dream. I asked the volunteer to leave without me, I said it would not be possible for me to make it this time. At 8.15 when i was about to leave office- i suddenly get a call from the satsang from a friend saying, you had intense desire to come to satsang, you should give a try." I did not know what to do. I left office and ran to the road. The destination was around 15-20 Km away and it was 8.15 in the night. Left Stranded in the middle of the road I did not know what to do. With no rickshaw or Auto in my view these were testing circumstances. Suddenly in a moment I saw myself lifting my hand up so as to ask a lift to the whole plethora of vehicles that were coming way. I didn't know what would I tell anyone or where I would be headed for an auto. Expecting no body to stop and laughing at my foolishness at pulling out a hand for a lift in these days-I just pulled it back. And as soon as started to walk ahead with a bit of dejection-suddenly a two wheeler stopped in front of me. It was a middle aged man may be in his Mid 30s. He inquired about my situation. I told him I needed a lift till the main road to the auto stand where I could get an auto. On my way to the auto stand I told him where I was about to go. To my utter Surprise the man said I am going to my village and my destination would be on his way. He said he would drop me all the way to the satsang. I was overwhelmed and could not believe that even this could happen. On my way to the GYAN MANDIR i saw no Auto-Rickshaws/buses on my way , There was no way i could have got there as it was a Highway. It surely was Guru di Gaddi (Vehicle of Guru) :)

It reminds me the knowledge sheet of intention, attention and manifestation.

Jai Gurudev
Sandeep Vaswani
Ludhiana, India

(C) Art of Living Foundation

Guru Poornima

2009-11-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

I started on this path in the beginning of 2009. I wanted to be in the presence of Guruji on Guru Poornima. Considering my that i just did my advanced course with Guruji in March and also my work status wasn't quite stable, I thought of going to Chicago only for Guru Poornima. I still don't how but I ended up signing for Advanced Course. I booked my flight tickets as well. Only 2 days before the travel did I notice that I had booked tickets for the wrong date. I panicked and paid extra money to rebook my flight tickets. On the day of travel, I was so excited and reached the airport. I was about to enter the security line and then realized that i didn't have my driver's id. I was in tears and asked my friend to pick me back from the airport. My friend asked me to check at the ticketing counter. The guy at the ticket counter asked me to talk to the security personnel. I was pulled aside and I showed them my insurance card, my credit card, bank card with photo etc. The security personnel was still not happy and asked me what else do I have. All through I was praying to Guruji, please I want to do the course and want to be in HIS presence on Guru Poornima.

I searched my handbag and pulled my checkbook out. The security personnel was happy with the checkbook and let me go through security clearance. The best part: I was about to leave the checkbook at home but in the last minute decided to take it with me. None of friends believed when I told them that I was allowed to travel without passport or ID. All I can say is "Guruji's grace". I had wonderful time in Guruji's presence and beautiful darshan on Guru Poornima morning. Within a week after my return, my project got stable and had a choice of two projects to choose from !!!

JGD
Jaya

(C) Art of living foundation

13th May - Happy Birthday to you

2009-11-04T10:28:00.000-08:00

This incident happened in May 2009. Guruji’s Birthday was being celebrated all over and it seemed as if we have Diwali twice a year, one, when Lord Ram returned Ayodhya after 14 yrs of “Vanvasa” and one on 13th May, when our beloved Guruji’s birth happened. Here everybody was planning to celebrate the day to its fullest by organizing courses, satsangs, blood donation camps, etc.

Due to some unavoidable pressure at office front, I was not in very high spirits those days, so, I kept myself quite locked up in my own vicinity of thoughts. On seeing the celebrations of 13th May, a thought came that why I wasted this beautiful chance of seva. But as we all know we may feel lost sometimes but our Guruji keeps us involved and is working upon us 24x7, sending our way the right proportions of happenings.

On a Sunday long kriya session, I came to know that an Art Excel program for kids & a basic Part I course are being organized during 18-23 May 2009, in our city. I thought this will be the best chance to do seva. Prayed to Guruji, “better late than never, I wish to present you something for your birthday, and this present would be 13 registrations for these courses”.

My son who is 9 years old, I asked him to take me to all his friends’ house in our locality, and he was happy enough to oblige. The first day of the visit, and I got 5 registration forms along with fee of the course. Enthusiasm went sky high for the next evening visit. It was real fun to explain the benefits of the course for kids.

Here, would like to mention, that, then, even I myself didn’t know what sort of processes and training is provided in Art Excel course (as I joined Art of Living just few months back), but as a volunteer wherever I went, Guruji reached before me and made the surroundings favorable for discussion. People were eagerly waiting for the ‘Angel’ to show up and take along their children on the path of love, respect, wisdom & care. So, within 3 days I collected 13 registration forms.

Story doesn’t end here… Now, I asked the Divine that, this much (13 numbers) I prayed for and you did it, where is my seva in it? Now let me arrange 1 more registration, so that seva can be justified. Tried and tried for 1 more registration, called up all those who earlier said ‘will tell you later’ but no luck. On 18th May morning itself, at the venue of the course, a lady called up and asked “Can I send my son now? Is it still open?” Got it! Guruji you are amazing!!.

Now the best part, all these aspiring mothers asked me about the transport facility, I told them, ‘please register and don’t worry, arrangements for pick and drop will be made’. And you guessed it right…. for all the 6 days I became their ‘Chauffeur’. Till then I didn’t know the capacity of a “Maruti - Swift car”, it could pack as many as 11 + 1 people in it (wont say kids, since some were little chubby), 3 in front seat, 6 at back seat and 2.. haha!!Make a guess!

My office hours are 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., and this course timings were 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., so for driving all the kids to the venue in time, I thought of taking the second shift in the office (10.30 am to 7.00 p.m.) and lunch break little early for a weeks’ time. Just imagine, when I went to the person who usually does the second shift, with a request for little adjustment, he said “oh yes why not, and thank you so much, I have some important work to attend to this week, I am grateful to you, for helping me out”.. (Hmm and I am grateful to my Master!)

“Wah!! Guruji, here too u reached before”.

Rightly said, “You just have to keep alive the intention of taking responsibility, rest all is taken care of by the Divine”.

Jai Gurudev!!
Deepa Kapoor
Faridabad, India

© Art of living foundation

Presence

2009-11-01T19:58:00.000-08:00

I live in Dubai with my family. Many years ago, I underwent a major operation that lasted seven hours. The recovery after the operation was slow and fraught with many health issues. However, just when I thought I am finally recovering, I developed severe bronchitis. My lungs were full of cold and I couldn’t stop coughing……. In fact, I would get bouts of coughing that lasted minutes only to stop for ten minutes or so before it started again. After three months of antibiotics, ayurveda, homeopathy, home herbal remedies - none of which helped, I had had enough. My heart was yearning to see Guruji.

So I enrolled for the advance course at the Bangalore Ashram and despite my family’s concerns and calls not to venture out of home and Dubai I got on the plane to Bangalore. The day I arrived in the ashram, I kept my luggage in the room and just walked up to the Kashyapa (Guruji’s office in those days) to see the Divine. The moment I reached Kashyapa, the door opened and Guruji walked out. He walked straight to where I stood and said, “You have come! How are you now?”. Considering that Guruji had not been told verbally by myself or anyone else that I know about my illness (although through silent prayers he had been told) I was taken aback when He asked this question like He knew about my illness. I automatically said “I am fine, Guruji” (as my mind usually goes blank in Guruji’s presence and I stop thinking). He looked deeply into my eyes with a lovely smile and a half laugh on his face and patted my cheek. He then walked to his car and went off.

I was healed that very instant. My cough just disappeared…. Not even once did I cough after that! And my cold disappeared. It was as if I never had the illness in the first place. The power of HIS Grace is immense and infinite. I experience it every day and every moment. Now I feel HIS presence with me always!!!!!!! My Guru – the Divine!!!!!!!!!!! Jai Gurudev!

Love
Sunila
Dubai, UAE

(C) Art of Living Foundation

Guru Story from Peru

2009-10-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

Art of Living started officially in Peru in October 2008. However the first Part 1 course was given in 2002. What happened? why took so long? This is AOL Peru story.

In 2002 this big corporation manager had a meeting in the headquarter of the corporation, Germany. He was very stressed and the manager of the Indian branch recommended him to take Part 1 there in Germany because there was going to be a course very soon. But he had to come back to the Peruvian branch so he found out about the courses in South America and fortunately there was a Part 1 in Chile which was more convenient to him. He traveled to Chile, took Part 1 and he felt that great that decided to invite AOL instructor to Peru and more yet, he decided to have all the employees and their spouses in Part 1.

So this corporation had Part 1 for the first time in Peru IN 2002, they were around 100 people but from them only one kept on practicing, my friend Jorge Atarama. Sometimes he felt alone because not even his wife wanted to practice or her sister in law, who also took the course. People from the office did not practice at all. He was very excited about Sudarshan Kriya because he noticed all the good things that brought to his life but not many people were as enthusiastic as him. Time went by and in 2006 he was tempted to give up because he felt alone and also because he wanted to train for a race. Happily, the instructor was always in contact with him and told him not give up and decided to come to Peru to do a Part 1 in Nov 2006. The instructor and him contacted people, printed some flyers but the course had only 6 participants. The instructor called Guruji and told him about it. Guruji said "you need to be in the media, TV, radio, etc., organize another course for December". The instructor and my friend Jorge were discouraged because an ad on TV was very expensive and they did not know people with connections to do that. So the instructor again called Guruji asking him for permission to come back to his native country for Christmas and also because there were no people interested in Part 1, Guruji only said "Stay in Peru, Peru". And something magic happened, this instructor got a mail from a friend from university who was Peruvian, was in Peru at the time and offered help. Thanks to that, this AOL instructor could be on TV in a famous Peruvian TV show. It was a 3-4 mins interview. Many people saw it and there was a Part 1 with 25 people. My friends Jorge Atarama, Jorge Caterbona and I (now instructors) met there. It was the most amazing Christmas gift we got in our lives. After that, the Jorges and I took Part 2 in Sao Paulo with Swami Prajnapad, in March 2007. We started organizing courses with foreign instructors during 2007 and part of 2008. Then I moved to USA. In Guruji´s birthday, May 2008 a Peruvian group met Guruji in Argentina and asked him for a long kriya tape because we only had long kriya during the courses and did short kriya in satsangs. Guruji answered "you do not need a SK tape, you need local instructors" and he decided to move the TTC which was planned for Argentina and changed to Peru.

Suddenly Peru had a big responsibility from being barely 10-12 people breathing in a house every Tuesday to organizers of an international TTC. I came back to Peru to help my friends. In October 2008 we had TTC, a hundred people from 17 countries, speaking spanish, english, dutch, Portuguese and french in a catholic convent. From Set 30th to Oct 22nd, 2008 we lived the most amazing experience and got the most beautiful commitment of our lives. We work together and the goals are set: making Peru, the continent and the planet breathe.

Jai Guru Dev.
PILAR CAMA
Peru

(C) Art of Living Foundation

An Autograph on my soul

2009-10-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

With a great zeal and spirit I went to meet Guruji in December 2003 from Dubai to German Ashram and alone in the passage of his Kutir, I saw him walking towards me and we met in the center of the passage.

"Khush ho na?" he asked while I touched his divine feet. Next day while everyone was waiting in the passage for him to come, I sat down again in the centre of passage for meditation! I noticed something and opened my eyes and he was standing and bending down for me to open my eyes! How can he neglect even one even if waiting for him with eyes closed!

When he called us to meet in his room, he swirled first chocolates in the air in his sweet fond style and I jumped and grabbed it! He looked at me with such a great amazement as if what a big task I’ve done. When I asked “Guruji your autograph?”, pushing his photo forward, looking right into my eyes and signing “Sri Sri" on his left palm he said “ I give autograph on the heart!” and I literally felt etching on my heart the way he signed on his palm.

This is the everlasting impression I carry on my heart.

So sweet!
Rajoo
(C) Art of living foundation

Blessings or Remedy

2009-10-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

My mother who is now 72 yrs was feeling very tired drowzy and had severe vomiting sensation for about a weektime. So we took her to Apollo hospital in Bangalore. After thorough investigations doctors diognised it as renalfailure. He also suggested for dialysis. It was a shocking news for all of us. Immediately I took her to Guruji who was present in Bangalore. In the ashram at that time after listening to my mom Guruji blessed her and said "Dont worry Be Courageous".

To everyones surprise within a weeks time we found lots of changes in her health. Her creatinine level which was 9+ considerably came down to 2 after taking small dosageof SRISRI AYURVEDA MEDICINES.

Now my mother is able to take care of my play home cook for 22 kids and my family. She has been advised 2 timesKriya daily. Doctors and Nephrologist in Apollo hospital are still wandering around the mystery.

Thanks to Guruji for his grace on me and my family.

Jai Guru Dev
Lakshmi Bala

Art of Living Teacher,

Bangalore India.

PS: One of the best ayurvedic pure herbal medicine with the highest quality you can get from Sri Sri Ayurveda. Visit website: HERE

Surrender

2009-10-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

I would like to share one of my recent personal experiences. This is about my green card which is pending for approval for a while, like most of other people. My application will not be considered for an approval in the near future, based on my application category and visa numbers availability. However there are some grim chances of having an upgrade of my visa application category, but chances are very little.

Very recently visa numbers are available for the just one above category to the my application category. My friends and some other known people applications are started getting cleared. My curiosity bumping up day by day and my expectations also started diminishing day by day. Ultimately ended up with a stress and I failed to apply the knowledge point of expectations kills joy.

Out of my stress, I made an inquiry about my case, which is not a recommended course action, because technically my application was filed in the different category. My attorney was trying from her side to port my case to the next level of category. In spite of all these uncertainties, I made that mistake by filing an inquiry and got a following response saying no visa numbers available for your application category. This information made it clear that my application category is not ported to the next category.

Having known the fact about my case status, I become dispassionate with a flavor of disappointment. And there were so many internal dialogs flashing inside my mind from all the directions like a high beam of neon flash beam bombarding and reflecting back with in a very enclosed transparent sphere. I lost my present moment and not focused on what I am doing. And at this moment idea flashed to apply some knowledge and wisdom to get over it, then who else is the wisdom hub. Started reading a small book that I borrowed from Nirupama with an intention to find some knowledge points and apply. I find surrender is the way to step out of dilemma.

I wanted to surrender Now next question is how to do surrender? Based on some points here and there in this book about the surrender and some close relative points. What I understood is

1. Do whatever you can do, with in your ability of 100%
2. Surrender actions and inactions and get free out of it
3. Measure stick for the quality surrender: If you are not happy with your present moment, surrender didn’t happen completely 100%. (This is my interpretation based my understanding)

I started gauging my completeness of surrender by present moment happiness. So I wasn’t happy with the that moment, therefore I am not surrender. Finally while I was on the flight back to Home closed my eyes for three minutes and contemplated my mind to surrender my worry for three minutes. It was so deep and intense that I totally forget about it and had a cup of coffee in the flight and soda. Happily returned home and opened internet browser to check US Open tennis game score but happened to see my email and got a email from USCIS saying that my green card is approved

Act of surrender worked out and just said Jai Gurudev and lived my moments for sometime in astonishment and wonder.

The idea of this email not to present miracles but to emphasize the significance of knowledge and wisdom and how powerful it is to manage our day to day issues and some chronic problems. we are so fortunate to have such a wonderful Guruji to make our every moment as a celebration and happy.

I don’t know how to close this subject, again I am surrendering conclusion.

Jai Gurudev
M V Sekhar
Milwuakee USA

(C) Art of Living Foundation

My First Guru Darshan

2009-10-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Jai Gurudev! :)

It was my first darshan of GURUji...in surat year 2000 !!!I just had a glimpse of guruji ....from the last row..!!!and it was my first LIVE KRIYA too..during the kriya..there was just one feeling...!!! "Guruji..now I don't want to be apart from you..for a moment also.!!!"

In the END of a satsang..when Guruji asked to make a wish... I made a wish.."Guruji, next time when You will come...I will seat with you on stage.......!!!!"

After 7 years.....!! It was guruji's visit to my place ...Surat (Gujarat-India) after 7 yrs... and after..."N" numbers of chaos....being the organizer of the youth event.....

I was with him on the STAGE....making my next wish..:)

love
Pruthvi Patel
Surat India

(C) Art of Living Foundation

Divine Experience

2009-10-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

I teach Management and Organizational Behavior to students of MBA. One fine day during February 2009 after a lecture, a thought came, that this sort of classes are not helping in my spiritual progress, all these students want spoon feeding and, they’re just concerned about their examinations, whereas I have a lot more to pour.. I was little disturbed with these kind of thoughts for few days, and then it all happened..

A senior Doctor from Fortis Hospital asked me on 13th March 2009, whether I would be able to take a lecture on ‘Positive Attitude in Life’ & ‘Motivation’ for a group of few selected patients. I whole heartedly accepted the invitation without giving it a thought, what I am going to do there & how, since it would be totally different from the other management classes where I am given a topic and syllabus, and all the students will go through examination process etc... but here this situation demanded greater responsibility and commitment.

Anyways, the whole week till Saturday I was busy with one or the other thing, couldn’t prepare for the lecture, and then the D-day arrived, it was Sunday 22.03.09, I was awake at 5.00 in the morning and started assembling thoughts jotting them down on a piece of paper…. After 1 & ½ hour, I was fully and confidently ready for the event. Planned to make them meditate first (meditating is one thing but making others meditate & that too without any experience, as I have never done such a thing earlier) and packed a big white sheet (as if the hospital wouldn’t provide the sheets), on my way to hospital, stopped the car at a General store, and bought few packets of Cadbury Gems (something guiding me continuously… didn’t know exactly what I am going to do with these tiny colored sweet tit-bits…) then stopped at the florist shop and bought 10-rose buds, again didn’t know what for…

You would be amazed to know what happened there... there were 7 participants (3 patients, 2 physiotherapist, and 2 other curious persons) I made them meditate for complete 20 minutes.. before starting, asked them.. “have u ever been to Heaven..” they were shocked at my question, then I said “don’t worry, there is no need to die for being in heaven, today we’ll go for a picnic in Heaven…Okay, close your eyes, first of all we’ll chant ‘OM’ for 3 times…. “…. (even I amazed myself with all this.. I could easily feel the presence of the ‘Higher Power’ then and there itself. I myself didn’t know, what was there inside me.. and all coming out with such an ease… was continuously speaking… “You are a peaceful soul…a loving soul.. going to meet the almighty… our journey is full of life, beautiful birds are chirping, colorful butterflies are touching us, we r as light as air, we r flying, HE is waiting there for us… the one who is full of love and life…the One Who gives us Eternal Joy… is 100%... is calling upon us… …………. Now that we are here.. HE is here… fulfilling our lives with eternal peace, joy, love and bliss... we have been longing for years….. let’s unite with the ultimate…” ….

By the end of this meditation session when I asked them to open their eyes.. I could see them smiling back and filled up with joy and love… to my utter surprise.. I asked them all to hold each other’s hand, look into each other’s eyes.. they did… by then (I am delighted to say that) my hands started passing RIEKI (although haven't completed my RIEKI Course yet but still... it started happening) to the lady sitting next to me, she said...”Mam I am feeling the current/vibrations in my hand”, I said “don’t worry, keep smiling and let it pass through your body and onto the person sitting next to you.. after few seconds everybody in the room said that their body is having vibrations, they could feel it... They all said.. yes, today you took us to Heaven. It was a wonderful experience.

Oh God.. What a moment was that I couldn’t help with the tears rolling down my eyes.. the tears of joy, the tears with a sense of completeness, fulfillment.. (my vocabulary is short of words to express that particular moment in words). After that... I gave them a small questionnaire, then we did a case study for motivational aspect.

And in the end.. the Doctor joined us, then I gave each of them a packet of Gems and a rose bud… and you would be surprised to know(since I amazed myself too-- it was totally unplanned) what I told them… I said.. “the packet of Gems contains colorful sweet bits… I pray to God.. that your life be as colorful and as sweet as these tiny gems, and u all share colors and sweetness with all and everyone who comes in contact with you” and for the rose bud I asked them "do you know why this flower is being given?" Someone said “Yes, it is given to the loved one and to the one whom we wish to congratulate or share happiness”.. I said “no”.. “today am giving this flower to you.. just to say that if you care for the flower, if u keep it in water.. it will be fresh for few hours.. but tomorrow or day after, it is going to die.. same happens with our life.. we are granted very less time.. nourish your life, keep smiling… do today and now whatever u wish to do.. because there is no tomorrow.. and don’t forget if the night has come, it is definitely accompanied with a day… joys n sorrows, days n nights, good n bad.. come what may.. don’t ever lose hope..” with these words I ended the session..

The session ended but yes.. the experience will remain in my heart for the rest of the life…. I got huge applause from all of them.. then the Doctor said I wish to confess something, I asked him 'what?' he said.. "last Sunday I invited a Dietitian and last to last Sunday, a cosmetic physiotherapist.. and when I asked you to take a lecture I thought, whether you'll be able to go with the sync, and what if our purpose of the lecture is defeated. But now, I am proud to say that all my apprehensions were wrong, you proved to be the best faculty for this. I wish, I would have invited you first...".

And then, when he reached for his drawer, I stopped him, without knowing, what he was up to.. I said “what I earned in the past 2 hours.. is priceless.. don’t make it small by paying me few bucks.” He was surprised & said.. "how do u know what I was up to?" I said.. “Even I don’t know, what am saying or doing today”.. But I knew one thing… THE DIVINE PRESENCE then and there.

Although I have been doing ‘Saadhna’ since last 5-6 years, but in actual sense now have started experiencing it in life after doing my AOL Basic course in November 2008 and then Advance course in March 2009.

PS: One more thing would like to share that this class was held on 22.03.09 and my first advance course was scheduled on 26.03.09. I did several things in my class which were later taught to me in advance course, I was totally unaware about the practices or exercises of the advance course, but with the grace of Guruji, it all happened 4 days in advance to me.

Life is short, make it sweet..
God Bless You!

Jai Gurudev
Deepa Kapoor
(C) Art of Living Foundation

Trick of the trade, is to keep the Faith!

2009-10-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

I met Guruji at Rishikesh while doing my first Advance course in Aug 05. I was astounded to look at him and felt “he is so real!” I touched his feet but was a little intimidated by the crowd around to go and say anything. As it is, I had nothing to say, I was speechless. And I wondered what on earth do people tell him/ask him. Does he even know who they are?

The second Advance Course followed in Dec 05. I was speechless again. But this time, somehow during the darshans, I asked him if I could get a hug from him. He looked at me, smiled and said Sure! It felt as though I was embracing my mother. The doubts melted and the world was splashed with brighter hues. After that I had the fortune of his darshans many times; sometimes as random as going for a satsang and finding out that Guruji would be coming there. I moved to US couple of years back and was very sad that I would lose my AOL family. But fortunately,”he” found me here too!!

My third Advance course happened in May 08 in DC during Guruji’s vedic B’day. As I was ‘loitering’ around in the foyer of the hotel (venue of course), I saw this white robed man walking in the lower level. At first I thought it was someone else since he was all by himself and there was no maddening crowd; but it was indeed “him”. Surreal but true. All I wanted to do was to look at him and not waste a moment finding ways to run towards him, after all what would I do when I reached him—I had nothing to say. So Guruji looked at me, smiled and disappeared into a room. I thought to myself, maybe I need to be more aggressive the next time in order to get his attention; maybe I need to prepare a question in my mind to ask him or maybe I am not good enough to be around him. My mind kept chattering and throwing doubts at me but deep down I felt a sense of joy. That blissful smile had already made me happy, what else was I supposed to seek? Meanwhile, I just climbed down for my next course session and there he was right in front of me again! This time he was surrounded by many people who were all expressing their joys and sorrows. I just stood at a distance and smiled, following the crowd. Suddenly “he” turned and stood right in front of me. I was speechless. I took out a sketchbook (which I was carrying for unknown reasons) and handed out to him for an autograph -- he graciously signed it. That sketchbook is one of my most sacred possessions.

I would often think about this incident and smile at my foolishness, there could be so much that I could have asked him but I chose to be just still. I have learnt that sometimes it’s better to be still and soak in the grace than to lose the sanctity in mindless chattering. I may be a skeptic but I am a bigger believer. I have learnt not to label myself as any one thing: what better fun than to surprise yourself with your own hidden qualities. I have learnt that it’s okay to tune out your mind to negativity; I’d rather throw away the garbage given by negative situations than to carry it over my head. I have learnt that doubts can be easily overcome by a joyful heart. I have learnt that my mind likes to tease me at times; the key is to be aware of it. I have learnt that we all are on the same path but with different momentum, some of us take longer than the others but our dear Guru carries us forward. I have learnt miracles do happen; the trick is to keep the faith.

Love

Jai Gurudev
Priyanka Koul J
(C) Art of living foundation

On my driving path

2009-10-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

Jai Guru Dev,

All experience with the master are exceptional, if one is aware of is subtle presence each moment in our lives. Mine is also one of them. We all run away from pain in our lives, but that is the time when we truly feel the grace flowing, 24*7. Today is 2nd Septmener'2009. The date is important because what ever happened in less than one year, not everybody is lucky enough for that in life :).

It happened last year, 19st October'2008. I was driving in Delhi, Mangol Puri road to meet my old friend, my roommate in hostel, as she was just blessed with a baby boy. As I drove, I looked at my mobile and thought of calling someone, then I put it down thinking that its not a good idea to call while driving. I reached a familiar place and was looking for the turn I had to take (I am bad with directions.. too bad). I stared at the sign board for few seconds and could not make out much. As I came down from the flyover, I was at 70+. As soon as I looked in front, there was an old lady standing in front waving her hand to slow down. And I could not. It was too late. I didn't have time to put my foot on the breaks. It was a fatal accident. Her head hit the windshield and she flew to the other side. The impact was so drastic that the windshield was crushed. And I was in shock. I came out of the car and looked at the whole scene with a blank face and a blank mind. People gathered and soon I was surrounded with more than 20 of them. Those who passed by in their cars looked at me like exactly with what they should be thinking at that time..! Then someone shouted "Take her to the hospital", and I realised that I had to take her to the hospital.

Two people helped to pick the unconscious lady and put her on the back seat of my car. I did not know where the hospital was. Two gentlemen agreed to guide me to the hospital on their scooter. I agreed to follow. All the way I kept praying to Guruji that the lady is saved somehow and kept giving blessing to her. On a red light, that scooter took left turn and I went straight. Somehow I reached the Jaipur Golden hospital in Rohini. Rushed to the reception and asked the nurse for assistance immediately. They took her inside and I went to park my car. I was alone in the hospital with her and then a thought crossed my mind. "My responsibility of bringing her to the hospital is over, I can run away and no one would come to know what had happened". Something in me asked me to stay and face it. I stayed on.

I called my parents and told them about it. They rushed to the hospital. For almost an hour I was alone and had made more than 50 calls in that duration. Asking for teachers to give her blessing and pray for her. The doctor who was treating her looked tensed and in a hurry. He called me wrote my details. Asked me, "You brought her here?" I said "Yes". "How did it happen?". "Through my car. I was driving", I replied.

I had no thoughts after that. It was blank and seemed like a play. I could not believe that it could ever happen to me, through me. Almost an hour later, few people came who knew her. She used to live in an Ashram in Delhi. They asked me questions, who was driving and how did it happen.

My parents, my grandfather and my uncle arrived and were as clueless as me what to do. Then, police came. Asked questions. Took away my license and RC of the car. Took me and my parents to the police station. We called people in vain, anyone who could help us.

News came from the hospital, the lady was no more..!

At 8 p.m. FIR was launched against me, under few sections out of which 304A was one of them. Its a criminal offense. At 10 p.m. we left the police station. That was one of the toughest day of my life so far. I got so many calls from everybody and people asked me questions like, whose fault was it, yours or that lady's?? How could anyone who could not even explain how did it happen tell whose fault was it. Next day, I switched off my phone, closed the door, and simply started doing my Kriya.

In the midst of all this, our own Advanced Course teacher, Neera Ma told me, "अगर तुम्हे ये सब देखना आ गया, तो तुम इससे बहार आ जाओगी. सब कुछ हो रहा है " (Only if you learn so SEE what is happening, you will be able to come out of it. Just watch. Its happening). And I did that. The endless discussions, continuous questions and explanations would have made me crazy, if I had not learnt to WATCH the happening. These words helped to maintain my calm in many of the situations.

As they say, "Only in bad time you know the truth of all", my friends readily came for help and support when ever I felt weak. Actually, it would not have been that painful for me, but the worst part was to see my parents see suffering because of me. My father is a simple man. He cant sleep the day he lies to someone! He can not handle much complications. And to see him and my mother going to police stations and courts because of me, it was most painful.

Few days later, we went to the house of the lady and met the family. They were obviously in anger and vain. But somehow they got this report that I wanted to run away from the situation and were angry with me. One of her sons told me "Are our children so strong that they can handle a dead person on their shoulders?". And I got angry. I stayed there alone and did not run away so that I could face myself for the rest of my life. I told him straight, "I could run away, but I did not."

Then a trail of going to police station, hunting for a lawyer and lengthy discussions started. My cousin Neha while listening to all this once told me jokingly, "Ruchi, what have you done. Never in the history of our family we had such discussions.. !! :) )" I had started taking it a bit lightly by then.

The tension was building up slowly at home as months passed by. My parents were most worried about - my marriage, above all when someone had refused me on these grounds when I told them all truth. Every lawyer told me - "Atleast 5-6 years. Thats the minimum. It may go on to 10-14 yrs as well."

I kept away from everything for some time to give maximum time at home so that I could provide what ever comfort to them as I could. Then In November BrahmNaad happened. Guruji was here for 4 days. When I looked at him , I realised that I could not face HIM ever if I had run away. Many people questioned me, "You believe in Guruji so much, then why did it happen to you..??" I did not find it necessary to answer. I knew he was watching me, closely. These were the times when I realized his presence the most. And Guruji did what? In less than a year, I went for TTC1 and TTC2. In that duration, he made me a teacher. Something that happened against everybody's will at my place. But it happened.

I went to see an astrologer who told me it would take 4 years to get this case resolved. Its less than a year and the judge quashed the case today. Today is 2nd September'2009. As my dear friend Shamik says, "The arrow will be fired at you, but if the Master is with you, it will take away the hat, leaving you scratch less..!".

This is the answer to all those who questioned HIM in this happening. Now, all those who did not believe in HIM, including my parents, know, but refuse to agree (ego you know :) ) that HE is there.

Divine doesn't cease to be.. even if no one cares :)

Love
Ruchira Bathla
New Delhi India
(C) Art of Living Foundation

I am the same!

2009-10-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

This one I recently listened while going for weekly long Sudarshan kriya. We were four people in the car Prabhu aunty, Hansa aunty and Pooja and myself. Prabhu aunty I guess in her 80s, pretty old but pretty dynamics and upbeat cheerful lady and in art of living for more than 20 years with Guruji. I asked her aunty tell me how did you came to Art of Living or how was your first interaction with Guruji. As soon as I asked her a smile spread out on her face and she narrated me this amazing Guru Story.

It was more than 20 years now, me and my husband are in Art of Living. It was the time when Guruji just started His movement to bring smile on every body face. We both were practicing TM (Transcendental Meditation) at that time and following Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. That time Guruji, once visited to Pittsburgh and stayed at our place. He came to Pittsburgh for giving a meditation and introductory session and while leaving for session Guruji called me and asked "Amma! will you come!" Though I had lot of resistance in first place for following any other spiritual master when I was already following Maharishi. But when Guruji, Himself asked I couldn't resist and went along with my husband for meditation session. Still I was not feeling comfortable some resistance was there in my heart. But as Guruji led us through the introductory session I had one of the most stunning experience which I shared with Michelle Dunbar, a TM teacher from Pittsburgh and she also had the same experience. Now you guys most be waiting to know what was that stunning experience.

As I was sitting with some resistance in my heart that in spite of having one Guru why I am following other spiritual master and just intermittently looking at Guruji and then at one sight I see on seat and I see Guruji sitting there and next sight when I see him I see Maharishi sitting there. I was stunned at my experience again I looked and it was Guruji again I rubbed my eyes and looked and it was Maharishi Mahesh yogi and it went on during the whole 1 and half hour of session. I was bit confused and didn't know what I had experienced. After the session I shared my experience with Michelle and she came with even bigger surprise that she also had the same experience. After that we both realized that we both had some resistance to listen Guruji so Guruji gave us this most miraculous experience (which is today also difficult to comprehend with logic of little mind) to make us realize that Guruji and Maharishi are same. I still feel like Guruji told me that I am the same. Since then we both are practicing Sudarshan Kriya and experiencing His Grace every moment of our life.

Prabhu Aunty
Pittsburgh PA
(C) Art of Living Foundation

Valentine's Surprise

2009-09-18T08:17:00.001-07:00

This year I prayed Guru ji that I need a valentine day gift from you as you are my valentine, But I was not aware how He will do it?

As next day was my exam so I was preparing for that. Suddenly I received call from my little friend after a long time. He wanted to meet me, so I asked him to come to my college and only then I can meet you. As he reached he gave me a rose and we both sat down near cafe.

We talked for about half an hour, suddenly a small kid of 3-4 years with her mother appeared near the sight. He was walking straight carrying a flower with him, suddenly he turned toward me and handled the flower to me with a smile on his face. After giving the flower he ran toward his mother. I was surprised and could not realize what happened. When he started going from there I gave him the rose which my friend has given me.

This is a small but lovely experience and my best valentine day gift.

Neha
Himachal pradesh

(C) Art of living foundation

Connection with Divine

2009-09-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Recently, when some work was being done in our home, my father asked the electrician to clean to main meter of its cobwebs.

While he was doing it, there was a huge spark, and the meter caught fire. The electricians just stepped back helplessly and said that nothing could be done. My parents removed the cars from the driveway immediately fearing the fire would attack the cars first. The kitchen was a foot away and everyone was standing at staring at the fire. Someone called up the fire brigade, but it never came. My mom rushed to the nearby electricity station and dad rushed to HUDA office. In the meantime, some person walking on the road just came from nowhere, climbed the huge gate, and reached for the main wire connecting to our home, and just cut it/removed it from there. Soon, the fire stopped.

The engineers from HUDA came much later, probably would have been too late by then. And they were shocked that some stranger could just climb up and cut the wire as a person who is not knowledgeable can easily get electrocuted. My dad asked several people who that person was and that he wanted to thank him. But no one knew who the person was. He had just come in like an angel, helped and vanished.

It was such a miracle. Till now, I had just heard of miracles happen. That day, it happened to us.

Guruji, Thank you for your blessings and for taking care of us.

JaiGurudev

Regards

Radhika Chugh

(C) Art of living foundation

Being Blessed

2009-08-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

This incident dates back to two and half year, yes our Silver Jubilee Year. My wife was carrying our second child. The growth, movement of baby and health of the mother was excellent for initial three months. During a routine checkup post first three months, it was noticed that there is no weight gain in baby as well as mother. Doctors decided to wait for two more weeks and advised us for sonography.

After two weeks, we went for sonography in the morning and went to our gynecology doctor in the evening with the report. The mood and face of doctor turned yellow. He explained to us that the report is negative and there are serious problems. The head of baby has grown bigger; the movements have slowed down and told us that these are the indications of “Down Syndrome”. This means the child would be mentally retired and can be a serious problem for the child and family if we allow the baby to born. To this my wife became seriously depressed & became stressful. Holding her hand with chanting of gentle Jai Gurudev I tried to assure her that nothing of this sort will happen.

Doctor advised us to go for Culture test on fluid inside uterus. This is said to be ultimate test to conform “down Syndrome”. This procedure is complicated and may sometimes result in to abortion or injury to baby. With creating and assuring of HIS bliss my wife went for the test. It takes three weeks for the culture to develop. The three weeks were spent by my wife & our family as if those were three years. During this period I was assuring her to keep faith in HIM and Blessing the baby “Jai Gurudev” as many times as I could. I was very sure that everything would be fine and nothing can go wrong when Guruji is with us.

After three weeks we got call from hospital that the report is ready and we can collect the report, with heavy heart and loads of weight on our legs we went to collect the report. The first question my wife asked the doctor even when we were still to enter her cabin that “How is the report?” and happily she replied “everything is normal, consult your gynec doctor for further advice.” On this my wife looked completely relived with reinstating strong faith in Guruji.

With the report we rushed to Gynec doctor, on seeing the report he got relived. Wished us all the best and continued with normal regular treatment. 17th August 2006 we became proud parents of healthy girl child. Her name is Jahanvi. Today she is quarter to three and recently joined the school to attend ply group. She enjoys satsang and all the AOL bhajans. I remember what Guruji once said, "Look backward with gratitude, upward confidence and forward with hope"

Swapnil Salunkhe
India
(C) Art of Living Foundation

Divine Travel Agent

2009-08-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

There is a secret to getting to Guru Poornima with Guruji. It’s so secret that only a few of us know the “key” but I will share it with you here. The secret is saying, “YES!” I have had the experience many times over of saying “YES!” to attending a course, with no knowledge of how I will get time from work or how I will pay the airfare, course fees, etc, everything falls magically into place. You see, the Divine is so loving and compassionate that whatever you ask for and commit to, this is what you receive. So many times I have said from the heart, “Guruji, I am coming to this course, I don’t know how, but I will be there", and the time and the means appear. Here are some of my experiences:

A few years ago, I was in a difficult financial situation. Guruji was coming to Miami, FL to teach a Part 2 course. The fee was $475 and I had no idea where the funds would come from. I said “YES!” and in short order, I received a check for $400 from my step mother—to this day I do not know why she sent it. Inspired, I went and bought a $1 lottery ticket and won exactly $75 making up the $475 I needed.

A few years later I said “YES!” to attending TTC1 at the Canadian Ashram. Again, I had no idea where the funds would come from and financially was dealing with some challenges. I had a frequent flyer ticket I hoped to be able to use to get to Canada but found I did not have enough miles to fly from US to Canada. So, I e-mailed Guruji and said, my full intention is to go to TTC1 come what may, I will put it all on a credit card if needed, but please help if you can! The very next day, I went to the same website to try with my frequent flyer miles again and there it was, one seat available for the amount of frequent flyer miles I had. Then the most amazing thing began to happen, I began to receive checks from strange places. I received a check for dividend on my home owner’s insurance (I had never even heard of such a thing!) and a check for overpayment of property taxes. A friend handed me a check saying she owed me money—I had no recall her owing me money, I received an extra pay check that month and a few other small checks that had I added them up, they would have amounted exactly to the $3000 TTC1 course fee!

Most recently in May, I attended the most beautiful course in Arosa, Switzerland with our Beloved Guruji. The moment I learned of the course, I said “YES!” a thousand times yes! I had been looking for months to refinance my home and kept running into obstacles. I e-mailed Guruji and said, I am going to Switzerland, I don’t know how yet, but I will be there with you. Shortly after, I received a word from my lender that the rates had dropped and that I was eligible for a special loan program. I was able to refinance my home and in the process did not have to pay my home mortgage in May and got an extra paycheck in May—my course and travels were paid for! I then had the thought in my head while in Switzerland, wow, I so want to go and do the Guru Puja course in Chicago in July but I have just done this trip to Switzerland, how will I handle with finances and time off of work so soon after Arosa? Again, I said, "YES!" When I came home from Switzerland, I found a check waiting in the mail from my old mortgage lender, a refund, in just the amount I needed for course fees and travel to do the Puja course and my boss said yes to the time off. Now you know this precious secret. Just say "YES!" fully, from your heart, with all the innocence of a child that the Divine will take care. Time Money and everything else will managed if you say 'YES' . Its all the play of MASTER HANDS. These are just a few ways that I have been so blessed, loved and taken care of by our Guru over the years. Make your AIM – Attention, Intention, and Manifestation! HE is anyway giving with both hands.

Leslye Moore

North America

Money to Divine Honey

2009-08-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

My name is Vikas Sheth. I joined The WONDERFUL Art of Living (AOL) due to the compulsion of my little wonderful sister Vishva Sheth. I had always thought that way to a happy life is by putting all my efforts into earning MONEY. When I used to hear people say “I’m out with my family”, I used to think he just ‘wasted’ an entire day because he did not earn MONEY! As you can easily figure out my pathetic life! All I thought was MONEY! So, I rarely had any time to make friends. I rarely went to get–togethers, outings or with my family. Then, I met Shyam. He was the enlightenment! He works as an analyst in well known bank (which is serious work!) and yet he is not drained out or sad and I bet his family is happy! The question then arose, WHAT DID HE DO THAT I DID NOT DO?

After meeting him, I enrolled into the YES+ program. There, I thought that I will be taught the way to earn more MONEY! (Silly me!!). Virat and Vasudha headed the course. They were the FIRST TRUE FRIENDS I EVER HAD! I went through many ‘silly processes’ which at the end had completely transformed me! After the course, I got the answer of the above question! IT’S NOT THE MONEY! ITS ME! If I’m HAPPY, everyone else is HAPPY! When they were HAPPY, I could perform better at work! IT ALL STARTS WITH ME!

There at the course, Virat also said that I must enjoy my work. If I don’t, there is something seriously wrong with the job. He told us the good side about doing your own thing. At first, it did not make much sense! HOW IS ONE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY WORK? The next day when I went to work, this time, I tried to enjoy it but, I simply could not! At the end of the day, I seriously started feeling that something is wrong with my job and that I’m supposed to be somewhere else! But where? I got an offer from the U.A.E. at the same post with 4 times my current pay! But, it would be the same old thing which I would not like to do. I always enjoyed designing steel structures (especially Scaffolding Systems). Then I thought of Guruji, asking him what should I do? The very next day, my friend called me proposing me his business venture. At first, I did not pay any heed but the moment he said the phrase “Design of Scaffolding Systems”, I accepted the offer! I’m today one of the five partners of RAAJ Scaffolding Services, our new company!

Happiness at last! Today, I ENJOY at my work place, I own a company and I design SCAFFOLDING SYSTEMS which I always enjoyed and I earn good profits! Wow! My family is also happy! On Sundays, I’m fresh! We all have a nice time and I actually have AN OUTING WITH MY FAMILY!

This like a dream comes true! Thanks to My wonderful sister Vishva, my Good friend Shyam and Vasudha Didi and my best Friend Virat! I’ve also decided to help AOL in building the Youth Center in Bangalore by designing and providing Scaffolding Systems. That’s like moving from Money to Divine Honey.

Vikas Sheth

Mumbai, India

That's How It All began

2009-08-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

The biggest adventure of my life began on Feb 10th 2006 as I sat on a flight to Bangalore, India, to join 2.5 million People gathered from all over the globe with one common goal: to stand for peace. Yes :), I am talking about the Silver Jubilee celebrations with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that took place at the Jakkur Airfield, Bangalore, India. I was a part of history in the making. And although the journey from my home in Texas to my time spent at the ashram and the three days at Jakkur where we were joined by Diplomats, saints, angels, and devotees from all over the globe, is worth mentioning, the Guru story I am about to share actually begins a month before that time: It begins on the day that I decided, “Come what may, I am going to Bangalore to support my Guru's vision of a One World Family - Vasudeva Kutumbakam.”
Two weeks before I booked my tickets to Bangalore, I met Guruji in Texas. I was one among roughly thirty people in a beautiful devotee home. After Knowledge, Guruji asked if anyone had any questions. I gingerly raised my hand from the back of the room. I was still in two minds about going to Bangalore for Silver Jubilee. "Guruji, I will have to miss school to come to Bangalore for Silver Jubilee, shall I still come?" I asked slyly. Guruji smiled and asked, "Are you a good student or a poor student?" I thought for a moment. "I'm somewhere in between a good student and a poor student," I cutely replied. Guruji laughed and said, "See, if you are a good student, then come, if you are a poor student then you should stay and go to school."

I had never failed a class, and that constitutes on being a pretty darn good student, right? I was ecstatic! Guruji said I could go! (That was the moment all my doubts had disappeared and I knew I had to go - it was as though Guruji personally invited me to come with Him to this wonderful celebration he had planned and I was no fool to say no!).

I left satsang that day feeling elated but a whirlpool of thoughts was gnawing at my mind: 'How are you going to convince your parents?' 'How are you going to skip school?' It was the middle of the last semester of my senior year in college - the year we have to submit a huge group project and presentation to a company (I know it seems so small in front of something as grand as the Silver Jubilee celebrations, but tell that to my parents! - they are the ones I had to convince).

Two weeks later, I called an agent and booked my tickets. That night, as I held the printed itinerary in my hands and kept chanting the "Jai Guru Dev" mantra repeatedly in my head like a broken tape-player, I called my parents. I asked if I could go to Bangalore. They said no as I expected - I was ready for this and had mentally written a whole list of possible reasons they would give me on why I should not go and what I would say to convince them. None of them worked. I would have kept pushing them but after a few minutes, I could hear the stress in my father's voice and I 'gave in.' Never during the call did I mention that I had already booked my tickets!

I decided to go without them knowing. Guruji would take care, na :). But I had to tell someone, it would be my first time traveling out of the country alone and I needed someone to know I was going! I approached my sister. She was shocked at first and completely unconvinced. But my sister is more open-minded in these matters than my parents, I just needed a different angle to convince her. The next day, we went shopping to Barnes and Noble, my sister and I, the whole while there my mind was filled with thoughts of the Silver Jubilee. I thought of Guruji and surrendered. As I made my way across an aisle of books, one particular book jumped out at me: the 2006 Astrology book for my sun sign - Taurus. I opened it and flipped to the month of February. There, at the top of the page, was a list of days in February which would be especially auspicious for the sun sign of Taurus. You won't believe, among those days, at the very top, were Feb 17, 18 and 19, all listed together! My heart stopped and my head burst with excitement as I read the description next to those dates (those three days were the days of the Silver Jubilee celebrations!). It said, 'You will be traveling far to join many others for a spiritual gathering.'

Only Guruji knows how to convince with style! I ran with the book to my sister - her eyes were wide with shock and after reading this, she looked up and said, "I think you should go!" And that was how it all began :)

In Awe and Bliss

A Devotee (PS)

USA

Mutes are Turning Great Masters of Speech

2009-08-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Its my pleasure to share with you the amazing experience that happened during the Navchetna Shibir I was conducting recently. Navchetna Shibir (Water Breath Sound Workshop) is a 5 days course taught to the under privilege section of society. I was conducting this course in one of the slum area of Thane. The course participants were very enthusiastic from the first day onwards. They participated with full zeal and vigor. There were many beautiful experiences shared on the last day of the course and one of them was really very touching. A 10 year old boy, Deepak was the first person to raise his hand.

He stood up from his place, "दीदी मैं बोलता हूँ means sister, I speak" he said
and so I encouraged him to say, "हाँ बोलो (yeah speak)"
and he repeated again "दीदी मैं बोल रहा हूँ (sister I am speaking)"

I was confused as people started applauding as soon as he said this.
Seeing my puzzled face, one of the participants-his mother explained to me what had happened. “Few years ago while playing my son Deepak had an accident and his tongue was cut and since then he couldn’t speak and even when he used to try we could make anything.” On hearing this I understood the amazement behind people's loud applause. Deepak was speaking clearly now!!!!!!

Everyone was deeply touched by the miracle that they had observed among themselves. They were grateful for being part of this shibir and so was I. I was overjoyed realizing that I had been a channel of Guru's Grace. I had only heard and read about such miracles but now I know that with Guru's blessings and motive to make a difference "Everything is possible" I am also realizing the one line from Guru Paduka Stotrum

नता ययो श्रीपतिताम समीयुः

कदा चिदाप्याशु दरिद्रवर्याः

मुकांचावाचास्पतिताम हि ताभ्याम

नमो नमः श्री श्री गुरुपादुकाभ्यम

Means My Prostration to the holy sandals of my Guru adoring which worst poverty stricken, it has turned great processor of wealth and even Mutes have turned to be great master of speech.

In Awe and Bliss,
Jyoti Thakkar,
Art Excel and YES Teacher,
Thane, India

Guru Prasad Called VEDA MAYURI

2009-08-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

I don’t remember when I got married. It’s an habit not to keep track of dates, but well pre Sudarshan Kriya days, I was involved more in knowledge sheets of Guruji, a local paper use to publish it in local lingo, having listened to many masters, I found the parallels in my so called thinking with Guruji's vision... I had no habit of reading papers, but well, I made it a habit to buy now for this little bit of info which was FULLY LOADED.

And then the days passed, it was almost 10 years since we got married, and I had married my childhood pal... so it was a cool affair,... sort of swayamvar..Ha... either way... but after 10 years we still could not have our extension... I was rather cool about the issue. As I always wanted to adopt but you know the shakti or devi we are attached to...they feel complete when they really have an extension coming out of their body, mind and soul. Yes, you are right. Purnasya poorna maadaaya...lol. Whatever, so there was always this craving for a kid... and you know the society we lived in... "10 years and no kids!!!"...

So started our trips to doctors in and around Bangalore. One doctor (famous homeo Gynec Dr. Rudresh of Gandhi bazar) told us...come on you peeps must be crazy to go in for kids now, at this age (I was turning 38 and my bestest half 35). So he told, I can’t do anything for you couple with a straight face... we said okay...lord of love will shine someday..ha..next doc tor another well known doctor (I dare to name DR KAMINI RAO of Sadhasiv nagar).. she looked at me " oh so you thought god will give you a kid"... Hum I told okay lady, even if god does not give us a kid its okay. There are enough street kids or stray dogs I am attached to – that’s also god given. So be it but now since we are paying you, you tell us what we got to do. At this moment I am more concerned about my bestest half rather than your arrogance of being a doctor!!!...and I told her, now we are off to Singapore. So refer us to a doctor there... so she did..she refered to Dr. CLEMENT CHAN of Singapore general hospital. Now this Doctor was a gem and a gentleman. He sorted out issues but told us “hey you know your Indian system is the best, you got to get married early - because female foetus is in good shape from 15 - 35. After that chance of having a healthy kid is low, especially since you are a vegetarian. so now you guys have no other alternative than IVF, which may or may not be a success.”

Hmm... that sent us into a tizzy mode. You all must have heard a IBF logic called tizzy logic..ha..something like that.. You know the washing machine... I told my bestest half... "no going artificial". I would rather spend that as a corpus fund for kids with no parents. Obviously there was pressure from my mom and her parents. I told her, “look, IVF costs around 7 lacs in Singapore and 1.3 lacs in Bharat, no point in doing that. Money can’t buy you love. So I said, these holidays we go back to bharat and get enrolled in ART OF LIVING basic course. By then I had an idea of Guruji and His vision as well as power of Sudarshan Kriya and we both took the course under stewardship of VANAJI (also known as Vana jamami) in Indiranagar - Bangalore. 21st day after the course and regular practice... Madhuri conceived!!!! We also have recorded the date of conception - you know, once you do kriya regularly we come to know the involuntary functions and actions of the body. So to be precise, November 21- 12:30 am was the grand success of our procreators act. We knew it and well doctors confirmed it.

And it did not stop there... my bestest was little diabetic but that did not matter and was a surprise to consulting doctors at Manipal Hospital and as well Madhuri did not have craving either like most pregnant have..crave for sour recipes or anything that matters or does not... she was almost out of any chemical drug... hmmm and then when she was scanned which I also witnessed.. Yet to be born VEDA use to somersault in the womb...LOL.. so funny it looked...

Oh yes, then onwards it was a peace story, peaceful delivery and vibrant kid... whom Guruji gave us as a PRASAD... also its a darshan of guruji, a spark in the vishwaroopa darshan.

So now VEDA MAYURI is 5 and goes to SSRVM (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Madir) JP Nagar... where else!?... LOL I am not the parent. I am just the instrument of lord of love... ;)

Madhava M S Hebbar

Bangalore, India

God is Handling Your Car

2009-07-29T09:23:00.001-07:00

It was really a great day 6 August 2006 when a volunteer informed about part 1 course date& venue. We both as a couple decided 2 go joined course with a young daughter just 2 yrs old at home with a elder daughter 9 years. We have to leave younger one half hour before elder one comes from school because of course after noon schedule. Nothing happened both stayed very comfortably unlike other occasions. This all happened with Guruji's kripa which we only came to know on completion of course, my mother, my brother, his wife, my daughter, my all sis in laws, my nephew, my friends all at one go within six months did the course living different parts of world. This I consider masters blessing that He called all family under His UMBRELLA. Which I often feel LUCKY than those where 1 or 2 members have done some course and they are not 100% physically mentally present at any Art of Living programs. My both daughters wait for Saturday’s satsang to be a part of. Surprisingly my elder daughter who is 14yr old has filled his ipod with all AOL BHAJANS... ALL GURUS KRIPA...

Last year in October my sister in law from Bangalore was here (in Meerut). We have to go to drop her to Nizamuddin station for her to catch Rajdhani Express. It just came to my mind to get my car get serviced as its silencer was making some noise. At I went to workshope the car mechanic just went inside the care to check the silencer he immediately came out and asked if breaks in my car working? I said yes, I just stopped at your garage, isn’t it? In amazement he said, साहब आपकी गाड़ी तो भगवान ही चला रहे हैं, ब्रेक का तार टुटा हुआ है और ब्रेक आयल लीक होगया है sir, only God is handling your car, the break wire is broken and all break oil is already leaked. I told him, हाँ हमारे एक बागवान हैं जो सब सम्भ्हल रहे हैं. Means, yeah our God take care of everybody and I thanked Guruji. He was just looking at my calm smiling face reply without being showing any sign of panic or discomfort. Just thanking my Guruji. He is simply great!

Jai Gurudev
Manish Kakarenia
(C) Art of Living Foundation

Take Guru's words Seriously

2009-07-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

I would like to narrate a Guru Story which happened in my life. I and my wife Karthika wanted to go to Rishikesh to be with Guruji for a very long time and made it at last in March 2007. Since this was the first time we were visiting the Northern India, we were just planning to go to Agra, Mathura and Brindavan as part of this trip. The first day when Guruji arrived in Rishikesh, we were about 40 people in the Kutir. As soon as He entered the room, He saw me first and asked where I was coming from. I said Bangalore, not knowing that He already knew that. Then He asked me again. I was confused. Then He asked if I was coming directly from Bangalore or after visiting Agra, Mathura and Brindavan in exactly the same sequence we had planned! I and Karthika were completely surprised (Why do we forget that He knows everything?) and started laughing and Guruji started laughing too. Nobody in the room really understood a thing! In the same trip on the Last day of advanced course, we were sitting in rows for Guru Darshan, And Guruji came near me. He started pinching my cheek and pulling my ear. I was elated. Then he asked me if I have done my TTC. I said no. Then He told me "DO TTC".

After going back to Bangalore, this small mind of mine was telling me that since I had switched job just 6 months before, how I would get 2 weeks leave to do the TTC. Then I decided to go for TTC at a later date not knowing what was coming and how I completely ignored Guruji's words. After a few days, one night in the Ashram after the satsang, I was again standing in a line for Guru Darshan. Then Guruji came near me, patted my cheek and asked "how are you?" in Kannada. I said I am great, as if I completely understand Guruji's grace. As Guruji was about to leave for Germany later that night, myself and Karthika decided to go to Airport to send him off. On that particular day, my car apparently had some problem (Later found out that it was in perfect condition) and so took our 2-wheeler and started out. In the mid way, we met with an accident. The vehicle hit a curb and my head hit the curb (I was wearing helmet) and Karthika flew across and landed in the road on the other side of the curb. I broke my toe quite terribly and Karthika did not get even a single bruise. It was such an amazing moment that for the first time, we were able to experience our mind being 100% in the present moment! Later we managed to get into a hospital and a surgery was done. Surprisingly I didn't experience any amount of pain throughout this episode. In fact doctors were asking again and again if I am lying or something and I was really laughing throughout. After that I had to take 2 weeks of medical leave coinciding with the dates of TTC! It was only when an astrologer told that my accident was supposedly almost fatal and that I was supposed to have got a head injury, that I started thinking about the whole sequence of events. Here is what I found. Guruji wanted to save me completely and asked me to be in TTC. I COMPLETELY IGNORED. Even after my decision, Guruji was so compassionate that He, by patting on my cheek, made a complete joke of the fate and converted a head injury into a PAINLESS-Toe fracture! On that day I decided to do the next TTC NO MATTER WHAT!

On the top of all this here is another incident in connection with the above episode. I was still in rest after the accident, but wanted to just see Guruji on my birthday. So somehow by limping I went to the Ashram and that day being Monday attended the Rudra Puja and was very happy just with that. But my wife had brought some sweets and asked Swami Sadhyojatah to give them to Guruji in his Kutir as Guruji normally never meets anybody after the Rudra puja. But we were sitting outside the Kutir entrance just hoping some miracle would happen. And MIRACLE happened. Somebody started calling for "Ramki and Karthika" with the usual feverishness! Guruji after receiving the sweets from Swamiji had asked for us to come in. Then with the huge bandage on my foot, I was happily limping all the way to the Kutir along with my wife, my brother-in-law and my parents. Once I stepped into the entrance of the Ganga Kutir, I realized Guruji was all along expecting us and kept on looking at the entrance. Once I entered I touched his feet and He gave me a "SRI SRI Dollar" as a gift and later gave each of us a banana. Then He started asking about what happened to my foot so innocently as if He knew nothing about it. Then I started narrating the story of the accident. He asked smilingly why we have to come all the way to the airport just to wave the hands. Then I told how Karthika flew all the way and ended up having no wound. Guruji busted into laughter. And my brother-in-law told that the police had registered his name in the report for no reason. Guruji asked why. Then I told I didn’t have a license! Guruji started laughing even more and all the Swamijis in the room started laughing out loud. And with a Perfect Birthday gift I walked out of the Kutir. Surprisingly this incident in the Kutir was later shared by Guruji himself in an advanced course which my brother-in-law attended. Apparently Guruji was narrating how this couples (me and Karthika) took such a big accident so lightly and laughed all the way through and told the participants that this is how one changes after doing the Art of Living course!

ध्यान मूलं गुरुर मूर्तिः पूजा मूलं गुरुर पदं
मंत्र मूलं गुरुर वाक्यं मोक्ष मूलं गुरुर कृपा
Dhyan moolam gurur murthih Pooja moolam gurur padam
Mantra moolam gurur vakyam Moksha moolam gurur krupa
ध्यान मूलं गुरुर मूर्तिः (Master's form is the root of all Meditations)
पूजा मूलं गुरुर पदं(Master's feets are the root of all worship)
मंत्र मूलं गुरुर वाक्यं (Master's Words are the root of all Mantra)
मोक्ष मूलं गुरुर कृपा (Master's Grace are the root for Liberation)

Ramakrishnan Devarajan
Bangalore India
(C) Art of Living Foundation

Safeguard Assured

2009-07-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

It was already 6.10 and I had to reach the center (Guru Kutir) at 6.20. I was assisting the part-1 course and was getting late for it. I came out running from the apartment and just as I came out of the premises. I found an auto and was happy that now I will reach to the center on time. Auto reached the crossing and signal became red. Present moment is inevitable. Anyhow after some time the signal became green. Road was very less crowded so auto was at its full speed.

I was about to reach guru kutir and suddenly gharrrrrrrrrrrrrr cheeeeeeeee the auto skidded and fell down. I was lying in the auto and auto was dragging me in full speed. Gharrrrrrrrrrrrr Cheeeeeeeeeee and here stopped the auto. I don't know how much distance I covered getting dragged. Lots of people on the road gathered and took me and auto driver out of the broken auto. I saw the auto driver was having some scratches. I paid him money, told him to go to the doctor and hurried towards Guru Kutir. But after going few steps, suddenly my steps stopped and I turned back to confirm whether I have really come out of the auto with my whole body or is my soul running towards Guru Kutir. I was standing with my full body with maximum one or two scratches, only my dress was torn and slipper was broken.

Suddenly I remembered Guru ji's answer to someone's question, "If due to bad time your head is to be cut only your hat will get damaged your head will remain safe as I am with you"

Thank you Guru ji. Thanks again and again for always being with me.

Jai Gurudev!

Bandana Jha

Simply God

2009-07-16T13:03:00.001-07:00

Here are few incidences which whisper HIS Godliness.

When I was in Bangalore ashram in June '09, Guruji called a meeting of all U.P. teachers. Myself, Monikaji, Anurag ji, both of my kids, Yathartha and Aanchal and one more UP teacher, were sitting in the last row. Guruji was watching AajTak news and discussing, in which Sri Sri's Delhi & Bombay visits were being broadcasted. My younger ward Yathartha kept irritating me about his hunger for an hour. At the same time Guruji said, “Someone is holding his hunger since half an hour.” with this he dropped some sweets in his mouth. At the same moment Yathartha told me that he was no more hungry. A realization dawned in me that He knows everything. He is Omniscient

My husband never agreed to go to Bangalore ashram because of the fact that we were not allowed to stay with the family in one room . This time in June when there was U.P. teachers meet in BADRIVISHAL Guruji told that now you can stay in Ashram with your family in one room. While he was telling these words his eyes were focused on me. His Holiness Sri Sri knows everything and everywhere and I realized HE is Omnipresent.

In Bangalore ashram, every Sunday, Satsang is held in Amphi theatre . This time, Guruji was sitting straight in front of me and I was sitting with the Satsang group. All of a sudden Guruji put a glance on me when I covered my forehead to shield against the bright sunlight . At the same time Guruji went into deep meditation and all of a sudden I was relieved from the glare as the clouds took over. So Guruji can control weather too and give me awareness that He is Omnipotent. This realizes me that He is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipresent. I strongly established in faith that HE is simply God.

Sandhya Aggarawal

Art of Living Teacher

Meerut UP