“How old are you?” she asked me.
“13?”
“You are too young!” she exclaimed.
“But I really want to join.”
I still remember this interaction when I found that ‘The Art of Living’ people were about to conduct ‘Yes+ Course’ (earlier called Young Adult Course) in my school. Children of my age were supposed to get into ‘Art Excel’ but I persisted and there I was, youngest of them all.
Those were the days I changed extensively. It was an eye opener to inner world. Not that I didn’t knew about it already, I’ve know my inner-self since as far as I can recall. But this was a not just a window to peek in. This was a door that once you open and escape limits, you will never again return to limited thinking.
They asked us to write our every day experience in a small note book. I can’t recall all the detail that has happened because honestly, there was so much happening – energy was really high. I am reading those notes and recalling all that I can of those wonderful 7 day course. (Another reason to write meditation journal)
About ‘Guru Ji‘ & His Philosohpy
The Art of Living his lead by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, lovingly called ‘Guru ji’ or ‘Sri Sri’. He is an engineer himself and a profound teacher. He doesn’t ‘tell & teach’ he takes you there and then you can’t help but learn.
The philosophy of ‘The Art of Living’ is based around internal change through yogic practices. Not just any yogic practice, but developed and refined ones.
Sudarshan Kriya – Sadhna (Meditation)
‘Sudarshan Kriya’ is the central attraction or main ‘Sadhna’ (meditation) in the practice. It’s a series of breathing exercises that really tells you the meaning of ‘Yog’ – union. You become one as body, mind and soul. Oh! I cannot begin to describe the blissfulness of those moments and the life altering awareness that follows.
Satsang – Community of Truth
Community plays a big role in this internal change. You will never find a single person in whole family of ‘The Art of Living’ who is not smiling. And they are not smiling to show something, they are smiling because they know themselves. They know their true nature, they have seen it and most important they ‘be it’. So Aham.
I still remember the 3S’s my teacher taught me: Sadhana (meditation), Seva (service) and Satsang (co-creation with like minded). If anyone seeks a change… No, if anyone seeks ‘revolution’ in their lives – go jump right in!
Go Join-in
I am not being paid to write this. I was paid already when I joined. I was paid with a mirror that shows me time and again my true nature. Or as Chitra Roy puts it “Mere Krishna roop se mera prichaya kara diya…” (You’ve introduced me to my Krishna, God, self.) What more a bribe can anyone pay you? Priceless gift it was!
Things must have changed, for I am not in touch with people. But I know change is good. So find local people and get on with it. Don’t miss this chance for eternal smile.
Jai Guru Dev! (Hail the Mentor!)
PS: You are your own mentor.
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