Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Art of Living Blog
This blog has been shifted to artoflivinginfo.blogspot.com. Also the original popular Art of Living blog at artofliving.rediffiland.com is now blogs.rediff.com/artofliving since rediff has changed its blog url's. However all the content on this rediff blog has now been replicated to the new Art of Living blog.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Hari Sundara Nanda Mukunda! sung at Art of Living Silver Jubilee
Enjoy this enthralling and high voltage Art of Living Bhajan "Hari Sundara Nanda Mukunda" bhajan sung at Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations day - 2 (February 18th 2006) at Jakkur Air field, Banagalore. This was sung by Sri Sri Ravishankar Himself as well as Art of Living teacher Rishi Nityapragya etc. Can somebody please post the lyrics and other related links in comments.
Enthralling Satsang in progress at Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A review of Scientology
Mankind knows the concept that we are not our bodies but spiritual beings for many millennia.
Hindu scriptures has been telling the same from time immemorial. Even most other religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism tell the same thing. Hindu Seers have not only well-documented this philosophy through its numerous scriptures which give you deep knowledge about the Self (It is also called Spirit, Soul, Consciousness, Atma etc) but also provides lots of practical, well-established and time-tested tools and techniques like Yoga and meditation to realize your real nature i.e. that is your soul.
I don't see any need for a new "religion" for achieving self-realization (or enlightenment of Moksha or liberation or Nirvana etc). Moreover it seems that Scientology is a propaganda to achieve vested interests by some people. They are making it seem that it is their new "invention" for path to liberation and I seriously doubt whether it is any useful in the path towards enlightenment. Also the very name "Scientology" is a wrong word because it misleadingly suggests that it is a 'new "scientific" way of life "unlike" other religions or spiritual traditions'.
in reference to: Official Church of Scientology Online Videos: What is Scientology, Scientologist Beliefs, Spiritual Healing with Dianetics (view on Google Sidewiki)
Hindu scriptures has been telling the same from time immemorial. Even most other religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism tell the same thing. Hindu Seers have not only well-documented this philosophy through its numerous scriptures which give you deep knowledge about the Self (It is also called Spirit, Soul, Consciousness, Atma etc) but also provides lots of practical, well-established and time-tested tools and techniques like Yoga and meditation to realize your real nature i.e. that is your soul.
I don't see any need for a new "religion" for achieving self-realization (or enlightenment of Moksha or liberation or Nirvana etc). Moreover it seems that Scientology is a propaganda to achieve vested interests by some people. They are making it seem that it is their new "invention" for path to liberation and I seriously doubt whether it is any useful in the path towards enlightenment. Also the very name "Scientology" is a wrong word because it misleadingly suggests that it is a 'new "scientific" way of life "unlike" other religions or spiritual traditions'.
in reference to: Official Church of Scientology Online Videos: What is Scientology, Scientologist Beliefs, Spiritual Healing with Dianetics (view on Google Sidewiki)
Sri Sri Ravishankar on Mathematics, Science and Spirituality!
Mathematics, Science and Spirituality!
Memorial Lecture given by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at S. M. Medical college, Jodhpur ( 23 February 2005)
(H H Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living Founder spoke in both Hindi and English. Wherever spoken in Hindi has been translated in English here. By the way, Government of Maharashtra (an Indian state) wanted to make mathematics an optional subject from 8th standard! This was ridiculous! Such a move would have disastrous implications on the society in the long run. It would take us several centuries backwards in time. All those who are aware of this should oppose it. Read an interesting article on this by my ex-colleague Sai at: saisureshsivaswamy.rediffblogs.com. Originally posted on my other Art of Living blog in 2006. - Krishna)
Science And Spirituality
I know you all are waiting to hear me, while there are others who are simply waiting to see me, doesn't matter what I talk. Should I speak in Hindi or English? Some want in Hindi and others in English. I will speak in both and whenever I am speaking in the language other than that of your choice, just listen as if you are listening to some music, otherwise you will start feeling restless!
Listening is also an art - there is an art of listening. Are you all listening? It can be any speaker who may speak for ten minutes but we actually hear for about three minutes; this is a statistical figure! The remaining seven minutes, the body remains there but the mind goes out gallivanting and comes back after roaming for sometime. So if one speaks for thirty minutes say, then, in actual effect, you hear for about 9-10 minutes. That's why I said, whatever language I speak, if you do not understand, just hear it like a music otherwise restlessness starts building in the mind, right?
You always complain if someone speaks in the language you don't know. When you sit and gossip for 2-3 hours, you don't know how the time flies but when you are sitting and someone is speaking for a couple of minutes in a foreign language you don't know, even those couple of minutes seem to be very long, hasn't it been our experience? Whenever your mind is engaged, you do not feel the time but when the mind is not engaged, you feel the time is too long, correct? Study of time is both Spirituality and Science. Time is the junction.
Are you all here? What is happening now? Waiting- waiting for a phone call, waiting for someone to come, waiting for something. But you know what's interesting is that we don't know what waiting itself is! If you can experience the pure waiting- that becomes meditation. Suppose I am not going to speak for next 20-25 minutes, are you willing to be here? Yes! Waiting for infinity is meditation and if we don't understand what waiting is, we tend towards frustration.
See, waiting is the junction that either leads you to frustration on one side or, on another side, takes you to a meditative state. If you are a meditator then you know what dhyaan (meditation) is, then nothing can frustrate you because every moment that you are free and have to wait for something, you drop into meditation!
We become carefree when we realize that waiting can lead to either meditation or frustration. You can be free from frustration if you meditate and be happy and joyful. Many moments come in our lives, when we have to wait and with this waiting we are filled with frustration, anger, restlessness - all kinds of disorders of mind. So to become free from all such disorders it is very essential to know about meditation.
"What is this?"- is Science ; " Who am I?"- is Spirituality. It is only in India, in this country, that no conflict ever happened between Science and Spirituality. It is only in India that from ages the science and spirituality said the Earth and other planets are
moving round the Sun. We also teach our students but unfortunately in a wrong way. We teach today in our schools that Galileo discovered that the earth is round. We don't remember that it is India which has given the concept of earth being spherical 'khagoal' (kha means Earth and goal means round), 'bhoogoal' (geography- the study of earth ) etc. The earth was always considered spherical. In the 7- 8th century sculptures you see the Varah Murti carrying a globe on their tusks. That means our ancestors, the people in India in ancient days knew that the earth was spherical.
From the times of Vedic age itself, our ancient people knew the placing of the sun and the planets. In today's time too we worship the same way by placing the sun in the center and all planets around it. Long ago, from ancient times, we knew that the sun was the center of our solar system yet we teach wrong and give credit to Galileo for discovering it! We need to change such history now. Similarly the value of Pi and its formula were known long ago. They were well advanced in mathematics. All geometry, trigonometry etc was given in verses with not just formulas but also with detail and diagrams. So we were never ignorant but very advanced in Science from ancient time but unfortunately what is being taught is that our ancestors were ignorant and foolish. It is heard that a professor of History, in Delhi University, is teaching the children that the ancient man burnt incense to scare the God saying- "See the incense in my hand, fulfill my wish or I will burn you down." And if that was not sufficient to scare then he went with the lamp etc. According to his teaching the ancient man knew nothing else but to scare for fulfilling his wishes and because of such foolish ideas only he began doing worship! If we teach such things to the children then these children will become naxalites in future. It is the lack of spirituality in education in our country, that the youth are becoming naxalites. On one hand they commit suicide or on other hand they become violent and aggressive.
What is spiritualism? To understand this, ponder over this "Who am I? What am I made up of?" This body is made of food we eat etc but then consciousness, the spirit within it is made up of what? What are its ingredients?- to know this all is spiritualism. Our ancestors have given the beautiful explanations of it. Asti, Bhati, Preeti , Naam and Roop - these are the five ingredients/elements or aspects of self. Asti, Bhati, Priti- are the three forms of our consciousness, our mind. Asti meaning "I am", bhati is realizing that it is and preeti , the love with which it is made of “these are the three forms with which our consciousness is made of. If all the lights were put off in this room, even then you feel your presence, don't you still feel , I am here? - this feeling of I am is - asti.
Are you all listening? Still here? The mind has not gone out for a tea break na? Yes! So ,when you say you are listening to me you, you realize your presence that is bhati. And your nature is love- that is preeti. So these are the three aspects of our consciousness. And the body or matter has two aspects - naam or name and roop or the form. Every thing has a name and a form. With a form or property and a name different things exist in the world.
Science examines or studies on name and shape, while Spirituality on asti, bhati and preeti. What is this? - is Science ; Who am I?- is Spirituality. Can there be any conflict between the two? Never! Both are the two ends of the same thread of knowledge. People may say that spiritualism begins where science ends but I do not agree with that. Science and Spiritualism are not separate, they go together, they are always in oneness. And there can be no dispute after the theory of relativity which proved about matter and energy.
And what is happening now? As I am speaking you are also thinking in your mind - "Yes, yes, he is speaking right, or, No, no, how can that be right.. like that Yes, yes.., No, no" going on in the mind, isn't it? That faculty by which you perceive is Mind and that by which you agree/accept or disagree is Intellect. And the study of this inner, internal layers of consciousness is Spirituality.
Sri Krishna also said in Geeta - Gyaan vigyaan pratyaatma. One gains the Complete knowledge only if gets the knowledge of both science and spirituality. From our four Darshan shastras - the first three are of science only! Vaisheshik Darshan says - padartha gyaanatva mokshah. Sage Vaisheshik said that knowledge of one element contains the full knowledge of all other elements, knowing which you can attain pure bliss. If you understand and have full knowledge of one atom, you are liberated. Even if you don't believe in God but understand even one atom thoroughly, it gives you liberation- this is what the ancient scriptures have said.
How to achieve it? Put your attention to know one thing fully. Understand an atom. What is your body? - a heap of atoms. When all atoms embraced and combine with each other- a body is formed and when they become at daggers with each other and separate with each other- the body disintegrates and death takes place. This body is made up of so many atoms. What is an atom? What is the function of an atom? "So who am I? Am I the body? What is this body? Do you know this body is not solid but fluid like a river? 98% of our body is empty- space element. If you observe a small piece of your skin under the microscope, it looks like a mosquito net- so porous and full of holes! Likewise take any metal, it has lot of empty space also. And out of remaining 2% - 60% is water element and 15% air element in the body. You are like a water or a juice sachet! After you drink juice, how does the packet looks- pressed and bad similarly if all the water is removed from your body, you will become depressed! And if air is removed then, as the fish perishes if removed from water, you will perish too! We don't know fully about our body itself. So it is good to have full knowledge like this first. If you know about your own body, the mind becomes still and liberation happens. So where is the conflict? Science is a logical, sequential understanding of the reality and spirituality goes one step ahead from the aspects you know. You will see there are many types of logic - Whether the means of understanding itself is correct or not? The correct aspect is there or not? The subjective analysis- the aspect from which you learn, by which you know, whether your apparatus or analysis itself is correct or not- and this is spirituality. So unless you take both approaches, your knowledge will not be complete.
Belongingness is the sign of spiritualism. In today's life, man has become rigid like a stone living in a small world of his own. We convey more through our presence than through our words. We live whole of our life in a formal atmosphere and lose the naturalness and belongingness. One can have a simple, lovable nature or personality through spirituality only.
Truth is multidimensional. This is a gift given to the world by India. Knowledge or Truth is not linear but spherical. Isliye virodhaatmak batein sath sath hoti hein. That's why controversial things co-exist - and that's what we teach in the Art of Living course - that opposite values are complementary. Unless you take both approaches, knowledge will be incomplete. Any life devoid of Spiritualism is dry and lack of knowledge makes one sad, and sorrowful.
Some question/ answers
Q- What is God?
A-Bhoomi jaise sahansheel, Agni jaise prajvalit, vayu jeise halkaa, paani jeise vinamra aur nubh jeise sarva vyaapak- jismein yuh sub tutva hein , vuh bhagvaan hei. Patience like the Earth, Glow of the Fire, light like the Air, humble like the water(which flows downward) and present every where like space- the one having all these elements is God!
Q- How to realise faithfulness?
A- The same way you feel the pain. When there is a pain, you just know it!
Q- Guru se bada kaun? Who is above Guru?
A - Guru ka matlub hee hei - bahut bada toe jaan jao khud hee! Guru means Great so you know the answer yourself
Listening is also an art - there is an art of listening. Are you all listening? It can be any speaker who may speak for ten minutes but we actually hear for about three minutes; this is a statistical figure! The remaining seven minutes, the body remains there but the mind goes out gallivanting and comes back after roaming for sometime. So if one speaks for thirty minutes say, then, in actual effect, you hear for about 9-10 minutes. That's why I said, whatever language I speak, if you do not understand, just hear it like a music otherwise restlessness starts building in the mind, right?
You always complain if someone speaks in the language you don't know. When you sit and gossip for 2-3 hours, you don't know how the time flies but when you are sitting and someone is speaking for a couple of minutes in a foreign language you don't know, even those couple of minutes seem to be very long, hasn't it been our experience? Whenever your mind is engaged, you do not feel the time but when the mind is not engaged, you feel the time is too long, correct? Study of time is both Spirituality and Science. Time is the junction.
Are you all here? What is happening now? Waiting- waiting for a phone call, waiting for someone to come, waiting for something. But you know what's interesting is that we don't know what waiting itself is! If you can experience the pure waiting- that becomes meditation. Suppose I am not going to speak for next 20-25 minutes, are you willing to be here? Yes! Waiting for infinity is meditation and if we don't understand what waiting is, we tend towards frustration.
See, waiting is the junction that either leads you to frustration on one side or, on another side, takes you to a meditative state. If you are a meditator then you know what dhyaan (meditation) is, then nothing can frustrate you because every moment that you are free and have to wait for something, you drop into meditation!
We become carefree when we realize that waiting can lead to either meditation or frustration. You can be free from frustration if you meditate and be happy and joyful. Many moments come in our lives, when we have to wait and with this waiting we are filled with frustration, anger, restlessness - all kinds of disorders of mind. So to become free from all such disorders it is very essential to know about meditation.
"What is this?"- is Science ; " Who am I?"- is Spirituality. It is only in India, in this country, that no conflict ever happened between Science and Spirituality. It is only in India that from ages the science and spirituality said the Earth and other planets are
moving round the Sun. We also teach our students but unfortunately in a wrong way. We teach today in our schools that Galileo discovered that the earth is round. We don't remember that it is India which has given the concept of earth being spherical 'khagoal' (kha means Earth and goal means round), 'bhoogoal' (geography- the study of earth ) etc. The earth was always considered spherical. In the 7- 8th century sculptures you see the Varah Murti carrying a globe on their tusks. That means our ancestors, the people in India in ancient days knew that the earth was spherical.
From the times of Vedic age itself, our ancient people knew the placing of the sun and the planets. In today's time too we worship the same way by placing the sun in the center and all planets around it. Long ago, from ancient times, we knew that the sun was the center of our solar system yet we teach wrong and give credit to Galileo for discovering it! We need to change such history now. Similarly the value of Pi and its formula were known long ago. They were well advanced in mathematics. All geometry, trigonometry etc was given in verses with not just formulas but also with detail and diagrams. So we were never ignorant but very advanced in Science from ancient time but unfortunately what is being taught is that our ancestors were ignorant and foolish. It is heard that a professor of History, in Delhi University, is teaching the children that the ancient man burnt incense to scare the God saying- "See the incense in my hand, fulfill my wish or I will burn you down." And if that was not sufficient to scare then he went with the lamp etc. According to his teaching the ancient man knew nothing else but to scare for fulfilling his wishes and because of such foolish ideas only he began doing worship! If we teach such things to the children then these children will become naxalites in future. It is the lack of spirituality in education in our country, that the youth are becoming naxalites. On one hand they commit suicide or on other hand they become violent and aggressive.
What is spiritualism? To understand this, ponder over this "Who am I? What am I made up of?" This body is made of food we eat etc but then consciousness, the spirit within it is made up of what? What are its ingredients?- to know this all is spiritualism. Our ancestors have given the beautiful explanations of it. Asti, Bhati, Preeti , Naam and Roop - these are the five ingredients/elements or aspects of self. Asti, Bhati, Priti- are the three forms of our consciousness, our mind. Asti meaning "I am", bhati is realizing that it is and preeti , the love with which it is made of “these are the three forms with which our consciousness is made of. If all the lights were put off in this room, even then you feel your presence, don't you still feel , I am here? - this feeling of I am is - asti.
Are you all listening? Still here? The mind has not gone out for a tea break na? Yes! So ,when you say you are listening to me you, you realize your presence that is bhati. And your nature is love- that is preeti. So these are the three aspects of our consciousness. And the body or matter has two aspects - naam or name and roop or the form. Every thing has a name and a form. With a form or property and a name different things exist in the world.
Science examines or studies on name and shape, while Spirituality on asti, bhati and preeti. What is this? - is Science ; Who am I?- is Spirituality. Can there be any conflict between the two? Never! Both are the two ends of the same thread of knowledge. People may say that spiritualism begins where science ends but I do not agree with that. Science and Spiritualism are not separate, they go together, they are always in oneness. And there can be no dispute after the theory of relativity which proved about matter and energy.
And what is happening now? As I am speaking you are also thinking in your mind - "Yes, yes, he is speaking right, or, No, no, how can that be right.. like that Yes, yes.., No, no" going on in the mind, isn't it? That faculty by which you perceive is Mind and that by which you agree/accept or disagree is Intellect. And the study of this inner, internal layers of consciousness is Spirituality.
Sri Krishna also said in Geeta - Gyaan vigyaan pratyaatma. One gains the Complete knowledge only if gets the knowledge of both science and spirituality. From our four Darshan shastras - the first three are of science only! Vaisheshik Darshan says - padartha gyaanatva mokshah. Sage Vaisheshik said that knowledge of one element contains the full knowledge of all other elements, knowing which you can attain pure bliss. If you understand and have full knowledge of one atom, you are liberated. Even if you don't believe in God but understand even one atom thoroughly, it gives you liberation- this is what the ancient scriptures have said.
How to achieve it? Put your attention to know one thing fully. Understand an atom. What is your body? - a heap of atoms. When all atoms embraced and combine with each other- a body is formed and when they become at daggers with each other and separate with each other- the body disintegrates and death takes place. This body is made up of so many atoms. What is an atom? What is the function of an atom? "So who am I? Am I the body? What is this body? Do you know this body is not solid but fluid like a river? 98% of our body is empty- space element. If you observe a small piece of your skin under the microscope, it looks like a mosquito net- so porous and full of holes! Likewise take any metal, it has lot of empty space also. And out of remaining 2% - 60% is water element and 15% air element in the body. You are like a water or a juice sachet! After you drink juice, how does the packet looks- pressed and bad similarly if all the water is removed from your body, you will become depressed! And if air is removed then, as the fish perishes if removed from water, you will perish too! We don't know fully about our body itself. So it is good to have full knowledge like this first. If you know about your own body, the mind becomes still and liberation happens. So where is the conflict? Science is a logical, sequential understanding of the reality and spirituality goes one step ahead from the aspects you know. You will see there are many types of logic - Whether the means of understanding itself is correct or not? The correct aspect is there or not? The subjective analysis- the aspect from which you learn, by which you know, whether your apparatus or analysis itself is correct or not- and this is spirituality. So unless you take both approaches, your knowledge will not be complete.
Belongingness is the sign of spiritualism. In today's life, man has become rigid like a stone living in a small world of his own. We convey more through our presence than through our words. We live whole of our life in a formal atmosphere and lose the naturalness and belongingness. One can have a simple, lovable nature or personality through spirituality only.
Truth is multidimensional. This is a gift given to the world by India. Knowledge or Truth is not linear but spherical. Isliye virodhaatmak batein sath sath hoti hein. That's why controversial things co-exist - and that's what we teach in the Art of Living course - that opposite values are complementary. Unless you take both approaches, knowledge will be incomplete. Any life devoid of Spiritualism is dry and lack of knowledge makes one sad, and sorrowful.
Some question/ answers
Q- What is God?
A-Bhoomi jaise sahansheel, Agni jaise prajvalit, vayu jeise halkaa, paani jeise vinamra aur nubh jeise sarva vyaapak- jismein yuh sub tutva hein , vuh bhagvaan hei. Patience like the Earth, Glow of the Fire, light like the Air, humble like the water(which flows downward) and present every where like space- the one having all these elements is God!
Q- How to realise faithfulness?
A- The same way you feel the pain. When there is a pain, you just know it!
Q- Guru se bada kaun? Who is above Guru?
A - Guru ka matlub hee hei - bahut bada toe jaan jao khud hee! Guru means Great so you know the answer yourself
Sri Sri Ravishankar's advice to married couples
In this video lecture Sri Sri Ravishankar, advices married couple on how to nourish their relationships. He says the wife should "pump up" the husband's "ego" and the husband should value the wife's emotions.
Sri Sri Ravishankar's video lecture on how to improve wife and husband relationships.
Sri Sri Ravishankar to attend Parliament of Wolrd Religions
Dene elder joins religious leaders on world stage
By SHAWN BELL, SRJ Reporter 01.DEC.09
A Dene elder from Fort Fitzgerald is part of a global indigenous delegation in Australia this week aiming to share spiritual beliefs and practices with religious leaders from around the world.
Francois Paulette, a former chief of Smith's Landing First Nation in Fort Fitzgerald, joins spiritual and religious leaders and over 10,000 followers in Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 1 to 7 for the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions.
Paulette will address two separate forums, one on 'Indigenous People and the Arctic' and another on 'Indigenous Land Rights: struggles and survival.' He will also take part in a round-table on indigenous spirituality.
"They are putting an emphasis on indigenous peoples' beliefs, spirituality and way of life," Paulette said. "When people come to big conferences like this, they are now looking towards indigenous people for answers to the dilemma of how to live within nature."
First held in Chicago in 1893, the Parliament of the World's Religions brings religious and spiritual leaders and their followers together every five years to address global concerns.
This year's conference features religious leaders from all faiths, including the Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism, Hindu holy man Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Lally Lucretia M. Warren, from Botswana's Baha'i assembly, among its 10,000 participants.
The Melbourne Parliament is especially focused on indigenous rights, geographically pertinent considering the ongoing destruction of Australian Aborigines' culture and spirituality just outside Melbourne's city limits.
"Within Australia, Aboriginal reconciliation issues are pressing," states the Parliament's website. "The Parliament provides the opportunity to engage these issues within a larger context. Those gathered will have the opportunity to explore new approaches to Aboriginal reconciliation through dialogue with indigenous peoples from other countries."
For Paulette the Parliament's focus on indigenous reconciliation is an opportunity to interact and build networks with indigenous leaders from across the planet, many of whom face struggles similar to those of Canada's native peoples.
He cites his recent meeting in Mexico with a Mayan priest as an example of the similar beliefs expressed by indigenous spiritual people around the world.
"The Mayan priest said, 'If we are to survive, we must go back to our traditions, cultures and ceremonies,'" Paulette said. "This is a common theme between all indigenous people I've heard over the years."
While in Australia, Paulette will take time to visit an Aborigine community in the outback northwest of Melbourne, speaking of Dene efforts to protect land in Canada's North. The Aborigines are attempting to create protected areas in the outback, using Canadian Indians' efforts, specifically the ongoing push for an East Arm National Park east of Lutsel K'e, of which Paulette is an adviser, as examples.
Paulette promised to do his part to inform the Parliament of the efforts of all Northerners to protect water and the environment, including efforts to prevent a hydro dam on the Slave River near Fort Smith.
Source: Slave River Journal
 |
| Francois Paulette of Fort Fitzgerald (second from left) is in Australia this week, speaking at a world religion congress on indigenous spiritual and world beliefs. Paulette says indigenous spiritual leaders, like the Mayan priest (above left) he met in Mexico, have similar values and belief systems. |
A Dene elder from Fort Fitzgerald is part of a global indigenous delegation in Australia this week aiming to share spiritual beliefs and practices with religious leaders from around the world.
Francois Paulette, a former chief of Smith's Landing First Nation in Fort Fitzgerald, joins spiritual and religious leaders and over 10,000 followers in Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 1 to 7 for the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions.
Paulette will address two separate forums, one on 'Indigenous People and the Arctic' and another on 'Indigenous Land Rights: struggles and survival.' He will also take part in a round-table on indigenous spirituality.
"They are putting an emphasis on indigenous peoples' beliefs, spirituality and way of life," Paulette said. "When people come to big conferences like this, they are now looking towards indigenous people for answers to the dilemma of how to live within nature."
First held in Chicago in 1893, the Parliament of the World's Religions brings religious and spiritual leaders and their followers together every five years to address global concerns.
This year's conference features religious leaders from all faiths, including the Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism, Hindu holy man Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Lally Lucretia M. Warren, from Botswana's Baha'i assembly, among its 10,000 participants.
The Melbourne Parliament is especially focused on indigenous rights, geographically pertinent considering the ongoing destruction of Australian Aborigines' culture and spirituality just outside Melbourne's city limits.
"Within Australia, Aboriginal reconciliation issues are pressing," states the Parliament's website. "The Parliament provides the opportunity to engage these issues within a larger context. Those gathered will have the opportunity to explore new approaches to Aboriginal reconciliation through dialogue with indigenous peoples from other countries."
For Paulette the Parliament's focus on indigenous reconciliation is an opportunity to interact and build networks with indigenous leaders from across the planet, many of whom face struggles similar to those of Canada's native peoples.
He cites his recent meeting in Mexico with a Mayan priest as an example of the similar beliefs expressed by indigenous spiritual people around the world.
"The Mayan priest said, 'If we are to survive, we must go back to our traditions, cultures and ceremonies,'" Paulette said. "This is a common theme between all indigenous people I've heard over the years."
While in Australia, Paulette will take time to visit an Aborigine community in the outback northwest of Melbourne, speaking of Dene efforts to protect land in Canada's North. The Aborigines are attempting to create protected areas in the outback, using Canadian Indians' efforts, specifically the ongoing push for an East Arm National Park east of Lutsel K'e, of which Paulette is an adviser, as examples.
Paulette promised to do his part to inform the Parliament of the efforts of all Northerners to protect water and the environment, including efforts to prevent a hydro dam on the Slave River near Fort Smith.
Source: Slave River Journal
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sai with Sri Sri Ravishankar at rediff chat!
| "God is love" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravishankar Sai Suresh Siva Swami, managing editor from rediff was so excited about the whole experience of his meeting with Sri Sri Ravishankar as part of rediff's coverage of Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations, I told him to share it on his blog.  Nikhil Lakshman (Vice President, editorial, rediff), Sai, Jewela and Shailesh (rediff journalists) were at Bangalore Ashram on Monday to facilitate rediff chat and an interview with our beloved Guruji. This chat was held in the Vishalakshi Mantap, (see the photo on my iland home.) while all the devotees were sitting in the auditorium. This is the place where I had done two of my advanced meditation courses including one with Guruji. The above picture shows the inside of the Auditorium. The following article is from Sai's blog Art of loving February 13-14 has a significance in my life that goes beyond words. Years ago, the period represented an end of sorts. In a paradox, the same time also meant a revival. And this year, it found me on the threshold, literally, of a new experience. In all my meanderings through life, even as I dipped my toe into many pools and some deeper waters, AoL was something I stayed off. This despite the many friends around who swore by the Art of Living mantra. Despite the visible presence the community had in publications. My first, and till yesterday the only personal experience I had of AoL was attending a satsang by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar somewhere in New Jersey in the year 2001. Let me see what the whole fuss is about, was my attitude. If he can conquer the firangs, obviously he has made it in the spiritual guru sweepstakes, I thought. So for the few hours I was there I kept an open mind. The session, if my memory serves me right, began with meditation, there was some chanting, and wound up with Sri Sri taking questions from the floor. I remember him emphasizing a lot on love and laughter, his quips keeping the gathering in good humour. The answers were not Theory of Relativity by any means; they were simple, down to earth, homespun wisdom. A sample could be like this. Q: Where can I find god? A: Look within yourself, not outside. Q: Why am I unhappy? A: Because you have not learnt the art of being happy. The crowd was mostly Indians, and I could see a few white skins, diehards for who India, anything about India, holds a mystical charm, I guess. On Monday, I was at the AoL ashram outside Bangalore in connection with the Rediff @10 chat, my first foray into the world. Exactly a year ago I was at the gates of another retreat, but unspurred by professional interest. Was it pure happenstance that brought me to the gate of another one now? The vision that greeted us as we entered the ashram was of Guruji emerging from his room. His mere sight is enough to reduce his followers to putty, or tears. Among the gurus I have seen or know about, he must easily be the most accessible. There is no barrier or gap between him and them, I could see. And through the most insistent request, he kept his child-like smile. Through the day, we had a chance to interact in detail with him and his followers who have congregated outside Bangalore and who have converted the landscape into a carnival. And there are some vignettes that won’t go away. Here are my thoughts on why Sri Sri is so immensely popular. KISS. Sri Sri keeps it really simple. Not for him high-falutin spiritual pap. This simplicity keeps him one among his followers, not above them. The human touch. Everyone talks of their channel to him. I am unable to figure it out, but he is on a one-to-one with his followers. Love. There is a transparent, simple love he radiates. Can there be a more positive energy than this four-letter word that must be the most misconstrued one in the world? Love heals, love cures, love sets right, is the mantra Sri Sri hands out. And, hey, if you believe the message too, it will work for you. So have you converted, too, is a question I have been inundated with since I got back. And there has been no change in my answer for all time. I am perfectly all right with the concept of guru; I have no problem with people seeking solace from a guru. We all have a vacuum in us, the need to be tutored, guided, yes. But personally, for myself, I am unable to elevate another human being to the status of god. Saying this is not to imply I am oh-so-strong that I don’t need a steadying hand at my rudder. Perhaps I am one of those meant to go through life always seeking, never finding. |
Sri Sri Ravishankar: Honor all religions - Rediff chat Part 1
When His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living, consented to be part of the Rediff@10 Chat on February 13, 2004 - the yearlong online event that was kicked off by the hugely successful online chat with President APJ Abdul Kalam - it was a special moment for us, at rediff.
For Sri Sri Ravi Shankar transcends boundaries and narrow limitations imposed by man-made thoughts and concepts - much like the Internet medium we work in. "I belong to the whole of humanity," he told us in a separate conversation.
With AoL, said to be the largest volunteer based NGO in the world, marking 25 years of its founding, lakhs of followers are expected to converge on Jakkur airfield outside Bangalore, venue of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee celebrations. For the throngs of his devotees nothing less than quality time - it could be just a glance, a smile, a wave of the hand - with Guruji will do.
Naturally, being confined in a room for an hour for the Chat at such a time would be depriving them of time, and His Holiness kindly suggested that while he was amenable for an interview in private, could the Chat please be done at the ashram's Visalakshmi Mandir, in the presence of his followers.
Over 6000 questions had poured in from our readers, and Francois Gautier, rediff.com columnist and a Sri Sri devotee suggested we forward a shortlist to His Holiness from which he would choose the questions to be answered. The questions ranged from job tensions to matrimony, and the future of religion and spirituality.
Kamatchi : Dear Guruji,Nameste, Should we follow certain religion or God is only one? Is it ok if we follow more than one religion?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Adopt spirituality, be faithful to your religion, and honour all religions
Basanth Lalchand : Guruji, Even people who have progressed on the spiritual path ocasionally tend to be drawn back into materialism and small-mindedness. Why does this phenomenon happen? Can't the progress be like a flight?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : It totally depends on you. For some it may be a flight, for some it may be a crawl, or a walk. It depends on you entirely. The learning ability, adapting ability depends on the individual, and even that changes from time to time
Nilesh Parihar : Dear Sir, I have some very simple question. In India we see so many Gurus,Gods, faith etc. I am very much confused. Hence I want to know (1) Who is God (2) Who am I ? and (3)What is my relationship with God ? This will make things very clear to me. I will be very thankful if you can clear my confusion. Thank in advance. Nilesh
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Why don't you start with the second question first? This will take you to deep meditation, do pranayam, meditation, you will find the answers.
Courtesy: rediff
For Sri Sri Ravi Shankar transcends boundaries and narrow limitations imposed by man-made thoughts and concepts - much like the Internet medium we work in. "I belong to the whole of humanity," he told us in a separate conversation.
With AoL, said to be the largest volunteer based NGO in the world, marking 25 years of its founding, lakhs of followers are expected to converge on Jakkur airfield outside Bangalore, venue of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee celebrations. For the throngs of his devotees nothing less than quality time - it could be just a glance, a smile, a wave of the hand - with Guruji will do.
Naturally, being confined in a room for an hour for the Chat at such a time would be depriving them of time, and His Holiness kindly suggested that while he was amenable for an interview in private, could the Chat please be done at the ashram's Visalakshmi Mandir, in the presence of his followers.
Over 6000 questions had poured in from our readers, and Francois Gautier, rediff.com columnist and a Sri Sri devotee suggested we forward a shortlist to His Holiness from which he would choose the questions to be answered. The questions ranged from job tensions to matrimony, and the future of religion and spirituality.
Kamatchi : Dear Guruji,Nameste, Should we follow certain religion or God is only one? Is it ok if we follow more than one religion?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Adopt spirituality, be faithful to your religion, and honour all religions
Basanth Lalchand : Guruji, Even people who have progressed on the spiritual path ocasionally tend to be drawn back into materialism and small-mindedness. Why does this phenomenon happen? Can't the progress be like a flight?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conducting the Rediff@10 Chat among his devotees
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : It totally depends on you. For some it may be a flight, for some it may be a crawl, or a walk. It depends on you entirely. The learning ability, adapting ability depends on the individual, and even that changes from time to time
Nilesh Parihar : Dear Sir, I have some very simple question. In India we see so many Gurus,Gods, faith etc. I am very much confused. Hence I want to know (1) Who is God (2) Who am I ? and (3)What is my relationship with God ? This will make things very clear to me. I will be very thankful if you can clear my confusion. Thank in advance. Nilesh
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Why don't you start with the second question first? This will take you to deep meditation, do pranayam, meditation, you will find the answers.
Courtesy: rediff
Smiling Petra from Croatia shares her Art of Living experience!
I was sitting in the amphitheater in front of Vishalakshi Mantap. Then came this cute girl asking me whether she could recharge her IPod from my laptop. I said yes but if she shares her Art of Living experiences with me. She is a university student from Croatia. She was not very good in English, so she had to take her friend's help to choose the right words while typing this.
Over to this ever smiling face:
______________________________________________
My name is Petra. I come from Croatia and i am very happy I am a part of Art of Living. I start my first practice 8 years ago through my mother that is a teacher. First time when i did my Kriya i felt a release, i touch for the first time my freedom! At that time i still didn't know who is my teacher, the next step of my experience was a recognition of Him, of my beloved Guruji! He opened my heart, gave me an awareness that my only substitute that my heart is made of is LOVE! From that moment i feel more close to myself and to all people around me! i started to feel more and more that beautiful unity that i share with all amazing creatures in this world. He gave me freedom! Its such an amazing feeling! Thank you My ANGEL! Thank you GURUJI!
Over to this ever smiling face:
______________________________________________
My name is Petra. I come from Croatia and i am very happy I am a part of Art of Living. I start my first practice 8 years ago through my mother that is a teacher. First time when i did my Kriya i felt a release, i touch for the first time my freedom! At that time i still didn't know who is my teacher, the next step of my experience was a recognition of Him, of my beloved Guruji! He opened my heart, gave me an awareness that my only substitute that my heart is made of is LOVE! From that moment i feel more close to myself and to all people around me! i started to feel more and more that beautiful unity that i share with all amazing creatures in this world. He gave me freedom! Its such an amazing feeling! Thank you My ANGEL! Thank you GURUJI!
Art of Living Course experience of Dolat Desai from Mumbai
Here is the Art of Living course experience of Dolat Desai, an international business consultant from Mumbai.
He has done the Art of Living course under the instructor Mrs Henna Solanki at Kandivali, Mumbai in the first week of February 2006, just before Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations, held at Jakkur airport, Bangalore from February 17th to 19th, 2006.
___________________________________________________________________
The Exeperience of Art of living Course was wonderful and amazing.
He has done the Art of Living course under the instructor Mrs Henna Solanki at Kandivali, Mumbai in the first week of February 2006, just before Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations, held at Jakkur airport, Bangalore from February 17th to 19th, 2006.
___________________________________________________________________
The Exeperience of Art of living Course was wonderful and amazing.
It has helped me to feel my body and mind very light and stress-free for all the twenty four hours. I feel that my digestation system has improved a lot and get very sound sleep. It has also helped me to remove any negative feelings and opinions to a great extent. I have started liking the environment and people around me. I have no doubt that Art of Living course can improve health of body and mind of individual but of society and India.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's wisdom to CEOs - Forbes India
When every breath of your body is focused on creating wealth it takes an infinity to realise the expanse of the breath itself. Journeys across such an abstract expanse need a guide whose spiritual GPS is never offline. But then Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a man of God like no other. His powerful innovation of Sudarshan Kriya from the ancient system of Pranayam has calmed many a burdened mind. It is hard to combine the commanding heights of spirituality with the mundane lowlands of everyday practical living the way Sri Sri has managed to do.
So when a club of extremely wealthy men of practical world needed to understand how to go beyond all the wealth, Sri Sri was the obvious choice.
We seemed to have hit the hot button because questions from men of Mammon flowed freely. To make sure the answers had depth, Forbes India picked four questions that seemed to be most fundamental and intricate. But that was till Sri Sri answered them; after that they were blindingly obvious.
Harsh Mariwala, Chairman & MD, Marico Industries
We are realising more and more that society has a significant stake and role to play in the growth of every individual and organisation. It then follows that some part of the wealth built by the individual or organisation owes its origin to society. In a steady state scenario, this issue may not be difficult to sort out — one could follow the Islamic Zakat approach and give a fixed percentage to charity or to society. But when it comes to estate planning or leaving behind a legacy through a will, there would arise a question, where your guidance and views will be enlightening. What proportion of a rich person’s wealth should one bequeath
to society?”
A: The Dharmashastras advise a man to divide wealth in five portions:
- One portion is used for spiritual and religious purposes.
- One portion for charity and society.
- One portion for the growth of the wealth.
- One portion for oneself and one’s own comforts.
- One portion for one’s family.
- The most intelligent thing would be to undertake all the charitable works during one’s lifetime itself. However, when you write a will with the wealth that is left to you, definitely give a substantial portion for charitable work.
Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman & MD, Videocon
What is the best contribution one can make to a better society? Make billions, spend billions, or give away billions?
A: The best way is to do both: To make billions, spend a little less, save the rest and give away! Twenty per cent of your earnings should be earmarked for charity. However, charity should be self-sustainable. That is, it should create more wealth rather than perpetuating the cycle of poverty and dependence. In this sense, the best form of charity would be providing quality education for children and more importantly, building a good character in them.
In the 11th chapter of the Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna said, “Win the war with enemies and enjoy a prosperous empire.” How can a businessman be altruistic and yet follow this piece of advice? Is there a way to resolve this riddle?
Krishna’s advice was not for a recluse, but addressed to a prince. The Gita should not be dismissed as a text for people who are not in the world. In fact, the Gita is of no use for people who are retiring from the world.
The entire Bhagavad Gita is focused on the prince who had to shoulder a huge responsibility, encounter complex situations and solve complicated human relations to make the country productive. Any business empire has to perform all these functions: They have to manage human resources; resolve conflicts.
One cannot be emotional and say: “I don’t want to compete with anybody. The world of business is always a struggle — a fight. Your weapons are speculation, bidding, negotiation, branding, marketing, pricing, innovation etc. These are the weapons for you to fight the business wars and you should fight it to your complete satisfaction. If it does not turn out to be viable, naturally you lose your fight. (Non-viability, heavy competition, lack of HR, labour problems) You can’t do business with a charitable mindset. Charity and business should be kept separate altogether. However when it comes to enjoying the fruits of your business, you should have a charitable mind. You must keep aside a portion for charity.
Analjit Singh, Chairman & MD, Max India
If one has faith and believes God exists, how important is it to pray, meditate, etc.?
A: Prayer is asking God what you want for yourself or thanking Him for what you have received. Meditation is listening to God’s will. If you believe in God, then you will definitely want to connect and communicate with Him. The way to communicate with Him is through prayer and meditation.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Partner, RaRe Enterprises
“My principles in life are as follows:
- All spirituality lies in our deeds and empathy towards others.
- All deeds should be with practical integrity and means should be more important than the ends.
- More than anything else in life, I work for a sense of achievement, which I judge and am not bothered about whatothers think.
- I have far lesser wealth than people think, but far more than I need. Wealth also has a purpose in life.
- I realise that all things in life including wealth, success and beauty are transient and temporary. Therefore I never take them for granted, nor am I overwhelmed or over-influenced by them.
- The divine is the giver of all wealth, and along with the wealth, has cast upon us a responsibility that as far as possible must be used for a good purpose.
- I would seek your divine views and thoughts on my beliefs and principles of life.
A: What you have mentioned are some moral and ethical values. Spirituality is recognising that you are a part of the universal spirit and that there is no ‘Other’. Spirituality is recognising the truth that a Divine Power is managing the creation and your own life. No doubt integrity, charity, compassion etc. are all virtues which are essential by-products of spirituality. How calm and dynamic you are at the same time, how compassionate and shrewd you are at the same time indicates the depths of your spirituality.
Anand Utsav: Maha Sudarshan Kriya at Orissa by Art of Living in the presence of Sri Sri Ravishankar
Explore and Experience the power of Silence and Celebration... Book yourself on a trip to this most beautiful place in the Universe with Sri Sri...
With H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. from 29th Jan to 2nd Feb 2010
Advance Meditation Course (AMC) : 29th Jan to 1st Feb 2010
Divine Satsang & Anand Utsav: 31st Jan 2010
Sudarshan Kriya Part 1 Course: 31st Jan to 2nd 2010
Rudra Puja & MAHA SUDARSHAN KRIYA ( Live Sudarshan Kriya with Master) on 1st Feb 2010
Contact :09937293884,09238606791, 9437102136, 9437152227
Peace Within, Peace on Earth... Sri Sri...
Jai Gurudev!
With H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. from 29th Jan to 2nd Feb 2010
Advance Meditation Course (AMC) : 29th Jan to 1st Feb 2010
Divine Satsang & Anand Utsav: 31st Jan 2010
Sudarshan Kriya Part 1 Course: 31st Jan to 2nd 2010
Rudra Puja & MAHA SUDARSHAN KRIYA ( Live Sudarshan Kriya with Master) on 1st Feb 2010
Contact :09937293884,09238606791, 9437102136, 9437152227
Peace Within, Peace on Earth... Sri Sri...
Jai Gurudev!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Weekly Knowledge Sheet -1
Weekly Knowledge #1 Big Sur, California
21 Jun 1995 USA
THIS BEGINS A NEW PRACTICE
This begins a new practice of weekly dispatches of Knowledge from Guruji. Every center around the world will receive the Knowledge so it can be read for people to copy down at weekly Satsang. Here is the first segment Guruji dictated at Big Sur, 21 June, 1995.
* * * *
Beyond an event is Knowledge.
Beyond a person is love.
Beyond an object is infinity.
Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event.
If you take one event and infer anything from one event -- infer knowledge -- it will be erroneous knowledge. Say Nancy gets angry and shouts at someone. You attribute anger to Nancy, but actually it was carried from someone else to her. Someone else got angry first and someone else and someone else and on and on like that.
When you go beyond an event, only then the truth dawns. One particular event gives you a false notion. So you have to consider the totality of events, the totality of all events infinitely. Beyond the event is Knowledge.
What do we call a person? A person is a body, a mind, a complex of behaviors which is changing. Love is unchanging. Beyond the person is love.
When you lose your personality, you become love. If you cannot lose yourself, you cannot find yourself. So, lose your personality; you'll find yourself!!!
Behind every object is infinity. An object is limited. Take an object and reduce, reduce, reduce, and you have an atom. An atom is infinity. Each atom contains infinite space. Beyond the object is infinity.
The object behind the object is infinity. The person behind the person is love.
Maya is getting caught up in the event, personality, object. Knowledge, love, Brahman is seeing beyond the event, personality, or object. See? Just a little shift.
JAl GURU DEV
21 Jun 1995 USA
THIS BEGINS A NEW PRACTICE
This begins a new practice of weekly dispatches of Knowledge from Guruji. Every center around the world will receive the Knowledge so it can be read for people to copy down at weekly Satsang. Here is the first segment Guruji dictated at Big Sur, 21 June, 1995.
* * * *
Beyond an event is Knowledge.
Beyond a person is love.
Beyond an object is infinity.
Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event.
If you take one event and infer anything from one event -- infer knowledge -- it will be erroneous knowledge. Say Nancy gets angry and shouts at someone. You attribute anger to Nancy, but actually it was carried from someone else to her. Someone else got angry first and someone else and someone else and on and on like that.
When you go beyond an event, only then the truth dawns. One particular event gives you a false notion. So you have to consider the totality of events, the totality of all events infinitely. Beyond the event is Knowledge.
What do we call a person? A person is a body, a mind, a complex of behaviors which is changing. Love is unchanging. Beyond the person is love.
When you lose your personality, you become love. If you cannot lose yourself, you cannot find yourself. So, lose your personality; you'll find yourself!!!
Behind every object is infinity. An object is limited. Take an object and reduce, reduce, reduce, and you have an atom. An atom is infinity. Each atom contains infinite space. Beyond the object is infinity.
The object behind the object is infinity. The person behind the person is love.
Maya is getting caught up in the event, personality, object. Knowledge, love, Brahman is seeing beyond the event, personality, or object. See? Just a little shift.
JAl GURU DEV
George Bush with Sri Sri Ravishankar
George W. Bush receiving Sri Sri Ravishankar at White house in May 2004
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association of Human Values, was on May 7 received by US President George W Bush in the Oval Office of the White House and implored to "please keep us in your prayers."
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the first Indian spiritual leader to be received in the Oval Office by a president of the United States. The seer was visiting the White House for discussions with senior officials of the Bush Administration's Faith-Based Initiative, when officials asked him if he would like to meet with Bush. Almost immediately they arranged for an Oval Office meeting between the two.
Bush embraced Sri Sri Ravi Shankar soon as he entered the Oval Office, and said, 'I am very glad you are here and please keep us in your prayers." He then asked the guru if he could take a picture with him, and called for the White House photographer to do the needful.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar later participated in a prayer meeting presided over by Bush, at the White House East, which was followed by a reception for several participants belonging to various faiths.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who as part of his world tour has just returned from Mexico and is scheduled to go to Brazil to address that country's Parliament, told rediff.com this was his first visit to the US Congress and the White House.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the first Indian spiritual leader to be received in the Oval Office by a president of the United States. The seer was visiting the White House for discussions with senior officials of the Bush Administration's Faith-Based Initiative, when officials asked him if he would like to meet with Bush. Almost immediately they arranged for an Oval Office meeting between the two.
Bush embraced Sri Sri Ravi Shankar soon as he entered the Oval Office, and said, 'I am very glad you are here and please keep us in your prayers." He then asked the guru if he could take a picture with him, and called for the White House photographer to do the needful.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar later participated in a prayer meeting presided over by Bush, at the White House East, which was followed by a reception for several participants belonging to various faiths.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who as part of his world tour has just returned from Mexico and is scheduled to go to Brazil to address that country's Parliament, told rediff.com this was his first visit to the US Congress and the White House.
"My message to them has been the uplifting of human values," he said. He said he had briefed lawmakers and the White House about "our stress relief program with prisoners and the people in Iraq. The prison program is one of the main programs were are doing.
"I have already sent some doctors from India to Iraq, with ayurvedic medicines, and they are helping the people to overcome the trauma because the people there cannot sleep, are in constant anxiety and the conditions are terrible and women and children are suffering. So we are doing a big campaign for them."
"I have already sent some doctors from India to Iraq, with ayurvedic medicines, and they are helping the people to overcome the trauma because the people there cannot sleep, are in constant anxiety and the conditions are terrible and women and children are suffering. So we are doing a big campaign for them."
"I am also working with Kashmiri migrants," Ravi Shankar told rediff.com. "We have about a three-and-a-half lakh Kashmir Pandits still in refugee camps for 14 years, and nobody has cared for them. Now, I am taking up their cause and trying to rehabilitate them, trying to put them back in Kashmir."
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was also feted on Capitol Hill at a reception hosted by influential Republican Representative David Dreier of California, who chairs the powerful House Rules Committee. Among lawmakers present were the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian American Representatives Joseph Crowley (New York Democrat) and Joe Wilson (South Carolina Republican); founder and former co-chair of the India Caucus Frank Pallone (New Jersey Democrat); unsuccessful Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich of Ohio; Earl Blumenauer (Oregon Democrat); James Walsh (New York Republican); and Diane Watson (California Democrat), among others.
Dreier, who recently made his first visit to India along with Staff Director of the Rules Committee Billy Pitts, said, "He is obviously a great spiritual leader and we are all so pleased that we can welcome him. We've had some wonderful meetings, it's a great honor and privilege for me to be here and to welcome him to the US Capitol."
"This is something we need to pursue so that there is in this world that is shrinking, an understanding of differences that exist," he said.
Several influential Jewish Americans, including the hierarchy of the American Jewish Committee, were presented at the reception as were several Indian-American community leaders and senior Indian embassy officials.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was also feted on Capitol Hill at a reception hosted by influential Republican Representative David Dreier of California, who chairs the powerful House Rules Committee. Among lawmakers present were the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian American Representatives Joseph Crowley (New York Democrat) and Joe Wilson (South Carolina Republican); founder and former co-chair of the India Caucus Frank Pallone (New Jersey Democrat); unsuccessful Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich of Ohio; Earl Blumenauer (Oregon Democrat); James Walsh (New York Republican); and Diane Watson (California Democrat), among others.
Dreier, who recently made his first visit to India along with Staff Director of the Rules Committee Billy Pitts, said, "He is obviously a great spiritual leader and we are all so pleased that we can welcome him. We've had some wonderful meetings, it's a great honor and privilege for me to be here and to welcome him to the US Capitol."
"This is something we need to pursue so that there is in this world that is shrinking, an understanding of differences that exist," he said.
Several influential Jewish Americans, including the hierarchy of the American Jewish Committee, were presented at the reception as were several Indian-American community leaders and senior Indian embassy officials.
Srilankan Cricket team learns Art of Living from Swami Sadyojathah
The Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team was yet another reminder of the growing threat of terrorism in today's world. You could call it 'Munich Olympics attack re-visited', though in Lahore, fortunately, the Sri Lankan players escaped with just minor injuries.
Even weeks later the cricketers were still reeling from the aftermath of the attack. That's when Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa decided summon the expertise of Art of Living teacher Swami Sadyojathah.
Sadyojathah, who is at the Art of Living International Ashram in Bangalore under the tutelage of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, conducted a four-day trauma relief programme for the cricketers.
In a detailed conversation with Chief Sports Correspondent Harish Kotian, Swami Sadyojathah talks about the programme he undertook with the players and the secret to healthy living.
Can you describe the course you put the Sri Lankan cricket team through?
The Art of Living foundation got an invitation from the Institute of Sports Medicine Sri Lanka on behalf of his Excellency the President of Sri Lanka [Mahinda Rajapaksa] to conduct the trauma relief programme for the Sri Lankan cricketers, who went to Lahore. Based on that I went there and had an eight-hour workshop spread over four days; the entire Sri Lankan team, except the two players who were in hospital, underwent the programme. They all enjoyed it; they felt it was a good break for them to move ahead.
When you met the players, did you feel that they will still in a state of shock? Were they still suffering from that trauma?
In fact, many people and the media were asking me about the trauma that they were going through. But, interestingly, in our style of Art of Living we conduct the same programme. We don't sit and just make them talk about the trauma. That is because they have spoken a lot about the trauma in the media and that was happening for nearly two weeks.
So, the four days that we spent together, I didn't ask them anything about Lahore and they didn't tell me also. It was like past is past and finished. It was about how to bring your mind to the present and move ahead. They had the belief as well and they wanted to do something as a team.
They felt this course was a good break for them. For the first time after the Lahore attack the whole team was in the same room, sitting for two hours everyday and learning the breathing techniques.
Did anyone approach you personally during the four-day course asking for help to overcome the shock?
No. We didn't have that session. They all, as a team, underwent the process. Some people did come to me, but all of them wanted to learn more about the yoga and breathing techniques.
Would you say they have got over the episode and are ready for life and returning to playing cricket?
Yes, definitely! They had already started going to the ground and practicing cricket. They believe they don't want to get stuck in the past and want to move ahead in life.
Did you meet the two cricketers, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana, who were hospitalised after sustaining bullet injuries?
Yes, I did meet them. In fact, before the course started, the Institute of Sports Medicine wanted me to meet them, so I visited them in the hospital. Since they were not able to do the course they said they will do it as soon as they can.
Many of the cricketers have come out in the open and praised the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique. Can you give us a brief on it?
The Sudarshan Kriya is a very beautiful breathing technique that his Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has given to this world. It is a very simple and, at the same time, very powerful breathing technique. In fact, by this breathing technique, what happens is that the toxins get released from each and every cell of the body in a short span of time. Once you learn the breathing technique in the Art of Living programme you will know how to practice it everyday just for 10-15 minutes.
So you just got to do it for say around 10 minutes of breathing in 24 hours any time of the day wherever you are as simple as that. It has a very deep profound effect on the body and mind and gives deep relaxation. So once body and mind gets totally relaxed you become more dynamic and you will be able to do much more in a short time in a more effective way.
This Sudarshan Kriya is so powerful that once they start doing it as part of their everyday follow up sessions, the past will not affect them at all.
So you mean to say breathing techniques can you help over come mental trauma?
Yes, most definitely. In our day-to-day life we are experiencing that our breath pattern and emotions are connected. For example, if you are very happy, inhalation is prominent; if you notice it is deep inhalation, like you are enjoying the fragrance of a flower. When you are sad, exhalation is prominent, like sometimes you say a deep sigh. And when you are angry you can notice fast breathing.
So it is very clear that breath pattern and our emotions are connected. But, as of now, it is one-way traffic or a one-way street, like when you have different emotions you have different breath patterns.
But you have to make it a two-way street where using different breath patterns you can handle the mind and emotions.
Will you go back again and help the Sri Lankan cricket team if needed?
In fact it came from them only that they would like to have Sudarshan Kriya as part of their recovery programme after every match. They have a recovery day after a game where they do other processes; so they want Sudarshan Kriya as a part of that and they are also keen to do follow-up sessions, whichever part of the world they are. The Art of Living is present throughout the world so it easy for them also.
Do you also follow cricket or some other sports?
Yes, if I get time I do watch.
Don't you think the Indian cricket team could also benefit using this breathing technique?
Yes; in fact everyone should do it. The quality of your action depends on the state of your mind. If your mind is calm, centred, balanced, happy or joyful your action will be like that; but if your mind is frustrated, irritated or stressed then your action will be according to that. So the whole theme is to make the mind calm or focused, because that what everyone needs, especially the players.
I am sure the Indian cricket team will also benefit from this programme and they are most welcome if they want to do it.
The Art of Living course is meant for mental conditioning, but can it also bring relief from physical pain?
You should see the full definition of health. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has given this definition of health in which he says you have to see health in seven dimensions that is body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, ego and self.
These are the seven layers of existence. We all know health as disease-free body, but it is not just that. It is a combination of disease-free body, quiver-free breath, confusion-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma-free memory, ego that includes all, and sorrow-free soul.
So only when all these seven layers of existence are taken into account only then you can say that you are healthy. So these breathing techniques and the other programmes that we do cater to each layer of existence; it is holistic.
You have also helped tragedy-struck people in other parts of Sri Lanka, mainly during the tsunami in 2005. Can you give details on that?
Wherever our help is required, our volunteers go there. We have done work is Kosovo also after the war, then in Lebanon and Iraq. In fact, in Iraq we have local Iraqis who conduct Sudarshan Kriya programmes and we also have Iraqi Art of Living teachers.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also visited Iraq twice and we trained the youth there; it is a ongoing process.
And during the tsunami, immediately after the tragedy struck, I went to Sri Lanka. The first week after the tsunami I visited Jafna. Already it was affected by war for the past 20-25 years and on top of that the tsunami happened. It was in a very bad state. That is when I took the volunteers and teachers from India and other countries to start the work there.
Even weeks later the cricketers were still reeling from the aftermath of the attack. That's when Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa decided summon the expertise of Art of Living teacher Swami Sadyojathah.
Sadyojathah, who is at the Art of Living International Ashram in Bangalore under the tutelage of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, conducted a four-day trauma relief programme for the cricketers.
In a detailed conversation with Chief Sports Correspondent Harish Kotian, Swami Sadyojathah talks about the programme he undertook with the players and the secret to healthy living.
Can you describe the course you put the Sri Lankan cricket team through?
The Art of Living foundation got an invitation from the Institute of Sports Medicine Sri Lanka on behalf of his Excellency the President of Sri Lanka [Mahinda Rajapaksa] to conduct the trauma relief programme for the Sri Lankan cricketers, who went to Lahore. Based on that I went there and had an eight-hour workshop spread over four days; the entire Sri Lankan team, except the two players who were in hospital, underwent the programme. They all enjoyed it; they felt it was a good break for them to move ahead.
When you met the players, did you feel that they will still in a state of shock? Were they still suffering from that trauma?
In fact, many people and the media were asking me about the trauma that they were going through. But, interestingly, in our style of Art of Living we conduct the same programme. We don't sit and just make them talk about the trauma. That is because they have spoken a lot about the trauma in the media and that was happening for nearly two weeks.
So, the four days that we spent together, I didn't ask them anything about Lahore and they didn't tell me also. It was like past is past and finished. It was about how to bring your mind to the present and move ahead. They had the belief as well and they wanted to do something as a team.
They felt this course was a good break for them. For the first time after the Lahore attack the whole team was in the same room, sitting for two hours everyday and learning the breathing techniques.
Did anyone approach you personally during the four-day course asking for help to overcome the shock?
No. We didn't have that session. They all, as a team, underwent the process. Some people did come to me, but all of them wanted to learn more about the yoga and breathing techniques.
Would you say they have got over the episode and are ready for life and returning to playing cricket?
Yes, definitely! They had already started going to the ground and practicing cricket. They believe they don't want to get stuck in the past and want to move ahead in life.
Did you meet the two cricketers, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana, who were hospitalised after sustaining bullet injuries?
Yes, I did meet them. In fact, before the course started, the Institute of Sports Medicine wanted me to meet them, so I visited them in the hospital. Since they were not able to do the course they said they will do it as soon as they can.
Many of the cricketers have come out in the open and praised the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique. Can you give us a brief on it?The Sudarshan Kriya is a very beautiful breathing technique that his Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has given to this world. It is a very simple and, at the same time, very powerful breathing technique. In fact, by this breathing technique, what happens is that the toxins get released from each and every cell of the body in a short span of time. Once you learn the breathing technique in the Art of Living programme you will know how to practice it everyday just for 10-15 minutes.
So you just got to do it for say around 10 minutes of breathing in 24 hours any time of the day wherever you are as simple as that. It has a very deep profound effect on the body and mind and gives deep relaxation. So once body and mind gets totally relaxed you become more dynamic and you will be able to do much more in a short time in a more effective way.
This Sudarshan Kriya is so powerful that once they start doing it as part of their everyday follow up sessions, the past will not affect them at all.
So you mean to say breathing techniques can you help over come mental trauma?
Yes, most definitely. In our day-to-day life we are experiencing that our breath pattern and emotions are connected. For example, if you are very happy, inhalation is prominent; if you notice it is deep inhalation, like you are enjoying the fragrance of a flower. When you are sad, exhalation is prominent, like sometimes you say a deep sigh. And when you are angry you can notice fast breathing.
So it is very clear that breath pattern and our emotions are connected. But, as of now, it is one-way traffic or a one-way street, like when you have different emotions you have different breath patterns.
But you have to make it a two-way street where using different breath patterns you can handle the mind and emotions.
Will you go back again and help the Sri Lankan cricket team if needed?
In fact it came from them only that they would like to have Sudarshan Kriya as part of their recovery programme after every match. They have a recovery day after a game where they do other processes; so they want Sudarshan Kriya as a part of that and they are also keen to do follow-up sessions, whichever part of the world they are. The Art of Living is present throughout the world so it easy for them also.
Do you also follow cricket or some other sports?
Yes, if I get time I do watch.
Don't you think the Indian cricket team could also benefit using this breathing technique?
Yes; in fact everyone should do it. The quality of your action depends on the state of your mind. If your mind is calm, centred, balanced, happy or joyful your action will be like that; but if your mind is frustrated, irritated or stressed then your action will be according to that. So the whole theme is to make the mind calm or focused, because that what everyone needs, especially the players.
I am sure the Indian cricket team will also benefit from this programme and they are most welcome if they want to do it.
The Art of Living course is meant for mental conditioning, but can it also bring relief from physical pain?
You should see the full definition of health. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has given this definition of health in which he says you have to see health in seven dimensions that is body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, ego and self.
These are the seven layers of existence. We all know health as disease-free body, but it is not just that. It is a combination of disease-free body, quiver-free breath, confusion-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma-free memory, ego that includes all, and sorrow-free soul.
So only when all these seven layers of existence are taken into account only then you can say that you are healthy. So these breathing techniques and the other programmes that we do cater to each layer of existence; it is holistic.
You have also helped tragedy-struck people in other parts of Sri Lanka, mainly during the tsunami in 2005. Can you give details on that?
Wherever our help is required, our volunteers go there. We have done work is Kosovo also after the war, then in Lebanon and Iraq. In fact, in Iraq we have local Iraqis who conduct Sudarshan Kriya programmes and we also have Iraqi Art of Living teachers.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also visited Iraq twice and we trained the youth there; it is a ongoing process.
And during the tsunami, immediately after the tragedy struck, I went to Sri Lanka. The first week after the tsunami I visited Jafna. Already it was affected by war for the past 20-25 years and on top of that the tsunami happened. It was in a very bad state. That is when I took the volunteers and teachers from India and other countries to start the work there.
Musical Symphony at Art of Living Silver Jubilee
This is a video of the grand south Indian musical symphony of 3800 musicians on the majestic stage of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee celebrations held at Bangalore from 17th to 19th February 2006. This is the world's largest ever stage.
The symphony consisted of 650 Mridangams, 100 Ghatams, 100 Kanjeeras, 138 Tavils, 30 Morsings, 770 Veenas, 782 Violins, 10 Vichtra Veenas, 60 Tambaras, 10 Mandolins, 750 Flutes, 138 Nadaswarams, 92 Saxaphones, 20 Keyboards, 150 Guitars.
Video of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Symphony
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