Guruji's Knowledge Sheet: Doubt & Closeness

Doubt cannot come where there is a sense of closeness. Doubt needs a distance to appear. You never doubt something that is dear to you, close to you.

The moment you doubt, it is no longer dear to you; a distance has come.

You may doubt yourself, but you do not doubt that which is yours.

Self-doubt is a lack of closeness to oneself, a sense of belongingness, closeness, intimacy are all the antidotes for doubt.

- Sri Sri

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

The Art of Living : Free School Education in Assam (Mohong, Dist: Tinsukia)

The Art of Living is running many free schools in rural and slum areas all over India. An example is the free education given in Mohong (Assam). See the video on the initiatives by The Art of Living in naxalite and economical weaker areas, such as Mohong

Miracle story-11

The following two stories/ anecdotes, I have heard from Art Of Living Teacher. She was personally told about this following incident by Guruji's sister, lovingly known by everyone, as Bhanu Didi.


The devotees of Guruji, offer Him presents. Now, however big or small a present, Guruji always cherishes it, if it is given from the heart and feelings. He would not throw it away. 
So Bhanu Didi told that one such devotee gave him a cream- Fair and Lovely. (I know it seems a silly present to give. But His devotees give Him what they feel.)


Now Guruji, although, did not use it but kept it carefully in his room. Bhanu Didi told that one day, when she was cleaning Guruji's room, she saw that cream and thought that Guruji never used it and it was old and probably expired, so she removed it from there.


She said that when Guruji came to that room, without even looking around, He asked for that cream- that certain devotee had given that cream and where was it now. Bhanu Didi said, that she quickly brought it back and kept it where it was, and was relieved that she had not thrown it away.


Now second incident.


When Guruji visits any place, His devotees rush to meet Him wherever He is staying. Sometimes, they cook something and take for Him or offer Him sweets etc.


So He was in Delhi. (Presently also He is in Delhi). He was staying at a devotee's place. People were thronging that house to catch a glimpse of Him and get his Darshan. If they could not go in personally, they would send their box, that they had lovingly brought for Him. 


Similarly, one lady who was standing outside the house, sent a box of sweets for Guruji. Now whatever, His devotees bring for Him, will/have to/must reach Guruji. Now there were great preparations being made in the kitchen in the house too. So, it just so happened, that the lady of the house, who was very busy, just forgot to keep this one box of sweet in front of Guruji, when He was having His meal. It was also because she noticed one more box of similar sweets. So she thought, that she could/should keep only one box and not two of the same kind.


When Guruji sat to eat His food, He asked, that there should have been one more such box of sweet, which His devotee had lovingly sent for Him. Everyone in the house was taken aback. How did Guruji know? 
He knows. He knows everything.


Well, I had said I would tell two such incidents but there is  another one similar.


Guruji was boarding a flight along with another AOL teacher.
A lady, who had come to the airport to meet Him, had brought Him a basket of food. Now there was so much rush of people to meet Guruji, that she could not meet Him personally. So, she asked the teacher, who was traveling with Guruji, if he could give this basket to Guruji. The teacher hesitated and refused.
Inside, the airport, Guruji, told the teacher, you know there is a lady outside, who has come with a basket of food for me and since she could not give it to me, she is standing outside and is crying. Go get that basket from her. The teacher had to. 

Guruji's Knowledge Sheet: Doubt

A doubt is a gray area. Gray is something which is neither white nor black. Now, how to solve the doubt? An event, knowledge, convention cannot help. Then what can help? Accepting it either as black or as white. Put it either as black and accept it or as white and accept it -- whether or not it is black or white. And see the gray as a shade of black or white. Either way you accept it. Honest or dishonest -- accept it. Then the mind is quiet. You are not in the gray area.

See, the eyes are dark, eyebrows are dark, the thymus -- the most powerful organ of the body -- is black. Hemoglobin -- the main force of the body -- is black. You cannot survive without black. It is part of you.


Or see it as white. Eye is also white. Bones are white; the structure on which the whole body stands is white. Put it in a category of black -- no problem -- accept. Put it in a category of white -- no problem -- doubt is not there. Have conviction. "I accept. They are dishonest and still part of me." That's it. Finished.


Doubt is wanting to get rid of something. Doubt is a temporary state. Neither up nor below. There tension arises.


- Sri Sri


|| Jai Guru Dev ||

Miracle story-10

Prakirtee, Mauritius

Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers

I was born in Mauritius, an island of an exquisite beauty in the Indian Ocean, where people of diverse religions and cultures live together in harmony. My immediate family consists of my exceptionally wonderful parents and my unique elder brother, who have been pillars in my life. I graduated in accounting and finance and I’m currently employed in the field of auditing by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Young and Inquisitve

At a very young age, I would ask my mom who we are, who created us, who created the universe and she would tell me, in her own wonder, that it’s the creator – but then I would again ask, who created the creator! I had that innate drive to know more about the purpose of life. Later, the illnesses and death of some close ones intensified those quests about existence.

Meeting Sri Sri in the Bangalore Ashram

My mom and brother had done the Part 1 course in 2001 and the difference was so vivid. Life for us all looked brighter but I barely knew anything about Art of Living or Guruji. August 2001, mom and I were on a trip to India and after lots of interesting circumstances we landed up in Bangalore Ashram. As I stepped in, it was the inimitable feeling of having come back home. A wave of comforting peace embraced me and that was when I first met Guruji. Love at first sight – I’ve known it. A single glance was more than enough to make me His. His smile, mischief, and way of grace moved me. The much love I lived in those two days was unparalleled. The pristine ashram, the sense of oneness among the devotees, the smile on every face, the ethereal magic of satsang and everything else welcomed me back home. No wonder I still am addicted to our Bangalore Ashram.

I was only 13 then. I have ever since lived and witnessed miracles in every sphere of life. Each of the Art of Living courses brought to me absolute gems to live a fuller life. Sudarshan Kriya is something I still can't fathom and its benefits surpass all possible expectations. The much I got from Guruji and His teachings is indescribable. He gave a new direction to my life.

Sudarshan Kriya keeps my mind clear and helps me focus

At primary school, I was lucky enough to always get A’s and regular Sadhana helped me keep up the standard at secondary and tertiary levels. The only difference was that I didn’t have to study for never-ending hours nor did I have to burn the midnight candle studying. Sudarshan Kriya cleared my mind and helped me focus better. My ability to understand any subject had improved tremendously. It all actually was nothing short of studying less, studying better and getting distinctions. Less time in studies meant that I had plenty of time to savor life.

Amazing health benefits from Sudarshan Kriya

As a child, I used to suffer from asthma and bronchitis. My heart beats would start racing and I would gasp after running a short distance only. I have been seriously ill twice and had to stay for weeks at the clinic. A fragile and volatile health I had and medicines, doctors were all very much part of my everyday life then. Sudarshan Kriya has set back the rhythm within me and I never thought that such dynamism could ever blossom back. It’s been years now since my health has known perfection.

My dad has got diabetes and the wonder of Kriya works here too, keeping the sugar levels much lower than what it used to be. More of a miracle was the days when he was suffering from the acute pains of calculus/kidney stone. Nothing could relieve him and we were waiting for the date to get it removed; but after the second scan, there was no sign of calculus. Blessings had then healed him!

On the map, our island is so tiny and at times almost invisible to the eyes of many but not to the divine eyes of our beloved master. Mauritius has been blessed by His presence and it is amazing to see how the grace is eliminating stress and how happiness is dawning in the lives of so many. Distance is no barrier. It’s another connection. He said we can turn Mauritius into a spiritual island; this is gradually happening with His guidance only.

Celebrating diversity in the Art of Living

Art of Living and His grace have been instrumental in bringing together people of various backgrounds, races, cultures, countries and here, we celebrate the differences. Art of Living Silver Jubilee celebration has been awe-inspiring. More than four years have elapsed but I still can’t properly fathom that I have been part of a crowd, as huge as 2.5 million people – each one of them bubbling with joy, dancing in gratitude, sitting in unison in meditation, helping each other so selflessly; all in one place, at one time! Truly a One World Family! I have met so many amazing people on this path, each one of them with their own life story – stories of grace are never lacking.

We might be millions in the Art of Living but the master is ever here, personally available for each one of us, taking care of us, our desires and problems – from the pettiest to the biggest. I gape in marvel every time I see Guruji meeting thousands of people and listening with such attention to each one of them, reassuring them that everything is being taken care of; and despite having crowds of people all around Him, barely giving Him any space to move, there’s never the slightest sign of annoyance. The care is ever present.

I can spend days and years writing about what all life with Him has been but it will still fall short. Words will never suffice to narrate the story of my life with Guruji; everyday is a gift, every moment is an experience, every little thing is part of this journey. Art of Living is a way of life, a gift of life and a life-long flow of joy, peace and love.

Jai Guru Dev

With love and gratitude,

Prakirtee

Interesting facts about the Art of Living course:

• AOL has been part of the training for NASA scientists and employees.
• It is part of the training for Miss India contestants.
• Teachers in a school in Basel, Switzerland get paid vacation to do AOL course. 
• Sudarshan Kriya has been acknowledged by All India institute of Medical Sciences based on its medical research.

Activity and Rest

Guruji's knowledge sheet

Activity and rest are two vital aspects of life. To find a balance in them is a skill in itself. When to have what and how much to have is wisdom. Finding them in each other-activity in rest and rest in activity-is the ultimate freedom.

More tiring than the work itself is the memory of hard work. Thinking you have worked hard itself interferes with the quality of rest. Some people take pride in working hard without any results. And there are others who crave for long rest not knowing the rest is in non-doership. It is the quality of rest, even if it is short, that recuperates.

When rest is needed, your body will automatically take it. Resting, without thinking about the need for it, is more restful. Desirelessness, Dispassion, and Samadhi are the deepest rest.

Question: Our work is very stressful. We don't get enough time for the family. What do we do?

Answer: Do you spend quality time with your family? Even if you spend half an hour are you cordial and fully attentive to the needs of your family? It is not the length of time you spend with your family matters. What matters is the quality of time that you spend with them.

Thinking you need rest makes you restless.
Thinking you have to work hard makes you tired.
Thinking you have worked hard brings self pity.

- Sri Sri

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

Relationships

Wisdom from Sri Sri

How would you like to see yourself happy and bubbling with enthusiasm or dull and difficult to please?

Often you like to be pleased, appeased and cajoled. So you put up a tough, upset face and act difficult to please. If a person has to appease and please ten people all the time, it will be so tiring. People who keep a long face and expect others to cajole and appease them make others run away. Lovers often do this. They expend a lot of energy in cajoling and this brings down the joy and celebration of the moment.

It is okay for you to show your upset mood or tendency once in a while, but doing it over and over again is taxing for you and people you love.

If you feel down, appease and please yourself. Your need to be appeased by someone else is the sign of grossness. This is the root of ignorance. If you want attention, all you get is tension.

Become one whose enthusiasm never dies, come what may.

Fortunate Indrayani,gets to play with Guruji everyday and also He feeds Indrayani..wow!!!

Ariv's new dance moves

Check out video of my nephew dancing.
He has his own blog here.

Miracle story-9

Beatriz V. Goyoga Art of Living Experience 

Journalist, Foreign Correspondent, Former Competitive Horse Rider

I am a journalist from Spain and a citizen of the world. My dad was the General Attorney Public for the Spanish army, and my mum a lady of noble birth. My partner was an Italian Marquis, and also world champion in horse show jumping. I worked in Latin America as a foreign correspondent and headed a press office with 14 major publications, specialized in politics and economics.  I learned also seven languages. For 25 years I was a successful competition horse rider. Since the dawn of my life God has blessed me with a fascinating life.

Adventures around the world

I started looking for something more in life since I was seventeen.  I left my parental home to live in England, then in France, Germany, the USA and Argentina.. There was something in me that told me that life was more than fun, work, challenges, gin & tonic and sex.

For my 40th birthday I started a trip around the globe of 355 days interviewing queens and bedouins, beggars and terrorists. I climbed mount Everest twice, lived in the North Pole with the reindeer farmers, crossed Africa on the back of a truck as well as Siberia,  I sailed the Antarctic to the south pole on an ice breaker and traveled through the burning desserts of Arabia and the Yemen.  I worked in war torn countries like Afghanistan and Lebanon, In all these years I met and interviewed amazing people like Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, George Bush, the Dalia Lama,  Her Royal Highness Queen of England and many more.

But nothing, absolutely nothing, means as much to me as having met Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, having heard my name from his lips and  being able to serve his wonderful foundation.

Sri Sri visits Argentina 2008

Meeting with Guruji

Finally I met Guruji in a crowded conference hall at the most respected theater of Argentina. My husband would always take me to these places, and I would always go to sleep for I was not interested in spirituality. However, on this occasion I did not sleep but rather I was woken up! Literally,  that day I started a new life. At the end of the conference it was announced that people could go and meet the Sri Sri, I quickly said "What for, Let's go and have a drink". I repented for years to come.

Nevertheless we were touched enough to take the Art of Living course for stress management.  I wept and laughed and felt that life was a dream of love. Of course it took me about a year to fully accept this gentle, long haired person I did not know.  My left brain used to say,  "I am a catholic I need no Indian Master". I even put his photograph in a drawer, face down, so I need not see him when opening the drawer. But my heart said something else. I felt soft when I thought of him and a smile would appear on my face.

Teaching Art of Living to thousands

I had done 26 courses in little over a year. I then became a teacher. Since then I have taught tens of thousands,  from people in prisons to heads of governments, doctors,  deans of universities, CEO's, housewives and thousands of students.

I have encountered strong opposition from my family in Spain and suffered in silence the destitution. But nothing will make me change my mind or life style. I know now that I have come to this world to serve and spread this knowledge. Nothing absolutely nothing is more important than bringing the Knowledge Guruji has put together to uplift the human spirit from sorrow and desperation to freedom and serenity. In all of these years he has never asked me to do any thing, never demanded or questioned any thing. He allows me to flow, work in freedom and expand.

 These days I am capable of crossing the globe just to spend a few hours in the presence of Sri Sri..in silence. Sri Sri's love and presence is amazing. I recharge my batteries to go on another tour of helping Latin Americans switch from crime to peace, from complains to gratitude and from stress to freedom.

Another same to same

Bhavna Talwar dazzled at 2010 Doha Tribecca Film Festival in this cream saree.

And here is me at Bali.

Yayy!!

Traditional Saree-2

Kirron Kher, besides having similar name as mine (Kiran), I relate a lot to her sensibility in choosing beautiful sarees, matching it with right jewellery and jholas. White and Gold Saree, Fuschia color, is my all time favorite. 

Love Kirron’s style… almost always stays true to her own style aesthetic and gives us look after look that’s elegant and classic with a distinct stamp of her own!

Fitness - Ultimate 500 Rep Kettlebell Workout

Today Kettlebells were introduced in my studio. I have yet to shoot my own video/pictures with the same. But while doing my research, I found this interesting video on youtube.

Guruji has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize

Sri Sri Ravishankar is World's renoowned Spiritual Leader an ambassdor of Peace and Love.

 Do you know : He has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.


Here are some of His achievements and contribution to the Peace Projects in the World.

"My vision is of a world that is crime-free, stress-free and violence-free."
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has inspired a global phenomenon of compassion and service. A spiritual leader and humanitarian, his programs have impacted more than 25 million people worldwide.

In 1981, he started the Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization that works in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Its educational and self-development programs offer powerful tools to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. In the United States, the Foundation’s programs are helping youth in inner cities turn away from gang violence, drugs and alcohol, toward greater generosity and service.

In 1997, he founded the International Association for Human Values, a humanitarian Non-Governmental Organization that advances human values in political, economic, industrial, and social spheres. In India, South Africa, and Latin America, the Association is working in poor rural communities to promote sustainable growth, and has reached more than 30,000 villages.

A leading figure in human development and social transformation, he is a multifaceted social activist whose initiatives include conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, prisoner rehabilitation programs, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, campaigns against female feticide and child labor, and education for all. In Kashmir and Sri Lanka, Sri Sri is working to further dialogue between opposing parties to resolve the conflicts peacefully.

Sri Sri travels to more than 40 countries a year to share his message that all the great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. He inspires leaders to balance business with ethics and social responsibility. His teachings of love, practical wisdom, and service promote harmony among people, and encourage individuals to follow their chosen spiritual path, while honoring the path of others.



Sri Sri receives 2009 Culture in Balance award

Spiritual leader and Art of Living Founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, was Saturday conferred with the 2009 Culture in Balance Award in Dresden, Germany [ Images ], in recognition of his outstanding contribution to all the facets of culture, and for his commitment to global cultural balance.
In granting the award, the selection committee attached special importance to Sri Sri's efforts in promoting intercultural dialogue, peace and reconciliation in conflict zones, and ethics in business.

The award, instituted by the Forum Tiberius, was presented to Sri Sri by Dresden Mayor Helma Orosz, amidst a standing ovation. The award ceremony took place in a special session of the World Culture Forum, at Volkswagen's landmark transparent factory in Dresden.

Rich tributes were paid to Sri Sri by a number of prominent individuals, including Nirj Deva, British Member of European Parliament, Prof. Gesine Schwan, candidate for the 2009 German presidential elections and Dean of Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance, Berlin, and Prof. Bernd Guggenberger, Dean of Lessing University, Berlin.

Upon receiving the award, Sri Sri said, "I share this award with all those people who stand for a violence-free and stress-free society. This award is not for a person or personality, but for a principle that stands for the ideal of a 'one world family and cultural plurality."

Earlier in the day, Sri Sri spoke of the need to globalise compassion, wisdom and humanism in his keynote address at the World Culture Forum, besides answering a wide range of questions and conducting a meditation.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses the World Culture Forum in Dresden on Saturday.



Subject: SRI SRI in SRI LANKA, 20-22 April, 2009

Concerned about the conflict in Sri Lanka and the plight of the civilians, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar went on a 3-day peace mission to Sri Lanka. He closely interacted with refugees in the Manik camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP) as well as a camp in Vavuniya.
Whatever you need for a good and dignified life, we are there to support you, Sri Sri told the troubled people. The Art of Living Foundation and I are right with you in your hour of need, he assured them. All your children will study and have a good future. This is my guarantee.
While Sri Sri distributed the relief material, many refugees shared their plight with Sri Sri. An engineer in one of the camps said, We will lose our mind, we are going crazy as we are here for four months.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conveyed the desire of the Tamils to return home soon to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse. The untold suffering of the Tamils will make any heart bleed. A place that has never seen beggars has to beg for water, food, clothes and for life itself, Sri Sri told the President during their interaction.
The Venerable Bellanwilla Wimalaratana Thero, chancellor of Sri Jayawardhanapura University expressed his happiness on Sri Sri`s visit and said that this augurs well for the people of Sri Lanka.
As part of his peace mission, Sri Sri also met up with several dignitaries including Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, American Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake, Ministers in the Sri Lankan cabinet and Parliamentarians with a notable exception being the Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

Sun Nov 2, 2008 1:56 am (PDT)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar honoured by three US cities
Saturday, November 01, 2008 20:23 IST

Spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, was honoured by three cities in the US during his ongoing Fall Tour of North America.

The city of Houston honoured Sri Sri by proclaiming him an honorary citizen and a Goodwill Ambassador of the city, a press release from the Art of Living Foundation said.

In Atlanta, Georgia, Sri Sri was presented the Phoenix award, the highest award given by the office of the Mayor of Atlanta.

In Irving, Texas, October 29 was declared as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day, the release said.

Meanwhile, Sri Sri signed an MoU with the Mayor of Houston, Bill White to conduct stress and relief programmes in the city. The programme will target city youth, returning war veterans


Peace Initiatives 

"My vision is of a world that is crime-free, stress-free and violence-free."
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Conflicts, rising fundamentalism, and erosion of human values in different corners of the world have been key areas of concern for Sri Sri. Respected as a neutral entity with unquestionable integrity, he has successfully worked to help the peace process in all parts of the world including Kashmir, Sri Lanka, the Balkans and Israel.

Through the Art of Living programs and personal interventions, he has encouraged and enabled many conflicting groups to adopt peaceful means of resolving their issues. Espousing the Gandhian principle of non-violence, Sri Sri calms the minds of aggressors, provides solace and emotional strength to victims and works towards developing long-lasting solutions to achieving peace.

Sri Lanka: Sri Sri has been actively involved in peace negotiations in Sri Lanka. In September 2006, he ventured to Kilonichchi for peace talks with LTTE leaders. His peace initiatives began in early 2005 when he sent emissaries for negotiations with the Sri Lankan President and the Tamil leaders. His visit in April 2006 came at a time of tremendous civil unrest. However, his interactions with locals as well as the country's top brass have been instrumental in changing mindsets. He remains actively involved in brokering peace between the government and the LTTE.

After undergoing special programs designed by him, hundreds of Tamil youth in Jaffna work hand in hand with Art of Living volunteers to bring relief to the people of North Eastern Sri Lanka traumatized by over two decades of ethnic violence.

He was been responsible for the formation of a Committee for Peace comprising Hindu and Buddhist leaders including the Dalai Lama to take the peace agenda forward.

Kashmir: In the last four years, Sri Sri has been quietly paving the road to peace by bringing together all sections of the Kashmiri population. His inspiring vision is altering perspectives among the Kashmiri youth so much so that over 1,500 youth have averted from violence and work towards peace.

In June 2005, when he visited the Kashmir Valley, Sri Sri was warmly received at Srinagar airport by a rally of 500 Muslim youth. The visit culminated in a rare gathering of leaders representing different factions of the Kashmiri people. For the first time, leaders including both the factions of the All Party Hurriyat Conference and representatives of Kashmiri Pandits came face to face in his presence for a dialogue.

Sri Sri recently established an orphanage for children who are victims of militancy in the state as well as those that have been orphaned after the devastating earthquake. The orphanage currently houses 150 children who are provided food, clothes, books and formal education. Sri Sri has also adopted 30 children from Kashmir and is taking care of their education and upbringing

The Balkans: Under hostile circumstances, Sri Sri made a lasting impact in helping resolve ethnic conflict in Kosovo, Bosnia and Macedonia. Sri Sri's programs helped trauma victims in Kosovo to live peacefully within a multi-ethnic society by providing them with tools to reawaken tolerance, reconciliation and acceptance. He also inspired dialogue between Albanians and Macedonians by widening the circle of belongingness from the narrow identities defined by ethnic or national boundaries.

Bihar: Sri Sri's clarion call for peace during his visit to the Naxal- infested villages of Bihar in 2002 resulted in an unprecedented gathering of 100,000 youth from the warring groups of Ranvir Sena and Naxalite groups such as CPI-ML, People's War Group and Maoist Communist Centre. Subsequent to their meeting with him, both sides publicly took a vow to spread the message of non-violence. It isn't a mere co-incidence therefore that Naxalite violence has virtually stopped in Central Bihar, India since the year 2000. Remarkably, in the aftermath the 2006 Jehanabad killings, there was no retaliatory massacre which would have been a natural consequence under earlier circumstances. Instead, soon after the incident, the warring groups came together for a community gathering organised by the Art of Living in Ekwari, the nerve centre of Naxal violence in Bihar.

Despite imminent threats from Islamic fundamentalists, Communist Maoists and other extremist groups from time to time, Sri Sri continues to work tirelessly to galvanise people towards peaceful co-existence in different corners of the globe. Not only has he motivated thousands of volunteers to work for global peace, but has himself traveled intensively to strife-torn areas to heal the wounds of victims and calm the aggressors.

Innovation In Education

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has established approximately 50 primary, secondary and high schools in the tribal, rural belts and semi urban belts of India where child-labour and poverty are widespread. This is a blessing for thousands of children as these schools are located in economically backward areas where the advantages of education are often perceived as low and beyond the reach of the people.

Rural Schools: One such tribal school in West Bengal is located in an area where the nearest school was not only about 8KM away with no road to reach there. These schools are providing free, quality and value based education to the children of poorest of the poor, the underprivileged, the tribal and the marginalized sections of society. The children are provided with a free education, school materials uniforms, and a meal.

Another example of this highly effective initiative is the rural school located in the vicinity of the international headquarters of the Art of Living in Bangalore. Over 2,000 first generation learners from over 45 surrounding villages are given free education, books, uniforms, transport and mid-day meals. Another highlight is that 46% of the student population is girls.

Urban Education: Sri Sri has also pioneered several institutions of learning in the urban areas to foster value integrated education and make the learning process easier and stress-free.

Disaster and Trauma Relief

Another key aspect of Sri Sri's humanitarian initiatives has been to provide swift and timely relief to victims of natural and man-made disasters. Under his direction and close supervision, volunteers not only collect and disburse immediate relief supplies, but also help survivors overcome the post-traumatic stresses that haunt them.

Extensive relief and rehabilitation work in the tsunami-affected areas of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, trauma relief camps in Kashmir and Pakistan after the earthquake, interventions in war-torn Iraq and in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks in New York - Sri Sri's initiatives have become one of the most vital links in any disaster rehabilitation programs the world over.

Hurrican Katrina Relief: 

Tsunami Trauma Relief: Risking their own lives, Sri Sri's volunteers have tended to the mental and emotional needs of victims of the disasters. Attending to the trauma of the survivors is the target apart from supplying immediate material needs. Almost two years after the tsunami, Sri Sri's volunteers are still engaged in trauma relief and long-term rehabilitation of the victims of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka and Nagapattinam, India. Over 50,000 victims have overcome the trauma of the disaster thanks to Sri Sri's specially designed stress elimination techniques. Recent initiatives include the conflict between Israel and Lebanon where Sri Sri immediately dispatched trained volunteers to provide trauma relief to the victims of the war. Such program are also continuing in Afghanistan to reduce trauma levels and stress caused by wars that have plagued the country for decades.

Sri Sri's disaster management & trauma relief initiatives include:

Surat, India Floods, 2006
Israel and Lebanon conflict, 2006
Mumbai train blast, 2006
Hurricane, Katrina, 2006
Mumbai Floods, 2006
Kashmir and Pakistan earthquake, 2006
Tsunami relief operations, South Asia, 2005
London subway blast, UK, 2005
Madrid terror attack, Spain, 2004
Beslan terror attack, Russia, 2004
Post-war trauma relief, Iraq, 2003
Post-war trauma relief, Afghanistan, 2003
Bam earthquake, Iran, 2003
Jakarta floods, Indonesia, 2002
River Elbe floods, Germany, 2002
Kosovo conflict, Kosovo, 2002
9/11 terror attack, USA, 2001
Gujarat earthquake, India, 2001
Orissa cyclone, India, 1999


Honors and Awards 

Mahaveer Award for Peace and Non-Violence, England, 2007
Peter the Great First Grade Award for contribution to the Russian Federation Russia, 2006
Mongolian Prime Minister's Award for contribution to the nation Mongolia, 2006
Fervent Global Love of Life by the Cultural and Education Foundation of Human Life, Taiwan, 2006
Bharat Shiromani Award, New Delhi, India, 2005
Dara Shikoh National Award for Harmony, India, 2005
Global Humanitarian Award, Illinois, USA, 2005
Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, India, 2004
The Illustrious Visitors Award, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2004
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day, Ohio, USA, 2003
Phoenix Award, Atlanta, USA, 2002
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day, Austin, Texas, USA, 2002
Title of Yoga Shiromani (Supreme Jewel of Yoga), India, 1986 


At a time when many people feel that modern knowledge and ancient traditions tend to contradict each other, it is refreshing to come across someone like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who has been able to reconcile his scientific education with his Vedic training to find a path relevant to contemporary needs. -- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Shall We Dance? Movie Clip

This has been my all time favorite. In fact, this was the one that inspired me to learn dance. Till date when I watch this, I feel........
I Feel............

Sri Sri on China Tour : Yoga Pranayam China

Sri Sri on China Tour : Satsang in China

Sri Sri on China Tour : Health & Happiness Yoga Camp with Guruji

Same to Same

Konakana Sen or her stylist definitely seemed to be inspired by my blog and my fashion. Sometime back I had featured this Saree on my blog. Notice our similar sarees, similar make up and similar style of keeping the saree simple and jewellery heavy.

And here is also Polki which is similar to Konakana Sen. 

Kiran Rocks!! (sheepish grin). 

Guruji's Knowledge Sheet: The Real Glory

 It is often believed that glory and dispassion are contradictory and cannot co-exist. Glory and luxury without dispassion is a nauseating pomp and show. Such glory does not bring fulfillment for anyone… it is shallow. Alternately, the dispassion that is afraid of glory is weak. True dispassion is oblivious to glory.

The glory that comes with dispassion is something that is true, that is permanent and authentic. When someone runs after glory they are shallow. Like movie stars, politicians and religious leaders who try to hold on to their status, to their glory, they are certain to lose. If you run after glory all you get is misery. When you are dispassionate, glory comes to you.

If you are afraid of glory, that means you are not well-founded in dispassion. In India, the Sadhus run away from glory. They think they will lose their dispassion and get trapped in the web of the world, the circus. The dispassion is so blissful, they get attached to the dispassion. (laughter)

They are afraid of losing the dispassion, the centeredness and bliss that comes along with it. This is weak dispassion. Dispassion is a state of being and glory is the happening around it. True dispassion can never be lost or overshadowed by glory.

True dispassion is glorious!

Real glory is true dispassion!

- Sri Sri

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

SUTRA: "Commitment is essential in life. The more responsibility you take on, the more energy/power will come on to you." - Sri Sri...