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Art of Living World Culture Festival Day 1 Highlights
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered together at the National Mall in Washington DC for the 4th World Culture Festival to celebrate unity in diversity. Artists from all around the world showcased their cultural heritage through memorising performances, and we heard inspiring talks from global political leaders including India's External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, 8th UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and more! Watch the video to get a glimpse into the festival!
Art Of Living – My journey within
Back then in 2000, one of my school friends had shared with me a small card, with a picture of a saintly person, below which was written a beautiful quote. I had felt so positive; she said this quote was written by her Guruji. As a matter of fact, while growing up, I had read books like ‘Autobiography of a Yogi', which had made me realize the significance of a spiritual guide in one's life.
Just a few months after this incidence, my father asked me to attend the Art of Living – Level 1 course along with him. Since childhood, I was a very shy person, who preferred a solitary life, due to lack of self-confidence, with a messed up mind and marred self-identity. But I was an obedient child, and so reluctantly, but with some hope, I joined him. When we went at the venue, to my surprise I saw the very same person's picture I had mentioned earlier, but this one was a huge frame. So the photograph was of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar or ‘Guruji' as he is fondly referred to. Well, well, this was going to be interesting.
Initially precarious about the purpose of this course though, I slowly started experiencing some sort of peace. I was almost in some weightless state for a few days as if I was floating. ‘Sudarshan Kriya' introduced by Guruji is a powerful rhythmic breathing technique that facilitates physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. Two months later, I got the opportunity to perform Sudarshan Kriya in the presence of Guruji. This was like experiencing the purest form of bliss and the divine connect you experience can be overwhelming. This is how my association with Guruji began.
In all these years, I have always felt connected with him. He knows what I am going through and in some way or the other sends a message for me, so that I could understand myself, the situation and the solution clearly. There has been a gradual but drastic change in my personality over a period of 17 to 18 years.
My first hand experience of feeling worthless, good for nothing, to the point that I used to hate myself has become a faded memory. I could barely read a book earlier; in fact my situation was so bad that reading 200 words itself used to take me an hour or so. Writing was an even bigger challenge. Not that I could not, but mind is a complex piece of art. Probably my confidence was paralyzed. But I started reading Guruji's books. Reading his books came to me like a spring of inspiration. Initially I started at a slower pace, but I finished reading almost 4 books in a row. That is where my love for reading graduated, because now the mental barrier I had that I could never finish reading a book had gone. Today if I have the competence to write anything is because of all the beautiful ideologies imbibed in me as a result of reading his thoughts and scriptures.
If you ask me now what has changed, I would say, that first and foremost I love myself. If that is not very explicit, my Guruji with his blessings has made me capable of bringing out most importantly the enthusiasm to live and make life better, to get past all the insurmountable negativities and inabilities, courage to handle any situation or consequence and yes some decent competence to cascade a few mindful thoughts.
This is an experience shared by an Art of Living member who wish to remain anonymous.
Do you have an Art of Living experience that you would like to share with the world?! then drop a message in the comment box below!
Impact of a child’s meditation on their parents!
Awesome knowledge by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji!
“If a child is spiritual, an amount of their practice reflects on their immediate ancestors. The merit of having such a child goes to the parents. And their spirit gets that energy. Like inheritance in the gross world. If your parents are rich you inherit the riches after they are
gone. It is automatic that you inherit. In the subtle world, it is the other way around. Children meditate and parents inherit. When children do a good deed, a portion of that merit goes to their parents…”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
गुरुदेव के द्वारा बहुत बढ़िया ज्ञान … ?
“यदि एक बच्चा आध्यात्मिक है, तो उनकी प्रथा का एक हिस्सा उनके तत्काल पूर्वजों पर प्रतिबिंबित करता है। ऐसे बच्चे होने की योग्यता माता-पिता के पास जाती है और उनकी आत्मा को ऊर्जा मिलती है। धन के वारिस के पश्चात धन का उत्तराधिकारी हो जाता है, यह स्वचालित होता है कि आप वारदात करते हैं। सूक्ष्म दुनिया में, यह दूसरा रास्ता है, बच्चों का ध्यान और माता-पिता वारिस होते हैं। जब बच्चे एक अच्छा काम करते हैं, तो उनकी योग्यता का एक हिस्सा उनके माता-पिता को जाता है .. ”
-श्री श्री रवि शंकर
Beware of politicians with ulterior motives
Some politicians and parties have ulterior motives. They create their own enemies to deceive and cheat people. Chiranjeevi (Prajarajyam party), NCP, Kejriwal are some of worst examples of this kind of deceit!
They are the worst enemies of our people and country. Beware of such thugs. They divide people on the basis of caste, religion, region etc to gain votes.
See this video speech by Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji on this …
PRABDHA KARMA AND SANCHITA KARMA
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PRABDHA KARMA AND SANCHITA KARMA Some karma can be changed and some cannot. When you prepare halwa, if sugar is less or ghee is less, water more or less, it can all be adjusted, repaired. But once soji is cooked, it cannot be reversed. If the buttermilk is sour, milk can be added, salt can be added to make it drinkable. But it can never be reversed back to milk. Prabdha karma cannot be changed. Sanchita karma can be changed by spiritual practices. Satsang burns the seed of all negative karma. When you praise someone, you take on their good karma. When you blame someone you take on their bad karma. Know this and surrender both good and bad karma to the Divine and be free. Jai Guru Dev |
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CLOSE TO THE MASTER
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CLOSE TO THE MASTER If you're not feeling close to the Guru, it's because of you. Because of your mind, because of your ego concepts. Share with the Guru that which is very important or intimate to you. Share that. Do not feel shame, shy, or judgmental about yourself. Unless you express to the Master that which is very intimate and important to you, just being on the formal and informal communication levels cannot make you feel close. “How are you, where are you going? How have you been?” Stop formal and superficial conversations with the Master and speak with your heart that which is very important and intimate, very deep to your life. Don't just say how much the squash costs, 30 cents or whatever. If you don't feel close to the Master, there's no point in having a Master. It is just another burden to you. You have enough already. Just say “Goodbye,” get rid of it. Question: When you play little games and push us away, how can we feel close to you? Answer: You should feel more close if you are pushed away, scolded or ignored. Because to ignore somebody takes a lot of effort. When a Master does not even ignore wrapping paper, or a flower that is in a vase, how can he ignore a walking, talking, breathing human being who is connected? How could that be ignored? So when you understand this, you already feel close. Question: Can we call you every week? Response from the room: Call Guruji every week and if he doesn't answer the phone then you know you are loved. Answer: Yes, put that in. (Laughter) You are with the Master to share the joy of the Master, to share the consciousness of the Master. For that, you have to empty your cup of what is already in it. So you share that with the Master. You share whatever you have and don't judge, “Oh, that is garbage.” The Master is ready to accept any garbage of any extent. However you are, he will embrace you. He is ready to share. You only have to share from your side. Jai Guru Dev |
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar birthday message
Sand Sculpture of Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji by internationally acclaimed Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik at Puri beach in Odisha, India
Satsang Notes
13 May 2017, Bangalore Ashram
In temples, the idols are covered with so many garlands. But really all that God wants is a smile from you.
You are celebrating my birthday. As the birthday boy, I can ask you for a gift. Will you all give me a gift? If you hate anybody, you should drop that hatred. Anyone you have the slighest hatred for in your mind or prejudice, you have to give that to me as a gift.
See all this as a play of the consciousness. A broad vision will arise in you only when you drop the hatred. I have never said one bad word or abuse to anyone in 61 years. Nor do I have any bitterness toward anybody. You don't have to bring me flowers and sweets. You have sweetness in your mind and heart. In your heart you should have the freshness and sweetness of the flower. You don't have to be goodie goodie all the time. It is necessary to speak out the Truth. Truth doesn't mean speaking bitter.
Be happy. There is no dearth of anything. Just like there is space within and outside a vessel. Similarly there is space inside and outside you. Let this truth come into experience. In life there are difficulties, but there is a untouched space within us. If you know that (untouched space) then there is fullness in life. That is called Truth.
You are complete. You are full. You are the space inside and outside. ‘I am this'. When this truth dawns our hearts are free from bitterness. This thought you keep in your heart and continue with whatever you are doing. When you are working in the society, there are chances to get bitter. Then remember this ‘I am complete. I am full.' then you will see all the clouds of ignorance will vanish. Meditate everyday. Not just for one day.
30 well known artists have come together and sung Art of Living bhajans in the CD Ananta. I thank them all.
This is a another occasion to celebrate when all the classical artists are singing and preserving the ancient wisdom.
Strength that I got from my first DSN program
DSN (Divya Samaj Nirman) program has brought about a tremendous transformation in me. I did DSN, a four-day Art of Living advanced level course, in Sep 2003 with Prasana Prabhu at Lonavala, Maharashtra. DSN not only made me strong but also deeply nurtured a sense of belongingness, a caring and sharing attitude towards everyone around me. Kindness is nothing new to me. I have a kind and caring attitude since early childhood. I always used to small random acts of kindness within my little limited ways and comfort zones. I used to “rescue” ants in my bathroom from “getting flooded” before taking bath. Before DSN I always wanted to help anyone who was in pain and suffering. But I did not know what and how to do it! But after doing DSN I got the strength, courage and skill to help and serve the needy in the best possible ways beyond my earlier capabilities. Personally, DSN also gave me a amazing glimpse of the highest potential of life… but I will save that BIG story for another occasion!
