“Life teaches you the Art of letting go in every event. When you have learnt to let go, you will be joyful, and as you start being joyful more will be given to you”.
– Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the ‘Art of Living’ organisation in 1981 with the motto of ‘One World Family’. His vision was to create a violence-free and stress-free society. In this organisation, breathing and meditation activities are performed under a spiritual leader, the ‘Guru’.
The Foundation is working in a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
One World News interacted with a few people who have long been associated with the Art of Living (AoL):
Q. When and What made you join the Art of Living?
Hemant Kundra, Deputy Manager (Finance & Accounts), ONGC:
I have been into Art of Living since 2007.
The reasons to join the AoL were:
To eliminate stress – Due to an important and a time bound job, I had become extremely stressed and my immunity had gone down. I was looking for an outlet to stress-out, and Art of Living courses have helped me to cut down on my stress levels, immensely.
To reduce the feeling of boredom in my life – As I was extremely busy in my professional and personal life I got bored of it, as it was too monotonous. I wanted to get out of the rut and experience the beauty of life again. Art of Living has made me appreciate the beauty and colour of life.
To get to meet positive people – I wanted to meet like-minded people who have a positive outlook towards life. In the Art of Living, I have come across lots of such people.
To do something for the society – I wanted to do something for the society but was not getting a proper platform to do it. Art of Living is continuously working for the betterment of the society and has given me the platform to serve people.
Mamta Kailkhura, Faculty – Art of Living: My life was confined to a well-paid job, family, friends and a great deal of reading. A deep yearning to decode the deeper meaning and purpose of life led me to many experiments. A Reiki master advised me to join the Art of Living foundation, and my quest was fulfilled when I did the Art of Living program and subsequently met Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Powerful tools to boost the quality of one’s own life coupled with variety of pro-poor projects appealed to me as a win-win formula for personal and social good. Hence, in 2001, I chose to devote my full-time to Art of Living activities.
Kalyani Oswal, Facilitator in Japanese Language: I did my first course in 1999, and I am actively involved with AOL since 2007. The search for something better in life than just career and materialistic pursuits, brought me to Art of Living. I always felt life was much more than what was apparent in the world around.
Q. How has Art of living helped in your daily life?
Hemant Kundra, Deputy Manager (Finance & Accounts), ONGC: Art of Living has helped in every aspect of my daily life. It has helped me at physical, mental and emotional level. Physically, I feel more fit and energetic now, and it has become easier to perform my daily activities. At the mental level, I feel more calm and centered. At the emotional level I feel more satisfied and relaxed. These changes at the physical, mental and emotional level have led to better relationships, better work efficiency and a more contented life.
Mr Suresh, Director at Vyakti Vikas Kendra India: It has supported in all walks of my life, be it business, personal or spiritual life.
Mamta Kailkhura, Faculty – Art of Living: The techniques and wisdom of the Art of Living have made me healthier, more energetic and enthusiastic. It helps me to face the daily challenges, demands or surprises of life with confidence, clarity and steadiness. I found that not only has my mind become clear and sharp but my creative talents and intuitive faculties have also blossomed, making me more productive and smart!
Kalyani Oswal, Facilitator in Japanese Language: It has made me more focused as a person and given me clarity to my life. I am able to take good decisions and handle my emotions much better.
Q. What changes have you experienced after learning the course?
Hemant Kundra, Deputy Manager (Finance & Accounts), ONGC: My relationship has improved and I am able to work more in my office and do not get tired. Happiness has come back into my life. Earlier, my life had become monotonous, with the same routine of going to the office, watching TV, movies on weekends etc. Now, since I am more relaxed and happy, I have more time for community services, expanding my circle of communication and enjoying life to the fullest.
Mr Suresh, Director at Vyakti Vikas Kendra India: The change is from a Zero to Hero in me, which is bringing around harmony and making me more useful to the society.
Mamta Kailkhura, Faculty – Art of Living: After being a part of the Art of Living program and practising the Sudarshan Kriya, I experienced a liveliness and fulfilment in my life that I had never experienced before. Physically, my stamina has improved dramatically, and socially I have become much more friendly and accept people around me, the way they are. The teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have made me more sensitive and respectful towards Nature, and more committed to take responsibility for myself and my society.
Kalyani Oswal, Facilitator in Japanese Language: I was short tempered earlier but this course completely changed me. My ability to interact with people improved and my energy levels are also increased with time.
Q. What sort of problems does the AoL program help to cope-up with?
Hemant Kundra, Deputy Manager (Finance & Accounts), ONGC: Art of Living is a way of life which believes that happiness, peace and contentment is the right of every human being. It also believes that society, country and world is a collection of individuals, so for the society, country and world to prosper every individual has to feel happy and stress-free.
Today human beings are beset with loads of problems regarding their health, relationships, finance etc. Art of Living believes that if a person is empowered and stress-free then they can solve all their problems. AoL focuses on bringing about inner transformation in individuals who then become assets for themselves, their families and the society.
Mr Suresh, Director at Vyakti Vikas Kendra India: Art of Living makes you happy, it enhances your energy, enthusiasm and harmony with the mind and body.
Mamta Kailkhura, Faculty – Art of Living: The Art of Living is to live in the present moment. The body and breath are always in the present moment. But the mind vacillates between the anger and regret of the past and the fear and anxiety of the future. Through the Art of Living practices and teachings, the mind becomes stress-free and settles in the present moment. When stress is released from the body or the mind, one is relieved from problems of all kinds; diseases, relationships, work performance, self-esteem, negative emotions and the overall quality of one’s life improves substantially.
Kalyani Oswal, Facilitator in Japanese Language: The Art of Living is an opportunity to explore one-self and to experience joy, love and peace right here right now. Anyone who is able to live in the present will be able to solve all the challenges that life throws at you.
Nameeta Singh, an Art of Living teacher says, “Art of Living teaches you several ways to live your life in a better way”. For Nameeta, Art of Living has taken a magical toll on her by developing her singing ability. Thus, it helps in building an over-all personality of a person including the confidence level and the attitude.
The foundation has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka and has regional centres in more than 150 countries. In Europe, the organization is known as ‘The Association for Inner Growth’.
This therapy not only offers ‘Kerala style massages’, but it also has a line of Ayurvedic products which are manufactured under the ‘Sri Sri’ label.
AoL in India, is primarily known for its propagation and teaching of the Sudharshan Kriya, which is a trade-marked breathing technique. It is also credited with curing diseases, from HIV/AIDS and Cancer to Asthma and Depression. This breathing technique is taught as part of the ‘Breathing Health’ Workshop which starts with a basic course lasting for six days with three hours a day.
Are you too associated with Art of Living and want to share your experience with us? Feel free to write us at info@oneworldnews.in
