Tag Archives: Spiritual
Art of Living – A life changing experience
After recovering from dengue fever. I had recently moved from Ghaziabad to Gurgaon to cut down on commute time from home to office and back from office to home.
To overcome the stress of shifting I had joined a course on Art of Living as suggested by my friends and colleagues. I visited http://www.artoflivingncr.org website to get idea of the Part 1 course.
It was 3 days course. The course was designed for working professionals and was scheduled on weekend only (Friday – evening, Saturday and Sunday – Morning)
Day 1 (Friday evening):
Since being a working day for me. I had gone directly from office and I did not change. The course started with the registration formalities followed by introduction session wherein each participants were given badge with name to wear around the neck. Each participants were asked to greet all other participants in the room by saying “Sangachhadhwam!” – Sanskrit word meaning “Lets move together”.
It was unique way of introduction which I haven’t come across during my 30 years of existence in this body!
Then each participants were given notebooks and pen. After having spent so many years in software profession, It was nice to have them in my hand, which was used to tapping keys and clicking mouse 🙂
We were taught the breathing techniques – Pranayama. Three stages of Pranayama and Bhastrika Pranayama in “Loud Breathing or Ujjayi Breathing” and then teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji were taught.
Day 2 (Saturday Morning):
Second day started with Yoga followed by pranayama taught the day before. The stage was now all set for the Sudarshan Kriya – The unique breathing technique designed by the param pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji himself. It was founded by guruji after his 10 days of silence and deep meditation. I could sense immense pleasure and happiness within me after performing my first Sudarshan Kriya.
The day had some team building activities and followed by ‘Prasadam’ (Team lunch). Then at the end we were given home work with some questions to ask ourselves and each participants were asked to perform 3 good deeds on that day.
Day 3 (Sunday Morning):
It had been ages since I woke up early on a Sunday morning! But this time on that day it was just effortless and I enjoyed waking up early for a change. I was eager to attend the discourse and art of living session. The third day at course started with our home work from previous day. Followed by Yoga, Pranayama and Sudarshan Kriya. By this time Pranayama and Sudarshan Kriya had become part and parcel of my life. It was just like breath of fresh air in my life 🙂
The courses ended with ‘Prasadam’ (Team Lunch) followed by invitation for Guruji’s Mahasatsang scheduled to happen in New Delhi the week after. I was lucky to attend Guruji’s satsang in such short time after joining Art of Living.
It was a rejuvenating experience and I highly recommend it to all my friends and readers. Every person who attends the course has his/her own story and experience to share. The benefit one draws is invaluable not only for the individual but for the whole mankind. For me it was really a life changing experience and I am planning to associate my self with Art of Living during this lifetime and contribute to the welfare of the society in anyways possible.
I also take this opportunity to wish all my readers a very happy and a prosperous new year 2012. 7 Mantras for 2012 as given by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji. (Follow Sri Sri on twitter)
- Reflect on your life in relation to the cosmos.This will drop the smallness in you and you will be able to live fully.
- Remind yourself of the highest goal in Life.You are not here to grumble/complain.You are here for something bigger.
- Serve! Engage yourself in community service to whatever extent you can.
- Have faith and trust that the Divine loves you dearly and is taking care of you.
- As we flip the calendar,we need to flip our mind too.Don’t fill future dates with past events.Learn and move on.
- Smile more! True sign of prosperity is an unconditional smile on your face.
- Nurture yourself with music,prayer and silence. Meditation, Pranayam and Yoga rejuvenate; give depth and stability.
I would like to close this post by sharing one of my favorite songs. Hope you enjoy it as I did.
Jai Guru Dev!
To stay the course, sometimes you have to make waves 