Saturday, April 26, 2008

Love moves the world- and it needs you

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar talks to a devotee at the Bangalore ashram

The month of May heralds Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar's birthday. Several seva projects will be conducted all over the world to mark Gurudev's birthday.

In our area, we distribute food and books for poor children.

We also celebrate Gurudev's birthday by offering the Mega Art of Living Basic course, all over the world.

Seva (Service) for this course begins in April, when we start inviting people to join the Mega Art of Living Basic course. The basic course teaches the invigorating and life-transforming breathing technique called the Sudarshan Kriya. A lot of research has been done on the Sudarshan Kriya and its benefit for health and well-being of an individual.


A Art of Living workshop on environment, being conducted in a park

Gurudev Sri Sri has designed many other courses in the Art of Living, some focusing more on meditation and silence, others honing leadership qualities in an individual or removing energy blocks through spiritual means.


Practicing Bhastrika Pranayaam by the beach

The Art of Living Foundation charges fees for each course. The money obtained from the registration fees is used for several social projects being carried out around the world. The entire organization is run by volunteers who love the ideals that Gurudev stands for and who unstintingly support his Peace mission. The Art of Living Foundation is like an ocean- what it has given to the world ranges from spiritual awareness to social responsibility, from love and compassion, from fun and festivity.

It is indeed a remarkable achievement of one Man who has moved the world with his love and devotion.

In my own limited experience, I have enjoyed singing devotional songs at soul-stirring Satsangs. I practice yoga and deep meditation in accordance with the principles of holistic living. I walk the streets of the city along with friends, meeting people from all walks of life, and convincing them of the benefits of holistic living. I have met street-dwellers to cinestars alike in pursuit of the projects. I have participated in intense and meaningful workshops at the ashram- for NGOs, for women of the world, for spiritual leaders.

There is no word called 'boredom' in the Art of Living, thanks to Gurudev's untiring work.

I am indeed blessed. Come and join our family and partake of this ocean of love.

Here is a beautiful video of Gurudev's and his work all over the world.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Help my hurt

Pic from: http://www.hero.uio.no/bilder/ (Univ of Oslo)

Health is the most important aspect of one's happiness- if we trade this off with practically anything else, it's hard to reconcile with the change.

Here's a fabulous blog on dealing with pain.

Help my Hurt - blog

More and more people in the world are recognizing the importance of holistic healing, which includes practicing the age old techniques of yoga, Pranayaams (breathing exercises) and meditation.

The key principle taught in the Art of Living is that breath is the key that unlocks the various layers of our existence: body, mind, intellect, ego and self. Guruji Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of Art of Living Foundation explains this further and says:

'OUR breath plays a very important role. The breath is the connecting link between the inner world of the mind and the outer world of body and environment. There are seven levels of existence, body, mind, intellect, memory, ego and being. Meditation works by bringing an effort from the level of being to the mind. With the breath we bring this effect to the physical level as well.'

Monday, April 21, 2008

A wicker basket and one green wish

April 20 was Earth Day. It was also the day when thousands of Bangaloreans braved the scorching sun and marched from one park to another, to make an eco-friendly point.

It was one helluva voice that said "Say no to plastic bags". Over food, fun and fizz, folks picked up every odd plastic piece in Lal Bagh and dumped it into wicker baskets.

Participants came from various professions- the police force, Home Guards, home makers and industrialists got together for a common cause. Teams comprising of ten participants were led by members of the Art of Living Foundation.

Each team was led to a zone in the park, where they were to scrap the plastic off the ground. The young and the old alike, joined hands to make a point, bravely holding placards which also served to blot out the harsh sunrays.

Teach, your children well...

It was a day for creativity to come to the fore as well. Eminent painters displayed their green themes. Cotton bags were on sale to promote a plastic-free zone.


Say it with colors!

It was loads of fun. Couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off the week!


Under the greenwood tree to rest a bit!

More on Green code in my blog: www.kmanju.wordpress.com

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Improving indoor air quality

It is said that indoor pollution can be worse than outdoor pollution. The air inside is often stuffed with mites and bugs growing on carpets, sofa covers, pillows and what not. It helps a great deal to open the windows and allow for cross ventilation.

I saw this blog entry which throws light on indoor plants which help keep pollution at bay.

Indoor plants look good, and create a lot of positive energy in a home.
Image sourced from the web

I'm doing some serious green shopping this afternoon. So if you're looking for me, I'd probably be taking my siesta amongst some foliage...

Monday, April 14, 2008

Sri Rama Navami


When we were kids, our father would take us to every concert in town, held during the days of Rama Navami. He would return home early those evenings and pack us off in his old Morris Minor, to the concert venue. The venue would usually be in a Rama temple, either in Malleswharam or Sesadripuram or Fort High school, Bangalore.

Mother gave me a beautiful painting of Lord Rama and asked me to chant: Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.

Her mother, (my wonderful grandmother) used make lots of cooling 'Panaka' juice and serve it to visitors in hot and sultry Vizag, where we once lived.

Of course, I promptly forgot this chant as I grew older and more worldly in stature. Thanks to all the Art of Living practices, I have been swung back into my childhood days.

Today is Sri Rama Navami and it sure brought back these memories. Unfortunately, these busy times do not have me visit too many concerts like I did when I was a kid. But I have been fortunate enough to be sitting in two divine Satsangs with Swami Suryapada (Chayanna swamiji) , and that has made me so joyous.

Chayanna swamiji seated in the center with all of us Art of Living'ers

Sri Rama Navami marks the birth of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

During this day, we clean our house, put the Rangoli (a motif drawn on the floor with rice powder) and place a photo of Sri Rama on top of a wooden plate. We decorate the photo with various flowers. And of course, we pray to Lord Rama either by chanting shlokas (Sri Rama Nama) or by singing bhajans, or simply by meditating.

We also make some Prasadam (offering) like a sweet, some cooling juice and some fresh salad.

Lord Rama is revered by Hindus all over as the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband and above all, the ideal king. On the day of Rama Navami the birth of Rama is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign.

Friday, April 11, 2008

On Love and Fear


A friend of mine forwarded this beautiful excerpt from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar's book 'Celebrating Silence'. I wanted to share this with readers of this blog because the words are so simple, yet powerful and meaningful. It certainly helps to understand the true nature of fear as explained by an Enlightened Master.

'Because fear is love standing upside own, everything that can be interpreted with love can also be interpreted with fear. A child clinging to its mother can be understood in both ways - the child clings out of love or out of fear. This primal instinct of fear can be totally transformed thru' awareness of Divine Love.

Fear is an impression of the past reflecting the future of the present :-) When people deny fear, they become egocentric, when they recognize and accept fear, they go beyond it - they become free from it.

Total lack of fear is possible only in utter chaos or utmost orderliness. Neither a saint nor a fool has fear, but everywhere in between there is fear. Fear is essential to preserve orderliness in the world. It is a primal instinct.

Fear of death preserves life.
Fear of wrong maintains right
Fear of sickness encourages hygiene
Fear of misery makes you righteous

A child has a pinch of fear so it is careful and alert while walking. A pinch of fear is necessary to keep things moving smoothly. Do not try to eliminate fear. Just meditate and know that you are nobody or that you belong to someone special..

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Sports, politics and human rights


I watched a debate hosted on TV by Barkha Dutt, a popular Indian News journalist and Managing Editor, NDTV. Barkha is known for her brave and spunky reporting, and I had admired at her guts as she covered the dangerous Kargil situation a few years ago.

The topic of the debate was as hot as the torch that it represents. Should Indians boycott carrying the torch for the upcoming Olympics in China? Reason: China's ongoing aggressive stance over Tibet as the country fights for independence.

Barkha's guests ranged from regal representatives, sportspersons, Buddhists, and police force. Even Imran Khan, the Pakistani cricketer was invited to voice his opinion.

Well, the outcome was a lukewarm (veiled?) empathy to a burning Tibet. Some commented that Apartheid was a stronger issue that could ever justify boycotting the Olympics. Others shrugged saying that politics and sports must never be mixed. Some said the world should have taken a stand of disapproval to China's even before China was given the nod for hosting the Olympics this year. Still others said that if they had been asked to run bearing the Olympic torch, they would have done so wearing a black band to mark their protest.

Fine. These are all opinions, but isn't the major driving force for any serious stand usually dictated by global economy? A country's political clout? Its social status? A crafty combination of the three?

Nobody's talking of Human Rights here.

Such simmering issues do not get resolved easily, or quickly.

But a peaceful, yet dynamic, calm yet strong voice of protest world over would become more and more difficult to ignore.

Be it the voice of one's own conscience, or the passionate voice of a journalist to brings an issue to the fore, or the voice of the man crying out on street.

It's really the collective voice that should work. Eventually.



Pictures taken from the Web

Sunday, April 6, 2008

A sincere note to the non-Believer

Life comes a full circle.

We begin our life with loads of non-logic, fun and simply living in the moment. And for the moment.

That's what childhood is about.

You find every puddle an opportunity to put a tiny paper boat afloat and watch it drift away. You watch with wonder a rainbow mysteriously come alive in the horizon.

Pic taken from the web

When you fold your hands in prayer, you do it with a full and glowing heart. No questions, no doubts. Just your hundred percent and more, as your tiny hands strive to hold the pose.

You never ask why. You only ask how. You never ask how come. You never insist on seeing a live God before believing in Him. Or Her.

Time moves on. Like a metal sheet getting beaten and molded, life's little experiences start shaping your thoughts.

That's when the 'why' pops out of nothingness. Why this, why that?

Consumed by Knowledge of your Profession, you puff up your chest, like a male bird fluffs its color-soaked plumes. Belief hardens into skepticism, like aging milk ferments into curd.

The hardened mass that is your heart begins to enjoy the doubt. Logic reigns supreme. From this seat of logic, the wonder that you enjoyed as a child is replaced by questions. You question so often, you question so hard. The heart starts pumping 'in doubt'. Then the cells grow weary. Ease turns to dis-ease.

When you fall sick, you doubt even more. 'If there was a God, would He have let this happen to me?' you ask. You begin to neglect everything around you, consumed with self-pity. Your garden, your family, your friends wilt in your hardened gaze.

Then, as the clock ticks on, some mysterious Force enters your life and makes you to retrace your steps. You start doubting your doubts.

You look at the garden you had once played in, and observe with wonder at the new life sprouting. And perhaps, when no one is looking, you tentatively step into a puddle and enjoy the wet, muddy feeling. You enjoy the walk that the doctor has now ordered, since you get a glimpse of the kids playing by the swing. You pat the furry head of your neighbor's dog and wonder why in Heaven's name you feel so good when you do that.

You might be reminded of odd new pains on your body while your heart may pump a little faster, or slower, every now and then. But there is that something that keeps reminding you that these aches and pains are like small bumps on the Eternal road. Like a treasure filled chest, 'it' lets out your memories of puddles and ponds, life and living.

The 'it'. Tempered with time. Graceful with age. White like the wings of a fairy...

Life does come a full circle, if you only allow it to.
Happy Ugadi.