In 1982, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the Art of Living
Foundation, which is now the world’s largest volunteer
NGO, active in over 140 countries. In 1997, Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar founded the international Association for
Human Values (IAHV), which to date has development projects
in 25,300 villages, bringing self-reliance to millions
of people. Through the IAHV, large volunteer relief
efforts have been delivered across the globe including
in Afghanistan, in Bosnia, in India after the earthquake
in Gujarat, in New York for those who were affected
by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and in Asia in the aftermath
of the recent tsunami disaster. IAHV volunteers continue
to provide trauma relief and stress management in Iraq. |
THE ART OF LIVING |
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The core of Sri Sri Ravishankar’s
teachings is presented in the “Art of Living Course”.
Each teacher is personally authorised by him to teach. The
courses include:
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Basic
Course for adults. It is of 22 hours duration,
usually spread over several evenings and the weekend.
It involves pranayama, which silences the inner turmoil
and some yoga asanas. But the soul of the course is
a unique process called sudarshan kriya. |
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This
is rhythmical breathing process, revealed to Ravishankar
way back in 1982, when he went into silence for 10
days. Regular practice leads to enhance physical energy,
detoxification of the days. Mental and emotional cleansing
and spiritual upliftment. People have even kicked
off addictive habits like smoking, alcohol and drugs
with sudarshan kriya. |
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Ravishankar
elucidates how sudarshan kriya works. “There
is a rhythm in nature. Seasons come and go. In your
own body also, there is a rhythm. Life has a particular
rhythm. Similarly, your breath also goes in a pattern.
You emotions move in a particular rhythm, as well
as your thoughts. All these rhythms arise from your
being, which has its own rhythm. |
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“In
sudarshan kriya, we get into the rhythm of our being
and see how being is permeating our emotions, our
thoughts, our breath and our bodies. Soon, every cell
of our body becomes alive and releases all the toxins
and negative emotions it has stored from times past.
Once again, we are able to smile from our hearts.” |
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Sahaj
Samadhi Meditation It enables one to glide
effortlessly into a deep meditative state. The techniques
are simple and you can connect to the innermost core
of your being with regular practice. Bhano Narasimhan
(Bhano Didi, as she is better known), Ravishankar’s
sister, is a Sahaj Samadhi teacher. She explains:
“Sahaj means an easy, natural way of meditating,
the whole energy transforms. There is a shift in your
consciousness. You experience the beautiful inner
self. And when you are in perfect harmony with nature,
nature supports you.” |
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ART
Excel Courses (All Round Training in Excellence)
are for children and young adults (8 to 21 years old).
These offer techniques to channelise youthful energy
and enhance awareness. All this is taught through
simple play-way techniques and awareness games. |
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Corporate
Course are offered to those who seek to enhance
efficiency and productivity and build a team spirit.
People who have done their basic course can go for
Divya Samaj Nirman (create a divine society for the
new generation), and Advanced Courses, which are more
like retreats, sometimes graced by Ravishankar, himself. |
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