Moved to https://freewithartofliving.blog

Hi all,

I have moved the blog to https://freewithartofliving.blog
Catch you there!

Art of Living and Religion

Pyrenees, France

Today's post is to dispel doubts in those readers who are confused about Art of Living's place with our personal religion.

Even though Art of Living is born in India and the practices taught come from India, Art of Living is not oriented towards any Indian religions. In fact, the longer I have spent with Art of Living, I have realized that nothing is further from the truth than someone associating the foundation with a religion, nor with any form of human identification.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar puts it beautifully: 'Do not accept or tolerate people for their beliefs, love people for what they are'. And, celebrating diversity is an important part of it. Everything taught in Art of Living is compatible with most religions in the world. From atheists to fully religious people from all religions, irrespective of nationalities participate in the workshops, social projects and especially in celebrations (Eg: World Cultural Festival 2016). Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has brought out the realization in us that we are all one.

Many may disagree with me, and I may not have captured the true essence in Sri Sri's message yet. Sri Sri challenges us to free God, to allow divinity to express itself in the infinite forms as it chooses to people all over the World. In fact, cultural and religious diversity is humanity's truth wealth. We should be celebrating our differences, rather than imposing our version of the truth onto another and destroying it.

I really need a post to explain the significance of Sri Sri to the World, and the genius behind his intentions. His ability to uplift millions cannot be underscored and the significance behind it is severely under-recognized by the status-quo.  India's gift through generations is its great wealth of spiritual knowledge. Just because this knowledge is coming from India, it doesn't mean one cannot enjoy it. We don't apply this bias when it comes to enjoying food, adopting new technologies or political thought?

Spirituality as I have connected with from the Art of Living foundation has allowed me to raise my level of awareness and learn how to walk on this earth like a white cloud, untainted and untouched by events, yet being fully here in service to my personal duties and the grander responsibilities as a global citizen.

I leave my readers with this: Never walk away with a piece of knowledge from anywhere without digesting and questioning it. And, never walk away from it as a result of your personal discriminations.

Satsang

Weekly Saturday Satsang at Art of Living center, Montreal

One of the beautiful aspects of my journey with Art of Living, is that it taught me the true way to celebration. And, satsang is one dimension of the Art of Living. In Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language), it translates to 'the company of truth'.

So, what really is Satsang? To explain that, Ill have to zoom to a few years ago, to my first 6 months into practicing kriya, I ended up back in Mumbai to visit family. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was visiting and a 'Meditate for peace' event was organized. I found myself there in a crowd of 100,000 people. After a talk by Sri Sri, we meditated and started singing a few sanskrit songs. That day, I felt something in my heart; a very slight movement within. It felt very strange, like the quiet click of an unlocking door.

So, when I came back to Montreal, I wanted to find out what it really is about and went to the weekly satsang. I later realized that really was the opening door to my inner joy :). When I go to a satsang and sing these sanskrit songs, a profound state of joy envelops me. Sanskrit and the words are specifically designed to instill a positive effect within and around you. So, when one soaks their heart, mind and body in these sounds in a crowd of happy people, and need I mention the beautiful instruments played?, the uplifting effect it has is very profound. The happiness washes away all negativity piled up through the week, and I leave feeling fresh, magnanimous and full.

The levels of happiness one can reach in satsang is unparalleled to the vices that attract us. I have seen it in myself and many people who come to satsangs regularly, it allows for our mood, energy, positivity and happiness levels to stay high longer and help us focus on the important goals in life.
When there is a balance in satsang, seva and sadhana, then one really has the true sustainable way to be their best, consistently.

The need for knowledge

Pyrenees, Southern France.

Today, after my short kriya, I read a very beautiful point regarding mistakes. 'A conscious mind can never make a mistake. It is only the unconscious mind that allows the possibility'. And, that immediately made me very excited about my ambitions in life.

So, today, I want to touch on the importance of spiritual knowledge. I remember Sri Sri Ravi Shankar saying once that the purpose of spirituality is to make you so strong within, that nothing can shake you in this world. Knowledge as people usually understand is through information collection and analysis of some form. But, true knowledge is what allows our consciousness to rise out of its shortcomings and grow, in every sense of the word.

I went through decades of schooling which was aimed at learning about the physical world, but no where has someone seen the need to teach us how to manage our mind. Students are thrown into universities to handle the highly difficult task of contributing to society through a specialization, but no one is shown the mind management that really holds the key to it all. A philosophy subject here and there attempts at scratching the surface by asking big questions, religious education gets closer. But, spirituality and the knowledge held in it, holds the key. To me, spirituality allows us to experience truth. Where science attempts to divide and analyze reality, spirituality allows the experience of it.

And, you gotta meet some of the awesome teachers that form the back-bone of Art of Living; the glow their presence radiates is so soothing to the heart and mind. Spirituality has allowed them to be some of the finest in their fields, all the while bringing a smile in the hearts of hundreds/ thousands of people around them. And, together, they have done some incredibly projects for the betterment of the societies they work in.

So, when I see what spirituality has allowed them to do: Be the best in their careers, make a significant impact in their communities and live life with a very light and joyous outlook, I can't but say that they have figured out the way to the best of humanness.

So, when I read today that by simply being aware of my actions I can make less mistakes, however simple that may sound, I am very right in being excited; the limitless potential behind the doors I am about to open.

My first experience with Volunteering/ Seva

Where can I start about volunteering? It has been an incredible journey over the last 2 years, as I discovered its joys and perks. It is the most precious gift I could have given myself: a means to self-discovery of my hidden qualities and talents, a sattvic atmosphere to push my boundaries and improve myself, and the sheer delight in watching my improved performance at school.

Seva is beautiful. Seva is any opportunity to make a difference in someone's life without expectations from either side. It is a dissolution of the self into an unsolicited act that has the potential for positive change. Seva has transformed me. I have always wanted to make a difference but was overwhelmed by the thought of going out of my way to help someone. Where do I start? Whom do I help? How do I help? I knew the World needs volunteers, but how does it work?

It all started the summer of 2015 when I was invited to stay after long kriya to join in a volunteer meeting for organizing the world's first International Day of Yoga 2015 celebrations . Art of Living was leading the efforts world-wide organizing events in most major cities. I just became part of a beautiful group of volunteers wanting to organize a free event to celebrate yoga in a big way in Montreal. 

Until that day, all I did was study and lead a self-centric life style. Every action had to have a measured benefit for the day/week. So, cycling my way to the center every week, indulging myself in volunteer activities without expectation was a delight when I discovered how powerful an activator it is to bring the best in you, around you and through you. Every act was a small push out of my boundaries, and my limited vision of my potential. 

That was the summer I switched from being a guest to a host in Montreal and began seeing the beauty of this world for what it is. The world has suddenly become my home and I have embarked on a journey to help my home one small task at a time.

And, for that reason, Montreal and its people hold a special place in my heart, as I am forever indebted to this city for what it has shown me. 

Our Sadhana and attitude towards it.

Seva, sadhana and satsang are 3 dimensions to a complete life. 'Seva' is outward service to others, 'sadhana' is true wealth and 'satsang' is the company of truth. Today, I want to talk about sadhana and in particular our attitude to it.

Wealth as we usually identify with is external, outwards; in the form of assets, relationships or fame. We are constantly lost in the pursuit of achieving this wealth and then, in the struggle to maintain it. But, true wealth is what allows us to be centered, happy and grounded independent of seasonal changes in life.

So, those of you who have learned S.K.Y have this tool that becomes part of your daily sadhana. By acquiring it, you have taken responsibility of your own wellness and have the ability to directly affect certain aspects of your life; be it mood, energy levels, quality of mind and health.

However many people who complete the Happiness workshop take the lukewarm approach in applying this tool, despite having noticed measurable changes after learning it. After the workshop is done, excuses from following through with the daily practice linger and soon S.K.Y is shelved. The workshop becomes a happy memory and life moves on.

As events sway from good to bad, negative thoughts continue piling up in our mind and stress becomes business as usual. And, as you begin seeking solace in external activities with/without success, S.K.Y is lost from you. As you play to the tunes of external events, you have implicitly put more faith in the outside world than within, the one true source of infinite refuge.

So, I urge those who have learnt S.K.Y and have seen its benefits to stop being luke warm and give it your best shot; with 100% of your efforts. Take the 40 day challenge and do it every day. Make a decision if S.K.Y is for you, on the 41st day whether any changes in life can be attributed to it. Investing 30 minutes a day for a high-potential habit is totally worth it, if it delivers.

Don't let yourself cruise life on auto-pilot not having reached your fullest potential. Our life is incredibly short. So, I ask you to look back over the last 6 months and observe if you have really grown out of your experiences and mistakes. If not, sit down and make an action plan to get out of this rut.
Do not give yourself a chance to do less than 100%, for that is the path to stagnation and regrets.

For today, I leave you with this: How willing are you to work for your own success and happiness?