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My
decision to participate in this self-awareness journey was as
a result of two factors. At the physical level my body was completely
run down and tired. Second, there was mental fatigue, irritability
and unaccountable depression that I faced, which would erratically
and suddenly descend on me; leaving me completely helpless and
exhausted. My concern was that this mental condition was happening
too frequently and at regular intervals. This was the catalyst,
which emerged as a very strong reason for my need to do the beginner's
course.
I
happened to meet a friend's colleague who had recently attended
the course at one of the venues outside Bangalore. I suppose he
was able to transfer his positive experience on to some of us.
Another important feeling that I got after meeting this person
was that not only did he appear very cheerful and happy, it also
seemed that he was able to use what he had learnt in the course,
in day-to-day circumstances, in the real world.
So I set off for the Bangalore International Centre of the Art
of Living Foundation's Ashram - Sri Sri Ravishankar's mystical
and spiritual 'Shangri-La'. The drive from Bangalore city
was quite uneventful. Swiftly we were transported to the outskirts
of the main city and headed towards the hamlet of Kanakapura
approximately 21 kilometres from Bangalore.
The course was to be over a weekend and it was the beginner's
basic course. Broadly speaking the course has a sound fundamental
structure. As I went through this course, I was soon able
to perceive and arrange these structures to fit my experiences.
The basic course began with a step towards self-enquiry. "Who
am I," was the object for
consideration. It was like an opening of the doors to my sensibility
of who I was, where I was, whence I came from and towards which
direction I was proceeding. I was able to recognise clearly
that one of the reasons for my uncertain depression was my mindless
meandering.
The
crowning glory of the workshop for me, however, was the Sudarshan
Kriya. Contrary to what others say it is not an exercise simulating
hyperventilation. While hyperventilating we will feel constricted,
light-headed and often dizzy. In the practice of the Sudarshan
Kriya quite the opposite happens. I experienced a powerful
surge of energy, yet at the same time a feeling of deep relaxation.
The first time I did the Sudarshan Kriya, I felt a tremendous
sense of peace and love spread out all around me, emanating from
deep within me. It was as if I was expanding into a state of pure
joy, happiness and love.
However,
the Art of Living program is not just the Sudarshan Kriya.
It is because of the integration of a holistic and structured
approach that the workshop has sustained me long after I took
the course. There is a continuing sense of inner harmony and a
settled sense of being. Others in the course with me have also
had similar experiences. Some went through a process of de-ageing,
as they described it. They felt younger in body and soul. Another
simply put it as feeling good about herself after the workshop.
Gurudev
Sri Sri Ravishankar has holistically incorporated the practice
of the healing breath with other spiritual practices of meditation
and yogic exercises or asanas. He also gives importance
to community activities of joy and togetherness in the form of
song and dance to the accompaniment of play, laughter and celebration
of life. And lest we forget the purpose of our life on this earth,
he has reinforced in the workshop the essential practices of service
and healing.
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