I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have embarked on the spiritual path at the tender age of 12, when most children my age were busy navigating the challenges of adolescence.
By Kanan Mammadov 🌸🌸🌸 The power of a Guru’s Sankalpa (intention) can move mountains, and I experienced this firsthand when, in under 24 hours, a massive 1,200-person satsang was organized in Baku, Azerbaijan.
By Ramesh Menon From guzzling beers to teaching The Art of Living in Maharashtra. From bars to ashram, RAMESH MENON narrates his life story that took a U-turn when His Guru came into his life.
By Dinesh Gurjar I was once a hard-core criminal, a man who had lost his way completely. For years, I committed serious crimes, one after the other, without even realizing what I was doing or where my life was heading.
By Neeta Khemka “Main hoon na.” These were the three simple yet powerful words that Gurudev said to me—words I failed to fully comprehend in a moment of deep distress and uncertainty.
Jai Gurudev, Does a Guru know exactly what you need and when? Dr. Prema Seshadri, a psychologist and senior Art of Living faculty member, experienced this firsthand during her spiritual journey, guided at every step by her Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Jai Gurudev, Back in 2020, my family was almost shattered by the devastating news of my mother’s diagnosis of a deadly disease.
Jai Gurudev, I am Babita. I have been struggling with a health condition that makes walking and climbing stairs very difficult compared to a normal human being.
Jai Gurudev, I’m Rishika, 9 years old, studying in an FCC convent school in Kochi, Kerala. One fine morning, it was a holiday for St.
I had a strong urge to touch Gurudev’s physical feet and take his blessings for several days. The urge to touch Gurudev’s feet and take his blessings grew with every passing day.
Jai Gurudev, 🙏🏻😊 My journey began long ago, and I was nobody until my Guru found me. From the day he decided to lift me, he never let me fall again.
Jai Gurudev, As everyone knows, Guruji holds a special place in everyone’s heart. However, when it comes to meeting him, you might think he has millions of followers above you, and wonder how you would ever get the chance to meet him.
Today, I understand the power of silence. The silent trees, silent soil, silent sky, silent sun, silent moon, silent stars, silent universe—everything I see now is full of silence and stillness.
I was on the lookout for the Art of Living Basic course, as it was called then, in 2007, but I couldn’t find the center, which was just a kilometer away from me (😇).
Jai Gurudev 🙏 I am Sudeshna Mukerji, originally from Kolkata, India, and now living in Amsterdam. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Parampoojya Gurudev for extending four years of life to my husband.
It was the year 2009… I was in San Francisco, USA, employed at the time with one of India’s big IT companies and on an assignment as a Business Analyst for one of the large US-based banks.
That special day when she waited in the hot sun for her Guru with Payasam in hand and the wait went on too long…
What does it take for a left-brain, sceptic couple to turn around and follow a spiritual leader like Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for over two decades?
“Not a single scratch on my body despite such a steep fall! It was a moment of reckoning; a feeling of deep gratitude was all I felt,”
One of the most common phrases we hear in AOL is, “Gurudev does everything; we are just in name.” I had been ill for a long time, one illness after another, bedridden, etc.
The security check for both me and my husband was done at Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. I collected my handbag and saw my husband’s bag lying in the tray next to mine.
I was a hard-core criminal, committing serious crimes one after the other. I was arrested with arms in Delhi and was sent to Tihar jail where I was introduced to the Art of Living program.
He showed me the truth that Guru is a caring essence, and that no matter how busy things around Him get, He knows.
”If that unseen Force had not pushed us out of the flood waters, we would have surely drowned. This was nothing but a miraculous escape from death, thanks to the Master.”
GURUDEV Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji told me: “Mere saath kya guilt? All I want from my teachers and volunteers is to be happy and be active.”
In the year 2020, amid the pandemic, online courses became the norm, and digital divinity began to permeate everywhere. Gurudev convened a Zoom meeting involving Trustees, Swamijis, Advance Meditation program teachers, and DSN teachers.
Jai Gurudev, I attended my basic course in 1999, and this miraculous incident occurred in 2005. It was ‘Gudi Padwa,’ a significant festival for us.
Guru Brahma, Gurur Vishnuh, Gurur devo Maheshwarah, Guruhu SAKSHAAT PARABRAHMA, tasmay shree Gurave namah 🙏 Reflecting on my relationship with Gurudev, I realize that it transcends mere words.
I had the profound opportunity to engage in a one-on-one conversation with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, an experience that filled me with immense comfort and joy.
Jai Gurudev! I am Prajwal from Nepal, and I want to share with you the remarkable journey that led me to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living.
I am excited to share an incredible Guru story with you all. Our teacher and country coordinator from Azerbaijan, Kanan Mammadov, had the privilege of sitting in the Masterclass with Gurudev on 4th January in Berlin.
Memories flood my mind as the awaited day finally arrives—Darshan on 24 Jan 2023 at 4:45 pm in Radha Kunj. Ramesh remains calm, immersed in his Adult Coloring Book, while I buzz around, eagerly preparing for the moment.
Jai Guru Dev, Reflecting on my decade-long journey with Art of Living, I’ve been blessed to witness countless miracles that reaffirm Gurudev’s unwavering presence in my life.
Jai Gurudev, Over a decade ago, during a sojourn in Jaipur to teach Art of Living courses, an unforeseen incident unfolded, revealing Gurudev’s presence in the most unexpected form.
Jai Gurudev, A profound desire stirred within me—to attend the Advance Course with Gurudev on Shivratri. Simultaneously, a family dilemma lingered as my niece, also an Art of Living teacher, was about to embark on her marital journey.
In 2004 and 2006, my life took an unexpected turn with two angioplasties, tethering me to medications for four years. However, it was the Advance Course in Ghoom with Sejalji in January 2008 that marked a transformative chapter, my sixth in the journey.
You’ve seen those gripping tales on the news or in movies—near-death experiences that seem distant from your own reality. Until one day, it becomes your story.
In February 1997, I found myself entering a hall for a program that would alter the course of our lives. Next to the instructor’s chair was a portrait of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living.
Many years ago, in the sacred presence of Gurudev at Shakti Kutir, a cherished moment unfolded. Sitting among devoted souls, a heartfelt wish sprouted within me.
The Master ensures that fun and chaos go hand in hand. Fun alone is akin to plain vanilla; it’s not His style to serve His devotees anything less than a rich blend of both.
In 2010, I had the profound privilege of meeting Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Bangalore International Ashram. This divine encounter had an unforeseen consequence: my husband, Pritam Mahadik, and I became an Art of Living teacher, which was an incredible blessing.
Meeting Gurudev was a lifelong dream, one that had eluded me despite attending his darshans from a distance. The desire to speak to him, to express my deep connection, remained unfulfilled until June 2023.
In December 2009, I embarked on a journey that would forever change my life. Having been a part of the Art of Living community for just over four years, I was eager to attend an advanced course in Rishikesh, in the divine presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Let me share a remarkable Guru story with you, one that taught me the profound truth that our Guru’s ways are indeed beyond our comprehension.
In 2015, my life was in shambles. I had recently gone through a painful divorce, stayed in rehabilitation centers multiple times, and was battling a psychiatric diagnosis of Schizophrenia.
The year was 2001, and I was supposed to travel to Kuwait from Abu Dhabi to teach the Sudarshan kriya course, the Basic Course.
This is a story about how a chance encounter changed my life forever. After completing my final year MBBS university exams, I eagerly searched for the dates on which Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar would be at the Bangalore ashram, as I had decided to attend the Advanced Meditation Program when he would be there.
नमस्कार, मेरा नाम नमिता कुमारी है। मैं सेल सिटी रांची की रहने वाली हूं। मैं MCA Final Year की छात्रा हूं। मैंने एक साल तक Heavy Engineering Corporation में भी काम किया है साथ ही साथ मेरी पढ़ाई भी जारी रही। मैंने Happiness Program 2016 में किया था, और उसके बाद मैंने अपने भीतर ही बहुत बड़ा परिवर्तन देखा। मैंने ये अनुभव किया कि मेरी क्षमता और भी पहले से बेहतर होती जा रही है। मेरी Close Friend ने मुझे course suggest किया था इस के बारे में बताया था, और ये मेरे लिए काफी फायदेमंद रह। इतने सालों में तो मेरा अनुभव बेहतरीन रहा है, बोहोत से गुरु Stories भी रहे है, (गुरु Stories उनको कहा जाता है जब हम कोई मुसीबत या ऐसी परिस्थिति में होते जब हमें लगता है अब कुछ भी ठीक नहीं हो सकता सबकुछ खराब हो गया, और ठीक तब ही हमें गुरु का अनुभव मिलता है, और उसके बाद अचानक से सबकुछ पहले से और भी बेहतर होने लगता है।) मुझे अपने गुरु के होने का आभास है, वो शुद्ध तत्व हैं, वो हम सब में है और सबके साथ है। मैं हमेशा से एक समाज सेवक के रूप में काम करना चाहती थी , और Art Of Living एक बेहतरीन Platform है, जहां हम सभी स्वतंत्र रूप से सीख तो सकते ही है , साथ ही प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त करने के बाद सिखा भी सकते है। मैं सुदर्शन किर्या के बारे में बताना चाहूंगी जो कि एक सांस की प्रक्रिया है , जिससे लोगों को उनके सामान्य जीवन जीने में एक अलग तरह का उत्साह मिलता है, और उसके साथ ही अच्छा स्वास्थ्य, अच्छा मन, अच्छा विचार एक साथ महसुस किया जाता है। बहुत से लोगों के जीवन में बहुत से बदलाव आए हैं और ऐसे लोग जो पहले बोहोत परेशान हुआ करते थे वो अब वो दूसरो की सहायता करते हैं, समाज सवा करते हैं वो भी खुले मन से। सुदर्शन किर्या हमें भीतर से स्वतंत्र करता है , मजबूत करता है और सशक्त बनाता है, ताकि हम एक अहिंसा, जनकल्याण, एवं मन से स्वतंत्र सामाज स्थापित कर सके। मैं आप सभी से निवेदन करती हु कि अपना किमती वक्त निकालकर ज़रूर से इस Happiness Program को करें। इस मूल्यवान जीवन की महत्ता को समझते हुए, थोड़ा ध्यान अपनी सांसों की भी तरफ ले जाए। धन्यवाद।
कृपा ही केवलम,कृपा ही केवलम। कृपा ही केवलम, शरण्ये। शरणागतहम, शरणागतहम। शरणागतहम, शरण्ये।। जय गुरु शरणम, जय गुरु शरणम। जय गुरु शरणम, शरण्ये।। जय गुरुदेव!!!
When I find myself lost in the darkness of life, You are the light that guides me through strife. When I’m plagued with doubts and fears, You bring the certainty that dries my tears.
I discovered the Art of Living in 2017 when I attended a Happiness Program in my college. At first, I was simply looking for a new experience, but what I gained from the workshop was beyond my expectations.
When I first met Gurudev, I saw him on stage at an advanced course I was attending. Though I couldn’t quite fathom who or what he was, I admired the wisdom of his words and his humor and was filled with gratitude for the practices and knowledge with which he had transformed my life.
During a basic course on Sudarshan Kriya, my teacher introduced us to the concept of the “botheration box” and how it can help us let go of worries and anxieties.
As a seeker of both spirituality and worldly success, my journey has been a mixed bag of confusion and clarity. I’ve tried various paths, sometimes moving forward with triple speed, and sometimes getting nowhere.
I picked up the bad habit of smoking during my university days. While I enjoyed it for a few years, later it became a troublesome and sticky habit that was taking a toll on my body and mind.
I started my Art of Living (AOL) journey about 10-11 years ago. Before AOL, I had tried yoga and basic reiki but couldn’t find the depth I was looking for.
I recently completed my first Advanced Course at the Bangalore Ashram, and it was also my first time visiting the ashram.
In November 2003, I was busy preparing for the GRE and planning to apply for universities in the USA. When I learned about Gurudev’s visit to Calcutta, I hesitated to attend the event as I didn’t want to lose valuable study time.
When I first saw Gurudev in 1994, I had already been practicing Sudarshan Kriya for a few years. I was then following the guidance of another guru.
After attending the Basic Course, I had a deep and loving experience, and hearing the stories of Gurudev made me very happy.
In 2005, I lived in Bangalore and had done the basic course with Gurudev in 2003, but I never believed in him.
On August 15th, 2012, I joined The Art of Living in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The six-day YES!+ course changed my life entirely, and I credit my success and personal growth to the organization.
Since childhood, I had always dreamt of getting into IIM Ahmedabad, but my attempts to clear the entrance exam had been unsuccessful.
I was at a crossroads in my career. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t making any progress, with no promotions or prospects on the horizon.
It was my first Guru Purnima course, held in Lake Tahoe in 1999, where I experienced 8 days of silence and deep meditations in Gurudev’s presence.
Hi, I am Shreya, an HR professional. I did the Sudarshan Kriya workshop in 2010, and it has been a profound experience for me.
I have been associated with AOL since October 2008, and in these past few months, my experience has been nothing short of great.
I was going through a very difficult time and used to pray to Krishna, talking to him all the time. One day, out of anger, I asked why he was hiding and why he didn’t come to save me from all my worries.
I have been a devoted follower of the Art of Living since 2013, living in Noida. However, in 2016, my life took a turn for the worst.
Since 2016, I have been attached to the Art of Living (AOL) and I have noticed many positive changes in myself.
I was at a crossroads in my career. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t making any progress, with no promotions or prospects on the horizon.
After my mother underwent a major gallbladder surgery, she repeatedly expressed her desire to attend an advance course at Gurudev’s ashram.
Certain things in life happen unknowingly and without any explicit effort. Knowing about Gurudev for the first time was one such incident for me.
From the time we were married, my husband and I dreamt of building a beautiful, old fashioned house we call Thotti Mane’
I was part of the core-seva group that organized the Kathopnishad in Los Angeles in April 2010. At the same time, my mother was fighting blood cancer in India.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an advanced course with Gurudev in Washington DC. While sightseeing before the course, I felt drawn to a Kashmiri shop at the Union Station.
In 1997, I met Meenakshi, an Art of Living teacher in the Bay Area of California, and I was taken in by her enormous energy and enthusiasm.
As an ardent devotee of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji, I find it almost impossible to express the inexpressible. But today, on the occasion of Guru Purnima, I feel compelled to sing the glory of the Guru Principle and the immeasurable love and compassion of my beloved Gurudev.
I signed up for part 2 after my friend encouraged me to do so. Additionally, with Gurudev visiting Houston, I was curious to find out who this person was that had such a significant influence on people’s lives.
Dearest Gurudev, I take this golden opportunity to express my gratitude to you on Gurupurnima! Gurudev, you came into my life when I needed you the most.
I used to be an atheist and firmly believed that science alone created the world without the intervention of any god or guru.
Walking up the interlocked concrete roads, uphill, from the parking lot and past the divine stores, I am out of breath when I finally reach this sacred place.
Once in June 2014, as I walked from my room to the amphitheater for the evening Satang at the Art of Living Bangalore ashram, I stopped on the way as I noticed Gurudev’s car parked outside a hall which was under construction.
If I too can be a blade of grass under his feet, in his long journey and walks of thousands of miles, I would be content.
I was attending a 7-day Advanced Meditation Program with Bhagavad Gita Live discourse by Gurudev at our Bangalore Ashram. As I made my way to Saraswathi Hall for the Gita session, my mind and heart were at war.
It’s difficult to put into words how much the Sudarshan Kriya has changed my life. Since learning this spiritual practice, I’ve experienced a profound transformation.
My name is Uthama Shankar, and I am a teacher by profession and a proud mother of two lovely kids. In 2005, my brother introduced me to the Art of Living Program, which I enjoyed immensely.
Words are not enough to express my gratitude and grace for our beloved Gurudev who has given us such wonderful courses for life.
I first attended the Art of Living basic course (now called the Happiness Program) way back in January 1999 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
I was not mainly a devotee of Guruji, but on December 26, 2013, I lost my brother-in-law to mouth cancer. My sister was grieving, as was my entire family.
I did the Happiness Program in 2004, and I started attending the weekly follow-up sessions after the course. I always had a soothing, peaceful feeling each time, and there was a natural cheerfulness and feeling of being healthy at all levels, even if I wasn’t mindfully aware of it.
Jai Gurudev, I am sharing my guru bodha गुरु ब्रम्हा गुरु विष्णू गुरुः देवो महेश्वराः।गुरु शाक्षात परब्रम्हा तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमःः।। Salutations to Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji Grace of guru is inevitable for a seekerPresence of Guru or Live Guru is a blessing साक्षात् गुरुःप्रणमामि I hereby express my gratitude to Gurudev, the embodiment of art, music, dance, knowledge, culture, service, peace, and humanity.
I walk all the way from the parking lot, crossing stores on the interlocked concrete roads, climbing uphill till I reach the divine abode and have to catch my breath.
On 16th June, I got a missed video call, from an unknown number at 9:10 PM. I saw the profile picture, a young devotee, a selfie picture with Gurudev.
Tears of Gratitude are always flowing from my eyes. My whole life is wrapped in Guru’s grace. Words are not enough to describe what I experience each moment!
Words fail when I sit down to write about my overwhelming gratitude towards my Guru, Poojya Gurudev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, whom we lovingly call “Guruji” across the globe.
I visited Mumbai ( then called Bombay) for a wedding when I was 18. It was monsoon season and in the mornings about 20 of us would gather around a blazing pump kerosine stove waiting for hot tea to be served in cup and saucer.
Jai Gurudev, My wife and I met in Art Of Living, and it was always our dream to get married at the Art of Living International Center Bengaluru, in Gurudev’s presence.
