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 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.
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, 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.
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 (😇).
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…
“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,”
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.
”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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Miracles have become a part of my life since I joined the Art of Living. Here are a few I want to share.
I would like to share my story with Guruji, right from the scratch. Well, the journey started in the year 2009.
After taking a one year break from work, I was eager to get back to my career. I was searching for a well-suited job.
I did my first Art of Living course in 1995 at Model Town in Delhi with teacher Rajesh Sharma. I was not a spiritually inclined person back then.
After reading so many Guru stories and the miracles that so many devotees have experienced, I couldn’t contain myself from sharing my own experience during the World Culture Festival celebrations in Delhi, India, in 2016.
It has been quite a while since I’ve been wanting to write about my experiences with Art of Living and having Sri Sri as a Guru.
I am a Hindu woman who got married in 1995 to a Parsi man. We had a court marriage. Now, we have two children who follow both our religions.
The day I attended my first Art of Living course, I knew I had opened a new dimension in my life.
I did my Art Of Living basic course 7 years back in Mumbai. It has been the best experience of my life.
Every time I complete any Art of living program, starting from my first ever experience with Sudarshan Kriya to doing an advance course , the beautiful blessings program , Shakti kriya, TTC, to Samyama , I am reborn!
I did my first Art of Living course three years ago. Before doing the course, if someone would ask for my help with something, I would say no.
I recently did the Art of Silence Course (Mar 19 – 22, 2015) with the absolutely brilliant and awesome teacher Percyji.
