Stories

In May 2024, I get a ping from Priyanka, my VTP batch-mate, at 8:00 pm. She says,a Utkarsha Yoga teacher needs a female volunteer for a course starting the next day.The person who had originally signed up to volunteer had to travel at the last minute.At lightning speed, my mind cooked up five excuses : too short a notice,I don’t knowanything about Uttkarsh Yoga, my kids have exams, I have many meetings, it’s too far….Well, not even one was true!So I agreed to volunteer and showed up at the course.

My experience with female inmates of the PrisonSMART program was an eye opener for me to live the knowledge ‘ You are made up of a substance called Love.

Those were the days when Vishalakshmi mantap was getting completed. In parallel, lots of other buildings were also getting finished. I was given to build 40 rooms for accommodation and my own labour strength was around one hundred.

There are moments in Seva that quietly transform your understanding of life. One such moment unfolded for me during a recent prison course.

My first experience of Advanced Meditation Program nearly three decades ago was where I had recognised the connection with my Master and felt healed at different levels.The impact was so very deep that I truly became a ‘

I recently completed assisting my first prison course at Gurugram District Jail, and my experience feels like nothing short of a series of miracles.

On 18 December 2020, I had an experience during one of my online Sri Sri Sanskar Kendra programs that strengthened my faith in Gurudev’s grace.

It was December 2009. I had been associated with The Art of Living for about four years and was eagerly looking forward to attending an Advanced Meditation Program in the presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji in Rishikesh.

The project that I am completing, 500 kms away from Bangalore in Tamil Nadu, in the middle of no where is now getting ready for inauguration on 27th June.

It was in the 1990s I first felt a deep connection with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji. HIS articles in the column ‘The Speaking Tree’, had a deep impact and I could easily resonate with them.

After doing many beautiful Art of Living programs, I first heard about Shakti Kriya. I didn’t know much about it, but the word Kriya itself stirred something within me.

The year was 2010. Back then I was living in California. I was preparing to run my first marathon. After sixteen weeks of disciplined training, I felt both excited and nervous.

My longing to do Sanyam 2 was getting intense over the past couple of years. Gurudev kept emphasising that everyone must experience Sanyam.

Gurudev says, “I know your heart. Sometimes better than you do.” I remember being at an event with Gurudev, in New York City.

This time India trip was eventful and full of surprises. I almost had a miraculous escape from life! March 4th was my father’s first memorial (tithi).

My mental health and wellness journey began with a wound – through heartbreak and chaos. I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder/ Bipolar disorder at the age of 22.

By Varun Chelwani I’ve always had a deep love for cars. So, I decided to buy a second-hand one. After a bit of searching, I found a Ford from a dealer that seemed to have all the best features.

The inmate had been in jail for nearly three years. During his time there, He took the course a couple of times and regularly attended follow-up sessions.

In July 2019, I was attending the DSN program in Pune. As part of the course requirement, we had to prepare and bring along something for breakfast on the last day.

In the year 2006, at the age of 22, I had just wrapped up a long night shift and was on my way home, utterly exhausted and eager to rest.

Jai Gurudev!  I am 57 years of age now. In 2009, I was attacked by Guillain-Barre  Syndrome, a  disease which hits one’s nervous system and leaves one totally paralyzed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’

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.

One November morning, 25 years ago, my dearest Gurudev stretched his hand out and with gentleness, patience, love, and compassion, led me home and since then he has let me explore the world inside out without letting go off my hand….

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.

My name is Francis D’Souza. I did my Art Of Living course in August 2017. I’m now teaching Yoga full-time and serving society.