This happened in 2022, when I was searching for a bride for my son.For me, Gurudev has always been everything.As I didnt not have elders at home with whom I could share my thoughts, seek guidance, or simply confide in.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It was the year 2017. I was supposed to travel to Jalgaon and Chopada districts in Maharashtra to teach the first ever Spine Care Course conducted in that region.
Once Guruji was returning to the German Ashram from Caracas, Venezuela. However, due to unavailability of a direct flight to Frankfurt, he landed in Paris before going to the Ashram.
Few months ago while traveling in the local train in Mumbai, a lady who was seated next to me asked me to lend an extra pair of earrings to her, if I had any!
After two months since I completed the Art of Living Happiness program, my teacher insisted to do the Advanced course at the Bangalore Ashram.
I am Manisha and I have been an Art of Living devotee since 2015. My life has become full of happiness and joy after becoming a part of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s vision of a One World Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam).
When Gurudev was in Denver, I took a last-minute trip to meet him. I loved the entire event and I was extremely grateful that I got this opportunity to be with Him.
Gurudev always says the Divine is dwelling inside you and He takes care of you. I decided to test this phenomena in an experiential way.
In July 2011, Gurudev had announced the ‘World Cultural Festival’ to be held at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. The event would mark 30 years since the foundation of The Art of Living.
I recently conducted a follow-up session at a center in Pune. After the follow-up, I told the following story which I heard in Narad Bhakti Sutra: “Once a saint visits a city.
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 was not really a part of the Art of Living family or a devotee but thanks to the miracle I experienced recently, it has made me want to be a part of this family.
Art of Living came into my life at a time when I needed it the most. I was in a totally miserable condition.
At the age of 44, I happened to be an unfortunate victim of a deadly disease, Leukemia. Its treatment with modern day medicines had made me a 90% dead man.
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.
I did my Art Of Living basic course 7 years back in Mumbai. It has been the best experience of my life.
I have always felt connected to Sri Sri, even before meeting him. After my 12th grade exams, I visited the Art of Living International Center in Bangalore with my family.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was visiting the United States in the summer of 2015 when I met him at the Newark airport in New Jersey.
I recently did the Art of Silence Course (Mar 19 – 22, 2015) with the absolutely brilliant and awesome teacher Percyji.
This was during Gurudev's recent visit to the Boone Ashram in U.S., in Dec 2014. One day, during an argument, my twelve year-old son said "Nobody loves me". I told him, "Daddy and I love you". He still looked dejected. So I said "When you feel like that, remember Guruji loves you". He said "But Guruji does not even know who I am!". At Boone, we'd attend the Satsangs at evenings. Guruji spent a lot of time during those five days, answering questions and giving knowledge.
Guruji's presence in my life has always been so unspectacular, yet, always so profound and deep. His grace in my live is immeasurable and yet so subtle. Recently, after a very hectic schedule of late nights and early mornings, we (my wife, my 4 year old daughter and I ) were returning from Dubai to Abu Dhabi after attending Rishi Vidhyadharji's morning Sadhana.In about 10 minutes from the time I actually touched the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, I started feeling sleepy. As Priyanka, my wife and Avni, my daughter, too were tired, they dozed off a little later and I kept driving to be on time for a meeting at Abu Dhabi.
Noise to Silence, Spoiled Teenager to Youth Leader, From a Rough Stone to Polished Diamond, yes, that's the Miraculous journey of Kapil Bhatia, a 27 Years Young Dynamic Art of Breathing Workshop and Yes Plus Teacher from a very small island which is even hard to see on a globe, but, when drop meets the ocean it’s no longer a single drop, it itself becomes the ocean.
I was in dire need to do an Advance course but something or the other would keep coming up. I was praying to Gurudev for it and then Blessings came to me in many forms. I happened to get the opportunity, this Gurupoornima, in the form of Kamalashile Gurupoornima Special Advance course. Kamalashile is a tranquil, beautiful village with dense forests and amazing waterfalls located in Mangalore. Our course venue was Sri Brahmi Durga Parmeshwari temple on the banks of a beautiful river in Kamalashile. Eight days spent in those surroundings were the most blessed and serene days of my life as they were soaked silence, meditation, knowledge, seva, satsang, homas, poojas, tears of gratitude tasty food made with lots of love by the volunteers, amazing people, sound of the flowing rivers and rain that never stopped, Chaya Aana (our course teacher) and Gurudev (whose presence could be felt every second). As every drop of rain fell and mother earth received love, I went into a deeper state of meditation.
The most beautiful memory of Gurudev is that of the one with my father. My father was a Gurupooja Pundit. He completed the Gurupooja course in 2006, and I followed in 2007. Before that I completed the TTC (Teacher’s Training Course). Papa (father) was devoted to chanting many verses daily and he believed in Guruji immensely. In May 2012 papa was taken ill. It started out gradually with swellings in his feet, but his condition did not improve over time. The doctors said it might be a problem with his liver, but they couldn’t put a finger on exactly what it was. We decided to visit the Ayurveda Hospital first. My brother took him there. He underwent treatment for 6 days – various cleansing procedures. During this time, I was at my Sahej TTC (teachers training course). So in May he was at the hospital and when he came back he was slightly better than before. We all visited Srinathji (a temple) in Rajasthan (a state in India); my father believed in Srinathji very strongly too. After that he went with my brother and his family to Kumbalgarh (a fort). On his way back from there he suffered from a phase of disorientation. We admitted him to the hospital and he was diagnosed with a malfunctioning liver. The doctors and we were contemplating certain paths of treatment including blood transfusion.
This is another story of my Guru's Miracle which has strengthened my faith in Him. My family and I came to the US just a few days back. As we were new to the place, there were a lot of apprehensions in mind, which were causing me a lot of tension and stress. But this was a part of travelling to a new place, so I accepted it and surrendered all my fears to Gurudev. The next day of our stay, my 2.5 year old son had to be dropped to his Day Care Centre, before I and my husband would head to complete our work. This Centre was around 5-6 miles away from our home, but since we were new to the city, we were not aware of the routes, and were not able to locate the Centre. So my husband took some assistance from the GPS on his mobile phone. At the time, we didn't have a car and my husband was using his bicycle to drop my son. In spite of trying for a while, he still wasn't able to find the route and seemed to have lost his way. After about 1 hour, when I called my husband, he was still on the road, with no clue of the way. This news really got me worked up. I wanted to help my husband, but knew not how to, as I myself did not know the ways well. So I decided to pray to my Master and seek for help. This was my only resort in this helpless situation. I did my Kriya, with hope and faith in my heart. I then sincerely prayed to Guruji and pleaded Him to show my husband the right path.
I visited the Bangalore Ashram in August 2011, where I got an opportunity to see our beloved Guruji. There was something mesmerizing about Him. His presence felt just so divine. His being was not that of a human. I felt as though I was in a different world, a world of peace and bliss. A world that seemed like heaven on earth. And before I could realize what it was, I found myself sitting for the next Yes+ course in the Ashram, in the presence of Sri Sri Himself. I have been staying all by myself in Bangalore since I started college. It’s been quite difficult for me to survive here alone. Living by yourself in a new city is never too easy. I had started smoking and alcohol had become an integral part of my life. I felt I could not do without it. It was more of a psychological thing. I kept looking for support in the outside world. Little did I know, it was all within. Since the time I did my first Sudarshan Kriya (meditation and breathing technique taught in the Art of Living basic course), I started feeling the positivity in my life. I could feel the energies changing. My life had taken a big turn since then. Things that seemed impossible were actually materializing. I had quit smoking and drinking and there was no urge to get back to it ever again. I know it was all Guruji’s Grace.
This was way back in September 2011, when a silly conversation between two friends introduced me to a world of unknown. The conversation went something like this: Namita: “Prads, why don't you do the Art of Living (AOL) Part 1 course. You do this course now, and since I am in Bangalore, you come here in December and we will do the Advanced course at the Ashram. It will be amazing!” Pradnya (Me): “Ok Nami :)”
Guru’s Miracles are truly beyond Time, Space and Distance! Nilesh Gupta did the Part-1 course in July; travelled to Perth in August to do the Advance Course with Chris Dale, and did the Sahaj Samadhi Meditation in mid November in Sydney.
I would not attribute any one particular miracle to Guruji – rather, my coming into the Art of Living, my meeting the great Master, my change in perspectives of life – all that would be called the greatest miracle.
It was Holi and I had planned a celebration in the evening with friends. But when I returned home after work I saw a fire engine standing in front of my house.
JGD As I write this story, I truly hope that it inspires many more to do more and more Seva! I passed out of Stephens with sour memories –
When Sri Sri Ravi Shankar launched Volunteer for a Better India, many people asked, “So what is it for? It’s a good idea broadly, sure, but what is it specifically about?” This question dwelt in their minds, and there were some very sincere attempts at finding out answers through discussions.
You always see those surreal moments in the news and movies, where people survive near-death experiences. But it doesn’t cross your mind that it could happen to you one day.
Jai Gurudev, It’s been quite a while since I wanted to write about my experiences with the Art-of-Living, but I was waiting for that one great miracle to mention over here.
Art of Living came into my life at a time when I was in a totally miserable condition, when I needed a helping hand from the Divine, as I had given up all hope.
Though there are many miracles happening with Guruji’s presence in our lives, I would like to share something which I recently experienced.
It was my birthday the next day when my Art of Living friend Uma called and asked me to come to Ankit bhaiya’s place (Aol volunteer).
This was in March, 2010, when myself along with our Part 1 teacher – Miss Smriti Thakur, her sister Kiran Pardeshi (also Part 1 Teacher) and Mr.
This was on the day after finishing the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the ART OF LIVING at Jakkur aerodrome in Bangaluru.
Jai Gurudev, I would like to share one of my Guru stories with you all. This was when I went for a trip, with my husband, my daughter and one of our family friends, to Malaysia in October, 2009.
I had heard Guruji saying “If we take one step, then the nature will take ten steps”. I have seen the knowledge given by Guruji becoming reality in my daily life many times.
It is said that in the presence of a Guru, five things blossom. One of them is that all talents in a person manifest.
Jai Gurudev! My Guru story goes as follows… There was this one late evening, me and my mother were going back home from a meeting at the Art of Living center, Jaipur.
The story I am going to narrate happened on 31 Oct 2013. I was going home after ten months, from Bangalore.
It was December 2004 when we were in Rourkela (a place in India) , we planned to visit Andaman and Nicobar for Christmas vacations with the help of a travel agent.
JGD! This story that I’m about to share, is still fresh out of the oven! It happened on the 6th of November, 2013.
Well, well, well… My Guru story is finally here. As most of them have experienced His miracle moments, and I did too.
