Sri Sri Stories
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 was obsessed with perfection and had a fear of being judged for any work I would do. Now I know, though, that you should always leave room for imperfection. Despite doing the course, I did not continue with doing the Sudarshan Kriya.
The first time I opened my eyes after doing long kriya, a rhythmic breathing exercise, I felt tremendous peace and calmness. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I suddenly felt so grateful. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop my bad habits like drinking, smoking, and watching excessive porn and stopped practicing the Kriya.
My throat was severely damaged by smoking; I had lost the sweetness in my voice. I became so negative that I fought with my friends. Soon enough, I was so soaked in my bad habits that I was rarely happy in life although I was in a beautiful relationship with a lovely guy. All sources of happiness seemed to be closed. That’s when I reflected back to the time I had done this beautiful course, which at the time filled me with innate joy. I went to a Satsang held in IIT. I saw people who were totally absorbed in bliss, grace, and happiness.
Their joy was reflected in their lovely smiles, sweet voices, and graceful singing. I sang many songs that day and forgot every pain in my life for that time. I thought, “this is called living life, with a full heart, full energy, equality, and compassion.” As soon as the Satsang ended, I approached the lead singer Karthik and told him I wanted to sing. Although I didn’t tell him that I want to sing like you some day and maybe better than you, he instantly told me what all I need to do to become a singer. I was overwhelmed by the help and love he showed me.
After that day, I started going to vocal classes in Ghatkopar and most importantly, started practicing Kriya regularly, and here is what happened:
1. The beautiful smile came back once again on my face and I was able to laugh, something which had completely evaded my life.
2. I had no vision in life. I was very under-confident and doing poor in academics. Now I have a certain goal in life, for now, my ego has run away somewhere with my fears and I did considerably better academically.
3. I patched up with all my friends, have a better relationship with not only my family but everyone I have ever known in my life. So much compassion and belongingness!
4. I started singing in satsangs with the music team.
5. My mind was the biggest enemy of my life. I had OCD and other negative things and attachments. They are still there somewhere but all my focus is on the celebration of life and helping out other people.
6. I have overcome all the bad habits I had and I feel lighter and energetic that even big problems of life seem tiny and there is a smile on my face almost all the time. I was able to quit all those things because I have experienced joy which no amount of booze, drugs, or cigarette can come close to giving.
So, I can go on and on, it is really a very big list. I do what my heart tells me to do because I have the confidence that it is pure. I relax in life and celebrate. I am ambitious yet satisfied. I know where I am going in life. I am free.
Jai Guru Dev,
Peeyush Sharma
I recently did the Art of Silence Course (Mar 19 – 22, 2015) with the absolutely brilliant and awesome teacher Percyji. The course was simply liberating, as everyone already knows. What I am about to share here is the Nature Walk exercise.
On the second day of the course, we were asked to go and enjoy the beauties of Mother Nature for an hour. Just outside the course venue (Sanyaas Ashram, Ghatkopar, Mumbai), there is a small lane where 4-Wheelers are often parked on both sides. There must have been a 4-wheeler parked the previous day as well, because I had failed to notice the usually noticeable few potted plants bang opposite the course venue’s gates, on the sidewalk.
My eyes noticed these plants and the poor state they were in. It so happened that there was a construction site just behind these plants and the site spewed cement and asbestos and what not into the air and this dust had formed a thick layer on top of these plants’ leaves and pots.Now,cement absorbs water and the mud in these pots had gone bone dry because of this. Moreover, the layer on top of leaves meant the plants couldn’t process sunlight properly either. I rushed to grab two bottles and watered them that day. I did so for the next two days (course’s third and fourth day) as well. While I was watering them on the third day of the course, a security man from the construction site approached me and asked rather rudely, “Is this bike yours?” He pointed to my bike, which I had parked close to where the plants were. I was in silence, but I still looked up and nodded. He didn’t say a word, luckily, and just walked away. But the look of him shook something inside me. He was the exact lookalike of a certain individual who resides in my housing complex, whom we will call Mangesh for the sake of our story.
Mangesh is a gangster in our area of Chembur. He has a bad reputation, a long criminal record, and is someone whom no one speaks up against in our area. I have had my share of tiffs with him, and let’s just say that when Guruji asks us to visualize our greatest enemy during a process in the Art of Silence Course, Mangesh’s grinning face is what envelops my mind. And the security guy looked exactly like him! He even wore the same tilak on his forehead!! I kept my shock to myself and just went ahead with the course. The last day of the course arrived and there I stood watering the plants one last time. I was so moved by the course that I promised the 8 potted plants that I would water them until the construction site remained operational (which I continue to do till today). As the course ended and a large group of participants came to the gates of the venue on our way out, the local fruit vendors, who sold their wares just outside the gate, saw me and remarked appreciatively about my watering the plants. They said they were impressed, and I said “Jay Gurudev!” and left it at that.
So, as per my vow to the plants, I arrived there on the day after the course ended to water them (this also gave me an excuse to visit the venue, which I felt a particular affinity to, as any sadhak who has done the Art of Silence will understand ;-)) To my very pleasant shock, the plants had already been watered! My heart leaped with ecstasy! I was so happy that I feared my lips would tear from how dangerously wide my smile was at that point. I still watered the 8 little beauties and shouted from across the street to the fruit vendors, “Who did this?” I inquired; sure it was one of them, “Who watered the plants?””The security guard, sir!” came back the quick answer. I was stunned into silence. And yet, a part of my mind thought the situation was perfectly natural. Yes, of course the security guard had watered the plants! What option did he have?
I felt such amazing gratitude that this measly keyboard cannot express it. I had touched a life with my simple act of watering the plants. And now the security guard was doing selfless seva as well. I looked for him but could not find him anywhere.I came the next day and naturally the plants were already watered. Till today (seven days since the course ended), we haven’t spoken a word and yet I feel he is my brother.
And nor is there a need for words. He waters the plants in the morning and I do so in the evening. Everyone’s happy. Jai Gurudev!
P.S. — I will now have to find another face to ponder over when Guruji asks me to visualize my greatest enemy in my next Art of Silence Course :-))
— Aditya Nair
I was only 16 when I did my first Art of Living course, Yes+. I was a medical student suffering from clinical depression. I had become a poor student, which was surprising because I was very good academically until the 10th grade.
It had been a week since I finished the course and I practiced the Sudarshan Kriya every day. I wanted to finish the 40 day challenge I got from my course teacher. My midterm result had just come in, too, and I had failed the Physics exam because of which a parent teacher meeting for me had been scheduled. My teacher, who was unsupportive and bias towards me because I did not take classes from her private coaching center, gave me my expulsion notice.
This notice left me devastated and I knew I couldn’t control anything after this point. My parents would be shameful. Unable to comprehend how to save myself, I decided to commit suicide. It was a lot of pressure. I wrote my goodbye letter for my parents and my boyfriend, handed them to my best friend, and bought a chemical used to kill pests to ingest it that night. And that’s when I got messages about a Satsang happening that evening. I wanted to have one happy evening so I decided to attend it.
During the entire Satsang, I kept my emotions and pain hidden and sang with others. After a short meditation, a volunteer and friend approached me and asked me what was wrong. I was shocked at how she understood what I was going through even though I tried to hide it. I couldn’t help myself and the truth came pouring out of me, I confided in her. I still remember how she calmed me down by telling me that Guruji is there for me. I have done the course, I am doing the kriya, so now all of this is a part of me. She talked to me so nicely but I kept thinking, how will he help me if I have never called out to him?
After reaching home, I opted to do my kriya instead of taking the poison. I hoped for the best as I went to the scheduled meeting the following day and couldn’t believe it when I heard that the meeting was cancelled. I realized that I am being looked after. I felt gratitude instantly. It wasn’t as bad as I hoped it would be and I got the chance to do better. From that day onwards, I have devoted 30 minutes of every day to do the Sudarshan Kriya. It gives me the strength to tackle every obstacle. Since then, it’s only been a caravan of miracles just started happening in my life.
Jai Guru Dev,
Kirti Jain
And she’s everything that you want and more
You look at her and you finally start to live for someone else
And then you find yourself, yeah, thats when you find yourself.”
Jai Gurudev!
We entered and sat down towards the back row of the building. There was a small group of singers on the stage, singing, what I now know to be Bhajans. The music started to flow through my body and caused me to awaken into a highly blissful and altered state. Soon after, a loud voice started talking to me in my head. I then felt a hand reach down my throat and pull all this darkness out of my stomach. Shortly after this had finished, I looked up, and Sri Sri was walking onto the stage; and He sat on His chair and started meditating.
What followed was the most amazing 2-3 hours of my life! As soon as I thought of a question in my head, Guruji would answer it. There were several hundred people in the room but it was like He was reading my thoughts and talking directly to me the whole time. I can’t tell how long it went on for as time seemed to fly out of the window, but it was at least a couple of hours. I do remember that after about half an hour, I turned to my sister and said that I didn’t think this was actually the musician Ravi Shankar. She replied that she thought He was a Guru. I remember not having any idea of what a Guru even was back then.
After the talk finished, Guruji said that people who had never met Him before could come up the front. There was a huge line of people wanting to meet Him, and all the western people would shake His hand, while the Indians would touch His feet. While I was standing in line, He kept leaning forward so He could see me, and was smiling at me.
JGD!
I am writing this story with moist eyes. I don’t know how to say thanks to Him, and that would be less too. Gurudev is God for me. Through Him, I learnt to smile, even in problems.
Jai Gurudev,
My parents had gone to Rishikesh once, as Guruji was there. That day was an extremely auspicious one, which had come after 400 years. Guruji, along with other devotees, were going to take a dip in the holy water of the River Ganges. My relatives Sumit and Dipti had also decided to go to Rishikesh via road because they couldn’t get the train tickets. They were very excited, and all this while I was at home, relaxing on the couch.
Dipti di asked me why I wasn’t coming along. I told her that I was excited to be home alone for two days and party the whole time. She intelligently convinced me to come by saying she would even sponsor for my whole trip. A free road trip sounded good to me so I decided to go as well, thanking Guruji.
I got ready quickly and we left for Rishikesh. We discussed many Guru Stories on our way. Talking about Guruji is always the best thing you can do in your life. It automatically brings a smile on your face. Even just thinking about him is enough.
It was 9 pm and we were really hungry. Due to the extreme crowd going to Rishikesh, we had decided to take a different route there. There were no good restaurants or dhaba’s on that way for us. Finally at 11 pm, we found a place to eat but it wasn’t that good. We had no other option so we decided to eat there. We ordered our food, but within five minutes, Dipti di said she felt something was wrong with the place, and that we should leave.
We left from there, and on our way she told us that she noticed that there were barely a few people there and they were drunk and pointing towards us. It was past midnight and we were starving. Dipti di wondered out loud, ‘Is this how Guruji is taking care of us?’ On the dash board there was a book called ‘Punarnava’ , an amazing book by Guruji which I had bought but had not read yet. I pointed to Guruji’s picture on the cover of the book and said to Him, “I don’t know anything, as soon as I reach the Rishikesh Ashram, I need good food and a place to stay. It is your headache now, do it your way. And in the morning I want to take a dip in the Ganga, holding your hand. Jai Guru Dev.”
Dipti di laughed and said that it was 1 am and no one in the Ashram there would be ready to serve me food so late.
An hour later, we finally reached and the guard told us where to park our car. As we stepped inside the Ashram, a gentleman came and told us, “Oh good, you’ll have arrived. Should I lay out the food?” I looked at Deepti Di and smiled. He always takes care of us!
We were served Dal and Rice. Wanting to eat chappati as well, I asked the man who served us if there were any left. He politely told me they were all over. Another man came up behind him and said, “I have a few chapatti’s which Guruji has sent from His kutir.” Dipti di looked at me and said, ‘I believe you Kunal, we are surely taken care of.’ And like that, He granted my first wish.
We finished our meal but had no idea where we were going to be staying. My mentor, Avinash Tiku, who is an international faculty member, called up asking if we had reached. I told him we had, and he told us that he had arranged for our accommodation as well. Second wish granted!
We went and met him, and I was very happy as I was meeting him after four months! By 3.30 am, we slept. I woke up at 7 am and went to Avinash Bhaiyya’s room. Just then he told me to check outside the window, and Guruji was walking on the shores of River Ganga. I saw and in excitement said, ‘Run, it is Guruji!’
We both ran quickly towards Him. There were only 7-8 people with HIM. I wished Guruji ‘Jai Guru Dev’. HE Smiled and blinked His eyes, there was an innocence in His Smile. It was the first time I was walking with Guruji so I did not let anybody come between us. He did not leave even a single chance to pamper us.
Very soon, the amount of people around Him increased. As we reached the Ghat , He asked everybody to do chanting and went to change. I helped the volunteers clear the passage so that Guruji could walk smoothly, and due to this I was made to stand in the first row of the Ghat.
Half an hour later, Guruji came out and the gathering followed Him like thousands of bees swarming around a dessert. In the meantime, I got pushed and was left far behind, while the gathering along with the Master descended down the ghat. I stood there, hanging onto a chain on a very slippery surface. I saw Guruji take the first dip, chanting ‘Jai Gangey’. The surreal aura of His is simply impossible to pen down.
HE took His second dip and abruptly started walking towards where I was clinging on to the chains. My heart beat running, I asked Guruji to stop as the surface beneath was extremely slippery. But by then, He had already reached quite close, and to my horror, He slipped and in no time, I caught hold of His hand and held Him tight. And at the same time, with that perpetual smile, Guruji took His third and final dip, holding my hand! Without a word, He returned to His kutir.
I was completely dumbstruck.
When Guruji went out of sight and I returned back from my state of trance, I realized that my last wish was also granted.
I realized that the Master would go to any extent to see that smile on your face.
That’s my Satguru, my GURUJI!
Jai Gurudev,
Kunal Gambhir
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.
It was the last day. My son, daughter and I were sitting at the Satsang in the audience, in the second row. Guruji’s shawl was brought by someone, and draped over His seat. I pointed that to my daughter, and said – “See! That means Guruji is about to arrive”. Hearing this, she became agitated, and said – let’s run to the side door (he always entered from there). I said “It’s okay. We’ll just stay here”. She said “But I wont even get to see Him. There will be so many people around Him!”. In a couple of minutes, Guruji came through a different entrance, and walked right past us. She was very happy, as it was so unexpected!
Guruji sat on the stage, in His seat. Bhajans were being sung. My son was getting very bored. That day, Guruji was looking at everyone in the audience, and closing His eyes every now and then. He usually meditates while the songs are being sung, but not so that day. I told my son to keep his gaze on Guruji, as He was looking at everyone with so much love.
My son then asked me softly as to why the musicians would keep repeating the same words and lines over and over again! Everyone else was swaying and enjoying the bhajans. I told him “One needs a certain state of mind to enjoy the bhajans”.
After several minutes passed, it was question time. Guruji answered the first two questions that were read out. Then, all of a sudden, He changed subjects. He started talking about repetition. He said that when you keep repeating something, the right-brained people don’t mind, as they are in love. But left-brained people are logical, they like getting to the point. He said when left-brained people come, they will get so bored (He touched His head), and will not come back at all! (The audience was laughing). “Right-brained people enjoy as they have transcended the words, they’re not listening to the words anymore.” He addressed the musicians and very lovingly, asked them to remember to keep changing the lines, and the songs. He said “Use a timer or something, so you know you’ve repeated so many times”. He also said – “Choose songs that are simple, so everyone can understand” (In fact, my son had asked me the meanings of some of the words earlier).
That was it! My son was stunned 🙂 . He was wonder struck. How did Guruji know his question? My heart was overflowing with love and gratitude that Guruji actually paid attention to us in His mysterious way. Thank you Sri Sri 🙂
These incidents have brought a beautiful transformation in our lives. They were gifts from our Satguru, and made my son realize that the Master truly notices everyone.
Jai Gurudev!
This is Leena Singh from Mumbai. I am a part-time model & actress. I did my first AOL course in January, 2007, & became a devotee soon after the course. I do the Kriya daily without fail, & I have done almost 16 advance courses with Guruji’s Grace. The Sudarshan Kriya really helped me smoothly sail through the hardships of life. What Guruji did for me cannot be described in mere words.
Recently one big miracle happened in my life, which really shocked me and made me realise the vastness of my Masters’ Grace.
My husband Rakesh, had once gone to a doctor for some hair treatment. Before starting the treatment, the doctor asked him if he has any health issue, or if there was anything that made him feel uncomfortable. My husband just said that he would feel a little dizzy each time he saw any blood & needles. This was the reason why the doctor checked his blood pressure. After checking the blood pressure, the doctor got a big shock because the BP was substantially high. So high that anything could happen. The doctor said that my husband should be hospitalized immediately.
But my husband was not convinced. He wanted to take a second opinion. So Rakesh & I went to a nearby doctor, who said exactly the same thing after checking the BP. But my husband was just not ready to get admitted. Then finally, I strongly insisted on getting him hospitalized and took him to the hospital.
On reaching the hospital and getting the BP check done, the doctors were shocked to see such high BP. They immediately admitted him. Various tests & X-Rays followed. He was also given some strong medication. Then the ECG (electro cardiogram) was done. I was in a real state of panic at that time, and was impatiently waiting for the reports.
All this while, I had kept praying to Guruji. I somehow had 100% faith on my Guru, even though the situation was tough. I don’t know why and how, but I somewhere knew that everything would be alright. Thus I was able to maintain my calm through these testing times.
My husband was in the ICU (intensive care unit) for two days. Seeing the state of affairs, it seemed like the ICCU (intensive cardiac care unit) was not far either. It was a very critical time for me. But somehow, my faith kept growing!
And then the miracle happened:)
We got a lovely, unexpected surprise from the doctors. They said that my husband was fit and fine, and could be discharged too. It was unimaginable!!! I could not believe my ears. How was this possible? And then I understood. There is something bigger than logic, and that is faith. It truly can move mountains!!!
COULD WE POSSIBLY GET A BIGGER SURPRISE. HOW AMAZINGLY MY HUSBAND & I WERE TAKEN CARE OF. THIS IS HOW OUR DAILY SADHNA & FAITH HELPS.
THANK YOU GURUDEV:)
JGD,
Leena.
Jai Gurudev to all,
Four years back I had a severe viral attack. I was taking treatment but there was no improvement in my condition. To my utter dismay, the situation worsened to herpes attack. One of my facial nerve could not be diagnosed in time and this led to a facial paralysis attack. These were very tough times of my life. I had almost lost all hope of proper recovery. Because of late diagnosis, the neurologist believed that only 60-70% of the face could be restored back to its normal condition. Waves of depression had started to grip my mind.
One day, Guruji came in my dream and said, “Don’t worry, everything will be all right.” I hadn’t done any AOL courses back then, and neither did I know Him personally. I had only seen His talks on Shradha and Sanskar channel. I was mighty impressed by His conduct and way of answering questions, but nothing more than that.
Little did I know that Guruji’s magic wand had already started having it’s effect on me. After 60 days of treatment, I got cured fully! I felt like Guruji’s Grace was showering on me, just like bright sunshine. I felt like He was taking care of me and making me positive during that tough time. A person whom I had only seen on TV, came in my dreams, took care of all my problems and injected my life with positive enthusiasm – yes, that’s the definition of my Guruji!
After that, my joy knew no bounds. I decided to do all the Art of Living courses. I did the Part one course, and my first Sudarshan Kriya experience was deeply overwhelming, it just cannot be expressed in words. Since then, I have never skipped Kriya and follow ups. After actually experiencing the course, I wished I had done it earlier – there was a void in my life earlier, which could only be removed when Guruji came into my life, through these wonderful courses. After that I did the Sahaj Samadhi course which taught me the simplest way of going deep into meditation. And it’s been such a blissful journey since then; complete joy and happiness!
I cannot express my gratitude in words for my beloved Guruji. I feel He has secured me in His Divine arms. I hope and pray that each and every person gets to experience this pure form of Divinity!
Jai Gurudev
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