Sri Sri Stories
From the day I joined the Art of Living family, I have been completely taken care of. Transforming my life from the very first day of my course, Sri Sri has been fulfilling all my wishes, from the smallest to the biggest.
Just after a few months I did the Yes! Course, I came to know about the ‘Colors of Joy’ course which would be taking place at the Bangalore Ashram. I thought this was the best opportunity for me to meet my beloved Guruji. However, my father refused saying I could not go there. But I had faith that I would be able to go and meet him.
I did not end up going, but miraculously I got the beautiful chance to talk to him on the phone a few weeks prior to Colors of Joy through an offer by the Airtel operator services. I never imagined that out of thousand callers, I would be the one who would get to speak to Him. I felt that this was arranged just for me. He knew I would not be able to meet Him and so this happened to me. I was sad and happy. I told him about my wish to meet him at Colors of Joy but He told me to focus on my studies for now. He is so loving and courteous, He waited for 30 seconds or more so that I could reach my mother and she could talk to him. Guruji always knows what you want and what is best for you. I have not yet met Him, but I know there are some grand plans He has for me. I want to remain his instrument till my last breath.
Love you GURUJI.
Anuraag
This was exactly a week before going for Guruji’s Birthday Special Advanced Course at the Ashram. This time, I had planned to go to Rishikesh ( city in Northern India) for an adventure trip with my friends.
On reaching Rishikesh, post checking into the hotel, we all decided to go for Rafting, for which Rishikesh is famous. We then gathered more information about the same from the Room Service employee, before jumping into it. He informed us about the mishaps that took place in the last two months which made us extremely apprehensive about our rafting plan. So we decided to step back.
Couple of hours later, suddenly, it dawned upon me that we had come to Rishikesh only for adventure sports, and returning back without completing it would not be fair. Following my mind, I asked all my friends to do the Kriya before leaving for rafting, as I had this very strong faith that no matter what, Sri Sri is there with us.
On reaching the spot, just before stepping on the raft, I sensed something wrong, for which I had no logical explanation. I had no idea as to what would follow. But with faith in our hearts, we all held down the grip and started our raft, with a loud “Jai Ganges”. As we approached the most dangerous rapid of the entire raft, which is called “Roller Coaster”, our coach ordered us to hold down the grip tight and act upon his instructions.
As the Roller Coaster arrived, we were all stuck in the rapid stream while our raft turned upside down, and I, along with another guy, fell into the water. The other guy was rescued immediately. But I was still struggling to keep my head above the water and keep breathing. As much as I was trying, I would keep getting pushed down by the enormous force of the river. I then realized that I was the only one floating, in the middle of the river, with no traces of the raft. All I had with me was an oar (which is used to row a boat), which I had held on to while falling into the water.
I had reached a stage where I was ready to give up all my efforts, as I could not even breathe properly. Just then I remembered Sri Sri and prayed to him. Suddenly, the words of my Part 1 Teacher came to my mind. He had told me that no matter what happens in life, don’t ever give up. That we must never lose hope and give our 100% to everything we do. So with the oar in hand, I started rowing myself in water and moving ahead, surfacing to keep my breath going. In just a few moments, I realized that there were two boats at a reasonable distance, which were trying to rescue me. As I was moving towards the boats, slowly and steadily, the coach of one of the rafts threw a rope into the water for me to hold onto. I then gripped onto the rope and the coach pulled it towards himself with all his might. The place where I was rescued was a mountain corner. It seemed as though I had been floating in that water since ages.
My rescue made me realize the importance of this beautiful life and the treasure that we have “Our Breath”. I thanked Sri Sri with all my heart and soul for taking care of me when I most needed Him. Once I returned to Gurgaon, the very next night, Gurudev came in my dream and I had a flash of the same incident that occurred with me in Rishikesh. I saw Him sitting exactly at that same place where I was rescued, on a bed of stones. My rescue was nothing short of a miracle for me.
Tears rolled down my cheeks and I was filled with immense love and gratitude for my Master. He is taking care of us at every single moment. He is always there. We just need to have that faith and give every situation our very best. And He will take care of the rest. I realized that every challenge that we face in life is a stepping stone towards success, when we have a Master in our lives.
JGD
Mayank Singhal
Jai Gurudev 🙂
My name is Bhakti Bakale. I live in Vasai (a locality Mumbai). Though there are many miracles happening with Guruji’s presence in our lives, I would like to share something which I recently experienced.
I am working with Deutsche Bank since more than a year now. I was recruited just before the launch of a major project. I completed work on the same and it went live in October. Once that was done, a lot of paper work was reduced, which lessened my scope of work as well. The bank was also going in for cost cutting. And due to the launch of a new system, work that was previously being handled by me was now to be outsourced to the Accenture team, which meant that my role in the company would no more be of much significance.
I had a meet with my manager in May’13, where he very clearly kept the situation in front of me and asked me to look out for a job elsewhere, as due to reduction in the volume of work, they didn’t require my post any further. I was shocked to hear this. The very first thought that came to my mind was about the difficulty I would have to face in paying the EMI’s for the housing loan that I had recently availed of. I hadn’t even paid my first EMI yet, and suddenly there was going to be this financial crunch which would make the situation extremely tough for me. I did not have any other arrangements to make the payments, apart from my salary. I was really tensed and also spoke to a few AOL teachers and volunteer friends, who suggested that I should not worry and instead accompany them for the Advance Course that was to happen in June at the Gujarat Ashram. So with complete faith and surrender, I went ahead and attended the Course. It was taken by Sangeeta Jani. I had a blissful experience while on the course, and felt a lot of peace and serenity. I dropped all my botheration’s at the lotus feet of Sri Sri.
After the course, I resumed office and also started my search for another role. I was doing my Seva (Service) and Sadhna (Practice) regularly and also attended Satsangs. I embedded the words of SangeetaJi “Everything is being taken care of” in my heart and soul and this gave me the confidence and faith to leave aside all my worries and just relax.
It had been just 15 days that I had returned from the Course, and one fine afternoon, the Vice President from another department came up to my desk and asked me to meet him the same evening at 6.30 pm in the meeting room, as he wanted to talk to me about something important. So I met him and I was surprised to know that he had a job to offer me. He said “I got to know that you are looking out for another role since your project is now getting over. If you are interested, we would like to take you in our department.” Wow! I cannot explain what I felt on hearing that. I knew that it was possible only and only with Guruji’s Blessings. I knew that He was doing the magic in my life. I readily accepted the offer and thanked Sri Sri with all my heart for His immense Grace and Love. I saw Guruji in my dreams the previous night and the same morning as well, while I was meditating.
On reaching home, tears of gratitude towards my Guru dropped down from my eyes. I kneeled in front of His photo and thanked him for blessing me with this opportunity.
I cleared all my interviews for the new role and got selected for a single position among 14 candidates. It was all Sri Sri’s Grace that made this happen. Now I am working here with full enthusiasm and there is great learning. I got offered a 30% hike in my pay package as well. I am truly so fortunate to have a living Master by my side.
I had faith in Sri Sri and He worked out the best for me. The Advance Course really benefited me in all aspects.
Thanks to Guruji 🙂 JGD
Regards,
Bhakti Bakale
I was with Gurudev at the Canadian Ashram during the Guru Poornima celebrations this year. Due to the huge number of visitors to the Ashram, car parking was arranged right at the entrance to the Ashram property. From there a shuttle took us to the Ashram reception office. Early in the morning, having parked my car, I hurriedly pocketed the car keys and took the shuttle.
Through the rest of the day I went to several different parts of the Ashram, including playing with my kids and running after Sri Sri, completely oblivious about my car keys. That evening the Satsang was amazing. Gurudev sang so beautifully and energized everyone. After the bhajans, Gurudev spoke about smiling through everything that comes one’s way. He said no matter what happens do not give up your smile and that if you can smile even through the difficult times, the mission of The Art of Living would be accomplished.
This stuck to me and I started mulling over it. After the Satsang got over and it was way past 9.30 p.m, I got my family together to get to the parking lot. As I reached my pocket for my car keys, I didn’t find them there. Frantically I searched everywhere including the backpack I had and possibly every other place I could have kept it. It was now getting very late and I was worried that I would miss the last shuttle to the parking lot. Also, I did not have any spare key and the key bunch had several other keys of importance. Moreover, my home was 1200 kms away! I started to panic a little and was trying to figure out my options. My two young children started crying since it was way too late for them and worried that we will never be able to get back home. My mind raced through the day and I started to think of all the places I visited during the day. However, since it was dark outside and I had been to so many places, it was impossible for me to trace my steps back and look for the keys.
A feeling of helplessness was welling up in me. Absent mindedly I started walking back to the reception. It was a good 15 minute walk from the mediation hall. On my way I silently prayed to Guruji. Immediately, Guruji’s words during the Satsang came back to me. He had mentioned “Don’t lose your smile”. Spontaneously I started smiling. A cool breeze enveloped me as I walked back to the reception office. I felt light and somehow nothing bothered me. I just dropped all my botherations and smilingly made my way back. On reaching the office, I smiled to the person at the counter and was greeted by a big smile and “Jai Gurudev”! And what do I find right in front of me – my car keys! I had no idea how it got there. I clutched the keys and ran back to my family thanking Gurudev for taking care of us and also for giving me the opportunity to live his knowledge and experiencing how it works. I will never forget this and have resolved to smile; come what may!
Keep smiling!
Jai Gurudev!
Rakesh Naidu
I completed my Masters in May 2012 with a lot of hardships due to psychological and relationship issues. With the help and guidance of Guruji’s Kriya, Meditation and Knowledge I managed to sail through the hardship and come out victorious with flying colors. With immense gratitude after my post graduation, I immersed myself in Seva (Service), Sadhana (Meditation) and Satsang (Singing in devotion of the Lord) and kept my eyes open for job opportunities.
The trouble started when a job opportunity would not arise, I would reach the last round of every interview and then the opportunity would just go without a reason that I couldn’t comprehend. It was February 2013 and Sri Sri had come for his Mumbai tour. I was without a job since May 2012. Like any other devotee, I attended many satsangs around the city. One night, after a satsang, a few other devotees and me decided to follow Guruji and meet him personally at the place where he was residing. The place, as always, was flocked by loving devotee’s asking for blessings. I stood in line to receive his blessings which he gave me with a tap of a rose on my head. And what happened thereafter changed my life forever.
I experienced immense bliss, infinite divinity and joy. Suddenly, all negative thoughts about being jobless, vanished in thin air and love was oozing out unabated and endless. One morning, in the following week, after I finished my Sudarshan Kriya and Meditation, I saw a few missed calls from an unknown telephone number, which I immediately called back. The person who picked up introduced himself and started interviewing me over the telephone, selected me and a week later, I was hired by the Multi National Company on a temporary contractual basis. Now, after four months, they have offered me a permanent position in the company which I have accepted.
With such miracles that Guruji creates, I feel so much Gratitude of having a living Guru who cares for me, blesses me every day and keeps me strong through life’s tough downturns. Indeed, only a Guru can show you the way through your life.
Jai Gurudev
Ash
On 24th February, 2013 my daughter and me were returning home on a two wheeler from another devotee’s house when we got into an accident as another vehicle crashed into ours. My daughter, who was driving, lost her balance and the scooter tumbled. I remember standing up and running after those who hit us but they did not stop. When I looked back my daughter was still on the road and was unable get up. Somebody handed me my mobile phone and bag. I felt like nothing worse could happen
Finally by midnight, after twin X-Rays, the doctor told she had multiple fractures in her right knee. I was numb with pain and sorrow watching her writhe in pain. Since I became an Art of Living teacher, I have been so sure that Sri Sri is looking after me, where ever I may be. It was very bewildering for me, to think about how this could happen, especially because a month ago she had gone to the Bangalore Ashram (International Art of Living Center in India) for her Advanced Meditation Course.
I called up my uncle, who was a surgeon and told him everything. He advised us to go and meet a senior surgeon in Chandigarh (city in northern India). I packed a few things and left for Chandigarh with both my kids. When we reached the hospital there, I put all my hopes on the doctor. Meanwhile, Sri Sri was on tour in Mumbai, so I got hold of a teacher there and requested my message about my daughter be passed on to Him. On the same night, she was admitted to the hospital after all the formalities were completed. The doctor again did the CT Scan and it was found that she had multiple fractures with a ligament and a bone piece detachment. We were told to get ready for an operation which would take place at 7am.
At 1am, I got the message that Guruji was told and he smiled and nodded. Although I knew He would look after us, I could not understand why He had only smiled. The whole night was spent running around and in chaos. Whole night we kept running here and there. After midnight she was not allowed any food or water either. When she went to the Operation Theatre, the doctor could only perform Aspiration and Traction and her operation ended up getting postponed.
My brother and parents had also come with me. In spite of everything, I was grateful that my daughter was so brave and that her injury could be treated. My daughter and me even managed to laugh and crack jokes, all the while realizing what a blessing it was to have Sri Sri in our lives.
Finally we came back home and she was called back after one week for her operation. I knew Guruji was leaving India soon and we really wanted to meet him but that was not possible as my daughter was bedridden. I was so afraid and did not know what to do. I kept listening to Guruji’s voice where he told me not to worry and everything would be alright. Now after five months she can walk without much of a limp and her fractures are healed.
In the meantime she took her exams also and has stood first in her university, only because of His grace. Everything is possible when He is in our lives!
LOVE YOU GURUJI.
Bharti
In the year 2009, I read about Art of Living and finally got a chance to take up Part 1 course in April 2012. Since Sri Sri has walked into my life, miracles have happened in so many ways. I have no words to express my gratitude to him. In March 2013, during Shivaratri (festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva) I took up a Sankalpa (intention) and the biggest miracle then happened to my mother.
My mother is from Pontianak, Indonesia. She met my father in the 70’s and and they reside in Malaysia. 40 years have passed since my mother last saw her family, she couldn’t go back to her homeland due to financial constraint and also transportation was not as advanced during those days. Her eldest brother visited her 3 times in those days but after we shifted to a new place we had lost contact with them.
My mother helps in volunteering at a local Buddhist association. One day her fellow volunteer friends decided to organize a leisure trip to Pontianak, Indonesia. I had a strong intuition that her friends wanted to accompany her to go back to her hometown.
During the trip, she was praying that she could visit her relatives at the old house which is located on the old road. My mother asked the tour guide whether the bus will go via old road to Pontianak town. However, the tour guide replied they will go via new road which is so much more convenient. But a few moments later, the tour guide announced that they had to use the old road because the new road is under maintenance.
When the entourage halted for rest, my mother rushed to nearby stalls and asked the shop owners about some of her relatives. Due to the fact that my mother was away from home too long, she had forgotten her mother tongue, the younger generation in Pontianak couldn’t speak that language as well. My mother asked the shop owner pointed next door, and the young boy asked my mother to try the next shop. The next shop was a hand phone shop, and when my mother mentions about her relatives name again, the youngster briefly went behind the shop and asked an elderly man to come out. This elderly man turned out to be my mother’s uncle! The man shed tears and asked my mother why she went off for so long and did not come back. They exchanged contact numbers, he also gave my mother’s siblings contact as well.
After they bid good bye, my mother and the group of people continued their journey to Pontianak town. On the way many of her relatives had called her up and after reaching the restaurant, her two sisters and family were already waiting for her. They hugged each other and all were so happy to see each other.
During the short trip in Pontianak, my mother caught up a lot with her sisters about the family’s life for the past 40 years. They even showed my mother their old house locality which is now developed. Although my mother didn’t say much about her personal feeling but I know she is very very happy and we too are very happy for her.
When my mother was reunited with her sisters, all her friends who went with her on the trip were so touched and they cried a lot in the bus. Gurudev,no words to express our gratitude for you. We are all blessed with Guruji’s grace.
JGD
Siew Woan
Jai Gurudev!
I feel really blessed to have been selected by my marvelous Guru to walk on the path. My story is one that will kindle the lamp of faith in the hearts of many. I had been suffering since 2009, with severe immobilizing pain, swelling and burning in my left thigh & abdomen. This was the result of multiple failed surgeries, which caused grave damage to the nerves. Medically this condition is a post-operative femoral Neuropathy at inguinal ligament. It results in complete limitation in living, because of which there arises a feeling of disappointment and helplessness regarding the future course of one’s life.
On very little exertion, I would experience immense pain, and lack of physical strength to perform normal everyday activities. Allopathic doctors said that there was not much hope but still attempts could be made for a fourth surgery, where the chances of recovery and improvement would be very bleak. But having faced tremendous problems in earlier such attempts, I decided not to go ahead with the surgery. I continued with homeopathic medicines from a very renowned practitioner, which resulted in a little relief. But life was still far from normal. Moreover, the future was completely dark. Things would improve a little and again fall back in their original poor condition.
I felt that only when I did the Sudarshan Kriya ( taught in the art of living basic course) and meditation, my condition would show considerable improvement. I also observed that, by the grace of Guruji, every course that I attended, be it Advanced, Guru Pooja or Pre-TTC (teachers training course) , helped in bringing about a positive change in me. I personally could not believe that things were actually turning over for me. But still, the same problems used to recur every few months.
But this time around, during May 2013, the problem took a bitter turn. Medicines were not working, and we were completely clueless about what should be done next. At that time, I got the Master’s call for doing the TTC, which was to happen in July 2013. To travel all the way to Bangalore seemed like an impossible task. But yet, something pushed me. Something inside me made me want to go. It was like a calling from the Divine. In-spite of all the suffering, I decided to take the course at the Bangalore Ashram. We had kept it a secret at home, from all my relatives in Kolkata. Finally, with complete surrender to my Guru, I went to the Ashram.
Unbelievably, my condition started improving from the start of the journey. I could handle physical exertion, movement, and exercises. I was also able to do justice to my Seva (Service) and Sadhana (Practice). It was amazing how I was feeling completely normal. I had truly longed for this feeling. I had forgotten the taste of being physically fit in the past few years. The vast extent of discomfort and problems had almost taken my life to a state of compromise. But at the Ashram, I could feel the healing happening. I could feel myself recovering. I finally experienced the sense of a normal life. I felt healthy and happy. It’s just unexplainable.
I returned from the Ashram as an AOL Teacher, with full zeal, energy and enthusiasm, hale and hearty. This was truly beyond my expectation. I become completely speechless, each time I try to comprehend such things intellectually.
May He be there for the millions suffering. May people understand Him and just grab His hand and get saved before being drowned. Surrendering, once again, at the Lotus feet of Sri Sri. I know it is His magic that has made my life a celebration!
With Love and Respect
Nilay Jasu
I am a Doctor and I am also preparing for the Civil Services Exams. It was in 2011 when suddenly something really shook me up. Despite my hard-work, results were not coming my way. Luck had deserted me. No matter how hard I would study for the exam, I would not do well. This was extremely discouraging for me. I became disinterested in studies and lost my sleep as well. I had no idea as to what was going wrong, what was lacking. In those hard days, I somehow happened to do the Basic Course of The Art Of Living and out of nowhere and things drastically changed after that.
For this year’s IAS preliminary exam, I was studying very hard, but still there was this impression in my mind that luck would not favor me again, as always. I kept praying to Sri Sri, got blessings from Art Of Living blessers. I had no clue as to how I would fare this time around. All I could do was hope for the best. When I was in the exam, I was gladly surprised on seeing the question papers. “Luck”, which I used to lament a lot about, was in my favor this time. Most of the questions were from portions which I had read and studied well. And questions which I had not read myself, my friends had asked me just before the exam. As a result, I had covered the entire portion well enough. I scored far beyond my expectations. I never thought, even in my wildest of dreams that I would score 307 out of 400 marks, that too in an IAS exam where nobody can guess from where the questions will come.
Even I am surprised at my score. In my own friends circle, good students have also failed to score that high. I am 100% sure that this is the work of Guruji. It is only His Grace. He has shattered the luck-grudge in me. His Grace is my Luck now.
We just need to drop all our inhibitions and then see the magic He does. Just work hard, give your 100%, and then surrender everything at His lotus feet. Do not ever fear. He is right here. Right now I am preparing for the IAS final exams and I am very optimistic that Guruji’s Grace won’t let my hard work go waste ever.
JGD!
Devendra Pachauri
It was in the year 2007 that a life changing event occurred with a boy named Sagnik, 4 years of age, who happened to take admission in my mother’s school “The Divine Grace”.
In the initial days, he presented a condition in which he wasn’t able to speak at all. The only word that would come out of his mouth was “Ma” (Mother). He could not say anything else apart from this. It was very distressing for the child and equally agonizing for the parents. Even the doctors failed to make him speak. My heart would sink each time I’d see this little boy.
But as Sri Sri says “Anything can change any time, in any manner”, the change did take place in Sagnik’s life. One fine morning, as the classes were going on, miraculously, he fell down and cut his tongue. There was slight bleeding but the teachers handled the situation. However, for the next 2 days, he was absent. We all prayed to Guruji, for taking care of Sagnik so that he could lead a normal life like any other person. Sagnik resumed school on the 3rd day. The class started as per routine, but what followed was truly stunning. The class teacher heard Sagnik saying words like “Apple, Orange, Triangle, Rectangle.” The teacher could not believe her ears and was clueless as to how this could have happened. The boy’s parents were immediately called and they too were speechless on hearing this astounding piece of news. Tears of joy and gratitude flowed down the mother’s cheeks.
Presently, Sagnik is excelling in academics and winning prizes for elocution. He has done the Art Excel Course ( An art of living workshop designed for chidren) and is regular with his meditations and Kriya.
We have to have the correct intention and make the effort, everything else falls into place. Sri Sri takes care of everyone uniquely. All we need to do is to give a chance for miracles to happen.
Jai Gurudev
Rishika
