Sri Sri Stories
This is one incident I can never forget.
I am an astrologer by profession. One day it so happened that, I had gone to meet my client over dinner, to finalize the amount (fees) for the ritual I performed for him during the course of a reality show (a television show). Later when I realized that he was on drugs, I insisted on leaving. He let me leave only on the condition that he would drop me home. I had no other choice at that time, but to give in. My client’s friend was driving the car, he was sitting next to him and I was sitting behind. Just then, my client asked his friend to stop the car, came behind and said that he had booked a suite (room in a hotel) and also tried to misbehave with me. With this, I started screaming and crying. I could not believe that all this was happening with me. I could not understand why he was behaving like that. I was just too frightened to comprehend the situation. All I was worried about was how I would get out of that place and safely reach home. Because of my screaming and crying, my client walked out of the car. Meanwhile, his friend called for an auto so that I could go home by myself. On seeing that, my client stopped the auto and started abusing. That got me terrified.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I saw a police van, a little ahead on the same road. I promptly asked the auto driver to drive towards the van so that I could take help from the cops. I felt much safer then. On seeing the police van, my client and his friend backed off with fear and I swiftly drove past in the auto. My heart was beating at a supernatural pace. I got peace only on reaching home.
I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself down once I had reached my room. I was too scared to think or do anything else apart from going to sleep, so that my monkey mind wouldn’t wander any further while thinking of how ugly the situation could have turned out to be. So I went to bed in no time. That night, in my dream, Sri Sri hugged me tight and said ‘Om Shanti Shanti’ (mantra for peace). This gave me immense faith. It gave me the courage to move ahead. The dream was no less than a miracle, an indication that He is always there.
Next day evening, I went to the police station to lodge a complaint against my client for misbehaving with me the previous night. The cop, who was also present in the police van that was patrolling where I was last night, said to me that in his 25 years of duty, he had never taken the route that he took the previous night. He would always take a left before coming to that area but yesterday, he said, for some reason, unknown to him, he came that way. It was as though he had been sent, only and only to protect and safeguard me. For me, in my belief, I knew that it was Guruji who had sent that cop for my protection. That was my faith. Even when I was in the tough situation, I subconsciously knew that Sri Sri would never let me down. He proved to me that no matter how bad a situation might seem, if you are right and you have faith then there is nothing to worry. It still brings tears in my eyes when I think of this incident, tears of Gratitude, and not of fear.
Lately, I had my hearing for the case. I had an out of court settlement and got a written apology for the abuses from my client. This was an achievement for me. All thanks to Sri Sri. Love you Guruji.
JGD
Isha
There was a YES!+ Course happening from 19th June, 2013 to 23rd June, 2013. It was my dream that my sister experiences this course. It so happened, that she was in Hyderabad for that duration and so she registered for it.
The course was to start at 6 am. My sister was not in the habit of waking up early, that too for 5 days consecutively! I was very worried as to how she would wake up. I really wanted her to complete the course at any cost. Sri Sri knew about this botheration of mine. To take care of it, He sent a special alarm clock – a “Koel” (an Asian species of Cuckoo bird), who would start her “Koo-Koo” (a sound made by the bird, similar to an alarm clock) outside our balcony, right from 4.30 AM in the morning till the time we woke up. Her volume and pitch was so loud that we couldn’t sleep even if we wanted to. And there was no snooze option too (option to deactivate the sound of an alarm clock).
Here comes the amazing part – This Koel bird came just to wake us up, only for those 5 days of the course. Never did I hear her kooing at that time of the day, before or after the course duration!
It was as though she had specially been sent to us by Gurudev so that we would not miss even one day of this wonderful course. Sri Sri made sure we didn’t miss any day of the course and always reached on time. We generally have the habit of snoozing the alarm clock that is in the mobile phone. But this very special “cuckoo” alarm clock sent by Him, had no snooze option, which worked completely in our favour.
I feel so blessed. I have no worries. I am always sure that He is taking care of it all, from the smallest of matters to the biggest.
Jai GuruDev!
Keep Smiling and spread the Love!
Surabhi
This was right after I did the Yes+ (Youth Empowerment Skills workshop of the Art of Living Foundation) Course six years back. I did the course while I was in the second year of my P.G (MCA) & it was placement season then. I had to clear a backlog paper of the previous semester so I thought I hardly had any chance of being eligible for any good company’s placement process. Three reputed IT MNC’s came to our campus in a week’s time & I was eligible for only one of them. But I couldn’t go beyond the aptitude test round for that company. Then came the news that Infosys Technologies had selected our college for the very first time to be part of its mass recruitment drive. Usually the eligibility criteria for Infosys are such that only the above average grade students become eligible for placements. I couldn’t even imagine myself for it. But to my surprise, their eligibility criteria that year was like tailor made for me to become eligible for their process. I couldn’t believe it. The Guru had started working His magic.
I double checked the criteria with my placement manager. I had a backlog and my aggregate was less than first class & still I became eligible which was a complete shock for me (I was thoroughly over joyed on being able to sit for the Infosys placement process) & envy for many, because many of the eligible students of my class had already got placed in the first three companies & were not allowed to apply now.
The selection process of Infosys is such that they have some famous puzzle problems in their aptitude testing round which are quite tricky & difficult to crack and also their technical interviews are very challenging. That’s what I had read on the Internet and heard from people who had applied in previous years. But this year, they had changed their testing pattern. The nerve wracking puzzles & technical interviews were out. This was a great piece of news for me as it gave wings to my hope of getting selected. After attending their pre placement presentation, I thought it would be an unbelievable thing if I get through. For me it would be nothing less than a dream-come-true to be working at Infosys Technologies and I was really hoping and praying to Sri Sri for the same. A job at Infosys was all that was on my mind at that time. It would be a great boost for my career and professional life ahead.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw my name amongst the three students from my class who had been shortlisted for the interview and the final round. I double, triple checked the list to confirm that it was my name only on it. And yes, it was my name indeed. The interview went off very well, luckily no difficult questions were asked and I was more than happy to answer any other questions. Again this suited me as I was not quite comfortable to appear for a technical round.
Finally, all three of us were selected and were the first batch of students from my college to make it to Infosys Technologies. Truly a miracle had happened for me. I got my dreamj job!! Also, Infosys did not turn up the next year for my junior’s batch. So it was just a one off chance for our college. I was new to the spiritual path then and was not aware that Sri Sri had set it up for Me!!!
Thank you so much Guruji for all your love and grace. Thank you for such a beautiful miracle in my life.
With hard work, dedication in whatever I do and faith in my Master, who loves each and everyone so much, I am sure the best is always reserved for us and we are taken care of
Regards,
Kartik Venkatesh
Kartik is an IT professsional working with a leading IT services provider in India
Jai Guru Dev to all the beloved Devotees,
Many miraculous incidents have happened in our family ever since we became a part of the Art of Living community. I would be pleased to share one such occasion with everyone.
Just this morning at around 8.45 am, as usual, I went for a walk alone in the streets here in New Jersey ( United States). I had kept my cell phone in one pocket & my ID card in the other pocket of my pants. Hardly had I walked for ten minutes, when I found that my ID card was not in my pocket anymore. This took me by complete shock. I had no idea as to where it could have disappeared all of a sudden. I was clueless. I couldn’t believe how this could happen. I felt terrified just thinking of the pain I would have to go through to get another ID card here in USA. It would not be an easy procedure as a lot of formalities need to be completed before getting an ID card over here.
Feeling helpless yet hopeful, I walked back through the same street to search for my ID card. Thought I should try finding it, though I was not sure where it had fallen. It seemed like a mystery. But yet I wanted to try, I had nothing to lose. Even after continued efforts for a long time, there was no trace of my ID card.
Finally, I prayed to Gurudev from the bottom of my heart to help me. That was all I could do. By then, I had completely surrendered the matter. Only after you try hard can you truly surrender and that’s exactly what I had done. So I dropped the matter at the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri and slowly walked back to my apartment.
Just then, I saw an American old lady, coming out of the gate of my apartment building. I was across the street at that time, and the same lady gave me a big smile and walked away. In a few moments, my husband called me up to say that my ID card was handed over to him by an old lady, whom he had never ever seen in our street before !!!
Yes, we know very well who had come to my rescue. It was Sri Sri Himself in the form of the old lady. Sincere effort followed by effortless surrender truly did the magic.
Gurudev, I have no words to express my gratitude to you.
JGD
Bhadra Naik.
NJ, USA.
This incident happened on 13th December, 2007, when I was working with the ICICI Bank Ltd. as an Officer at the Rajkot Main Branch (Rajkot is a city in Rajasthan, India). The bank had 7 cash counters but mine was the main one so at my desk, I would receive and pay higher amounts only. On that day, in morning itself, one boy came to withdraw Rs. 50,000. That account was in the name of the company. It so happened that by mistake, I paid him Rs.5,00,000 instead of Rs. 50,000 which means that I paid Rs.4,50,000 as excess amount. After about 2-3 transactions, I realized that there was a shortage of funds and that I had paid that boy an extra amount. This was a very big mistake on my part. On getting to know that, I nervously searched his contact number. Thereafter, my seniors called him one by one. But that boy was not ready to accept that he had got an excess amount.I just started crying on my desk. This mistake could cost me my job and future career. I felt so helpless and really did not know what to do further to reverse this loss. I was cursing myself for having committed such a big mistake.
Just then, the Art of Living Finance Facilitator came to my counter to check transactions in the account of Vyakti Vikas Kendra (a registered public charitable trust founded by Sri Sri to promote social development activities). On a regular day, he goes to office first and later visits the bank but today he decided to visit the bank first. This itself was a sign from the Guru that He was keeping a watch over me. I then gave him the required details of the transaction. He asked me the reason for my tears. So I went on to sharing the cause of my sadness and told him about the unfortunate incident that had just occurred. After a few minutes, he left, but sent a lady, who was an Art Of Living Blesser, to my desk during lunch break. I was constantly crying since morning. Rs.4,50,000 was a very big amount for me. If the boy would not agree to return it, I would have to take responsibility for it and repay it in some way or the other as it was my mistake.
The lady then told me to close my eyes. At that time, I didn’t know about blessings, I didn’t understand the power of what she was doing. She very humbly blessed me and then left from there. After she left my branch, within 10 minutes, the Director of the Company came to my counter and returned the excess amount of Rs.4,50,000. Generally, he never visits the branch, his employees come to withdraw money, as was this morning. I was so relieved at that moment. Finally I had got back the money and my mistake had been reversed. I was feeling just so happy and grateful that I cannot express it in words now. A huge burden, of my own carelessness, had been wiped away. I feel, this much-needed miracle was possible only with the blessings of Sri Sri. It was the faith of the teacher who blessed me that made this happen. All my colleagues, including the Branch Manager, were shocked. It was unbelievable how that boy agreed that he had been given excess money. Usually, greed takes a front seat in money matters. The boy could have very well taken advantage of my mistake, and kept the money with himself and that would have shattered me. But in this matter, Sri Sri came to my rescue. The boy changing his mind and admitting that he had actually been given a huge sum of extra money by mistake, was a great thing in itself.
After this incident, my faith in the Power of Blessings increased multifold. Truly, it was the Master’s Grace that saved me.
Jai Gurudev
Bhavisha Lakhani
Bhavisha is an Art of Living teacher. She previously served leading roles at HDFC & ICICI bank
Jai Gurudev Dear ones,
Penning down your experience is just like a drop in this vast ocean of Divine love and grace. What we feel for our Master is so tough to express in words. His Grace is like the ocean, never ending, and if you have faith in Him, everything happening to you seems to be the work of the Divine.
I am trying to share one story out of the hundreds that I have experienced.
This miracle happened a couple of years ago, when the ‘Sudarshan Kriya’ was a mere exercise for me and ‘DSN’ was a personality development course. At that time, I did not know the real power of the course. But after the DSN, my life changed. We had been asked by our DSN teacher, Anandji, to make a small wish, which we wanted to materialize in the next 45 days. Our teacher assured us that this would happen.
I thought, ‘This is my turn to test Guruji’ and wished for a personal meeting with him in the next 45 days. My head would say it’s not possible, but my heart said it could be possible. So when Guruji was in Mumbai in January 2011, I just followed Him everywhere. But meeting Him was a distant dream. I completely forgot about the wish that I had made during my course and just continued with my normal life.
When I heard that Sri Sri was going to visit Sangli (which is very close to my hometown) for a Mahasatsang, I decided to volunteer for the event. I took leave for a few days from college and left for my place. Work was on, and all was going well. On the previous night of the Satsang, out of nowhere, I get a call from one of the AOL teachers, saying that another teacher from Mumbai needed to meet Guruji urgently and I was requested to help her with accommodation at my place till morning. It was a pleasure for me to host an AOL teacher. So I did that with great enthusiasm. Next morning, when the teacher was about to leave from my house, my dad said, “We’ll drop her and if possible meet Guruji”. I happily agreed. So we went to the house where Guruji was staying but He was not there. He had gone somewhere else. Yet we decided to wait. Finally, everyone waiting for Him left as He did not come back for a long while.
When He returned, it was only 8-10 of us waiting at the house for Him. It was such a beautiful opportunity to meet the Master, that too so closely. I met Him personally and spent time with Him. It was a wonderful experience, truly. Words cannot describe that feeling of ecstasy.
On reaching home, I thought to myself that I am so lucky and blessed to have met Gurudev so well. I then remembered the wish I had made during my course, and when I calculated, I realized that it was the 44th day. I don’t know how it materialized, but that day I realized – WHERE DOUBT ENDS, FAITH BEGINS. Never again will I test Him but I will continue to make such wishes for sure 🙂
JGD
Chhayarani Tantry
When I was 21 years old, I had a severe health issue. I used to go to a psychiatrist for this problem of mine. I would get very nervous for the smallest of things and was not able to handle even a small situation in my life. Life seemed to be hell as I was suffering from lots of negativity in my thoughts and mind. I then got addicted to drinking and smoking and my academic performance too dropped badly.
I did my first Art of Living Basic Course in June 2011. I still remember the day I learnt the Sudarshan Kriya. It was a mesmerising experience. From that day, I am so much more emotionally strong and stable. I could feel bliss and serenity from within me. I could feel joy and happiness. It was like some magic had happened on that day.
I stopped smoking and drinking and started enjoying life. I became better in studies too. Now I am about to finish my PHD in Science from a good university. After the Advance and DSN Courses, I became really strong and confident as a person. I felt good about myself and all the negative emotions within me faded away. I now regret not having done the course earlier. With Guruji’s presence, life has become nothing less than a big celebration.
Jai Gurudev
Kedar
Jai Gurudev!
My name is Hitesh Amarseda. I live in Kandivali in Mumbai. The best part about me is my birthday which falls on a leap year i.e. 29th February. I am still a kid who is just 25 years young 🙂
I did my first YES!+ Course in April 2007 and since then I have been practising the Sudarshan Kriya regularly. It has brought a tremendous change in my life. The change is not from outside, it’s from within me. I have become much more solid and firm in terms of decision making and doing something good for society.
I am a part of ILLUMINATI UV Group which comprises a bunch of creative entertainers who entertain you by doing UV (Ultra Violet Lighting) Acts. We basically do Human Animation on stage. We were a part of the famous Television show called India’s Got Talent. Our first performance was to be held on the Independence Day Special Episode and we were all really excited for it.
My friends had prepared the script and the props were also made, but later the script got rejected and we had to come up with a new one. We decided to do the famous Tom and Jerry and we wrote a script that was humorous and fun loving. I was extremely excited for it and ready to give my best shot.
Everything changed on the day of the technical rehearsals. There were lot more butterflies in my stomach and I was quite nervous to be honest. There was only one thing which had given me that platform – the Grace of the Divine through the Sudarshan Kriya which has always made me feel relaxed in a difficult situation. Before going on stage, this was my key to success – practicing the Sahaj (meditation) and doing the ego bursting technique to free myself up.
We had more than 180 props and during the first few rehearsals it was all becoming very confusing to handle so we were wondering as to what should be done to make it easier. The director then told us to cut down few props and make it look simple yet creative. We did that and went home with a confident feeling that day, looking forward to the final day.
The big day had arrived. We all knew that if we win today, it would be a turnaround point for all. From nowhere we could become a brand named “ILLUMINATI”. I then got to know that Shiamak Davar was coming as a special judge and when we had a chat with him, he said, “I have heard about you guys and you have become popular on Youtube as well. I was keen on watching your performance”.
On hearing that, the butterflies in my stomach started jumping here and there. I did my Sahaj and then the ego bursting technique and we put up a brilliant show. Everyone loved it. We knew that we had given it our best and done well. This wasn’t the only thing. For the first time in my life, WE WON. We then collected the cheque of Rs.10 lakhs which was a great achievement. In my heart, I knew where it all came from and how it had happened. It was only Grace all along.
The practice (Sudarshan Kriya) has made me very strong as a person. Now I have adopted a few colonies and I go there once in a week for Seva (service) and whenever they face any problem, they call me up and I help them with it. This is my small way of doing service to mankind. It gives me immense peace and happiness from within. The enthusiasm, energy in me, confidence to perform in front of the camera, to be relaxed and at the same time be creative, fight for justice yet be simple and grounded
Being in the glamour and entertainment industry for so long and still being untouched by drinking, smoking etc are just a few things which have been possible only through the Sudarshan Kriya.
After being in this industry for over 4 years, now I have my own start up venture which is called Brandwalaas. So far I have clients in Mumbai and Kolkata. It is all due to hard-work, faith & Guru’s grace!
Jai Gurudev!
Hitesh Amarseda
Hitesh is the founder of BrandWallas which specializes in online and offline branding.
I used to be hyper, aggressive and a go getter Capricorn. I always thought I could achieve what I wanted by being aggressive and showing that I was in control. My kids couldn’t stand my temper tantrums, especially during their exams. Someone then connected me to Art of Living’s Part 1 Course, which I went ahead and did. After the first day, my daughter said I looked calm. I finished the course and started going for Kriya regularly. A few days later I got the news of a close relative having cancer, and my daughter failed her 10th standard. Had it not been for the strength and stability that I gathered on the course, I would have been devastated and made life hell for everyone at home.
As I went for more and more Kriya’s, the answers came from within. I moved my daughter to Bangalore to an international school so that she could start afresh. I visited the Ashram, got my call for Seva and inner peace. I sent books, soaps and Ayurvedic medicines from the Ashram for my relative who was suffering from cancer. With Guruji’s grace, all the unsettled aspects of my life started settling down. I could feel peace and calmness.
I started going to labour camps, and would also cook food to take for my labourer brothers. This gave me a very enriching and fulfilling feeling. My real brothers forgot me on Raksha-bandhan (an Indian festival where the sister ties a sacred thread to her brother as a symbol of his protection) but I knew I had my Guru as my real Rakshak (one who protects). My family gave me many ups and downs but Guruji never left me. My regularity with Seva has changed me drastically.
I moved from a flat to a 5 bedroom house with a beautiful temple room, and also bought a new car. All this was possible only with the Masters grace. Guruji comes to my house every year in May through a Satsang. I know that He is always there by my side. I have the faith that He will sail me through the ups and downs of life. As long as He is with me, I have no fear.
I don’t crave for big things anymore. All I want is inner peace and happiness. At one stage I would be so upset with my family for how they treated me in the past but now I feel grateful to God that through my troubles He gave me a chance to become stronger. He gave me inner confidence and peace. Had I not faced tough situations in my life, I would never get the feeling of being victorious, smiling through all the miseries of life. This inner strength can only come with the presence of a loving and caring Guru in one’s life. The greed to make more money has vanished, the need to see happiness in others has burst like a big bubble. I don’t want big parties but rather a soulful Satsang for my celebrations.
Yes I do feel sad at times and cry to myself thinking about my past miseries but then my Art of Living friends cheer me up and my Guru takes care of me in His own subtle way. The Art of Living Foundation has given me so much happiness. No complaints.
Situations of life change. Good times and bad times come and go. But the only force that remains always is your Guru. He is always there for you, no matter what. Have this faith and see the magic that follows.
Jai Gurudev!
I was in the 9th standard when I first joined the ‘Yes’ course of the Art of Living. I felt immense positive energy and goodness all around me after doing this Course. I then started doing my Sadhna daily and really wanted to meet Guruji.
Finally one day, during my board exams, Lalit bhaiya was going to Jaipur for attending an AOL function which Guruji was also going to attend. I somehow convinced my parents and got their permission to go to for the function so that I could get a chance to meet the Master.
Once we reached there we came to know that Guruji was coming to an auditorium before the function. I really wanted to go and meet Him there. In the end, bhaiya told me to go on stage to meet Guruji. So I went and nobody stopped me. I reached right in front of Gurudev. He was looking at me as though he knew me since years. I felt such happiness and bliss in that one moment that I cannot express that ecstatic feeling in words. Just one glance of your beloved Master is enough to brighten up your life. I could feel how everything that you want from your heart automatically happens in His divine presence.
It has been six long years now to this incident. I had not been very regular with my Sadhna since the last five years as I went out to study. But Guruji was always with me every second. Last year, I got a beautiful chance to do the Basic & Yes plus courses and I have also completed 1 year of doing Sadhna. I have become very confident as a person and have experienced immense growth in every sphere of my life.
I took a drop last year and was extremely tensed as to where I would get admission for further studies. Only with His grace, I got into Sri Sri University in Cuttack which is a great institute to get into. One must look forward to getting into this institute.
I am truly happy with the way my life has shaped now. I want to give my great gratitude to Guruji for always being there with me and blessing me with so much of His love that I am able to experience this sea of happiness and bliss in my life. And also a special thanks to Lalit bhaiya for influencing me to do the AOL courses as well as Hittul bhaiya as he was my first teacher on the course.
Thank you Gurudev
Love You
Priyanka Agarwal
