Sri Sri Stories
In the year 2020, amid the pandemic, online courses became the norm, and digital divinity began to permeate everywhere. Gurudev convened a Zoom meeting involving Trustees, Swamijis, Advance Meditation program teachers, and DSN teachers. As I joined the Zoom call, I noticed a large number of devotees already present—over 1600. Gurudev initiated discussions on crucial matters, and amidst the presence of esteemed individuals, I felt insignificant. Turning off my video camera, I focused solely on absorbing His wisdom.
The following day, another Zoom meeting was scheduled for Advance Meditation and DSN teachers. With only around 600 attendees expected, I hoped that Gurudev would notice me on screen. Ensuring I looked presentable, I turned on my camera and awaited His presence.
In His omniscient manner, Gurudev unexpectedly addressed me, saying, “Leela Ramesh, I did not see you yesterday.” His words shook me to the core. Despite my belief that I didn’t matter, Gurudev’s acknowledgment reminded me of my significance. From that moment onward, I realized that each one of us holds importance in His eyes. I am always prepared and aware of my worth.
Leela Ramesh
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.
There’s a story about an Asura called Gayasur, who wished for Moksha for anyone who visited Gaya, from Lord Vishnu. This led me to book my tickets for the 7-day Advanced Meditation Program (AMP) in Bodhgaya. Amidst skepticism and resistance, I followed my inner calling.
During the second day of silence, I received the news of my Grandma’s passing. Shattered, I found solace in Swami Atmmananda ji’s words, guiding me to channel vibrations to the departed. It was Gurudev’s divine plan that brought me to a place of peace, meditation, and Moksha.
In the silence of meditation, amidst the teachings of Ashtavakra Gita, I found profound truths. “You are not the doer, It’s all happening” echoed in my soul as I immersed myself in the 7-day silence at Bodhgaya Ashram.
Gurudev’s grace has transformed every moment, blessing every life I’ve lived. Grateful for the journey from Gaya to Enlightenment, I am forever indebted to His divine guidance and love.
With every breath, I feel His presence, guiding me through life’s ups and downs. His teachings resonate in my soul, offering solace and strength in times of need. As I continue to walk the path of spirituality, I carry His love in my heart, knowing that His grace will always light the way.
Kavya Bandaru
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. During our interaction, I shared with him the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, and he listened attentively with compassion, embodying the boundless love akin to an ocean.
As I poured my heart out to him, Gurudev’s presence enveloped me in a sense of peace and reassurance. His blessings and wise counsel left an indelible mark on my soul, reminding me to take care and stay grounded in knowledge.
Reflecting on my relationship with Gurudev, I realize that it transcends mere words; it’s a connection that resonates deep within my being. Through his divine presence, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations in my life, guided by his wisdom to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles.
With Gurudev’s grace lighting my path, I am confident that I am being guided safely towards my destination. His teachings and blessings continue to shape my journey, instilling within me a profound sense of gratitude and faith.
In Gurudev’s grace, I find solace and strength, knowing that I am always held and supported on this spiritual journey of life.
Gratefully embracing Gurudev’s grace,
Narayan T V
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.
My quest for spirituality began long ago, but without a Guru in my life, I struggled to find the path to enlightenment. Everything changed when I arrived in Australia as an International Student in February 2023. I had heard about the Art of Living and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and I felt drawn to explore further.
On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, I was invited by a relative who was already involved with Art of Living to attend a Satsang program. It was my first time going alone to a new place in Sydney, but I was warmly welcomed by my brother’s friend, who later became a close companion.
The Satsang was a transformative experience for me. Surrounded by devotees, immersed in the uplifting music and chanting, I felt a sense of joy and connection that I had never experienced before. Despite the challenges of living alone in a new city, this experience brought light into my life.
As time passed, I found myself struggling with depression and questioning my decision to move to Australia. However, I remembered the joy of Satsang and began seeking ways to calm my mind. Through YouTube, I discovered guided meditations by Gurudev and embarked on a 10-day meditation challenge.
Although I longed to learn Sudarshan Kriya, I couldn’t afford the course fees due to my financial situation. But in a divine twist of fate, my friend who had picked me up from the station arranged for me to enroll in a course with an Art of Living teacher, allowing me to pay in installments.
The three-day Happiness Program was a life-changing experience. I learned the Sudarshan Kriya and embraced a new perspective on faith and life. From that moment on, I incorporated Kriya and Satsang into my daily routine, finding solace and strength in Gurudev’s teachings.
Through Guru stories and my own experiences, I came to believe that Gurudev is always with us, guiding us through life’s challenges. Whenever I feel lost or overwhelmed, I surrender to Gurudev’s wisdom and find comfort in knowing that He is by my side, guiding me every step of the way.
With each passing day, month, and event, I continue to connect the dots of Gurudev’s master plan, feeling blessed to walk this path of light and love.
Jai Gurudev!
Prajwal Pokhrel
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. “Don’t forget to buy gift wrapping paper and a ribbon,” I remind him for the umpteenth time. Patiently, he assures me, and I eagerly plan to present Him with the book “Ageless Tales” I self-published on Amazon.
The excitement is palpable, akin to a child showing off a new toy to her mother. Ramesh meticulously wraps the book, struggling to tie the satin bow perfectly. With a long list of blessings and gratitude in mind, we enter the Darshan hall, albeit late, finding only two vacant chairs at the far end.
Amidst the flurry of activity, I clutch the book close to my heart, waiting eagerly. And then, there He is—our eyes lock, and His smile radiates the brilliance of a thousand suns, exuding the serenity of a thousand moons. My heart dances, my soul sings, as I anticipate His entrance from the unexpected direction.
True to His divine play, He enters from the exit and meets us first. Ramesh shares his concerns, and I present my book. His words in Kannada, “I will read,” resonate like nectar to my ears, a language of love that transcends barriers. With blessings and rose petals, He moves on, leaving me with a sense of contentment in uncertainty.
Though I may not have shared all I intended, I am not disheartened. For in leaving something behind, there is always the promise of return. With each moment, I eagerly await the next Darshan, embracing the wonder and celebration of His divine dance.
In gratitude and anticipation,
Leela Ramesh
Jai Gurudev,
Over a decade ago, during a sojourn in Jaipur to teach Art of Living courses, an unforeseen incident unfolded, revealing Gurudev’s presence in the most unexpected form. Rushing to join fellow teachers for lunch, I stumbled on a small slope, assuming it was a minor sprain. To my shock, my left ankle was broken into two pieces, and I found myself in a state of desperate attempts to straighten it.
In this vulnerable moment, a laborer from a nearby construction site ran to my aid. With a compassionate gaze, he gently stopped me from worsening the injury. His caring expression became a beacon of reassurance, guiding me through the initial shock. Subsequently, an ambulance rushed me to the hospital, where a surgeon emphasized that the laborer’s intervention prevented a permanent limp.
Returning to Mumbai for surgery, I was graciously provided two adjacent empty seats on the flight, offering comfort for my healing leg. Every detail, from the laborer’s timely help to the surgeon’s expertise, the seamless flight back, the surgery, and subsequent recovery, unfolded flawlessly—a tapestry woven with divine intervention.
For years, I pondered whether Gurudev truly sensed my struggles during cloudy days. The incident taught me that the Divine can manifest in myriad forms at any moment. Gurudev, in the guise of that compassionate laborer, came to my rescue, orchestrating a series of events that culminated in my recovery.
When I reflect on my Guru Grace story, I realize that I am the miracle—stripped of His grace, my existence would be but a mere shadow. Gurudev’s profound presence accompanies me, moment to moment, shaping the miraculous journey of my life.
Jai Gurudev.
Nandita
Jai Gurudev,
A profound desire stirred within me—to attend the Advance Course with Gurudev on Shivratri. Simultaneously, a family dilemma lingered as my niece, also an Art of Living teacher, was about to embark on her marital journey. Struggling with conflicting emotions, I turned to Gurudev through a heartfelt email, surrendering my decisions to His wisdom.
As fate would have it, ashram registrations were closed, and financial constraints added to the complexity. Undeterred, I confided in my daughter-in-law, expressing my yearning to be at the ashram. Without hesitation, she registered my name, breaking through the financial barrier.
The journey unfolded with its own miraculous rhythm. With no reserved seat on the train, I embraced the uncertainty with a waiting ticket. To my disbelief, six berths remained unoccupied, granting me a restful night’s sleep. Upon reaching the ashram, accommodation miraculously became available just as I arrived, sparing me the need to find an alternate stay.
Transferring from one course to another was usually forbidden, but an exception materialized, preserving my financial investment. The saga reached its pinnacle when, amidst the ashram’s bustling crowd, Gurudev graced me with a darshan near the Shiv Temple. Through a video call, He bestowed blessings upon my niece’s marriage, coinciding with the mehndi ceremony.
Inexplicably, Gurudev’s grace touched every facet of this journey, washing away dilemmas and leaving an indelible mark on my soul. His boundless compassion and divine orchestration underscored the essence of this transformative episode. May His blessings continue to shower upon us all.
Jai Gurudev.
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. It was a day like any other, marked for a cooking competition on the rooftop of a renowned Nairobi mall where I, along with my sister, found ourselves.
We arrived later than the stipulated reporting time, a decision that held a twist of fate. I had initially contemplated going later with my cousin and another sister, but an inexplicable gut feeling urged me to go immediately. Little did we know, this decision would spare us from the impending horror.
As we approached the mall, I needed to return a shirt, a seemingly inconsequential task that became strangely postponed. A few minutes later, chaos erupted. Gunshots pierced the air, and a sea of people surged out of the mall. What we assumed to be a robbery escalated into something far more sinister, compelling us to run for our lives from the top of the building.
In the midst of the pandemonium, I called my cousin, sister, and a friend, warning them not to come. It was an act of providence; they were on the brink of entering the danger zone. Huddled in a corner, with gas cookers left unattended, we sought refuge amidst the terror unfolding around us.
The minutes felt like an eternity as gunshots and explosions intensified. Deep in the chaos, my mind clung to one mantra: ‘JAI GURU DEV.’ Despite the screams and cries, the thought of Gurudev brought an inexplicable strength and faith. I made a difficult call to my father, uncertain of our fate, urging him to pray for us.
As we learned of the terrorist attack, fear escalated. The assailants reached the rooftop, firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades. In the midst of the horror, a grenade lay unexploded nearby, and a terrorist, armed with an imposing gun, spared us. The ordeal unfolded, and in the chaos, I lost sight of my mother, sister, and her friend.
For two harrowing hours, we remained in a cramped position, uncertain of our safety. A mysterious figure eventually guided us to an exit. Running through the mall, we encountered a man with a gun, causing a moment of hesitation. Assured of our safety, we continued, stiff-legged from the prolonged confinement.
Guiding my struggling mother, we made our way out of the mall, unscathed. In retrospect, that day was nothing short of a miracle. Many lost their lives, yet here I am, recounting the experience. Gurudev’s divine influence subtly shaped our decisions, ensuring our safety.
Looking back, the day taught me profound lessons—life’s fragility, the importance of living in the present, and the imperative need to spread love and happiness. Jai Guru Dev.
Nikasha
In February 1997, I found myself entering a hall for a program that would alter the course of our lives. Next to the instructor’s chair was a portrait of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living. A face that had subtly beckoned me over a year ago had resurfaced, weaving its way into my life.
The backdrop to this moment was the challenging recovery of my husband, who had suffered a paralytic stroke and falciparum malaria eight months prior. The toll on both of us was immense. Pushed into the Art of Living program by my concerned parents, little did we know that it held the promise of a profound transformation.
As the program unfolded, the Sudarshan Kriya, a transformative Art of Living technique, marked a turning point. During the second part of the Kriya, a torrent of emotions overwhelmed me — tears of frustration turned into a rush of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. The experience was surreal.
On the fourth day, during the sharing of experiences, my husband, who had struggled with a severe stammer and physical weakness, stood up. To my disbelief, he spoke in complete sentences with only a slight stammer, a stark contrast to his condition just days ago. His transformation left me in awe, tears streaming down my face.
Since that pivotal day almost a quarter of a century ago, Gurudev’s grace has been a guiding force. Countless instances, both big and small, have showcased his presence in our lives. In a state of total surrender, we continue to feel the flow of his transformative grace, grateful for the healing touch that altered the trajectory of our journey.
In Devotion to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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. These Guru Stories are ongoing tales of His divine orchestration, each one filling my heart with immense gratitude.
One such story unfolded after our wonderful trip to Kashmir. We were scheduled to take our flight back to Delhi from Jammu, the nearest airport, at 8 am on June 10th. However, the universe had a different plan for us. The night of June 9th, while staying at our cousin’s place, we decided to check our mailbox, a decision that would soon prove to be a blessing. It was then that we realized our flight had been rescheduled to 12 noon on June 10th, a change our travel agent had communicated to us three days earlier.
The next morning, we were determined to reach the airport on time, yet the cosmos seemed to conspire against us. Our cousin had her own farewell traditions that added an extra 15 minutes to our departure. Every ticking second amplified our anxiety, as past airport experiences had been marred by missed flights and last-minute cancellations.
Efforts to expedite our exit from our cousin’s home proved futile, and the vehicle meant to transport us to the airport had arrived. A Maruti van with a somewhat bewildered driver was our chosen mode of transportation. Despite our pleas for speed, the driver maintained his leisurely pace. Unfortunately, our attempt to check in online was met with a harsh reality—the check-in process closes two hours before the flight’s departure. When we reached out to the airline staff by phone for assistance, our efforts bore no fruit.
Upon arriving at Jammu airport, we learned that we’d have to navigate additional security checks, a process that inevitably consumes precious time. The news, rather than stressing us out, made us burst into laughter, embracing the auspicious turn of events. This humor was the turning point, causing us to shift our perspective from frustration to acceptance.
Our journey took an unexpected twist when, at the first security checkpoint, the police allowed us entry via the VIP road, bypassing further security checks. This unexpected blessing enabled us to make a beeline for the airport. The only hindrance was the driver’s unfamiliarity with the correct entrance gate.
As we arrived at the airport, time was running out. It was 11:15 am, a mere 45 minutes before the flight’s departure. A meticulous strategy formed in our minds: I would sprint to the check-in counter with our tickets, while Vivek handled our luggage. Once inside, a fellow offered to assist with our bags and guided us to the check-in counter to secure our boarding passes.
We reached the Air India counter at 11:35 am, just 20 minutes after the check-in had officially closed. We barely held our breath, well aware of the unlikely prospect of boarding the flight. Silently, the executive behind the counter accepted our tickets and issued the boarding passes. It was then that he said, “The flight has been delayed by 1.5 hours.” Grinning from ear to ear, we asked, “What if it hadn’t been delayed?” The response came with a knowing smile: “I would have directed you to the tickets and reservations counter for the next available flight.”
In that moment, we grasped the divine orchestration at play. The chaotic situation, where fun and chaos were in perfect harmony, had gracefully transformed into a moment of gratitude.
~ Suvidha Malhotra
