Sri Sri Stories
Certain things in life happen unknowingly and without any explicit effort. Knowing about Gurudev for the first time was one such incident for me. Way back in 2006 I travelled to Bangalore on office work and happened to browse TV channels to pass time on a Sunday. On one of the channels, I spotted a program where a huge gathering of people was singing beautiful Bhajans in chorus while seated on a very large ground in an orderly manner. This scene connected with me and I continued to watch till the end. I realized that this is a live telecast of the celebration of the 50th Birthday of a saintly person where best wishes were pouring from across countries/religions. And I think that was the day when first time Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji took me under his grace even though I was just a curious onlooker through the TV at that time. Within 2 years of this, my movement to Bangalore happened from up North, and as the first thing, I visited AOL Ashram and had Darshan in one of his Satsang Sessions. Since then my heart and mind remain connected with His teachings and my soul has faith in the spiritual energy that drives Him to do wonders in people’s lives. Guruji has a very practical viewpoint on how to be spiritual within worldly affairs without renouncing any aspect of it. Rather he guides our agitated minds to cope with the challenges of daily life with a spiritual outlook and strive for a higher purpose in life. With knowledge as deep as the ocean, a heart as vast as the sky, and wisdom firmly rooted in the ground he coaches us to nurture individuals & society to remain happy and content irrespective of situations around. It amazes me to see that his mediation techniques specially Sudarshan Kriya +ve an impact on people across the globe. I feel so grateful to receive His blessings just by surrendering to Him/almighty with a pure heart. I quote Kabir’s Doha to express my feelings: “ Guru Govind Dau Khade, Kake Lagoon Panaya, Balihari Guru Apno, Govind Dio Bataya .” It means that if God and Guru both come at the same time then also I would first touch the feet of my Guru cause he has brought me near to God. We luv youuuuu oooo Gurruuujjjjiiii. Regards Shobhna Agarwal
From the time we were married, my husband and I dreamt of building a beautiful, old fashioned house we call Thotti Mane’ (Courtyard House) in Kannada. Thotti mane has a square hollow space in the centre, with pillars on all four sides. Dreaming big uplifted our spirit and we also believed it would be possible someday!
Eventually we did build a 36 square bunglow and rented it out as we lived outside India.
Time Share concept was trending in 90s. We took membership of Sterling Holidays Time share and went to Goa in 1996. We were put up in a studio apartment that was very convenient to manage. It was the first revelation to me that a couple did not need a big house to live in. Our only daughter had moved to the US with no intention of returning to India. I realized that the house was more of a liability than an asset that robbed our peace of mind due to various reasons. A seed was sown by the divine, ‘Let go’. We were not in the Art of Living yet, but in retrospect I can see how Gurudev was preparing me for a bigger vision.
In late 90s we came under the fold of Gurudev and one time I had planned to ask Him whether we should keep the house or sell. I was sitting in close audience with Him in a group and instead of asking my question I exclaimed ‘ Guruji, our Vishalakshi Mantap is more beautiful than Taj Mahal!’ referring to the newly built meditation hall that is an architectural wonder! He looked at me and said with the enthusiasm of a child ‘ And, you are even more beautiful than Taj Mahal!’. I forgot everything else and remained silent revelling in His childlike presence!
My husband and I concurred on selling the house. Buyers were queueing up. We realized we had not registered the house nor did we possess a Katha (a necessary document) without which one cannot sell any property.
I happened to be in India for a short holiday. I decided to get this done.
The morning I had to go to the Registrar Office, I was sitting on an old wooden chair in my mother’s house remembering my father who had got two of these identical chairs made. A sofa cum bed, two wooden chairs, and a centre table to keep his favourite newspaper, ‘The Indian Express’- that was all the furniture we had. Simple, contented life. As I was reminiscing, something happened that shook me to the core! There was a tremor and the coffee cup in my hand spilled lot of coffee on my dress. It was an earthquake! Mild, but an earthquake. At that very moment a mountain of dispassion dawned on me. Nature can wipe off in a moment what we have struggled a lifetime to build!
We sold the house and regained our peace of mind and freedom.
Upon returning to Bangalore for good, our hometown, we purchased an apartment closer to our Ashram, The Art of Living International Centre. Never been happier!
Soon after a baby is born, it learns to grab whatever comes in its grip. It takes an enlightened Master to teach us the art of ‘letting go’ because ‘letting go is nectar’ .
I marvel at the subtle way He prepared us to let go of the ‘Dream house’ we had built, even before He had made His grand entry in my humble life. I marvel at the way He never allowed me to ask Him, sell or not sell? I marvel at the way He made us realize for ourselves what is best for us by creating situations to help the process of letting go.
Today, we have a home wherever in the world we go that says warmly ‘ Welcome Home’.
Leela Ramesh
I was part of the core-seva group that organized the Kathopnishad in Los Angeles in April 2010. At the same time, my mother was fighting blood cancer in India. When I briefly met Gurudev at the LA center, I informed him about my mother’s condition and asked him to take care of her. Gurudev showed me the Abhay mudra, and I felt relieved.
However, my mother’s condition continued to deteriorate, and I had to return to India within a month. She eventually passed away on May 15, and I was devastated that Gurudev had not kept his promise to take care of her.
But then, on the day I performed my mother’s last rites, Gurudev visited me in a dream. In the dream, my mother was standing behind him, and Gurudev was smiling while showing me the same Abhay mudra he had shown me before. My mother was wearing the same silver bracelet that Gurudev had gifted to each volunteer during the Kathopnishad, which I had tied on her arm for safety.
I realized that my mother was now in the presence of a realized master in another realm and was experiencing the ultimate joy. I thanked Gurudev for taking care of my mother and for enlightening me with this dream.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an advanced course with Gurudev in Washington DC. While sightseeing before the course, I felt drawn to a Kashmiri shop at the Union Station. There, I saw a beautiful shawl and immediately thought of gifting it to Gurudev.
When Gurudev arrived at the AOL HQ, I presented him with the shawl, which he took gently. The following day, during the course, I noticed Gurudev wearing what I believed to be the same shawl. However, I wasn’t completely certain. As Gurudev was leaving the hall at the end of the day, I prayed earnestly, asking him to let me know if it was the same shawl. To my surprise, Gurudev turned around, walked directly toward me, and confirmed that it was indeed the same shawl I had gifted him the day before. This experience was a beautiful reminder of Gurudev’s care for all of us. While there are countless stories to tell about Gurudev’s love and compassion, this one will always hold a special place in my heart.
As an ardent devotee of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji, I find it almost impossible to express the inexpressible. But today, on the occasion of Guru Purnima, I feel compelled to sing the glory of the Guru Principle and the immeasurable love and compassion of my beloved Gurudev. From a very young age, I have felt the presence of an unseen, loving hand guiding me through life’s most difficult times. Even amid the impossible, I have witnessed miraculous outcomes that I know could only have come through the grace and force of God. I learned early on that with purity in heart and God’s grace, harm cannot come to us. But when I lost my younger brother in 1998, I found it hard to reconcile with life’s unfairness. I slipped into depression and began questioning God’s ways. Then, two months later, I was introduced to the Art of Living Basic Course (now called the Happiness Program) by a friend and my husband. Little did I know that behind the course was a spiritual Master from my hometown, speaking my mother tongue, Kannada. The course contents impressed my intellect, but the real transformation came during the Eye Gazing process, where tears flowed from my eyes, and I felt my brother’s presence in every pair of eyes I gazed into. I realized that we are all connected and that consciousness is one. The cleansing and recovery from grief process started from there on. I practiced Sudarshan Kriya every morning, it would bring all my pent-up emotions to surface and I would shed copious tears remembering my brother. ‘why did you have to leave so early? Life is so beautiful’. ‘Anyway, don’t worry about anything. Everything will be taken care of. You rest in peace’. One early morning he appeared in a lucid dream looking so healthy in a pure white kurta pajama which he never wore when he was in the body. I was standing on the ground looking up at him standing on a balcony high above. There was a kind of detachment in his demeaner, quite in contrast to my eagerness to connect. He had truly crossed over! In another dream, I saw myself mothering him as he laid his head on my knees and there was a close connection. He told me lovingly ‘If you keep grieving for me like this, constantly, how can I rest in peace? :. I got the message. I was disturbing him. That was the last time I cried for him after doing Kriya. I knew he was in a much happier space. Since then, my husband and I have made seva (selfless service) our priority in life. The journey was not easy, but Gurudev never promised comfort at all times. Instead, He says that comfort brings boredom, and discomfort helps us appreciate joy in totality. I feel secure in the knowledge that I will be given what is needed at the right time. I have learned to value love above everything else, seeing Gurudev shower unconditional love, and I feel uniquely loved by Him, more than even my parents have ever loved me. I have not become rich, famous, or powerful, but I am gradually losing my limited identity. Spirituality is a game of losing. Here one who loses all is a winner. I do not have the feverishness to be near Gurudev as I feel His presence all the time, but I cherish taking His Darshan when my longing becomes intense. In closing, I want to share what Gurudev has said in His Promise poem, where He reminds us that desires, whether fulfilled or unfulfilled, bring frustration, and that we should always strive for something higher. Jai Guru Dev! Leela Ramesh
I signed up for part 2 after my friend encouraged me to do so. Additionally, with Gurudev visiting Houston, I was curious to find out who this person was that had such a significant influence on people’s lives.
The Part 2 program in Houston in October 2008 was nothing short of amazing. Gurudev came in three times, gave discourses, conducted meditation, and even led Sports Yoga! I was in silence, standing by, when he was walking out after the discourse. I wanted to see him up close and take a detailed look at him. As he passed by, he looked at me and asked, “What is your name?” I couldn’t explain what went through my mind. It was a great
experience, and I was totally transfixed, but I thoroughly enjoyed his presence and blurted out my full name, forgetting that I was supposed to be in silence. That moment, that question from him, made so many changes in me. I was taken aback by his knowledge and his spontaneous responses to questions. I look forward to having more interactions with him. Jai Gurudev
Dearest Gurudev, I take this golden opportunity to express my gratitude to you on Gurupurnima! Gurudev, you came into my life when I needed you the most. I can never forget my first meeting with you, which was indeed a wonderful surprise. Even today, when I think about it, I still wonder whether it was a beautiful dream because I just can’t believe those precious moments when I got to interact with you and how you blessed me and gifted me whatever I wished!
Gurudev, you have blessed me with two beautiful angels, and I know you will always be with me and continue showering your grace on me and my family always! Thank you so much Gurudev for everything!!! Feeling truly blessed! I would just like to tell each one of you who has joined the AOL family to continue doing the kriya and meditation with utmost faith and surrender to the divine Gurudev. He is always there to protect and guide us. Jai Gurudev!
I used to be an atheist and firmly believed that science alone created the world without the intervention of any god or guru. However, in April 1992, when my friends and I went to a nearby temple, I stumbled upon a discourse by Sri Sri, without knowing who he was. I saw the bearded man on the stage distributing prasadam and everyone was happy. I too was drawn into the positive energy and decided to take his blessings before leaving.
Years later, I found myself in the ashram doing the Part 1 course, followed by Part 2, DSN, and Sahaj. I couldn’t believe that Gurudev had transformed me from an atheist to a priest. I am still awed by the power that he exudes with just a glance. How did it all happen? Who knows? But I am grateful to have such a wonderful master, and it’s his grace that keeps me going. I love my master because he pulled me towards him when I knew nothing about him.
(Jai Gurudev, Ravi)
Walking up the interlocked concrete roads, uphill, from the parking lot and past the divine stores, I am out of breath when I finally reach this sacred place. Grateful for a spot to sit and close my eyes, I take a moment to catch my breath as the cool breeze offers comfort to my wet back and shoulders.
It has been quite a while since I last made eye contact with Gurudev, and I wait patiently, sometimes meditating with my eyes closed before opening them in anticipation of his arrival.
And finally, Gurudev arrives, holding a lotus in his right hand and dressed in full white, his hair waving rhythmically in the breeze. I kneel and wait for him to approach. As he draws nearer, I look up to him and he acknowledges me with raised eyebrows, which then turn into a smile. He pats my head with the lotus and moves on, the white angavastram caressing my face.
On another day, after playing cricket with my new bat that cost only Rs. 3, I take my bat proudly and head home. Running on the rough hard soil of the pitch, sweating all over, a few runs scored, and then it’s my turn to bowl and field. As the sun begins to set on the western horizon, I know it’s time to go home. Once home, I wash my face and legs randomly, and as I enter the kitchen, my mother scans me and takes the end of her saree to wipe the sweat and water from my face. Even though I resist, the touch of her cotton saree across my face gives me comfort and reminds me of her unconditional love for me.
As Gurudev walks away, the white sheet of cloth reminds me of my mother’s love, and then he turns back and smiles at me, confirming and acknowledging that he too loves and cares for me in the same way.
Overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness, tears roll down my eyes as I realize that Gurudev will always be there for me, and will love me regardless of my mistakes. I bow down my head, close my eyes and sit silently until the emotions pass.
(By Ramesh Jalihal, Bangalore.)
Once in June 2014, as I walked from my room to the amphitheater for the evening Satang at the Art of Living Bangalore ashram, I stopped on the way as I noticed Gurudev’s car parked outside a hall which was under construction. Two people were waiting for him outside. I peeped in to take a look, there he was, small in height as compared to the tall men he was surrounded with, but towering above them all in demeanor. After a rather unhappy and emotionally turbulent day, I did not feel like going for Satsang. I just wanted to hide in my room and not bother anyone with the sadness and pain that I felt. But here I was, waiting for my Gurudev outside that hall. He was giving instructions for further construction of the hall. As he came out, a smile automatically came to my face and with folded hands, I just stood there looking at him. Once he was done with the inspection, he suddenly looked in my direction and gave a sweet smile and waved at me. I couldn’t utter a word. I continued to smile and stare at him. Then I thought he would just sit in his car and go for Satsang, as he usually does. He never ever walks down from that place to the amphitheater, due to the massive crowds that line up to greet him. But that day he decided to walk! “Ready for the chaos?” said my Master, turning around and laughing lovingly at us.
He’s never been afraid for himself, for his own security. He just walks on with confidence! By that time, I was grinning and I was walking right behind him, following his footsteps to wherever he walked. There were only seven of us, so this could happen easily. After a point, I realized that I had come to walk right next to him. He was saying something to someone, but I never heard the words. I just looked at him silently. I felt that words were not needed at that moment. I was overwhelmed that Gurudev and I were walking together. He was walking down to the amphitheater silently, when some devotees turned around and finally took notice of his presence. “Oye!” one devotee exclaimed. Many others turned around to see, equally surprised at seeing Gurudev walking down towards them. All of us walking with Gurudev burst out laughing at that devotee’s exclamation. Gurudev too, laughed along and gave the widest and most innocent grin. My gaze was fixed on him and I helped set aside the huge crowd that clamored around him. Being rather tiny and petite, I was lost amidst the crowd as Gurudev walked on. I didn’t struggle to go forward and meddle in the crowd. I was content. My heart was so full of love, as I watched Gurudev walk to his seat, smiling as ever. I can’t recall what bhajan played that moment to greet him for Satsang, but I can recall how good it made me feel. Then it struck me – HE KNOWS EVERYTHING! He knew that I would have pined in my loneliness, so he came to my rescue! The Divine worked in such mysterious ways. This was so much more than just a few beautiful moments spent with my Lord, it was a beautiful realization. His love was an instant healing balm on my self-inflicted wounds. As I sat down with the realization that I was being taken care of at all times, I felt tears of gratitude trickle down my face.
This was Gurudev’s way of showing his love for me. When I had no expectations, he had given me the sweetest surprise. I felt so lucky to have him in my life and valued it beyond comprehension – Aashna
