ON TOUR WITH SRI SRI NOV to FEB'09

Date	Location	Events
Nov 5	Miami FL, United States of America	Practical Wisdom Seminar Contact: somya.ramrakhyani@artofliving.org
Nov 13-15	European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium	International Business & Leadership Symposium
Nov 16-17	Nikosia, Cyprus	The Civilization of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue
Nov 20-22	Delhi, India	Brahm Naad Performance
Nov 24-29	Bali, Indonesia	Advanced Meditation Course
Nov 25-27	Bali, Indonesia	Health and Happiness Workshop
Dec 1-7	Arunachal Pradesh, India	Health and Happiness Workshop, Mahasatsang
Dec 8-15	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	International Advanced Course
Dec 12-14	Bangalore Palace Grounds, India	Health and Happiness Workshop
Dec 16	Trichy, India	Evening Satsang: Music and Meditation programme
Dec 17	Arakonam, India	Satsang at 2:30pm: Music and Meditation programme
Dec 17	Chennai, India	Evening Satsang: Music and Meditation programme
Dec 19	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India
Dec 20	Jordan
Dec 21-23	Iraq
Dec 24 - Jan 5	Art of Living Centre, Bad Antogast, Germany
Dec 25	Art of Living Centre, Bad Antogast, Germany	Christmas Celebrations
Dec 31	Art of Living Centre, Bad Antogast, Germany	New Year Celebrations
Jan 8-13	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	International Advanced Course
Jan 9	Pune, India	World Ayurvedic Conference
Jan 10-16	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India
Jan 17-21	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	Advanced Course for Karnataka
Jan 18-23	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	International Advanced Course
Jan 28 - Feb 2	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	International Advanced Course
Feb 6-8	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	3rd International Women's Conference
Feb 11-16	Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, India	International Advanced Course
Feb 14	Kolkatta, India	Mahasatsang: Music and Meditation programme
Feb 23	Kollam, Kerala, India	Shivratri Celebrations
Feb 24-26	Kollam, Kerala, India	Health and Happiness Workshop

---

  "Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
 

---

P  Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Guruji Blesses Bahrain/Brahmanaad translation

Guruji Blesses Bahrain!!

Dear all,
JaiGuruDev!

Bahrain was blissed out with Guruji's overflowing blessings!!
November 18th 2008 will be an unforgettable day for  AOL, Bahrain !!

None of us had the least  inkling of what was to unfurl on the 18th of Nov
2008...
In the afternoon (Nov 18th), our chapter co-ordinator was   informed of
 Him transitting  Bahrain on the way to Delhi from Cyprus...His flight would
land at 6-30pm and His return flight at 11pm was  all that was known .. also that He
expressed the wish to 'come out' of the airport!!

What went on for the next couple of hours was true sanghachatwam
...telephone lines ringing some with both the ears busy answering mobiles
and landlines..the Indian Embassy was approached, doors were knocked
..influential people approached.. to organise His visit pass/visa, the Hotel
where He could stay and meet all His eager devotees. SMS after
Sms...updating ...several ladies were onto cooking their special dishes for
Him.. several minds working ..with One cause..to get Guruji to where He was
most wanted..devotees hearts!!!

And that's exactly what happened ..Inspite of speculation till the last
moment..nothing could stop Him..He just made things happen...the hall was
booked at a Five star hotel..Crowne Plaza.. thanks to the manager at Crowne
Plaza and  thanks to the Indian Embassy  and our dear Ambassador ..His visit
pass was arranged... .and others sent off SMS es to all the devotees. about
the surprise visit .... most of whom  gathered to be with the Master who
transformed them . Soon after He landed He was driven to the Crowne Plaza
by the Ambassador ,where devotees longing to meet Him had gathered..

After freshning up..He met with top representatives from the press/Radio
....and  later eating a little of what each and every 'motherly' lady had
cooked,  He went onto be with His dear devotees..
Meeting every single one of the multi national & multi religious group of
devotees ..walking through the packed hall..His never fading
smile..oblivious of the previous hectic itinerary..Capturin g every ones
hearts and minds...
'Chitta Chor!'
..He then got all the little ones. onto the dias   and played along with
them in His lovable child-like way..looking at one and throwing the
chocolates on the opposite side  ! He said we should all be like  a
child.....He was literally surrounded by kids of all ages ..on all sides..He
then answered some questions...

Will I ever find peace ..?
SriSri: Are you not peaceful Now!

When I get up in the morning should I consider it as my first day/last day
on this Earth?
SriSri:With a twinkle, He said '''the choice is yours!!'

How do I find peace?
SriSri: (Giving the analogy of driving a car.).He said  while driving we
look in the rear view, side mirrors and in the front and do this almost
simultaneously. . But our leg is always on the accelerator. .and finally when the fuel in the
car is over ..it stops.. Our life /mind are as if on the accelerator throughout.. we don't stop even though we pass home/shops.. Learning to apply brakes is the skill..and that is meditation.. to be able to go deep within..into silence..that is peace!!

When will I be enlightened? Will I be after 10 days of silence?
Sri Sri;You do not need 10 days..you can be enlightened even after 2 days !!

Time and again He mentioned that while He was supposed to go to Muscat ..in
the near future  ..He found Himself in Bahrain..'He said " I wanted to give
you a surprise..but you have surprised me!!  In such a short span of a few
hours..you could arrange all this and get so many people together!!'
He makes us feel as if we have done it all..but all of us know who is behind
all this...afterall its His grace .love and blessings..we are just one of
those gopas putting up our little staff..!!!

This is when He said ..all one has to do is take a sankalpa..a wish ..an
intention ..and let  it  off into the universe...things will manifest...
''Courier all your worries and botherations to me and be peaceful'

He then went onto lead a guided meditation ..with all the kids trooping out
with a couple of 'kid sitters'..what was 25 minutes seemed like only 5
minutes to some of the teenagers who were fortunate to be a part of this
momentous occasion..
Sweet melody followed..with singing of a few bhajans..culminatin g with
'Allah Hu..Allah Hu..
We wished time would freeze..as we did not want Guruji to go...unanimously
all of us wished Him to stay longer...nay forever!!!.. this is possible in
the frame of timelessness. .but getting back to ground reality..it was time
for Him to leave...to be able to catch His next flight..(someone rightly
said that He lives on planes!!!)

In all this excitement.. He made sure Fred, the sweet German ashramite
/videographer  who accompanied Him ,was looked after, fed  and cared
for..only shows how  He cares/is centred/and is love personified. ...a big
WOW!!
Continuing to bless and hug people on the way..He finally got into the  car
waiting outside to be driven a little into the city before finally getting
to the airport..

It was like a dream come true...nay most are us are really marvelling at how
things took shape..and are totally zapped ..in wonder and amazement! He left
us all feeling deeply satisfied,  hearts  full & brimming , blissed out
totally.
In retrospect.. several devotees had premonitions of His visit..some had
dreams, some had intentions, some just prayed..Gratitude flows to our dear
Guruji for making this happen, & all the members of AOL, Bahrain for just
being there as a family..

Well all that can be said is that the 'Ways of the Divine are mysterious'
and like Guruji says ..'You never know when what will happen..keep your
houses clean..I may visit them anytime..!!! '

So, dear ones..'Just make a wish ..and leave it into the Universe..!! '

Love,
Bhramara.

 

Guruji's talk on Brahmanaad- November 21, 2008. -A translation.


Guruji's talk
on Brahmnaad 2008- 21st Nov 2008.- A translation

Both, Music and spirituality bring harmony in life.
Meditation brings silence within and brings music from the soul. Whereas, good
music brings calmness to the mind, and gives rest and strength to the body.

It has always been my liking to make the impossible, possible. Whenever I said, that many Sitars will be played simultaneously, people always told me, that is impossible...it can never happen. I said, "The power of Yog makes possible what seems impossible."

When so many sitars play at the same time, it is not
just Sound ( Naad ), it is Divinity - Brahmanaad.

We are a nation of a billion
people. We should be able to find 1000 sitar
players from within Delhi .
But this did not happen. We had to search for them from all over India and bring
them together. This shows that we have ignored our music and culture. We are
not giving as much importance and priority as it deserves.

So, through this programme, we get this message, that we should encourage our children to learn Indian classical music. We will make our culture glow brighter. We want to keep our classical music alive. Today, we can see here, people of all age are present, from a 6 year old child to a 77 year old scholar.

There is a saying - kavya shastra vinodak alok gacchate dhimata

It is a sign of intelligent person that he devotes his time to music, art, scriptures,
poetry, wit and meditation.

And, a foolish person wastes his time in addictions, quarrels, botheration and all kinds of frivolous conversation and gossip. They stay busy creating trouble for themselves and others. It is a necessity in this country, that people become intelligent and start spending their time in art and culture.

So I would like youth here...more and more youth to learn the classical music. It´s a unique gift to the world. Our classical music is unique in itself, it uplifts the spirit...

So, this brahmanaad is a call to all  the people of India .

First, it is " annam brahma"- Food is god. Our anscectors have said. Grow food. There is no need to go and search for God anywhere else...´anne brahme tejana´ See God in food. Feed the hungry. In our scriptures, much is said about this.

Next is `prana-brahma´ - Life-energy is god. Worship life. Do sadhana, pranayam, meditation. Make your life glow from within by doing regular sadhana.

Then there is `naad-brahma´ - the divine sound. Blend with the melody...get
immersed with the rhythm. It is  a kind of meditation. Through music, you will transcend to a `samadhi´ - a higher level of being.

Then, science is God, Knowledge is god. Then, there is a realization, Joy is god.

In this way, the idea of the progress of life, the goal of life, the evolution of life is conceptualized.

Today we are at a moment in history, when if we save our culture, we revive our ancient arts, then they will flourish.

So, I am grateful to all these musicians here. These days, lesser number of people prefer to listen to classical music. Still, these musicians are taking immense interest in music by
learning it, and they are inspiring others to take interest in it. For sure, their effort will be fruitful. And, we always have our music maestros, like ShivKumar ji...their blessings will always be there for all the musicians.

So, if you want to save Indian culture, save our music...save our traditions, lifestyle and food habits.

Our relations, interactions with all, is traditionally sweet, favourable. India is the only country in the world which has never attacked any other country. Such is our culture of truth
and non-violence. Through Music, yog, by practicing pranayam and meditation, we
will put our culture on a even higher pedestal.

We will soothe all the souls who are in need. People in Bihar are suffering.
But they are serving as an example to the whole world. These days there is a
big financial crisis. All around, people are depressed. Their enthusiasm has
died out. They are scared. In these times, the people of Bihar have  a message for all, look at us. We have lost everything in floods. But still, we are alive. We are in a worse
situation than you all. But God is within us.

God will surely help these people. They are so many of them. They will surely come together and find a solution.

We believe that the whole world is one family...Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.. This is the culture we are born in. Can we not help those in need? We can definitely help each other. That much humanity is still alive... we will all help eath other.

Spread this word all around from here. Whosoever is sad, for any reason, or is filled with remorse and aversion, we have a message for all. You are not alone. We are with you. Come to this path. This is a path laid by ancient seers. Of Nonviolence and truth. Walk on this path and the see how life is filled with light. A new Light, new enthusiasm is born...hmmm....

Sitting here now, I just had a thought...I wrote something on what is Naada Brahma? There is a song about Brahma...shall we sing? Then we will sit for a meditation.

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma.... .

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Shabdh Brahma....Nishabd Brahma...

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Shabdh Brahma....Nishabd Brahma...

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Jiva Brahma....Jagatpi Brahma....

Drishta ....Darshan. ...Drishyam Brama....

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Saguna...nirguna. ..sarvam Brahma...

Saaram Brahma....samadhi Brahmam...

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahmam....

Shabdh Brahma....Ne- shabdh Brahma

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Akshar Brahama....Shashvat i Brahma....

Gyaan, Vigyaan Pragyaan Brahma...

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Adi Brahma...Anaadi Brahma...Anan Brahma...Aneyam Brahma

Praram Brahma...Paratpar Brahma....Gyaan Brahma....Pragyaan Brahma...

Adi Brahma...Anaadi Brahma... Adi Brahma...Anaadi Brahma...

Anan Brahma...Aneyam Brahma

Param Brahma...Paratpar Brahma....

Gyaan Brahma....Pragyaan Brahma...

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Shabdh Brahma....Nishabd Brahma...

Naad Brahma....Ninaad Brahma....

Jai Gurudev

- Anjana Bhagole
 a.bhagole@gmail.com
 +31-641851810



The sign of life is enthusiasm. The sign of success is smile and joy
You are a fountain of joy at the center of your being.
Joy is the realization that there is no vacation from wisdom.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Founder of the "Art of Living Foundation"
www.aofl.nl| www.artofliving.org | www.iahv.org

P  Please consider the environment before printing this email.

(The art of self-discovery. ...!!!!  Read from today onwards..... .:)
 
Reaching God

Life is incomplete without union with God. It's quite natural that a matured mind and blossomed heart strives for this union. From ages philosophies were born, debates happened, music, art and literature have sprung up from this need. Religions, philosophies, practices, customs and austerities have all pointed to one thing — union with the Divine.

The common man wakes up to the pain and suffering in his life and wants to be free from it. And he looks for the super power of creation to free him from the clutches of the world. The more he looks at the misery and shortcomings in his life, the farther away he feels from the Divinity, which is his very nature. And his heart yearns for some sort of communication from the other side.
 
For time immemorial man has been striving to lessen this gap between himself and God. There are two ways to do this:
 
** : one is to elevate mankind towards Divinity — this is called Siddha, one who has attained perfection and the
 
** : second is to bring God to human level — Avatar, one who is not striving for perfection. Divinity has manifested itself for the sake of mankind.
 
Man rising up to God is Siddha; God coming down, because he cares for you, is Avatar. To communicate directly with devotees, God comes in the form of Avatar.

Avatar is the humaneness where you can get a glimpse of Divinity. In the Puranas, all the devas are depicted with human emotions and tendencies. They do normal things — get upset, angry, are in love, etc. Rama and Krishna went through all the experiences of the human mind just to make you understand that God is not too far away from you, but one among you.
 
Don't look for the supernatural in Avatar — then the whole purpose of coming close to humans is defeated. The expression of God's love for you on the most understandable human level is Avatar.

This concept of Avatar is prevalent in the east — India, China, Japan, Korea, Nepal etc. In these eastern countries, the monarch is revered as Avatar.
Nripo Narayano Hari — the king is regarded as Avatar of Vishnu;
Vaidhyo Narayano Hari — the doctor is regarded as Avatar of Vishnu.
 
In the west, the concept is that of messenger, but in the east this concept does not exist as the intimacy between you and God is so much, God, himself, comes down. Like a mother would personally go to her child, God's love for man is so much, he would prefer to go Himself. The east looks from the value of the heart whereas the intellect has the perspective of messenger.

The concept of messenger was painful to bhaktas and Sufis — they are more comfortable with Avatar. For an intimate relationship, God comes directly. Your love for God becomes authentic when you are assured of his love for you. In Gita, it is Krishna who first tells Arjuna, 'You are dear to me', which enabled Arjuna to surrender.

Wherever you feel immense respect, wherever you get a glimpse of Divinity, know it is Avatar. Avatar lies in those who recognise — and the entire creation becomes alive as Divinity. This is the stage before the awareness of "I Am".

The entire phenomenon of creation is the descent of consciousness in various names and forms. And the whole purpose of Avatar is to make you realise that you are part of Him. Avatar is not there to charm you but to calm you, to make you return home.

And to make you realise you are that. Once you recognise the Avatar, suddenly the entire creation is filled with 'that' and you are that.
 
The descent of God is to make you realise ;
there is no up or down.....
there is no high or low....
there is no ascension or descent!
 
There is no two. 

---

  "Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
 

---

P  Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Focus and Expansion (KS 181) / Q & A's with Guruji...

Knowledge Sheet 181 - Focus and Expansion Nov 26, 1998 Bangalore Ashram, India Focus sharpens the mind and relaxation expands the mind. Just an expanded mind without sharpness cannot bring the holistic development. At the same time, just the sharp mind without expansion causes tension, anger and frustration. The balance between the focussed mind and expanded consciousness brings perfection. Both Sudarshan Kriya and the Advanced Course techniques are aimed at developing such consciousness which is sharp and unbounded. Seva and commitment play a major role in this. Also, food and attitude have an effect. Expanded consciousness is peace and joy. Focussed consciousness is love and creativity. A point of focussed consciousness is Individual self. When every atom of the expanded consciousness becomes sharp, focussed, that is the awakening of Divinity.

Jai Gurudev

 
 

---

 
 
*  Q&A with Guruji  *

Q: In different religions different customs are followed. Some burn the body
after death, some bury it. What is right?
------------ --------- ---------
Sri Sri: See the origin of the customs. Islam, Judaism were born in desert.
Desert is dry sand, not too many woods, trees are rare. It was practically
impossible to burn the bodies. So in those circumstances, it was better to
bury. Sand would decompose the bodies. Here, 5000 to 10000 years ago, India
was much greener than what it is now. There was so much of wood. So, best
way was to burn the bodies, make them to ashes, which will decompose
eventually. We did not have so much of land, else with this much of
population all the land would have been graveyard. These days, electrical
cremation is the best, environment friendly way. Today, we are coming to a
Unique culture.

Q: Loving Guruji, please explain Love and Life.
------------ --------- ---------
Sri Sri: Life is incomplete without love.

Q: Guruji, when interest starts developing towards devotion,what should one
do?
------------ --------- ---------
Sri Sri: Good. Very good. But simultaneously you must take care of the
responsibilities as well. One shouldnot run away.

Q: Ever since I was little I was told that God would not come in physical
form as this is Kalyuga.Then how come You are here?
------------ --------- ---------
SriSri: These things are just said as a way to wake people up. To take you
out of lethargy, laziness, dullness.Come on! Quickly do something. Yukti,
skill in waking one up. Kalyuga is very good, there's nothing wrong. You are
all here. Even in ancient days there have been problems. Demons would not
allow people to meditate.

Q: How many are enlightened?
------------ --------- ---------
Sri Sri: There's no count ?" how many hairs are on your head? There may be
few teachers but [in terms of enlightenment there are many]. Knowledge is
hidden in everyone like rice. Every child has come [with perfection inside].
Don't need to do anything too much, even meditation. Only as much as is
necessary [for perfection to arise].

Q: How do we know that our interpretation of knowledge is right or it is a
misinterpretation?
------------ --------- ---------
Sri Sri: When you see something, you introspect first.. You see the means of
knowledge. That's why in India science and spirituality never contradict
each other. Spirituality believes first and experiments later. Science is
experimenting first and believing later. In ancient days a child is given
'Brahma Upadesham', the highest knowledge is initiated to the child , right
at childhood.

 
 

---

 
P  Please consider the environment before printing this email.

10 tips for good night's sleep

10 tips for good night's sleep 

 

---

 

Stick to a schedule. Erratic bedtimes do not allow for your body to align to the proper circadian rhythms. Mum was right when she set a time we always had to go to sleep as kids. Also, make sure you try to keep the same schedule on weekends too, otherwise the next morning, you'd wake later and feel overly tired.
 
Sleep only at night. Avoid daytime sleep if possible. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to 20-minute, power naps.

 

Exercise. It's actually known to help you sleep better. Your body uses the sleep period to recover its muscles and joints that have been exercised. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.

Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.

Avoid eating just before bed. Avoid eat large meals or spicy foods before bedtime. Give yourself at least 2 hours from when you eat to when you sleep. This allows for digestion to happen (or at least start) well before you go to sleep so your body can rest well during the night, rather than churning away your food.

Avoid caffeine. It keeps you awake and that's now what you want for a good nights sleep. We all know that.

Read a fiction book. It takes you to a whole new world if you really get into it. And then take some time to ponder over the book as you fall asleep. I find as I read more and more, regardless of the book, I get more tired at night and so find it easier to fall asleep. Different for others?

Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you're not going to require the heat all night long.
 
Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.

Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It's a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.

---