Happy Diwali!

DIWALI

Time and space are infinite. Grains of sand are countless. Atoms in the universe are innumerable. So also the stars, the galaxies. The same is with the life on this planet. Neither is there a beginning nor is there an end, because it is all spherical. A sphere has neither a beginning nor an end, nor a goal, nor a direction. Truth has no direction, no goal. Truth itself is the goal and truth is infinite.

Feeling or experiencing the infinity within this finite body, living the timelessness within the time span of life, uncovering the bliss within the misery. This is what you are here for. Today is Diwali - the Festival of Lights. The streets and buildings are lit up with colorful lights. The four aspects of Diwali:

1. The lights: Symbolic of spreading the Knowledge.

2. Fire crackers: When the explosion happens outside, the explosion inside is diffused.

3. Gift exchange and distribution of sweets: Sweets dispel the bitterness and renew the friendship.

4. Feeling abundance: Brings awareness and gratefulness for what one has.

When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration, and in celebration you may lose focus or awareness. The ancient rishis knew this so to maintain awareness in the midst of gaiety of celebration, they brought sacredness and puja to every celebration.

Celebrate the Knowledge and feel the abundance, for "those who have will be given more"!
- H H Sri Sri Ravishankar

Krishna Janmashtami

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Wish you all a wonderful Sri Krishna Janmashtami!
Do you know what is Krishna?
Krishna is the consciousness, the field of all the wonderful possibilities!
And it is your very nature!
You are made up of the same consciousness.
You know this secret?
Consciousness, God, Life, You - all are synonymous!
This is the truth although it takes a calm mind to realize this simple, yet profound truth.
Here bookish knowledge or something that you have heard will not help.
You have to explore and experience it practically through meditation and an enlightened Masters"s guidance.
See my previous blog "Who are you?" and take the challenge.

Check out my To my Valentine poem on my other blog too...

Also Check out my Divine Valentine post on my Art of Living Blog

Enjoy the following article on Krishna by H H Sri Sri Ravishankar.

BIRTH OF THE CENTER OF ATTRACTION

 Krishna means the most attractive . . . It is the divinity that is the most attractive; the energy that pulls everything to it. Krishna is the formless center which is everywhere. Any attraction from anywhere is coming only from Krishna. Often people fail to see the spirit behind the attraction and merely hold on to the outer shell. And the moment you try to possess the shell, you will see Krishna has played a trick and you will be left with an empty shell in your hands and tears in your eyes.

 Be clever like Radha -- don"t be tricked by Krishna. Krishna could not escape from Radha, for her whole world was filled with Krishna. If you can see that wherever there is an attraction, there is Krishna; then you are Radha, you are in your center.

 The mind moves towards beauty, joy and truth. Krishna tells Arjuna, "I am the beauty in the Beautiful, the strength in the Strong, the wisdom in the Wise." In this way he arrests the mind from moving away from him.

Happy Independence Day!

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without
which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made."
- Albert Einstein

Wish you a happy independence day!
I think we should introspect on what we have given back to mother India.
Its high time we all think and act, "How can I make a difference? How can I contribute towards enriching my country?".

An interesting article on India by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar

Also check out my previous blogs:

Pakistanis and Indians together? - Shift in the world consciousness: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Mathematics, Science and Spirituality

Check out Francois Gautier's article: The truth about India's Independence

Who are YOU???

Dear friends, Have you ever wondered - Who You are? I invite all you iLanders - the great thinkers! - to join the discussion on this interesting topic!! Just look at Your Self and ask this simple question "Who am I?" Your answers also will be very interesting! And you will be simply amazed!! There will be a big surprise for those who get the right answer for this question! So just take time for yourself, and ponder who you are!! And share your insights/experiences. Whhhhatever comes to your mind! just jot it down as a comment here. More later! Best wishes for now..  Krishna   22-July-2006 Email: krishnar[at]rediffmail.com I want genuine answers only - from your personal experience! Tell me what you feel, rather than what you have read or heard!!   24-July-2006. Well , it was a wonderful response! But the Many more questions too! Each of your answers is correct. But the truth is much much more than all these answers put together!! So keep pondering over this question. Every time you ask this question, it will open up a new dimension within you. You will reach greater depths. In fact this is the most basic, yet most profound and challenging question in your life! Watch out this space for answers of some of your queries. 26-July-2006.

Happy Guru Poornima!

Wish you all a very happy Guru Purnima.

Pearls of Knowledge on Guru purnima.
Extract from the talks of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar and a few question and answers...

Guru purnima is the day to feel grateful for the great knowledge you have received from your master. It is time to review how much knowledge you could ingrain in your life in past one year. This may bring about a realization  for scope of improvement which in turn will bring humility in you. Be grateful  for the way this knowledge has transformed you. Just think how you could have  been without this. There is a definite change inside you. If you cannot see any change, then you haven't had a good look in yourself. Gratitude and humility together blossom a genuine prayer inside you!

Guru is a tatva - an element, a quality; inside you. It is not limited to a body  or a form.

Life is an ocean of love. Flow the lamp of knowledge in it. Even let the knowledge be flown away in the ocean of love. The ego that comes out of  truth and knowledge is dangerous. Sense of righteousness makes you hard. So in the  wave of devotion and love; you even let the knowledge get washed out.

Q. What is the story behind Gurupurnima?
A. Acharya (teacher) gives knowledge and Guru gives height of awareness and makes you alive. Acharya gives information, Guru gives intelligence, an awakened intelligence. Mind is connected with moon. Full moon is completion, the pinnacle. On Gurupurnima the devotee wakes up in full gratitude. Devotee becomes  like an ocean moving in itself. It's the time to come in fullness. It's a time to celebrate. It's also called "Vyasa Purnima". Vyasa had given knowledge on each and every subject.
So in Gurupunima you remember all guru's of the past. It is the day when devotee arises in full gratitude, they turn back and see how they changed and developed in the last 1 year. They assess what lessons they have learned and how they are growing in knowledge. It's reviewing yourself in knowledge.  Mind needs to be reminded again and again, so we review it.
 

Q. People blindly worship a Guru?  Is it ok?  Shouldn't they just worship the divine? A. Why does somebody adore someone else?

A. In college, rock star, movie stars, sports players are adored. This adulation is part of human nature.  Deep inside it is your ability to appreciate and honor good qualities.  This adulation of Gurus has come down the ages.  In the East, people took pride in their Gurus. There was a lot of respect but it's missing in the students now. They throw tomatoes at their teachers. We have now gone to the other extreme.

When your life is full, you get a feeling of gratitude.  You start with the Guru and end up adoring everything in life.  Guru is just a beginning.  In India there is a festival in October when people worship everything from cars, scooters etc.  Everything is venerated.  Divine dwells in every particle.  In the East the tradition was that before cutting a tree, you have to plant 5 more.  An innocent mind sees life everywhere.  Life has to be honored, adored.  If you cannot do this, then what else is left in life?  It is so dry, just eat, drink and sleep.  Whenever you praise, the praise goes to the divine.  If you praise your Guru, the praise goes to the divine.  When you praise someone, you own consciousness is expanding. So for your own sake, adore and venerate others.
 

Q. I feel like I want to be close to you and I don't know how. I love you.
A. It is good, heart breaks and love flows.  In the world out there heart breaks and misery comes, but here when heart breaks, love flows and life blossoms. Good.  Just assume you are already close to me and when you are smiling, when you do service, when you are in knowledge - you are so much close to me.  And see more and more people get the benefit of this knowledge what you are having.  Just turn back and see your life, how much it has changed as you did the practices, the meditations, your kriya and relate to yourself the person who was there before doing the kriya.  What a big difference. Isn't it?  How many of you feel you are not the same person. Almost everybody isn't it, so that benefit, that opening, we need to bring in others life as well, we need to do that.
 

Q.How to find a guru or choose a guru?
A.Guru is too big for you to make.  If you make Guru you are bigger than the Guru.  Guru comes in your life in spite of your refusing or rebelliousness.  Don't struggle to make a Guru.  Just relax.  Life keeps changing.  Wake up and see.  Feel grateful.  Give all your garbage to the Guru.  Guru makes gold out of garbage.  Guru makes a fool intelligent.  It is easy to make that change because everyone is made up of that one thing.

Q. How to become a sincere devotee?
A. Just you have to assume that you are really sincere devotee. You give grade to yourself. I am number 1 devotee. Nobody's like me. But don't think so and so is number 1 devotee and I'm number 2. Each one of us should say I'm number 1 devotee. Nobody's like me. Then that is how the devotion grows. If you think you are number 2, number 3, number 10, then that much, you will be away from the knowledge. You know this problem is there with many - that after basic course, you continue for sometime then you drop. Then afterwards it becomes very difficult. If you do an advanced course, it will bring you back in the knowledge.

Q. Guruji, you are the best.
A. Only best can recognize the best.

Q. A devotee is very happy on getting a Guru, does the Guru feel the same happiness in getting a devotee?
A. Seeing your happiness he gets happiness.

Q. I want a Guru mantra from you.
A. That is there. Sudarshan kriya is there.

Q. Guruji, show me the path.

A. Why? Why shall I show you the path? I'm not so irresponsible. I'll  take you to your goal. It's my habit. It's the age of aero planes and you are talking in terms of bullock carts. You have sat in plane and your flight has taken off. Now, this plane will take you to your destination, you don't need to ask for the path.
 

Q. What quality should an ideal disciple have? Do you differentiate
between disciples?
A. Don't worry so much, just be like a child, and take life with ease. Yes, I differentiate between disciples and you are very special. Each one of you is unique and each one is special, so everyone is different.
 

Q. You are so wonderful, when can I become like you?
A. First stop attempting to become like me. Second know that I'm you.

Read an interesting article on Guru Poornima: http://www.indiayogi.com/content/full_moon_festival/guru_purnima.asp

Pakistanis and Indians together?

Pakistanis and Indians together? - Shift in the world consciousness: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Here is an excerpt from my friend Vijay Simha's interview with His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar shortly after Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Bangalore. He is an Associate Editor with Sunday Indian (Then he was with Tehelka.) http://www.artofliving.org/silverjubilee/interview.htm Q: Coming back to the Silver Jubilee, I've not seen Chinese and Taiwanese dancing together ever before. Yes. And Pakistanis and Indians. Q: So is this the beginning of a shift in world consciousness? Definitely. (Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations were truely a One World Family Reunion. Blessed are those who were privileged to witness this historic event!) Above photos anticlockwise from top: 1) Guruji and Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam on the stage on the last day of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee. 2) Enthusiastic Pakistani devotees waving their flags on the stage! 3) Jubilant crowd with their flags. Watch out this space! I will upload many more of Art of Living Silver Jubilee Photos here. Check the following link for more pictures: http://www.artoflivingsfba.org/sjphotoessay/sjphotoessay.html

Mathematics, Science and Spirituality!

Mathematics, Science and Spirituality! Memorial Lecture given by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at S. M. Medical college, Jodhpur ( 23 February 2005) (H H Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living Founder spoke in both Hindi and English. Wherever spoken in Hindi has been translated in English here. By the way, Government of Maharashtra (an Indian state) plans to make mathematics an optional subject from 8th standard! This ridiculous! It will have disastrous implications on the society in the long run. It will take us several centuries backwards in time. All those who are aware of this should oppose it. Read an interesting article on this by my colleague Sai at: http://saisureshsivaswamy.rediffblogs.com/2006_16_04_saisureshsivaswamy_archive.html#1145456911 - Krishna) Science And Spirituality I know you all are waiting to hear me, while there are others who are simply waiting to see me, doesn't matter what I talk. Should I speak in Hindi or English? Some want in Hindi and others in English. I will speak in both and whenever I am speaking in the language other than that of your choice, just listen as if you are listening to some music, otherwise you will start feeling restless! Listening is also an art- there is an art of listening. Are you all listening? It can be any speaker who may speak for ten minutes but we actually hear for about three minutes; this is a statistical figure! The remaining seven minutes, the body remains there but the mind goes out gallivanting and comes back after roaming for sometime. So if one speaks for thirty minutes say, then, in actual effect, you hear for about 9-10 minutes. That’s why I said, whatever language I speak, if you do not understand, just hear it like a music otherwise restlessness starts building in the mind, right? You always complain if someone speaks in the language you don’t know. When you sit and gossip for 2-3 hours, you don’t know how the time flies but when you are sitting and someone is speaking for a couple of minutes in a foreign language you don’t know, even those couple of minutes seem to be very long, hasn’t it been our experience? Whenever your mind is engaged, you do not feel the time but when the mind is not engaged, you feel the time is too long, correct? Study of time is both Spirituality and Science. Time is the junction. Are you all here? What is happening now? Waiting-  waiting for a phone call, waiting for someone to come, waiting for something. But you know what’s interesting is that we don’t know what waiting itself is! If you can experience the pure waiting- that becomes meditation. Suppose I am not going to speak for next 20-25 minutes, are you willing to be here? Yes! Waiting for infinity is meditation and if we don’t understand what waiting is, we tend towards frustration. See, waiting is the junction that either leads you to frustration on one side or, on another side, takes you to a meditative state. If you are a meditator then you know what ‘dhyaan’(meditation) is, then nothing can frustrate you because every moment that you are free and have to wait for something, you drop into meditation ! We become carefree when we realize that waiting can lead to either meditation or frustration. You can be free from frustration if you meditate and be happy and joyful. Many moments come in our lives, when we have to wait and with this waiting we are filled with frustration, anger, restlessness - all kinds of disorders of mind. So to become free from all such disorders it is very essential to know about meditation. "What is this?"- is Science ; " Who am I?"- is Spirituality. It is only in India, in this country, that no conflict ever happened between Science and Spirituality. It is only in India that from ages the science and spirituality said the Earth and other planets are moving round the Sun. We also teach our students but unfortunately in a wrong way. We teach today in our schools that Galileo discovered that the earth is round. We don’t remember that it is India which has given the concept of earth being spherical ‘khagoal’ (kha means Earth and goal means round), ‘bhoogoal’ (geography- the study of earth ) etc. The earth was always considered spherical. In the 7- 8th century sculptures you see the ‘Varah Murti’ carrying a globe on their tusks. That means our ancestors, the people in India in ancient days knew that the earth was spherical. From the times of Vedic age itself, our ancient people knew the placing of the sun and the planets. In today’s time too we worship the same way by placing the sun in the center and all planets around it. Long ago, from ancient times, we knew that the sun was the center of our solar system yet we teach wrong and give credit to Galileo for discovering it! We need to change such history now. Similarly the value of ‘Pi’(p) and its formula were known long ago. They were well advanced in mathematics . All geometry, trigonometry etc was given in verses with not just formulas but also with detail and diagrams. So we were never ignorant but very advanced in Science from ancient time but unfortunately what is being taught is that our ancestors were ignorant and foolish. It is heard that a professor of History, in Delhi University, is teaching the children that the ancient man burnt incense to scare the God saying- “See the incense in my hand, fulfill my wish or I will burn you down.” And if that was not sufficient to scare then he went with the lamp etc. According to his teaching the ancient man knew nothing else but to scare for fulfilling his wishes and because of such foolish ideas only he began doing worship! If we teach such things to the children then these children will become naxalites in future. It is the lack of spirituality in education in our country, that the youth are becoming naxalites. On one hand they commit suicide or on other hand they become violent and aggressive. What is spiritualism? To understand this, ponder over this – Who am I? What am I made up of? This body is made of food we eat etc but then consciousness, the spirit within it is made up of what? What are its ingredients?- to know this all is spiritualism. Our ancestors have given the beautiful explanations of it. Asti, Bhati, Preeti , Naam and Roop - these are the five ingredients/elements or aspects of self. Asti, Bhati, Priti- are the three forms of our consciousness, our mind . Asti meaning "I am", bhati is realizing that it is and preeti , the love with which it is made of –these are the three forms with which our consciousness is made of. If all the lights were put off in this room, even then you feel your presence, don’t you still feel , “I am “ here?-this feeling of “I am” is- asti. Are you all listening? Still here? The mind has not gone out for a tea break na? Yes! So ,when you say you are listening to me you , you realize your presence that is bhati. And your nature is love- that is preeti. So these are the three aspects of our consciousness. And the body or matter has two aspects- naam or name and roop or the form. Every thing has a name and a form. With a form or property and a name different things exist in the world. Science examines or studies on name and shape, while Spirituality on asti, bhati and preeti. What is this? - is Science ; Who am I?- is Spirituality. Can there be any conflict between the two? Never! Both are the two ends of the same thread of knowledge. People may say that spiritualism begins where science ends but I do not agree with that. Science and Spiritualism are not separate, they go together, they are always in oneness. And there can be no dispute after the theory of relativity which proved about matter and energy. And what is happening now? As I am speaking you are also thinking in your mind- “ Yes, yes, he is speaking right”, or, “No, no, how can that be right”.. like that “Yes, yes”.., “No, no”…going on in the mind, isn’t it? That faculty by which you perceive is Mind and that by which you agree/accept or disagree is Intellect. And the study of this inner, internal layers of consciousness is Spirituality. Sri Krishna also said in Geeta- “ Gyaan vigyaan pratyaatma”.  One gains the Complete knowledge only if gets the knowledge of both science and spirituality. From our four “Darshan shastars”- the first three are of science only! Vaisheshik Darshan says - padartha gyaanatva mokshah. Sage Vaisheshik said that knowledge of one element contains the full knowledge of all other elements, knowing which you can attain pure bliss. If you understand and have full knowledge of one atom, you are liberated. Even if you don’t believe in God but understand even one atom thoroughly, it gives you liberation- this is what the ancient scriptures have said. How to achieve it? Put your attention to know one thing fully. Understand an atom. What is your body?-a heap of atoms. When all atoms embraced and combine with each other- a body is formed and when they become at daggers with each other and separate with each other- the body disintegrates and death takes place. This body is made up of so many atoms. What is an atom? What is the function of an atom? – So who am I? Am I the body? What is this body? Do you know this body is not solid but fluid like a river? 98% of our body is empty- space element. If you observe a small piece of your skin under the microscope, it looks like a mosquito net- so porous and full of holes! Likewise take any metal, it has lot of empty space also. And out of remaining 2% - 60% is water element and 15% air element in the body. You are like a water or a juice sachet! After you drink juice, how does the packet looks- pressed and bad similarly if all the water is removed from your body , you will become depressed! And if air is removed then, as the fish perishes if removed from water, you will perish too! We don’t know fully about our body itself. So it is good to have full knowledge like this first. If you know about your own body, the mind becomes still and liberation happens. So where is the conflict? Science is a logical, sequential understanding of the reality and spirituality goes one step ahead from the aspects you know. You will see there are many types of logic- Whether the means of understanding itself is correct or not? The correct aspect is there or not? The subjective analysis- the aspect from which you learn, by which you know, whether your apparatus or analysis itself is correct or not- and this is spirituality. So unless you take both approaches, your knowledge will not be complete. Belongingness is the sign of spiritualism. In today’s life, man has become rigid like a stone living in a small world of his own. We convey more through our presence than through our words. We live whole of our life in a formal atmosphere and lose the naturalness and belongingness. One can have a simple, lovable nature or personality through spirituality only. Truth is multidimensional. This is a gift given to the world by India. Knowledge or Truth is not linear but spherical. Isliye virodhaatmak batein sath sath hoti hein. That's why controversial things co-exist- and that's what we teach in the Art of Living course-that opposite values are complementary. Unless you take both approaches, knowledge will be incomplete. Any life devoid of Spiritualism is dry and lack of knowledge makes one sad, and sorrowful. Some question/ answers – Q- What is God? A-Bhoomi jaise sahansheel, Agni jaise prajvalit, vayu jeise halkaa, paani jeise vinamra aur nubh jeise sarva vyaapak- jismein yuh sub tutva hein , vuh bhagvaan hei. Patience like the Earth, Glow of the Fire, light like the Air, humble like the water(which flows downward) and present every where like space- the one having all these elements is God! Q- How to realise faithfulness? A- The same way you feel the pain. When there is a pain, you just know it! Q- Guru se bada kaun? Who is above Guru? A - Guru ka matlub hee hei - bahut bada toe jaan jao khud hee! Guru means Great so you know the answer yourself!

Who is God?

Dear Friends, wish you all Happy Ram Navami! The following is H H Sri Sri Ravishankar's message on Ram Navami.

RAM NAVAMI

"Ra" in Sanskrit means "That which is Radiant" and "Ma" stands for "Myself".
That which shines forth within me, is Rama.
That which is radiant in every particle of the Being is Rama.
Rama is born to Dasharatha and Kaushalya. Dasharatha (In Sanskrit this means "the ten charioted one") signifies the five organs of sense and the five organs of action. Kaushalya (Sanskrit for "skilled") stands for skill. The skillful reiner of the ten chariots can give birth to Ram. When the ten are used skillfully, radiance is born within.
Rama was born in Ayodhya (Sanskrit for "the place where no war can happen"). When there is no conflict in our mind, then the radiance can dawn.
Lakshmana, the brother of Rama, was born of Sumitra Ö the good friend. When the ten are cooperating with you then Awareness is born.
Often we try to look for radiance within. Just realize that you are radiant. Once when Guruji was 5 or 6 years old, he closed his eyes and asked a visiting saint, "Swamiji, I do not see any light". The saint replied, "You are the light! How can you see the light?"

-- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar

Sri Sri means that your Self, the Consciousness, or the Divinity or the Life in you is the pure light devoid of any distortions. Your mind is just one shade of this one consciousness. (This shade keeps changing with time! and with individuals!)
Here is a profound secret: God is nothing but your innermost Self in its purity and clarity!
This is what Patanjali says in his famous treatise "Patanjali Yoga Sutras".
But we don't really know what we are. It requires a certain amount of inner silence to know ourselves.. the Divinity within. The more You calm down Your mind, the more You will get closer to the Truth, the Self. This is where meditation, spiritual practices and guidance of an Enlightend Master will help you.

Well, Achieving no-mind - clear and thoughtless mind, at least for a few minutes or seconds, is a great experience! Believe me its a wonderful state.. Whole life is worth it if You are fortunate enough to taste the Self, the Divinity even for a few moments :) Its a glimpse of the highest possiblity in life - Enlightenment, the purpose of life!

- Krishna Reddy

Abundance

	Feel the plentitude---feel that there is plenty. The Divine has provided you a lot, and He will provide you much more. Why be tense about that? - Poojya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Happy New Year (Ugadi / Gudi Padwa)!

 

Dear friends, wish you happy Ugadi (Telugu New Year Day) and happy Gudi Padwa (Marathi  New Year Day)! Hope this new year will bring the best things to everybody's life.

DIVINE IS ALL CELEBRATION

 A poor man celebrates the new year once a year. A rich man celebrates each day. But the richest man celebrates every moment.

 
How rich are you? Do you celebrate once a year? Once a month? Every day? If you celebrate every moment, you are the Lord of Creation.
Review the year while you celebrate. This is your homework. What did you do? What did you achieve? How useful were you this past year? Sit for an hour and think about every week, one minute per week, and see the year's growth in less than an hour. With a flower, on New Year's Day, offer the whole year to the Divine.

- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar

Just Happens!

By Nisha Solanki.

I remember the day when Guruji was in Bombay for a satsang a few weeks before the Silver Jubilee Celebrations. My mother (Henna Solanki) insisted that my brother and me stand in the crowd (even though it meant being pushed, crushed, stamped over and walked over) to get Guruji's darshan. We refused to struggle through the crowd to meet him. But somehow we got to meet him conveniently after the satsang when he blessed us all and asked if we were coming to Bangalore. We simply said yes. Certain answers just come impulsively like girlfriend asks boyfriend-do I look good? Yes; am I fat? No. And that is why I was in Bangalore.

And if I still had any reservations about attending the celebration, they were taken care of when I jus made it in the nick of time to board the train. (That is another much-talked-about story in our local group) It was an experience worth cherishing and learning from. The obvious lesson besides existence of Guruji's grace is that traffic in Mumbai is pathetic. And thus began the journey to the Art of Living Silver Jubilee.

Everything was so larger-than-life - the stage, the celebrities and dignitaries, the number of people, the variety of people. I couldn't even gauge how many people were present because my eyes couldn't capture the magnitude. All people present there and working for this event months in advance were doing so only out of love and faith for their Guru. Watching this phenomenon is an experience I cannot comprehend. And meditation just happens. All you have to do is close your eyes and take a few deep breaths..

Significance of Holi

 
Sri Sri Ravishankar on Holi

The word purana comes from the Sanskrit word `pure nava', which `that which is new in the city'. It is a new way of presenting things. Puranas are full of colourful illustrations and stories. On the surface they appear to be mere fantasy, but actually they contain subtle truths.

An asura king, Hiranyakashyap, wanted everyone to worship him. But his son Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Narayana, the king's sworn enemy. Angry  king wanted Holika, his sister, to get rid of Prahlad. Empowered to withstand the fire, Holika sat on a burning pyre holding Prahlad in her lap. But it was Holika who was burnt, and  Prahlad came out unharmed.


Hiranyakashyap symbolizes one who is gross. Prahlad embodies innocence, faith and bliss and joy. The spirit cannot be confined to love of material only. Hiranyakashyap wanted all joy to come from material world. It did not happen that way. The individual jivatma cannot be bound to the material forever. It's natural to eventually move towards Narayana, one's higher Self.


Holika stands for the past burdens that try to burn Prahlad's innocence. But Prahlad, so deeply rooted in Narayana Bhakti, could burn all past impressions (samskaras) and  joy springs up with new colours.


Life becomes a celebration. Burning the past, you gear up for a new beginning. Your emotions, like fire, burn you. But when they are a fountain of colours, they add charm to your life. In ignorance, emotions are a bother; in knowledge, the same emotions add colour.

Each emotion is associated with a colour - anger with red, jealousy with green, vibrancy and happiness with yellow, love with pink, vastness with blue, peace with white,sacrifice with saffron and knowledge with violet.


So  Holi should be colourful and  not boring. When each colour is seen clearly, it is colourful. When all the colours get mixed, you end up with black.

So also in life, we play different roles. Each role and emotion needs to be clearly defined.

Emotional confusion creates problems. When you are a father, you have to play the part of a father. You can't be a father at office. When you mix the roles in your life, you start making mistakes. Whatever role you play in life, give yourself fully to it. Harmony in diversity makes life vibrant and more colourful.

One legend talks about the time when Parvati was in tapasya and Shiva was in samadhi. In facilitating the divine union of the Two, Kamadeva, the Lord of Love, gets burnt to ashes by Shiva. Shiva had to come out of samadhi to join Parvati, for  celebration to take place. `Parva' is festival and `Parvati' means `born out of festival' - celebration! For samadhi to unite with celebration, the presence of desire was necessary.

So, desire (Kama) was invoked. But again, to celebrate, you need to overcome desire. So Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kama. When desire in the mind is burnt, celebration happens.

A state of vairagya is not devoid of 'ras'or colours- Vairagya is often misunderstood as 'neeras' or monotonous. No.no.. actually it is 'navras', it has all the colours!

~~ Sri Sri Ravishankar

Empowering Women

Happy Womens Day!

International Women's Conference - 2005 @ Vishalakshi Mantap, Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore.

Begining of a new era for the world!

When the President of Indian Republic arrived we were all fresh and charged up with enthusiasm. The President Sri A P J Abdul Kalam along with Gurudev watered the Lakshmitharu plant (See the above picture) to mark the auspicious occasion. The President then presented an action-oriented three-dimensional solution for transforming the world into an enlightened society. He said value based education, religion with spiritual force and economic development to remove poverty would pave way for the enlightened society. The President made us repeat some paragraphs from his speech which touched our hearts. The musicians played .Enthronu Mahanu Baavalau. a fitting tribute to the dignitaries on stage. The pleasant evening continued with cultural programmes presented by the international participants and everyone captured our hearts. All the three days Gurudev with his captivating smile made all the distinguished guests and spiritual leaders do the talking and remained silent. Even in that silence he could effectively communicate his message of love and affection to all his devotees. Even though I could watch him only in the large plasma screen I felt so close to him. We are all really fortunate to have grasped this greatest opportunity and be part of this momentous occasion. Such a magnificent celebration happens once in many life times. .Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. the one world family, celebrated and shared the joy of Gurudev.s unconditional love and service to humanity. (By M.Gopalakrishnan.)

Medical Conference Proceedings

Medical Conference Proceedings Proceedings of the World Conference on Science, Consciousness and Spirituality, held at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), New Delhi, on 24-26 February 2006. From my friend Dr Belinda The following are the key findings of the latest research done on Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) presented at the Conference held as part of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations. 1. Dr Richard Brown from the USA discussed how the application of newer technologies to basic research in Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) has thrown light on our understanding of how SKY works. He postulated that SKY contributes to a state of alert calmness by its effect on the vagus nerve which is the core of the parasympathetic system. Recent studies have shown that the vagus nerve is crucial in social bonding, empathy and love; it is the centre of our gut instincts and is crucial to our ability to perceive, observe and make complex decisions. Vagal activity is estimated from the respiratory sinus arrhythmia as measured by heart rate variability. Impaired vagal activity is found in people with depression, anxiety, panic disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, violent adults, fibromyalgia, post traumatic stress disorder, early Alzheimer's and obesity. Nowadays, an instrument that artificially stimulates the vagus nerve is being used to treat depression, epilepsy, early Alzheimer's disease and is an experimental treatment for obesity. Stephen Porges, the foremost expert on the activity of the vagus nerve on reviewing the research done on SKY has suggested that the different rhythms of breath in SKY may stimulate different diameter fibers of the vagus nerve. This makes SKY unique and likely to have a much wider range of effects than the currently available electronic vagus nerve stimulator. Dr Brown suggested that other mechanisms by which SKY works are by calming of stress response systems, neuroendocrine release of hormones, nitric oxide neurotransmission, fear conditioning circuits (prefrontal cortex and limbic system), and thalamic generators. He also discussed various knowledge points as articulated by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from a neuro scientific perspective for e.g., `Enlightenment is innocence with intellect'. Interestingly, brain wave rhythms during and after SKY are similar to those of babies. 2. Dr Fahri Saatcioglu from Oslo did a controlled 6 week long study of the effect of SKY on the relaxation response and feelings of wellness on 109 subjects. 56 subjects went through the SKY course and thereafter performed SKY yoga daily for 6 weeks. The control group of 53 subjects relaxed in an arm chair for 15 minutes daily for the same period. Both groups were given questionnaires to assess changes in depression, anxiety, dispositional optimism, stress, energy and degree of altered states of consciousness before the instruction and 6 weeks later. Dr Fahri found a statistically significant increase in the experience of wellness in the SKY group compared to the controls. He found a significant decrease in degree of anxiety, depression and stress and a significant increase in degree of optimism in the group practicing SKY. 3. Dr Neeta Singh from New Delhi studied the effects of SKY on the gene ex-pression levels of the genes that affect several stress related pathways of the human body. She found an increase in antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase and glutathione in the 26 SKY practitioners as compared with 25 age and sex matched controls. The level of Glutathione was three times higher in SKY practitioners as compared with controls. A small increase was seen in hTERT in SKY practitioners which indicates delayed senescence and perhaps a longer life span. The observed decrease in bcl-2, C-Myc and C- Fos in SKY practitioners suggests probable better protection against cancer. This study suggests that subjects doing SKY regularly have a better antioxidant status and better ability to cope with stress. 4. Dr Stephen Larsen from the USA studied neurophysiological responses before, during and after SKY. The tests run were EEG (recorded at 19 cortical sites), EKG, heart rate variability, galvanic skin response, hand skin temperature, pulse plethysmography and blood pressure. He found that SKY practices produced measurably significant changes in ALL physiological measures. Beginning practitioners of SKY had greater changes from their baselines compared to more advanced practitioners. He found that during the practice there is challenge, followed by temporary disorganization leading to calming, regularization and synchrony in such measures as heart rate variability and EEG. The EEGs of beginners showed pockets of synchrony whereas in more advanced practitioners the baseline pre- practice synchrony was higher and a very high degree of "total brain synchrony" was observed across all 19 channels during the breath practices and rest periods. It appears that over a period of time, the practitioner's physiology becomes more robust, flexible and able to deal with the challenges of stressors and still is able to idle comfortably during quiescence. This explains why regular practice of SKY is very important. Dr Larsen also observed certain large waves in the EEGs during SKY that resemble the ECT waves (electro convulsive therapy). Electro convulsive therapy is an age old treatment that is very effective in treating depression but is unpopular because of its side effects and convulsions produced. He suggested that the effect of SKY on the brain is like a subconvulsive dose of ECT without the side effects of an ECT. This could explain why SKY is effective in patients with depression. 5. Dr Lyulyakina from Russia studied the functional status of the brain during and after the practice of SKY in 12 volunteers. She found that all the participants showed statistically significant improvement of EEG parameters proved by spectral, power and topographic mapping and coherence analysis. She did not find any statistically significant difference in the dynamics of electrophysiological process between the long Sudarshan Kriya and the shorter version of Sudarshan Kriya. . 6. Dr Geetha from Bangalore studied the effect of SKY on antioxidant enzyme activities in menopausal women. -There were 4 groups compared. One group of 40 women received hormone replacement therapy, one group of 40 received 500mg of Vit E daily, a group of 60 women practiced SKY daily and 50 women served as controls. In all groups, the plasma MDA levels (as an index of lipid peroxidation), erythrocyte SOD (superoxide dismutase) and blood GSH (glutathione peroxidase activity) were measured at the start and at the end of 30 days. Dr Geetha found a significant decrease in the MDA levels and marked elevation of GSH-px and SOD levels in the group that practiced SKY as compared with the other groups. Hence the practice of SKY improves the antioxidant power of menopausal women and is superior to the beneficial effects seen with HRT or Vit E on anti oxidant levels. 7. Dr Vedamurthachar from Bangalore studied the effect of the AOL Course on occupational stress and anxiety among 60 software engineers in Bangalore. At the end of a month, the 30 engineers who took the AOL course showed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in stress coping skills as compared with the 30 controls. However there were no significant changes seen in the stress symptoms and stress producer variables. 8. The oral microflora of SKY practitioners was studied by E G Lyulyakina from Russia. She found that the number of micro organisms in lacto vegetarians were 2-3 times less than that in non strict vegetarians. Oral fluid samples of strict vegetarians did not show any growth of microorganisms after SKY practices. The bacteria found in oral cavity of non vegetarians were Gram negative Proteus which is evidence of putrefactive processes in the mouth of non vegetarians. She concluded that practice of SKY and a vegetarian diet reduces the microbial content of the mouth. 9. Dr Chiplonkar from Pune studied the lifestyle, behavioral and health aspects of 105 adults before and after undergoing the part I Art of Living Course. She found that majority of micronutrients showed a positive correlation with sattvic foods. After the practice of SKY for 2 months, she found a significant reduction in anxiety score, marginal improvement in patience score and no change in stress score. She also found a significant increase in antioxidant capacity (measured as SOD), reduction in triglycerides, and a marginal reduction in oxidative stress (as measured by plasma MDA levels). Practicing SKY regularly resulted in greater reduction of anxiety score than less frequent practice. Subjects also reported a sense of well being, improvement in sleep quality and more enthusiasm at work. 10. The psychospiritual benefits of SKY were studied in women diagnosed with breast cancer by Arielle Warner in USA. The subjects were evaluated 2 weeks before the Art of Living Course, 8 days after the Course and after 5 weeks of regular practice. A statistically significant improvement in quality of life, spiritual well being, positive states of mind and perceived stress was observed after the AOL course and was maintained 5 weeks later. 11. Dr Janis Carter from Australia compared the effects of different modalities like Iyengar and Desikachar yoga, Qi Gong, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and a multicomponent yoga intervention (MCYI) in treating Australian Vietnam war veterans with long standing Post traumatic Stress disorder. She found that the interventions that used many tools of yoga viz. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and MCYI, showed the greatest efficacy. 12. Dr Patricia Gerberg from USA discussed the effects of doing the SKY program in a patient undergoing psychoanalysis since a long time. She found SKY useful in healing negative past impressions and the `dissociation' that rendered the patient unable to connect with others and with his own feelings. 13. Janis Apted from the USA studied the effects of SKY on 48 highly stressed faculty members of the Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas. The participants reported improvement in their mood, anxiety, stress, ability to stay calm and levels of anger and frustration. 14. Dr A M Huang from Taiwan showed how the serum levels of BDNF (Brain derived neurotrophic factor) were increased after practice of Pranayam and SKY. BDNF is lower in patients with depression compared to controls. A rise in serum BDNF levels could be an indicator of the beneficial effects of SKY on depression. 15. An electrophysiological study on the effects of SKY was presented by Shruti Baijal from Allahabad. An EEG study was done on SKY practitioners and age matched controls. Mismatch negativity paradigm that provides an indirect physiological measure of the way sensory information is processed by the brain was used for the study. Her conclusion was that there is a more efficient process of inhibition of irrelevant information and maintenance of focused internalized attention for the SKY practitioners. Studies on Nav Chetana Shibir (Breath Water Sound Course) 1. Dr Theresa Descilo from the USA did a controlled study on survivors of the tsunami disaster. One group was given the Nav Chetana Shibir, one group the Nav Chetana Shibir and Traumatic incident reduction programme (another interventional method for treating post traumatic stress reduction), and another group with no interventional programme served as controls. Those subjects undergoing the Nav Chetana Shibir showed significantly reduced symptoms of post traumatic stress and depression and better general health compared to the control group. This study suggests that the NCS is a safe and effective intervention for rapid relief of psychological symptoms following mass disasters. 2. A study of the effect of Nav Chetana Shibir on heroin users was done by Dr Anju Dhawan in Delhi. 15 heroin addicts were compared with 14 controls and showed significantly more motivation and positive changes in the quality of life within 2 weeks after a Nav Chetana Shibir.  Guruji made all the doctors present at the Conference take a vow to discourage sex determination tests and abortion of female fetuses. He asked all the doctors to attend at least 3 free medical camps every year. He also encouraged all the doctors to keep abreast with all the latest developments in their fields. Jai Gurudev, Belinda Vaz

Melting Pot!

"Life is sacred. Celebrate life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Deepen your roots and Broaden your vision for the whole world belongs to you."   - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Sri Sri encourages people from all over the world to nurture their own culture while honoring others' cultures. The Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations showcased Indian Culture as well as the Cultures of all the representing countries, their music, dance etc. Art of Living is truely a melting pot of world cultures! The above picture shows the Danish perofoming at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

Magnificent!

	This was the magnificent Dias of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations!

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam's speech at Art of Living Silver Jubilee!

President Kalam gave an inspiring speech at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations sharing his vision for the One World Family and happy, peaceful society. Transcript of president's speech http://presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/sllatest1.jsp?id=738

Vaaaaaast!

Photo: Karnatic music perfomance during the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations!)

By Dr. Pragati Mukhopadhyay
Dr. Pragati is a scientist at Advanced Centre Research in Electronics, IIT Bombay
and Professor at Dept of Materials Science & Metallurgical Engg, IIT Bombay

Back to my scientific world after the great event of
silver Jubilee and I am still fumbling with words to
express my thoughts
-it is difficult to express what it was to be a part
of  this great event. It was not a feeling of
attending a big function but
 more like being a witness to a vast happening which
was JUST HAPPENING!!

The word VAST became so clear with countless "Vah"s
from my lips.
'How' and 'Vow' kept recurring so many times that it
came as-
Oh! So, HE showed HIS Voh form!
what form? Vishal..Vast consciousness form!!

Ah! Sitting on that huge stage a small humble, caring,

loving, smiling figure showed his VAST form so
simply-it is amazing and there goes the mind again-
but HOW did it happen??

I don't know!!
Mind still questions, "Was it a  dreaming or was it a
real play?"
He was monitoring all events in Ashram as well the
ones in the airfield and then attending them with
fullest care, love and honor! Greeting each guest and
being with all. He even walked down to meet the
musicians  and the camera persons.
Unbelievable but it did happen-He made the ancient
sutra- 'Vasudhaiv kutumbakum'come live!
Making 25 lakh people come together from all corners
of the world !
1000 or more saints sat and shared the same stage
together smiling at each other!
3800 different musicians played together in harmony!
Scientists, politicians, policemen, artists - all sat
on one stage!
Different media  officials, journalists, photographers
- all covering the great event side by side laughing
and joking ( even shared the seats with each other!)
People sat there silently with smiles in that dusty
field when He led the mass meditation, covering all in
one big soothing wave of love and peace.
All  lost their identity and became one big happy wave
of love and devotion with the ocean of Love!
It would have been difficult for the small mind to
understand or visualize what is meant by- 'vishal
roop' or expanded consciousness so this was the live
demonstration!
Ah! I am still out of words.. just had this experience
of what i said-
Many can experience and be with their experiences-
and there are few chosen ones who come to make others
experience the inexpressible experience!

I have no words to express the gratefulness I feel
for the Master except to say-Oh Master! Thou art
THAT!!
luv
Jai Guru Dev
pragati
iit-bombay

Abdul Kalam @ Art of Living Silver Jubilee

	Predident of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was dazed to see 2.5 milion people in front of him at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee! Abdul Kalam's speech: http://presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/sllatest1.jsp?id=738

Cultural Programs @ Art of Living Silver Jubilee

A pianist @ Art of Living Silver Jubilee

	This was a noted pianist performing on the stage at Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

Ethnic Indian Dancers

	This was a group of ethnic dancers performing at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations

Gayatri (of Anahata Fame)

	Gayatri and group Singing Satsang at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

Gayatri and Rishi Nitya Pragya

	Gayatri and Rishi Nitya Pragya singing at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Maha Kriya @ Jakkur air field

	This was the Maha Sudarshan Kriya led by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar on the last day of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

Jakkur Aerodrome before the Art of Living silver Jubilee aprogram

Melting pot!

	"Life is sacred. Celebrate life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Deepen your roots and Broaden your vision  for the whole world belongs to you."  - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Bhanu Didi @ Silver Jubilee

	Bhanu Didi (Centre) - Guruji's sister - on the Art of Living Silver Jubilee stage.

Huge Stage!

This is just the stage of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations! Art of Living Silver Jubilee stage was 3.5 acres and, at a time, it accommodated 10000 people including a South Indian Orchestra (Karnatic Music) of 3800 musicians!! Others on the stage included 1000 saints, spiritual & religious leaders and dignitaries from India and around the world. Dignitaries included Kings, (ex of present) presidents, prime ministers of various countries, governors, chief ministers of many states.

One World Family!

Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations - Spiritual Olympics

- were attended by people 2.5 million people from more than 140 countries. Translations into 42 languages were happening simultaneously during these splendid celebrations.

Watch out this space as I will be uploading more photos and interesting info regarding the Art of Living Silver Jubilee.
I have taken some of these photos with kind permission from my friend Matt Theilen.

http://www.nomadfoto.com/aol/index.htm

Earlier this was posted at http://artofliving.rediffiland.com/blogs/2006/02/28/One-World-Family-.html

Musical Symphony @ Art of Living Silver Jubilee!

Every day there was a musical symphony of 3800 musicians at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations held at Jakkur Airfield, Bangalore. Imagine 750+ Veenas, 700+ Tablas, 500+ Mrudangams, violins, 20 keyboards etc playing at a time!






Earlier this was posted at http://artofliving.rediffiland.com/blogs/2006/02/28/Musical-Symphony-Art-of-Living-Silver-Jubilee-.html

Vedic Boys @ Art of Living Silver Jubilee

Art of Living Vedic School students on the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Stage.

Mystery!

Following are the words from Ratna Swaroop, an Art of Living teacher from Andhra Pradesh, who taught a basic to my sister and brother-in-law in the first half of Feb 2006.

Dear Mr Krishna,
Jai Gurudev.
As soon as I came back from the Art of Living Silver Jubilee, one long pending technical
problem got solved on its own with in a week.
One of the Ammonia refrigiration compressor was not running properly for
the last 7 months. (ie since Aug 2005) I am working as Sr.
Manager-Instrumentation in Nagarjuna Fertilizers, Kakinada and I am held
responsible for ensuring smooth running of this compressor along with
Mechanical & Operations dept. How ever there was more pressure on me to
deliver results, as Eevery one felt it was an instrumentation problem.
Believe me, no one has diagnosed the problem properly and we did nothing
from Instrumentation, but compressor was running smoothly, giving relief to
me and the top management. It was a real mystery.

Regards
Swaroop

By Krishna Reddy | 16:12 | 27/Feb/2006

Permalink

Incredible India Trip!

Experiences from India: Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebration - Barry Rosen The India trip was incredible and challenging but in the end it was a wonderful life transforming event. It took about 42 hours door to door to get to India and we landed and stayed in a 4 star hotel to make the transition to rural country life. When we arrived at the ashram, we found that 2000-3000 extra people decided to attend the last minute and many of them from 145 countries around the world did not bother to confirm that they were coming. Sri Sri, immediately took them in creating an unexpected last minute housing shortage at the ashram despite months of planning . The international center has about 3500 beds and additional dormitory space on the floor and by the time we were registering, there was no space left at the Inn with over 7000 people. The housing team scrambled the last minute to find accommodations near by. This was a reminder of the Italy course in 2000 when 1500 people got housed in 50 hotels around the city--many of them getting put in the wron g places. It is part of the Divine play to shake us up, transform our expectations. Given that we are now doing disaster relief around the world, we need to know how to work with chaos and the US full-time teachers stood up to the challenge and did an amazing job. One could sense the humor of the whole thing even if it was not initially funny. But most importantly it is a reminder that we have to be flexible, move beyond our expectations and be solid to move with whatever is happening in our life. The relative world is always changing! There were 5000 people on the Part 2 course in a huge amphitheatre tent that was quite comfortable despite the size and the course was nice although there were limitations on what we could do. One day the young children from the school, who were studying the Vedic rites, did a ceremony for us Satsang in the evening was magnificent an another outdoor amphitheatre overlooking Visha Mantap, a seven story round marble meeting hall which is the jewel of the ashram. Countries from around the world performed their own ethnic dances and the energy was quite high. Dining and food service were well organized and I never waited more than a few minutes to eat tasty south Indian meals. All in all, the ashram managed to handle the crowds and the feeling of love at the ashram and holiness was very deep and healing and soothed over whatever minor challenges there were. When it came time to get people into town, 200 buses lined up orderly and got people back. Traffic was never t oo bad and despite fears of very long round trip bus rides, many times it even took only an hour to get back to the ashram-- a true miracle! The Silver Jubilee celebration was quite spectacular and beyond belief. Held on an unused India Airfield called, Jakar, there were 2-2.8 million people at times over the 3 days. Afternoons were spent at shopping stalls and watching ethnic dancers from around the world . The main program occurred about 6:30 pm each evening. Despite the enormous amount of people, we were always cared for. International attendees had a VIP entrance and parking lot so we did not have far to walk and there were less crowds.. We also had special seating near the front. When you looked back, it seems like there was a sea of people going back about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. There were 77 theatre sized TV screens and an excellent sound system and the 20,000 volunteers did an amazing jobs getting everyone in and out without and hassles. VIP food courts were also very well run and despite the crowds, there was never a sense of waiting or hassle or crowds. The stage was specially built and had about 7500 VIPs on it including an orchestra of 3800 musicians--mostly playing Indian instruments. Over the three days great political and religious leaders spoke including the President of India, the Head of the Supreme Court of India, the former prime ministers from the Netherlands and France, the King of Ghana and a host of Indian governors. Rabbi's, Catholic priests, Buddhist and Muslim priests all gave glowing accolades to the Art of Living for their service work around the world. The theme of One World Family echoed in every speech and was indeed a reality with 145 countries represented speaking 44 languages. The group kriya together ended up starting at 6 pm and ended up being a short kriya led live by Sri Sri. The effect was rather profound. For me, I felt my whole forehead and crown chakra vibrating and moving into a more solidified state. The man next to me felt that his whole being became this flame of light that merged into a huge ocean of flames Afterwards, Sri Sri said that we should make one realistic wish that night and it would come true. The final day was most magical ending with a video montage of all the world dance troupes performing with cuts to a live dance troupe on stage performing. The effect was indeed to create one world family. Many leaders remarked at the incredible leadership and dedication from the Art of Living to put such an orderly and beautiful performance together and to manage so many people with ease and order. Toward the end of each evening when 2 million people sang and danced , there was indeed an incredible melding and Oneness and Unity that filled the crowd. For me it was a life-transforming experience. The new solidity and grace and joy that flowed through me and that has stayed with me suggests a more profound inner transformation that occurred. And I think it was also reminded of the profound organization that we really are. I also became aware that I really have family in all parts of the world and seeing them all there from courses over the past 15 years was a joyful reminder that I am connected to the One World family and that the world is much larger and more beautiful than the terrorism and violence we see on TV. For the first time, we had people there from Mainland China and Iraq and Iran and Taiwan and Lebanon and Mongolia and Sri Sri made a point of calling them all up to the stage to sing and dance together. One beautiful man from Iraq summarized the experience beautifully when he said, I do not know who I am or why I am here but the fullness of my heart does not need to know as it can experience this profo und love without having to analyze it. It is really beyond words to intellectualize or express the feeling and love level of One World family but it was a very rich and real experience that suddenly expands one beyond the very small boundaries of ones race, religion and national identity and creates a bigger sense of belongingness. One speaker noted, 60% of the people there were in there 20's and 30's and that does give us hope for the future and hope for creating a permanent sense of change in a troubled world and it was clear that the group kriya sent waves of coherence around the world broadcasting this once in a lifetime and once in many life times. . It took me 53 hours to get home door to door, but it did not matter as I spent more and more time in the present moment with a new sense of the global humanity that we are. Symbolically, on the plane home, I watched a wonderful French film and Golden Globe Nominee called, Merry Christmas, which was about German, French and Scottish troops coming out of their opposing ditches to celebrate Christmas together in 1914 and that it was spurred by a German opera start/soldier singing Christmas songs. . The movie was based on a true story and was very moving as the troops realized that they were indeed brothers and had the same problems and they were wondering why they were fighting each other and ultimately, they realized that it did not make sense and that their war was dictated by some power mongers that could not get along. Indeed music can be a beautiful means of bridging cultural gaps and uniting people together in song and more than ever I appreciate this aspect of th e Art of Living and the 3800 member orchestra and the group singing certainly exemplified this at times. When I arrived in Phoenix, it was seasonally cold in the 50's but refreshing and I felt like running, leapiing, laughing and dancing through the cool desert silence. -- Barry Rosen Sedona, AZ By Krishna Reddy | 11:45 | 27/Feb/2006 Permalink