How to take a breather

WASHINGTON—About 200 people are sitting on yoga mats in a Washington hotel ballroom trying to learn how to do something they already do about 21,600 times a day: breathe.

This “automatic breathing” they’ve been doing all their lives? No good. So they’re learning to breathe deeply from their diaphragms and hoping that benefits—such as stress reduction, better sleep and increased mental focus—will follow.Read More

Gurupurnima With Guruji 2009

Guru Purnima Special

The Guru principle is so vital in life. The first guru is Dakshinamurthy, the embodiment of infinity woven so skillfully in the finite that the finite and infinite co-exist. There is an element of the guru in every human being. That wisdom in each one has to be invoked and awakened.
When this element is awakened, misery in life disappears. It is the medicine for misery; the wealth of all knowledge.
Gurave sarva lokanaam – the Divine Consciousness is the leading light of the whole world-of all the worlds.
Bishaje bhava roginaam – It is the medicine for the ills of society, of life, of misery. It removes all misery.
Nidhaya sarva vidyanaam Sri Dakshinamurthaye namaha – I take refuge in this Consciousness which is in my heart!
The word guru is used today to mean expertise – like an expert in business management. Guru means enormous, the biggest. Of course, expertise is a part of it. There is perfection in everything. There is that depth.
In our consciousness, wisdom comes to life when the guru tattva comes to life. When we have no desires of our own, then the guru tattva dawns in our life. Do you ever wish to do something for someone without expecting anything from them? Then you have played the role of the guru. The mother is the first guru. Then there are the teachers – the veena teacher and so on. The Satguru gives you knowledge of the truth, the ultimate reality, spiritual knowledge.
On Guru Purnima, one must reflect, “Where was I before I got this knowledge? Where am I now?” When you see the contrast of where you were without this knowledge, then gratitude wells up.
This full moon is also called Vyasa Purnima. Vyasa categorized the entire lore of wisdom into the 4 vedas, the Upanishads, the upavedas, the 27 smritis, 27 upasmritis – a huge lore of knowledge pertaining to every aspect of life from ayurveda to architecture to alchemy to medicine. This full moon is named after him.
This day we remember the contribution of all those who have been on this planet for the wellbeing of the human race. We remember what they have done. We see the contrast (brought about by spiritual knowledge) in our lives and feel grateful.
How fortunate you are to perceive the infinity within you - in this finite framework of the body-mind complex. The body and mind are finite but the expression of the spirit is infinity.
For the Seeker, the New Year is from Guru Purnima to Guru Purnima. When it is half way for the rest of the world, we celebrate one whole year on the spiritual path. One year towards the Divine manifestation in our life. One year towards feeling the oneness and seeing the world through the eyes of the guru. That is the guiding star for us. Let me do that which a guru, a wise person would have done in this situation. A wise person would never react. He would respond. You will learn by putting yourself in that position (of the guru or wise person) again and again - by attempting infinite patience, immense intelligence, complete compassion and unblemished joy.
Nobody knows when the tradition started. Billions of years before, on this earth, so many sages and rishis have been there and so many in the future too. We thank all those in the past, present and the future for the continuation of wisdom on this dear planet. Without wisdom it is not living, only existing. Life begins with wisdom.
This Guru Purnima think about all the blessings that you have received and feel grateful. Everyone sing and let go and be immersed in the inner bliss. (From What Sri Sri said today: July
7th)

The purpose and utility of identity

The universe is a multilayered existence; there are many levels: there are the molecular, the atomic and the subatomic levels. So also the human The purpose, utility and futility of identity (Getty Images) consciousness: though one, yet, it is many.
An eight-year-old child in India was always given the Brahma Gyan first, before any other knowledge. The first upadesha or formal advice given during the Upanayanam or holy thread ceremony is called Brahmopadesha, where the highest identity of oneself is revealed as a secret. In this ceremony, the guru, father and mother whisper in the ear of the child: "You are THAT!" And then all the varnashrama dharmas, or lesser identities are taught and the duties are promulgated. Read More

Why We Connect Easily To A Living Master- By Smt. Bhanumathi Narasimhan

The guru is an embodiment of wisdom, and love. In Sanskrit, the word for gravity is gurutvakarshan. The earth holds on to us with the force of gravity. Without this attraction or love, we would not have a base. Similarly, gurutva is the basis of our life. The guru is the guiding light who removes the darkness of ignorance and shows the path to wonderment.

One day, while Lord Shiva was performing a puja, his consort Parvati sees him bowing his head in reverence. Seeing this, she asks: You are the Supreme Consciousness, the substratum of entire Creation . Who is it that you bow down to Shiva replied: Dear Parvati, for the benefit of all humanity, I will answer your question . It is to the allpervading guru tatva that I bow down to. In the many beautiful verses that followed called the Guru Gita, Shiva explains the guru principle, and says how fortunate one is to have a living master in his life.

The guru in the physical form is called pratyaksh. In the presence of the master, our enthusiasm and spirit are in an elevated state. Our sorrows diminish, joy wells up, there is contentment , knowledge is nourished and protected, and talent blossoms. When a drop feels connected to the ocean, it feels the strength of the ocean. When we are connected to this tradition, we feel the strength
and protection of all the masters. All these masters are an expression of the same Infinite, Undivided, Supreme and Pure Consciousness. The guru is a tatva an omnipresent , omniscient, omnipotent principle.

Establishing connection with this tatva is a source of great strength. We know we have forefathers, great-grandparents and so on. Yet we feel most attached and connected to our parents or grandparents because they are with us. Similarly, we have many gurus in our tradition , but when we come in the presence of a living master, the connection is established immediately . The entire knowledge from time immemorial is made available to us.

Guru Purnima is a time to feel grateful. The more grateful we are, the more grace flows into our lives. On Guru Purnima , we remember all the masters who were, who are and who will be in the future. We feel gratitude towards the master who moves us from a limited understanding
and pride of i know everything to i am everything . A disciple seeks knowledge. A devotee seeks nothing. A devotee is soaked in love and devotion. Guru Purnima is a special day of the
devotee as well. When a river meets the ocean, the river no longer remains a river. It becomes the ocean. It is the same when the devotee meets the Divine. Only Divinity remains. The individual i dissolves in the One Divinity. When we look at the world through the eyes of the master, the world
will look so much more beautiful a place filled with love, joy, compassion and virtues. The masters presence is one that is unlimited, vast, infinite and all-inclusive . The presence of the master in ones
life brings fulfilment in all other relationships. To that one, eternal, pure, unbounded embodiment of knowledge and absolute bliss, to the lotus feet of my master, i bow down with respect and gratitude.

The writer is director, women and child welfare programmes, the Art of
Living Foundation. Today is Guru Purnima.( Source THE SPEAKING TREE : Times of India (Jul 7 2009 edition, Page 16)

Gurupurnima 2009

For a seeker, Gurupoornima is a day to review one's progress on the spiritual path and renew one's determination and focus on the goal. It is also a day to honour the tradition of Guru's and Acharyas who have made us recognize this ancient wisdom and helped bridge the gap between this wisdom and one’s own life. Reverence to the Guru simply means honouring your innermost nature.

Our "Pranaams" to the lotus feet of our Guruji.

Empowering the youth

CHENNAI: From July 8 to July 12, Chennai will receive the first youth empowerment workshop provided by the Art of Living and W.A.Y.E. (World Alliance of Youth Empowerment).


This workshop is designed to bring a diverse audience, especially amongst those engaged in the expressive arts and provide guidance throughout the process, particularly using the methods brought by Art of Living’s founder: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This workshop has the advantage of being funded by NGOs and not being under the radar of traditional educational policies according to volunteers of the Art of Living.
Read More