ART OF LIVING AMAZING FACTS

Art of Living - Who, What, Where , When, Why, and How?

Art of Living is a worldwide initiative led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, its spiritual leader who started the movement in India in 1982. It is not strictly physical yoga because the central activities tend to concentrate on breathing exercises, meditation and the spiritual realm. I am not even sure how to qualify AOL (its shortened form is preferred internally) within the Indian religious spectrum.

The Art of Living Foundation is an international non-profit educational and humanitarian organization run by volunteers active in over 140 countries. Its mission statement is:

"Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to serving society by strengthening the individual. We do this by offering programs that eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging, restore human values, and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service."

This page has two purposes: to bring together a lot of diverse online resources about the Art of Living, both AOL's and other sites, and to help someone new to AOL and thinking of taking the Art of Living introduction course. When someone first thinks about taking the course, lots of ideas flow through your hear:

  • Is Art of Living a religion?
  • Is Art of Living a cult?
  • Who is this Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and why does he look so weird? And does it matter that he does not look like a yuppie?
  • Is there a scientific foundation to the breathing practices taught by AOL instructors?

 

Art of Living is gaining wide acceptance around the world. Here in Washington, the World Bank Group has sponsored many introductory AOL courses. Sri Sri has spoken at NASA, Congress and met President Bush at the White House. The organization is based on volunteers scattered around the world, most operating with independence. The instructors do not receive any pay for their time and effort. Most are driven by a sense of service.

What sets Art of Living apart? Its emphasis on ecumenical outreach of the benefits of Sudarshan Kriya to those who can really use it: children, prison inmates, the HIV infected. The Prison SMART Foundation (Stress Management and Rehabilitative Training) addresses the needs of individuals and professionals affected by the criminal justice system.

  • Reduced stress
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Greater creativity and clarity of mind
  • Increased health and well-being
  • Enriched spiritual life

Scientific research into Sudarshan kriya has found several effects. Since 1996, Indian research has shown it to be an alternative treatment for depression. In Slovenia it was found that it also helped Multiple Sclerosis patients by improving their mobility, endurance levels, and lung capacity.

  • Reduced cortisol -- the "stress hormone"
  • Relief of depression and anxiety
  • Restores normal sleep patterns
  • Increases EEG alpha and prolactin ("well-being hormone")

Special Sections

Art of Living Foundation Resources

It can difficult to understand the multiple initiatives that revolve around Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Some are focused on India. Others are international in scope. Still others seem to centered in the United States and Canada. The Indian wing of International Art of Living Foundation is registered as Vyakti Vikas Kendra.

Other references

 

 

 

Who is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar?


Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Dai Lama founded the International Association of Human Values (IAHV) in 1997 in Geneva.

The Art of Living Foundation has an official biography of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's life, and it seems to be the one repeated in other media. He was born in 1956, and soon showed his spiritual bent, reciting Hindi scripture by heart at an early age. Early in his spiritual maturity, he also served the Transcendental Meditation (TM) Guru and mystic Maharishi Maheshyogi, as a fairly senior and trusted lieutenant. He served as a pundit or reciter of Vedic scriptures in the TM ceremonies. He was largely responsible for spreading the Maharishi's gospel and activity to South Africa and other parts of the globe. He struck out on his own in 1982.

The Art of Living yoga lineage can be traced through Maharishi to the Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (also known as Ramamurti S. Mishra) and Swami Vishvandanda (Of Sringe Math.) according to the lineages in Kathy Phillips's The Spirit of Yoga. Deepak Chopra, the best-selling author of self-help books, is also this same branch of the yogic tradition.

Sri Sri is an honorific term that was added to his name after the Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar complained that confusion was arising about who was who. "Sri" means respected one. One "Sri" (pronounced shree) is a term of respect similar to "mister" and the use of two is analogous to "the reverend." Yoga Journal's Emperor of Air contains the best unofficial biographical information on Sri Sri that I have found on the Internet.

Sri Sri does not want his admirers or others to refer to him as a swami, which refers to the member of an ascetic or monastic order, much like a Catholic monk. His followers address him as His Holiness, and more affectionately as gurudev or guruji.

India Yogi's Indian Saints, Mystics, Philosophers and Gurus includes a short bib. Sri Sri and AOL are a potent force in India. As often happens in the developing world, as the movement has increased its international presence, it has resonated more in India.

Art of Living Practice of Sudarshan Kriya

Sudarshan (less frequently spelt sudharshan) is Sanskrit. Su stands for "proper" and darshan means "vision." Kriya is a yogic practice that is meant to purify the body. In English, Art of Living staff used to refer to it as the Healing Breath Technique, but that has fallen out of favor. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar thinks that people should learn the Sanskrit name. My AOL instructors refer to the kriya as a kind of toxin purge for the body, mind and spirit. This practice came to Sri Sri when he was on a retreat in 1983, and it has formed the foundation of his mission since then.

Sudarshan kriya is the core of the Art of Living approach. It's kind of like a crash course in pranayama, the yogic practice of breath extension or control. It is incorporated into a daily practice and also forms part of the weekly gatherings, called Satsang, where Art of Living practicioners follow a more extended process with an audio recording of Sri Sri leading a Maja Kriya.

As Art of Living participants, we are not supposed to openly discuss our practice with outsiders. You are supposed to be a trained and certified instructor to impart sudarshan kriya. The Art of Living Foundation has registered the name because others were going to patent it. The official version can be found on the Art of Living website

In both the daily practice and the extended version, the Art of Living users engage in four exercises: yogic three-part breathing (three cycles, once with hands on waist, hands at chest level with elbows extended to the side, and arms up and hands touching back shoulders), bastrika (three repetions), Om-chanting (three repetitions) and Sudarshan Kriya. All four of these breathing exercises or practices are part of yogic tradition, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has modified them slightly or substantially. Sudarshan Kriya bears a strong resemblance to kabalabhati.

What does the kriya add to my yoga practice? It's increased my lung capacity in a really short time; it's increased my alertness; it's given me methods to refresh my mind throughout the day. By giving me greater awareness and sensitivity to my breath, I've improved my concentration and meditation. By coming to AOL and yoga together, I was able to see how much yoga could benefit me. At my first yoga class after the AOL intro course, I was able to get into deep bends and other poses and hold them because I was breathing more easily and deeply. I suppose I could have to come to the same condition through other methods, but it would have taken more time.

Art of Living also says that the kriya practice has accumulative effects over time. Medical research shows that it has promising results in recovery from mood disorders and building HIV.

Introductory Course

The course goes through the mechanics of sudarshan kriya and other pranayama exercises assuming that you do not have any prior knowledge of yoga. In the two weekend sessions, you are guided through a fair extensive yoga practice -- it is more than just stretching, as described in the literature. But no one gets penalized for bad form or being out of shape.

In all Art of Living practices, there is a strong emphasis placed on balance and moderation -- not going overboard. You're not going to major benefits from doubling or tripling your time in kriya. However, some Art of Living practicioners encourage more frequent use of kriya practices for people suffering from mood disorders. There is no claim that you should assume other aspects of yoga tradition, like becoming a vegetarian.

Other Courses

The Art of Living Foundation and its affiliates employ sudarshan kriya and other pranayama exercises as the core of other specialized courses, like the Stress Management program for corporate employees, prison inmate work, or its youth program. In addition, there are efforts to help people with illnesses like depression and anxiety,

Part II Course

Informally known as the advanced course, this experience requires a 4-6 day residence at a retreat or an Art of Living ashram. Frequently, the course is given by Sri Sri himself. The course combines four aspects: Silence, Sadhana (Meditation), Satsang (Celebration) and Seva (Service).

"Silence takes you deeper into yourself, Sadhana builds Energy, Satsang maintains it (elevating consciousness) and finally this energy is lovingly channeled through Seva." (From Art of Living websites and literature)

The Part II Course is really the doorway to full understanding of Art of Living. If you have a desire to be a volunteer instructor or take the yoga course, you will need to take the course. I've heard of the course taking place in New York in the Hudson valley, at the Montreal ashram and in Lake Tahoo, CA.

Research

In India, there is a lot of research on the therapeutic effects of yoga and pranayama. The leading institute is Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (Research Foundation) or VYASA, sometimes referred to as Vivekananda Kendra. The leading researcher is Shirley Telles. There is a US branch in Houston, sVYASA



 


Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Spiritual leader of
Art of Living Foundation

 

The Art of Living Courses

 

"Existence is a fact, Living is an Art."

"Art is appreciation of what is. Start appreciating life itself, and not the accessories of life- the moment you start doing that you have learned the Art of Living"

"Disease-free body, quiver-free breath, stress-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, obsession-free memory, ego that includes all, and soul which is free from sorrow "

The basis of a stable, successful civilization is a strong individual. The Art of Living Courses designed by H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar integrate modern methods with ancient wisdom to provide powerful yet simple and practical tools to eliminate stress, bring the mind to the present moment and increase one's energy, enthusiasm, clarity and creativity.

These programs are aimed for one's all-round personal growth,  seeking to blossom the individuals full potential with emphasis on conscious holistic living and personal self-development.

They cater to every age group and section of society, from children to adults, and rural areas to huge corporations. The programs bring out the individuals full potential with its

Today more than 20 million people, in over 146 countries around the world, have benefited from  these programs.

ART OF LIVING PART I

"Existence is a fact, Living is an Art." - H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The degree to which stress unduly influences our lives is generally underestimated.  Often the mind clings on to anger, guilt, regrets about the past, or anxiety about the future.  This oscillation of the mind is the determining factor for tension and stress both for ourselves and for the people around us.

To be able to deal with our mind and negative emotions is an art: the Art of Living.

There is an inbuilt ability within us to calm the mind, relax the body and energize the entire system within minutes. The secret lies in the breath.

The Art of Living Course Part I explores this secret.

It features a unique and powerful breathing technique, the Sudarshan Kriya ®, which is traditionally understood to use specific rhythms of the breath to eliminate stress, support the various organs and systems within the body, transform overpowering emotions and restore peace of mind.

Combined with other breathing and meditation techniques, knowledge about the laws governing one's mind, and skills that help deal effectively with negative emotions, the course offers individuals tools to help deal with the day-to-day stresses of life, thereby promoting a better quality of life and increased happiness and peace.

This course is central to all other courses offered by the Foundation.   It is conveniently spread over six consecutive sessions  and also includes yoga, stretching and relaxation exercises.

Deeply introspective and fun it is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, cultures and traditions all over the world and is open to people of all ages and backgrounds. It does not conflict with any religious or spiritual practice. It is fun and relaxing. Anybody can do it!

Some of the benefits include:

  • Reduced stress
  • More joy and enthusiasm
  • Improved efficiency and productivity
  • Heightened self-esteem
  • Enhanced health and well-being
  • Improved interpersonal skills
  • Heightened awareness and clearer perception
  • Shining expression and enhanced beauty
  • Anti-aging effect

 

ART OF LIVING PART II

"Words cannot capture existence, but Silence can." – H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The Art of Living Par II course is about true relaxation and provides an opportunity for a vacation in its truest sense. It provides an opportunity to  dive deeper into one’s inner self... your body, mind and the spirit will experience deep rest, rejuvenation and inner transformation.

It includes a combination of silence, sadhana (meditation), satsang (celebration) and seva (service).

Silence takes you deeper into yourself, sadhana builds energy, satsang maintains it (by elevating consciousness) and finally this energy is lovingly channelled through seva.

Keeping silence is a powerful processes experienced on an advanced course. The practice of silence has been known throughout the ages, in many different traditions and cultures, as a great tool for enhancing self-discovery.  Maintaining silence, for even a few days, can have remarkable effects on the system, reviving energy and enthusiasm, and providing deep rest for the mind and body.

Other elements of the course include building energy through yoga asanas (postures) and understanding the value and importance of seva or service, to enhance ones growth.

The Part II is usually offered as a residential,  held over 4-6 days and  is open to those who have completed the Part 1 course.

 

SRI SRI YOGA

The term 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', meaning union of individual and universal

consciousness. Yoga is not merely a form of exercise for the body, but a path towards total harmony of body, mind and spirit.

Sri Sri Yoga is a graceful and balanced discipline that combines the wisdom and techniques of yoga in a joyful, sincere and thorough manner. A combination of gentle and vigorous postures is taught for the well-being of the body, while an equal emphasis is placed on techniques for nurturing the mind and spirit.

This course caters for everyone, regardless of their current fitness levels.

 

SAHAJ SAMADHI

"A mind in the present moment is meditation" – H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sahaj means natural, effortless and Samadhi is a deep meditative state of mind.

Sahaj Samadhi is exactly that - a natural, effortless system of meditation that allows the conscious mind to settle deeply into the self, thus giving it much needed deep rest.

When the mind settles down it lets go of all tension and stress and centers itself into the present moment.

It is only in the present moment - those moments when the mind is free from regrets about the past, and anxiety about the future - that one finds true happiness.

In just a few sessions you will learn to tap the depths of your own nature. Sahaj Samadhi meditation is very easy and enjoyable and regular daily practice can totally transform the quality of your life.

 

DIVYA SAMAJ NIRMAAN (DSN)

Divya Samaj Nirman literally translated means creating a divine society.

This course provides the first opportunity for the individual to take more social responsibility and experience the power of one’s inner strength.

We all have personal barriers, old habits, or inhibitions that hold us back and keep us from fully participating in life. Yet we all have a deep desire to be the best we can be - for ourselves, our families, our communities and even the world around us.

The truth is that those old emotional wounds, self-concepts, attitudes and fears create a barrier between you and the ability to live your heart's desire.

DSN is a rigorous and transformational course, which through a powerful combination of yoga, special meditations, breathing techniques and group processes, empowers participants to break through those personal barriers and inspire in them greater social activism and responsibility.

Dropping whatever isn’t serving your best interests is a completely liberating experience - making you feel that nothing can shake you. When you are ready for  true freedom and personal empowerment, then you are ready for DSN!

This course is open to all those who have completed the Art of Living Part I Course.

 For Course  information please Contact

Divya Puri 050/7820832