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Art
of Living
{
Note:
I have personally attended this course and recommend you all. Art of
Living gives you techniques to reduce stress, control your anger
and makes you happy.
L.Srikumar
Pai, Civil Engineer ,CAD Specialist& Web Master}
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Art
of Living Foundation is dedicated to serving society by strengthening
the individual. It is done 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.
The Art of
Living Course includes the Sudarshan Kriya®, a powerful breathing
technique which eliminates stress and brings one completely into the
present moment
Everyone wants
more happiness, love, and peace of mind. What keeps us from increasing
these qualities in our lives is stress. Often we don't realize the
degree to which stress clouds our natural enthusiasm, saps our energy,
interferes in our relationships, and affects our health.
You will find
that the Art of Living Course releases layers of stress without effort,
removing blocks to the increased energy and joy that are our birthright.
You will
discover the hidden laws that govern the mind, as well as skills for
dealing effectively with negative emotions. In addition you will enjoy
the ancient practices of yoga, meditation and rhythms of breath, as
these are combined in new ways to nourish all levels of Body, Mind and
Spirit.
The Art of
Living Course offers the practical wisdom of how to live gracefully in a
stressful world, and also the deep spiritual experience necessary to put
that knowledge into action.
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Sri Sri Ravishankar
Born
in 1956 to an eminent family in Southern India, it was soon apparent
that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was to be a rare and unusual figure. At the
age of four he could recite the entire Bhagavad Gita and by 17 he had
completed his traditional studies, including an advanced degree in
modern science. In 1986 he was presented with the title "Yoga
Shiromani" (Supreme Teacher of Union with the Self) from the
President of India. He is the only non-westerner to serve on the
advisory board of Yale University's School of Divinity.
In
1982, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar established the Art of Living foundation, as
an educational organization designed to assist all levels of society in
reaching their full human potential. His educational programs offer
innovative tools for managing stress, resolving conflict, improving
health and living life with more joy and enthusiasm. The foundation is a
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in special consultative status with
the United Nations.
In
1992 he launched the Prison SMART Foundation (Stress Management and
Rehabilitative Training) to address the needs of individuals and
professionals impacted by the criminal justice system. Programs are
offered to prison inmates, at-risk youth, victims of crime and criminal
justice professionals.
In
1995 Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was a speaker during the 50th Anniversary
celebration of the United Nations. Since that time, his organization
continues to work with a variety of NGO's (Non-Govermental
Organizations) and UN groups to raise awareness of the need to focus on
human values as a fundamental step in realizing universal human rights.
Visit
for more information.
http://www.srisri.org/
Art of Living in Oman |
Q1: What do they teach in the Art of Living
Part-I course?
The Art of Living Part-I course offers us the
practical wisdom of how to live gracefully in a stressful world. And the tools
with which to deepen our inner experience in order to put that knowledge into
action. Experiential in nature, the Part-I course introduces a broad range of
knowledge, processes, and techniques, including:
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- easy & rejuvenating, physical yoga
exercises
- profound breathing techniques - "pranayama"
- guided meditations/awareness questions
- recognized and useful mental rules for daily life
- valuable interpersonal and group processes
- universal knowledge about our inner existence
- the "Sudarshan Kriya" technique |
All of the techniques and processes that you learn
on the course can be practiced at home every day, so that the gifts of the
course can continue to unfold and grow in your life. The Part-I course can open
your awareness, your experience, to a whole new way of being!
Q2: Is it a self
development program or something spiritual?
Its both! The basis of spirituality is simply
knowing ourselves better. You will find that the Art of Living Course releases
layers of stress without effort, removing blocks to the increased energy and joy
that are our birthright. The course integrates modern methods with ancient
spiritual wisdom to bring you in touch with the silent core of your Being. You
will discover the hidden laws that govern the mind, as well as skills for
dealing effectively with negative emotions. In addition you will enjoy the
ancient practices of yoga, meditation and rhythms of breath, as these are
combined in new ways to nourish all levels of Body, Mind and Spirit.
Q3: Can you explain
why we should do Pranayama?
Pranayama: (from prana and ayama,
"life/breath extension") - breath control.
Breathing is
normally an unconscious process. Through the practice of pranayama, you will
learn to consciously govern the breath so that it energizes, purifies, and
brings harmony to body, mind and spirit.
Q4: What is the
Sudarshan Kriya?
Sudarshan Kriya: “a purifying process to give the
right view of the Self” is an ancient breathing process reintroduced to the
world by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This unique breathing practice is a
potent energizer. Every cell becomes fully oxygenated and flooded with new life.
Negative
emotions that have been stored as toxins in the body are easily uprooted and
flushed out. Tensions, frustrations and anger get released. Anxiety, depression
and lethargy are washed away. Both the mind and the body feel a welcome relief.
After the practice one is left calm and centered with a clearer vision of the
world and oneself. A sense of joy in the moment prevails where once again we can
smile from our hearts. And when we feel good about ourselves, love flows
naturally in all our relationships with others.
Q5: What will I
gain from taking the Part-I course?
Most people come away from the course feeling
energized and refreshed, having just dropped a lot of tension and stress.
Participants commonly report that their health improves, self - awareness
increases, and they feel a greater sense of ease in their lives. Others report
an improvement in relationships, greater creativity, and increased mental
clarity. In addition, independent medical studies have documented the benefits
of Sudarshan Kriya and related practices in the treatment of depression. Several
other studies also verify a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical
benefits. Techniques from the Art of Living Course are simple to learn, easy to
practice. Continued practice extends the workshop's benefits to daily life.
Q6: Will this
course help in curing diseases?
Research done at various medical institutions has
indicated that the Sudarshan Kriya does benefit in diseases like heart problems,
blood pressure, depression, cholesterol and many others. As such the Sudarshan
Kriya helps maintain general well being and is believed to assist the body's own
natural ability to heal itself.
Q7: Are there any
qualifications required for doing this course?
The Art of Living Course is open to people of all
ages, 18 – 80! and from all educational backgrounds. Everyone can benefit from
this enjoyable, practical, and experiential course.
Q8: What is the
course fee and time commitment?
The Part-I course fee is $375.00 for adults and
$200.00 for full-time students and seniors age 65 and above. We are a volunteer
driven non-profit educational and humanitarian organization and all course
proceeds go to support our service projects.
The Art of
Living Part-I Course involves a commitment of six consecutive days. We meet in
the evenings for a few hours on weeknights and on the weekend days, also for a
few hours. Everything builds upon what has been offered before. Take the Part-I
course! Just do it! You will be glad you did!
Q9: Can Sudarshan
Kriya be done by diabetics, heart patients, etc.?
Yes, Sudarshan Kriya can usually be done by almost
anyone. But if you have specific ailments or have been advised against certain
exercises, or are under the care of a physician, please consult with them and be
sure to mention this or any other concerns to your teacher at the time of the
course.
Q10: Is 18-20
hours sufficient for learning all these techniques?
The introductory Art of Living course Part-I is
taught in 18-20 hours. This time is sufficient to impart the training, and the
knowledge received is so simple and natural that participants are then ready to
practice on their own at home. A local teacher of the Art of Living is always
available if there are any questions. And follow-up programs provide additional
opportunities for practice and support. Additional knowledge, processes, and
techniques are given in the Part-II course and these courses are usually
conducted as in-residence silent retreats.
Q11: Do you teach
meditations in the Part-I course?
Although the course does include some guided
meditations, it does not teach one a specific meditation technique. For this we
offer a separate course called "Sahaj Samadhi Meditation", the Art of Living's
special meditation technique.
Q12: How long has
this course been taught? Where?
The Part-I course has been taught since 1982 to
over 20 million people in over 140 countries around the world.
Q13: What is the
goal of the Art of Living Foundation?
The Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to
serving society by strengthening the individual. We do this by offering unique
programs that eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging, and restore human
values. We encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural
traditions to come together in a spirit of celebration and service.
Q14: Who is the
founder/originator of the Art of Living courses?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the
founder/originator. A symbol of dedicated service to humanity, he is also the
guiding force behind the numerous service projects undertaken by the Art of
Living. His practical wisdom, love and simplicity are a source of inspiration
for millions around the world.
Q15: My religion
is very important to me, does this conflict?
We are an educational, charitable, and
humanitarian organization, not a religious one. We support human values common
to all peoples and traditions, such as love, compassion, and service to the
world. Our organization adheres to no one religion or religious practice in
particular, but we honor and embrace the spiritual truths that are at the heart
of all religions. Our programs don’t conflict with any religion or spiritual
practice - rather, they enhance both by allowing us to experience the inner core
of our being, which is infinite. People of all faiths have enjoyed Art of Living
programs.
Q16: What is a
Part-II course? Who can attend?
Part-II courses are available for anyone who has
taken the Part-I course. They are frequently offered as in-residence silent
retreats from 4-14 days and provide an opportunity to delve deeper into
knowledge of the various aspects of our existence through Sri Sri’s “hollow and
empty” meditations, knowledge videos, early morning yoga, evening chanting, and
various group processes. Experiential and profoundly rejuvenating to body, mind
and spirit, participants emerge from these courses deeply rested and cleansed,
with renewed energy and clarity.
( Courtesy:
http://www.artoflivingdfw.org )
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