Just Bliss @ Art of Living

I was not a penchant follower of Guruji Sri Sri Ravishankar when i wanted to take up the Art of Living - First Course. It was way back in 2007 when i enrolled for the course. I had no expectations but just the curiosity to learn more on meditation. But those three days really made a big difference to me.


Figure 1 : Art of Living , Bangalore



The Art of Living at Bangalore is one of the wonderful places. If you ever wish to take up the course i would strongly recommend to have a in house course instead of the part time one. The calm and quite environment does really make you see your inner self.

The people are provided with the stay and food. The food might not me as grand ,but you are treated to a three times satvic meal. And ofcourse there is more  food for the soul.

Bliss was the Sudarshan Kriya. It is a form of meditation coupled with a few types of pranayama which was created by Guruji himself. We are not supposed to elaborate on the technique, but let me say its worth the money that you pay to take up the course. If you are married, its better to take your spouse along.

The three day routine followed with some basic yoga, Sudarshan kriya, lectures - more on oneness and the musical satsang every night.

The teachers were the live examples .All bore a wide smile, a face which reflected the bliss that there were vibrating around. All were in there late twenties or mid thirties or thats how they looked like.

Follow the routine for 90 days and it becomes a habit. So is it with the Sudarshan Kriya.


Some of my pictures from Art of Living , Bangalore.
Figure 2: The Vishalakshmi Mandapam in the night.


Figure 3: Kudil where Guriji stays.


 
Figure 4 : Flowers before Guruji's Kudil


 
Figure 5 : Buddha Smiling at Art of Living

Listen to AOL Bhajans from Rishi Nitya Pragya


The Soulful Rishikesh

Some of the wonderful places in the sacred country of  India cannot be overlooked or debated upon. Here is one such place in the foot of the legendary Himalayas, Rishikesh. If you have already been there then you surely know what it is. The backdrop of the shivalik ranges, the sound of the great Ganges,the saffron robed sadhus all around ..... This place gives the feeling of being in utterly a different galaxy.....



Figure 1 : Sunrise at Rishikesh

Rishikesh is about 25 kilometers from the other sacred City of Haridwar. Rishikesh houses if iam not to go wrong the maximum number of  Meditation and Yogic retreats.
We were gifted to stay very closeby to the place where the Aarthi is performed in the evening.

Rishikesh was the third stop at our journey towards Badrinath, the earlier ones being Delhi and Haridwar.
A few hours from Delhi, what a complete diversity from the khadi to the saffron.

Few Places to see in and around Rishikesh
1. Lakshman Jhula  - This is the bridge used by Lakshmana . It is a hanging bridge. The original one was destroyed and the present one is a manmade hanging bridge in the same place.
2. Neelkanth Mahadev temple -1675 m. This temple is dedicated to NeeIkanth Mahadev (Lord Shiva) which is about 20 kms from Laxman Jhoola. According to mythology, Lord Shiva had consumed the effluent poison produced after Sagar manthan which had turned his throat blue and thus this place came to be known as Neelkanth Mahadev or Shiva with Blue throat. While going upto Neelkanth Mahadev one can have a wide spread view of Himalayan peaks, Bhabar forests and plains below  There is also a Suyambu Shivling here.
3. The numerouns temples on the banks of the river

Last but not the least, the magificant Aarthi performed there in the evening.
One more step towards enlightenment....




Figure 2 : Neelkanth Mahadev Temple


Figure 3 : Sanctum Sanctorum of the Neelkanth Mahadev temple


Figure 4 : Monkeys on the way to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple


Figure 5 : Smoking Sadhu, Rishikesh. Haridwar, Rishikesh and the Himalayas are full of Sadhus.