There is definitely a need to explain the
difference between Living and Surviving . Lot many of us do Survive but, people who Live are very few. On one of the weekends, I had
an opportunity to know How to Live. I have
many times heard about Art of Living Ashram, which is located in the outskirts
of Bangalore. It is an amazing construction. In fact, a decade ago, for many people
including me, the Name Ravi Shankar meant the Famous Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi
Shankar. The founder of Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was introduced to
the world as a leading humanist. People call him as 'Guruji'.
Firstly I thought, what would these
people teach me how to Live?
Don't I know? Am I not living since two decades? Until few days ago, I had an
opinion that I don't need to go for all the marketing techniques they play.
Later, I observed some change in behavior of some persons, who attended some
programs or had done some basic course. Then I felt There might be something good in that. Then I realized that I was
not Living, but just Surviving in the society. In addition to
that when you ask those people they calmly respond, "It is a wonderful experience, You have to know it yourself, we can't
say it in words!". Even in the internet I didn't find much information
on what they teach in Ashram. Professionally, though I am diligent and well
prepared for whatever the discussions or
seminars I have, I didn't have any idea about what they teach? what they
preach? With lot many unanswered questions, I reached Ashram late evening on
Friday.
Registration Process at help
desk was quickly done. I was already tired of travelling from Chennai to Bangalore.
It was around 10 'O' Clock in the night, I began to walk slowly towards my allotted
accommodation with a backpack and a cabin baggage. Ambience was so pleasant
with greenery, cool breeze and quiet atmosphere, that fatigue was not known at
all.
I was walking through, I could
see a building on the right. Colorful lights adorned that building. It is
called Visalakshi Mantapam as per the map given at the help desk. The accommodation
allotted reminded me of Osmania University Hostels. I was back into my Olden
and Golden days of Engineering. The room was triple shared and furnished with
beds, rugs and an attached bathroom. All seemed to be very comfortable and
looked fine. Might be due to new location or I being Insomniac, even though I
was tired, I was unable to sleep. Those drizzles, cool breezes, Gibbous Moon
and sparkling stars Welcomed me with honor.
To be
Continued..
