Jesica Tirado - Found my purpose.... at last

Art of Living Teacher

(Follow Jesy on Twitter: @jesytirado )

Post originally in Spanish.

El original de este blog en español. Por favor, haga clic en el botón de traducir a la derecha (en la barra lateral) para acceder a este blog en español.

I was born in Argentina in 1983. Oldest of 3 sisters, I used to see the world, through history and around the globe. When I was 10 years old, I had already read the biographies of great people such as Mandela, Luther King, Saints like Saint Francis of Asis and others that have had significant impact in this world. These wonderful texts started me thinking "What can I do to contribute? How can I be more useful to society?"

When I was 11, I thought charity is the way and I started gathering donations for different places.  After doing this for two years, I realized I would be able to accomplish much more working in a group, than just by myself.  So, I started talking to my friends and asked them to join me. By the end of the year, over 50 of us were working together to raise funds for the various charitable institutions.  Still I felt something was missing --"education! I thought". So I spoke to this group and we started helping kids with their studies so that they would be able to finish school. Then we also started teaching adults who wanted to join college again. Still, I felt incomplete. So I joined a political party when I was 16, and did not find fulfillment there either.

At 17, I started studying medicine, I was a great student getting very high grades. I was in a group that helped the freshmen with their work. I had left politics but I still was involved in different charitable and educational projects. By the time I was 20, I had even written a book, and soon felt completely burned out.

I had many health issues stemming from endocrine problems. I was tired all the time. I had problems sleeping, concentrating and even in relating to people.

That year my sister invited me to the Art of Living Course.  In the first week, I was feeling so great that when my teacher Beatriz Goyoaga told us to do some service activity, I said I want to go and help in the foundation.

In the first month after the course, I realized how I was studying better than ever, in less time. I was sleeping well, feeling energized, relaxed and focused - all together for the first time in my life.

In 2006, I participated in the Art of Living Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary).  There I met Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the first time. I was astounded at the number of projects and volunteers Sri Sri had inspired around the globe. His work touched all segments of society, aimed at making life a celebration from.

I came back and started collaborating actively in the Art of Living's Argentina chapter and for the first time, at long last, I felt fulfillment - this was what I had been looking for since child.

Now I am an Art of Living Teacher since 2007 and I have been able to see the same change I have experienced in my life in thousands of people from all walks of life and every sector of society.

Jai GuruDev!
Jesica

Swami Paramtej - art of living experience

Senior Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Art of Living Foundation

I was born and bought up in Delhi, India. Since the age of 10 years, I started meditating on my own. I was fascinated by epics like the Ramayana and the Krishna Leela, especially Lord Hanuman (The Monkey God) and his devotion to Lord Rama and his ability where nothing was impossible for him. I used to love listening to their stories but at the same time had little doubts whether these incidences actually happened.

Living a full life - with joy and contentment

I knew from the beginning that I did not exist in this world only to eat, drink, sleep and work. I also used to wonder how and what I would like to do before I leave this body, so that I have no regrets later on. Until the age of 27, I desperately wanted some guidance and started spiritual shopping. At last, I found Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji at a big public gathering in December 2000. I knew that this is the path I have to follow! I completed the Art of Living course in January 2001 and found all the answers in the course. I found that there is a buffet of everything I wanted to do. Be it service, singing dancing, yoga, knowledge and all in such abundance. I cannot imagine any other way of living life which is so full, which can give such joy and contentment. Being a teacher to impart this highest knowledge, to make people stress free and joyful, makes life a true celebration - it is amazing. I see it everyday - so many people get healed with yoga, pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya and blessings. I see so many benefits and miraculous improvements in people by doing the Art of Living courses. There is definitely a divine power which is working to give a direction to the world, irrespective of religion, nationality, caste, color, social status.




                     Video - Art of Living Course Experiences

How does Guruji manage this responsibility? He does it with such simplicity, as though it is not a big deal. And who wouldn't be charmed by his unconditional love?  In fact I just feel so grateful to be born at this time where I can not only see and be with him, but also have the opportunity to bring his knowledge to many people.

Shreya Chugh - Art of Living Experience:

Art of Living Teacher, ARTExcel, YES, National Director for The Art of Living -Youth Empowerment programs

I was born and raised in Bangalore, India. I went to Sri Aurobindo Memorial
School and hold a Masters degree in International Business. I’m an ardent lover
of adventure sports and hold the Kirmani Award for rappelling . I've also won
many accolades in white water rafting and trekking. My passion lies in graphic
design, photography, music, cartooning and painting. I’m currently working
as the National Coordinator for The Art of Living -Youth Empowerment programs
and focusing on teenage youth from all across India.

The ABC of My Master

My Friend - My Guide - My support - My ALL

I was raised on a golden platter with luxury at its highest peak! Money, gadgets, cars, 5 star hotels meant everything. I thought I owned the world. My ATTITUDE was up in the air until I met Ajay, who was my best friend at school and HIS UNCLE (His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar), mother– Bhanu Didi, Narasimhan Uncle, Amma– Gurudev’s mother, Pitaji – Gurudev’s father and Arvind! Not to miss, Chickoo - Ajay’s little pet dog !

Years passed by and I started to work for an Australian firm – Your Practice Online. Every day I would somehow feel I could be much more useful to the world in a different way. Every evening, I saw myself running back home, Ajay’s Uncle’s home – Sri Sri’s home! Often, I would visit the Art of Living International Ashram with Ajay, Pitaji and Amma to see Guruji. Initially, it was a picnic for me, a joy ride down the country side. In the ashram, I would sing, play, dance, meditate, serve and make new friends. All my friends were people from different countries, races, religions and backgrounds – This was an ideal place for me! My life! My Vision! My Expression! - An ideal Home! A One World Family!
After playing in the ashram, I would visit the Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth school
with Bhanu Aunty. This school was started by Guruji in 1986 with a handful of students and now it provides primary education to over 2000 students from over 20 villages around the ashram. The children studying in the school were mostly first generation learners. Aunty, Ajay, Arvind and I would visit the school very often and distribute books, uniforms and stationary to them. Aunty would listen to the children with such intensity and reply with such positivity, as if they were her own children. She herself would serve them their mid day meals. This was the atmosphere in the school. One always felt loved and at home. Bhanu Aunty inculcated great values in my life. From her, I learnt to love, to stretch my hand first and to share and care.

I heard Uncle – “His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar” once say - " Rich are those who share their food, richer are those who share their wealth, even richer are those who share their power and Richest are those who share themselves".  This ONE statement Transformed my life, 180 degrees!

Guruji’s simple messages to me as a child gave such depth to my existence! He would call me aside and give me small responsibilities. I remember, one day during Shiva Ratri celebrations, in the center, He called me and told me to light the lamp that was placed on the stage. I went running looking for the match and some oil. It was a windy day and each time I lit the lamp, it would go off. He watched me with such love and care, that look in his eyes which said – go ahead!  I'm here with u, it will light up! and there it did!  He always taught me to do small things, with great love!

Some years later, the ashram was to celebrate the inauguration of its new Meditation Hall – The Vishalakshi Mantap. Dignitaries, Heads of States, Saints, Spiritual leaders, Industrialists, Farmers and Students, had to be invited. For this, an invitation card had to be designed. The ad agencies were approached and they came up with certain design formats. Gurudev, looked at the designs and immediately said, “Our shreya, she is very good, she will make a beautiful design".  I looked at Him and wondered ' Where did He see such talent in me? I was a child! To design a card that would reach the world, inviting people, for this huge event?' He looked at me and asked "By evening it will be ready, right ?" I immediately, said ‘YES! Guruji ‘ With great confidence in my voice. I sat down to work, and it was done! I quickly took a color print and took it to Him. He looked at it with such appreciation and shared – "She is brilliant, right!" There were so many
others in the room, who smiled and applauded! This is Guruji. He uplifts you. He sees the best in you. He gives you the freedom to express! He makes you aware of the impossibilities that you can do!

In time I started to volunteer for the the Youth Empowerment Seminars in Bangalore city. At the end of each course, I observed a beautiful change in the participants.  There was so much belongingness, love, care, happiness, joy, celebration and smiles. People came together and broken homes got repaired! Relationships between parents and their children improved. I observed the same effects in my best friends who underwent the program. Then one day, I thought to myself, what am I doing? Guruji is doing so much for the society. He visits over 40 countries every year, transforming so many millions of lives. I can be of much more use. I decided to be an instrument of change! I wanted to bring a smile on every face!  Guruji was arriving in Bangalore after 3 months. This time, there was only one thought in my mind. I wanted to ask him, if I could teach and before I did, He read my mind. He told me, “Go do YES!”. For a second, I didn’t understand what He said. As I walked down from his Kutir, I saw myself becoming a part of the Teachers Training Program.

I had decided, I will do something BIG. Guruji has always blessed me with such confidence and guided me in every step of my life, just like a father would do to his child. He gave me such FAITH, that nothing in the world seemed impossible.  I had decided to be his BEST INSTRUMENT! His best teacher! 

My first challenge was going to Nagaland to conduct the YES program there.  Before I left, I seeked His blessings for the youth of Nagaland - "I always prayed for a stress-free and violence-free world."  As soon as I reached Nagaland (a small state in the fast east of India, troubled with insurgency ,drugs and AIDS), I organized Youth Empowerment Seminars.  We had 50 youth to start with and have now reached out to several thousand. The training not only focused on building their personality and communication skills, but it also worked on their emotional and spiritual aspects as individuals.  It inspired the participants to be free from violence, quit drugs, alcohol and smoking . Moreover they were inspired to volunteer for rural projects. The youth built homes for the homeless, organized health and cleanliness camps and also educated others about HIV- Aids.

In Nagaland, Guruji's teachings of love, practical wisdom, and service have promoted
harmony among people, and encouraged individuals to come together, love each
other and follow their chosen spiritual path, while honoring other paths.  Guruji travels to so many countries every year to share his message of social responsibility, conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, prisoner rehabilitation, women's empowerment, female foeticide, child labor, and access to education.

Today, with His Love and Care, I have touched the lives of over a million youth.
How much ever I write, its only going to fall short. I sincerely believe that dedicating myself to this cause, I am surely fulfilling the purpose of my life.

My pranams to my Guru , Jai Gurudev!

Pamela Brockman - Art of Living Experience

Art of Living Teacher, ARTExcel, YES, Art of Silence Teacher, USA

A Poetic Beginning

The mindset started a long time ago. In high school, I studied the poetry of Walt Whitman, an American poet of the “transcendental” school of thought. The writers of this time were greatly influenced by the Vedas and other writings. Walt Whitman’s poem, “Song of Myself” is quite Vedantic in nature as he sees all of creation as part of himself. I was so intrigued by this concept, I longed to learn to meditate and experience this and not just read about it. In a few years, while in college, I learned Transcendental Meditation (Art of Living hadn’t been formed yet!). I was in heaven --it was exactly what I had been looking for. My anxieties quieted and people noticed how I had changed.

Fast forward to 1991, I was a new mom with a young son, wishing for another child but unable to conceive. I was fortunate to be able to stay home and care for my son whom I adore. But I also used to yell a lot and was frustrated at leaving my career. My meditations were still deep and I had begun to desire a Spiritual Director I could consult to guide my experience. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar came into my life through a friend. I was not able to have another child, but that became less of a worry as I became very busy organizing courses and events for the Art of Living. It was not a choice but rather something I felt was an important and necessary part of my life. A happening.

I continued to become more and more involved, becoming a teacher of the Art of Living Course in 1998, ART Excel and YES! In 2000, the Art of Silence Course after that, as well as facilitating the Eternity Process. Teaching YES! In the Schools, Breath Water Sound for Trauma Relief and Sri Sri Yoga followed then, too.

Tricky Ego
With my son in high school and then college, I began to travel to Central and South America to teach. People would ask me if I also teach Sahaj Samadhi,(now The Art of Meditation) and the desire arose in me to also teach this course, so I could be more useful wherever I go. Guru Dev came to Chicago where I live and I asked him if I could become a Sahaj teacher. He said, “Yes, but first do your Pooja Phase 1 & 2 Courses.”

Now, even though I didn’t know how to perform it, soon after my first Art of Living course, I began to offer flowers and water and incense and fruit to Guru Dev(Sri Sri) in gratitude for the knowledge, techniques and growth. I remembered parts of the TM version of the Guru Pooja and would love to listen to it whenever I could.  I found versions of the Guru Pooja and began to learn the words. I would look up meanings of words and make up the rest in my mind.
Then, in 2010 TTC for Sahaj was offered for the first time in a very long time. Since I had been singing puja for some time, with others who had learned it the correct way from Bhanu Didi (Guruji's Sister), I thought maybe I could skip the Guru Pooja Phase 1 & 2 Courses and just take the TTC.  Why not? I could be more useful then. The thought was "I knew the pooja, so why should I take time for that course?" My mind rationalized and churned with planning and I applied for the TTC. Two of my friends from South America wrote to Guru Dev for special approval to take the TTC (as it was supposed to be only for English speakers, and only one spoke English well) and he said, “Yes.” I thought, “Oh, well, I can write too and maybe he’ll say I can go too!!! I wrote him and..... He said, (of course) “Finish your Puja 1 & 2 first.”When I heard back from Guru Dev, I cried, that in the midst of all of his responsibilities and greater problems and concerns of many, many other devotees, he bothered to write to me and guide my growth. I melted. Totally grateful, I registered for Pooja 1, still a bit smug, but happily resigned to the process.

Being “Fully Cooked”

Guru Dev’s comment made such an impression on me. Being “fully cooked” means being so equanimous, so centered, that nothing and no one can pull you out from your Self. Who knows how long this would take? My mind began to relax and realize that it’s all about the process and not the goal. I knew this intellectually, but it began to sink in deeper, experientially. Guru Dev’s in charge....I am growing at my own pace, and practicing my knowledge diligently helps, but I will grow and be fully cooked in my own time.

Awakening to Humility

In Hartford at the Guru Pooja Phase 1 Course, I surrendered more and more. I learned a lot -- different pronunciations I hadn’t heard before, meanings I didn’t know. I became more humble and grateful to be an instrument, however I am used, doing my 100% to do the will of the Divine, not MY will. Being totally Hollow & Empty, open and willing, simple and happy! What a relief!!!!! Jai Guru Dev!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lakshmi Jagad - Art of Living experience

Art of Living YES Teacher, Software Engineer 

I was born and raised in Bombay. Of course, the name of the city has now been changed to Mumbai but for me (and for many others in my generation too,  I am sure), it will be Bombay. The city of memories, family, school and college, friends and fun.

I had a liberal upbringing. My parents are possibly two of the most generous and open-minded individuals I have ever met. They placed no restrictions whatsoever on either of us (I have a younger sister). We got pretty much everything we asked for.  My sister and I were good students. We learned classical music and dance, performed at various events, and were fairly good daughters, if you discount the occasional tantrum, fuss or outburst. As I completed high school and joined junior college (in India, you join college at age 16), I found a great bunch of friends. We shared a common love for music, films, art and humor. Boring college lectures, surprise birthday parties, New Year celebrations, art films and rock music, walks along the beach, night-long conversations on philosophy and life, dreams and ambitions - these were the highlights of my junior college years. Soon after, I joined an engineering college. New friends, bigger parties, overnight treks... and life went on. Then I graduated from college and started working as a software developer. Everything continued as before.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - The Inspiration



It was all wonderful and exciting and adventurous and yet at the age of 25, I felt like I had come to a full stop. Until then, life had been a series of events, people, places and experiences for me but suddenly it seemed that there had to be a deeper idea to it. Certain incidents in the past couple of years made me wonder if I really knew myself. I felt at conflict with my own self and with certain others in my life. I found myself thinking - Is there any purpose to all this? Who am I? Is there a meaning to these incidents and situations and people?

Suffices to say that The Art of Living Course came at the right time to me. I attended an Art of Living Course, then a couple of Art of Silence Courses, and then The Art of Meditation Course.

A year after my first course, I met Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living Foundation. Even before I met him, I had seen many videos of his. To me, he always came across as someone familiar, someone who I had known since a very long time. And when I finally met him, it felt like a true homecoming.

I had had no experience with Gurus or spiritual masters while growing up. Yet, it was a matter of few months before I came to see Sri Sri as my personal Guru. There was zero deliberation or thinking involved. It's interesting how some of the major decisions in my life were not decisions at all; they just came to be in the most natural way possible. Some things you simply know without having even a single thought. 

Youth Empowerment Seminar(YES!)

I conduct the Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!) for teenagers, and on one course, I remember talking about Sri Sri to the young participants. I said, "To me, Sri Sri or Guruji is a person who makes me feel like I can do anything. In his presence, I feel strong, complete, powerful. I feel like there is no limit to what I can achieve and accomplish. When I am around him, all my doubts and concerns disappear."

There is so much more I can say about Guruji and how he has truly brought out the best in me on so many levels. Intellectual maturity, a broader sense of perspective about the self and the world, a desire to learn and share... and most of all, a sense of abundance and fullness. Today, I feel like I lack nothing and I want nothing. Moment to moment, my life is full and complete. To Guruji, I owe this precious realization and many many others. 

Kamlesh Barwal - Art of Living experience

Art of Living Teacher, Sri Sri Yoga Teachers Trainer, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Teacher
(Follow Kamlesh didi:
On twitter: @KamleshBarwal 
On facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kamleshbarwal 
Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/kamz0202)

Way back in 1998, one day my neurosurgeon, Dr. Rupak called my mother to see him. He told her about this breathing technique called Sudarshan kriya. He said he has been reading about it in many magazines and newspapers. Even though not having personally experienced it, somehow he was convinced that this could bring back the smile on my face. He explained to my mother how important it was to get me out of my shell, do some group activities, breath, and meet new people. The sedatives that I was on would only make me more recluse and lifeless.

My mother found out about the Art of Living course in the town. Fortunately it was happening just in a few days, after a gap of about half a year. Sources told us that it was just the 3rd or 4th program in my hometown and that the trainers come from Bangalore only if there were enough people registered. My mother got almost all my friends and cousins booked on the course along with me.

And there I was, after almost a year of sulking, getting shuttled between home and the ICU, so week in body and mind, surrounded with all my relatives, sitting in front of this very divine looking young boy with beautiful long hair and a big compassionate smile. I was already feeling heeled.

The Sudarshan kriya was magical. I cried and I laughed. I laughed and didn’t want to stop. I felt so much at home, alive and happy again. All that my teacher spoke on the course seemed tailor made for me. I was responsible for my own misery. Things don’t necessarily go our way always.  We are healthy and we fall sick. We win and we loose but we move on. No one on this planet is sitting and just thinking about me. How I won, how I lost, how I looked, how I lived. They have their own share of worries. They have all moved on. And I was still shying away from them, who didn’t even exist anymore.  And I knew now, I had to start again, my life full of new hopes, new aspirations, new friends; a life that had no room for the past. So I did.

After a regular practice of Sudarshan kriya for few months, I got the MRI scan done. When I took my report back to my doctor, he jumped off his seat in disbelief. He joined the next Art of Living course along with his wife. I was on medicines for more than a year now. This was my last day. Its been about 12 years , I have not had any medicine ever since.  I took an Advance Meditation program along with my doctor and his wife the same month. We met the most beautiful people on the course. The four words - Sadhana, Seva, Satsang and Smile became my breath, my life and what began as a mere practice for a healthy body and mind, soon became a lifestyle and there was no looking back.

I am a living miracle. When people ask me to tell them stories about H.H. Sri Sri Ravishankar, my Master, my Guru, all I can say is “I am a Guru story, I am His miracle”.

Born to affluent parents, I was brought up in an extremely comfortable environment as a soft pampered girl. Even the slightest unexpected change in my surroundings, could throw me off balance.

Today, I am one of most travelled teachers with the Art of Living foundation. I have stayed for months in the villages on very basic amenities. Went to places where I knew not a soul and moved out of there with hundreds bidding me farewell in just few months. Heat, cold, day, night doesn’t seem to deter anything anymore inside me. Every moment I feel something inside of me growing stronger. Not that the situations are always favorable, not that I don’t meet with opposing events and people anymore. But, my reaction or rather response to them has completely changed. I can just SMILE it away.

Guru and me

Once, I was travelling with Guruji in the hills. We were visiting many temples that day, one after another. It so happened that every time, He would step into His car, I would be around to shut the car door for Him. After a few times, I could not hold myself back and casually mentioned it to Him, “Guruji, I am closing the door every time for you”. With a beautiful smile, he instantly replied, “but I will make sure that all doors remain open for you” and drove off. 

After becoming an Art of Living teacher, Guruji told me to start travelling in the rural interiors of Himachal Pradesh. He could feel the hidden fear and hesitation I had that time. Then one day, He sat me down, looked at me and said, “from now on where ever you go on this earth, you will find a home better than yours and a family more loving than yours. That is my promise. You just focus on bringing good to others and you shall be completely taken care of. Just go out there and know so many people are waiting for you”.

He kept His promise. In 10 years of traveling as an AOL teacher, I have met thousands of people from diverse cultures, lives, traditions and values. Each one has added to my extended family. I have received immense love and respect from everyone I met and continue to.

Thank you doctor 

I am indebted to my doctor for having brought this incredible knowledge into my life. Today, after every Sudarshan kriya on the course, when I see the shinning faces of my participants, soaked in peace and tranquility, I am filled with gratitude for this beautiful life.

Check out Kamlesh Barwal's youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/kamz0202