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.

Kamlesh Barwal - Art of Living experience

Art of Living Teacher, Sri Sri Yoga Teachers Trainer, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Teacher
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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