Devotees hold their breath for Master’s visit

One of the most endeared spiritual leaders with a penchant for peace and harmony will be in Auckland this week to meet and interact with New Zealanders and address a public meeting.

The visit of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (whose Art of Living Foundation has been attracting millions of men and women in more than 150 countries), is being hailed as one of the most significant events in the country’s calendar.

His courses and programmes have enabled hundreds of thousands of people, including world leaders, to engage themselves in better life that is free of stress, anger and other human prevarications.

With 25 million people subscribing to the principles and teachings of the Grand Master and his expanding teams of teachers, the Foundation sets the pace for the real art of living.

We believe that the core concept of his teachings, now promoted by more than 6500 “qualified and accredited” teachers around the world (41 of them in New Zealand) is self-realisation, achieved by adhering to a few simple “living techniques,” the most significant of which is breathing.

Atika Dhandia, who is a Director of Training based in New Delhi, agreed, saying that the secret of stress and trouble-free life was literally under one’s nose.

“The Guru has developed a powerful breathing technique which creates a profound connection between the mind and the body. Few people know how to harness the power of the breath for good health and stress relief,” she said.

There are scores of Indian Newslink readers who have attended Basic Courses and Advanced Courses (which incorporate the Sudarshan Kriya) and achieved what they otherwise could not have – eliminating stress, increasing overall health and mental wellbeing, achieving clarity of thought and expression, the state of mental balance and improved intra-personal relationship.

Ms Dhandia said there was a corresponding breath pattern for emotions in the human body.

“When we are stressed or unhappy, our breath is short and rapid; when we are happy, it is long and deep. Awareness of the breath can mean the difference between a good and horrible day,” she said.

Happiness comes from within and not without, she said.

“But the satisfaction that comes from material possessions and experiences can never be fully satisfying. By the very nature of this search, happiness remains elusive and stress, anxiety and possibly even ill-health will arise, making life an endless pursuit of happiness rather than an expression of happiness,” Ms Dhandia said.

According to her, Sri Ravi Shankar’s message to New Zealanders would be simple and direct, enshrined in religious texts and spiritual teachings.

“Modern society often ignores these messages, and we are not making the connections between the teachings even though they are everywhere,” she said.

Ms Dhandia said individuals undergoing teachers’ training at various centres including one in Germany find a new sense of revelation.

“They may choose to become full-time or part-time teachers to impart training to others. Even those who do not pursue teaching, would strive to make people in work places, families and the community lead better lives,” she said.

One of the greatest attributes of the Foundation and Sri Ravi Shankar is that man-made barriers such as nationality, religion, race, and social and income status do not enter the equation. Both have fostered the concept of ‘One World, One Family’ to reality, while many others have rendered lip service.

What: Lecture on Ancient Wisdom for Today’s Challenges

By Whom: His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Organised by: The Art of Living Foundation, New Zealand

Where: Trusts Stadium, 71 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Waitakere City

When: Monday, April 5 at 6 pm

Entry: Tickets $50 & $25 from 0800-4842538

Contact: Glenn D’Souza Email: glenn.dsouza@gmail.com 

  www.artofliving.org.nz