It grows up to 1 m tall. The flowers are two-lobed, the long axis up to 5 cm long; they are magenta to reddish-violet. 

An extract of its leaves is used as a food colouring, and imparts a magenta tone to some Vietnamese foods, particularly in glutinous rice dishes such as xôi lá cẩm, a sweet dessert.

The plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The leaves have been used in water extract decoctions for the treatment of ailments including cough, dysentery, diarrhoea and bronchitis.

(The plant was earlier known as Peristrophe bivalvis)

Reference 

Plants of Singapore

 Flowers are pink, in leaf-axils, in clusters. 

Reference 

Surendra Parihar

Ex.Professor and Head.

Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. IARI,

Pusa, 

New Delhi 110012

☘️It is a state flower of Assam.

☘️It is used in "Bohag bihu" festival.

☘️ In Assam it is used to treat wound, cuts and bruises.

Place - Dhenkanal, Odisha

Sugimani Marndi

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha

Shared by Shankar Jha

"Health is not a mere absence of disease. It is a dynamic expression of life – in terms of how joyful, loving and enthusiastic you are.”

Health is Wealth and Prevention is better than cure. So everyday morning do Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayam, Physical Exercises, meditation. 

Sudharshana Kriya is a very powerful technique of Breathing that eliminates

 Stress, Fatigue and Negative emotions such as Anger, Frustration and Depression, leaving the mind calm, focused and the body energized, completely relaxed.

Sudarshan Kriya is the unrevealed secret to health, happiness, peace and an insight of life beyond!

It’s a spiritual breakthrough giving the experience of a glimpse of infinity. 

Know about the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique which can transform your health, relationships, and career. Know 99 benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Inhale Good Health, Everyday

Question - Gurudev, What is the meaning of Panduranga Vitthala ?

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains the meaning of Pandurang Vitthala as “ Pandu is the five elements. The whole world is the color of the five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, and Space. This world, which is made up of the elements, is a stage. The person who is dancing on this stage is Pandu. The one who is still, non-moving is Vitthala. ‘Thal’ means that which is changing and which moves. Atal or Vitthal means that it is especially still. Your body is Panduranga. It is made up of the five elements. The soul (atma) is Vitthala. Vitthala, the word, means the one who is still. The one who does not move, but moves others. The one who is still. And the one who is the base or root. This is called Vithhala.

🌺🌺 Wishing everyone Happy Ashadi Ekadashi 🌺🌺

Chinese perfume plant (Aglaia odorata) is a much branched shrub growing up to 5- 10 m tall. It's dwarf variety however grows only about 2-3 m high and is popular as a potted house plant. It can even be trained into a bonsai.

🌿The plant is usually grown as an ornamental hedge in gardens for its tiny fragrant flowers, and showy glossy foliage.

🌿The shiny green leaves are pinnately compound with obovate leaflets having a wide and rounded tip. These leaflets occur in pairs with a terminal leaflet larger than the rest.

⚜️Tiny yellow flowers have a citronella like fragrance and occur in a thyrse inflorescence. These mature into red, round fleshy fruits about 1-1.2 cm in size.

🌿On maturity the seeds split to reveal the brightly colored aril surrounding the seeds. Each fruit contains 1-3 seeds.The aril is edible and consumed by birds and squirrels aiding in seed dispersal.

⚜️The plant is useful in traditional medicine and is also a source of essential oil used in perfumery.

The roots are boiled with water to make a drink to increase appetite. In the Philippines, the roots and leaves are used as a tonic.

🌿A tea of the leaves is used for treating excessive menstrual bleeding and the flowers are used to ease childbirth and treatment of vertigo.The dried flowers are used to cure mouth ulcers and reduce fever.

In China, the dried branches and leaves are boiled in water and used to reduce pain from rheumatic joints, injuries from falls, superficial infections and toxic swelling.

⚜️The dried flowers retain their perfume indefinitely and can be used to produce perfume for clothes and used as air freshener pellets for cupboards etc.

Aglaia odorata dried flowers and leaves are an effective organic herbicide for controlling barn grass and weeds in fields.

Scientific name: Aglaia odorata

(Genus Aglaia is derived from the Greek word Αγλαιη which means splendour or beauty and also refers to one of the three Graces in Greek mythology. Species odorata refers to the fragrance produced by the flowers )

Common name: Chinese perfume plant

Family: Meliaceae

Native Distribution: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and possibly Laos.

 

References: 

Picture credits: Jyoti Prateek

Reference 

Plants of Singapore

 reason 23:- Sudarshan Kriya & Vagus Nerve.Practicing Sudarshan Kriya enhances the activity of parasympathetic nervous system.

Learn Sudarshan Kriya: http://aoliv.in/sudarshankriya

To learn more about exciting research on art of living techniques : 

"Health is not a mere absence of disease. It is a dynamic expression of life – in terms of how joyful, loving and enthusiastic you are.”

Health is Wealth and Prevention is better than cure. So everyday morning do Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayam, Physical Exercises, meditation. 

Sudharshana Kriya is a very powerful technique of Breathing that eliminates

 Stress, Fatigue and Negative emotions such as Anger, Frustration and Depression, leaving the mind calm, focused and the body energized, completely relaxed.

Sudarshan Kriya is the unrevealed secret to health, happiness, peace and an insight of life beyond!

It’s a spiritual breakthrough giving the experience of a glimpse of infinity. 

Know about the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique which can transform your health, relationships, and career. Know 99 benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Inhale Good Health, Everyday

Cayenne pepper has a number of health benefits. Here are some of the most notable:

Boosts metabolism: 

-Cayenne pepper has been shown to boost metabolism, which can help you burn more calories and lose weight.

Reduces inflammation: 

-Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce pain and swelling.

Improves digestion: 

-Cayenne pepper can help to improve digestion by stimulating the production of stomach acid and increasing peristalsis, the movement of food through the digestive tract. It has also been used to treat and heal ulcers. 

Relieves pain: 

-Capsaicin can also help to relieve pain, including pain from arthritis, headaches, and muscle pain.

Lowers blood pressure: 

-Cayenne pepper may help to lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow.

Protects against cancer: 

-Some studies have shown that capsaicin may help to protect against cancer by suppressing the growth of cancer cells.

Cayenne pepper is a versatile spice that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be added to soups, stews, chili, and sauces. It can also be used to make tea or taken as a supplement.

If you are considering adding cayenne pepper to your diet, it is important to start slowly and gradually increase your intake. Too much cayenne pepper can cause side effects such as heartburn, and diarrhea.

Here are some tips for adding cayenne pepper to your diet:

Start with a small amount and gradually increase your intake.

*Add cayenne pepper to cooked dishes, such as soups, stews, chili, and sauces.

*Make cayenne pepper tea by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to hot water.

*Take cayenne pepper supplements as directed by your doctor.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any health concerns, talk to your doctor before adding cayenne pepper to your diet.

Reference 

Health is Wealth

Silver Boodyara also known as koping-koping (Aglaia argentea) is an evergreen tree from the family Meliaceae. It is found in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Thailand.

It is also known as iloilo in the Philippines. The city of Iloilo is named after the tree.

🎄The tree grows up to 30m tall and mature trees may have buttresses.The bark is brown – grey and produces white latex when injured.

🌿The leaves are pinnately compound with sub-opposite, oblong elliptic leaflets that are shiny green above and covered with whitish brown peltate scales below giving the underside of leaflets a silvery appearance.

🌷It is a dioecious species so there are separate male and female plants. The flowers are tiny and produced in panicles. The flowering stalks are covered in brown peltate scales. The flowers on both are similar, having 5 petals and 5 sepals. Male flowers have 5 stamens and female flowers have a superior ovary.

🍈The fruit is ovoid maturing to yellowish brown. Each has 3 locules with one seed each surrounded by an edible sweet-sour, whitish aril. The fruit does not split open on maturity.Aril of the seed is edible and also eaten by monkeys and hornbills.

🎄The tree is valued for its timber that is used in construction.

🧿 ETYMOLOGY

Genus Aglaia is derived from the Greek word Αγλαιη which means splendour or beauty and also refers to one of the three Graces in Greek mythology. Specific epithet argentea is Argente in latin, which means silvery, referring to the silvery underside of the leaflets.

Scientific name: Aglaia argentea

Common name: Silver Boodyara

Family: Meliaceae 

SOURCE

PICTURE CREDITS

Wee Foong Ang

Reference 

Plants of Singapore

When you regularly practice SK, your mind, body and breath are in union. It stimulates the gray matter density and activates the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the brain.

🌟 Greater creativity

The synchronization of the left and right brains stimulates thinking ability and creativity. You get brilliant ideas.

🌟 Greater mental focus

EEG measures electrical brain activity. In this study, SK practitioners demonstrated significantly greater EEG Beta wave activity indicating high alertness and mental focus.

🌟 Greater clarity of mind

Virat Chirania, Corporate Trainer, shares, “My decision-making has improved. I have greater clarity. I used to be over-analytical in life. With the regular practice of SK, I am far more relaxed and happier than I used to be.”

🌟Induces better quality sleep

A homemaker Astha shares, “I slept like a baby after ages, the day I did the first Sudarshan Kriya.” SK improved rapid eye movement (REM) latency and slow-wave sleep. 3x more time is spent in deep restful stages of sleep.

🌟 Enhances brain function

SK boosts brain function and reduces five of the six major risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

🌟 Promotes a sense of quietness to the brain

It promotes a sense of calmness in the brain by reducing the impact of overstimulation of the frontal lobes.

🌟 Brings valor to manage challenging situations

"Health is not a mere absence of disease. It is a dynamic expression of life – in terms of how joyful, loving and enthusiastic you are.”

Health is Wealth and Prevention is better than cure. So everyday morning do Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayam, Physical Exercises, meditation. 

Sudharshana Kriya is a very powerful technique of Breathing that eliminates

 Stress, Fatigue and Negative emotions such as Anger, Frustration and Depression, leaving the mind calm, focused and the body energized, completely relaxed.

Sudarshan Kriya is the unrevealed secret to health, happiness, peace and an insight of life beyond!

It’s a spiritual breakthrough giving the experience of a glimpse of infinity. 

Know about the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique which can transform your health, relationships, and career. Know 99 benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Inhale Good Health, Everyday

🥗 ‘ Fasting: The Scientific Way ’ where we provide science backed, concise and comprehensive way to incorporate fasting in your life! 

Learn to optimise your fasting with Circadian Fasting hacks.

 Understand the value of not just what you eat but how to eat and when to eat!

🛒🛍 Workshop Take aways 

🍎Access authentic scientific fasting methods

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 Dates : 4th July & 5th July 2023

 Time : 8 pm to 9.30 pm

 Don't miss out! Register Now : tiny.cc/ftsw

Know More about our other workshops @ linktr.ee/ssiarworkshops

Wake up!

Everything changes..

There's something in you that does not change..

Hold on to it..

Relax..

Deep within, you are the most lovable and adorable person..

You should have zero doubt about it..

Be grateful..

Spread love, spread smiles..

You are here for bigger purpose..

WAVES OF HAPPINESS 

Wake up!

Things which you can set it right, you must set it right..

That which is beyond your capacity, just pray..

God is with you..

Relax.

There is a higher power that has maintained the universe for million years..

It will take care..

Have faith..

Happily move on..

WAVES OF HAPPINESS 

Guru Ji replied, "Oh! you are in the business of intoxicating people,So am I, but I never intend to stop it."

🌟Guru Ji asked another devotee about his business.

She replied "Guru Ji, I am interior decorator."

Guru Ji replied "Oh! We are in the same business."

🌟A devotee said."Guru Ji, You are like a Chhath (Roof) to us."

Guru Ji replied, " No, I am like a Chhatri (Umbrella).I am portable,You can carry me with you wherever you go"

🌟A devotee asked Guruji, who was your first crush when you were a teenager?"

Guru Ji: The first crush is continuing. It is the same Divinity, yes!

🌟A devotee asked Guruji "Mujhe aapka autograph milega kya?"

Guruji : Main autograph Dil mein deta hu. kagaj-kalam se nahi.Abhi tak mila nahi kya??

🌟A devotee asked Guru Ji ,"Any advice on raising children?"

Sri Sri: I have no experience .

Its name has roots in the Greek aphanos, invisible; Greek mixis, mating; Greek poly, many; Greek stachys, branch, referring to the much-branched male flowering shoot.

The tree has long imparipinnate compound leaves (that is having an unpaired terminal leaflet), alternately arranged and made up of 9-21 leaflets, each leaflet being oblong-elliptic, and wavy on the margins, with an acute tip.

Flower clusters occur in leaf-axils. Flowers have 5 nearly circular sepals,. Its female flowering shoots are up to 110 cm long, while male and bisexual flowering shoots are up to 50 cm long. Its sweetly scented flowers are 4 x 9 mm across and produced in panicles, with cream to yellow coloured petals. Flowers are pollinated by insects.

Its pink-red-purplish fruits grow in clusters, are round to pear-shaped, and 2 x 4 cm across. Each fruit bears 1 - 3 seeds that are covered with brownish-red or orange oily pulp, and have a dark brown or black seed coat. The fruits split into 3 paets on maturity to reveal the pulp. However the fruits are poisonous to humans.

The plant can be propagated by seeds.

 It grows in lowlands and hill forests over a wide range of soils from sandy to clayey.

Like many other plants, the seeds produce an oil content of 40-44% . The oil is inedible but ideal for bio-fuel that is refined to get bio-diesel.

The Pithraj Tree is said to be popular in traditional Indian medicine, like Ayurveda, The bark, is used for treatment of ulcers, liver and spleen problems.

Oil extracted from the seeds is medicinal and applied externally for rheumatism and skin diseases.

Common name: Pithraj tree

Botanical name: Aphanamixis polystachya

Family: Meliaceae

Native Distribution: From India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Taiwan, Bhutan, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific islands. 

Source:

Reference 

Plants of Singapore

You begin to live life to fullest and celebrate everything that comes in your life.

* Sudarshan Kriya: wonderful, indescribable, a deep healing relaxation.

Sudarshan is made up of two words, His and Darshan. Suu means beautiful and visually.

The meaning is to see the Action that means, a good job. Thus,

Its full meaning is to see oneself or look good.

The most important and integral part of the basic course of the Art of Living is the Sudarshan Kriya. The knowledge and practice of Sudarshan Kriya, are carried out, during the course, of course, to develop. It is a very specialized technique and is completely practical and most importantly,

The result of the Kriya experience is immediately received by the student.

Sudarshan Kriya, is a special and sequential technique for breathing. It is an unexplained respiratory process. In Sanskrit, its means true, philosophy has a meaning of vision and action means purification. Who uses, this action works to make it pure.

It is in the Sudarshan Kriya, during the workshop of the Art of Living, where the person's breath is controlled by the sound of 'Sau Hum'. 'Sleeping means breathing and' we 'means: that we should stop breathing. There are several steps, throughout the verse. At each stage, the long, medium and low respiratory action (inner breathing) is performed with different rhythms and intensities. Guruji's voice in the workshop for the record 'Sooham' Seemaantri

It is practiced during Sudarshan Kriya. According to the instructions; given by the instructors in the workshop after it is finished.

Also, it is done at home regularly. Sudarshan Kriya works to clean the person inwardly. In the whole world, everything is in harmony in all creation, one is in harmony and in the system it is also in harmony. To make our body and mind feel stress free and happy, these two must have a rhythm. This rythm; It has been provided by Nature since birth, but as we age, they are influenced by negative thoughts and frustrated feelings and depressions. Our body and mind can reach their goals,

it separates, and when the system of nature is broken, our lives are also stressed and affected, one becomes sad. Sudarshan Kriya reorganizes our breathing and returns it to us in a situation easily accessible by nature. Almost all the trainees involved in this work of Sudarshan Kriya included in the workshop of the Art of Living, the smallest of Sudarshan Kriya,

They have experienced and it is a direct experience, a direct experience. To get good results from Sudarshan Kriya, it is necessary to practice a few minutes, at home regularly.

Some other respiratory techniques such as Ujjayi Pranayama, Juniora Pranayama and Bhastrika Pranayam are also a special part of the Art of Living together with the Sudarshan Kriya.

Before performing Sudarshan Kriya, the practice of breathing exercises, for students, practicing junior pranayama and bhastra pranayama.

The environment and background necessary for Sudarshan Kriya are created. Those who perform Sudarshan Kriya, have a direct experience of themselves, which gives them a feeling of deep relaxation and in the

Negative thoughts and frustrated feelings of our lives that

It begins to deteriorate gradually. The Sudarshan Kriya, through its special rhythm, transmits harmony and energy to our whole body and personality and frees us from stress and sediments, and this stress-free mind will surely have a positive effect on our lives, our personality and our actions. That's right, how we experience spiritual power and trust from within. When our stress and depression ends

Then, we begin to return to our blissful nature. With this, our life and the people around us and the environment; They are also full of energy and enthusiasm that is completed and complemented. ..

"Health is not a mere absence of disease. It is a dynamic expression of life – in terms of how joyful, loving and enthusiastic you are.”

Health is Wealth and Prevention is better than cure. So everyday morning do Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayam, Physical Exercises, meditation. 

Sudharshana Kriya is a very powerful technique of Breathing that eliminates

 Stress, Fatigue and Negative emotions such as Anger, Frustration and Depression, leaving the mind calm, focused and the body energized, completely relaxed.

Sudarshan Kriya is the unrevealed secret to health, happiness, peace and an insight of life beyond!

It’s a spiritual breakthrough giving the experience of a glimpse of infinity. 

Know about the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique which can transform your health, relationships, and career. Know 99 benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

Inhale Good Health, Everyday

Eversince I heard experiences from people who did an advance course (Advance Meditation Program ('AMP')Art of Silence course at Triveni Ashram in Dec 2019 wherein Gurudev met everyone and conducted some sessions, I had been really very jealous and was super desperate to experience Gurudev's session at AMP.

Soon after this, an AMP got announced at Vasad Ashram, new year special where Gurudev was going to come for a session too...in first week of Jan... Gurudev was going to be in Germany and then in Gujarat...I immediately took the first step of enrolling and little did I know, it was just beginning of enhancing my longing to meet Him. Things weren't working out well at office and I couldn't seek leave for the course and told Gurudev, even if you come, how will I speak to my senior for leave since my senior got an idea of my resignation thoughts. Well, Gurudev extended His stay in Germany and couldn't come to Vasad for the AMP. Neither could I!

But I was not very happy about it since I couldn't meet Him.

Few days later, I got to know that Rishi Vidhyadharji would be coming back to India and would be conducting AMP in March...this gave me relief. At least this AMP if not Gurudev special AMP...I finally convinced my mind to be happy regardless, after all, Each course wherever it happens on this planet, it's Gurudev's course. But the registration details weren't out for a long time even after the message reached me and I couldn't register!

Again I was desponded.

I kept complaining, I have taken one step, when will 99 steps follow :p

Again, some good news after a month, I got to know that Bawa and Dinesh Bhaiyya would be conducting an AMP in Rishikesh and this one had a lot of fun activities around the course and ofcourse Holi! But my exam schedule didn't allow me to register for this one either! The course was from March 11-15 and I had an exam on March 17 for which some educational visits to the Court and jail were necessary in March first and second week. I really gave up the idea of doing AMP!

And few days later, finally got to know about Rishiji's course in Vasad and Pune... without a second thought I registered again :p

Well, this time again, due Coronvirus related lockdown, my exam on March 17 got postponed (I could have done AMP in Rishikesh had I taken a leap of faith and registered) and few days later, got to know that Mumbai would be locked down until March 31. Still I was hopeful because Rishiji's course was scheduled in April first week.

No prize for guessing!

Again I gave up hopes when a nation wide lockdown got announced and all courses got canned until April 14.

Till this time, that is March 24, I was so full of stress due to work and so many other things at home, I really needed AMP! I asked Gurudev, is there some way you can help me be free and empty...my head is overloaded with all the possible negative emotions and I need intense Meditation techniques really very badly...some online course pls? I really can't brook anymore...I literally wanted to leave my house but due to the lockdown, I had no option :p

And Gurudev announced during some free Meditation in the afternoon about online silence course...I couldn't find the details so thought, this one might be for teachers! And in a day's time, the course registration details were out.

My Happiness knew no bounds... finally, not only 99 steps, He made Himself available for everyone and that too so many miles away!

I already felt so light and started doing seva for AMP on call. I made a long list and started calling people. Just after 2-3 calls I realized I'm not able to do justice in terms of explaining what AMP is all about. I told of one my friends about space element and couldn't explain well enough. This inability demotivated me and I told Gurudev, if I am not able to articulate what the course is about, what space element is and what it means to be hollow and empty, I can't just bluff. I stopped calling.

And AMP started. I was expecting Gurudev would take at least one session but Gurudev is unpredictable. You can't know until it happens. I wanted to do AMP (especially Hollow and empty Meditation) with Him since Dec 2019 and see how He takes care of these little desires. He explained everything that I wanted to know about space element. Gurudev answered all the questions that had popped up in my mind while doing seva on call for AMP. I have always preferred getting answers from Gurudev Himself through videos/quotes/meeting in person. And indeed, He took care of this little need yet again!

While I expected only one session, He conducted so many sessions during the course besides the 2 daily sessions for everyone! Needless to say, the Experiences have been mind blowing, literally.

Also, there is one more story about an advance course follow up in Mumbai in Dec 2019. The follow up had two sessions. I got late for the second session and missed few points that the teacher explained relating to Chakras and different forms of energy associated with different Chakras. I was really upset with myself for being late and missing knowledge. Gurudev helped again. While I forgot about it, Gurudev nicely explained it during one of the free online meditations in the afternoon.

And yes, I thoroughly enjoyed all the other sessions conducted by all the teachers during the online course.

For those, who may be comparing an online course with some experience at Ashram AMP, I tell you, not a single course can be compared for all courses are uniquely tailored by Gurudev for us!

One more online course has been announced from April 3 to April 5, 2020

You just can't miss the Hollow and Empty Meditations with Gurudev!!!!!!!

It's class apart!!!!

After all, when the Master Himself makes us Experience that lightness, how can you not love it!

I would advise you to manage everything else and just do it.

People travel across continents to meet Gurudev and do courses with Him. We are so lucky to have the opportunity of doing it at home. He is taking so much care. You just can't miss this opportunity for anything!

And what a beginning! Yes, indeed!

Gurudev explained that it's just the beginning of the course...and you have to do the next one to understand how!

Also, I had been longing for a Satsang since so long and this one got fulfilled too. A beautiful video got me on my toes wherein Gurudev Himself sang such lovely Bhajans and shared some tips to feel hollow and empty every day.

And yeah, wonderful Guru stories, Ashram stories coupled with amazing facts during Meditations and morning exercise sessions by Dinesh Bhaiyya helped me get deeper in devotion, faith and discipline!

(One of the key takeaways for me that now finds place in my prayers every night [something that Dinesh Bhaiyya had shared and it really helps me sleep peacefully and with total sense of security - not word for word but this is what I remember]

Sleep at the feet of the divine and put on your blanket of grace)

And stay super excited for the next Online AMP!!

Jai Gurudev :)

Antevasi Krishna

Gurudev Sri Sri - Don't worry about it, it is quite natural. People take you for granted because they think you belong to them already, and so they only attend to people who are guests. You are a part of the family, why should anybody tell you, 'Have you had coffee? Are you going to eat now?' It is not normal. If someone asks a little too many questions, then also you will doubt, 'Why are they giving me so much attention. Something must be wrong.' You start doubting. The other day, one gentleman told me, 'Gurudev, when attend to my wife, and be a little nicer to her, she starts doubting, she says that there is something wrong and asks me, 'What is the matter? You must have done something wrong. You are not being honest.' If I am normal, then she says that I ignore her. What to do Gurudev?' So when someone wants to doubt you, in any case, they will start doubting you. He said, 'It is very hard. If I come half an hour late, she sits on an enquiry commission, 'Where did you go? What time did you leave office? What happened? She will ask me all these questions.' That is why I say, we need to learn to how to handle our own mind. It is the mind which plays so many tricks on you. Your mind could be your best friend if it is under your reins, and it is your worst enemy, if you are under the influence of your own mind.

I told her that I was excited to be home alone for two days and party the whole time. She intelligently convinced me to come by saying she would even sponsor for my whole trip. A free road trip sounded good to me so I decided to go as well, thanking Guruji. I got ready quickly and we left for Rishikesh. We discussed many Guru Stories on our way. Talking about Guruji is always the best thing you can do in your life. It automatically brings a smile on your face. Even just thinking about him is enough. It was 9 pm and we were really hungry. Due to the extreme crowd going to Rishikesh, we had decided to take a different route there. There were no good restaurants or dhaba’s on that way for us. Finally at 11 pm, we found a place to eat but it wasn’t that good. We had no other option so we decided to eat there. We ordered our food, but within five minutes, Dipti di said she felt something was wrong with the place, and that we should leave. We left from there, and on our way she told us that she noticed that there were barely a few people there and they were drunk and pointing towards us. It was past midnight and we were starving. Dipti di wondered out loud, ‘Is this how Guruji is taking care of us?’ On the dash board there was a book called ‘Punarnava’ , an amazing book by Guruji which I had bought but had not read yet. I pointed to Guruji’s picture on the cover of the book and said to Him, “I don’t know anything, as soon as I reach the Rishikesh Ashram, I need good food and a place to stay. It is your headache now, do it your way. And in the morning I want to take a dip in the Ganga, holding your hand. Jai Guru Dev.” Dipti di laughed and said that it was 1 am and no one in the Ashram there would be ready to serve me food so late. An hour later, we finally reached and the guard told us where to park our car. As we stepped inside the Ashram, a gentleman came and told us, “Oh good, you’ll have arrived. Should I lay out the food?” I looked at Deepti Di and smiled. He always takes care of us! We were served Dal and Rice. Wanting to eat chappati as well, I asked the man who served us if there were any left. He politely told me they were all over. Another man came up behind him and said, “I have a few chapatti’s which Guruji has sent from His kutir.” Dipti di looked at me and said, ‘I believe you Kunal, we are surely taken care of.’ And like that, He granted my first wish. We finished our meal but had no idea where we were going to be staying. My mentor, Avinash Tiku, who is an international faculty member, called up asking if we had reached. I told him we had, and he told us that he had arranged for our accommodation as well. Second wish granted! We went and met him, and I was very happy as I was meeting him after four months! By 3.30 am, we slept. I woke up at 7 am and went to Avinash Bhaiyya’s room. Just then he told me to check outside the window, and Guruji was walking on the shores of River Ganga. I saw and in excitement said, ‘Run, it is Guruji!’ We both ran quickly towards Him. There were only 7-8 people with HIM. I wished Guruji ‘Jai Guru Dev’. HE Smiled and blinked His eyes, there was an innocence in His Smile. It was the first time I was walking with Guruji so I did not let anybody come between us. He did not leave even a single chance to pamper us. Very soon, the amount of people around Him increased. As we reached the Ghat , He asked everybody to do chanting and went to change. I helped the volunteers clear the passage so that Guruji could walk smoothly, and due to this I was made to stand in the first row of the Ghat. Half an hour later, Guruji came out and the gathering followed Him like thousands of bees swarming around a dessert. In the meantime, I got pushed and was left far behind, while the gathering along with the Master descended down the ghat. I stood there, hanging onto a chain on a very slippery surface. I saw Guruji take the first dip, chanting ‘Jai Gangey’. The surreal aura of His is simply impossible to pen down. HE took His second dip and abruptly started walking towards where I was clinging on to the chains. My heart beat running, I asked Guruji to stop as the surface beneath was extremely slippery. But by then, He had already reached quite close, and to my horror, He slipped and in no time, I caught hold of His hand and held Him tight. And at the same time, with that perpetual smile, Guruji took His third and final dip, holding my hand! Without a word, He returned to His kutir. I was completely dumbstruck. When Guruji went out of sight and I returned back from my state of trance, I realized that my last wish was also granted. I realized that the Master would go to any extent to see that smile on your face. That’s my Satguru, my Gurudev. Jai Guru Dev. 

We came to know that Gurudev was going to be at Boone Ashram during Guru Purnima and decided to seek His guidance. My husband met Gurudev and told him about the job offer. Gurudev did not say anything . He just kept His hand on my husband’s head and walked away. After Guru Purnima celebrations, while driving to the Charlotte airport from Boone, we decided to accept the offer. Next step was to decide about relocation so I called up a friend of mine who I knew was looking to buy a house and told her that we may be selling our house. On Monday, my friend came, saw our house and made an offer! So, with our own house sold, we decided to look for a new house in Seattle. We spent a full day looking at various options. At the end of an extremely tiring and frustrating day, we decided to place an offer on one house. Unfortunately or fortunately, someone else placed a significantly higher offer for all cash and we lost that house. We regretfully returned back to Boston. A few days later, our realtor contacted us on FaceTime and showed us another house near Seattle. We trusted her so we placed an offer on the house without physically seeing it. The offer was accepted and after inspections etc, we got the house for 10k below asking price (This is when houses on our street have gone for 50k above asking price!) Eventually, we moved into our new home. It was then I realized the most astounding thing. Every single thing that I had dreamed in my home was available here. 1. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a very good school district. 2. High ceilings and natural beauty. 3. Hardwood floors throughout the house, upstairs and downstairs. Since we have dust allergies in our family, this was a necessity. 4. Children playing outside on the street. 5. Walking distance to the bus stop. This is when I truly recognized to what extent we are taken care of. Guru Purnima is such a precious time to be in the company of the Guru! We were very blessed to have the chance to be with him physically on that day. The important thing is not the material gain in this story, but just the extent to which we are all blessed to have a living master. Jai Guru Dev.

Gurudev Sri Sri - Good company. The real friend is one with whom you sit for some time, you talk negative and then you turn positive. A bad friend is one with whom you talk a little negative and the negativity becomes much bigger. So, first is good company, second is pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya and meditation and third is to cleanse the body. Sometimes, if your bowel movements are not good, if your intestine is hard, it affects the head also. Sometimes, you need to do some cleansing of the body as well. Cleanse the toxins or go on a diet. Ayurveda, Panchakarma - all these will help.

I was overjoyed after I heard this news and now I had the desire to sing for our beloved Guruji, but was afraid if I would be given a chance to do so. But none the less I decided to try my luck and requested my AOL family if I could sing at the convention. But I didn’t get a confirmation to sing for 2 months and my desire to sing was only increasing so now instead of worrying I did what is best to do and it always works, I SURRENDERED TO GURUJI. I told Him “I want to sing for you, now u take care of it”. As soon as I surrendered I got a green signal to sing at the convention the following day itself. This was not it; there were many more surprises for me. I was informed that we could stay at the same hotel where Guruji would stay and in addition to it we would even be given a blissful opportunity to meet Him in His own private room. I was completely taken aback when I realized all our prayers, be it the smallest prayer get answered at the right time and when it is needed .Then every single moment I used to only plan that when I would meet Guruji what would I talk to Him, what I would tell Him. But then, I thought of my two little children as they sleep very early and I could not leave them alone in the hotel room and go and meet Guruji at night. Again, my mind started to worry. Suddenly then, I got a thought that I don’t have to worry about anything, everything is taken care off and everything will be perfect, so I booked my hotel room. The day I reached the hotel, we were called for microphone testing and practice with the musicians and there I was given one more delightful news that we will be seated on the stage just a few feet away from Guruji. I couldn’t believe my luck. When I returned to my room my husband came in with a stunned look on his face and said, guess what? I think Guruji is right next door to us, I said it couldn’t be, I opened my room and saw all the people waiting out For Guruji. I had tears in my eyes, I could not believe it that Guruji was right there. I couldn’t believe HIS grace. Gayatri With Sri Sri At The Conference Then the time came to sing at the conference and I sang only having Him in my mind and my heart. It was beautiful, We stood right behind Him and our picture was taken. Then we were given a chance to talk to Him, I was so shaken I dint know what to say, I wanted to say I Love You Guruji, thank you for always being there, but nothing came out of my mouth, the only thing that came out was “Hi Guruji”, he turned and looked at me, smiled in a mischievous way and said “Hi”. At night we went to Guruji’s room and met Him. He was giving sweets to everyone,then suddenly He called my husband from a corner(where my husband was standing) and gave him sweets. I really had no words to express how happy I was. The next day, I took my children to meet Guruji, He hugged both of them and gave blessings to us. Guruji takes care of everything just SURRENDER all your problems to Him and He will sail you through. 

I did the Part1, Yes!+ and DSN courses. I heard a lot about the Advance Course, but did not get a chance to do the course because it was a full day course of four days and somehow I was not able to take leave for it. My craving for doing the course was increasing day by day. One day, Saleel Bhaiya, who was my Part1 and DSN Teacher happened to talk to me and suggested that I go to the Ashram for an Advance course with Guruji. I liked the idea very much but my mom and dad refused to give permission to go alone so far. Later on, fortunately, they agreed to send me to Bangalore on Maha Shivaratri with my friends. I was happy in doing the course in Mumbai only, but Guruji always gives me the best, so He wanted me to do the course in the Ashram so that I could have the best experience of this course. In order to reach the Bangalore ashram, I needed to travel by bus for approximately 17-18 hours but since I feel very nauseous in buses, I was really afraid of travelling all the way. However, as I really wanted to attend the Maha Shivratri celebrations in the presence of the Master, I took the name of Guruji and boarded the bus. I was originally supposed to travel by another bus which got cancelled at the very last moment; hence I finally took the bus in which a friend of mine from Art of Living was also there. Unfortunately, I had left my water bottle in the luggage section of the bus. After an hour, I started feeling pain in my body, which scared me. Luckily my Art of Living friend Dhruv was with me, so I asked him for a water bottle, and felt better after that. After a while, we got down for taking a break of half an hour. At that time, Dhruv bought me a water bottle and juice so that I could have it to reduce my pain. I was just thinking what would have happened if I would have gone alone by another bus. I felt like My Guru sent Dhruv in His form just to take care of me. Finally, I was in the Ashram and feeling like I reached heaven. Then while returning, again I had to travel by the AC bus and that too alone this time. I boarded the bus at night, so I dint feel any pain at night as such, but next morning, the pain was so severe that I felt like getting down that very moment. Then My Guru’s Blessing worked for me. I messaged my Art of Living friends to bless me as I was not feeling well and was alone too. I was praying really hard to Guruji to get some natural air somehow just for two minutes so that I could get rid of the suffocation. It was just unbelievable that within 15 minutes, the bus stopped at a place only for two minutes. I felt like My Guru gave me life. It happened only because of my friends blessings. I have firm belief that whenever I face any problem, Guruji always comes to me in the form of a person (like this time it was Dhruv) and helps me. Love you Gurudev. JGD 

Morning when I woke up I could not move my left hand and left foot

The left side was paralyzed (I knew it only later). Till the previous night I was normal, did all the work and also finished 90 percent of the packing to go to Ashram to attend the AMP for teachers from 1st May. But now all of a sudden I am unable to move. Quickly my husband and daughter took me to the nearby hospital and immediately medical help was given, starting from MRI scan which showed a clot in my brain and doctors had to decide on the line of treatment. 

Waking up by 6 and finding myself in the ICU in an hour - I could not comprehend anything nor accept the situation and was resisting everything that was being done by the nurse staff. Suddenly after a few minutes of resistance it dawned on me that being an art of living teacher what is the use of giving the knowledge points to others if I am not able to follow it. Then I prayed to Guruji to give me the inner strength to accept and go through the situation. 

After the acceptance I didn't feel the pain of inserting so many tubes and administering the intravenous injections. I closed my eyes and was chanting "om namah shivaya" and could feel Guruji's presence near me.

I told Gurudev if that was the last day for me, then it's okay - atleast I will die chanting om namah shivaya. 

Otherwise if I recover, I should be totally normal. I didn't want to be depended on anyone, so don't put me on a wheel chair. If I can serve you for a few more years, then you make me normal, otherwise let today be my last on this planet. Whatever you think is best for me, I am sure you will give that. With so many thoughts running in my mind and doctors and nurses doing their job, I don't know how time passed. 

By 3 pm in the main doctor came to examine me. He also asked me to say a tongue twister (earlier in the morning because of the facial pull on the left side, I didn't speak normally) which I could repeat so easily. The doctor declared me normal and gave me a full glass of water to drink (in the morning I could not even swallow a drop of water). The doctor said I could then drink a cup of coffee or tea and eat whatever I like. Then he asked the nurses to remove all the tubes from my body.

After the doctor left all the other junior doctors were around my bed and they were telling me "You are very lucky, within 12 hours in the ICU you have completely recovered, its a miracle". Then it dawned on me that it was a miracle and I thanked Guruji for saving me in such a wonderful manner. The best part was that even the senior doctor was wondering (my husband told me later) why it occurred to me as all my other parameters (like BP, sugar, cholesterol) were all normal. It really remains a wonder and a miracle. 

All that I pray is that I should be able to do a lot of seva to our Master till the end of this life. Thank you so much for saving me Gurudev. Love you. Jai Guru Dev.

- Padmini Sekar, Chennai

Gurudev Sri Sri - Just wait, don't react, the bitterness will turn back into love again. You often see that the people for whom you have done so much, they turn bitter. And you expect everyone to be in an enlightened state, that is not possible in the world. Everyone is not just going to be smiling and accepting you as you are, and unconditionally being in a giving and loving space. That is not possible. You will have to face reactions, and you should face it, that is all.

Few years ago we devotees from Bharuch, Gujarat were going to Ahmedabad for Dhanlakshmi Homa and Satsang with Gurudev, in tempo traveller bus.

But on Express Highway, our bus broke down and we were nowhere to go as we were in between the Express way. Driver called the help line and also his mechanic friend from Anand, but all this was going to take time and everyone wanted to reach the venue on time. So we decided to stop the buses of GSRTC so that we can reach Abad and then we can go by taxis, but getting lift was in vain 20 minutes passed and no halt of any vehicle then we prayed, "Guruji help".

Within a minute a tempo came and took a halt, and asked what happened and we told him whole story and also told that we all have to reach Nikol, in Ahmedabad. He said he is going from there only and will drop us there. We all got so happy and all of us climbed on the open roof tempo and had an enjoyable and memorable ride. He dropped us just in front of the venue.

Hum jab unki taraf ek kadam rakhte hai, Wo dus kadam chalke hamara haath tham lete hai. Guru kripa kevalam. Thank you Gurudev.

- Minu Negi, 

Bharuch , Gujarat

Gurudev Sri Sri - Only sometimes, not all the time, isn't it? If it is all the time then I will give you a solution sometimes it is okay. As you grow more in wisdom, as you see the dream nature of the world - that everything is like a dream, everything is passing, everything is changing, then events will bother vou lesser and lesser. The onlv wav to be untouched by events is to see the whole phenomenon as a dream which is passing.

Gurudev Sri Sri - Your nature is such that you cannot stay for too long without doing anything. You know, bliss is always found or realized in the contrast of events. When you are doing something and when you put in your 100% efforts, only then do you realise the value of not doing something.

See, when you are active and dynamic, only then does deep rest happen to you. If you are simply lying in bed the whole day and are doing nothing, then you will not be able to sleep at night. So it is essential to do what you have to do. We have certain karmas to do, and once the karmas are done, then in between the states of doing and being in activity, we do experience that state of not doing anything also.

Gurudev Sri Sri - To me the world is my Ashram. But when you come in a physical place, or in an Ashram where there is always meditation happening, that place holds those vibrations. See in your home, there is a place for dining, a place for resting, and a place for garbage. Like that, in the world, there is a place for everything. I would love everyone of you to make your home an Ashram. And what is an Ashram? It is a place where there is wisdom and where there is love. It is a place where anybody who comes is welcomed and given some food so that they can come and relax. If you can create such a power then the whole world is an Ashram. In fact, when you go and be with nature in the forest or in the woods, it is all an Ashram only. I say that every tree in the world is in my own garden; in my own ashram. This is the fact, but sometimes when you feel that this is not helping, that you need a place where you can go and energize yourself, then you come here (Ashram). It will be very obvious for you to feel the energy here. Just like in your home, you can be anywhere, but if you want to feel the aroma of food, you have to walk into the kitchen. You can eat anywhere, but in kitchen or dining area, the aroma is there.

Gurudev Sri Sri - You need both, passion and dispassion in life. Usually we think, 'When I have passion, how can I have dispassion? If I am dispassionate, how can I be passionate about anything?' This is what the normal concept is in the minds of people. I tell you, it is not that way. It is like, breathing in is passion, breathing out is dispassion and in between the two, is compassion. You need all three. You need to be passionate about something in life, otherwise you will go into depression. Be passionate about knowledge, be passionate about doing seva, be passionate about thinking, or about anything. Some passion definitely needs to be there in life. You can have a passion for wisdom as well. So passion is essential. Dispassion is essential as well. Without dispassion there is no joy, no happiness. You will be miserable if you do not have any dispassion. And of course, compassion is needed in life. So all three are essential.

Gurudev Sri Sri - If it is true faith, let it shake. Truth will never go, and if the faith is with the truth, let it shake. It will never get lost. In fact, you should doubt as much as possible. You can say, 'Don't doubt', only when a thing is not a genuine thing. If it is genuine gold, I tell you, go on scratching as much as possible. But if it is just rolled in gold, or gold polish, then you say, 'Don't scratch too much because it will disappear.' With true gold, any amount of scratching will not make it go away. Doubt is simply lack of energy. When you are high in energy, where is the doubt? Doubt comes when the energy is low. True faith is that which you shake a 100 times and it still stays on. That is true faith, and it will remain.

Gurudev Sri Sri - See, give your marriage 100%. If your marriage works that is good. If it doesn't work, if both of you are miserable and there is not even an iota of joy there, then there is no point in hanging onto such a state of misery. Then amicably both of you should tell each other, 'You have your way and we will still be friends. As I said, don't take a decision with any up-surging emotion. From a calm and collected mind think and see what you want.