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Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and My Self!

Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and My Self!

Tag Archives: Happiness

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

23 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Aravind Venkatachalam in General

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Abuse, Addiction, Art of Living Foundation, Ashram, Drugs, Ecstasy, Happiness, Peace, Shakti Kriya, Sri Sri, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sudarshan Kriya

26 June is observed as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. The Art of Living Foundation conducted a satsang with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Bangalore Ashram to discuss this issue. Below is the excerpt of the talk by him

Image

Sri Sri: The nature of mind is to seek joy, seek ecstasy. Know that it cannot be found in the area of the five senses: taste, touch.
The craving continues to exist because it wants the highest. Mind belongs to the highest peace. In search of the higher ecstasy and satisfaction, one has gone into the trap of drugs.

If you look at the drug addicts. They will not exhibit any of these qualities: peace, contentment, joy. When you are addicted to drugs you look worn out and sick. This very well denotes that drugs only give an empty promise and they do not deliver.
There is a small story.There is a gentleman who prayed and asked God for a conch. Whatever you ask, Gods will give you. The gentleman’s neighbor got so jealous, he also went in search of a similar conch. He found one that will double whatever you ask for it. He feels that this conch is better that his neighbor’s conch.

He brought the conch home. He asked the conch for a bungalow. The conch said, “Why one, take two bungalows?” It would simply double whatever he asked for, but not deliver. All addictions of this planet promise joy, but they never deliver. Let’s take the simple addiction of smoking. Smoking does not bring any joy, but not smoking gives you pain, suffering, and problem. How to get over it?

There are three things that you do to get over addictions:
1. Fear of disease: If doctor says, if you take one more peg of alcohol you will be dead.
2. Greed. If someone tempts you for something bigger. If you stop your addiction for a month you will get a million rupees.
3. Love for something higher. I would prefer love over fear and greed. Love can elevate your body-mind complex and stop the craving.
4. Having a bigger addiction. Something that can intoxicate you. This is love for the creator, love for God. A higher ecstasy that you can find through meditation, pranayama, devotional dance.

They can all give you such an ecstasy which can snap you out of addictions. Sudarshan Kriya and Shakti Kriya are techniques that can help people find the happiness that they are seeking. We are seeking happiness here and there. But the source of happiness is right here: within. This can help people find what they have been looking for all their life. We need to be more aggressive in our approach to make people understand and get people out of their addictions. Once people do this, they know. I could get the peace. That is here in a permanent basis. The benefits of meditation are many: health is at its optimum and your mind is calm and serene, you r heart is full of love for everyone. You exuberate all this. We become self-reliant and we become strong. That inspires many around you. It is that conch that really delivers and not just promises you. We need to take the techniques of yoga and mediation to every house. Spirituality, though it may appear to be a little strenuous, but on a permanent basis delivers what you have been looking for in addictions all your life.

Q: The family of drug users goes through a very difficult period. What is your message for them? 
Sri Sri: I would tell them that you should take a pledge from the kids and put them on the spiritual track. For example, in homes where they have vegetarian food, they bring that feeling against consuming non-veg food. If kids have already started consuming drugs, we have to bring them back. We have to deal with patience and with sensitivity and take them to de-addiction camps again and again. The company that the child keeps also matters. Today, drugs has become a business. You need to work not just with your kids but all the kids in your neighborhood.

Q: Rajindra Kumar from Punjab: Will we, addicts, remain a question or will we ever be solved? 
Sri Sri: You have not come as a question. Know that you have received the answer.

Q: There are many celebrities who are addicted to drugs.
Sri Sri: The so-called celebrities are such bad role models to follow. In fact, they are not role models at all. They may be successful in acting, but they are failures in life. And people need to realize this. You can only watch them on the screen. If you know them personally, you will know what kind of people they are. They do not know about spirituality; they never got connected to the life that is there in them. But I would tell the celebrities to acknowledge their weakness and warn the population not to emulate them and let people know that they are suffering. We welcome all those who are under the influence these intoxicants. Keep your profession aside and come here to meditate. I am not pointing fingers at you. I understand your situation. There are millions out there who adore you. Be a true role model to all of them. Money and fame is not everything. A pure heart is.

Q: Dr. Navjot Sidhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab asks, ” How can we encourage people to offer employment benefits to de-addicted youth?” 
Sri Sri: We have to talk to people and convince them. Don’t be prejudiced against them (drug addicts). We must help to remove the prejudice in the society.

Q: Are there any specific yoga asanas for de-addiction? 
Sri Sri: All these asanas are good. It depends on the age and flexibility (of the person). Pranayama is a must. Kriya is a must.

 

Q: Dr Anju Dhawan, Professor at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Center, AIIMS: There are sudden factors that can protect people from going towards drug abuse, building the inner strength through meditative practices can play a very important role. What can Art of Living do in this regard? 
Sri Sri: We will ask teachers to go to their doorstep. Usually we teach meditation to those who want to learn. Here we have to walk that extra mile and make them sit and meditate. It is a big task. It is like trying to feed a child who does not want to eat. But a good mother does it. A teacher plays the role of a mother. With a little bit of insistence you should be successful.

Q: Satyavir Nowlakka, Delhi Police, Crime Branch: Many people in the police department are addicts and they do not realize that they are in a mess. How do we talk to them and help them come out of their addictions? 
Sri Sri: I say that they should be teetotalers. Because it is good for the health. The Armed Forces and Police, their health is the most important and you are supplying them something that is not good for their health.

Q: People who take drugs often struggle with craving and repeated relapse in spite of treatment efforts. Guruji, please guide how should they handle this difficult situation?
Sri Sri: There should be constant touch for a few years at least. They should come for follow-up.

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The scientific benefits of Breathing

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by Aravind Venkatachalam in Art Of Living

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

addictions, Alternate nostril breathing, Anxierty, Art of Living, Brain, Breath, Breathing, Cortisol, Cravings, Depression, Emma Seppala, emotions, Happiness, health, Immunity, Mind, optimism, Pain, Pranayama, Sleep, social, Stress, Stress hormone, Trauma

I saw this beautiful poster on Emma Seppala’s website. Thought of sharing it with my readers. Here is her website – http://www.emmaseppala.com/

Breathing

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What you should know about Prana?

04 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by Aravind Venkatachalam in Art Of Living, Knowledge

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Art of Living, Happiness, health, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, negative emotions, Prana, Prana Vidya, Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, thoughts, wellness, Yoga

I had promised to do a write up about prana, the various types and what its functions are in my previous post Prana and Food. So here it goes. This post if to introduce prana to those who dont know what it is, list the different types and its functions. Also explain how techniques like sudarshan kriya technique from the Happiness program of the Art of Living foundation deals with prana to provide good health and mind.

What is Prana?

Prana is often translated to breath. However, prana is much more subtle than breath or the oxygen we intake. Breath is just the physical manifestation of prana. The inherent quality and force behind the motion of this creation is prana. It is present in anything and everything in this world. Animate or inanimate – doesnt matter. Every particle is throbbing with prana. Sometimes it is so subtle that we are not aware of it. A living entity is called as prani in sanskrit because it has got prana and consciousness in it. The quantum and quality of prana varies across different entities thereby giving each entity a unique characteristic. This is true for us human beings too. The quantum of prana of each individual is indicated by the power of the personality, which reflects one’s natural capacity to wield prana. Some persons are more successful, commanding and fascinating than others due to the level of their prana. All of us are born with a certain quantum of prana but the quality and quantity keep changing continuously as our thoughts, feelings and practices changes.

So where can we get more prana from? And do we change it ? Prana can be self generated and refined within us. One can work with one’s own prana to enhance vitality, will and strength, cure diseases, boost capability and efficiency, and evolve to a higher consciousness. In fact, one must work with prana shakti, force of prana, in order to perfect any experience in life. This is the aim of pranayama and prana vidya, which are tangible methods to enhance and guide prana. The yogis have devised techniques to measure prana which is based on how we exhale and inhale. Maximum prana is utilized by the brain. If the brain is not supplied with sufficient prana, the mind becomes restless and disturbed, and constantly dives into negative thoughts. For example, when we are hungry, we become irritable. The prana is low at that time and brain circuits are asking for more. When prana moves, the mind thinks and the senses perceive their respective objects. By developing sensitivity to prana, one becomes more aware of the subtle forces of the mind, which arise in the form of thoughts, feelings, emotions, responses, impressions, symbols and knowledge. By doing pranayama, we cultivate this awareness which helps is controlling the mind.

Types of Prana

There are 5 major types of pranas in our body with each of them having unique and specific functions. There are called as pancha prana or pacnha vayus(pancha meaning 5 and vayu meaning air). They are prana, apaana, samaana, udaana and vyaana. These are responsible for creation and existence at the individual level. In human beings they are created during the first four months of development in the womb. Lets discuss these 5 pranas in detail now

1. Prana – This prana refers to the energy currents located in the thoracic region between the diaphragm and the base of the neck. It is the centre of circulation of life energy. This force maintains the heart and lungs, and all the activities in the chest region such as breathing, swallowing and circulation of blood. When the rate of breath or heartbeat increases due to strenuous work, etc. the level of sthoola prana also increases. This force is so essential that if its activity is obstructed or ceases for any reason, death may occur. When this is strong, then the heart is strong and does not suffer from high or low blood pressure. When the pathways of prana are not clear, the heart and lungs malfunction and there is poor intake of oxygen. At the mental level, one is not able to bring in positive impressions. It is difficult to concentrate or access intuitive knowledge.

2. Apana – This prana operates in the pelvic region between the navel and the perineum. It sustains the functions of the kidneys, bladder, bowels, excretory and reproductive organs. It is responsible for the expulsion of gas, wind, faeces, urine, semen and ova. It nourishes the foetus and expels it from the uterus at the time of birth. When apana is unbalanced, there is poor elimination, a feeling of being pulled down by gravity, depression and negativity.

3. Samaana – It operates between the navel and the diaphragm. The word samana is derived from the root saman, meaning ‘equal’ or ‘balanced’. Thus it acts as a balancer or equalizer for the two opposite forces of prana and apana. Samana activates and maintains the digestive organs and their secretions, and is responsible for metabolism. It is associated with the digestive fire, jatharagni. Samana, the equalizer, is dis-turbed whenever one’s mental peace and harmony are disturbed. Whenever there is turbulence in the body and the senses, samana becomes agitated and causes disorders. Poor assimilation of food is a result of samana imbalance, causing build-up of toxins as well as psychological blockage.

4. Udaana – This operates in the extremities: the arms, legs, neck and head. This prana is responsible for all the sensory organs,jnanendri-yas, and the organs of action, karmendriyas. It coordinates and controls the movements of the legs, arms and neck and directs the activities of the brain and sensory organs that are situated in the head region. These include: eyes, vision; ears, hearing; tongue, taste; nose, smell; skin, tactile sensation. Udana sustains the sense organs and their activities. The enjoyment of senses keeps udana active, because it functions according to their needs. An irregular udana causes breathing troubles, inefficiency in physical and mental work, inability to think clearly or express oneself, uncoordinated speech, weakened will and lack of cheer.

5. Vyaana – This pervades the whole body and acts as reserve energy. It helps all the other pranas when they require an extra boost. When one overexerts and feels extremely tired, a rush of energy comes, which enables one to continue. When vyana, the expansive energy, is unbalanced, there is lack of coordination, tremors, inability to reach out to people, and the mind is erratic.

This picture clearly shows where the different pranas operate in our body.

5 pranas

Along with these 5 major pranas, there are 5 other smaller or sub pranas. These are: naga, koorma, krikara, devadatta and dhananjaya. The pancha vayus are grosser and more limited manifestations of energy compared to the pancha pranas. Their functions are below.

Naga: This field of activity causes belching and hiccups. When the air element is agitated, naga becomes active and tries to throw the agitated air out of the stomach, causing vibrations in udana, prana and samana. Naga remains inactive as long as the diet and digestion are healthy. In the state of meditation, naga does not function.

Koorma: This field causes the blinking of the eyes and keeps the eyes healthy, moist and protected. It enables one to see all objects. The eyes shine due to the energy of koorma and one appears impressive.

Krikara: This field causes yawning, hunger and thirst, and assists in respiration. Due to its relation with yawning, its origin is sloth and lethargy. When krikara is controlled with practice, sloth and sleep are overcome, hunger and thirst are controlled, and sweet secretions begin to flow in the mouth.

Devadatta: This field causes sneezing and aids in respiration. It becomes activated by sharp or irritating smells and causes pain in the nostrils in more intense conditions.

Dhananjaya: This field pervades the whole body and is related to the organ of touch. It influences the work of the muscles, arteries and veins, and the skin. The swelling experienced during an injury is due to the motion of dhananjaya. During a tamasic state it reinforces sloth in the body.

 In the course of daily life, worry and stress use maximum prana, so that the pranic fields become exhausted and discharged. This in turn causes fatigue, depression, and inefficient digestion and circulation. As this vicious cycle continues, the body does not have the strength to walk, work or think, and the smallest disturbance causes nervousness and anxiety. In order to remedy this, the pranas need to be charged constantly, so their functioning is optimized and balance is maintained. This is the first objective of pranayama, which charges and replenishes the pranas through the practices. When the pranas are sufficiently charged, they are awakened.

How does Pranayama & other techniques help?

When pranayama is practiced for a long time, the pranas are kept balanced and all organs of our body function normally. The number of thoughts in our mind becomes lesser which helps us to focus better. A breathing technique like sudarshan kriya balances all these pranas and helps in removing the existing toxins in our body. That is the reason a lot of people report huge health benefits after practicing the sudarshan kriya. I have heard a lot of people report that their asthma and lung related problems got cured. Some say their digestive problems have been cured and their digestion has improved. Others say their long time constipation and bowel movement related problems have vanished. All these are because the kriya balances out all the major pranas in the body. The lung related disorders were cured because the prana was balanced. The digestion disorder was taken care because samaana vayu was balanced. And Apaana vayu for elimination and bowel movement. The kriya takes care of the upa vayus too.

If you get a chance, learn some pranayama techniques or some kriya techniques, like sudrashan kriya, from a proper teacher or guru. Practice them and see for your self how the knowledge of these pranas and how you feel when you are able to balance them. Check it for yourself. Hope you learnt something from this long post!

(Thanks to the many, many books that I have read on Prana. Most of these information are from what I have collected from most of them. One book in particular is Prana and Pranayama by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati. Thanks again to these wonderful beings for sharing their knowledge with us!)

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Aravind Venkatachalam

is a senior software engineer living in the Bay area. He is a devotee of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and volunteers for the Art of Living Foundation. He uses this blog to share his ideas on ancient wisdom from the Puranas and from Sri Sri along with many other stories and juicy stuff!!

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