Joy Unlimited

A moment of Joy, at times, though it costs nothing, is difficult to come by. It is surprising that something available free of cost eludes most of the persons on this planet earth. There are people who are poor and living under the poverty line, not having enough to eat. If these people complain of not having moments of joy and happiness, then one can understand. Though surprisingly, for the inner happiness and satisfaction, people who have enough to eat and enjoy complain more. Happiness and joy eludes them. Most of us belong to this category.

Lot is written and said about such happiness and joy, but still we have so many unhappy faces all around. Some do have a major ground to worry, while other just can’t seem to be happy; happy for a prolonged period. And ‘prolonged’ means any length of time of more then a couple of hours. The reason is we just don’t know how to be happy. How to experience real joy, and keep it for a long period? Spiritualism and stress management programs do help, but not everybody benefits from them. How long will such a measure sustain is also not very sure.

India seems to have answer for everything. So it has too for the ‘missing joy’. Though, some would say that Indians, as it is, require less, and get contented very easily. True, but that doesn’t guarantee joy as such. The best of people with all luxuries and security do also find the real joy of life missing and difficult to find. The Gurus of India give answer to such questions.

There was so much heard about a number of Indian programs offering joy of life etc. The people who have gone through these appeared to be more content and happier definitely. Even if they had less or even nothing they had desire to live a life and take any challenge as it comes. One such concept which one hears often is of Art of Living or AOL. Promoted by HH Sri Sri Ravishankar, the program is world known, so it is not really required to be talked about.

I have heard about AOL a lot. During summer this year, on a visit to my home town, I happened to come across a newspaper clipping regarding a seven day AOL Basic course, and instantly I decided to join it, more out of curiosity then for the quest for joy. And as I later found out, it appeared to be good decision. And it was for a one-time donation of INR 500 only (Approx US $ 11), which goes towards various welfare and social awareness project of Sri Sri.

The course was being held in a community centre near to my house. The place was also offered by its owner, without any charge. The instructors of the course happened to be all volunteers, gaining nothing out of the donation that others and I gave. There were about twenty attendees or seekers, mostly first timers, but some were repeating too. And they had all come for variety of reasons. Few were like me, who had come either out of curiosity or to gain something good in life. Some had problems in controlling emotions while few others had had some setbacks in life. And they were all from different professions, communities, religions, and economic backgrounds. But there, we were all in same seat.

Not elaborating the whole details of the course, in brief it was a three-hour workout for six days. It involved a bit of exercise, a bit of Yoga, preaching on self-consciousness and social awareness, interaction among the attendees and instructors. But the best aspect was Sudarshan Kriya, a unique breathing exercise. It was a real revelation. A simple but systemised breathing pattern coordinated through tapes in the real voice of Sri Sri is a real mental tuner. It puts one in the heaven. The experience is really so great that it can’t be explained in words. One has to go through it to believe it. The joy being felt after Sudarshan Kriya is simply long lasting. It takes mind to the divine enchantment and body to heights of relaxation.

The discussion and interactions initiated by instructors were aimed towards building self-consciousness and self-awareness. They made one feel important, less any ego or expectations. Loving one’s own self is as important as loving others and working for others. Helping others and being socially aware also helps in gaining the missing happiness.

Following the very simple and neatly formulated course and its contents was really helpful. It really changed the mental conception about one’s own self and towards the whole world, adding a real positive ray in life in general. The crux of the course’s preaching was summed up in five Keys for Happy Life by Sri Sri, which any person can follow for his and others good. These are:

1. Opposite values are complementary to each other. Accept them.

2. Accept people’s situations as they are.

3. Do not see intentions in other people’s mistakes.

4. Present moment is inevitable. Enjoy it fully.

5. Smile and sympathise for others who cannot improve.

In the end, it was a real nice and long lasting experience, aimed simply at Unlimited Joy.

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