The Art of Living - Warning - A tad philosophical
Whenever I come across a self proclaimed spiritual organisation, I can't help thinking how gullible people can be. Shady gurus and their shady congregations. More often than not, you are required to make a hefty donation (which supposedly is going to be used for some charity work) and listen to the guru's monologue, hoping to obtain some gyan in the process.
An elaborate sham.

So, when I first heard about "the Art of Living", I was, naturally, quite sceptical.
what the hell can they tell you that you dont already know?
A couple of friends had attended their weekend course earlier, coming back to say that they had had an amazing experience. Truly worth going through once.
This time around, the course was being conducted in the company premises itself, and more importantly, free of cost! What the heck...lets give it a shot
So Prerna and I enrolled for the course. If nothing else, it is going to be good relaxation!

At the very start of the course, they tell you that you should not expect to get anything from the course. Absolutely nothing.
Strange...where people promise you the world and deliver nothing, these guys are doing just the opposite!
After six days of funny games, discussions on moral values, stories, light exercises, the Sudarshan Kriya and singing, did we gain anything? Hmm...hard to tell.

It is a realisation.
A realisation that the happiness you seek is really within you. It is upto you to see it, or seek happiness elsewhere. Would I be happy if I got everything that I desire right now? When will I be really happy? It is not about money. It is about you. And the people you love. Be yourself. Dont worry too much about what others think. Do what your heart tells you.

We knew all this before!
Of course you did. But did you ever give it much thought? Life will just go by, and one day you will realise that you have not done anything that YOU wanted.

The message is quite simple. It is all in our own hands.

The best thing I liked about The Art of Living, was that there was no religion funda. Nothing at all. People were enjoying themselves - not carrying out meaningless tasks and rites to appease God. There were no pretentions.
Today, work and social pressures are such that we are losing our sense of balance. We have our priorites all mixed up. We have forgotten the art of living.

P.S: this post is in no way an advertisement for the Art of Living Course! I just meant to say that I enjoyed it. :-)