M-A-G-I-C-A-L 2010

I had the best New Year celebration in town...and spent the whole evening till the wee twilight hours (until the yesterday's lunar eclipse waned), at the Art Of Living Intl. Foundation centre...at Bangalore (Kanakpura Road)...
the only words I can say is "M-A-G-I-C-A-L", when most of the world was lost in their television sets or getting hangovers..I had a blissful musical and dance evening with 2000 vibrant youngsters who had all come from different countries to reunite with the one-world-family, and to celebrate a truly global celebration at our international campus here...

When shallow-minded, media-herded people across the world dream of 3 BHK flats or just-another-tiring vacation to so-called tourist places, I am filled with a vision, that we shall all see a very very magical and prosperous 2010...and we'll live to tell the tale about "HOW SPIRITUALITY BECAME A FASHION, AND THEN A NECESSITY", thanks to His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-- The Guru Of Joy...........

And when I closed my eyes for a moment to soak in the moment of new year, I felt an immense contentment and abundance in my life, and a quick roll-back to my life four years ago, revealed the journey of many lifetimes which i amassed in just the past three years I spent with the AOLF...I feel immense gratitude today, and unfathomable contentment, for all the love, and joy and togetherness, and above all, this priceless knowledge that His Holiness has brought to us all, since His last visit 5000 years ago :-)

here is His message in His own words:

Every year, we begin the New Year wishing others happiness and prosperity. What is the sign of prosperity? The sign of prosperity is freedom, a smile and the willingness to share with people around you, without fear. The sign of prosperity is the trust and confidence that you will get whatever is needed in life.

Welcome the year 2009 with a smile from within. As we flip the calendar, we need to keep flipping our mind as well. Often, our diaries are full with memories. See that you don't fill your future dates with past events. Learn and unlearn from the past, and move on.
You want to be free from greed, hatred, jealousy and all such imperfections. If the mind is holding all these negative qualities, it cannot be happy or peaceful – you cannot enjoy your life. So the first step is to see that negative emotions are due to the past and not let the past affect your experience of life now. Forgive the past. If you cannot forgive the past, then your future will be miserable. This new year make up with someone with whom you are not on good terms. Commit yourself to dropping the past and starting a fresh life.

When the new year arrives wish everyone with a sankalpa (intention) for peace and prosperity for all the people on the planet. With the economic meltdown, looming terrorism, with floods & famine around, do more selfless service. Realize that our foremost priority is to check violence in the world, to free the world from domestic and societal violence. Make a resolution to do more good to society, help the people who are in need and bring solace to those who are suffering. Take responsibility for the nation.

The spiritual dimension of life brings a great sense of belonging, responsibility, compassion and caring for the whole world, for the whole humanity. The spiritual dimension in the truest form smashes the narrow boundaries of caste, creed, religion and nationality and gives one a broader awareness of life present everywhere.

This year, let your devotion flower. Give it a chance to work. We should experience the divine's presence, the divine's light around us. You should have a desire in your mind to experience this. Has such a desire ever risen in you - that you want the highest peace? The whole world is running by this divine light. When you sing or pray there should be total involvement. If the mind is preoccupied elsewhere then that is no prayer at all.

You are like a free bird. You are fully open. Feel that you are flying like a bird. Learn to fly. This is something which you have to experience within yourself. There is nothing else. If you consider yourself as bonded, you will remain bound here. Be free. When will you experience freedom? Become free right now. Sit down and become content. Spend some time in meditation & satsang so that your inner self becomes strong enough to deal with the challenges.

When the mind relaxes, the intellect becomes sharp. When the mind is loaded with small things such as ambition, feverishness and desire, then the intellect loses its keenness. And when the intellect and observation are not sharp, life does not express itself fully, ideas don't flow and abilities diminish day by day. With this understanding, step out of your little mind and that step will solve many problems in your life. Be natural. Be with love. Involve yourself in service. Celebrate your life

............ .CELEBRATE NEW YEAR - 2009