Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

12 women volunteers who have made a difference: Inspiring stories from the field. Women are born givers. They are naturally inclined to contribute and make a difference. This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the dynamism and power of volunteerism by recounting a few stories of the women heroes in The Art of Living. 1. Chandrani Biswas & Sujala Roy ------------------------------------------------------ Chandrani Biswas and Sujala Roy are not ordinary IT professionals. For over a decade, this duo  has been changing the lives of kids in Kolkata’s slums with their unique mentoring initiative called ‘Light a Lamp’. They have already reached out to a thousand children who have blossomed to their potential. Read their story of love and care, one that has turned them into mothers of a thousand children. Read their full story. https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/projects/stories-of-change/chandrani-biswas 2. Indu Sinha --------------------- When Indu Sinha read a feature in t...

Lord Krishna says beautifully explains about Seva in the Bhagavad Gita,  Na hi kascit ksanam api jatu tisthaty akarma-akrt |  Karyate hy-avasah karma sarvah prakrti-jair gunaih || (3.5)  It means that nobody in the world can remain without doing anything. We have to do at least something. And whatever we do, we should do using our Viveka (discretion) or discrimination, and we should not be guided by the impulses of the mind. When you have come to this world, do something good that benefits everybody. Do not stay entangled in thinking only what you will get. There is nothing for you to take away from this world. There is nothing to take away from here. You have come to give. You have come here to do something beneficial for everybody. And you should all get together in doing service. Do not complain that ‘I do not get any fun or pleasure in doing Seva’. Doing Seva for the sake of deriving pleasure or some sort of satisfaction too is a very poor approach in life. If you are...

You can know it by asking your inner self. If you have done something wrong, it will pinch you. But if you did something right, you will be fearless. You don’t have any fears when you do something right. When you commit a wrong deed, you feel a pinch, an irritation inside. You start facing problems. I would suggest one parameters to judge to know whether walking on the right path or not i.e. If you have a dream of long-term happiness for everyone, then it is fine. Happiness for a short period and misery for a long period is not right. Moreover, Greed, jealousy and anger, if these three things are behind your action, even if it is a good action, it will be wrong. But, if your action is not our of greed, jealousy, anger or hatred, then what you do is right. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji 

First stop thinking that you have little devotion. Who says that you do not have devotion? It is there and in abundance. It can never be less. If you want it to grow more, read the Narada Bhakti Sutra (A scripture on aphorisms of Divine Love by Sage Narada on the @ArtofLivingApp ), sing bhajans, dance, and celebrate. If you are reading too much then you should reduce that. Instead, do more Seva and Serve people. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji 

Weekly Knowledge 106 Montreal Ashram 18 Jun 1997  Canada SENSITIVITY AND STRENGTH Those who are sensitive often feel weak. Those who feel strong are often insensitive. Some people are sensitive to themselves but insensitive to others . They often feel the others are "bad guys." Those who are sensitive to others but not to themselves often end up feeling Poor me. Some conclude it's better not to be sensitive ,because sensitivity brings pain. They shut off .But mind you , if you are not sensitive, you will lose all the finer things in life, too--intuition, beauty and ecstasy of love. Insensitive people usually do not recognize their weakness .And those who are sensitive do not recognize that their sensitivity is their strength . This path and this Knowledge make you strong and sensitive . Sensitivity is intuition .Sensitivity is compassion . Sensitivity is love .Sensitivity is real strength: calmness , endurance ,silence ,non-reactiveness ,confidence ,faith --and a smile. B...

Lust is one of the main botherations that many face. Lust grips the mind, tires the body and dulls the intellect. Lust when indulged brings inertia, and when suppressed brings anger. Lust is nothing but primordial unharnessed energy.  The same, when harnessed, manifests as enthusiasm, sparkle, sharpness of intellect and love. What are the factors which can sublimate or transform lust into love?  1. Playfulness — People who are in the grip of lust cannot he genuinely playful. When you are genuinely playful, then there is no lust. 2. Generosity — When you realize that you are here only to give and give, and you feel that you are very generous, then lust is sublimated. Lust makes one possessive and not generous.  3. Moderate to small intake of food.  4. Remembrance of death.  5. Divine romance. 6. Cold water baths.  7. Undertaking creative challenges.  ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the Intimate Note to Sincere Seeker Book https://bit.ly/in...

In love even an object gains life. Stones speak to you, trees speak to you, the sun, the moon and the whole creation become alive and divine. In lust even a living being becomes a mere object. You want to even use people like objects. Here are some salient attributes of love and lust. They are so different yet so close! If you find more, you may add to the list.  Lust brings tension; love brings relaxation. Lust focuses on the part; love focuses on the whole.  Lust brings violence; love brings sacrifice.  In lust you want to grab and possess; in love you want to give and surrender. Lust says, “All I want you to have is what I want.” Love says, “I want you to have what you want.”  In lust there is effort; love is effortless.  Lust causes feverishness and frustration; love causes longing and pain.  Lust imprisons and destroys; love liberates and sets you free.  Lust demands; love commands.  Lust gets you mixed up and confused.  In l...

 We have to spread this knowledge of life to every doorstep and you all have to work for that. People know how to operate mobile phones but they don't know how to manage their own life, mind. We need to bring this education to every nook and corner of the planet - 'How to be happy and make others happy'. 'How to live and let others live in peace'. This education is needed. We need to spread the Art of Living. This knowledge helps us in moving through challenges with a smile, sharing happiness with others, feeling one with everyone and this is the Art of Living. The goal of Art of Living is about having a perfect balance in life. Both inner richness and outer beauty. Don't you want this? Knowledge is ancient and eternal but the presentation of knowledge and reach of knowledge needs an organisation and that’s what the ' ArtofLiving ' movement is all about. Did you know that the Goal of ' @ArtofLiving ' is to turn every tear into smile, ...

By being a true Yogi. A flower doesn't have to think how to spread its fragrance. If you are a true Yogi - enthusiastic, happy and joyful that automatically spreads around you. And that is the essence of Yoga.  - Gurudev in Yesterday’s Satsang from Bangalore Ashram 

Weekly Knowledge 105 Montreal 10 Jun 1997  Canada EVERY STONE IS PRECIOUS A sculptor in a temple uses all types of stones. Certain stones he uses for the foundations. These never appear outside. From certain stones which are good to carve, the sculptor makes the walls and pillars of the Temple. From other stones he makes the steps. Certain stones become the tower of the Temple. Only those stones which are extremely suitable for carving will become the Deity and be installed in the Temple. When the stone become a part of the Temple, it no longer remains a stone, it becomes a sculpture, a piece of art, it becomes the Living Deity. In the same way many people come to the Master. According to the degree of their surrender they are installed by the Master. All are essential. If there were no steps, how could a person reach the Temple? If there were no foundation, how could the Temple be there at all? What can a tower do without pillars? For a sculptor, each stone is precious and valuabl...

Nepali shatavari plants are common throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, particularly central India. It is also found up to an altitude of 1500 m in subtropical Himalayas. By nature, the Nepali shatavari plant is xerophytic and prefers the semi-arid to subtropical, cool environment. Climate and soil : Soil – black, well drained andfertile soil is good for Nepali shatavari plants cultivation. But can be cultivated in loose and medium black soil.Climate- crop responses well to tropical and hot climate . The shatavari plants prefer annual average rainfall of 600–1000 mm or less, of which 85% is received during July to September. A well-drained fertile sandy-loam to medium black soil, with a pH of 6–8 is best suited for its cultivation with staking support. Shatavar can be grown in open land as well as under shade, but very high moisture levels result in rotting of root. Propagation material : Both seeds and root stumps can be used for propagation. However, seeds a...

If water is pure, do you have any doubt in drinking it? No.. Wake up!  Deep within, you are so pure.. Deep within, you are the most lovable and adorable person.. You should have zero doubt about it.. Relax.. Know that whatever good qualities you have, it is for others.. Care for others.. Make others comfortable.. Leave such footprints that can't be erased for thousand years.. WAVES OF HAPPINESS 

I recently lost a dear friend, a father of two beautiful daughters to depression. This incident has been heartbreaking for me because I know I could have helped but I didn't act fast enough .. And I am so sorry for that. Today, all I can say is that it's EXTREMELY important for all of us to acknowledge that mental health issues are real and can have devastating consequences.  As we go about our busy lives, it's easy to forget to take care of our own mental health. We are so focused on material wealth and success that we often neglect our inner selves. In times of distress, it's essential to have a belief in something higher than ourselves. Whether it's God, the universe, or simply a higher power, having faith can bring a sense of comfort and hope. Please teach your children these values at home. Tell them Mother nature is taking care of even the smallest insect, why will it not be there for you. Teach them everything happens for the best and there is always a higher...