Says Meena Rajgopal, Concord resident a mother of three young girls, “The third day after I attended the Art of Living course I heard my littlest one exclaim wondrously to her father, 'Dad, mom doesn’t get angry with us anymore!' That was an eye opener, I had felt the transformation in myself, and the sense of peace and tranquility but the effect of my wholeness on the people around me was a double bonus. That remains the best thing I have done for myself. I plan to take a refresher course again and would urge people to give this incredible method of taking control of your life a chance." Meena is only one of the many people I speak to, prior to writing this piece. Art of Living seems to have enriched people of all ages, from all walks of life.

From April 1 until April 6, Art Of Living holds a workshop at the Winchester First Congregational Church. Interested participants may call 617.504.4077 or email artofliving_ma@hotmail.com for more information.

The workshop will be taught by two senior teachers who have traveled around the world instructing this course, which integrates modern methods with ancient spiritual healing techniques to bring one in contact with the silent core of one’s being.

The Art of Living teachers will emphasize how the Sudarshan Kriya and related practices help enhance a practitioner’s physical, social, and emotional well-being while reducing the stress and tension that plague all of mankind. In these days of strife and constant talk of war, where stress bogs one down, a positive approach to life is essential and the workshop hopes to bring about that transformation in people’s way of thinking.

Inspired by the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living Foundation is an international nonprofit educational, charitable, and humanitarian foundation.

The Sudarshan Kriya and related practices, as taught in Art of Living courses, has been the subject of medical research and scientific study since 1995. These techniques have been shown by independent, clinical trials to be effective in increasing lung capacity, reducing the blood plasma levels of cortisol, (the "stress hormone") and alleviating depression, to name a few of the tremendous benefits demonstrated by these studies.

Art of Living offers courses to the public where the emphasis is on self-awareness and self-growth. These educational programs offer innovative tools for managing stress, resolving conflict, improving health and living life with more joy and enthusiasm. Meditation and introspection is said to aid one attain a sense of inner emptiness, leaving one open, then to dynamic oneness of creation and of love. The message of love also emphasizes a non-dualistic idea of creation, where everything is a part of one divinity. These courses are very structured, and are taught by trained teachers.

The Art of Living course combines the kriya with meditation and teaches how to observe the mind, to live in gratitude and to discard expectations. The workshop also provides a value-based framework to life, and tools with which to build the superstructure. The benefits of the workshop include stress reduction, a resurgence of vitality, mental clarity and joy of living. Those who attend the course routinely report relief in respiratory and spinal disorders, diabetes and heart problems. The program has been highly acclaimed by the World Health Organization.

One of Art of Living's successful missions is the 5H program. 5H stands for Health, Hygiene, Housing, and Harmony in Diversity and Human Values. The aim of the 5H program is to uplift individuals, families, communities and nations so that the finest human qualities are nurtured and the full potential of human life can be expressed throughout society.

The Art of Living Foundation sponsors the "Dollar-A-Day" program for children in the poorer regions surrounding Bangalore, India. For only a dollar a day, you can house, feed, clothe and provide education for a school-aged child.

More information can be found at www.artofliving.org.

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