The joy of love

‘Explore, Experience and Express’ - that is what life is all about. Once you realise your inner self and start exploring, you enter the path of service, believes Swami Jyothirmayah. A trustee of the Art of Living foundation, and one of chief disciples of the spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Jyothirmayah has been into active spiritual discourse for several years.

“Service reveals the true character of the Art of Living foundation,” says Swami Jyothirmayah, on the sidelines of the ‘Dhyanotsavam’ in Kochi the other day. “As a youngster, when I met the Guruji in 1998 in Thrissur, I knew little about the foundation and movement. However, once I joined, I found the path of service. At the ashram I was associated with cleaning tasks for almost four years.”

And then, one fine morning, Guruji called Swami Jyothirmayah. “He asked me to go and bless people,” says Swami Jyothirmayah. “I said I know nothing about blessing. He asked me to go ahead and do it. Once I began, I discovered that it is one of the most wonderful experiences that I have ever had, because I could feel the love within myself. As of now, I must have blessed lakhs of people. In some western countries, people wait for 14 hours for a blessing.”

He points out that the foundation has been actively involved in peace-keeping activities. About four months ago as many as 230 militants of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) surrendered before the police and, thereafter, went to an Art of Living ashram in Bangalore. They underwent regular spiritual discourses.

'“The foundation has also been regularly carrying out spiritual courses for people in the Naxalite-affected regions,” he says.

In the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the foundation organised a spiritual workshop for both Israelis and Palestinians. “There were about 40 people,” says Swami Jyothirmayah.

“Only when they reached the camp did they realise that there were people from both nations. In the beginning there were fights, but finally, they returned as peace ambassadors.”

As to what makes the Art of Living an unique experience, Swami Jyothirmayah says, “It’s scientific, simple, and proven.” The state will once again witness the Art of Living experience when Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visits on January 7.