The Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-based, humanitarian and educational non-governmental organization that focuses on the upliftment of human values at the grassroots level. The Art of Living Ashram is situated on a small hill, located in the midst of the landscape full of hills and valleys. This is a little paradise of peace on earth. This is a heavenly retreat to all the visitors who want to rejuvenate from the stress accommodated by their mundane life. Art of living applies various techniques that produces interest in life and improve the inner potential of a person.
Shri Ravi Shankarji is the "Gurudev" of Art of Living Ashram. The activities of the ashram involve singing "Jay Gurudev" hymns and chants. The music gradually reaches a climax and the devotees get completely lost in trance. At the peak of this mesmerizing chanting, Shri Ravi Shankarji slowly makes his way to the stage with his arms slightly raised and gently swaying along with the hymn. He is the man of soft personality who proclaims for love and brotherhood and then extends his arm to everybody so that his followers could come and embrace him. Shri Ravi Shankarji is the symbol of love and peace personified.
Location of The Art of Living
Art of Living is located at the Kanakpura Road, Udayapura in Bengaluru International Center of Karnataka. The center is easily accessible from Bengaluru by road through local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Bengaluru has a fair weather all the year round so the ashram can be visited at any time of the year.
Amenities of The Art of Living
The complex of Art of Living envelops a huge area, which includes offices, snack shop, residential quarters, dining hall, prayer hall, library and beautifully maintained lawns. The tower is beautifully constructed lotus-shaped tower. The ashram complex also houses a school where around 700 children studies who come from nearby villages.
Courses in "The Art of Living"
"The Art of Living" Ashram offers various courses. The essential course offers to improve our daily efficacy by improving the quality of life at mental, physical, emotional and spiritual level. It also provides practical tools to reduce the effects of stress.
There are also special course for children aged between 8 to 16 years called as "Art Excel Course". The ashram also has an advanced course and the "Sahaja Samadhi Course". There are also courses in Art of living ashram for the prisoners and the patients suffering from HIV and AIDS. The courses of art of living are open to all the publics and are held all over the world. In India, the Art of Living courses occur in over 19 states. The courses are conducted by the advanced students who have already undergone the basic courses and capable of taking their students through the spiritual journey. The fees of the courses vary from one place to other.