Where's my Nirvana?

This article written by me was published in the Anglophone newsletter of the International School in Fontainebleau on 17.04.08.

Where’s my Nirvana?

Relaxation? Meditation? De-stressing?

If you are like most moms, juggling three kids, a husband and a job, your idea of “a moment to yourself” is probably standing in a long queue at Champion (where for some reason only two of the counters are open at peak hour) and where your queue refuses to move along because someone forgot to put a price tag on his bag of onions. Whatever your thoughts are at this time, for sure they are not the most pleasant.

Nirvana? Probably not in this lifetime!

But if your goals are slightly more modest-- a need to be able to relax and de-stress, have more energy and reduce anxiety, tension or depression-- help might be just round the corner. In this day of fast food and fast cars, anything that takes longer than 15 minutes (even if it is reputedly a great tool to release stress) probably does not merit our attention. It is with precisely this in mind that The International Art of Living Foundation (IALF), teaches practical tools to destress and rejuvenate. Only 15 minutes a day does wonders! Too good to be true? Apparently not. 25 million people in 147 countries will vouch for its efficacy. From NASA scientists, to CEO’s, to university professors, to doctors and politicians, people across all cultures and continents, are thronging to these workshops and reaping the benefits of an age old Vedic technique that has been made adaptable to modern life.

The IALF courses are generally conducted over a weekend, comprising of 6 sessions of 3 hours each. The core of the course is the powerful Sudarshan Kriya™, or the Healing Breath Technique, which is a rhythmic breathing technique that releases toxins from every cell, and rejuvenates the mind and the body. At the end of the programme, one is given an individual technique that can be practised at home without any outside help. As IALF instructors often joke, “As long as you have your breath, you can do this anywhere.”

So why is the breath such an important factor in eliminating stress?

Ancient yogis in India have said that the entire secret of life is contained in the breath. Firstly, every emotion is linked to a specific breathing pattern. For example, when we are angry, we breathe very fast; when we are scared, we block our breath; when we are sad, our exhalation is much longer than our inhalation, and when we are happy, our inhalation is much longer than our exhalation. Knowing this, one can use specific techniques to rectify the breathing, in order to come out of habitual emotional patterns.

Secondly, it is known that 80% – 90% of our toxins are released through the breath. Studies have shown that we use only 25%- 30% of our lung capacities. (In the Introductory workshops, one can do a specific exercise to see just how well developed one’s lungs are.) Hence toxins accumulate over time, and over the years manifest itself in the form of high blood pressure, hyper tension, anxiety, depression, insomnia or more fatal illnesses.

The organisation, founded by Indian spiritual leader His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar in 1982, has international headquarters in India, Germany and Canada, and local chapters in almost every major city in the world. It is now the largest volunteer-based NGO in the world. Apart from personal development, the organisation also focuses on socio-developmental work. In France for example, there is a programme called, “Un Euro pour un Heureux”, which provides value-based education to children of rural and tribal India. Apart from formal education, the children are also provided text books, school uniforms, meals, medical and dental care.

In 1997, Sri Sri founded the International Association of Human Values in Geneva, which till date has adopted 30, 000 villages in India. Under its 5H Program (5H stands for Home, Hygiene, Health, Human Values and Harmony in Diversity) development projects have been carried out, bringing self-reliance and sustainability to millions of people. The program is aimed at educating the villagers about cleanliness and proper sanitation, various health issues, as well as eliminating stress and violence in society. As an NGO, IALF works in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 and 2006.

A wonderful opportunity awaits all in Fontainebleau this week. From April 18th to the 21st, the IALF will conduct a 4 day workshop here. The programme is open to all above the age of 18. It will take place at the Centre Alchimie des Sens, at 13 Rue Guerin, Fontainebleau. Prior reservation is necessary. For more information call 06 10 08 79 42 or visit www.artdevivre.fr or www.artofliving.org