Confused – Please Help
by Ms Confused
Hello Everybody..
I never thought I wud be writing on this site but finally I am writing.
I am not that much associated with AOL but recently I attended Part II with Rishi NP in Dec 2011. Earlier I did Part I in 2009 and DSN in 2010. But I never got carried away by any teachers. But Rishi NP being a very charming person, very good Satsung Singer, I got carried away by him. I had decided that I will remain unmarried, leave my career, go to Ashram and do Seva full time (in just 4 days of the course time).
After the course I went through various sites just to get additional info about RS, Rishi NP & AOL. Then I came across this site. Earlier I cudnt believe it that AOL is like this and decided not to go thru this site. After around one week I went thru some of the blogs from this site and KLIM’s site out of curiosity. Then I felt that something must be wrong in AOL.
All I can say is that because of my GOD’s grace (not Guru’s grace) I was not that involved the way some were involved for 5-10 years. I am lucky that I was involved just for 3-4 weeks and not for long time. But I am feeling the same pain as when one is being cheated. I believed that Rishi NP was very Good and I had lots of respect for him. He had changed me a lot in the course. Also during the course I felt great. During his Satsung I felt a different kind of energy in me. I had even planned for a big amount for Donation to Ashram. But Thank God!! I am saved because of this site.
I dont know what to do now…I am totally confused. I cant believe that Rishi NP is fraud. He is such a devotional singer I still listen to his Bhajans and feel good. However I dont enjoy doing Padma Sadhana, Kriya, Sahaj Samadhi anymore as I keep thinking of AOL (as Fraud) all the time…
I had told my family members great things about AOL and now I cant say these bad things to them. Also I know some of the acquaintances who want to join AOL for seva. I want to tell them about such happenings. Should I tell them?? or Should I wait for them to realise??
I am totally confused. Please help me out to forget this RS, AOL and Rishi NP.
Comments are closed.
Beyond The Art of Living 
I have had the same experience, except it lasted much longer. The person was the same…NP. All the goodness, wellness and that you saw in anyone was just the very same aspects in you being reflected by these others at you. Just so you can recognize the same quality in you.
However, nothing is all bad…or is it all good. If there are things with AOL or any of your teachers that bother you, then it is seriously time to take a look inwards.
The disappointment happens mostly because we are all a little lazy. We basically are happy to be taken care off, we even want others to do our thinking and discoveries…..In the process we end up following our temporary heros and allow the heros to tell us what is it we need to be happy. Often, the disappointment is also because we did not take ourselves as seriously or love ourselves as much as loved others that were external to us.
AOL is just 1 aspect of life. It is not all of LIFE. There is nothing you need to do …ie confirm or confront…..or anything like that. Just accept that this is one more thing with several bits of appealing brilliance and equally with many many shades of grey.
Acceot it in its totality. And be watchful of whether you are going to anything out of need (I need this to be fulfilled and happy) or whether you are into something because you are contributing. For most of us we are happy with the latter.
I still thank NP and all others that came into my life…..as they so beautifully showed me my own goodness, my own innocence, that Satsang energy that you talk about…all of that. I am grateful for all those feelings I touched within myself. Equally all these teachers and AOL inner circle leaders also showed me “What not to be and What not to do”…..by beautifully play acting for me the other side. If they had not so beautifully shown me the other side, I may not have seen, enjoyed and seen that side of me which stands tall in situations that are lonely and even adverse. It also made me realise that I have the greatness in me just as I am. I do not have to leave it on display all the time. I simply need to remember that it exists within me. AOL while it lasted was a tremendous source of strength, inspiration …and most of all identity (read EGO). However, it was also contradicting and frustrating……because what you are shown and what you see is not really what it is. There is more …and mostly what hits you is the consistent lack of integrity….across all levels.
If you recognized this, then congratulate yourself for remembering that truth and honesty are dear to you….it is who you are and you do not need anybody else or an organisation in your life to be who you are. There is no need to go to the rooftop and TWEET to the world who you are and what you are feeling. In the silence of your being all you need to do is…..smile and be happy for who is occupying your body at this time.
No one is a fraud all the time. I am sure when NP is teaching and reaching out to people there are many moments when is totally sincere. However, he is a part of a complex web that he too cannot kick. It is an addiction by this time. So strongly stuck that he cannot leave. You can. So be happy. In that AOL world are also very big egos, lies and deceit….and very very clever mind manipulation.
I guess we all need to embrace the goodness and the peace within us fully and whole heartedly and learn to trust our inner senses fully. That is the only real thing that you have.
All else of the outside world is a matter of who is looking and how we are interpreting it. Somehow in your conclusions you came to a point where you felt that your happiness was due to AOL and only AOL. While AOL did contribute…..they were just catalysts in showing you who you truly are. It would have not happened had you not committed to put yourself through that experience. Just like you backed yourself when you went into AOL, back yourself now too……”You are your own Guru”.
You Be well.
what a nice reply
@Anonymous PERMALINK
December 29, 2011 3:56 pm
Thanks a lot for such a beautiful Reply!!!
“Often, the disappointment is also because we did not take ourselves as seriously or love ourselves as much as loved others that were external to us.”
This is just so very much true!! I didnt love myself. I was going thru a kind of emotional crunch before Part II.
“No one is a fraud all the time. I am sure when NP is teaching and reaching out to people there are many moments when is totally sincere. However, he is a part of a complex web that he too cannot kick. It is an addiction by this time.”
I am also thankful to Rishi NP as he had helped me in gaining back my confidence, made me love n believe myself. I can never forget the Satsung experience.
He used to talk so honestly that I started believing him and respected him a lot. I still cant believe he can do wrong things.
” “You are your own Guru” ”
After all this, I cant believe n trust anyone. I will follow this line.
Just a word of caution my dear. What we focus on grows on us. You attract those situations in your life. Some past events have showed you that often people are weak and not exactly who they profess to be. Just understand this and back yourself up totally….not necessarily because you are the strongest at any time, but because you are intrinsically committed to your personal strength. So, even if anything wrong happens….there is only you that is accountable. By the same token, all the goodness that is happening also through you. This is just your inner sense. Thats total responsibility. It is not necessary to talk about anything like this…often people see it as arrogance….unless you are sharing this with some one close and dear to you. In your affirmations with yourself…..what works best is “I love myself, and back myself completely. I listen to my inner voice…”. When in doubt….don’t do anything…just wait it out…..OR look closely at your own intent…..are you doing it because you want something or because you are lending yourself unconditionally. If it is the former….then it may be wise to take a step back and re-look the whole situation. BTW This can be done even in business….and you will be amazed at what it shows you.
The other starting point as you mentioned above is “I can’t trust anybody”…………What this will do is that it will make life keep manifesting such events for you…..and that after a while becomes kind off burdensome….as every step you take in your life you have to forcefully view everyone around you with extra caution and suspicion. That my dear is not fun and takes away all spontaneity from your life.
If you inner nature is trusting…..go with it…thats you. Do remember that your inner nature is also highly ALERT….go with that too…..know that seeming mistakes only make you much stronger and more beautiful…..”In your own rights”….and not a borrowed beauty that comes out of wearing a BRANDED item or BELONGING to a group/sect/club.
I felt the same way when I saw the true nature inside the Art of Living. I felt cheated and hurt. But you will get over it, and you will thrive. You can gently tell relatives, “there is a lot of energy and charisma in Art of Living, but I was wrong about some things there. It’s not all good, and I don’t care to be involved. There is some crookedness, so I’ve decided not to attend…” Something gentle like that. Be truthful. It’s not a crime to have made a mistake and joined the ‘wrong club’. Your family won’t judge you.
Just too good. Superb answer. I bow down to you.
Follow your heart (what feels good) which has been verified with your brains (rational/logical) thinking. Don’t go by this site or that site. If something doesn’t seem right then trust your instincts. If your instincts said that AOL is awesome, they were correct. When you started having doubts, that is also ok. It is a natural evolution in which things happen. Just like when people fall in love, they see perfection and then start noticing the faults. There are shades of grey everywhere and perfection exists only in our imaginations.
In my opinion, this site serves as a counter point to the AOL dogma and blind faith and some irrational non-sense they feed and superstitions they create. The good thing in AOL is that people are helpful and nice and seem optimistic and provide a sense of community. The chanting, the yogic exercises, vegetarian life style is good. However, the miracles of ravi shankar, his personality cult and stories – I find to be complete non-sense and even deceitful. The over the top and frankly false claims of meditation being the cure all. The non-sense about sharing the mantra and sharing the technique of sudarshan kriya is designed to protect their business and is not done with a sense of altruism but with a sense of selfishness.
A good weekly class of yoga/physical exercise regime and a local meaningful community to belong to and vegetarian lifestyle will complete suffice and can replace AOL. All the enlightenment talk and how to achieve nirvana will come in it’s own time if it comes. Trust me, the folks and the guru in AOL don’t want nirvana or enlightenment (whatever the hell that means), they want love and attention and money, just like you and me.
.
@Dont PERMALINK
December 29, 2011 6:17 pm
Thanks a lot for the Reply.
“Follow your heart (what feels good) which has been verified with your brains (rational/logical) thinking.”
“A good weekly class of yoga/physical exercise regime and a local meaningful community to belong to and vegetarian lifestyle will complete suffice and can replace AOL.”
Yes I will follow both.
What’s the confusion? Do what works for you and reject the rest. I find Kriya works for me very well, but I have absolutely no attachment to the rest of the organisation, teachings or people. I haven’t even been to follow-up Kriya for nearly 4-5 years now, don’t contribute anything to the org or respond to any of the teachers, but that’s fine.
If one man or one “spiritual” teaching can influence one’s life to such a great extent, that means we are weak. We turn to Aol, church, the magic flying man in the sky and other such orgs and teachings when we find life too tough. That sucks us in to a delusion that finally becomes our reality, believing that the magic enlightened saviour will take away all our troubles. Just wake up.
To Confused,
When a particular type of person sits in front of a crowd of trusting people who want something (to feel better, get energy, whatever), God often can use that person sitting in the front to allow a certain amount of those ‘good things’ outwards to the group or some of the group. It doesn’t mean the person sitting on the stage is great or good or bad or deceitful or truthful. I have seen very good people teaching for AOL who just didn’t know how to leave, even though they saw how crooked the organization and ‘master’ are. And I saw very very bad people, with terrible tempers, and lots of cruelty, teach and lots of people had astounding experiences. The experience is of God’s energy, because of your trust and faith and desire for something more, and your availability to that energy. It is not because the teacher (NP or anyone else) is necessarily great. They might be, they might not be. They may be fooling people and acting. But God is using their bodies to conduct energy through to the group. That’s all. Any really honest ‘master’ will tell you this: That God is doing whatever you are experiencing, not him/her. That God is giving healing and peace of mind, not him or her. If they take credit (as Ravi Shankar does) then they are lying.
God is doing all this. Be grateful that you got the good things you got, and that you found out soon not to get involved at all. You don’t need that particular group or NP or this or that person to have satsang. You can go to satsang anywhere, and in many places you will find the same feeling of God energy flowing. The generosity of God should not be mistaken for the greatness of any person.
Good you found this site. Now find yourself 🙂
@SVK PERMALINK
December 30, 2011 8:58 am
Thanks for replying.
“If one man or one “spiritual” teaching can influence one’s life to such a great extent, that means we are weak.”
I agree with this
“Do what works for you and reject the rest.”
Yes I will find out.
I am confused about the following
“Also I know some of the acquaintances who want to join AOL for seva. I want to tell them about such happenings. Should I tell them?? or Should I wait for them to realise??”
“I am confused about the following
“Also I know some of the acquaintances who want to join AOL for seva. I want to tell them about such happenings. Should I tell them?? or Should I wait for them to realise??”
Ms Confused,
If you cant answer such questions on your own, you ought to join AOL for a few years. It is an ideal place for devotees who want guidance. One has experience AOL before one can stand on one’s own feet.
Ms Confused……I thank you for creating the opportunity for me to contribute to your situation in my own small ways. You post reminds me of many of my own qualities which I love to see. When KLIM started off the other blog…it was a deep sharing…..and its energy has continued. This is one clear example of how this blog actually contributes to personal healing.
You have nameless / ageless / sexless anonymous voices chatting with you on this blog. So, practically, it is like we are talking to ourselves. The beauty is that when others talk to you they see you objectively and are able to quantitatively and qualitatively add value to your journey and they do so very quickly. When we look at ourselves things appear so very grey because of our emotional involvement with ourselves. Again a word of caution, you could get addicted to this blog…..remember to NOT substitute this BLOG for NP or RS or AOL or for that matter.. anything. This is just a tool, which will loose its effectiveness someday. Everything up to a point in time…thats all.
“Also I know some of the acquaintances who want to join AOL for seva. I want to tell them about such happenings. Should I tell them?? or Should I wait for them to realise??”
There is no generic answer for this. This is very subjective. Also, “hating or fearing” AOL is most harmful to the person going through this. So you need to be alert to making sure a) You don’t fall into that trap. b) You don’t put the other into such a trap.
If you really hate the system that much then do so with complete responsibility and hate it a 100%. That means you have decided to dedicate the rest of your life fixing the problem…..and there is nothing else you will do. If that is not an option…..just change your shirt and move on with life.
From my experience, the time to help a friend is when they clearly and openly ask you to come into their lives and share your views. If we jump into their lives…..too early or prematurely all that will happen is that we will lose a friend early. If they are a true friend they will be in your life…no matter what.
In the early days of my accepting the full truth about AOL, I shared my views with many many of who I considered to be my dearest friends. Very few had the capacity to understand and absorb (I am talking long timers, 5 years + in AOL). Most got scared and confused and very lost. I also found myself feeling terrible…..on the inside…..when it came to these relationships. That was because I was criticizing things without really showing them a way out (these folks still needed someone to show them a way out !!!!!…they were not ready to walk on their own….this I recognized much later…..that is because I could not see myself clearly through their eyes…and I failed to recognize that many of their crutches were what I had lent them myself….and they were in no state to give them back). So, for many AOL was now a big LIFE CRUTCH and I was now taking it away. The same person who gave them the BEAUTIFUL crutch is now taking it away. At this juncture, some of them I am sure even started to hate and fear me. Which was far from my original intent ….I only wanted to reach out….but was over eager I guess. But then that was my situation. Yours may be all together different.
Usually, its best when they come to you…..and ask for themselves.
And, as far as the big beast itself is concerned…..it has so much damage done already….it will implode someday. Sooner / later…..anyways…why bother ???? Even if it does not implode its OK. So what ?. for our personal well being, it is sensible to be far away from it mentally, emotionally and physically, so you can help some of your friends unconditionally when that happens.
The “I told you so” mode could happen but thats just an ego trip. If we can all feel the “I am there for you, no matter what…. ….” that will help us immensely. Just some random stuff from my journey so far….when at one time AOL was everything (Well….almost everything !!!).
Dear All (who have commented above)
Thanks a ton for guiding me..
I am going thru everyone’s reply slowly and digesting it…
I am taking my own time…
Earlier I was so frustrated that I didnt know what to do.
I am feeling a little better now.
This is a good platform to vent anger n all as I cudnt share this with any (known) person.
As nobody had forced AOL on me. I was the only one responsible for all my actions and belief.
My mind was in very bad shape for last 10 days.
But now I have got beautiful responses from all of you experienced persons and I am learning many things from you’ll.
I dont know any of the persons above but still you’ll have gave your valuable time and advice.
Thanks a lot!!!
@Ms Confused
Saw this on facebook as somebody’s status . ..
“When you say yes to others make sure you are not saying no to yourself” – Paul Coelho ..
Do things that are good both for you and for others
example for me I picked up the following lessons
– Random acts of kindness( a homework in the basic course which even the advance course teacher do not do ..) … does great for people around and makes you feel great…
(often people in aol will interpret random acts of kindness as bringing people to the course)
– Asanas – Help me stabilize the mind, and good for the body
– Poojas – Helps lighten up my mind and brings a feeling of well being
– Vegetarianism .. helps me keep the body and mind clean and healthy ..
– Sitting in the Satsang listening to the chants feels good..
– Meditation centers me ..
Now I don’t feel compelled to bring 10 or maybe even one person to the course.. or sign up myself for the endless advance courses.. or give any donation to this NGO . . .
hi all,
i really loved this post and the comments…
Ms Confused you are a wonderful person and I vouch for it 🙂
this is my first post ever on this site and I really feel good…let me bore you with my story…
my situation is a bit complicated…i got married to a person who was with AOL for long time and then she made me to do the course and then without my knowledge in a few years I see myself sponsoring whole lot of money (worth a brand new car) for her to become teacher (I am really surprised how I did that but this post helped me to understand how it works :).
Fortunately I came to know very soon that in my country where I live (unlike India where the teachers get 10 % cut from course fee) the local board decided that teachers work for free. This and behaviour of certain teachers struck me and yesterday when I watched the Jason Statham’s 2005 flick “Revolver” it gave equal / more experience to me as AOL practises/satsangs/gurupuja.
I am slowly removing the branding I created myself as a AOL person on Facebook, twitter etc…and try to get on with it as another step in life.
But I guess it is going to be a rough ride to convince my wife that I am no longer part of the organisation…she finds it hard as well because she is deeply into the web, not her fault I realised very late…after so many ugly altercations.
cheers and happy new year to all you wonderful folk! 🙂
Mr. Anonymous above… I wonder if you are one of my friends (who was my best friend for the past 16 yrs) , whose story is very similar… actually, ever since my friend got into the AOL, the rift between our friendship widened slowly… and has come to a point that we barely talk to each other… even though this friend of mine still justifies that everything that goes on in AOL is fine, but, wonder if its him who is secretly venting out his frustrations here… if you are that person, I am here to help… get back in touch with me…
well, that’s very interesting…I have only one friend since past 16 years, but he doesn’t know that I have done AOL courses. He deceived me during my college and from then on I ignored him, but this one from AOL is mother of all, it deceived my soul :(. If you are that ONE, then you would definitely relate this college incident, if not, I am different person :).
anyway thanks for the offer, but I would prefer to be anonymous, reading my story above, please think I am your friend (remember, Vasudaivakutumbakam :)) and wish for me…
to “the revolver” anonymous… though the story is quite similar… my friend, who got into this AOL thingie has been in touch all along… just that things are not the same as it used to a 3-4 yrs back (that’s when he got into AOL seriously)… he even coaxed me to do some courses… which I declined, coz., I personally would not like to be told or preached about…
there has not been any stories of deception or anything between us… however, he does use a smilie, quite like you do in the end of every sentence most of the times and also talks about vasudaivakutumbakam and astavakra geetha… regardless of that, i wish you speedy recovery… and plz remember, there is no one common path to enlightenment… to each one, they have their own and anyone drumming up that, their path is THE path and making money out of it is a businessman
About telling others…..
I am careful when others ask me about AOL. While I want to protect people from bad experiences and overcommittment of money to a crooked organization, I don’t like to ruin their minds and their well-being if it seems real. If someone has not started SK or AOL, I warn them well: don’t bother with this, you will get taken advantage of. If the person is already involved deeply, I say nothing except “I didn’t like AOL and would not care to attend any of their functions”. If the person is just dabbling, done the basic course, I’d refer them to this blog I think. It’s strange: even though I live in a large metropolitan area, and do attend various satsangs when I feel like it (not AOL), I rarely see AOL people now. Some years ago that was not true. I’ve heard from friends in more rural areas that AOL has expanded into their area. Maybe more cosmopolitan people are wising up without anyone telling them?
cheers to all. havent felt this good inside reading the posts for this particular section. Seems unenlightened folks have some abilities after all. LOL
Couldn’t have agreed with you more stupidseeker. One of the best post and one of the best comments. No hatred against anyone, pure discussion. Keep it going guys. Love you all.
to “the revolver anonymous”… i would just ask you two questions…answer yes or no…
1. Have you been to Srirangam?
2. Do you live in NE USA?
1. No
2. No
Most (or should I say all) my friends are still in AOL so I am sure there is no one out here…on this site, maybe there will be more later and I will have to watch my words as they will spot me immediately :), today I surprised 2 of my friends on FB. I greeted them back differently when they said Jai GuruDev! That was fun :). Their minds would have woken up for a second…and then gone back to Zombie state 🙂
To Anonymous who replied to my above post on January 5, 2012 2:25 pm (strange I can’t reply to that post)
That friend of yours looks exact replica of me…that’s great. I hope he follows my foot steps and comes back soon to the real world. Thanks for your wishes. I am feeling much better already. This is a true example of unconditional love where we help each other without expecting anything in return and also without knowing each other…:)
By the way where is Ms Confused? She is already partying looks like :), with so many well wishers here 😀
not a problem… everyone deserves happiness and peace in life… though i never have been a part of AOL… i have seen the phases of changes in my best friend’s life… he is so filled with sarcasm these days… ends every sentence with a smilie… carries a fake smile on his face… fakes happiness… and ignores impending crisis in life… he is not worried about moving on in his career also (he has been stuck as a postdoc for nearly 7 years now)… he does not care for his parents… and constantly says – charity cannot be done with an empty bowl, about what goes on in AOL…
with the amount of money that AOL has, they could even build a whole new city when its razed to the ground, but they managed to help only about 2000+ people during Hurricane Aila, when it hit West Bengal area… art of living is an insult to art as well as life…
He is lucky to have a good friend like you :), don’t give up on him and try to divert your mind out of AOL, remember they didn’t have any obligation to support Aila victims. They are free to choose what they want to do.
Hi “The Revolver” Anonymous PERMALINK
January 5, 2012 9:51 pm
I am here only…Going thru the posts daily….just not replying…
Thanks to all Well Wishers 🙂
You need to base your behavior on your own experience. Don’t listen to the experience of others. Trust yourself and your experience. If you find AOL and SK good, then go with it. If you find it bad, then stop. You are conflicted because you are not trusting of your own experience. That’s the problem with a blog like this. If you are not strong in your own experience, it will confuse your mind.
Really, Peter? Please read Leni Riefensthal’s experience with Adolph Hitler. She trusted that. Her report of meeting was something like this: walked into a room with his followers. Felt tremendous energy and felt uplifted. He asked her to film for him. She agreed, and when leaving was not even sure why she had, but felt really good, and felt she would do anything for this man….Sound familiar? This was part of her defence when asked about possible war crimes. Sometimes it’s best to check other’s experiences when dealing with a charismatic leader like Ravi Shankar. What you are feeling around him is not enlightenment. It’s charisma, siddhis (possibly) and the effects of many pujas. People experienced the same things around Ravana. And we know what Ravana was……..
Again, why are you on this blog? It’s not the “in defence of Art of Living” as far as I remember, although that may have changed (?) It’s “beyond the Art of Living”.
Hi Mr. confused, not sure you are still on the blog. But still I am going to write as I am sure there are many more like you visiting these blogs..I can understand what u must have been through when u read comments on these blogs. Many people have given really nice replies to your post.
What I feel is experiences shared here are personal experiences of some people. U don’t have to decide your opinions and your path reading these comments. From these experiences one can learn to remain careful, observing things and using your logic before accepting to do anything. You don’t have to leave path and SK. One can do sevas and sadhana at personal level without getting much involved in organization. It depends on us whether to allow others to brainwash us or not..What I have learnt from my experience is use ‘vichar’ & ’vivek’ in every situation..Isn’t that one of the point taught in ‘advance’ course?
If you had good experience with Rishij, that’s your experience. Just because you read some contradictory remarks written about him, your experience doesn’t change. Believe your inner experience.
There are many people around who have had good experiences with Rishiji..and it’s not just his enthusiasm, energy, charm or singing. Things go beyond that .Do regular SK and repeat courses with him..U will realize his ability to connect to you, in fact may be to all the participants . You will start to experience that meditations in advance course can give you some deeper, unexpected, subtle experiences. His courses go on a different level. But to experience and understand this one must have patience and faith.
Rishiji and all of them also have been on path. They are human beings like all of us. It’s better we accept this fact. so if at all there are some matters that happened in past, that doesn’t change what he is today..
Yoga and other form of physical exercise routine will help in keeping your mind and body healthy..But Sudarshan Kriya can’t be replaced by anyone of these.
As far as telling others is concerned, don’t tell others because somebody asked you to do so..You first follow principles taught here in your daily life after understanding them well..Do sadhana, seva..Spend some real time doing all this without getting involved in organizational politics or money matters..Then when you feel, ’yes! It was worth it.’ then only tell others….and if you follow this am sure one day you won’t be asking this question no net..You yourself will know the answer.
sadhana says, “Do regular SK and repeat courses with him..”
As long as the sales people don’t hound one (for ex: on last day of advanced course, and after follow ups) and Nitya’s courses are free for public. Remember he is doing seva.
Yes,I agree that advance courses are expensive. It’s everybody’s dream that one day all these courses might become free.Who knows ? may be they will….!
But we must also consider that in a city like Mumbai or in any big city, venues for courses are also expensive. In Mumbai,most of Rishiji’s courses are happening in AC halls.Hall rent,food everything requires money..Of course,from what we here if local centers reduce their share of fees,advance course can become little less expensive.
Anyway,here what I meant to talk about advance course in general and Rishiji’s course in specific is something beyond money. I suggested repeating the course so as to experience your inner world,to know what Sudarshan Kriya is and to increase one’s awareness level..
Yes,He is doing ‘seva’. All of them are. It’s not easy to travel continuously through out the world year after year. Changing cities,with that food and weather every 4-5 days..and while doing all this maintain a happy,enthusiastic attitude…
As far as Rishiji is concerned,I personally feel,He gives his best for advance course participants..Isn’t that ‘seva’?
so coming back to point,at least for his course,don’t wait for AOL courses to become free..You might be losing your precious chance …….
@ sadhana [May 23, 2012 6:54 pm]
it’s not even subtle
the way you sell a course to the confused
your antics are astounding
oh, look at how your mind is used
reduced to selling courses
no matter where you go
you are a puppet in his hands
controlled by his ego
i wonder what you will do
when you realize you have no life
you set out to gain world peace
but you only cause world strife
all you want is money
for aol and its head
it’s almost as if your life
is the butter on his bread
can you seriously not see
what he is doing to you
you are just a trained parrot
who thinks your words are true
on and on you go
to sell one more course if you can
so he can build a mansion
while you’re on no man’s land
when will you wake up
when will you see you are trapped
it’s nothing but your talent for selling
that the master has cleverly tapped
the high you get is momentary
it’s your strength he feeds into
you lose your resilience bit by bit
you turn from healthy pink to blue
when you reach the stage
when from blue you turn black
then you’ll know the truth
behind the mighty AoL attack
till then keep writing
on this blog and other blogs too
we’re all here to listen
to your masked cries and you
Sadhana,
Someone, early on in Art of Living’s existence, organized an advanced course, booked the venue, paid the fees, figured out how to cover all the costs, made it break even, paying for Guruji’s travel, etc., and then was told to cancel the venue (by Guruji) because the venue didn’t allow for ‘profit’. This is true. There has always, from the very beginning of the organization, a desire and insistence on ‘profit’. Breaking even, with there even being money set aside in that case for a couple of scholarships for those who could not pay, was not acceptable! A long speech was given to this person about why it was necessary to make a profit at each course. No reason was given except that that was how he wanted it and would accept nothing less. The venue was cancelled, the deposit lost, but that person fought to get the rather large sum refunded, as they had come out of pocket to book. There was arguing from the top, but it was eventually given back. And a profit was still made, booking a cheap, not so nice facility, where everyone complained about accomodations. How, if after all this time, do you ever in your wildest dreams, think that the intention of Mr. Ravi Shankar is to make these courses free ever ever ever? You must be ill-informed, or mad.
Hi..Nice poem VSS..But sorry,U won’t be hearing or reading my cries. I have passed that phase and learned to focus on what is important.
No,I am not selling any of AOL course.I have never done that.If u read my earlier reply, I have written to him, ‘when you feel, ’yes! It was worth it.’ then only tell others’ …and yes,I am doing that..
Anonymous, may be I don’t have personal experience of AOL as organization or I don’t know about money matters as much as you people seem to know because I never got involved in it.What I said about course becoming free was a dream or may be wishful thinking.
By the way in India,in certain states and in rural area,advance courses aren’t very costly.There are rural ‘yes’ courses and Navchetana with S.K.included with fee of rs100.So things are definitely changing.
I’ am sorry about experience you have had. Did you ever introspect on this topic? I’m sure u must have..What was your learning lesson ? (apart from decision to leave AOL)…No,I am not trying to be smart..It’s very sincere question..