An Evening with Swami Sadyojathah Art of Living Foundation was organised on 15th Feb during his Way to Happiness – Australian Tour 2017
Founded by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living Foundation is the world’s largest volunteer based NGO with 370 million people in 155 countries inspired to work for the betterment of humanity.
Born into the Royal Family of Kerala, India – Swami Sadyojathah devoted his life to the service of humanity. In the past 20 years, Swamiji has taught tens of thousands of people in over 40 countries to
meditate and he continuously travels internationally to help create a violence free, stress free world.
“The breath has lots of secrets to offer,” says Swami Sadyojathah. “We learn everything else but not how to breathe properly.”
Resting awareness on the rhythm of the breath, without trying to alter it, can help us connect back, Sadyojathah explains.
“We can use different patterns of breath to manage our emotions – 10 minutes of [conscious] breathing is all that is required,” he says. “There are rhythms in nature and rhythms in the body – Breathing helps to restore the harmony between the rhythms.”
One technique, taught by Sadyojathah at the Art of Living, is the Sudarshan Kriya (or SKY).
Some research has shown it may reduce anxiety scores, enhance brain function, and support resiliency to stress.
The technique is a three-part rhythmic breath with slow, medium, and fast cycles which has been taught to more than six million people in 152 countries worldwide.
“Meditation gives the body and mind a much deeper quality of rest than sleep,” Sadyojathah adds that we don’t need to lock ourselves away for long to experience the benefits.
“Ten to 15 minutes of meditation gives energy for eight hours,” he says, adding that exercise is good for the body while breathing and meditation are exercise for the mind. “Meditation is ‘de-concentration’ it is to relax and it gives energy … it is restful alertness.”
It offers many more perks and, according to the Art of Living “is the only way you can transcend the negative thoughts”.
While there are many techniques for meditation, Sadyojathah suggests just becoming aware of what is happening in your mind – not attaching or trying to control your thoughts, “accepting everything – not running away from the world … just taking some time out”.
We can meditate with our eyes open too.
“Sitting and watching the sunset, watching scenery can also bring you back to your soul,” he says. “Every day is a practice – even when your eyes are open, observe.”
Swami ji said that the Way to Happiness is very simple. You can follow simple things in life be Happy eg : Keeping a smile on your face, singing to yourself, going for a short walk by yourself
