Monthly Archives: May 2025

Enlightenment, My Spiritual Journey, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Are You on a Spiritual Path? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and The Art of Living

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and HH The Dalai Lama

I have had the honor and privilege of spending time with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in his Bangalore, India ashram, The Art of Living International Center.

I was there in early 1993 during an International Silence Program. Two of my roommates were from Holland, the others from the USA.

We had a wonderful time being in silence for 7 days. Gurudev led us in “Hollow and Empty” meditations where we emptied out all that was inside us and allowed ourselves to become hollow so the Divine Light could enter in.

We traveled into the City of Bangalore for a special Satsang and met Gurudev’s parents, Vishalakshi Amma and Pitaji. Of course, his dear sister, Bhanu Didi was also present, along with her family.

At that time, the ashram was small and barely developed with just a few Kutirs ( small cottages), a thatched hut for our daily meditations, and a larger hall for the evening Satsangs. There was a small kitchen where we ate the most delicious Indian food.

I will always remember my International Art of Living Family and the lifelong friends I have made during my time with them.

Jai Guru Dev, Happy Birthday Gurudev, May 13, 2025!

We all belong to you!

Compassion, Enlightenment, PEACE, Spiritual Awakening, Thich Nhat Hanh

PEACE IS IN EVERY STEP

Thich Nhat Hanh, photo by Parallax Press

In the mid 1990’s, I attended a wonderful event with Thich Nhat Hanh at Jack Kornfield’s Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, California.

It was “A Day of MIndfulness.” Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister True Emptiness led us in an enlightening meditation of mindfulness. One of the highlights was when each of the over 1,000 participants was presented with an apple, organically grown in Oregon, wrapped in special paper.

Thay, as his students and followers referred to him,–a term of respect for a revered teacher– quietly and gently spoke, in his soft voice, leading us to be truly focused and mindful as we carefully unwrapped our apple, set aside the paper, and took one delicious bite at a time, chewing slowly, tasting the sweetness and juice of the apple. All the while engaged, totally in the moment, with each action we were taking. A mindfulness exercise I have not forgotten, to this day.

Thay was the embodiment of love, compassion and true mindfulness as he took each step of his life. He taught us that Peace is in Every Step.

May you go about your day, your week, your entire life, mindful of every action, of every step, while you become Peace, become Love and become True Compassion.

In loving memory of Thay, Thich Nhat Hanh

Vietnamese Buddhist Monk and Peace Activist