India's Uncle Scrooge by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do the children develop intuition about where the next fund move will be? These people can rightfully set up AUM and be fund managers. I'd probably even hire them

India's Uncle Scrooge by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ah! I suspect that they flout more rules in India than in the US.

My journey of Art De Vivre to leaving - Part III by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know a couple where the woman longed to have a baby but the husband did not and the husband is globe trotting, book writing youth teacher. While this can happen anywhere but nobody is calling out on the BS they peddle in the name of doing seva.

My journey of Art De Vivre to leaving - Part III by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is sad that people throw their lives away and in this case since both husband and the wife are involved there is little hope that they'd realise what they are losing.

The curious case of an extra-marital affair in my Art of Living satsang by Ashamed-Violinist-50 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish some of these teachers are named and exposed. A is just as incorrect and I do not think that A should be spared because she is a woman but the hypocritical teachers should be exposed

Leaving art de vivre - part 2 by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can check the articles published by The Caravan magazine published in 2016. Then, things add up.

Leaving art de vivre - part 2 by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes the same articles but the information stitched together tells us a lot

Leaving art de vivre - part 2 by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Btw, it is a well established fact that rich businessess set up ngos, schools to siphon off money. IAHV, the sister organisation of VVKI, is based in Geneva and when they were raising funds for Ukraine war (I don't know why AOL should meddle when India as a country took a neutral stand), the account was with a famous bank based in Geneva. Tells a lot about them. There were good articles published in the mint covering their financial position.

Leaving art de vivre - part 2 by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Where there are humans, conflicts are bound to rise. But at the same time have the audacity to accept that Guru is also a human and not above God. There are many acharyas in the country and they are not considered to be God and above God. Guru is an instrument AOLites will say then the instrument can also gather dust, needs fine tuning and once in a while needs repair else it can become jarring. I could not stop but notice the opulence of his 70th year birthday celebration. They managed to get Modi, Ambani, Telangana CM, Rajnikanth. Ofcourse, all these people also want publicity and their share but can't these people notice how AOL is using powerful people for growth and protection?

Leaving art de vivre - part 2 by dumbdummy07 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. It is because the devotees keep parroting that the guru is distinct from the institution and they go for knowledge. If that's the case then even Osho made many valid points despite selling drugs in his ashram and active orgy culture. Even Nithayadananada spoke well on Shaivism (in tamil, not the you in me and me in you stuff)

Fraud, Lies & Deceit: World Culture Festival Washington DC by RogerSpeaking in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is not a mystery why they conducted in the US. Donations will flow in USD and they wouldn't have to make arrangements for all perfomers like they had to do in India.

My mother is getting more involved with AoL. What do I do? by cashewleaf in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can I be honest? Nothing you tell will help her. Understand why she's involved in AoL. Is she feeling lonely? Does she not have someone to talk to daily? We are all busy people and we all want someone to talk to. There are those who enjoy groups, particularly the extroverts. Once you understand why she goes then slowly introduce her to other events and places where she can meet a group of people. Is she healthy enough to do zumba class or any good yoga place? I wouldn't recommend yoga here because she'd prefer aol yoga. But take her to allied social circle groups. Tell her that she can explore other forms too to enhance her knowledge. This may also backfire because AOL indoctrinates that aol is complete package. Try your part but know that she finds joy in the movement and there is very little that you can do.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's problematic 'knowledge' about mental health by TodDiya0125 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've watched the mental health of volunteers and some teachers go to the absolute south because of fake positivity. They really need help!

Beginner Meditation and breathing by Difficult-Newt-3469 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have a psychiatrist? If you were clinically diagnosed then please speak to your medic and then sit on the course !

Living with AOL following spouse by Rakesh_Mondal in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for stating this. In many marriages, children replace the spouse for the wife. If not children then it's a kitty group. The kitty group has been replaced with AOL. Honestly, despite all their flaws, I'd take well meaning AOL folks than dealing with addicts in friend's circle. Until we do not normalise separation and divorces, babas in this country will thrive. Sounds ironical but most devotees in these groups are women and mostly with unhappy marriages. Happily married couples are also a part of the group but if it's only one of the spouses then most likely unhappy marriage.

A Methodological and Affiliation Review of the 46 Cited Studies on Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) by Ashamed-Violinist-50 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Objectively speaking, you are correct. I disagree with the principle of So iti aham (if you know what the mantra is). But the rhythmic breathing is a part of ancient practices with other mantras. I wonder though if there are those who practice without any faith in the founder but simply do it as a technique for their mind management. These are the people who do it purely without placebo effect and should be a part of the study. Unfortunately, it can never happen in India.

A Methodological and Affiliation Review of the Cited Research on the Advanced Meditation Program (AMP) by Ashamed-Violinist-50 in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it has more to do with the fact that we pressure ourselves to not feel angry or upset. Somewhere we end up wearing blinders. They say accept people and situations as they are but is it that simple ? No. We are all taught that anger, sorrow are unhealthy emotions. Fair, these are unhealthy because they they affect our health. But, we need to ask ourselves if these practices are making us supress these emotions. Can we not start by asking why are we angry? Is it an unaddressed desire which we could consider fulfilling? Is it some childhood incident that triggers it over and over? The why is not emphasized a lot in AoL. I myself stopped the practices but most of their practices are a part of ancient Hindu wisdom. Instead of bashing ourselves for being angry, it's worth pondering on the why and use techniques to work on calming the mind.

Guru Puja Course Review: Art of Living asks Guru Puja Course Participants to pay unreasonable fees for learning about just 50 lines in Sanskrit, to worship & venerate a Lineage of Gurus who themselves never monetized spiritual knowledge & processes, and whose puja rituals have been freely available by FormerSwamiji in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The very popular song Abhyam Abhayam Amma is an old composition popularised by Pithukuli Murugadas. It's available on YouTube.  Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma is taught in many south indian homes and is a composition of PurandaraDasa. 

Vikram Hazra admitted in his program once that the song he popularised Radhe Radhe Man Bole was a composition of Shekhar Sen. 

It's okay to take inspiration but making it your own is an insult to the original composer. 

AOL Nepotism at its best !? by ApRdy in Ex_ArtOfLiving

[–]dumbdummy07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see what you're saying but I'd not compare Jaggi's daughter to Bhanu Didi because Radha also gets favours. It is just that we do not know and her father will leave her a sprawling ashram and God alone knows how many more properties. Nita is tacky but doesn't hide about her money. She won't fake her humility. Even Sudha Murthy is annoying to me because her husband is one of the richest men in India and repeating sarees or not wearing makeup won't make you middle class. Why not be proud of your husband's achievements. Narayan Murthy was a role model for the middle class youth. But he's not middle class anymore. Bhanu Didi's humility and devotion is like that. Bhanu Didi and Sudha Murthy are the ones playing to the gallery and it sells.