Art of Living Silence Course

When I enrolled in the Art of Living Silence Course, I never imagined it would be such an eye-opening experience. I had attended a couple of meditation courses, hence my initial impression was that it would simply be an extension of what I had learned so far. I was so wrong!

By design, the Silence Course is held in the Ashram, away from daily distractions and interference. In the midst of a lush forest, the Taraska Ashram is tucked away in nature’s abode and makes for a picturesque getaway. The Course lasted 5 days and comprised of yoga, breathing techniques, deep meditation, seva, knowledge sessions and the highlight, 3 days of silence.

Of course, I had my share of concerns when I was signing up – no access to the phone or internet, waking up early in the morning (I have to admit I’m more of a night owl) but I was most apprehensive about being in silence with no communication with anyone. The idea itself was daunting and I was plagued with self-doubt. However, I was determined to give it my best shot.  

Once the course started I found myself effortlessly slipping into a rhythm. Starting the day early with yoga, Sudarshan Kriya followed by meditation sessions, made me realize the importance of silence and how underrated it is in our daily lives. Only when there is silence and stillness can one experience ‘true rest’ in the real sense of the word. The constant buzzing in my mind gradually slowed down and eventually I reached a state of heightened awareness, my thoughts clear, calm and more focused on the present moment. A feat I had never achieved before!

The ‘hollow and empty’ guided meditations were relaxing and rejuvenating, cleansing the mind and body of stress and negativity. Prior to the course, I found it challenging to meditate for even 15 minutes, yet I found myself effortlessly meditating for 40-45 minutes at a stretch. The knowledge sessions by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar were profound, scientific and provided tools to practically deal with challenging life situations. Overall, the course was an all-encompassing package providing a deep cleansing experience on the three levels of mind, body and soul.

Needless to say, after my first experience I have repeated the course several times and have also recommended it to other people. After all it is a unique opportunity to be with yourself in a way that you have never experienced before!