A Day of Retreat and Networking in Ashram- Connecting Minds, Banani Vista in collaboration with Art of Living

Is there an art to living? I guess not but there sure is a way to get around it and with that thought, I travelled to the art of living centre in Kanakapura Road in the outskirts of Bangalore  48Hours after a 45 day trip to The United States.  I was greeted by happy faces right from the Reception desk to the volunteers who looked like their bedside read would have been the Monk who had sold his Ferrari. A day of retreat and networking it surely was with  Banani Vista getting consultants, representatives from the govt of Karnataka, an editor of a magazine, a doctor with her husband and son in tow and an enthusiastic entertainer all Under one splendid roof for a day of retreat and networking. Our guests during the retreat During Meditation Sri Sri Ravishankar visiting The moment of reckoning was when the enigmatic  Sri Sri Ravi Shankar came into the elegant and intricate Vishalakshi Mantap  and meditated with everyone. It was a sight to see everyone give their thumbs up to his instructions and breathe in and out with him. The satvik lunch at the ashram kitchen was finger-licking with the curd rice and khichdi taking home the honors. The staff was courteous, had a ready smile and cleanliness was in swach Bharat mode everywhere. We were ushered in by a friendly boy (volunteer) into a rickety bus for the guided tour with a knowledgeable volunteer dressed in pristine white who was more than eager to take us around the sprawling, open and green 250 plus acres ashram post the gastronomic lunch. We were greeted by peacocks in full bloom, majestic elephants, doe-eyed Deers and hungry rabbits across the flora and fauna of this paradise eager to spread the all-pervading love which was the hallmark of this calm, serene and beautiful place. At the Goushala The Mud house One of our guests, Shekhar Vijayan The bus ride was bumpy competing with the funfilled conversations amongst the assorted group as it meandered it’s way across the ashram. Our first pitstop was at the Gurukul centre of excellence which would give visitors a feel of how schools were run in ancient India whilst the idol of the holy panchmukhi Ganesh was watching us from all angles. To top the visit, we were introduced to the Sri Sri gurukool  and the Gaushala. The cows at the Sri Sri Gaushala with their inquisitive eyes were just not allowing us to leave without taking a groupie with them .. and these exotic breeds numbering in hundreds were the real show stoppers here. The ashram is natural , at one with nature and even the vegetables here agree. The route to the hospital in the bus was uphill with a view to die for literally, figuratively and metaphorically. When was the last time you went to a hospital grinning ear to ear? The beautiful elephant in the ashram Happy Faces! The bus ride stopped at various points for us to take in and indulge in this awe-inspiring ashram. One such interesting place was the mud house where everyone tried to climb to the rooftop going full gusto, testing its capacity of 6 tonnes. The evening ended with devouring the Prasadam and indulging in the Satsang with the charismatic Sri Sri Ravishankar showing how its done. Silence In this art of living international center has a language of its own .. the unbridled smiles are a testimony to it. To know more such events conducted by Banani Vista, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Download our magazine Spunky Indian for exclusive stories.