My first brush with Art of Living people was when they organised an orientation session in our residential complex. The AOL (art of living) anchor started off with what he thought was a very dramatic question- Are you happy? There were quite a few in that hall who nodded and murmured-very impressed at that profound question. While I was destined to play (and how I enjoy it) the role that a few drops of lemon play when added to sweet curd!
Next run-in with AOL was when my mom-in-law registered for a Sudarshan Kriya course in the AOL centre close to my home. The anchor in this instance looked like a dour woman who simply loved to hold the microphone in her hands and wouldn't let go even when the session ended. She was shrill, she loved her own voice and she reminded me of my class teacher when I was in class II. Then came the best part she grandly told the folks (i quote her verbatim) "You are getting so much knowledge, right or wrong? Right! How will you show your gratitude to Sri Sri Ravishankarji for this? ( my mom- in-law replied "donations"- how true, but I think the teacher didnt hear, she was too full of her own drone). Someone answered- by being upright citizens. You will show your gratitude by (get this, I am not lying) each one get two. So each person in this session gets two more people to attend similar session that costs Rs. 1000 per head. I was totally speechless.
So now I know the key to art of living's success- crassness and commerce. This teacher was the worst that I have known- bad language, bad attitude, total lack of subtelety, utter lack of respect for the people gathered there, no softness and most of all she reminded me of a road roller-a teacher is supposed to have a calming effect on the students (at least those that imply or proclaim spirituality). I guess art of living reserves its best teachers for the rich & the famous.
