Art of Living Foundation

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The Art Of Living Foundation

"We care for the World, We Care for You"
"We care for the World, We Care for You"[1]
Motto "Serve Society and Strengthen the Individual"[2]
Headquarters Kanakapura, Bangalore
Website http://www.artofliving.org

The Art of Living Foundation, is a non-profit, volunteer based organization founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Contents

[edit] Mission statement

A non-denominational, educational and humanitarian non-profit organization, The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF)'s stated mission is to uplift society by strengthening the individual through programs that create a sense of belonging, restore human values, develop life to its full potential, and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service. According to the Foundation, it has programs in more than 140 countries around the world, and offers several courses to bring individuals knowledge and techniques to unlock their deepest potential and bring fullness to life.[3]

[edit] Organization

The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) has its international headquarters in Bangalore, India at Veda Vignan Manahvidyapeeth or VVM campus (usually referred to as the Bangalore Ashram)and has regional centers in more than 140 countries.[4] The foundation was founded by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.[5]

AOLF has been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization in the U.S. since 1989. Accredited as a United Nations Non-Governmental organization in 1996, it is now one of the UN's largest volunteer-based NGOs. It works in special consultative status with the UN's Economic and Social Council, participating in a variety of committees and activities relating to health, education, sustainable development, conflict resolution, and disaster relief.

The Foundation operates as a social business [6] and its main activity is to organize Art of Living courses,[7] yoga and meditation workshops,[8] and education and trauma relief in areas of trauma and disaster.[9]. The majority of the officers of the organization, along with most of its teachers and staff, are volunteers. All humanitarian programs, disaster relief efforts and training programs are conducted through, or in conjunction with its sister organization, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV).[10] Some of the key world-wide chapters include the Art of Living Foundation (U.S.A.), Vyakti Vikas Kendra (India), Die Kunst des Lebens (Germany), Art of Living Center (Canada), Art of Living South Africa, Art of Living Israel, Art of Living Brazil, and Art of Living Argentina. All told, there are international centres in 140 countries.[11]

The term Sudarshan Kriya is registered as a trademark to Art of Living Foundation.

[edit] Professional affiliations and memberships

AOLF is an international Non-Governmental Organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, with accredited representatives at the United Nations in New York, Geneva, and Vienna. AOLF has also worked in formal consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO): "Development of a Global Health Policy for the 21st Century". AOLF is also affiliated with the International Association for Human Values.[12]

AOLF is a member to the following international associations:[13]

  • CONGO (Conference of NGO's in consultative status with ECOSOC of the United Nations), Geneva and New York
  • United Nations NGO Committees: Health, Mental Health, Committee on Aging, New York
  • United Nations NGO Values Caucus, New York and Geneva
  • International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Paris
  • NGO Forum for Health, Geneva
  • National Association of Women's Organizations, Uganda

[edit] Courses

Courses include:

  • The Art of Living Course and Sudarshan Kriya[14]
  • The Art of Living Course Part 2[15]
  • DSN - Creating a Divine Society[16]
  • Sri Sri Yoga[17]
  • Wisdom Series[18]
  • Youth Leadership Training Program[19]
  • ART Excel (All-Round Training In Excellence) ages 8yrs-13yrs[20]
  • YES! for Teens (Youth Empowerment Seminar) ages 14yrs-18yrs[21]
  • YES Plus!(Youth Empowerment Seminar Plus!) ages 18yrs-30yrs[22]
  • The Art of Living Prison Program[23]


[edit] Silver jubilee celebration

The Art of Living's Silver Jubilee was celebrated on 17-19 February, 2006, at the 243-acre Jakkur Airfield. Attendees from more than 100 countries participated in the celebrations.[24] Among those attending were A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India; Ruud Lubbers, a former prime minister of the Netherlands; Otumfuo Osei Tutu II , King of Ghana; and people of many faiths and walks of life.[25] The highlight of the third day (19 Feb) , was a public mass meditation, "Maha Sudharshan Kriya".[26]

[edit] Criticism

The Art of Living volunteers have been criticized for making unsubstantiated claims about the effectiveness of Sudarshan Kriya in benefiting patients suffering from not only depression and trauma but also cancer and AIDS.

Critics charge that exaggerated and pseudoscientific claims (for instance, the claim that HIV cannot survive in the oxygen rich environment produced by Sudarshan Kriya[27]) mislead patients with serious physical and mental illness and thus prove dangerous and cause harm.

A study prepared for the US Department of Health and Human Services, reviewed the quality of research in Sudarshan Kriya and other meditation practices, and said, "Overall, we found the methodological quality of meditation research to be poor, with significant threats to validity in every major category of quality measured, regardless of study design."[28] The report concluded:

Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.

– Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality study[28]

The AOL foundation makes no official guarantee or promise of any therapeutic effects of Sudarshan Kriya, although research, personal experiences and testimonials of those claiming to have been benefited are highlighted.

According to an article in Reader's Digest:

"There is no doubt, however, that some of its claims are exaggerated. For instance, according to an AOL brochure its “Youth Empowerment Seminar” is compulsory at 10 German universities. A random check by Reader’s Digest at five of the universities revealed that not only is the seminar not compulsory, it is not even part of the academic curriculum. It is offered as a leisure activity, alongside tennis and aerobics." [29]

Edward Luce in his book Inspite of Gods alludes to Sri Sri's ties to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.[30]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Art of Living Foundation
  2. ^ FAQ
  3. ^ Art of Living Course Overview
  4. ^ International Centers of the Art of Living Foundation
  5. ^ The Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
  6. ^ Art Of Living Online Registrations - Courses
  7. ^ Art of Living Course Overview
  8. ^ Advanced Programs
  9. ^ Service Projects
  10. ^ IAHV Socio Economic Devleopment, Human Development, Disaster Relief, Community Driven Development, Women Empowerment, Youth Empowernment, Education
  11. ^ International Centers of the Art of Living Foundation
  12. ^ About The Art of Living Foundation USA
  13. ^ About The Art of Living Foundation USA
  14. ^ Art of Living Course Overview
  15. ^ Advanced Programs
  16. ^ Art of Living Foundation USA
  17. ^ Art of Living Foundation USA
  18. ^ Commentary on Ancient Wisdom
  19. ^ Art of Living Foundation Youth!
  20. ^ Art of Living Foundation Youth!
  21. ^ Art of Living Foundation Youth!
  22. ^ Art of Living Foundation Youth!
  23. ^ Prison Smart Program from the Art of Living Foundation
  24. ^ "'Art of Living' celebrates silver jubilee", The Times of India, 2006-02-18. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. 
  25. ^ Art of Living silver jubilee celebrations. The Art of Living. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
  26. ^ Vasuki, K.G.. "Art of Living silver jubilee celebrations end in Bangalore", Yahoo India news, 2006-02-20. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. 
  27. ^ AIMS presentation (PDF). The Art of Living.
  28. ^ a b Ospina MB, Bond TK, Karkhaneh M, Tjosvold L, Vandermeer B, Liang Y, Bialy L, Hooton N, Buscemi N, Dryden DM, Klassen TP. Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 155. (Prepared by the University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0023.) AHRQ Publication No. 07-E010. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. June 2007.
  29. ^ A. Mahadevan. Face to Face. Reader's Digest. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
  30. ^ Edward Luce: Review of Inspite of Gods

[edit] External links

Official website