#Embracing the Art of Living #

By vermavkv on April 26, 2025 • ( 6 )

A New Dawn

Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood, much like the one I am basking in right now. Today marks the beginning of a beautiful new chapter in my life — one that I feel deeply grateful for.

This morning, I stepped into something rejuvenating, refreshing, and soul-touching — the Art of Living workshop known as the Happiness Programme.

And for that, I must thank my neighbor, Mrs. Ritu Bhalotia, who gently but persistently encouraged me until I finally agreed to registration.

The programme runs for four days, from April 24 to 27. Each session starts at 6:30 AM and ends at 9:00 AM.

As a retired person who loves early mornings and peaceful reflections, the timing feels just perfect—like a sunrise greeting the soul.

My first Day

On the very first day itself, I found myself among warm smiles and hopeful eyes. It was here that I formed a group of five wonderful individuals, and we named our collective spirit “Pancham.”

The name echoes harmony, music, and the idea of five fingers working together to create something beautiful. That’s the energy we brought into this transformative space.

The workshop’s table of contents — if I may borrow that phrase — reads like a manual for joyful living:

🌿 Mindfulness
🌿 Sudarshan Kriya
🌿 Health & Well-being
🌿 Yoga and Meditation
🌿 Anger Management
🌿 Emotional Balance
🌿 Focus Techniques
🌿 Relationship Hacks

What a lineup! Each topic touches upon a thread that often tangles up our peace in daily life.

“What bothers you?

One question posed to us stood out prominently — “What bothers you?” It was a simple question, but it pierced deeper than most. I paused and thought — what does truly bother me?

Is it the occasional regret? The fear of the unknown? The unnecessary rush in a world that no longer matches my rhythm?

Perhaps it’s the inability to let go of old habits, or the small irritations that sometimes grow louder than they should.

Yes, it struck me — What bothers us is often not what happens, but how we respond to it. This workshop is not just about healing; it’s about responding better. It is about knowing ourselves before we attempt to change the world around us.

The concept of Mindfulness teaches us to be in the moment. Not in the past we can’t change, nor in the future we cannot control. Just here. Just now.

I find complete stillness.

Then came Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that seemed to sweep away internal noise.

After the session, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time — complete stillness. The kind of stillness that doesn’t crave distraction.

The Yoga and Meditation segment helped me reconnect with my body — this wonderful vessel that has carried me through the many seasons of life.

The gentle stretches and breath-focused postures whispered to my bones, You’re still young in spirit.

Anger Management and Emotional Balance were eye-openers. Emotions are not enemies; they’re signals. They tell us what we value. Learning to acknowledge them without judgment is a superpower I wish I had mastered earlier.

As for Focus Techniques and Relationship Hacks — what practical gems! We were reminded how scattered attention is the enemy of joy and how little gestures, listening ears, and honest hearts build meaningful bonds.

This workshop, my friends, is not just about learning—it’s about unlearning. Shedding layers of stress, preconceived notions, and emotional baggage. It’s about being human, gracefully and fully.

To those who’ve never tried such a workshop, I would say this — sometimes we spend years waiting for a change, when all we really need is a little guidance and the courage to show up. This morning, I showed up. And I walked away lighter.

As I continue this 4-day journey with my group Pancham, I look forward to sharing more reflections. Life, after all, is a workshop in itself — and maybe, just maybe, happiness isn’t found. It’s cultivated.

Stay tuned, stay joyful,
— Vijay Verma
retiredkalam.com