tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post8346344216809312114..comments2023-12-23T03:43:38.964-05:00Comments on LEAVING THE ART OF LIVING: Moving Beyond the Art of LivingAoL-Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08266984166472037468noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-91804439848245471482010-08-12T19:26:59.691-04:002010-08-12T19:26:59.691-04:00This BLOG justifies my feelings to AOL, as I was c...This BLOG justifies my feelings to AOL, as I was constantly thinking that I may be doing something wrong by deciding to stay away from the Group.<br /><br />I started feeling that this is another COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION when they first started seperating the people seatings based on how much you have paid. You PAY more, you are given the the FRONT seating otherwise you get the back seat.<br /><br />Also, they are so aggresive on the courses with astronomical and unjustifiable PRICES. If they were a sipiritual group one would not be charging such a HUGE $$$ numbers for the courses.<br /><br /><br />Also, some of the AOL group try to do BUSINESS with other group members or use it as a NETWORKING TOOL. These guys are cunning and with little OR no PROFESSIONALISM, you tend to trust because they are from AOL and you are part of it, and you get the nastiest surprise of your life. I lost thousands of Dollars trusting someone from the group. That was the last stretch which made me push the button of SAYING GOODBYE TO THE GROUP. TRUST ME, IT IS GOOD TO BE OUT OF AOL FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH!!!!<br /><br />RS may be good but the group members or the agenda does not project that picture........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-83080612395990517872010-08-10T04:04:50.377-04:002010-08-10T04:04:50.377-04:00Some of the AOL teachers like Bawa, Dinesh and the...Some of the AOL teachers like Bawa, Dinesh and there is one in Tamilnadu by name Damotharan should be in politics. They are such hypocrites. They are afraid of small things and they are contemptous of junior teachers. Actually there is nothing spiritual about them. It seems it is just like another career or business for them. All is definitely not well with the organisation teachers most of whom are hypocrites. And they teach naturalness to others.<br />with love AKASHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-53479112922242247772010-07-07T07:30:28.443-04:002010-07-07T07:30:28.443-04:00I have worked (or rather done Seva) the way AOLf p...I have worked (or rather done Seva) the way AOLf puts in the Art of Living International HQ in India for some months. Although I went there on my own will, I realized after some months that the place was not for me… It was full of hypocrites who did not believe in doing anything substantially good for the society but just took the Guru’s name day and night. There is a lot of brainwashing and blind following that goes on there. They make you feel that you are incomplete and your life is full of conflicts without doing their courses. They make you do seva of all sorts… sweeping the ashram etc in their advanced courses in the guise of earning good karma etc. I also encountered an incident while doing the DSN course…. a course participant ended up coming late on the first day and shockingly the volunteer of the course asked her to shell out Rs.2000 as penalty or gave her the option of going back home. The participant was foolish enough to give the money too.Also, how come Sri Sri’s sister’s children have studied in the best schools abroad with our hard-earned money? Whatever happened to the vedic system of education and the vedic schools that are run in the Ashram?<br /><br />Also, I remember forcing the Content Manager of their website to display where the donations are being used, just as any credible NGO would do. She kept dodging that topic. They have not put up any such thing till date.<br />I have lived with the inmates. There were so many robberies that took place in the Ashram in my presence.Riddhi Maniarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06716916036842021437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-74158754773489433342010-06-24T12:37:05.148-04:002010-06-24T12:37:05.148-04:00Hi, just discovered this blog and it is great. my ...Hi, just discovered this blog and it is great. my big concern is that since you are on your way to writing a book, would it mean that you will close this blog? please don't do that...this blog is needed BADLYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-20907299482478405052010-06-20T11:31:17.340-04:002010-06-20T11:31:17.340-04:00“Ravishankar robbed me of many precious things in ...“Ravishankar robbed me of many precious things in life. Most importantly, my faith and thirst for knowledge. I must confess I am still quite allergic to any kind of practices, satsang, new age talks, swamis and gurus, and still have problems trusting people or my own decisions. In my opinion, robbing someone’s faith and spiritual yearning is his worst crime. Fortunately, he was unable to take away my integrity, courage, authenticity and hutzpah”<br /><br /><br />My dear, I feel your pain deeply! You have spoken for me... every word of it. Know that you are not alone and you have inspired many to come out of their AOL coma. Like you I am beginning a new life right now. Wish me well. I know how hard it is to get that joy, innocence and faith back... But you will definitely get there. Love and hug to you.<br /><br />PS: One more thing that helped me greatly in my recovery is this book called Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University. May not appeal to all. But some will find it helpful.HappyAgainnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-61115624018500028552010-06-16T05:10:30.000-04:002010-06-16T05:10:30.000-04:00Hi,
Read your last blog, got only this to say that...Hi,<br />Read your last blog, got only this to say that there is something to learn from every experience. It is one's own samskara's that is responsible for everything that happens in our life, in short, we create our world. I did do an AOL course and went for an Advance one too, luckily I was already into Ramana maharshi and had begun my spiritual journey with his teachings, hence the moment I saw SSRS, I knew a Fraud. God exists and there are Great Masters who may not bodily be here, but are listening to the calls of true aspirants. As for SSRS I can assure you that He and there are lots of others like him today will definitely be dealt with by that Ultimate Power . So, concentrate on your spiritual growth and forget about frauds who are using spirituality for name, fame, money, power, lust etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-44354198538363696792010-06-14T18:42:31.243-04:002010-06-14T18:42:31.243-04:00Please go to this link, Klim & Co to see the &...Please go to this link, Klim & Co to see the "Deliquent" status of Art of Living Foundation's Charity Status with State of California:<br /><br />http://rct.doj.ca.gov/MyLicenseVerification/Details.aspx?agency_id=1&license_id=1076458&<br /><br />At that site you may also see when AOL was founded, by whom, the original (some still with AOL) board members, and the fact that it has, as of 2010, been "Rejected" for charity status.<br /><br />Interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-79833772264197854082010-06-09T03:36:46.495-04:002010-06-09T03:36:46.495-04:00Dear KLIM,
Yours was a very fresh voice. It was n...Dear KLIM,<br /><br />Yours was a very fresh voice. It was nice reading your blogs.<br />All the Best for the book you will be writing. Do note to translate it into Hindi so that you would be able to reach a larger audience.<br /><br />Wish you the very best for the life ahead.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14855702768401092208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-65345108256033778502010-06-08T16:37:41.426-04:002010-06-08T16:37:41.426-04:00U WILL BE MISSED.
on the side note check out how a...U WILL BE MISSED.<br />on the side note check out how aolers are chewing shobhaa de for her post on guru<br />her blog:<br />www.shobhaadeblogspot.com<br /><br />her post on sri sri was on june 4th<br />http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/2010/06/raajneeti-rocks-i-loved-it.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-52922004250012133722010-06-07T09:19:25.591-04:002010-06-07T09:19:25.591-04:00Dear Klim,
I will miss your writings. Thank you fo...Dear Klim,<br />I will miss your writings. Thank you for helping me make my disassociation with AOL complete.Last few months I had been disturbed about some incident or the other which clearly indicated their hypocrisy and this last 'shooting incident' was the final straw.Had your blog not been there,I dont know how I would have coped with my feelings.Thank you once again and I wish you the very best with your book and in all that you do in life.<br /><br />MPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-53298530078688227462010-06-07T06:00:17.783-04:002010-06-07T06:00:17.783-04:00Dear Klim,
I was directed to your blog after an i...Dear Klim,<br /><br />I was directed to your blog after an incident that brought about my disassociation with AoL, when Ravishankar decided to call MF Hussain a terrorist! The same Ravishankar who has preached love for all and who says that even inside a criminal is a victim crying for help. So when a 95 year old artist is deemed worse than a terrorist by an 'enlightened soul', just so he could please some hindu religious and fundamentalists bigots, I realized its time to move on from this madness called AoL. Your blog posts have put everything into perspective for me. <br /><br />I have read all your posts; and realized that if I could feel the pain of betrayal that this one incidence of utter hipocrisy brought about; the amount of pain that you have undergone must be collosal! <br /><br />I have deep respect for you and for what you have accomplished. You have made me experience a sense of freedom from all those stifling concepts that I've been living with. Through you, I know now that I can now live a much richer life. <br /><br />I wish you the very best that life has to offer and that nothing but peace, happiness and tranquality have a place in your life.<br />Lots of love and gratitude to you.<br />RBRBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-16912591453336236622010-06-05T23:31:08.901-04:002010-06-05T23:31:08.901-04:00Honestly Klim, half the reason I read this blog is...Honestly Klim, half the reason I read this blog is because of your pure literary genius--the humor, the raw descriptions of horror coupled with deep and honest emotion. <br /><br />On the other hand, your blog opened up an old, extraordinarily deep wound. At times, I've felt like I hijacked this blog because I'm not an AoL insider though did do volunteer work for AoL, went to quite a few AoL yoga classes, and have friends entrenched in the path. Though I've healed from my own childhood wounds of cult immersion, I feel you did what I could never do. You helped others. You told your story. You shared openly and honestly. Thus, reading your blog helped me become a better person in feeling like though I've shared but a little, I've done at least something small in sharing what I know of cults. <br /><br />As an avid reader, I truly believe if you play your cards right, you'll be famous. People love you. I wish you much love, joy, and peace in life. And to all the readers. Good luck with your next step. And, damn if I better not see that book on my nightstand!<br /><br />I might be able to connect you with an editor. Do you have anything yet?<br /><br />P.S. I'm mad at you for stopping this blog ;)JIvaninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-64574866349442844562010-06-05T11:32:11.451-04:002010-06-05T11:32:11.451-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.AoL-Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266984166472037468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-19267284049978972982010-06-05T11:19:59.928-04:002010-06-05T11:19:59.928-04:00Dear Klim:
Thank you so much for all the beautifu...Dear Klim:<br /><br />Thank you so much for all the beautiful writing and healing. I got a lot of healing and courage from this blog like many did and will do. I was an aol full time teacher for many years also. I actually just wrote a book about addictions, and mentioned the "love addictions" people had toward "spirituality" or "guru" in my own language. Like I told you last time that I wished this blog would be my language. If you will write a book, please do let me know, I will help your book to be translated. It will help a lot of people out there, not just from aol, but all the people who gave their power away to someone else. <br /><br />Wish you all the best for whatever you touch in life. Let's keep in contact somehow....I don't know how yet, but we will figure out. <br /><br />Sincerely and love, DLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-63295860487748973582010-06-05T10:15:26.907-04:002010-06-05T10:15:26.907-04:00Good luck Klim,
Thanks for all the information. Y...Good luck Klim,<br /><br />Thanks for all the information. You've helped many people including myself.<br /><br />A book would be amazing.grateful_readernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-30166472344088510792010-06-05T07:15:51.744-04:002010-06-05T07:15:51.744-04:00Dear Klim,
Wishing you good health and happiness....Dear Klim,<br /><br />Wishing you good health and happiness. Reading your postings in this blog was a wonderful experience. I would like to thank you for sharing facets of your life story with all of us. I hope you achieve success in your future endeavors. <br /><br />Tahir-ul-QadriTahir-ul-Qadrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-33059909237052010772010-06-05T06:34:27.128-04:002010-06-05T06:34:27.128-04:00Klim.. Well what can I say.. I'm not really ju...Klim.. Well what can I say.. I'm not really jumping with joy, now that you are not going to post here anymore i.e considering I'm still very much in AOL. On the contrary I was wishing you would stick around a bit more.<br /><br />But I must admit, I am overjoyed that you are finally out of whatever it is that was eating you up all this time. Whether that is true or not, at least that is what your post conveys. And the feeling I get is in a way similar to what I feel when I remember my not-so-healthy days and how my ailments got decimated through my practices. WOW!! I'M FINALLY FREE!! Am I right? :)<br /><br />Do let me know if you need any help with your book. I'm sure I could be of some use with a neutral standpoint. Of course I could always be viewed as a tricky AOL watchdog. I have no way of changing such a thought, if at all it does exist. You'll just have to take my word for it.<br /><br />Anyway, all the best in any endeavor you undertake. Blessings.The Reformernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-76785550270209091712010-06-05T03:35:03.125-04:002010-06-05T03:35:03.125-04:00Dear KLIM,
I came across your blog only recently,...Dear KLIM,<br /><br />I came across your blog only recently, and I couldn't resist spending time to read through all the posts and comments. I have never been in AoL that strongly (though enjoyed some sessions and even brought people into it), and consider myself an observer rather than a devotee (I have only myself to thank for the strength of my conviction that no one can claim to be God). My association with AoL was rather a compulsion as many of my loved ones and good friends are still trapped there, and I want them to find their escape route by themselves. But I will stay with them, and hopefully endure the AoL onslaught without damaging myself, just to try and discreetly nudge them away from potential dangers of this obsession. <br /><br />I have quickly developed a strong liking to your clarity of thinking as well as expression, which closely resemble my own way of looking at things around - particularly the spiritual stuff, AoL and others. I will miss your blog, but I fully understand the reasons for you to move on. I wish you all the best, and look forward to reading your book. I hope you will announce the book on these pages as and when it is ready.<br /><br />Take care.Observernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-86969631067235956132010-06-05T02:05:20.648-04:002010-06-05T02:05:20.648-04:00Good luck Klim
your blog was part of daily routine...Good luck Klim<br />your blog was part of daily routine i will eagerly wait for your book<br />blessingsex teacher from indianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-225336613571825762010-06-05T01:28:41.511-04:002010-06-05T01:28:41.511-04:00"I have rediscovered spirituality in its true..."I have rediscovered spirituality in its true essence and I have recovered my own source of joy and authenticity. I am again who I am and not what I should be or programmed to be."<br /><br />I am delighted to read that your heart is soaring again and rejoice at your new freedom. There is a saying by Vivekananda that it is a blessing to be born in a church but a tragedy to die there. He also advocated that there should be as many sects as there are people. A Guru can only provide fences, it is your effort which elevates you. You have realised that one has to work on oneself. The blog is good as a drama surrounding an organisation but does not negate the fundamental truth of spiritualism. Some of your 'followers' had moved on to Richard Dwakin's 'The God Delusion' but you have realised the essential truth of one of AoL teachings that what you resist persists. You truly have the opportunity to go beyond name-calling. 'Finally, I have even dropped Ravishankar from my existence. He is a sad sick man who truly believes he is God-almighty.'<br />Now you don't have to define yourself as in opposition to something but be someone.<br /><br />Enjoy!Rajeev Trikhanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-57170112545363673532010-06-05T00:52:25.533-04:002010-06-05T00:52:25.533-04:00@Awakened2010
Great observation re the addiction t...@Awakened2010<br />Great observation re the addiction that RS/AOL capitalize on.<br /><br />You made me laugh by mentioning "healing sessions with Sangeeta Jani"<br />What a joke! If Sangeeta Jani had any healing abilities she would have healed herself fom her thyroid problems, diabetes,HBP, etc. <br />She can't go a day without her medicines and no they are not Ayurvedic tablets from Ashram!WhistleBlowernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-87586990054537582242010-06-05T00:52:25.532-04:002010-06-05T00:52:25.532-04:00Bullet meant for wild dogs strayed into AoL ashram...Bullet meant for wild dogs strayed into AoL ashram<br /><br />http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Bangalore/article446787.eceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-56712559871641465082010-06-05T00:12:12.123-04:002010-06-05T00:12:12.123-04:00I will miss you .. every morning i turn on my comp...I will miss you .. every morning i turn on my computer just to check if there is a new post.. :(<br />i think i have to start re reading the blog now..<br />i dont kno what more to say ... all the best..<br />i will really really really miss you...<br /><br />luv <br />pkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-79988771673026457632010-06-04T23:27:10.545-04:002010-06-04T23:27:10.545-04:00I started following your blog only a week ago. .....I started following your blog only a week ago. ...It was perfect timing (even though I wish I would have read your blog a year ago!)<br /><br />The blog is a gem. ...In a way, you've become what I've always wanted in a guru or my AoL teachers to be--genuine givers AND practitioners of knowledge. Your words have become a role model for me. Amongst the many qualities of your thoughts I've come to admire and use for my own character building,...I look up to your quality of not hating RS. I look up to your ability to see how even doubts and our own mistakes have a role in unfolding our paths. <br /><br />I look up to how beautifully and simply you express your thoughts. You gotta have great internal clarity to express in such specific, moving, courageous, and mindful words. I can't wait to read and promote the book! We have to find you sponsors ASAP.<br /><br />With gratitude and love,<br />dvAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-2893777268459917442010-06-04T22:27:19.669-04:002010-06-04T22:27:19.669-04:00Thank you from my heart, KLIM. I was a part time A...Thank you from my heart, KLIM. I was a part time Art of Living teacher and was going through an intense inner conflict, unable to reconcile with the contradictions between the walk and the talk within the organization. You gave me the guts to quit and the posts your blog reinforced the conviction that I was right in quitting. Good luck in all your future ventures. May God bless you!!<br />I will miss you for sure.<br /><br />-DayaluAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com