What was the greatest discovery at this weekend’s Happiness Program?
“The happiness quotient we discussed on day 3.”
Go on.
“It goes something like this: If you write all your responsibilities on the left side of a piece of paper and all your needs on the right side and then tally them and subtract right from the left, that is your happiness quotient.”
What does that imply?
“That we are better served by having responsibilities than needs. That we are happiest when our responsibilities overwhelm our needs.”
What happens if you overextend on your responsibilities?
“We didn’t talk about that, but I imagine an overextended person probably cannot take much responsibility.”
Tell me more about Happiness Program.
“It was wonderful. The teachers glowed. My classmates were engaged. The program itself was interesting – some 12 hours of breathing and contemplation. And the follow-up support, too, has been so much more than expected.”
What is the program?
“Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Sudarshan Kriya. I’m no expert, obviously, but it seems to be about cleansing, removing all of that which is not your natural self, with a faith that what’ll remain is silent and happy, your natural self. Sri Sri himself addressed the program’s groups in the Americas on both Saturday and Sunday, taking questions via video conference.”
How did you know about this?
“Some article I read about meditation techniques, I assume, brought me to Celebrating Silence, which was remarkable a collection of aphorisms as I could recall reading. The end of the book has a URL for The Art of Living. I believe that, as Americans, our franchise is what we do with our money much more than our quadrennial habits at the ballot box. I believe in supporting worthwhile efforts with money and time.”
What were your expectations for the program?
“I didn’t have any. I signed-up in July and then forgot all about the program, as I tend to do. I set an intention before any workshop – say yes to everything – and then trust all will work out more perfectly than planned.”
What’s next?
“Smile more. Make strangers’ happiness my responsibility. Follow a new daily routine. Be open to whatever changes come along.”