Being part of the Art of Living Foundation for some years now, it is common to hear – “Oh, when did you meet Guruji? Wow, that’s amazing, you lucky guy! You met Guruji in the 90s? Wow! It must have been so amazing those days, right? So few devotees… and now wherever Guruji travels, hundreds of people show up! Wow, you met Guruji when you were 16? That’s wonderful!” and so on.
It is a familiar script. Hearing stories about young Guruji, his Satsangs and knowledge sessions, all the fun times, and early courses, the mind starts its litany – I wish I met Guruji earlier! These people are so lucky, blah blah blah.
I am guilty of this too. Up until this moment. Now I look back and realize – Oh, I have been with Guruji all my life! He has been a presence in my life as long back as I can remember. I waited 26 years to meet him in person but he’s been around since forever… 🙂 Duh.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
