Over centuries, science and spirituality have been eager to solve the mysteries of the world that surrounds them. For science, matter forms the core for its investigation and for spirituality, consciousness. But, the point where spirituality meets science remained, until the last three decades, a possibility yet to be discovered.
Swami Purnachaitanya shares his discovery of the estuary of science and spirituality – The Art of Living. He narrates that from an early age, he showed keen interest in the spiritual practices, cultures, and philosophies of the East.
This initially led him to practice a wide range of eastern martial arts. However, after discovering the teachings of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a five times nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, through The Art of Living, he got more fascinated by the power of the practical ancient wisdom and the profound breathing techniques and meditation as a path to inner peace.
“I dedicated my life to mastering and sharing this ancient wisdom almost fifteen years ago in my quest to pursue my spiritual values.”
The Art of Living dwells on finding peace within oneself and aims at uniting people in the society – of different cultures, traditions, religions, nationalities; with the goal of uplifting human lives across the world.
Born and brought up in The Netherlands, to his Indian mother, Swami Purnachaitanya now travels worldwide teaching people of all backgrounds, cultures, and religions how to effectively manage their mind and emotions, eliminate stress, live in harmony amid diversity and bring greater peace and joy into their lives through simple yet profound yoga techniques.
He is currently the Director of Programmes and Senior International Trainer with the .
Mr. Purnachaitanya has received his title Swami, (master) as an acknowledgment of his high state of consciousness. Selflessly, he travels across the world, sharing his deep wisdom – making ancient wisdom easily available, and doing so in a light, humorous, and incredibly inspiring manner.
“I have since then travelled extensively in Africa, Asia and Europe, personally reaching out to hundreds of thousands of people already to come to the understanding of how to use the mind to its full potential which brings peace and soothing satisfaction to the human body and soul,” he added.
Life with The Art of Living
For over a decade with the Art of Living Foundation as a full-time international faculty and senior trainer, Swami Purnachaitanya specializes in training teachers in Sri Sri Yoga, a balanced and thorough design of yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and yogic knowledge; designed to help yoga aspirants remove self-imposed limitations, realize their full potential and offer their talents in service to the society.
Swami Purnachaitanya noted that The Art of Living is important especially at the workplace and in governance because it promotes a sense of belonging.
“There are people who are not sure of their jobs right now, even though they work with an organisation. Employers also do not know when their employees could resign. It is, therefore, important for employers to make an employee feel a sense of belonging. This makes them see themselves as a part of the company, and they put in the little extra time and effort,” he said.
He also oversees various service projects of The Art of Living in India and Africa, such as rural development, prisoner rehabilitation, and educational initiatives.
Swami Purnachaitanya has represented Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and The Art of Living at national and international forums, seminars and conferences, and has also addressed audiences at educational institutions in many countries.
The ‘Art of Living’ in Ghana
The Art of Living programme has been on-going in Ghana with educational, government, and other corporate institutions. Located in Labone, Accra – Ghana, the programme has trained people from all walks of life with various workshops conducted in some institutions such as the BluCrest College, Academic City, and the general public.
He says he came to Ghana as a way of having some programs for small spaces. He teaches these programmes in collaboration with some local trainers usually made up of expatriates and the likes. Swami, however, lamented that it is hard for continuity because they leave with time.
The founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is expected to be in Ghana between August and September 2020 as his initial visit in April was cancelled due to global pandemic-COVID-19.
According to Swami, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, visits about 60 countries every year and it is an opportunity to meet him. Swami noted that Ghana was going to have a public programme and many people wanted to meet him, “but coronavirus has brought our activities to a halt.”
“The programme to meet their leader has been postponed to August-September. The response is very good and we want maximum people to meet him,” he noted.
Throwing more light on the benefits of ‘The Art of Living’, Swami added that, “In government, if we want good governance, we must make sure that the leaders came to serve because it makes it easier to make a difference and bring change. We need to inspire that.”
He looks forward to a peaceful world where brotherly love and sound mind operates to bring serenity and sanity to the human race as well as make good use of the human brain to its full potential and capacity.
