Why We Exist

The word “listen” and “silent” comprise the same letters; they are simply rearranged.  Today, in our world with such chaos, there are few listeners, but many talkers. What we need to do today is to cultivate the habit of listening to others–listening to different points of view, different opinions.

We think too much.  Ninety percent of our stress comes from over-thinking. Can we take a few moments of silence and then look at any incidents with a clear mind?  If we can create this habit, we can resolve many conflicts that we have in our lives.

This attitude to listen to others’ point of view is essential.

Can we make a world that is more compassionate?  Compassion is already in us.  It’s the stress that overshadows the compassion. Remember the flood in Calgary in 2013? So many people came forward to help out.  We all have the element of human value within us, that chord of compassion, of valuing life, if that is touched, anything is possible.

What We Do

Within Calgary, a strong team of dedicated teachers and volunteers work towards the vision of creating a violence-free, stress-free city.  In 2018, Art of Living’s programs impacted over 5000 Calgarians.

Calgary has been going through a period of economic turmoil. Stress is inevitable. With this rise in stress levels, there is also a corresponding rise in awareness of the need to tackle it more effectively.

The breathing and meditation techniques taught through the Art of Living Foundation have been well-researched. The studies clearly show a significant and lasting reduction of stress, even in high stress groups like war veterans, depression  patients and prison inmates. Some of the research material is listed at this website https://www.research.artofliving.org/

Through partnerships with organization such as the Alex Community Health
Centre, Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre, YMCA, and the Brenda Stafford Centre, Art of Living aims to provide stress-relief and personal development programming to city residents in all walks of life.

As a foundation, our aim has always been to uphold human values. As their stress levels decrease, people naturally become more inclined to be of service to the greater community around them.  As such, our volunteers often take up initiatives wherever they see a need in the city.  For example, AOL volunteers played a key role in the flood relief efforts in 2013, rehabilitating nearly 350 homes.  Our vision is to remain an epicentre of such service initiatives within the city.

How We Do It

Within the City of Calgary, Art of Living offers the following programs:
– Art of Living Happiness program (a holistic health program encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual health);
– Art of Meditation Program;
– Sri Sri Yoga Program;
– Silent Retreats;
– Ayurvedic health consultations;
– Ayurvedic nutritional workshops;
– Video knowledge series on wellness topics;
– Volunteer training;
– Weekly Meditation sessions open to the public; and
– Public community gatherings which include knowledge, singing, and community building;
In addition, in 2018, Art of Living Calgary hosted “Unveiling Infinity”, an entry-level
meditation program conducted by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and attended by 800 people.

What You Can Do

At the present time, our highest funding priority is creating a sustaining a new, larger Art of Living Centre in Calgary.

Since 2009, Art of Living has been operating a centre in Calgary out the teachers’ residence.  This centre has been used for a variety of health and wellness workshops on topics such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, healthy eating and more. Now, popularity of the programming demands that the organization move to a larger facility. The organization has located, and will be leasing, an appropriate venue. Funds are required to renovate the space for its designated purpose and to purchase the necessary equipment to outfit the centre.  In addition, sustainable funds are required to maintain the ongoing operations of the centre.

The total cost to establish the new centre will be $63 000, and the annual operating budget of the centre will be $100 000.