Kamal Ajay Khimji’s radiant smile touches everyone’s life. She believes in kindling love and joy in people’s hearts by teaching them meditation. Having taught the Meditation practice to people in Pakistan and several others from different walks of life, this senior Art of Living teacher shares how meditation has been life transforming for people the world over.
Q - What is your normal meditation routine like?
I usually meditate when I wake up in the morning. I also enjoy meditating under the light of the moon and while listening to Sanskrit chants, which relaxes me. Since I am teaching regularly at different times of the day, my meditation routine sometimes varies. Usually, when there are multiple tasks to do, such as teaching, service projects, family obligations, attending to visitors, I make a conscious effort to take a few minutes out to meditate. I feel very energized, enthusiastic, refreshed and happy that I can use my time effectively.
Q - In your view, what is the role of meditation in day-to-day life?
In today's world, meditation is a necessity and not a luxury. With e- communication happening so fast, it is necessary to meditate in order to cope up with the fast pace of technology. To have a sharp focus and clear vision, it is absolutely essential. Most conflicts and mistakes happen because of miscommunication - be it at home with your family or at your work place. To have dynamic activity as well as inner harmony and happiness, meditation is the only solution.
Q - Can you recall any specific instances where meditation came to you as a savior?
I remember I once landed in Pakistan to teach a Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Course. I was staying with our Pakistani teacher, Shanaz, at the Art of Living center on the lakeside. A series of back-to-back Sahaj Meditation courses were beginning the next evening and my mornings were packed with meetings and TV talk shows.
A sudden feeling of restlessness took me over and it was difficult for me to do anything I couldn't sit or stand, neither could I lie down. I wondered how I would cope with the packed schedule, considering the condition of my body. I was unable to rest or think clearly.
I then sat on my own and meditated. By the time I opened my eyes, it was more than an hour and I felt so refreshed. The restlessness and the imbalance in my body had totally vanished. I felt I was able to cope with my hectic schedule. Meditation really helped me to complete my commitments in time.
Q - Do you think meditation is easy to do?
At the Art of Living, we practice meditation that applies to all walks of life. What is meditation? It is actually ‘de-concentration’, the art of letting go. It’s like pressing the delete button on your computer or mobile phone when the memory gets clogged. Our mind is full of so many things and when there is no clarity, our vision becomes clouded. Due to this, we cannot percieve things the way they are. With meditation, perception, observation and expression all improve.
Q - You have taught meditation to so many Pakistanis. How has been their experience?
I have been teaching Sahaj Meditation Course and the Advance Meditation Course in Pakistan for the past seven years. In Pakistan, I felt people really welcomed this knowledge and were very keen on learning more.
The first set of Sahaj courses happened in 2007 and people invited me in the holy month of Ramadan. Sahaj Samadhi Meditation has a deep impact in Ramadan as people are fasting. There were healing experiences after people meditated. Small ailments, such as headache, shoulder pain, backache, etc., vanished immediately after meditation. People felt much lighter as stress got released during the meditation.
They also experienced deeper understanding of their religion and were able to focus and concentrate more on their prayers. Pakistanis were so happy with their experiences that they invited me for five consecutive years in the month of Ramadan to teach in three cities!
Q - How do you see meditation uniting people from all walks of life and adding to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s vision of a One World Family?
The Advance Meditation courses and Sahaj Samadhi courses have had a deep impact on the lives of people in various countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordon, Bahrain, Egypt, Pakistan, UAE, and Qatar. From locals and expatriates to professionals, housewives, entrepreneurs, and prisoners, all have experienced transformation in their lives. They felt extremely happy, were able to connect to themselves, and understand and value the knowledge that was shared.
Meditation opened up the knots in people’s hearts and they were able to break the barriers between religions, classes and creeds as all of them sat together to meditate. They realized that all people are equal and all humans belong to one world and one family.
