Art of Living Teacher Training Fund

Gurudev Shri Shri Ravishankar wants to put a smile on every face. I want to help him do that by becoming a Part 1 teacher. I completed VTP in November 2023. Now I have been accepted to the TTC on January 12, 2024. As a senior, living on social security and a small pension, I cannot afford the TTC course fee. I will contribute $1,000 towards plane fare, shared rental car and this website's percentage fee. Please donate so I attend TTC and continue with Gurudev’s work.

In the 1970’s, when the US had mandatory military service (the draft), I was an Army Explosive Ordinance Detachment (AKA bomb squad) commander. After my three years of defusing Army and terrorist explosives, I was discharged from active duty. Miraculously, I was not physically hurt. But, psychologically I was a mess. It took me several years to adjust to civilian life. Back then, Sky Breath Meditation for veterans was still a Guruji dream. Once I am a teacher, I want to help veterans.

AOL has brought many me many minor miracles over the years.

In 2004 my wife and I joined AOL as part of her recovery from Breast Cancer. AOL helped us through that and other marriage crises. We have been married since 1979.

In 2009 my parents were living far from me. Their lives were coming to an end. I was able to take a paid leave of absence from work for four months to help them gracefully make the transition.

In 2016 my daughter was in Seattle and we were in St. louis. When her pregnancy leave was over, she had to return to work. Until my daughter could find permanent infant day care, I was the only one available to care for our seven-week-old granddaughter. I was terrified, but soon the baby had me well trained.

In 2018 AOL gave me the courage to travel far from home to help my son through a nasty divorce. I concentrated on raising his spirits so he could find his own solutions. Now he has remarried. They are expecting their first child in April.

In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, I got the St. louis home we had lived in for 30 years, ready to sell. We sold it in three days. We downsized more than half of our possessions and moved into a condo in Cincinnati where we could be close to grandkids. It was painful pulling up roots, breaking long established friendships and shedding items of sentimental value. AOL made it easier.

In June 2023, in Indianapolis, IN, Gurudev was staying at a house behind the hotel where we were staying while attending his “Journey Within” presentation. At that house I was able to have my first and only brief conversation with Gurudev. I intended only to thank him, instead he urged me to become a teacher. While we were talking, we were interrupted by a video call from a sick man seeking his blessing. I thought our conversation was over. As I departed, he called me back. Again, he urged me become a teacher… I could only agree. Shalin Desai took my name and cell number. Zankar Desai took the attached photo.

My daily AOL practice has given me confidence, focus, adaptability, and a positive outlook. Through Guruji’s courses, his meditation, his Vedic text commentaries, and his study groups, I come to like, love and understand myself.

After receiving so much from Art of Living over the years, I want to give back by becoming a teacher.

Please donate. My sincerest thanks, David Behrens