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The Happiness Program


Are you happy? How do you suppose you are happy? And even more important than these questions is : what is happiness in your opinion?

Such a simple, jolly word it is, and yet, it contains the vastest of meaning. I assume the meaning and the context of feeling happy changes over time with respect to our age and our understanding. During younger days, children would associate with getting what they want, and again, in older days, people associate with getting what they want. So, I suppose there is not much of change with the origin or the way it is generally looked open. But is getting what you want the only form of happiness? Of course not. Happiness is much deeper. Nonetheless, happiness is related to a smiling and glowing face. And that is what they tell to keep consistent at the happiness program.

The happiness program is a program conducted by the “Art of Living” foundation or AOL that it is popularly known as. The Art of Living was found in 1981 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; his sole purpose being to spread happiness in the world given that there was so much stress and anxiety in the world. He introduced the Sudarshan Kriya to people, a breathing technique that was bound to work wonders. His motive did not go unnoticed and now, there are AOL foundations in over 150 countries in the world helping people with happiness, healthier lifestyle and exercise; all thanks to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

There is an AOL foundation in Nepal too. And during this lockdown, they have been conducting online happiness program. He had been insisting I take up the program for quite a while now, he was pretty much on my back about it but I had been keeping it off. I didn’t know how I would do in it, and frankly, at such a time of lockdown I was more than reluctant to meet new people. Of course, I had to look up the program, it promised better sleep, and insights into relationships. I was curious, what exactly would the happiness program do? Can it really make people happy? It must do something; how else people all over the world be so assured to it?

The course was 4 days long. I was a nervous wreck before it. He knows how many questions I asked him. But I was going to have to go with it. I wanted to see. And I’m glad I did. It’s funny how a course only requires 2 hours of your time in the morning and yet it can be impactful for the entire day. I was already starting to feel good.

The happiness program requires to, or at least encouraged to perform every act with a smile on your face. It felt kind of ridiculous at first; we had to be reminded to smile. But it makes senses now, and more natural, as it should be. There’s this different energy that happiness program makes you feel, not only the yoga and the breathing techniques but the positive discussions make you feel calm and positive. It has been truly named happiness program deservingly. 

I’ve been trying to continue what I was taught at the happiness program and I intend to continue. There’s not much I can tell you about what they do and how they pursue you to be happy; that is something you will feel for yourself in the program. If you want, you can join one of their online programs taking place every week or so. Look up Art of Living Nepal for more information.

I’ve only just started so there’s not much I can tell you, but one thing the happiness program has made abundantly clear for me, is that happiness starts with my own self; my happiness starts with me and happiness comes from within. And one very drastic way for that is your health.

Thank you so much Sanyam for encouraging me to take this course!

Here’s a link to their website, if you are interested: https://www.artofliving.org/np-en

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