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The varied spiritual institutes seen in Goa are indicative of this changing trend making its presence in Goa. People are taking refuge in their quest for ultimate bliss in yoga, meditation, learning the Vedas and so on.

Art of Living (AOL) Foundation

AOL was founded in 1981 by Shri Shri Ravi Shankar with the vision of creating a stress and violence free society. It has reached out to over 300 million people in over 140 countries with its various programmes. In Goa they have around 25,000 followers and the number is increasing every day.

"I have been associated with the AOL for nine years now. Through Art of Living, Shri Shri Ravishankar empowers you with beautiful techniques on the art of living. For example breathing technique ‘sudarshan kriya’ really relaxes mental stress and brings control over anger. With time you will smile, be enthusiastic, creative, your working capacity will improve and you will have good relationships, etc. This is a supreme programme for uplifting the spirit. The discourses have breathing techniques, stretching and discourses on knowledge," says Dr Venkatesh Hegde, who pioneered the Art of Living in Goa.

The basic course of six days, where they teach meditation, is the stepping stone towards a peaceful you. "The main objective is to bring the mind in the present. After doing this course one feels grateful, positive and one’s enthusiasm gets heightened," says Ms Neela Navelkar who conducts AOL classes at Panaji.

In Goa they have around 30 teachers who conduct these classes in the various cities and villages. However, some of the teachers are those got a new life through AOL.

"I was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after the birth of my third child. I was on medication and was not in a position to move around easily. When I joined AOL classes with my husband (he is suffering from diabetes), I discovered a positive change in my body within few days. I got tremendous relief after doing sudarshan kriya. After that I did many advanced courses and now I have recovered completely and do not need medication," confirms Ms Shraddha Parab from Panaji. She has now been conducting AOL classes for 10 years in various parts of north Goa.

There are many who took help of AOL to cure them of some or the other prolonged illness. Like in case of Ms Shaila Sejwalkar who was suffering from heart disease. "I was suffering from heart disease. I started losing weight as my body was not getting proper blood supply. I consulted many doctors and even did an angiography. Then my relative introduced me to AOL and it did show results. I started recovering and gained weight within a year. Also I didn’t have to go through any operation. Now I am not on any medication and lead a healthy life."

Mr Kiran Kumar from Dona Paula believes that after the basic course of six days, his bronchitis was brought under control. "Now I practice at home and feel the change. Also my laziness is a thing of the past and I feel refreshed," Mr Kumar adds.

"The migraines that I used to have disappeared after I attended advanced Art of Living (AOL) courses. It has helped me in my daily life. I can handle my problems peacefully. My children also are a part of AOL and have benefited from it in their studies. We have become more understanding towards each other," states Ms Lata Parekh, a businesswoman from Panaji

Along with physical change it also brings about a mental change. "With just 20 minutes of sudarshan kriya one can release stress. My perception towards life completely changed after six months of sadhana. My mind is much clear now and I feel happy," states Mr Sandeep Helekar, adman from Panaji.

Interestingly, this change is not restricted to middle aged people but generation next also vouches for it. "My mother forced me to join the AOL course when I was 18-year-old because she thought I am an atheist. I still am, but when I started learning I started enjoying it. Now I am more object oriented, a strong planner and executor and most importantly I don’t get angry, as I used to be short tempered earlier," says Kartik Arya from Panaji.

Chinmaya Mission

Chinmaya Mission was founded in 1953 by Swami Chinmayananda. Through jnana yoga (the Vedantic path of spiritual knowledge), he emphasised on the balance of head and heart, pointing out selfless work, study, and meditation as the cornerstones of spiritual practice.

In Goa there are now many dedicated members learning about the Vedas who put into practice those preaching in their day to day life.

"Being a part of the Chinmaya Mission has made me look at things with a positive attitude. Good and bad is part of life. These are passing phases. It is our attitude which makes us see it as good or bad. Chinmaya Mission is an organisation which explains the knowledge in the Vedic scriptures that have got lost because of the language barrier and also because of the conservative nature people had towards it," states Ms Subhalaxmi Naik, advocate, vice-president, Chinmaya Mission, Panaji Centre.

Whereas for others like Dr Upendra Nayak, retired scientist, NIO, this centre has given him a chance to learn about Bhagwad Geeta and to be positive in life. "My earlier life was spent in getting degrees and being immersed in my work. I was not exposed to the Bhagwad Geeta or the Upanishads. But Swami Chinmayananda’s writings have inspired me a lot. I believe one must know of these books at a younger age. My total outlook towards life has changed. I have started to accept things as they are. Now I know happiness comes from within. I enjoy being alone and am content with what I have," expresses Dr Nayak.

It has also become a medium through which one can know more about our culture. "The Chinmaya Mission targets the educated society, now becoming more and more anglicised and drifting away from the Indian culture. It is trying to bring about a renaissance of the Indian cultural and spiritualism. Being a part of this Mission has helped me to understand that there are only situations and no problems in life. All situations have solutions, what is important is the attitude we hold towards it. As the Bhagwad Geeta says, ‘you can be your best friend or your worst enemy’," confirms Prof Shashikant Sardessai, former principle, Dempo College.

"I joined the Chinmaya Mission very recently. I like their literature. It explains the Bhagwad Geeta in a lucid manner. I have learnt to lead a stress free and peaceful life," states Ms Sushma Khandeparkar a chartered accountant.

Isha Foundation

Isha Foundation is a non-religious, not-for-profit, public service organisation, which addresses all aspects of human wellbeing. They conduct powerful yoga programmes for inner transformation and also inspiring projects for society and environment. They have three centres in Goa at Margao, Panaji and Vasco and have classes after every two or three months.

For many these classes are a stress buster and a medium to bring about a positive change. "Earlier I used to be short-tempered and very anxious. After going for a training program to Coimbatore and reading Sadguru’s books, my life witnessed a transformation. I do not get agitated any more. I can relate to people. I have got a certain freedom. I have been healed of various physical ailments too," says Damodar Kochkar, volunteer of Isha Foundation. "Through the teachings of Isha Foundation I have become calmer. All my negativity is gone. No problem disturbs me, I learnt to overcome problems," confirms Ms Shobhana Revankar, assistant geologist.

"I regularly read articles written by Sadguru. I have become more relaxed. I am not tensed even in the tensest of situations," adds Rajesh Amonkar, a teacher at the Zantye College in Bicholim.

"Going for these yoga and inner engineering classes has improved my alertness. I always felt something lacking in me and now that emptiness is gone. It is a science and has nothing to do with religion. It has helped me experience my religion. I have become more attentive at mass," Ms Maura Afonso.

Sadguru Shree Shivkrupanand Swamiji’s Samarpan meditation

It deals mainly with giving discourses that help enhance knowledge through meditation. In Goa, nearly 10,000 people are associated with it at more than 100 centres. They plan to set up an ashram in Goa as an international spiritual centre.

These discourses help individuals to learn to leave the past behind and the enjoy present.

"Over here you learn to surrender your past since most of us don’t let go our past. After meditation you live fully in the present forgetting about the past and the future," states Mr Umesh Sardessai, a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering.

Some of the members add that through the process of meditation they activated their inner energy. "After this process of meditation, universal energy enters the body and activates the energy centres (chakras) in the body. This helps bring control over anger and forget enmities and helps live a harmonious life," mentions Mr N R Kamat, owner of Kerala Ayurvedic Pharmacy.

"Samarpan meditation has benefited me in my profession. It has helped me in self development. The meditation helps me deal with people as I am now calmer. It has helped me live in the present," says Mr Hemant Ramani, charted accountant.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

It advocates four main principles of life (meditation, knowledge, practice, service) and advocates a vegetarian diet, celibacy, and avoidance of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

They are spread over 130 countries with over 10,000 centres the world over. This organisation is not headed by any individual as they consider only the Almighty is their head. Here the discourses are provided by a didi (sister), dadi (granny) and bai.

"Over here you feel great. After meditation energy develops within you and you feel safe. You learn to give up your bad habits, negativity, etc. Here they are taught to see world as one family," states Ms Shobha Behen, Goa Sindhudurg district in-charge.

"It has benefited me a lot. It brings in happiness and peace. Though this meditation you get connected with the spiritual Father," maintains Ms Pushpa Behen.

"It is not only about meditation; it is way of life. Now I have realised that my stress and tensions have disappeared and I live a satisfied life," mentions Mr P K Pal, retired bank manager.

"Earlier I had many problems. Now I believe whatever is going to happen will happen for the good, and whatever is not going to happen will also happen for the good. I live a positive life. All my bad habits and negativity have reduced," concludes Mr Ramesh Yadav, plan manager of HP Gas, LPG, Kundaim.

It is now clear that this journey of self-discover has gripped Goans. Hope this tribe grows so that we have a peaceful and humble society.

(Inputs from Arti Das, Clara A Rodrigues and Pratima Achrekar)