October 04, 2007
by Joyeeta Dutta Ray

Jeremy Occhipinti is an International School teacher and a well-known name in the Art of Living circle in Bangkok who strikes a chord through his music and singing. Below is an interview with the American citizen who fell in love with India and strives to transform the lives of many with his profound understanding of life and living.
                    
Ques: You are an American citizen, residing in Bangkok, connected to India in a profound way. Where do you hail from originally? When did you come to Bangkok? Could you please tell us a bit about yourself by way of introduction?  

Ans: I grew up two hours west of New York City, in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  I also lived in California, as well as Atlanta, Georgia - where my family lives now.  I came to Bangkok in September 2005 to start a teaching job at a wonderful int’l school.  

I am an international teacher and musician who loves to teach, learn, travel and play music.  I have taught, as well as studied in North and Central America, as well as Asia.  Teaching and music are two of my biggest passions, but I also love to skateboard, practice yoga, deep breathing and meditation, as well as traveling around this wonderful world.          

Ques: You have a very close affinity with India. How did that come about?

Ans : This started shortly after I took the Art of Living Course in California, 11 years ago.  I met Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the first time at one of his public talks.  I remember him answering a question on war by using examples of India.  He went on to say what a diverse nation India is, yet it has maintained a very peaceful nature and it has never invaded another country.  Later he told a beautiful story about the temples in South India.  When I met him after the talk, I told him that I would like to visit India soon.  He said, “Please come to India, you’ll love it!”  In addition, I also remember him saying, “The people in India would borrow off their neighbors, just to feed a guest.”  I thought this was amazing and totally different from America. 

Six years later, I finally made it to India and found everything he said to be true.  My first trip there was on the first ever International Youth Leadership Training Program.  We were five college students along with one adult mentor.  We actually landed there on September 11th, 2001.  This was a very defining time in our lives.  We went on to learn how to teach health and hygiene courses, in addition, we developed essential leadership skills for life.  The greatest part of that program was being able to experience India’s rich culture.  I later traveled to Guwahati, Assam and then to Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, where I lived for a month.  I returned back home to America for Christmas.                  

Ques: How well do you know India now? What do you appreciate most about the country and its people?

Ans: Oh, what a question.  India is so diverse; I think I only know a fraction of its wealth, beauty and significance.  On the other hand, I do have a 10-year visa and have been there many times.  Plus Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has taught me so much about this spectacular country.  Beyond this, I have learned so much from my beloved Indian friends around the world.  They are always so enthusiastic to answer my questions about their culture, different regions and various languages. 

 

I am also very happy to meet kind Indians around the world and be able to say, “Hi, how are you?” in most of their languages.  This is a wonderful way to make new friends, as well as show off (laughter).  I do understand that there are so many languages, dialects, traditions, etc. and that the whole country coexists amazingly well. When I first traveled to India, I was astonished at how in the matter of 100 or so kilometers, there could be a different style of clothing, language, food, music/film and customs.  This made America seem somewhat boring, in comparison (laughter).  I am very fascinated at these differences.  I have traveled by train in India, as well as having lived in special places like Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast.  I have learned by experience that Indians are very welcoming, accepting and kind. 

 

I remember once when I was in Guwahati, Assam, I was visiting like 10 families that day, just talking at some houses and holding Satsangs at others.  All these nice aunties would come out with warm hearts and big smiles -- and a lot of food for me.  At one point I could not eat anymore food, so I snuck some food into my pockets, as I couldn’t find it in my heart to tell them, “Please, no more food.”  In another instance, I took the train from Guwahati, all the way back to Bangalore.  I was alone.  At first, it was a little strange, but then there were so many families that took care of me -- like I was their own.  There were also a couple of Art of Living families on the train and this was special too.  In short - I love India and its people.

Ques: Today, India is at the forefront offering specialized knowledge and expertise in diverse areas to the world. In the area of spirtual awareness, yoga, ayurveda and vegetarianism are bringing about great shifts in mindset globally. Anything else that you would like to tell the world about the country and its heritage? Also, anything that India could learn from America and its people?

Ans: Yes, you’re right, all the ancient knowledge is there in the Vedas and I think now, especially over the past 5 or 10 years, the world is opening up to this.  India is on the rise in the global eye and I think that is a wonderful thing.  Although this ancient knowledge is so vast and wide, I feel Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is doing an outstanding job making this available to the whole world -- In very practical ways.  For example, when I was a wild-minded nineteen year old, the Art of Living just made complete sense.  This is why Sri Sri Ravi Shakar and the Art of Living Foundation are so successful.  Helping everyone to benefit from this ancient and universal Indian knowledge, in a most useful way. 

 

For your last question, I will retell a joke that a wise Indian once told me there.  When I first got to India, I kept asking everyone why things didn’t start on time and why a lot of people were always late.  He said, “In America, if people have an appointment and they miss that starting time, they just go to the next minute.  In India, if that happens - they just go to the next hour!”  We laughed so hard and then I understood a little more about India and its people.  I was totally jealous, as I always had to be on time in America (laughter).  Now, if India learned punctuality from America, India would not be India.  I think America has learned so much from Indians.  If my numbers are correct, 50% of the brain surgeons and 80% of our IT staff in America are native to India.  Indians probably learned a lot from America’s IT boom/bust and are now pioneering their own back in India.  There’s something to be learned from each country and its diverse culture and I do believe this is a direction the world is moving in today.  


Ques: How did you get into Art of Living?
           
Ans: Around 11 years ago I was suffering with Asthma, this runs in my family and I had it since I was a child.  I knew some friends who had taken the Art of Living Part One Course, but the big push was from my doctor who simply said, “You have to take this course, it will change your life.”  That was it, more or less.  I soon took the course and it did in fact, ‘change my life.’  There aren’t to many things worse in life than not being able to breathe.  It’s hard to explain the joy and relief I felt after the course.  I could finally breathe again! -- I felt so free, young and healthy.  Three weeks later, as I mentioned before, I met the founder of the organization, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.  This meeting consolidated my personal healing experience from the course.  My connection with him was awesome and instantaneous.  After this, I just took as many opportunities to go to Satsang, different courses and meet Sri Sri Ravi Shankar whenever I could.  I also traveled to our amazing Ashram in Bangalore, India many times.  About five years after my first course, I really started to understand more and more about selfless service or “seva.”  This really had a huge impact on my life and the people around me.                         

Ques: Could you tell us a bit more about the organization? How has AOL helped you?

Ans: The Art of Living Foundation is an educational and humanitarian non-profit organization.  Our mission statement is: To uplift society by strengthening the individual through programs that create a sense of belonging, restore human values, develop life to its full potential, and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service. 

 

The AOLF is active in over 150 countries and is the largest volunteer based NGO in the world.  In short, we’re just a great-big group of happy volunteers -- from all walks of life.  As you might know, the AOLF celebrated its 25-year anniversary in February 2006.  This was the greatest experience of my life.  3 million people from over 150 countries came together for the same united purpose.  The global uplifting of Human Values - A True One World Family.  This event would require an additional interview (laughter).  I do have some nice video footage of this if you would like to see it sometime.  

On the most basic, yet most profound level, the AOL has helped me to eliminate the unwanted stress in my life. Now this might or might not seem like a big deal, but the fact is most people are full of stress and don’t ever learn how to get rid of it, or even handle their own emotions.  Through the simple daily practice of Sudarshan Kriya, all the negative toxins get washed away, leaving one more:  Energized, creative, happy and free. In addition, one learns how to best handle life's situations, and as a result starts to focus more on helping people around them.  These are all very special qualities.  

I often use the example of children when talking about the AOL.  We all had these wonderful Human Values as a child:  Friendliness, compassion, enthusiasm, creativity, a willingness to help others, a deep sense of belonging and that authentic smile and joy.  For me and billons of others, we left that somewhere in our childhood, we traded it for stress ands tension, plus an ever-increasing ego.  Anyway you look at this, it’s not a very good trade.  During my first AOL Course and thereafter, I just felt like a child again.  I was singing, laughing and smiling from a deeper level and was much more pleasurable to be around (Laughter).  Still to this day it pains my heart to see so many people chasing their tails looking for something they already have  -- The breath and these Wonderful Human Values.  Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “A stress free mind and body are the birthrights of every human being.”  The AOL has helped me to appreciate life more, understand my own religion, as well as other people’s.  It has opened up a channel for me to create poems and music, which I have been so blessed to be able to share with 1000’s of people around the world.  I am so grateful to my family, my Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the entire AOL Family, my students and everyone in my life.                                         

Ques: Why did you choose to become an AOL teacher?

Ans: The choice was simple.  I just wanted to share this precious knowledge with people around the world.  Nothing brings me as much joy, happiness and fulfillment as teaching an AOL Course.  Nothing.  It’s the highest service one can be to another human; to show them their infinite potential, to help bring them home to self knowledge.  It’s been life changing, to say the least, being an Art of Living Teacher over the past six years.  I look forward to 100 more (Laughter).          

Ques: Any interesting anecdotes related to your learning experiences with H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that you would like to share with us?

Ans: I have so many personal stories from being with him for all these years.  I’ll just share a little bit of his child-like humor, simplicity and profound wisdom.  If you never met Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, I highly recommend it.  It’s his vast presence that speaks volumes.  Just being around him one’s state of mind changes, doubts and fears vanish and a special feeling wells up from deep inside. 

 

Once again, this is hard to explain and must be experienced.  Like I was saying before, when I was just 19, he really hit home with me.  It was humor and the way he told stories, looking back, I never even knew I was learning.  His ability to impart the highest knowledge in such a simple and humorous way is amazing.  And he’s just like a little kid an has been quoted saying, “I am still a child, I refuse to grow up.”  Sri Sri was at the Bangalore Ashram from Christmas, right up until midnight on New Years.  This was the first time in over 15 years that he has been there during that time.  He is usually in Europe or America.  It was Christmas Day and we had a large Satsang in the evening with him.  I was performing several X-Mas carols with around 30 children from Kashmir. 

 

They have been staying at the ashram for two years, as Sri Sri invited them down from a war-torn area there.  These are highly enthusiastic and creative children who I have a really strong connection with.  Anyway, we were singing Jingle Bells and all of a sudden, the snow was falling on us from the sky!  No, it was just Sri Sri spraying us all with fake snow with a toy gun!  It was amazing, I felt like Santa Clause was there himself bringing joy to every girl and boy.  Around an hour later, Sri Sri was in his office in a very important official meeting.  He’s a rare combination of wisdom, child-like simplicity and pure joy.  The Art of Living Foundation looks forward to welcoming Sri Sri Ravi Shnakar to Thailand in the near future.                                                   

Ques: In your teaching experience, how has AOL helped people in Bangkok? Please cite some examples if necessary to substantiate.

Ans: The AOL has been working continuously now for the past two years in Bangkok.  It makes me very happy to see the progress we have all made here.  From each course and Satsang we hold, to every time an AOL member practices Sudarshan Kriya, people are always being helped. 

 

From my experience, I have never had a course participant regret taking the AOL Course, in Bangkok or around the world.  What people get from taking our course is a tremendous help, whether they realize this or not.  Over six days, they let go of unwanted things like stress, tension and old patterns and regain special things like peace, joy, enthusiasm and awareness.  I would say the people who have benefited the most are the ones who practice Sudarshan Kriya daily, come for the weekly follow ups, attend Satsang and who engage in some type of service activity.  These are key ingredients for increased energy, enthusiasm, peace of mind, plus a much more meaningful life. 

 

These same people all report less stress in their lives, as well as being able to come back to their center (self) much faster than they did before taking the course.  Their environment no longer controls them; they now hold these essential keys to their lives.  The Art of Living programs are a tremendous help to humanity; strengthening individuals, while making this world a better place for all.                                                          

Ques: You are known to incorporate your talent as a singer into your teaching sessions. Why are bhajans so important and how do they help in spreading awareness?

Ans: Another fantastic question. Singing in any language is cool and beneficial, no doubt about it.  I’d like to share this quote on Sanskrit by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:  “The Sanskrit songs have an added advantage because it is such an ancient language.  It unites all the layers of our consciousness down to the bottom.  Our mind is very ancient.  Today’s different languages, German, English, French and others, were all spoken differently 500 or 1,000 years ago.  The deeper levels of the mind correspond to the older layers of experience and therefore to the older layers of languages.  When a song is sung in Sanskrit, being the oldest of the prevalent languages, your mind is uniting from top to bottom because somewhere that vibration strikes the most ancient levels of the mind. 

 

When you take two tuning forks and you strike one, the other starts resonating too.  In the same way, when you sing some of the Sanskrit tunes, these vibrations resonate the deep level of the 10,000 years mind that is inside you.  Your mind is older than the stones, it is very ancient.  If you don’t understand the meaning of the songs, it does not matter.  Just listen, whatever comes to you, just sing it.  When you sing, then be fully immersed in the singing.  If you feel like dancing, get up and dance!  When the singing stops, a deep silence dawns.  You sink into that silence and you will hear the melody of silence. 

 

This is an eternal sound which has been with you through life and death.  It is the purpose of music to return to that silence - to return to the Self.”  I love this quote.  I like to call Sanskrit chanting, “Singing Yoga.”  It is one of the main forms of yoga (Bhakti), probably the easiest and quite arguably, the most fun.  What happens when we sing?  One goes from the level of the mind to the heart.  And this is where awareness, dynamism, creativity, love, joy and enthusiasm live -- In the centered mind, the big mind.  I would love nothing more than to see the whole world singing together -- and of course practicing Sudarshan Kriya.  Now that would be something.             

 
Ques: How do envision your future in relation to India in general and AOL in particular?      

Ans: I would like to continue to travel to India two or three times a year.  Everyone asks me, “If you love India so much, then why don’t you move there?”  I always tell them, “Then I would not be able to visit.”  (Laughter)  In the next five years I would really like to help the Sri Sri Vidya Mandir Schools as much as I can there.  Specifically, I would like to help start our first international school in Bangalore.  We have many schools throughout India and the results have been very encouraging.  Furthermore, with the Art of Living, I would like to become a Sahaj Samadhi Meditation teacher and continue teaching the Art of Living Part One Course and the Youth Empowerment Seminar – (YES!) around the world.  I think it goes without saying that I would like to get as many people singing again through AOL Satsangs too.  As the organization continues to grow and the inspiration and energy from that movement guides me strong, I think I will be involved in a lot of beautiful things in the near future.  I am very happy to be of genuine service this lifetime.



                            

Next: North East India Trade & Investment Opportunities Week ends on a promising note.