ARTESIA, CA: "Listening? Interested?" With these words, Art of Living master teacher Rishi Nityapragya skillfully and mischievously grabbed the group's attention at Buena Park's Jain Center on Saturday night. Speaking to a captivated room, and with an ever-present twinkle in his eye, the evening included dialog and explorations into what Rishiji (as he is known) called "deeper realities of life."

Both humorous and profound, the evening also included enthusiastic bhajans, in a style that has drawn crowds of 50,000 or more to his satsangs in India. Rishiji is international director of the Art of Living Foundation and he is currently leading transformational programs throughout the United States.

In his worldwide travels, he has addressed such international forums as 1999's Parliament of World's Religions, in Cape Town, South Africa; 2002's United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit, in New York; 2003's Global Dharma Conference, in New Jersey; 2006's International Forum for Spiritual & Religious Leaders, in India; the 2006 Yoga & Meditation Conference in Iran; and programs at more than 70 universities in the United States and throughout the world.

Rishiji also led bhajans for a mind-boggling 2.5 million people at the Art of Living Foundation's Silver Jubilee three-day celebrations two years ago. At the end of the evening, people began signing up for the four-session Art of Living Course Rishiji will lead at the Jain Temple, June 12-15.

He will also conduct the Art of Living Course at USC, May 18-21, and in Woodland Hills, June 20-23. The Art of Living Course is beyond race, religion and culture. This program offer practical techniques that can be immediately applied to our daily lives by reducing anger, guilt, fear and uncertainty and brings us to that natural state of peace.

Maintaining your "inner beauty" and peace in spite uncertainties and challenges of life is the "art" of living. Rishiji noted that it gives you the ability to keep your smile even in the most challenging situations.

Medical research on the course's breath-oriented techniques has been published in international scientific journals, and shows a wide range of mental, physical, and emotional benefits, including a stronger immune system, improved brain function, an increase in the body's well-being chemicals, and significant relief from all severities of depression.

"Like a flower bud, human life has the potential to blossom fully," says the founder, spiritual leader and humanitarian His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In addition to the courses that Rishiji is leading, local teachers will also lead Art of Living Courses that start June 6 in various areas in Southern California.

People who take the Art of Living Course can also take an advanced program with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the Bay Area this summer. Family programs will also be offered as well.