Bengaluru: In a remarkable gathering that drew widespread attention from parents, educators and spiritual seekers, more than 7,000 children participated in a large-scale demonstration of intuitive and sensory activities at the The Art of Living Foundation International Center in Bengaluru on Sunday.
The event, attended by over 11,000 children and parents associated with the Art of Living’s Intuition Process programme, featured a series of activities designed to showcase concentration, awareness, memory, and sensory perception. The programme included blindfold reading, memory games, rapid pattern recognition, picture-copying exercises, and blindfold tic-tac-toe.
The biggest attraction of the day was a demonstration in which nearly 50 children rode bicycles blindfolded across the Ashram premises, navigating curves and bends under supervision. The participants performed these activities after undergoing training through meditation, breathing exercises, and awareness-based practices taught as part of the Intuition Process.
Founder of The Art of Living Foundation, global spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, interacted with the children and parents during the event and described the programme as an effort to nurture “inner intelligence” in young minds.
“By bringing this knowledge and wisdom to children, you are creating history and opening a new chapter in human evolution. In the age of Artificial Intelligence, we are nurturing Absolute Intelligence,” Gurudev said while addressing the gathering.
He emphasised the importance of developing what he termed as the “technology of consciousness”, arguing that while modern society has advanced materially and technologically, inner awareness and mental balance remain underexplored areas.
The day-long event began with music and dance performances followed by blindfold colouring activities and interactive sessions. Musical performances by Sattvic Beats added to the atmosphere before the venue transformed into an experiential zone in the afternoon.
Several live demonstrations were conducted showcasing spoon bending, fan spinning and distance-reading exercises. Organisers said the activities were aimed at improving focus, emotional stability, creativity and intuitive decision-making among children.
The programme also generated curiosity among psychologists, educators and parents who attended the event to observe the demonstrations. Many said the scale and coordination displayed by thousands of children participating simultaneously was unusual.
Parents present at the venue shared experiences of positive behavioural changes in their children after attending the programme.
Moksha, mother of nine-year-old Samatva, said the practices had improved her son’s confidence and awareness. “It is a process that teaches children to go deeper into their consciousness and use that energy in daily life. My son can now perform several activities blindfolded. More importantly, I hope it helps him become grounded and emotionally balanced,” she said.
Among the participants was Bengaluru swimmer Vihitha Nayana Loganathan, one of India’s emerging backstroke talents, who has reportedly won 117 medals this year. Vihitha spoke about overcoming anxiety and self-doubt through breathing techniques and meditation practices learnt during the programme.
“I used to panic before competitions and struggled to focus during races. The programme helped me regain confidence and composure,” she said, adding that visualisation and breathing exercises now form a part of her pre-race routine.
Organisers maintained that the Intuition Process aims to help children deal with increasing levels of stress, distraction and academic pressure by strengthening attention span and emotional well-being.
Experts attending the event noted that while modern education systems largely focus on memory and information processing, intuitive intelligence and consciousness-based learning remain relatively unexplored fields.
As thousands of blindfolded children confidently carried out activities before a stunned audience, the event concluded with renewed discussions on the untapped potential of the human mind and the role awareness-based practices could play in child development.
