wisdom from guruji - New Dimensions

Do you know, for me, IT means Inner Transformation. And if you say IIT, it
would mean Intense Inner Transformation.

We forget about our body, our mind, our breath, which is a whole technology
in itself.
The body is a machine, and the Consciousness which operates this body,
which has helped to develop this body, we have ignored that. We need to pay
attention to that as well. Then a new dimension to life opens up.

It is because of Consciousness that technology exists today in the world.
In somebody's mind, the ideas come and then the ideas manifest as
technology. And where do these ideas come from? And what helps to translate
the ideas into reality? That is Consciousness.

Today, we have cell phones, but 20 to 30 years ago, we had no idea about
cell phones.
How to make a cell phone, such an idea came into somebody's Consciousness.
And then that idea was again developed by the Consciousness. Isn't that so?!
This Consciousness which is responsible for all creativity, all scientific
discovery in the world, all forms of music, art, fashion, film, and
everything else, needs your attention.

The same Consciousness in which scientific discoveries happen, in which art
and architecture develop, is also a store house of happiness.
The same Consciousness can manifest health, can manifest happiness, can
manifest love and compassion.
So this one Consciousness which is working in our brain and in the
different parts of our body, has so many abilities. The same Consciousness
can be very logical, it can understand, it can comprehend, it can create,
and it can also manifest compassion, love, peace and joy - just like the
cell phone.

See, how many programs are there in a cell phone. There is a camera (Sri
Sri takes pictures of the audience).
Then there is twitter. Do you know my twitter account? @SriSriSpeaks.
So this has a twitter account, it has SMS facility, a telephone book and a
music player (Sri Sri turns on some music on the music player).
Now, I should know how to turn it off as well (referring to the music
player). Now I found which button I should press.
Sometimes, our mind is like that, it starts and then it goes on and on and
on, and we don't know how to shut it off, isn't that so?!

There are so many applications in a cell phone, there is a clock!
A cell phone has multi-functions, and so does our brain and our life.
We can open our Consciousness to different levels of reality. This is not
just the only reality that exists.
So if you have kept this Consciousness active only for art or music and
that is it, then life is not complete. Or if it is only for science and
logic, it is not complete.
If you are open to just having fun and being merry, then life is not
complete.
So just like how you have to switch on and switch off different functions
of a cell phone, we can have the ability to switch on and off all the
abilities that nature has provided in us.

There is a certain simplicity inside you. We have all been born with that
innocence and simplicity. When we grew up somewhere we lost that.
As we grew up, we stopped smiling, we stopped being natural, we stopped
being simple. Isn't that so!
So what is essential is both, sensibility and sensitivity.
Totally logical, rational thinking is essential for human being. Don't
accept anything because somebody says it. We must use our intellect. This
is the first function of human beings. Anything that is illogical, that
does not appeal to reason, we should not accept.
So first is logic, this function is important because it creates
sensibility.

Now, just sensibility is not enough, you need sensitivity. Sensitivity is a
matter of the heart. You can be very logical but you need to understand the
view points of others as well. Many times, what people say, they behave in
that exact manner. They are very correct, but they can hurt others easily.
Anyone who is very angry, they justify their anger with logic, but they
don't know that their anger is hurting the other person. Not only the other
person but them also. So the second important thing is being sensitive.
You know, somebody may be a fool but you calling them a fool, shouting at
them, scolding them is not going to help. You need to be sensitive.

Do you know, the other day, in a program there was a lady who was scolding
another person there who did not do their job very well. Then I called that
lady and said, 'Listen, by your scolding, do you think that person has
changed?'
And that lady said, 'No'.
I said, 'Then what is the use of yelling so much at that lady. You only
destroyed your own image. The moment you scold somebody, even if you are
giving them a productive or creative suggestion, they push it away. The
purpose of your shouting is to bring sense into that person, and when by
shouting it is not achieved, what is the use.'
She said, 'You are correct! I have been doing this all my life and created
so many enemies around me.'

I said, 'That is why, you can't expect a donkey to run like a horse.'
You sit on a donkey and expect it is to run like a horse, that is not
possible. So accept a donkey as a donkey and a horse as a horse. Where is
the anger then?! This is sensitivity - being sensitive to the feelings of
others and their needs. This is the quality of the heart.

There are people who are too sensitive. They lose their logic. They become
an emotional soggy noodle. This is no good either. You need the perfect
balance of sensitivity and sensibility. What do you say? Am I correct?!

(Audience: Yes)

So being sensible and sensitive! This is one function of the technology of
Consciousness. Next comes Serenity in life. Everyone, at one point or
another, in their lives, even for a few seconds or few minutes have felt
very serene. And when you feel that serenity, you also have felt Silence,
and you felt very spiritual; a deep sense of silence and serenity.
In many of our mobile phone this operation is switched off, or we have not
used it at all. In our Consciousness, we have not even touched this
function - and that is where The Art of Living comes. It helps you to smile
more, serve more.

Do you know, a baby smiles 400 times a day. An adolescent smiles only 17
times a day, and a adult does not smile at all.
Smiling more! That is what The Art of Living brings to you!
Smiling and serving.
Being sensible and sensitive.
Experiencing silence and serenity.
That is it!

Q: Dear Gurudev, how to maintain a balance between discipline and freedom?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You should know that they appear to be opposite but
they are complimentary. Discipline brings freedom to us.
As a child you were disciplined to brush your teeth every morning and every
night. That discipline brought you freedom from tooth ache and tooth decay,
isn't that so?!
If you have the discipline of getting onto the treadmill, then that brings
you freedom from cholesterol and other problems.

Q: What comes after everything is silenced? And how is it different from
being dead?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Vast difference! Silence is the mother of all
creativity! Silence is the mother of beauty and love. Intuition, invention,
poetry, everything comes out of silence.
Even Sudarshan Kriya came out of silence.
I know most of you have experienced Sudarshan Kriya, and you know the value
of it.

I was on a tour this time, I went from South India to South Africa, and
then to South America, then North America and now to Europe. All in less
than one month. And you know, I visited the prisons in Brazil and in
Argentina. There were 5200 prisoners in Argentina who have done the Art of
Living course and the Sudarshan Kriya and there were tears in each and
every one's eyes. There was not even a single person there whose eyes were
dry. They were all finding such a big transformation in their lives.
They said, 'Before we were outside and we were not free. Now we are inside
the jail and we are free and we are happy. Thank you so much. This course
has totally changed our lives.'

Do you know, the judges of the supreme court also came to visit the prison
along with me and they said, 'Gurudev, this is unbelievable, what has
happened here. We wish this will repeat in all the prisons.'

Looking at this transformation, of course, the university gave me a
doctorate as well.
'In one day I became an alumni of the University', I was making this joke.

Why I am saying this is, we can create a society free from violence. My
vision is to see a violence-free society, disease-free body, confusion-free
mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma-free memory and sorrow-free soul.

See what madness is happening today in the world. Just because somebody
made a film, nations are all burning. Is this not madness!
Why? It is because they have not been given this education of non-violence,
which is so necessary.

Q: Is it still necessary today to follow a Guru?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why this question? Asking this question you put
yourself into a trap. When I give you an answer and you take it, that means
you are already following!
If I say, 'No, no need to follow', and you say, 'Okay, I won't follow',
then you have followed.
If I say, 'Yes', and you follow, that means you have followed.
So better I say, 'No!'
It is a very interesting question, right.

See, you need a coach to play football right. Every soccer player needs a
coach. You need a coach for any games, for any music. When you go to school
and you are weak in some topic then you need a coach.
Similarly, a little bit of guidance in the beginning for meditation and for
learning any spirituality is essential, isn't it! And that is why it is
necessary. And if you feel it is not necessary then that is up to you.

Q: How do I relieve myself from the guilt for the mistake that I have done?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Meditation!

Q: What is the major problem that needs to be solved here in Europe?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: What I hear about Europe is that 30% to 40% of the
population is getting depressed. So many people are taking Prozac and so
many children are getting autism. This is a matter of concern. We need to
attend to this.
That is why meditation, Sudarshan Kriya, The Health and Happiness workshop.
When we adopt these things in life, we can be a happier society.
I am sure with these, we can create a wave of happiness.

Q: I do exercises, hence I am into controlled breathing. How is The Art of
Living Course special? I feel exercise could give me what these courses do.
Can you please explain how these courses could help me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It can help you in so many ways and that is why it is
so popular. If millions of people around the world are doing it, there must
be something to it.

I tell you, it is very profound, intense and at the same time, simple as
well.
It is not just an exercise. It is an exercise with spiritual upliftment of
energy. It is for sure that when you walk out from the course, you will go
with a bigger smile and contentment in your heart; adding a new dimension
to life.

You know there are so many prejudices in our minds. We should let go of the
prejudices. The mind has different kind of prejudices.
See, we accept food from every part of the world. We accept music from
every part of the world. But when it comes to knowledge, wisdom and
relating to people, we have some prejudices.
We should overcome these prejudices and feel that everybody belongs to me,
the whole world is one family.