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Saturday, October 18, 2014
Enjoy Where You Are
There is nothing which is intrinsically enjoyable. What one person enjoys, another person will despise. Enjoyment comes from your attitude toward a particular situation, not the situation itself.
Too many people search in vain for enjoyable activities, enjoyable relationships, enjoyable environments, enjoyable entertainment. A much more successful strategy would be to stop searching and start enjoying.
The enjoyment is not in the activity. The enjoyment is in you. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, find a way to enjoy it. Sure, it's great when you aspire to bigger and better things. But don't fool yourself into thinking that they'll come pre-packaged with their own enjoyment. That is up to you.
Perhaps you didn't choose to be where you are, and it's great that you're committed to getting somewhere else. Yet while you're here, accept it and enjoy it. Enjoying where you are right now will take you a long way toward wherever else you wish to go.
How to deal with rude behaviour
What do you do when someone behaves very rudely towards you?
- Get upset
- React rudely back
- Get frustrated
- Run away and avoid the person or situation
- Blame the person
- Preach to the person
None of these will in any way strengthen you. Then what are the options? See rude behaviour in this light:
- It indicates the intensity of their commitment
- It indicates their stress and insensitivity
- It projects the upbringing of the person
- It shows a behavioural pattern
- It shows lack of knowledge
- It shows lack of observation of the mind and its sensations
- It shows you behaviour to avoid
- It is an opportunity for you to welcome and absorb the rudeness
- It strengthens your mind
- It reveals the love that you are as unconditional
The next time when someone is rude to you, just give back a broad smile. If you can digest their rudeness, nothing whatsoever can shake you.
BE GENEROUS
When you feel you are stuck in life and not growing, or are bombarded by desires, when you feel dryness, no enthusiasm, no juice, what do you do?
Here is the solution: feel generous — right now, not tomorrow, but right now.
Both a princess and a pauper can feel generous. Generosity is a quality of the spirit. When you feel generous, your life becomes abundant — full of compassion and love.
Question: Is generosity the same as gratitude?
No. Gratitude always has self-concern. You are grateful because you have something or you get something. Generosity is an expression that is independent of external circumstances. No one can make you feel generous. That is something that you must do yourself. Essentially generosity is not an act. It is a state of consciousness, but it always finds its expression in an act.
Question: What about passion?
Passion indicates scarcity. Dispassion is abundance. Dispassion without generosity makes you self-centered and causes more dryness.
Thinking about our past generosity only brings doership. Drop that and just feel generous.Work does not tire you as much as does the sense of doership. All of your talents are for others. If you have a good voice, it is for others to hear. If you are a good cook, it is so others may eat. If you write a book, it is so others can read it, If you are a good carpenter, it is to build things for others to use. If you are a good surgeon, it is to heal others. If you are a good teacher, it is so others may learn. All of your work and talents are for others. If you do not make use of your talents, they will not be given to you again.
Here is the solution: feel generous — right now, not tomorrow, but right now.
Both a princess and a pauper can feel generous. Generosity is a quality of the spirit. When you feel generous, your life becomes abundant — full of compassion and love.
Question: Is generosity the same as gratitude?
No. Gratitude always has self-concern. You are grateful because you have something or you get something. Generosity is an expression that is independent of external circumstances. No one can make you feel generous. That is something that you must do yourself. Essentially generosity is not an act. It is a state of consciousness, but it always finds its expression in an act.
Question: What about passion?
Passion indicates scarcity. Dispassion is abundance. Dispassion without generosity makes you self-centered and causes more dryness.
Thinking about our past generosity only brings doership. Drop that and just feel generous.Work does not tire you as much as does the sense of doership. All of your talents are for others. If you have a good voice, it is for others to hear. If you are a good cook, it is so others may eat. If you write a book, it is so others can read it, If you are a good carpenter, it is to build things for others to use. If you are a good surgeon, it is to heal others. If you are a good teacher, it is so others may learn. All of your work and talents are for others. If you do not make use of your talents, they will not be given to you again.
pONDER
Face the Truth Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"? To this Arthur replied: The world over - 5 crore children start playing tennis, 50 lakh learn to play tennis, 5 lakh learn professional tennis, 50K come to the circuit, 5K reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD "Why me?". And today in pain I should not be asking GOD "Why me?" Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, Sorrow keeps u Human, Failure Keeps u Humble, Success keeps u Glowing, But only God Keeps u Going...
JAIGURUDEV KEEP SMILING SIGN OF SUCCESS
Q/A with Guruji Fresh From the Oven - ;-) 19/7/2006
Q: After death, does the soul retain any of the senses?
G: Yes. It is very interesting. After death, the soul retains the sight, smell and hearing. Touch and taste will go. The sight, smell and hearing and not retained for ever, but for about eight to ten days. Then the soul goes into a deep state of rest.
Q: Guruji, how do you know this?
G: <smilng> Those who have known themselves know this. You know, it is all in the consciousness. Also this has been recorded in the ancient texts by scholars.
Q: What to do if you have a boss who doesn't recognize your contributions?
G: Just smile.
Q: Guruji, why do so many innocent people suffer in man-made and natural disasters?
G: It makes you wonder about whether there is a God or not, doesn't it? More than five hundred people in Bombay this week... You simply have to wonder.
You know, you should think about how we can change the bad people into good people. We have to think constructively.
It is also nature's way of telling us to have compassion. Without misery there would be no compassion, is it not? In Africa millions of children cannot afford a square meal. In Washington DC, fifty percent of school children drop out and go into violence. What can we do? How to reinstate goodness and faith in non-violence?
Non-violence is the first limb of yoga. The second limb is truth. Why do we lie? It is because of our fear of losing our reputation and of losing others love. You know why spouses lie to each other? Because if they tell the truth, there will be a fight! When there is a conflict between love and truth, love always wins, that is why spouses lie.
Yogas limbs are non-violence and truth, but yoga also leads to non-violence and truth. See we have done lots of good work in prisons, and in places like Israel, Kashmir... Is Dafna here? <Dafna, who has been teaching in Israel, stands up to applause> We have been teaching in Tel Aviv, and also in the prisons in Israel. And in Iraq. Recently 43 people, mostly women and some men also, were in the Bangalore ashram. They took training for eight weeks, and now they are going back to Iraq to teach various yoga and meditation.
<applause>
Q: What is dharma?
G: Dharma is more than just duty. It is that which uplifts you. Serving, etc. It is that which is your inherent nature.
Q: Guruji, you said earlier that the ego is useful for action. Is it possible to act without ego?
G: Yes. An enlightened person will act without any ego.
See, praising a wise person is useless. They will anyway do good work. They will continue doing good work even if you blame them. Praise a fool -- that will pump up their ego and motivate them into doing good work.
Have you noticed, the ego troubles ones own mind more than others?
Q: Guruji, I have been having bad thoughts throughout this course.
G: That is because of stress, toxins in the blood. Could also be due to some hormonal imbalance. More cleansing will help. Don't be bothered. The more you grow, the more these negative emotions, anger etc. will be intolerable to you. So it is a good sign.
Q: (A question on natural disasters)
G: Haan, natural disasters will always happen, no? last year we had 19 water-related disasters around the world. The year before was fire.
<last year when I was at a part 2 course in Florida in January just after the tsunami in Asia, he spoke of some more water-related disasters, particularly some coming from the Atlantic Ocean and also in other places around the world... and what we did we have? The most insane hurricane season.>
G: Calamities are part of natures work. The ozone layer is getting depleted, global warming is happening, and so many other things. There is also so much greed. There is an imbalance in the nature. But more than that, it is the stress causing man-made calamities. Terrorism and so on. That is why it is so important to continue doing yoga, meditation, pranayamas, satsang, to uplift the consciousness. And also to teach all these practices to more people. Don't you think so? (Applause.)
Q: Is it possible to attain enlightenment while having physical blocks in the spine?
G: Why not? Ashtavakra had eight deformities in his body, and he was enlightened.
Q: Guruji, you are our role model.
G: But I model all your roles!
Q: Guruji, who is dearest to you: a sadhak, devotee or an enlightened person?
G: Just you!
Q: Why do more enlightened masters seem to hail from India then anywhere else?
G: It is just a question of time. At this particular time many masters have come from India. At another time many masters came from the middle east. And at one time many saints were from Europe. See at one time there were many scientists only from the west. Merchants were from Europe. Earlier at one time there were also many saints in China. Why is maple found only in Canada? We don't know! Or bulls in Texas. But it doesn't belong only to that place. Knowledge and wisdom belong to the entire universe.
Q: Guruji, I am very attached to you, but at the same time we do this process of bowing down to the angels to rid ourselves of attachment. How should I reconcile this?
Someone from the crowd: Even the angels are attached to him.
G: <smiling> Yeah!
Q: I have noticed that all my botherations are due to the inconsiderate actions of other people. My mind immediately jumps to resentment, judgment, etc. How do I make my mind unshakeable? How do I become accepting of myself and all?
G: Once you have recognized the situation in the mind, you are already out of it! You just say, I am going to stand up and smile. <incomplete>
Q: How to love somebody you hate the most?
G: First just accept that person. Just accept that they are incorrigible and will never change. Then understand that they are a victim themselves, of their circumstances and their ignorance. Compassion is the next step. See, step by step we have 1, 2, 3. Acceptance, understanding and love.
Q: What is the difference between skill and manipulation?
G: Good question. In manipulation, the intentions are not that good. There is viciousness behind the action. In skill the intentions are clear and good. Manipulation leaves you with a guilty feeling. It will pinch you. When you are using your skill your conscience is clear. With manipulation there is dishonesty. You are dishonest to yourself and to the other person. When you are using skill there is honesty. And only you can know the difference!
Others can't.
Q: What is the difference between sacrifice and service?
G: In sacrifice someone else's happiness is more important than our own.
Q: Does nature always guide us? If I miss the bus on the way to an interview, should I take a cab or look for another job?
G: Take a cab to the interview, and if you don't get the job, look for another one!
Q: How to handle financial burden?
G: First of all, don't think it is a burden. Have the confidence that you can make it happen. Burden brings worry, and that will kill your creativity.
Q: Why must people talk all the time? Even in your divine presence?
G: I don't know! I have the same question. <smiles> Here when satsang is going on, people sit and talk. I don't know what they are talking about.
When satsang is happening we should all sit and sing together, no? All the minds come together.
Q: Guruji, can we have Guru Poornima in Tahoe next year?
G: All is possible!
[At the Y&M session:]
G: Why do we do yoga? In order to make life more beautiful. Heyam dukham anahatam -- to stop misery from entering our world. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
For the body we have asanas. For the mind we have pranayamas, for emotional and mental well-being. Also asanas work on the mind and pranayams on the body -- there are no strict boundaries. Meditation removes spiritual misery, dejection, darkness and depression. That is why yoga, Yogas-chitta-vritti-nirodhaha, it stops the chitta-vritti, or the endless activity of the chitta.
And also by singing. Be in satsang, and sing with everyone.
Also in chanting -- we will do chanting later today, we will chant sathyam param dhimahi a few times before meditation. It means let the ultimate truth dawn in my intellect. Beauty, truth and divinity. It is good to chant just before meditation.
Q: Karma vs. free will: how much are we governed by karma and how much do we have any free will?
G: You shoud read Celebrating Silence, its all explained there. Also in the Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker, the first sheet is on that topic.
Q: When the body dies, does the mind go with the soul?
G: Yes.
Q: How can we change our karma?
G: By experience and wisdom, and some karma you just have to overcome it and work through it.
Q: How to raise kids to not lose their innocence?
G: It is good to inculcate human values, love, compassion etc. in children when they are young. It is also important to make them strong. Should not make them too strong, then they become aggressive. At the same time some strength is needed in addition to the innocence, otherwise how will they go through life? Not too strong or innocent. Take the middle path.
Q: <something about homesickness>
G: See, I consider that every tree in the planet is in my garden. When the whole world is your family, there can be no homesickness. Feel always at home -- it is all your attitude.
Q: Are there any extra-terrestrial beings outside of the earth?
G: <smiling> Some may consider that I am one! <applause>
Some people were not happy that in our prayer meeting we did not condemn the attacks and we took a soft approach. So people wrote about us in the papers, are we from another planet or what?
Extra-terrestrials are also possible. The universe has many layers of consciousness. Have you all seen the silver jubilee video? The one with the angels in it? We should show it here after some time.
When we talk of healing and miracles and all, you know what our teachers say? We don't believe in miracles, we depend on them! <applause> Vismayo-yoga-bhoomika. The preface to yoga is astonishment. Have you wondered how the seeds sprout into giant trees, and how babies are born, or how the planets revolve, and so on? That is wonder.
Q: Are there any coincidences?
G: Could be -- we cannot rule anything out!
G: Yes. It is very interesting. After death, the soul retains the sight, smell and hearing. Touch and taste will go. The sight, smell and hearing and not retained for ever, but for about eight to ten days. Then the soul goes into a deep state of rest.
Q: Guruji, how do you know this?
G: <smilng> Those who have known themselves know this. You know, it is all in the consciousness. Also this has been recorded in the ancient texts by scholars.
Q: What to do if you have a boss who doesn't recognize your contributions?
G: Just smile.
Q: Guruji, why do so many innocent people suffer in man-made and natural disasters?
G: It makes you wonder about whether there is a God or not, doesn't it? More than five hundred people in Bombay this week... You simply have to wonder.
You know, you should think about how we can change the bad people into good people. We have to think constructively.
It is also nature's way of telling us to have compassion. Without misery there would be no compassion, is it not? In Africa millions of children cannot afford a square meal. In Washington DC, fifty percent of school children drop out and go into violence. What can we do? How to reinstate goodness and faith in non-violence?
Non-violence is the first limb of yoga. The second limb is truth. Why do we lie? It is because of our fear of losing our reputation and of losing others love. You know why spouses lie to each other? Because if they tell the truth, there will be a fight! When there is a conflict between love and truth, love always wins, that is why spouses lie.
Yogas limbs are non-violence and truth, but yoga also leads to non-violence and truth. See we have done lots of good work in prisons, and in places like Israel, Kashmir... Is Dafna here? <Dafna, who has been teaching in Israel, stands up to applause> We have been teaching in Tel Aviv, and also in the prisons in Israel. And in Iraq. Recently 43 people, mostly women and some men also, were in the Bangalore ashram. They took training for eight weeks, and now they are going back to Iraq to teach various yoga and meditation.
<applause>
Q: What is dharma?
G: Dharma is more than just duty. It is that which uplifts you. Serving, etc. It is that which is your inherent nature.
Q: Guruji, you said earlier that the ego is useful for action. Is it possible to act without ego?
G: Yes. An enlightened person will act without any ego.
See, praising a wise person is useless. They will anyway do good work. They will continue doing good work even if you blame them. Praise a fool -- that will pump up their ego and motivate them into doing good work.
Have you noticed, the ego troubles ones own mind more than others?
Q: Guruji, I have been having bad thoughts throughout this course.
G: That is because of stress, toxins in the blood. Could also be due to some hormonal imbalance. More cleansing will help. Don't be bothered. The more you grow, the more these negative emotions, anger etc. will be intolerable to you. So it is a good sign.
Q: (A question on natural disasters)
G: Haan, natural disasters will always happen, no? last year we had 19 water-related disasters around the world. The year before was fire.
<last year when I was at a part 2 course in Florida in January just after the tsunami in Asia, he spoke of some more water-related disasters, particularly some coming from the Atlantic Ocean and also in other places around the world... and what we did we have? The most insane hurricane season.>
G: Calamities are part of natures work. The ozone layer is getting depleted, global warming is happening, and so many other things. There is also so much greed. There is an imbalance in the nature. But more than that, it is the stress causing man-made calamities. Terrorism and so on. That is why it is so important to continue doing yoga, meditation, pranayamas, satsang, to uplift the consciousness. And also to teach all these practices to more people. Don't you think so? (Applause.)
Q: Is it possible to attain enlightenment while having physical blocks in the spine?
G: Why not? Ashtavakra had eight deformities in his body, and he was enlightened.
Q: Guruji, you are our role model.
G: But I model all your roles!
Q: Guruji, who is dearest to you: a sadhak, devotee or an enlightened person?
G: Just you!
Q: Why do more enlightened masters seem to hail from India then anywhere else?
G: It is just a question of time. At this particular time many masters have come from India. At another time many masters came from the middle east. And at one time many saints were from Europe. See at one time there were many scientists only from the west. Merchants were from Europe. Earlier at one time there were also many saints in China. Why is maple found only in Canada? We don't know! Or bulls in Texas. But it doesn't belong only to that place. Knowledge and wisdom belong to the entire universe.
Q: Guruji, I am very attached to you, but at the same time we do this process of bowing down to the angels to rid ourselves of attachment. How should I reconcile this?
Someone from the crowd: Even the angels are attached to him.
G: <smiling> Yeah!
Q: I have noticed that all my botherations are due to the inconsiderate actions of other people. My mind immediately jumps to resentment, judgment, etc. How do I make my mind unshakeable? How do I become accepting of myself and all?
G: Once you have recognized the situation in the mind, you are already out of it! You just say, I am going to stand up and smile. <incomplete>
Q: How to love somebody you hate the most?
G: First just accept that person. Just accept that they are incorrigible and will never change. Then understand that they are a victim themselves, of their circumstances and their ignorance. Compassion is the next step. See, step by step we have 1, 2, 3. Acceptance, understanding and love.
Q: What is the difference between skill and manipulation?
G: Good question. In manipulation, the intentions are not that good. There is viciousness behind the action. In skill the intentions are clear and good. Manipulation leaves you with a guilty feeling. It will pinch you. When you are using your skill your conscience is clear. With manipulation there is dishonesty. You are dishonest to yourself and to the other person. When you are using skill there is honesty. And only you can know the difference!
Others can't.
Q: What is the difference between sacrifice and service?
G: In sacrifice someone else's happiness is more important than our own.
Q: Does nature always guide us? If I miss the bus on the way to an interview, should I take a cab or look for another job?
G: Take a cab to the interview, and if you don't get the job, look for another one!
Q: How to handle financial burden?
G: First of all, don't think it is a burden. Have the confidence that you can make it happen. Burden brings worry, and that will kill your creativity.
Q: Why must people talk all the time? Even in your divine presence?
G: I don't know! I have the same question. <smiles> Here when satsang is going on, people sit and talk. I don't know what they are talking about.
When satsang is happening we should all sit and sing together, no? All the minds come together.
Q: Guruji, can we have Guru Poornima in Tahoe next year?
G: All is possible!
[At the Y&M session:]
G: Why do we do yoga? In order to make life more beautiful. Heyam dukham anahatam -- to stop misery from entering our world. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
For the body we have asanas. For the mind we have pranayamas, for emotional and mental well-being. Also asanas work on the mind and pranayams on the body -- there are no strict boundaries. Meditation removes spiritual misery, dejection, darkness and depression. That is why yoga, Yogas-chitta-vritti-nirodhaha, it stops the chitta-vritti, or the endless activity of the chitta.
And also by singing. Be in satsang, and sing with everyone.
Also in chanting -- we will do chanting later today, we will chant sathyam param dhimahi a few times before meditation. It means let the ultimate truth dawn in my intellect. Beauty, truth and divinity. It is good to chant just before meditation.
Q: Karma vs. free will: how much are we governed by karma and how much do we have any free will?
G: You shoud read Celebrating Silence, its all explained there. Also in the Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker, the first sheet is on that topic.
Q: When the body dies, does the mind go with the soul?
G: Yes.
Q: How can we change our karma?
G: By experience and wisdom, and some karma you just have to overcome it and work through it.
Q: How to raise kids to not lose their innocence?
G: It is good to inculcate human values, love, compassion etc. in children when they are young. It is also important to make them strong. Should not make them too strong, then they become aggressive. At the same time some strength is needed in addition to the innocence, otherwise how will they go through life? Not too strong or innocent. Take the middle path.
Q: <something about homesickness>
G: See, I consider that every tree in the planet is in my garden. When the whole world is your family, there can be no homesickness. Feel always at home -- it is all your attitude.
Q: Are there any extra-terrestrial beings outside of the earth?
G: <smiling> Some may consider that I am one! <applause>
Some people were not happy that in our prayer meeting we did not condemn the attacks and we took a soft approach. So people wrote about us in the papers, are we from another planet or what?
Extra-terrestrials are also possible. The universe has many layers of consciousness. Have you all seen the silver jubilee video? The one with the angels in it? We should show it here after some time.
When we talk of healing and miracles and all, you know what our teachers say? We don't believe in miracles, we depend on them! <applause> Vismayo-yoga-bhoomika. The preface to yoga is astonishment. Have you wondered how the seeds sprout into giant trees, and how babies are born, or how the planets revolve, and so on? That is wonder.
Q: Are there any coincidences?
G: Could be -- we cannot rule anything out!
Reservations - The way forward
message of 2006
There was a youth meet with His.Holiness Sri Sri
Ravishankar in Delhi,following is what
happened in the meet.
Sri Sri Ravishankar,Head of The Art of Living
Foundation presided over a
Youth Meet in New Delhi yesterday. It was attended
by students from all
colleges, univs in Delhi, Kanpur, Jaipur, Punjab,
Jaipur, Varanasi. H.H Sri Sri Ravkshankar
gave the following tasks to all the youth who
attended the meeting
1. Spread awareness about Reservation and it's ills
amongst all sections of society. Connect with the
masses.
2. Bring it forth in Media and elsewhere that there
are poor people in all religions and castes. They are
underprivileged by means. More than half
rickshaw pullers, toilet cleaners are brahmins!
Conduct surveys, shoot movieclips, send MMS, write
articles.
3. Clarify that this is not about elitism. It is
about equality. Portray the poor "upper caste" people
as vicitms.
>
> 4. It is a fight. You have no option but to fight.
> You cannot just stand and
> watch.
>
>
> WAKE UP B4 ITS TOO LATE
There was a youth meet with His.Holiness Sri Sri
Ravishankar in Delhi,following is what
happened in the meet.
Sri Sri Ravishankar,Head of The Art of Living
Foundation presided over a
Youth Meet in New Delhi yesterday. It was attended
by students from all
colleges, univs in Delhi, Kanpur, Jaipur, Punjab,
Jaipur, Varanasi. H.H Sri Sri Ravkshankar
gave the following tasks to all the youth who
attended the meeting
1. Spread awareness about Reservation and it's ills
amongst all sections of society. Connect with the
masses.
2. Bring it forth in Media and elsewhere that there
are poor people in all religions and castes. They are
underprivileged by means. More than half
rickshaw pullers, toilet cleaners are brahmins!
Conduct surveys, shoot movieclips, send MMS, write
articles.
3. Clarify that this is not about elitism. It is
about equality. Portray the poor "upper caste" people
as vicitms.
>
> 4. It is a fight. You have no option but to fight.
> You cannot just stand and
> watch.
>
>
> WAKE UP B4 ITS TOO LATE
Meditation, music needed for corporate people: H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shanker has stressed the need to introduce meditation, music and games for employees in corporate houses and all other establishments with stress-filled jobs.
Ancient practices such as meditation, pranayam and music would help in reducing stress, Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living, told a distinguished gathering of corporate heads and business people at a function here yesterday.
Stressing that spirituality should play a crucial role in every day life, the spiritual guru said, "it is not important what you do, but it is important to know what you are."
He was delivering a talk on "spirituality and management" at National Centre for Performing Arts here organised yesterday by the All-India Management Association and Bombay Management Association, as part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations, which began on February 21.
"If we work in an atmosphere of pressure, tension with a lack of sense of belonging, can the work flourish? It is like driving a car with brakes on, said Sri Ravi Shankar.
Emphasizing on spirituality, he said people should focus on cosmology, commitment to truth and compassion and suggested the people to have trust in others.
Chairing the session, Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd, said the issue of spirituality and management has sparked off many discussions globally. In India, it is easier to weave spirituality at the workplace, he said.
Ancient practices such as meditation, pranayam and music would help in reducing stress, Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living, told a distinguished gathering of corporate heads and business people at a function here yesterday.
Stressing that spirituality should play a crucial role in every day life, the spiritual guru said, "it is not important what you do, but it is important to know what you are."
He was delivering a talk on "spirituality and management" at National Centre for Performing Arts here organised yesterday by the All-India Management Association and Bombay Management Association, as part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations, which began on February 21.
"If we work in an atmosphere of pressure, tension with a lack of sense of belonging, can the work flourish? It is like driving a car with brakes on, said Sri Ravi Shankar.
Emphasizing on spirituality, he said people should focus on cosmology, commitment to truth and compassion and suggested the people to have trust in others.
Chairing the session, Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd, said the issue of spirituality and management has sparked off many discussions globally. In India, it is easier to weave spirituality at the workplace, he said.
Success in Five Steps --------------------------
By Acharya Ratnananda (Guruji's father)
Achieving success is one of the major problems, facing people in this planet. All of us want to be successful and yet most of us manage to fail, that too, in spite of our best efforts. There is a mad rush to succeed and for many, only the madness results.
Thousands of books are written about the "Secret of Success" and millions of copies sold, but with a largely negative result for the reader, and positive results for the author.
The ancient seers of India considered this phenomenon and puzzle and after long thought, came out with some startling facts and factors. They found that failure generates from us and is reflected to us. They said, "Start with Success." How could that be when we aim and run after it? When the goal is success; how could it be starting point? To meet this dilemma, they prescribe five golden guidelines.
The first is VASTRA, i.e., take proper care of your dress. Be in tune with the situation. Do not go in flashy clothes to a funeral or in a mourning dress to a party. A person promotes, favourable or unfavourable impression by the dress he wears. Casual dress gets only a casual response.
The second is VAPUSHA, i.e., carry yourself with poise and presentability, with dignity and decorum, in your moves and movements. Even a well-dressed person, behaving in a comic fashion invites ridicule. Behave like a commander and not like a clown, unless you want to join a circus company. Do not forget that you are a decent human being and treat yourself so, if you want decent treatment from others. Even when faced with indecency, respond with firmness and yet with good manners.
The third is VACHA. Use the right word at the right situation. Be clear, concise and correct in expressing your thoughts and views. Do not ramble, as people have no time for your long lectures. Be a good listener and manage to say more "yes" and less "no". Do not demonstrate your debating skill with one whose favour you need and seek. Most of all, do not try to convince anyone against his will. You will certainly fail in the beginning as also in the end.
Just as you decline to eat something unpalatable, refuse to say something unpalatable to others. In the present day world, even bitter medicines, are given in sugar capsules. So, it is better to lose an argument and win a friend instead of winning an argument and losing a friend. Your words, whether spoken or written, are your ambassadors, and take good care in choosing them.
The fourth gem is VIDHYA, i.e., knowledge of subject. Get adequately prepared for the situation. Do your homework beforehand and with attention, before expressing or exposing yourself. There should be less sound and more sense in your words, and they should be result-oriented. Do not fall in love with your own words. Remember that others are equally or perhaps more wise from their own standpoint.
The fifth and the finest quality is VINAYA, i.e., Humility. The humbler you feel, the higher you will climb towards success. The realisation that "I deserve perhaps only this, even if I may desire more," leads to more joy than other paths.
MAHARISHI AGASTHYA
Thousands of books are written about the "Secret of Success" and millions of copies sold, but with a largely negative result for the reader, and positive results for the author.
The ancient seers of India considered this phenomenon and puzzle and after long thought, came out with some startling facts and factors. They found that failure generates from us and is reflected to us. They said, "Start with Success." How could that be when we aim and run after it? When the goal is success; how could it be starting point? To meet this dilemma, they prescribe five golden guidelines.
The first is VASTRA, i.e., take proper care of your dress. Be in tune with the situation. Do not go in flashy clothes to a funeral or in a mourning dress to a party. A person promotes, favourable or unfavourable impression by the dress he wears. Casual dress gets only a casual response.
The second is VAPUSHA, i.e., carry yourself with poise and presentability, with dignity and decorum, in your moves and movements. Even a well-dressed person, behaving in a comic fashion invites ridicule. Behave like a commander and not like a clown, unless you want to join a circus company. Do not forget that you are a decent human being and treat yourself so, if you want decent treatment from others. Even when faced with indecency, respond with firmness and yet with good manners.
The third is VACHA. Use the right word at the right situation. Be clear, concise and correct in expressing your thoughts and views. Do not ramble, as people have no time for your long lectures. Be a good listener and manage to say more "yes" and less "no". Do not demonstrate your debating skill with one whose favour you need and seek. Most of all, do not try to convince anyone against his will. You will certainly fail in the beginning as also in the end.
Just as you decline to eat something unpalatable, refuse to say something unpalatable to others. In the present day world, even bitter medicines, are given in sugar capsules. So, it is better to lose an argument and win a friend instead of winning an argument and losing a friend. Your words, whether spoken or written, are your ambassadors, and take good care in choosing them.
The fourth gem is VIDHYA, i.e., knowledge of subject. Get adequately prepared for the situation. Do your homework beforehand and with attention, before expressing or exposing yourself. There should be less sound and more sense in your words, and they should be result-oriented. Do not fall in love with your own words. Remember that others are equally or perhaps more wise from their own standpoint.
The fifth and the finest quality is VINAYA, i.e., Humility. The humbler you feel, the higher you will climb towards success. The realisation that "I deserve perhaps only this, even if I may desire more," leads to more joy than other paths.
MAHARISHI AGASTHYA
Miracles of gurujis grace
Another miracle of Gurudev's Kirpa (Grace) near Chennai, India Let
me tell this wonderful story right from the beginning - Just before
I was to board my plane at Bangalore airport after Silver Jubilee
and was about to switch off my cell phone, it buzzed and Manjit
(our Divine teacher from Vancouver) was on line from Guruma
Shanthima's ashram near Chennai. She was excited and told me that
Ma wants to meet Poojya Gurudev and her Sri Shirdi Sai Darshan
Ashram to be used for AOL courses. I told her that we shall discuss
this matter with our Dear Gurudev in Rishikesh as He was too busy
in Silver Jubilee engagements.
We discussed the matter with Poojya Gurudev in Rishikesh and
eventually after seeking His blessings, I was in Ma's ashram to
start a Part I course for her devotees which she also joined and
like any other participants, she too put her 100%.
As usual second day was the first Sudarshan Kriya where everyone
had wonderful experiences. However the most amazing thing happened
when I asked the participants to slowly open their eyes. While
others were coming out of their life time heavenly experience, Ma
also slowly opened her eyes. As she opened her eyes, out of sheer
excitement she starting saying - Oh! I can see!!!.. Oh! I can
see!!!!.. . and I noticed her left hand was covering her left eye.
All her devotees rushed towards her and in joy they couldn't
believe all this. I was speechless and was full of gratitude.
Well, initially I couldn't understand what was going on. However
soon I came to know from Ma and other devotees that for almost last
three years Ma could not see anything from right eye because of
Retina detachment condition. An ecstasy of joy was among all the
devotees and they started calling others devotees of Ma all over
the world and this made the ashram telephone lines jam packed.
Next day Ma told me "Beta, at night I got up and keeping my left
eye covered I walked the whole ashram". To be doubly sure that it
was true that she did regain the eye sight. 31st March, the day
after the course finished, was Ma's birthday and she told me that
Gurudev had already given her the most precious gift.
On 1st April Ma and Krishan Pada (a very close devotee from
California now an ashramite in Ma's ashram) were in Bangalore
ashram to meet our Poojya Gurudev. The first thing Ma told Gurudev,
"So you wanted me to see you with both my eyes and with your Kirpa
(grace) cured my right eye with which I couldn't see a thing for
last almost three years.
Krishan Pada expressed her gratitude by telling dear Gurudev that
first time he had seen his Guruma receiving something as great as
her eyesight; otherwise he had seen her always giving to others.
Ma told her experience to Guru Pooja course and then later in the
evening Satsang. She had wonderful time in our ashram and discussed
with Poojya Gurudev to start AOL courses in her ashram for which
He blessed her to go ahead.
...
With Gratutude to our ever so generous Master - Jai Gurudev
Capt Brij Paul Singh
me tell this wonderful story right from the beginning - Just before
I was to board my plane at Bangalore airport after Silver Jubilee
and was about to switch off my cell phone, it buzzed and Manjit
(our Divine teacher from Vancouver) was on line from Guruma
Shanthima's ashram near Chennai. She was excited and told me that
Ma wants to meet Poojya Gurudev and her Sri Shirdi Sai Darshan
Ashram to be used for AOL courses. I told her that we shall discuss
this matter with our Dear Gurudev in Rishikesh as He was too busy
in Silver Jubilee engagements.
We discussed the matter with Poojya Gurudev in Rishikesh and
eventually after seeking His blessings, I was in Ma's ashram to
start a Part I course for her devotees which she also joined and
like any other participants, she too put her 100%.
As usual second day was the first Sudarshan Kriya where everyone
had wonderful experiences. However the most amazing thing happened
when I asked the participants to slowly open their eyes. While
others were coming out of their life time heavenly experience, Ma
also slowly opened her eyes. As she opened her eyes, out of sheer
excitement she starting saying - Oh! I can see!!!.. Oh! I can
see!!!!.. . and I noticed her left hand was covering her left eye.
All her devotees rushed towards her and in joy they couldn't
believe all this. I was speechless and was full of gratitude.
Well, initially I couldn't understand what was going on. However
soon I came to know from Ma and other devotees that for almost last
three years Ma could not see anything from right eye because of
Retina detachment condition. An ecstasy of joy was among all the
devotees and they started calling others devotees of Ma all over
the world and this made the ashram telephone lines jam packed.
Next day Ma told me "Beta, at night I got up and keeping my left
eye covered I walked the whole ashram". To be doubly sure that it
was true that she did regain the eye sight. 31st March, the day
after the course finished, was Ma's birthday and she told me that
Gurudev had already given her the most precious gift.
On 1st April Ma and Krishan Pada (a very close devotee from
California now an ashramite in Ma's ashram) were in Bangalore
ashram to meet our Poojya Gurudev. The first thing Ma told Gurudev,
"So you wanted me to see you with both my eyes and with your Kirpa
(grace) cured my right eye with which I couldn't see a thing for
last almost three years.
Krishan Pada expressed her gratitude by telling dear Gurudev that
first time he had seen his Guruma receiving something as great as
her eyesight; otherwise he had seen her always giving to others.
Ma told her experience to Guru Pooja course and then later in the
evening Satsang. She had wonderful time in our ashram and discussed
with Poojya Gurudev to start AOL courses in her ashram for which
He blessed her to go ahead.
...
With Gratutude to our ever so generous Master - Jai Gurudev
Capt Brij Paul Singh
Tips for Sucess at Work by H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1. This is your company, give your 100%.
2. You have to work like an entrepreneur and not as an employee. There are two types of mentality – employee and entrepreneur. As an Employee, you think this is my job, I have to do it. As an Entrepreneur you think that this is my company – how do I make it perform, you put your best, 100%.
3. Be enthusiastic and come up with new ideas.
4. We should approach our work with focus and calmness, and not to be feverish.
2. You have to work like an entrepreneur and not as an employee. There are two types of mentality – employee and entrepreneur. As an Employee, you think this is my job, I have to do it. As an Entrepreneur you think that this is my company – how do I make it perform, you put your best, 100%.
3. Be enthusiastic and come up with new ideas.
4. We should approach our work with focus and calmness, and not to be feverish.
5. Cultivate the habit of doing things quickly. Make quick decisions.
6. Don't sit and think whether I should do this or not, or I'll do it later. Just do it. I don't mind you making mistakes but don't sit idle. Be dynamic and not lethargic.
7. Talk less and achieve more – especially when interacting with customers / prospects. If you talk more, the client may think you are too much in the air and may be put off
6. Don't sit and think whether I should do this or not, or I'll do it later. Just do it. I don't mind you making mistakes but don't sit idle. Be dynamic and not lethargic.
7. Talk less and achieve more – especially when interacting with customers / prospects. If you talk more, the client may think you are too much in the air and may be put off
8. Manage Time: See how I manage, Work like that.
9. Without pressure, biochemical motivation will not come. Under pressure there is biochemical reaction that happens, you perform more. Take it a challenge.
10. Give your 100% technically and communication
9. Without pressure, biochemical motivation will not come. Under pressure there is biochemical reaction that happens, you perform more. Take it a challenge.
10. Give your 100% technically and communication
Have a great day!!
In defence of Hindu gurus
When Marxist leader Brinda Karat attacks Swami Ramdev, she is not attacking Ramdev in particular, she is attacking Hinduism in general.
This guru or that guru makes no difference to her; she is against all gurus.
Other gurus might think they are safe, that Ramdev committed some sin for which he is paying. But one of them will be the next in the line of fire!
Hindu gurus are all vulnerable in today's India: The Kanchi Shankaracharya has already been hit. So has Satya Sai Baba.Amritanandamayi has to live under the constant shadow of a hostile Kerala Communist-dominated government. Dhirendra Brahmachari is dead and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is periodically targeted as the 'Guru of the rich', the 'Glib Godman' etc.
May I be forgiven my arrogance, but what Indian gurus have to understand is that for Indian Communists, Hinduism is the Number 1 enemy. Mao called religion 'the opium of the people'. But for Indian Communists, what stands between their ambition for absolute power in India (and eventually the triumphant return of Communism in the world -- as Indian Communists believe) is the hold Hinduism has in the hearts of the rural people of India, who constitute 80 per cent of this country.
Yet, the humble farmer from Uttar Pradesh to Tamil Nadu has a natural understanding of the universality of God, who takes many names throughout the ages who could be Buddha, Jesus Christ, Ram or Mohammad. This humble farmer possesses the knowledge that there is a something deeper than the skin and the mind, and a life beyond death. This knowledge is inbred, it is not in his head, not even in his heart, but in his or her genes from generation to generation.
Of course, the English-speaking media is too happy to oblige Brinda Karat and come down hard on gurus with all kind of accusations.
Before Ramdev, they came down on the Kanchi Shankaracharya, before him on Osho, before him on Dhirendra Brahmachari. You can even go back to Sri Aurobindo, who was accused in the early 1900s by the moderate Congress-controlled press to be a 'fanatic', when he was only demanding total independence from the British long before Gandhi took it up.
Accusations against Hinduism of superstition, brainwashing, ritualistic ignorance, date back from British missionaries and have been taken up today by the Communists. Yet, Hinduism -- at least the Hinduism which goes beyond the rituals and becomes universal spirituality -- has nothing to do with superstition and conmanship: it is all about science, knowledge and light.
Look at Pranayama, a science that has known for thousands of years how to harness breath and use it for controlling the mind, for a better, more healthy, more spiritualised life. If you read Osho's books today, you find a lot of solid common sense, wisdom, even light.
Satya Sai Baba cannot have millions of disciples from the most humble to the Presidents of India without 'something' which is beyond superstition. So goes for Amritanandamayi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Ramdev, or Guruma of Ganeshpuri.
And why should Brinda Karat target Ayurveda, the most ancient medical system in India still in practice, the first medicine to realise 3,000 years ago that plants and minerals offer the best cure, that many illnesses have a psychosomatic origin, the first to practice plastic surgery on patients?
In India today, every third shop is an allopathic medical shop, whose profits go to Western multinationals (hello Mrs Karat!) at a time when Ayurvedic medicine is becoming increasingly popular in Western countries, after being disillusioned by antibiotics and other heavy-handed medicines.
We are witnessing an interesting phenomenon in India today. Some Communists, some Christians, some Muslims and some Congress leaders -- all of whom have nothing in common and often hate each other are united against Hinduism and Hindu leaders.
In contrast, look at the Hindus: Swami Ramdev himself criticised Sri Sri Ravi Shankar live on television, advising his followers not to practice Art of Living breathing techniques. During the tsunami relief operations in Nagapattinam, disciples of Amritanandamayi and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar nearly came to blows over who would give relief to whom, instead of networking and uniting their efforts.
And who came to the rescue of Osho when he was maligned to death, or Dhirendra Brahmachari when the entire press came down on him, or Satya Sai Baba, when he was slandered, or the Shankaracharya when he was thrown into jail, or Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, when Javed Akhtar accused him of coming 'from a cave to live in a palace' (and not from a palace to a cave like the Buddha)? None of the previously mentioned. Yet, Indian politicians can commit any crime, have any number of court cases against them, and they still end up as Union ministers and get positive press coverage.
The greatest curse of Hinduism throughout the ages has been its disunity -- and more than that -- its betraying each other. The British did not conquer India, it was given to them by its warring Hindu princes, jealous of each other. The same is true of Islam: the last great Hindu empire, that of Vijaynagar, was betrayed to the Muslims by the Lingayats.
I know there is something mysterious and unfathomable in the manifestation of the Divine upon earth, and that each guru has a defined task to fulfill and that the combined task of all the gurus may solve the great puzzle that is this ignorant and suffering earth.
Thus, it may not be necessary for each guru to communicate with each other. But nevertheless, it is of the greatest urgency today that Hindu leaders unite to save Hinduism, rather than 'each one for his own' that we see today.
The Catholics have their Pope and his word is binding on all Catholics. Muslims have Prophet Mohammed's words and that binds all of Islam together. Indian Communists have the words of Marx and Lenin, even if it has become irrelevant in Russia, Germany, and also in China. But the poor Hindus have nobody to refer to, so as to defend themselves.
Yet, if you take the combined people power of Satya Sai Baba, Amritaanandamayi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Ramdev, Guruma of Ganeshpuri, the Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram, and so many others I cannot mention here, it runs in hundreds of millions.
Again, in all humility and conscious of the limitation of mind compared to some of these great gurus whom I have met, I propose that a Supreme Spiritual Council, composed of at least seven of the most popular Hindu leaders of India, be constituted, maybe under the leadership of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the most travelled of all these, the one who has disciples and teachers of all religions, both from India and the West.
It should be a non-political body, and each group would keep its independence but nevertheless. It could meet two three times a year and issue edicts, which would be binding on 850 millions Hindus in India and one billion over the world.
Then and then only can this wonderful spirituality which is Hinduism, this eternal knowledge behind the outer forms, the wisdom to understand this mad earth and its sufferings, be preserved for the future of India, and for the future of humanity.
I bow down to each of these gurus mentioned above and to all those not mentioned, to Swami Vivekananda, the initiator of modern Hinduism, to Sri Aurobindo, the great avatar of the supramental, and to all the great gurus who have graced over the ages, this wonderful and sacred land which is India and beseech them to hear my prayer:
Hindus leaders, unite, if you want eternal Dharma to survive.
Francois Gautier
Hindus leaders, unite, if you want eternal Dharma to survive.
timeless moments by sri sri
Timeless moments
Sri Sri Ravishankar
Amongst the twenty-four principles that have formed this creation,
time is one of the principles. Every moment, every single moment is
important. Time is not elsewhere. It is here, now! The silent part
of the Divine is known as maha kaala.
Shiva is known as Mahakaal. Mahakaal means great time. We often
say, "I had a great time". Isn't it? Great time means the moments
present in the timeless moments. When there is peace in the mind you
will not sense the passage of time. When there is no peace in the
mind even the two minutes that have passed by give you the feeling
as though two hours were spent. Lord Shiva is also known as "Kaala
Samhaara Murthy". (It means the Lord who slays Time). How is it
possible to slay time? It is possible by extreme bliss. When you are
blissful you will not feel the passage of time. When you are not
aware of the passage of time, then it is said that time has been
slayed.
There is a close relation between time and sadness. When we are very
sad, we perceive time to be too long. When you are happy you do not
feel time. So what is happiness or bliss? It is our very self. That
self is the Shiva tattva or the principle of Shiva.
Adi Shankara has sung in one song "Oh you foolish-minded people, do
not search for your soul". People wander to all kinds of places in
search of the soul, for Shiva. Shankaracharya says that foolish are
those who do not realize that "I am Shiva". Do not see or think of
Shiva as somewhere high up in the sky residing there all alone. Just
peep into your self.
Usually when the word God is mentioned everybody looks up
immediately. What is there up above? It only rains from above! There
is nothing above. Everything is inside, neither above nor below.
Looking inside or being inside is meditation.
When you look at someone close to you, your friend or somebody, what
happens to you? Something happens inside you. You feel as though
some new energy is passing through you. Capture that great moment.
It is those great moments, which are timeless moments. Okay, you
might have experienced those timeless moments by the presence of
that person, that person might have brought forth those emotions in
you. So what? Instead of getting immersed in that person or in the
situation, just be with the spring of bliss rising up in you.
From despair to fulfillment: the path to sanyas
Maya means that which can be measured, that which draws you back
into this world. Observe the Mayapati or the owner of Maya. Then
that consciousness, that presence becomes predominant and your whole
existence will be filled with that presence.
How many times in life you have experience this, "I am nothing. I
want nothing"? When you are depressed you say "Oh! I do not want
anything. Just leave me alone".
When you have no enthusiasm you say that you do not want anything.
That is of no use. In spite of having everything, have you ever
contentedly felt "I do not want anything"? Or have you ever had some
few moments where you felt "I have everything with me. I am
everything"? If, in those moments of happiness and love, if you have
felt that way, then you have had sanyas in those moments!
In this year, how many days were you in sanyas? How many days were
you struggling, being caught in Maya? Turn back and remember this
whole year. How many months, how many days, how many weeks you were
in suffering? How many days you were in sanyas? Were you in sanyas
at least for a few days? Even for a few moments if you live in the
feeling that "I am nothing, I want nothing", or "I am everything, I
have everything", you will gain good strength and peace in you.
Do not run away from anything. Do not reject anything. Do not go
away from anything. At the same time let your attention also be on
the self. This is a delicate balance. That balance is yoga.
Sri Sri Ravishankar
Amongst the twenty-four principles that have formed this creation,
time is one of the principles. Every moment, every single moment is
important. Time is not elsewhere. It is here, now! The silent part
of the Divine is known as maha kaala.
Shiva is known as Mahakaal. Mahakaal means great time. We often
say, "I had a great time". Isn't it? Great time means the moments
present in the timeless moments. When there is peace in the mind you
will not sense the passage of time. When there is no peace in the
mind even the two minutes that have passed by give you the feeling
as though two hours were spent. Lord Shiva is also known as "Kaala
Samhaara Murthy". (It means the Lord who slays Time). How is it
possible to slay time? It is possible by extreme bliss. When you are
blissful you will not feel the passage of time. When you are not
aware of the passage of time, then it is said that time has been
slayed.
There is a close relation between time and sadness. When we are very
sad, we perceive time to be too long. When you are happy you do not
feel time. So what is happiness or bliss? It is our very self. That
self is the Shiva tattva or the principle of Shiva.
Adi Shankara has sung in one song "Oh you foolish-minded people, do
not search for your soul". People wander to all kinds of places in
search of the soul, for Shiva. Shankaracharya says that foolish are
those who do not realize that "I am Shiva". Do not see or think of
Shiva as somewhere high up in the sky residing there all alone. Just
peep into your self.
Usually when the word God is mentioned everybody looks up
immediately. What is there up above? It only rains from above! There
is nothing above. Everything is inside, neither above nor below.
Looking inside or being inside is meditation.
When you look at someone close to you, your friend or somebody, what
happens to you? Something happens inside you. You feel as though
some new energy is passing through you. Capture that great moment.
It is those great moments, which are timeless moments. Okay, you
might have experienced those timeless moments by the presence of
that person, that person might have brought forth those emotions in
you. So what? Instead of getting immersed in that person or in the
situation, just be with the spring of bliss rising up in you.
From despair to fulfillment: the path to sanyas
Maya means that which can be measured, that which draws you back
into this world. Observe the Mayapati or the owner of Maya. Then
that consciousness, that presence becomes predominant and your whole
existence will be filled with that presence.
How many times in life you have experience this, "I am nothing. I
want nothing"? When you are depressed you say "Oh! I do not want
anything. Just leave me alone".
When you have no enthusiasm you say that you do not want anything.
That is of no use. In spite of having everything, have you ever
contentedly felt "I do not want anything"? Or have you ever had some
few moments where you felt "I have everything with me. I am
everything"? If, in those moments of happiness and love, if you have
felt that way, then you have had sanyas in those moments!
In this year, how many days were you in sanyas? How many days were
you struggling, being caught in Maya? Turn back and remember this
whole year. How many months, how many days, how many weeks you were
in suffering? How many days you were in sanyas? Were you in sanyas
at least for a few days? Even for a few moments if you live in the
feeling that "I am nothing, I want nothing", or "I am everything, I
have everything", you will gain good strength and peace in you.
Do not run away from anything. Do not reject anything. Do not go
away from anything. At the same time let your attention also be on
the self. This is a delicate balance. That balance is yoga.
Q and A with rishi nityapragya
Q & A Session with Rishi Nityapragyaji
Question) Rishiji, these days everything has become a mere ritual. For example, when a person dies, the mantras that are chanted - its as if the pandits just chant without understanding any meaning behind it - neither do we, the common man know the meaning. So what is the real use of those mantras? Also, in India we do chant the mantras - what about in other countries, where shlokas are not chanted? What happens to those souls?
Answer) Do you know what happens when we chant the mantras? hmmmm...... See, each mantra has a specific meaning. There are 7-layers to existence - Body, Breath, Mind, Intellect, Memory, Ego and Self. Breath links the mind and the body. When we die, that link is broken - breath disappears and the body is broken away (or dropped) from the remaining 5 layers. That doesnt mean the remaining 5 layers cease to exist. They do exist - we may call it soul or consciousness etc.
All the emotions are felt in the mind. When the body is dropped, mind still feels everything - for example, it feels the hunger, but it doesnt have any body to satisfy its hunger. Similarly it feels everything else that it felt when it had the body - anger, frustration, animosity towards someone etc. Infact, in most cases, the mind doesnt even know that the body has dropped - so immediately after someone dies, they say the soul is still around the body.
When we chant the mantras, each mantra gives an opportunity for the soul to drop its impressions. So for example the mantra will say "During my life, I had anger towards my mother. But I want to drop that anger now, because the basis of our relationship is love. During my life, I had anger towards my father. But I want to drop that anger now, because I realize the basis of my relationship with my father is love". And so on...... with every family member, friend etc. This clears the soul from its current life, and it comes to peace with itself, becomes much more lighter and is able to go to the next body without carrying any heavy burden from the previous life.
Question) So, what happens if mantras are not chanted, or they are not chanted with proper devotion or feeling?
Answer) The soul has to pay for the world that it has created. That is the simple law of nature. Every shloka in sanskrit is like a vibration that is felt by the soul and it makes it easy for it to drop all its emotions. The more sadhana, seva, satsang we do during our lifetime, the more easy it becomes for us.
Kriya verse explanation
Just wanted to share something with you ....
Kriya Verse Explanation: (shared by Smita Desai)A Part One participant asked the meaning of the shlokathat Sri Sri sings at the ending of the long kriya tape.
Q - How many times and what forms have you manifested on earth in a human form?
Sri Sri - I don't keep a count. Whenever it is needed, I am right there.
Friday, October 17, 2014
for the light hearted and seniors
There is one place a lady would love to inflate her
Age - at the Senior citizens counter.
The other day one young man who manned the counter to
serve food at the Amphi theatre
was heard saying" uncle you are not 60 and this is
for senior citizens"
Uncle (s) replied - do you know I am 62 and my friend
here is 61 .. though he has dark hair
I was virtually crashing waiting for food at different
places.
My wife usually scolds me for having come to the
ashram on such occasions and ashram Kitchen is NO- NO
for her. She does not mind being labelled a senior
citizen.
IT took some convincing for a charming soul to
convince that she is actually over 60.
A wise man butted in " Why don't you facilitate
serving food, there are others to verify age and give
plates to Senior citizens, kids, sick and invalid,
lame and bone challenged "
After having braved the hot sun and stood in queue for
over an hour John was stopped at the spot where he
thought He would be getting food now. He had done
enough tapasya he felt. The smart and bald young man
who had now taken over the service counter.. again
questioned John 's age and shooed him out. John had
reached the end of his tether. His son got food just a
few minutes before him at the senior citizen counter
and why was he being singled out for this
treatment."get me the cuppa noodles - beta" He did not
like the Ashram for the long journey to the Kitchen ,
for the ups and down and the mounts that are a pain
for his Over sized physical self.
Cuppa noodles, stinking of some chemicals or water
inside were sold like hot cakes because of the late
arrival of the food.
One Well wishing and pro active teacher asked all the
seniors ( really senior old citizens) to sit in a line
in the amphi theatre and promised that they would be
served by young enthusiastic volunteers.
After her departure none of the others who came to
serve food later remembered her promise. The Senior
citizens had lost their place in the queue to the
young and also smart ones.
The juices and fruit salad were enough diversions for
the Senior citizens. Many would have to learn
enterprise from our ashram teams managing food
counters outside the Kitchen.
Our SJM team member was also caught in the chaos ( all
chaos leads to bliss --- Sri Sri said it differently)
" If we mess it up with just under 8K what would
happen with 800K , I am sure HE wants all of us to
have a taste of things to come and understand what
preparedness means"
Another friend who usually never eats at the kitchen
after it shifted to the beautiful venue was beckoned
back to come and eat in the campus.
He shared this " If this is the scene with just under
10 K what would happen when we have to serve or share
with 1000 K ?"
Guru ji YOU have many ways to feed us.
You have many ways to train us
You have many counters to feed us too
Wish all of us are tuned to your divine thoughts, 24/7
and 365
All the sadhana and SK is challenged when its 3 45 pm
and late for lunch.
I have now decided to have one meal at 10 30 am and
know for sure that I may get my next meal only at or
about 5 pm , if i choose the senior citizens, grey
counter.
For the others in the Kitchen had already eaten before
the seniors and are enjoying seeing the young-
seniors, sick and tired really slogging it out at the
counters
Bless us with the wisdom to discern and serve
And You know NO one at the AOL likes any restriction
to their freedom
even to block paths, cut queues and get the much
needed plate for the food
All in all it was a learning...when you do the sadhana
and SK you are proud to announce to all your friends,
I am young energetic and my aging process is also
reversed. I look young for a mother of 27 years young
man!! But when I am hungry I need care and wont mind
being categorised in the Senior citizens.
I thought food is not yet .. different for the Senior
citizens
Senior now needs definition.
Or passes would be issued with your Name tags
at the Housing counter for having food at the Senior
citizens counter.!!
Ha Ha.. Please don't go to the Housing counter and
blame me!! If you don't get the Senior Citizen Food
coupon. DO you have ID cards, Grey hair, Ortho
certificates and Surgeon general's certificate
No NO i am just .. pulling your tired legs.. or faces.
Jai gurudev
--
True financial freedom is not only having money, but
having power over that money as well."-- Suze Orman
Love is not an emotion . It is your very Nature .. sri Sri
Age - at the Senior citizens counter.
The other day one young man who manned the counter to
serve food at the Amphi theatre
was heard saying" uncle you are not 60 and this is
for senior citizens"
Uncle (s) replied - do you know I am 62 and my friend
here is 61 .. though he has dark hair
I was virtually crashing waiting for food at different
places.
My wife usually scolds me for having come to the
ashram on such occasions and ashram Kitchen is NO- NO
for her. She does not mind being labelled a senior
citizen.
IT took some convincing for a charming soul to
convince that she is actually over 60.
A wise man butted in " Why don't you facilitate
serving food, there are others to verify age and give
plates to Senior citizens, kids, sick and invalid,
lame and bone challenged "
After having braved the hot sun and stood in queue for
over an hour John was stopped at the spot where he
thought He would be getting food now. He had done
enough tapasya he felt. The smart and bald young man
who had now taken over the service counter.. again
questioned John 's age and shooed him out. John had
reached the end of his tether. His son got food just a
few minutes before him at the senior citizen counter
and why was he being singled out for this
treatment."get me the cuppa noodles - beta" He did not
like the Ashram for the long journey to the Kitchen ,
for the ups and down and the mounts that are a pain
for his Over sized physical self.
Cuppa noodles, stinking of some chemicals or water
inside were sold like hot cakes because of the late
arrival of the food.
One Well wishing and pro active teacher asked all the
seniors ( really senior old citizens) to sit in a line
in the amphi theatre and promised that they would be
served by young enthusiastic volunteers.
After her departure none of the others who came to
serve food later remembered her promise. The Senior
citizens had lost their place in the queue to the
young and also smart ones.
The juices and fruit salad were enough diversions for
the Senior citizens. Many would have to learn
enterprise from our ashram teams managing food
counters outside the Kitchen.
Our SJM team member was also caught in the chaos ( all
chaos leads to bliss --- Sri Sri said it differently)
" If we mess it up with just under 8K what would
happen with 800K , I am sure HE wants all of us to
have a taste of things to come and understand what
preparedness means"
Another friend who usually never eats at the kitchen
after it shifted to the beautiful venue was beckoned
back to come and eat in the campus.
He shared this " If this is the scene with just under
10 K what would happen when we have to serve or share
with 1000 K ?"
Guru ji YOU have many ways to feed us.
You have many ways to train us
You have many counters to feed us too
Wish all of us are tuned to your divine thoughts, 24/7
and 365
All the sadhana and SK is challenged when its 3 45 pm
and late for lunch.
I have now decided to have one meal at 10 30 am and
know for sure that I may get my next meal only at or
about 5 pm , if i choose the senior citizens, grey
counter.
For the others in the Kitchen had already eaten before
the seniors and are enjoying seeing the young-
seniors, sick and tired really slogging it out at the
counters
Bless us with the wisdom to discern and serve
And You know NO one at the AOL likes any restriction
to their freedom
even to block paths, cut queues and get the much
needed plate for the food
All in all it was a learning...when you do the sadhana
and SK you are proud to announce to all your friends,
I am young energetic and my aging process is also
reversed. I look young for a mother of 27 years young
man!! But when I am hungry I need care and wont mind
being categorised in the Senior citizens.
I thought food is not yet .. different for the Senior
citizens
Senior now needs definition.
Or passes would be issued with your Name tags
at the Housing counter for having food at the Senior
citizens counter.!!
Ha Ha.. Please don't go to the Housing counter and
blame me!! If you don't get the Senior Citizen Food
coupon. DO you have ID cards, Grey hair, Ortho
certificates and Surgeon general's certificate
No NO i am just .. pulling your tired legs.. or faces.
Jai gurudev
--
True financial freedom is not only having money, but
having power over that money as well."-- Suze Orman
Love is not an emotion . It is your very Nature .. sri Sri
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