CLOSE TO THE MASTER

Weekly Knowledge #2⃣

Big Sur, California

21 Jun 1995

USA

CLOSE TO THE MASTER

If you're not feeling close to the Guru, it's because of you. Because of your mind, because of your ego concepts. Share with the Guru that which is very important or intimate to you. Share that. Do not feel shame, shy, or judgmental about yourself.

Unless you express to the Master that which is very intimate and important to you, just being on the formal and informal communication levels cannot make you feel close. "How are you, where are you going? How have you been?" Stop formal and superficial conversations with the Master and speak with your heart that which is very important and intimate, very deep to your life. Don't just say how much the squash costs, 30 cents or whatever.

If you don't feel close to the Master, there's no point in having a Master. It is just another burden to you. You have enough already. Just say "Goodbye," get rid of it.

Question: When you play little games and push us away, how can we feel close to you?

Answer: You should feel more close if you are pushed away, scolded or ignored. Because to ignore somebody takes a lot of effort. When a Master does not even ignore wrapping paper, or a flower that is in a vase, how can he ignore a walking, talking, breathing human being who is connected? How could that be ignored? So when you understand this, you already feel close.

Question: Can we call you every week?

Response from the room: Call Guruji every week and if he doesn't answer the phone then you know you are loved.

Answer: Yes, put that in. (Laughter)

You are with the Master to share the joy of the Master, to share the consciousness of the Master. For that, you have to empty your cup of what is already in it. So you share that with the Master. You share whatever you have and don't judge, "Oh, that is garbage." The Master is ready to accept any garbage of any extent. However you are, he will embrace you. He is ready to share. You only have to share from your side.

🌸Jai Guru Dev🌸

 Hindi translation

साप्ताहिक ज्ञानपत्र ००२

२१ जून, १९९५

बिग सर , कैलिफ़ोर्निया (यु.एस. ए.)

 गुरु के समीप

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

यदि तुम खुद को गुरु के निकट अनुभव नहीं कर रहे हो, तो इसका कारण तुम ही हो।

तुम्हारा मन, तुम्हारा अहंकार तुम्हे दूर रख रहा है । जो कुछ भी तुम्हारे लिए महत्वपूर्ण है, अंतरंग है, उसे गुरु के साथ बाँट लो, बता दो । संकोच मत करो, शरमाओ नहीं, इस पर स्वयं अपना निर्णय मत लो। 

यदि तुम अपनी आंतरिक व महत्वपूर्ण बातें गुरु को नहीं बताओगे, केवल साधारण शिष्टाचार वाली बातें करोगे, तब उनके साथ निकटता का अनुभव नहीं कर सकोगे। "आप कैसे है? कहाँ जा रहे है। सब कैसे चल रहा है?" ऐसी नियमित और ऊपरी बातें गुरु के साथ मत करो। अपना हृदय खोलकर मन की गहराईयो में समाई आंतरिक व महत्वपूर्ण बातें करो। सिर्फ यह मत कहो की शरबत की बोतल का दाम क्या है ।

यदि तुम गुरु से निकटता अनुभव नहीं कर रहे  हो, तो उन्हें गुरु मानने की आवश्यकता क्या है? वह तुम्हारे लिए एक और बोझ है। तुम्हारे लिए ऐसे ही बहुत से बोझ हैं । बस अलविदा कह दो।

प्रश्न: जब आप ही हमें कभी-कभी दूर रखते हैं, हम आपके साथ निकटता कैसे अनुभव करें?

श्री श्री: यदि तुम्हें दूर रखा जाए, डाँटा जाए, तुम्हारी ओर न देखा जाए, तो और अधिक निकटता अनुभव करो। क्योंकि किसी की उपेक्षा करने के लिए भी बहुत प्रयत्न करना पड़ता है। जब गुरु किसी उपहार के सुन्दर आवरण, अथवा गुलदस्ते में रखे हुए एक फूल की  भी उपेक्षा नहीं कर सकते है, तो फिर वह एक चलते फिरते, बोलते,साँस लेते व्यक्ति की, जो उनसे जुड़ा है, कैसे उपेक्षा कर सकते हैं ? जैसे ही तुम इसे समझ जाओगे, निकटता का अनुभव होने लगेगा।

टौर: क्या हम हर सप्ताह आपसे फ़ोन पर  बात कर सकते हैं ?

केनी: गुरूजी को प्रति सप्ताह फ़ोन कीजिये और यदि वे आपसे बात न करें तो समझ लीजिए कि वे आपको प्यार करते हैं।

श्री श्री: हाँ, यह ठीक हैं । ( हसी )

तुम गुरु के साथ उनके आनंद, उनकी चेतना के सेहभागी हो । इसके लिए तुम्हें अपने आप को खाली करना पड़ेगा ।

जो भी है, गुरु को बताओ और यह मत सोचो- " यह तो कूड़ा है "। गुरु तुम्हारे मन के सरे कूड़े को लेने के लिए तैयार है। तुम जैसे भी हो, वे तुम्हें सीने से लगा लेंगे। वे तुम्हारा बोझ हल्का करने के लिए तैयार हैं। अपनी ओर से उसे देने के लिए तुम्हें तैयार होना हैं ।

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 जय गुरुदेव

Change your DP. World Meditates with Guruji

Change your DP using this link

https://frameit.us.artofliving.org

Let's be a part of First Ever World Meditation Day!

Humor and Humiliation

Humor is the buffer that saves you from humiliation. If you have a good sense of humor you can never be humiliated. And if you refuse to be humiliated you become invincible. Humor brings everyone together, while humiliation tears them apart. In a society torn with humiliation and insult, humor is like a breath of fresh air. A good sense of humor relieves you from fear and anxiety.

Humor should be coupled with care and concern. Mere humor without care and concern or appropriate action often irritates those who come to you with serious problems.

Humor can keep the spirit high, yet if overdone it leaves a bad taste. 

Humor without wisdom is shallow. 

Humor with wisdom creates an atmosphere of celebration.

Humor without sensitivity is satire - it comes back to you with more problems.

The wise use humor to bring wisdom and to lighten every situation.

The intelligent use humor as a shield against humiliation.

The cruel use humor as a sword to insult others.

The irresponsible use humor to escape from responsibility.

And fools take humor too seriously!

To make an effort to be humorous is nonsensical.

Question: How does one cultivate a sense of humor?

Sri Sri:

Humor is not just words, it is the lightness of your Being. You do not have to read and repeat jokes -- just being cordial and light-hearted brings out authentic humor.

Taking life itself not too seriously (because you will never come out of it alive!) (Laughter)

Having a sense of belongingness with everybody, including those who are not friendly

Practicing yoga and meditation

Having unshakable faith in the Divine, and in the laws of karma

Being in the company of those who live in knowledge and are humorous

A willingness to be a clown

🌻Jai Guru Dev🌻

COMPARISON

It is a mistake to think time is going. Time is not going. Time is here until the world ends. It is you that is going. You don’t waste time. Time is infinite. You waste yourself. 

You are finite. It is you that grow old and die. Time doesn’t. So make better use of yourself before you expire. And one of the worst things to do with time is comparing yourself to others. A cow eats grass and gets fat but if dog eats grass, it will die. 

Never compare yourself with others. Run your own race. What works for one person may be that which will kill you. Focus on the gifts and talents God gave you and don’t be envious of the blessings He gave others.

Both Lion and Shark are professional hunters, BUT:

A Lion cannot hunt in the Ocean and a Shark cannot hunt in the jungle

That a Lion cannot hunt in the ocean doesn't make him useless and that a Shark cannot hunt in the jungle doesn't also make him useless both have their own territory where they can do well

If a rose smells better than tomatoes, It doesn't mean the rose can make a better stew. Don't try to compare yourself to others. 

You also have your own strength, look for it and build on it. All animals that exist, were in Noah's ark. A snail is one of those animals. If God could wait long enough for snails to enter Noah's ark; 

His door of grace won't close till you reach your expected position in life. Never look down on yourself, keep looking up.

 Remember that Broken crayons still colour.

Keep on pushing, you never can tell how close you are to your goal...!

Have A Great Time Ahead!! 

Gurudev at Los Angeles Center

 

Watch Your Space

 WATCH YOUR SPACE!

There’s a reason why people say “Choose your friends wisely” and “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are”.

 The people you’re around the most, be it friends, family, even colleagues, can have a massive effect on you and your vibrations/mentality. No matter how positive, spiritual, or goal-driven you are, if you hang around people who are the opposite, they may not completely cancel that out (depending on how stubborn you are about those things), but you won’t really thrive in that environment. 

Someone who’s full of positivity and someone who’s full of negativity can’t really reside in the same place as they are. One will definitely become either more positive, or more negative. And when it’s your group of friends or family etc. that are mostly negative, it’ll be close to impossible to stay as positive as you are because of that friction.

They may not be aware that they’re doing that, but because of their low vibrations and all, they’ll do anything to bring your vibrations down to match theirs. They could do things like say you’re goals are unrealistic and impossible to reach, start to exclude you from the social circle, giving you the cold shoulder or even being nasty to you, even going as far as gossiping about you behind your back, unless you go down to their level etc. 

But please, don’t think that you need to stay around people like that just because they were always there for you and you don’t think you can survive without them and all.  

I promise you, when you stop hanging around negative people, your quality of living will see massive improvement 

What Gurudev said yesterday

Educators from schools and colleges across India asked questions as they come to sign an MoU with The Art of Living for conducting courses in their institutions.

 How is the intuition power developed in the intuition program?

In our country, a lot of parents have been given to guru, parents. Before independence, every movement was brought out by an educator. The freedom movement was facilitated by acharyas of schools and colleges. Revolutions in education, society and life have to be brought by gurus. We are moving away from that culture. Right now there is a gap between teachers and students. In DU, we had a program where we asked students whom do they dislike or hate. 85% said they disliked their teachers. 57% disliked their parents. After the 8 day course, we invited their parents who remarked how their behavior had changed. They began helping in the house. Their relationship with teachers also improved. This knowldge which comes from the ancient and new has brought transformation in the lives of people. In America, 135 universities have implemented these programs.

The intuition program just shows that our consciousness has a lot of abilities. Kids dont have a lot of cravings and aversions. That is why they can tap this ability. 2 lakh children across the world have learnt it. We have all heard about the third eye. That gets activated in the presence of a Guru.

Some students dont show interest in anything - neither in studies nor arts nor sports. As an educator should i try hard or let it be?

You cant just let them be. Gently train them. It is like tuning the string of a guitar. If it is too tight, no music will come. If it is too loose, no music will come. It is necessary to scold children but there should be a goal to it. Achieve your goal even if you have to be a little strict. Cajole, persuade - all skills have to be used while handling young minds. Give them a little caution.

ADHD has become widespread. How to work on students affected by it?

We should not give cellphones to kids. In Australia, kids below 16 cannot be on social media. We are giving phones to kids who cannot speak. Parents must be trained. Do you know why a period is for 40 mins? Because the attention span of kids was this much back then. Now, it has become 30 seconds. That is why yoga is so important. In medha yoga and utkarsha yoga, we teach practices in play. A kid from US had borderline autism and they did prajna yoga. He recovered and in an year he started excelling. Indian knowledge makes miracles normal.

How can teachers receive the love and respect from their students the way you receive from people across the world? Pls guide.

Teachers must practice sadhna. There is so much pressure. They get angry or carry the anger to their homes. It is necessary that teachers take care of their mental health, that they eat on time, follow dincharya. They should take care of their physical and mental health, spend some time in nature, listen to music. Because mental activity which is a left brain activity can be balanced by right brain activities like listening to music. Close your eyes and listen to music. That gives rest. Every teacher should think they are a student. Keep learning new things what is happening around the world.

hurt

 Today one person has hurt you, tomorrow someone else will. You cannot control the entire world. Recognize that the problem is not outside; it is in your own mind. You have given the reins of your life in someone else's hands, just take them back! Make the fortress of your mind so strong, that no one in the world should have the right to take your smile away!

Management Mantra Intro

 

Sri Sri on Arrogance

 Never in your life have the arrogance to say that you have achieved big heights. If you have achieved something it is the divine will, it is the divine intervention that has always protected you, cleared your path and given you the right opportunities at the right time. 

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Division I : Aram (Righteousness), Chapter 22: Awareness of, and alignment, to the ways of the world, Kural : 220

*Division I : Aram (Righteousness)*

*Chapter 22: Awareness of, and alignment, to the ways of the world*

*Kural : 220*

ஒப்புரவி னால்வருங் கேடெனின் அஃதொருவன்
விற்றுக்கோள் தக்க துடைத்து.

மு.வ உரை :

ஒப்புரவால் கேடு வரும் என்றால் அக் கேடு ஒருவன் தன்னை விற்றாவது வாங்கிக்கொள்ளும் தகுதி உடையதாகும்.

கலைஞர் உரை :

பிறருக்கு உதவுகின்ற சிறப்புடைய உலக ஒழுக்கம், கேடு விளைவிக்கக் கூடியதாக இருப்பின், அக்கேடு, ஒருவன் தன்னை விற்றாவது வாங்கிக் கொள்ளக் கூடிய மதிப்புடையதாகும்.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா உரை :

இருப்பதைப் பிறர்க்குக் கொடுத்துவிட்டால், நாளை நமக்குத் தீமை வருமே என்று சொன்னால், தன்னையே விலையாகக் கொடுத்து அந்தத் தீமை வாங்கத்தக்கதே.

English Translation:

Oppuravi Naalvarum Ketenin Aqdhoruvan
Vitrukkol Thakka Thutaiththu

Explanation:

If it be said that loss will result from benevolence  such loss is worth being procured even by the sale of ones self

What harm can come out of beneficence? Such harm
deserves to be bought even by selling oneself.

*DT: 19 Nov 2016*

Division I : Aram (Righteousness) Chapter 22: Awareness of, and alignment, to the ways of the world Kural : 216

Division I : Aram (Righteousness)

Chapter 22: Awareness of, and alignment, to the ways of the world

Kural : 216

பயன்மரம் உள்ளூர்ப் பழுத்தற்றால் செல்வம்
நயனுடை யான்கண் படின்.

மு.வ உரை :

ஒப்புராவாகிய நற்பண்பு உடையவனிடம் செல்வம் சேர்ந்தால் அஃது ஊரின் நடுவே உள்ள பயன் மிகுந்த மரம் பழங்கள் பழுத்தாற் போன்றது.

கலைஞர் உரை :

ஈர நெஞ்சம் கொண்டவனிடம் செல்வம் சேருமேயானால் அது, ஊரின் நடுவே செழித்து வளர்ந்த மரம், பழுத்துக் குலுங்குவது போல எல்லோர்க்கும் பயன்படுவதாகும்.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா உரை :

பிறரால் விரும்பப்படுபவனிடம் சேரும் செல்வம், உண்ணத் தகும், கனிதரும் மரம் ஊருக்கு உள்ளே பழுத்திருப்பதைப் போல எல்லார்க்கும் பொதுவாகும்.

English Translation:

Payanmaram Ulloorp Pazhuththatraal Selvam
Nayanutai Yaankan Patin

Explanation:

The wealth of a man (possessed of the virtue) of benevolence is like the ripening of a fruitful tree in the midst of a town

Riches falling upon the benevolent, resemble
a ripe tree laden with fruits, in the middle of a village.

DT: 15 Nov 2016

Division I : Aram (Righteousness), Chapter 22: Awareness of, and alignment, to the ways of the world, Kural : 215

*Division I : Aram (Righteousness)*

*Chapter 22: Awareness of, and alignment, to the ways of the world*

*Kural : 215*

ஊருணி நீர்நிறைந் தற்றே உலகவாம்
பேரறி வாளன் திரு.

*மு.வ உரை :*

ஒப்புரவினால் உலகம் வாழுமாறு விரும்பும் பேரறிவாளியின் செல்வம்  ஊரார் நீருண்ணும் குளம் நீரால் நிறைந்தாற் போன்றது.

*கலைஞர் உரை :*

பொதுநல நோக்குடன் வாழ்கின்ற பேரறிவாளனின் செல்வமானது ஊர் மக்கள் அனைவருக்கும் பயன் தரும் நீர் நிறைந்த ஊருணியைப் போன்றதாகும்.

*சாலமன் பாப்பையா உரை :*

உலகின் வளர்ச்சிப் போக்கை அறிந்து செயற்படும் பேர் அறிவாளனின் செல்வம், நீர் நிறைந்த ஊருணி எல்லார்க்கும் பொதுவாவது போல் பொதுவாகும்.

*English Translation:*

Ooruni Neernirain Thatre Ulakavaam
Perari Vaalan Thiru

*Explanation:*

The wealth of that man of eminent knowledge who desires to exercise the benevolence approved of by the world  is like the full waters of a city tank

The wealth of the wise one who loves, and is loved by, the world,
is like a public pond brimming with water.

*DT: 14 Nov 2016*

Problems? One more

Weekly Knowledge #267
European Ashram
24 Aug 2000
Germany

PROBLEMS? ONE MORE

The first solution to the problem is not to have the problem at all. (Laughter)

The second thing is to willingly accept the problem and see it as a challenge.

Third, know that the problem is a boogey man, it is not real.

Fourth, know that nature has provided you the solution even before giving you the problem. First you met me and then you had a problem (Laughter). When it snows, there are no bacteria since no herbs to heal you grow in that season. In the spring, the herbs come first and then the bugs. In the summer, the shade comes before the summer sun gets strong. So, nature takes good care of you.

Sabya: What if the longing is a problem?

Sri Sri: Longing ripens you. Do not solve all your problems. At least keep one of them. You need something to munch on - and life goes on...

🌸 Jai Guru Dev 🌸

A secret to increase satva

Navratri is that time of the year that is rich with colors, tradition, songs and dance. It is also a very sacred time, especially for a spiritual seeker. It is a time when we withdraw from the world of senses and rest through spiritual techniques to uncover the potential for greater bliss, joy and enthusiasm in our lives.

This movement from the outer to the inner can happen effortlessly only when the quality of sattva rises in us and fasting is one of the ways to increase the sattva level in us.

What is sattva?

This world is made up of five elements and these five elements have three qualities:

Sattva – the quality that brings forth positivity

Rajas – the quality that brings forth activity

Tamas – the quality that brings forth inertia

All spiritual practices such as meditation, chanting, fasting, silence increases the level of sattva in us. When sattva increases, it brings forth knowledge, alertness, awareness and joy in life, as these qualities come along with sattva. That is why taking out time to follow all these practices is very meaningful. It enhances the quality of life and brings forth more joy and happiness.

Fasting greatly increases the sattva level of the body as it detoxifies and cleanses the system, which many a times gets stressed by overindulgence in food.

Tips to increase sattva daily:

#1. Eat food at regular times.

#2. Consume the right amount of food and as required.  

#3. Gently spiced food is preferable.

#4. Meditate!  

Education

Weekly Knowledge #256
Bangalore Ashram
07 Jun 2000
India

EDUCATION

Education has five aspects

1. Information -- Often we think information is education, but it is only one aspect of education.

2. Concepts -- Concepts are the basis for all research. You need to conceive in order to create.

3. Attitude -- An integral aspect of education is cultivating the right attitude. Proper attitude at the right time and place determines your actions and behavior.

4. Imagination -- Imagination is essential for creativity, for the arts. But if you get stuck in imagination, you may become psychotic.

5. Freedom -- Freedom is your very nature. Only with freedom, do joy, generosity and other human values blossom. Without freedom, attitudes become stifling, concepts become a burden, information is of no value and imagination becomes stagnant.

🌸 Jai Guru Dev 🌸

Compassion and Karma

Weekly Knowledge #221
Bangalore Ashram
15 Sep 1999
India

Compassion and Karma

There are two types of compassion. One is the compassion of the wise, one is that of the ignorant.

An ignorant person's compassion is on the fruit of an action whereas a wise person's compassion is towards the non-availability of knowledge. Compassion for suffering shows ignorance. Suffering comes because of karma, and if you believe in karma, where is compassion? One reaps the fruit of one's actions.

If a judge has compassion for all the offenders then the jails will be empty. At the same time, are the judges cruel to the offenders? No; the judges' compassion is for the non-availability of knowledge, not for the suffering of the criminals. It is their karma.

Often people think compassion is an act, an action. Know that compassion is your very nature. Then you will see that karma and compassion are not contradictory but complement each other.

Suppose two people come to a hospital. One is suffering from starvation, the other is ill from overeating. What type of compassion should the doctor have towards each of them? This is a riddle for you to solve!

🌸 Jai Guri Dev 🌸

Skill in praising

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
Posted: 08 May 2012

SKILL IN PRAISING

Often, when you praise, you praise in comparison to someone else. In order to praise one person, we put down someone else and when we want to point out somebody's mistake we praise another.

Some are stingy in praising, and some are shy.

And some others are simply not used to.

Some praise with motives, and some others just to elevate.

Others praise themselves in order to hide their low self-esteem.

The real praise dawns in a blossomed state of consciousness.

The praise that comes out of an elevated state of consciousness is simply its nature and is quite different. Normally praise comes out of craving and pride. The praise from a heightened consciousness is always out of fulfilment.

Praising can no doubt elevate the consciousness and bring enthusiasm and energy. At the same time it can also bring arrogance. Praising is a skill.

When someone praises you, do you take it without shying away?

Accepting praise without shyness, is also a skill.

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

Worship

Weekly Knowledge #240
Bangalore Ashram
10 Feb 2000
India

Worship

Do not worship or idolize worship. Idolizing without a sense of  belongingness is always futile.  Such worship only causes fear and distance.  And there are others who are  paranoid about  worship. They get irritated by seeing others worshipping. The modes of worship or idolizing may be different in different parts of the world. Some worship the pope ; others worship the pop stars.  Some are crazy about the politicians. Look at all the children. They  worship  their heroes  all  over  the walls.  Just adoration makes you a fan. Having a sense of belongingness and seeing the Divinity in those whom you adore, makes you a saint.

Raghu: You mean we can see Divinity in a pop star or politician.

Guruji: If You can;..A Divinity that is distorted ( laughter) Those who worship without a sense of belongingness and those who are against worship are in  the same boat  as both are clogged with fear.  In  the  Bible, it says, " I am your God. And  you shall have no other before  me. "  The same is said in the ancient Indian scriptures. "One who worships God as separate from the "I am" consciousness is dull headed". And  " Poojo aur na deva".Do not worship other Gods. The offering, the offered and the offerer are all ONE.

🌸 Jai Guru Dev 🌸

CAUSE OF SUFFERING

CAUSE OF SUFFERING
When you get hurt, it's your karma. You must have hurt somebody sometime and so you got it back now. Nothing happens without a reason. This is the highest knowledge.
So, some Masters will always say that if you are suffering, it's not because of somebody, it's because of you only. You better suffer and get rid of it.
Instead of that, if you say, "That person is responsible for my suffering", then you are making more karma and carrying it on to the next lifetime. But if you say, "My suffering is because of me, and I take ownership of the karma", then you become free.
Saying, "My suffering is due to that person", will continue the karma because that impression will be there in your mind. Why are you not looking inside? Why are you not moving on? Why are you holding onto an event of the past and blaming the other person for your karma? If you do this then you will continue to be miserable.
~~Gurudev HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji