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Saturday, March 3, 2012
Guru Punch!
Do not brand anyone as negative. Have compassion for his or her ignorance. Your prayers to change them will help them and you ~ Sri Sri
Wisdom from Guruji !!
Q: Guruji, please tell us what is Chitta?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Chitta is like Aakaasha (sky), that which is present everywhere inside us. Consciousness is also known as Chitta – Chaitanya Shakti (conscious energy). Chiti, Chaitanya, Chitta – just like water, ice and vapor – are all different forms of the same Chitta. When it solidifies, it is called Chitta, when it becomes fluid it is called Chiti.
Q: Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Because there are so many thoughts wandering in your mind, with the sound of the bells you come into the present. Your thoughts come to a halt.
The drummers beat large drums, play the Naadaswaram, shehnai, bells, and conch. All these sounds are made so that your mind becomes quieter.
Your mind is like a kid. When a kid is crying, you cry louder than the kid and the kid becomes quiet. Have you noticed that? In the same way, when there is so much noise in your mind and too many thoughts, they blow the conch, ring the bell and with all the sounds, the mind comes to the present moment.
With so much noise around, the mind cannot think. It cannot wander. So it is used as a technique.
All outside sounds suppress the sound of the mind for a little while. This short-term suppression should lead the mind to silence. Once it goes into the depths of meditation, all words feel burdensome. But when the mind is full of words, and you are troubled by too many thoughts, these sounds bring relief. Have you seen in the Buddhist monastery, there is a big gong? They ring the gong and that vibration will keep you silent. So, from sound to silence, the journey is very important.
Q: Why did God create good-looking and bad-looking people? Is it a result of their past karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
You think somebody is bad-looking? Ask their mother or their grandmother. They never think their children are bad. And, what do you mean by good-looking and bad-looking? How long can you stay? The most good-looking, after sometime don’t look so nice.
It is not in the outer appearance, it is the spirit, the inner soul. Look at the spirit inside, there is inner beauty. That beauty of the spirit is undying. It increases day by day. It increases with age also.
Wisdom and maturity bring so much beauty. Beauty is not just some appearance.
Similarly, ugliness is not out of appearance. Somebody may look very good with good makeup, but if their heart is very ugly and the mind is all twisted and full of negativity, however nice they may appear, their vibrations will tell you that they are not beautiful. Yes?
So, it is the mind that makes one beautiful.
Q: What is the relationship between the seven chakras and the seven levels of existence?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just the number is same.
Q: Guruji, there is a Yoga Rave this Friday in Bangalore. Can you ask everybody to come?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In Bangalore, there is a Yoga Rave at the ‘Taj City’. Very Good! Go ahead. Rock the city!
Q: Is there life after death? They say there are seven births. Are the seven births clubbed with the human birth or after human birth?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is life after death. We will have to come back. We shall keep coming back. There is nothing like seven, it can be any number.
Q: Guruji, what is the significance of silence in our life and how can we maintain silence in our daily routine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is no need to maintain silence in our daily routine, but there is also no need to speak too much! If you maintain some silence, you will think before you speak. If you keep talking, you yourself will not understand what you are saying.
Q: Guruji, I only want to do seva, sadhana and remain in knowledge. But right now, my mind is going in all other directions, being attracted towards guys and all that. I don't want to be in that position. I want my mind to be with you. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You want to get married? Yes good! Go ahead and find the right guy and get married. Put your name in the Art of Living matrimonial. They will find some suitable person, or you find yourself.
Q: Guruji, some pictures have been taken of people during meditation and it has been found that white patches come on the skin. Many times it is said that these are reflective dust particles.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is ok. While doing meditation, all angels and gods are there around us.
Q: Guruji, I don't want to get married.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Okay! If you don't want to get married, it’s fine.
Q: Guruji, they say one should not step out on the night of Amavasya (new moon). Why is that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In the ancient times, it used to be extremely dark on the Amavasya night and there was no electricity. People used to advise against going out so that one does not accidentally step on a snake or fall into a ditch. Even then, it is not that one should not travel on the night of Amavasya.
There is some effect of planetary positions also.
Q: Guruji, what is the essence of life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Q: How do I express my thoughts effectively? I think one thing and say something completely different.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You have already asked this question effectively, that you want to express your thoughts.
Do more of advance courses. Don’t you see you have already improved?
How much have you improved? 50% you have improved? So you already know how you can improve another 50%. More advance courses.
Also repeat the basic courses. Don't think I have already done the basic course once, no!
If you repeat it, it brings you to a higher plane every time.
Q: Guruji, if a boy and a girl are getting married, should horoscopes be matched or not?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You can match horoscopes, it is fine. If there is a match it is really good, but if the horoscopes don’t match, it is okay. Just pray! Everything is acceptable.
Q: Guruji, we are trying to establish a gaushala (cow shed) but we are not achieving much success.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Anything you start, you will face some difficulty initially.
In agriculture also, after doing so much farming, there is no profit, isn’t it? A little bit of difficulty will be there.
Q: Guruji, what is the significance of netra daan (eye donation)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The significance of eye donation is that even after you, your eyes will be of use to someone.
Q: Guruji, once people do the course then slowly they move away from this. Suggest a plan to unite them all. Also, I am going home tomorrow, please be with me!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Conduct programs and satsangs everywhere and give some responsibility to each one of them. If you give them the responsibility then they will do it.
If those who have come as guests, we think and treat them as guests, then they will come and go as guests. But if we see them as responsible people, then the interest will dawn in them too.
Do not discriminate based on caste, do not discriminate based on religion, do not discriminate based on gender – this person is man or woman – do not discriminate based on that. Look for the One in all. Everyone has the same radiance (noor), the same soul. This is all I will say.
Q: In our country, there are so many spiritual organizations but they do not join together for any common cause. If this division remains, how will the world become one family?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! We are ready. We also keep inviting other organizations to join in and take everyone along. There is a verse by Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Ekla chalo re’ – go alone, if anyone joins in – well and good, but you continue onward.
Q: Guruji, I want to know if Gurus also feel helpless before their devotees.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Absolutely! They are the servants of their devotees.
Q: Guruji, how can we practice yama (restraint) and niyama (discipline) in our seva?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Be centered, meditate regularly, and have a sankalpa (resolution) in your mind that you have to exercise yama and niyama. Keep your sankalpa strong. Once or twice, even if you slip from it, you will come back.
Q: Guruji, how do you get to know of our problems before we even speak them out? And even before we can do something, they get solved and I am sure that it’s all because of you. Please tell me how does this happen?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why should I tell you my secret?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Chitta is like Aakaasha (sky), that which is present everywhere inside us. Consciousness is also known as Chitta – Chaitanya Shakti (conscious energy). Chiti, Chaitanya, Chitta – just like water, ice and vapor – are all different forms of the same Chitta. When it solidifies, it is called Chitta, when it becomes fluid it is called Chiti.
Q: Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Because there are so many thoughts wandering in your mind, with the sound of the bells you come into the present. Your thoughts come to a halt.
The drummers beat large drums, play the Naadaswaram, shehnai, bells, and conch. All these sounds are made so that your mind becomes quieter.
Your mind is like a kid. When a kid is crying, you cry louder than the kid and the kid becomes quiet. Have you noticed that? In the same way, when there is so much noise in your mind and too many thoughts, they blow the conch, ring the bell and with all the sounds, the mind comes to the present moment.
With so much noise around, the mind cannot think. It cannot wander. So it is used as a technique.
All outside sounds suppress the sound of the mind for a little while. This short-term suppression should lead the mind to silence. Once it goes into the depths of meditation, all words feel burdensome. But when the mind is full of words, and you are troubled by too many thoughts, these sounds bring relief. Have you seen in the Buddhist monastery, there is a big gong? They ring the gong and that vibration will keep you silent. So, from sound to silence, the journey is very important.
Q: Why did God create good-looking and bad-looking people? Is it a result of their past karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
You think somebody is bad-looking? Ask their mother or their grandmother. They never think their children are bad. And, what do you mean by good-looking and bad-looking? How long can you stay? The most good-looking, after sometime don’t look so nice.
It is not in the outer appearance, it is the spirit, the inner soul. Look at the spirit inside, there is inner beauty. That beauty of the spirit is undying. It increases day by day. It increases with age also.
Wisdom and maturity bring so much beauty. Beauty is not just some appearance.
Similarly, ugliness is not out of appearance. Somebody may look very good with good makeup, but if their heart is very ugly and the mind is all twisted and full of negativity, however nice they may appear, their vibrations will tell you that they are not beautiful. Yes?
So, it is the mind that makes one beautiful.
Q: What is the relationship between the seven chakras and the seven levels of existence?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just the number is same.
Q: Guruji, there is a Yoga Rave this Friday in Bangalore. Can you ask everybody to come?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In Bangalore, there is a Yoga Rave at the ‘Taj City’. Very Good! Go ahead. Rock the city!
Q: Is there life after death? They say there are seven births. Are the seven births clubbed with the human birth or after human birth?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is life after death. We will have to come back. We shall keep coming back. There is nothing like seven, it can be any number.
Q: Guruji, what is the significance of silence in our life and how can we maintain silence in our daily routine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is no need to maintain silence in our daily routine, but there is also no need to speak too much! If you maintain some silence, you will think before you speak. If you keep talking, you yourself will not understand what you are saying.
Q: Guruji, I only want to do seva, sadhana and remain in knowledge. But right now, my mind is going in all other directions, being attracted towards guys and all that. I don't want to be in that position. I want my mind to be with you. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You want to get married? Yes good! Go ahead and find the right guy and get married. Put your name in the Art of Living matrimonial. They will find some suitable person, or you find yourself.
Q: Guruji, some pictures have been taken of people during meditation and it has been found that white patches come on the skin. Many times it is said that these are reflective dust particles.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is ok. While doing meditation, all angels and gods are there around us.
Q: Guruji, I don't want to get married.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Okay! If you don't want to get married, it’s fine.
Q: Guruji, they say one should not step out on the night of Amavasya (new moon). Why is that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In the ancient times, it used to be extremely dark on the Amavasya night and there was no electricity. People used to advise against going out so that one does not accidentally step on a snake or fall into a ditch. Even then, it is not that one should not travel on the night of Amavasya.
There is some effect of planetary positions also.
Q: Guruji, what is the essence of life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Oh, you want to know the essence of life? Very good! Just keep coming and sitting here. It will reveal itself one day.
Q: How do I express my thoughts effectively? I think one thing and say something completely different.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You have already asked this question effectively, that you want to express your thoughts.
Do more of advance courses. Don’t you see you have already improved?
How much have you improved? 50% you have improved? So you already know how you can improve another 50%. More advance courses.
Also repeat the basic courses. Don't think I have already done the basic course once, no!
If you repeat it, it brings you to a higher plane every time.
Q: Guruji, if a boy and a girl are getting married, should horoscopes be matched or not?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You can match horoscopes, it is fine. If there is a match it is really good, but if the horoscopes don’t match, it is okay. Just pray! Everything is acceptable.
Q: Guruji, we are trying to establish a gaushala (cow shed) but we are not achieving much success.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Anything you start, you will face some difficulty initially.
In agriculture also, after doing so much farming, there is no profit, isn’t it? A little bit of difficulty will be there.
Q: Guruji, what is the significance of netra daan (eye donation)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The significance of eye donation is that even after you, your eyes will be of use to someone.
Q: Guruji, once people do the course then slowly they move away from this. Suggest a plan to unite them all. Also, I am going home tomorrow, please be with me!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Conduct programs and satsangs everywhere and give some responsibility to each one of them. If you give them the responsibility then they will do it.
If those who have come as guests, we think and treat them as guests, then they will come and go as guests. But if we see them as responsible people, then the interest will dawn in them too.
Go home happily. I am always with you - all the Sri Lankan and Tamil Nadu people.
Q: Guruji, it’s said that when we have your grace only then we get answers to our questions. And some say that we should keep asking you the question until you answer. So which is the right way? How do we get answers out of you?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now that you have asked, I am the answer to all the questions. What can I answer? Does any question remain in your mind when you come in front of me? Everything clears out, right? Then it is fine.
Q: Guruji, it’s said that when we have your grace only then we get answers to our questions. And some say that we should keep asking you the question until you answer. So which is the right way? How do we get answers out of you?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now that you have asked, I am the answer to all the questions. What can I answer? Does any question remain in your mind when you come in front of me? Everything clears out, right? Then it is fine.
In the Upanishads, there is a saying that all the questions disappear when the heart opens up.
I think I said it about four days ago. That happens here, isn't it? Your questions disappear, right? Yes! Here we are making an effort to bring out some question so that we can have some conversation, unlike yesterday.
Otherwise, I have nothing to say and you have nothing to hear and you are happy and I am happy. We are in a happy-happy world. So we do not speak through words, we speak through energy, isn't it!
Q: Guruji, in Rajasthan, they have deep faith in Sati Mata. Shiva’s consort is worshipped as Sati. Is the Sati Mata of Rajasthan and Shiva’s Sati one and the same, or different?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: All are forms of Shakti; there is only one Sati. It is Shiva’s Shakti which is worshipped in different forms by people.
But the ritual that someone became a sati, (a ritual where the widow immolates herself on her husband’s funeral pyre) – is nowhere. Had this tradition been there, in the Mahabharata, Kunti would have become sati, but Kunti never became sati. Similarly, there were many other maternal figures whose life existed even after their husbands (died). They did not become sati.
I think I said it about four days ago. That happens here, isn't it? Your questions disappear, right? Yes! Here we are making an effort to bring out some question so that we can have some conversation, unlike yesterday.
Otherwise, I have nothing to say and you have nothing to hear and you are happy and I am happy. We are in a happy-happy world. So we do not speak through words, we speak through energy, isn't it!
Q: Guruji, in Rajasthan, they have deep faith in Sati Mata. Shiva’s consort is worshipped as Sati. Is the Sati Mata of Rajasthan and Shiva’s Sati one and the same, or different?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: All are forms of Shakti; there is only one Sati. It is Shiva’s Shakti which is worshipped in different forms by people.
But the ritual that someone became a sati, (a ritual where the widow immolates herself on her husband’s funeral pyre) – is nowhere. Had this tradition been there, in the Mahabharata, Kunti would have become sati, but Kunti never became sati. Similarly, there were many other maternal figures whose life existed even after their husbands (died). They did not become sati.
It was somewhere in the middle-ages that this trend started. It should not be done. It is not right.
In the shastras, in our Vedas, nowhere is it written that man is superior and woman is inferior, or woman is superior and man is less – that is not the case. All are equal. Women, men, all are the same.Do not discriminate based on caste, do not discriminate based on religion, do not discriminate based on gender – this person is man or woman – do not discriminate based on that. Look for the One in all. Everyone has the same radiance (noor), the same soul. This is all I will say.
Q: In our country, there are so many spiritual organizations but they do not join together for any common cause. If this division remains, how will the world become one family?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! We are ready. We also keep inviting other organizations to join in and take everyone along. There is a verse by Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Ekla chalo re’ – go alone, if anyone joins in – well and good, but you continue onward.
Q: Guruji, I want to know if Gurus also feel helpless before their devotees.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Absolutely! They are the servants of their devotees.
Q: Guruji, how can we practice yama (restraint) and niyama (discipline) in our seva?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Be centered, meditate regularly, and have a sankalpa (resolution) in your mind that you have to exercise yama and niyama. Keep your sankalpa strong. Once or twice, even if you slip from it, you will come back.
Q: Guruji, how do you get to know of our problems before we even speak them out? And even before we can do something, they get solved and I am sure that it’s all because of you. Please tell me how does this happen?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why should I tell you my secret?
Friday, March 2, 2012
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 - Verse 9
Chapter 1 -- Verse 9
Verse: anye ca bahavah sura
mad-arthe tyakta-jivitah
nana-shastra-praharanah
sarve yuddha-visaradah
mad-arthe tyakta-jivitah
nana-shastra-praharanah
sarve yuddha-visaradah
Translation: There are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake. All of them are well equipped with different kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.
AOL Knowledge Sheet!----Compare your performance
As we flip the calendar, we need to keep flipping our mind as well. Often, our diaries are full with memories. See that you don’t fill your future dates with past events. Allow the space for creativity to dawn. Celebration of the New Year allows you to be wise. Learn and unlearn from the past, and move on.
In the past year, how many days were you in sanyas? How many days were you struggling, being caught in maya? Turn back and remember the whole year. Do not run away from anything. Do not reject anything. Do not go away from anything. At the same time, let your attention be on the self. This is a delicate balance. That balance is yoga.
A poor man celebrates the New Year once a year. A rich man celebrates each day. But the richest man celebrates every moment.
How rich are you? If you celebrate every moment, you are the Lord of Creation. Review the year while you celebrate. This is your homework. Compare your performance in the year before last and smile.
The year 2011 is fortunate because you are living at this time!!! When you are living for the sake of the world, the world is fortunate. Let time celebrate your presence. You keep smiling as ever.
When you let time celebrate you, you are a witness amid celebration. The heart always longs for the old, the mind for the new. Life is a combination of both. Let the New Year bring into our life ancient wisdom and modernity, as life is incomplete without either of them. Don’t feel shy to speak about human and spiritual values. The time has come now to call the whole world!
Be ever new, happy you!!!!
In the past year, how many days were you in sanyas? How many days were you struggling, being caught in maya? Turn back and remember the whole year. Do not run away from anything. Do not reject anything. Do not go away from anything. At the same time, let your attention be on the self. This is a delicate balance. That balance is yoga.
A poor man celebrates the New Year once a year. A rich man celebrates each day. But the richest man celebrates every moment.
How rich are you? If you celebrate every moment, you are the Lord of Creation. Review the year while you celebrate. This is your homework. Compare your performance in the year before last and smile.
The year 2011 is fortunate because you are living at this time!!! When you are living for the sake of the world, the world is fortunate. Let time celebrate your presence. You keep smiling as ever.
When you let time celebrate you, you are a witness amid celebration. The heart always longs for the old, the mind for the new. Life is a combination of both. Let the New Year bring into our life ancient wisdom and modernity, as life is incomplete without either of them. Don’t feel shy to speak about human and spiritual values. The time has come now to call the whole world!
Be ever new, happy you!!!!
Patanjali Yoga Sutras
Patanjali Yoga Sutras - Knowledge Sheet 9
Is practice alone enough? Patanjali says “No”. There are two oxen, which pull a cart. The two wheels of this cart areabhyasa (practice) on one side and vairagya (dispassion) on the other.
What is vairagya?
Drishtanu shravikavishaya vitrush’asya vashikara sanjna vairagyam
Dispassion is that state of supremacy of consciousness in the one free from the thirst of the perceptible and celestial enjoyment.
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra #15
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra #15
The mind gallops towards the world of passion. You just keep quiet, close your eyes or open your eyes or do anything. Where does your mind go? It travels towards the sense of sight. You want to see something somewhere.
Or the mind runs towards the sense of smell, taste, sound and touch. Do you see that? Or it gallops towards something it has heard. It has never seen but it has read some thoughts. This craving for any of these experiences in the mind can stop you from being in the present moment.
Even a few moments of retrieving our senses, the craving or thirst for objects and going back to the Source is vairagya. Are you getting this? This is another basic requirement for meditation. Whenever you want to meditate, your mind should be in dispassion. Without dispassion, your meditation is no good and cannot provide the rest that you are longing for.
Your mind is tired and bogged down by galloping through desires
It is so tired. Just turn back and see all the desires you have had. Have they given you rest? No. They have only created a few more desires and the few more desires, which come, have they given you rest? No. They have given you more, for you to achieve more and have another trip on the merry-go-round. You are not just here, you just go round. You know, the merry-go-round has horses, which do not go anywhere. They just go round in the same place.Stuck in this illusion, you travel miles and miles but go nowhere. This is what desire does to you.
There are two types of arguments even in this. “The sage has said that you should not have desires; so I will not desire anything” is one argument. Now, saying “I do not want any desire” becomes another desire. Some people do this and that is beating around the bush. Some people are on a trip to destroy their desires.
Guru Punch!
You are being loved very dearly. This reminder softens you, brings about miracles around you and changes your life ~ Sri Sri
Wisdom from Guruji !!
Q: Guruji, sometimes you tell us, ‘Karmanye Vadhikaraste’ (action) and sometimes you tell us ‘Vishraam mein Ram hai’ (rest). Should I be resting or should I be performing action?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Opposite values are complimentary. If you work, you will be able to rest well; if you rest, you will be able to work well. Without doing any work, if you just lie around, you will not even be able to rest, and if you keep working without taking rest, you will not be able to do your work either. So rest and activity both go hand in hand.
Q: Guruji, does one attain knowledge according to his karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For attaining knowledge the desire for knowledge should be awakened. Now if you ask me, is the desire for knowledge based on one’s karma? Yes! But knowledge eliminates karma.
Q: Guruji, what all should be done to maintain discipline in one’s life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First thing is there should be a desire in the mind to be disciplined, once that is there then consider it already done.
Discipline is there because of three reasons:
First is love. Although in love there is no need for discipline, but through love, discipline can be achieved.
Second is fear. Suppose you say to someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will fall sick,’ then that person will become disciplined out of fear of sickness.
Third is greed. Suppose you tell someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will incur a loss,’ that person will become disciplined out of greed.
So it is better to have discipline out of unconditional love; that is the best.
Q: Guruji, it has often been seen that the very news of your arrival to a particular city starts a fight. Why does seva instigate so much controversy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First a fight has to start, only then the Gita begins!
Yes, before my arrival in any city, a fight begins. I have also heard about this before.
‘Where will Guruji stay, in whose house will he stay?’ And each one will say, ‘my place’. I will do like that and I will do like this… that is how it all starts. What to do? I wonder!
There is no love without conflict and there is no conflict without love. Somewhere or the other, the two must come together.
Q: Guruji, to retain the state acquired in meditation, what should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just keep doing what you are doing now. You have to continue doing it, again and again. ‘Baar baar Raghuveer samai’: Again and again meditate.
So do meditation, sadhana and satsang and talk about it as well. Anything that is in your speech, the mind and in action gets firmly established.
If you do your sadhana and the rest of the time you keep talking about petty things, whatever juice you got after your sadhana will start fading away. That is why in speech also, let that state find expression. Whenever you talk, talk about knowledge, talk about love. Then you will see it gets more firmly established in you. This is the importance of satsang.
In satsang we talk about the good things, we talk about knowledge, meditation and miracles.
You talk about miracles happening in someone’s life – isn’t this what you discuss? How many of you talk like this, only about miracles? What happens when you talk only about miracles? Every day something new happens in your life and so many new lessons are learnt.
So the mind becomes strong with these kinds of discussions.
Q: Guruji can I be in silence whenever I want? I feel it will benefit me a lot.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Ask others and see; ask your family members!
But do not keep silence that will cause inconvenience or suffering to others. Speak less and speak only as much as is needed.
You must speak ‘Meeta Bhaashi’ (friendly speech), ‘Geeta Bhaashi’ (melodious/pleasant speech), ‘Priya Bhaashi’ (loving speech)’ and ‘Satya Bhaashi (Truth)’ – speak less, speak beneficial, speak pleasant and speak the truth.
Q: Guruji, what should one ask for from a Satguru? Is there a need for prayer when a Satguru is there?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Whatever need arises, you ask, that is why it is called ‘need’. You can’t sit and think what I should ask. Whatever is your requirement, whatever is your need that will come as a question, as a request, yes!
Q: Guruji, when consciousness is formless, should we have faith in the forms also or just have faith in the formless?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you have reached the formless, it is fine! Forms are just part of the formless.
You can’t relate to the formless, so you relate to the forms when your eyes are open. But when you close your eyes and go deep in meditation, then only you can relate to the formless.
That is how you begin, but later on you will find whether eyes are open or closed, you are with the formless.
Q: Guruji, when I focus on my work or sadhna, my relationships suffer. I want to focus on my sadhna, yet want people around me to be happy. How do I achieve this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Skillfully! You have to do both. It will come spontaneously.
Q: Guruji, sometimes I don’t have time to do seva. Is donation also considered as seva?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! That is also seva.
See, whatever is possible for you, that is what is seva.
Suppose, you cannot lift a stone, you don’t need to do it. You shouldn’t do what you cannot do. If someone else can do it, you can make them lift the stone that is also part of seva. In the same way, if you cannot go and teach a student yourself, you can help through another teacher. They can teach.
So seva is that what you can do, yes!
If you have time, you can give time. If you have money, you can give money. In whichever way you help, it is called seva.
Q: Gurudev, you have so many disciples. How do you keep track of each disciple’s spiritual progress?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is my trade secret! (Guruji says laughing!)
Q: Dearest Guruji, any valentine in the world pampers his partner, reciprocates the love, etc. How can we find the same satisfaction in the Divine Valentine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Divine has already pampered you enough. Know that you are already pampered so much. And it will continue.
Q: Guruji, how do we avoid ‘Karma Bandhan’ (bondage due to actions) in our daily life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Karma Bandhan is when there is some craving or there is some aversion. Both craving and aversion we call as ‘Karma Bandhan’.
So when you do an action without aversion or craving, with a smile, with a free mind and a clean heart, then there is no bondage. Such kind of action brings that inner freedom too.
Q: Can you please say something for the people who are visually impaired?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Being visually impaired is not an impediment for growth. You all should remember this.
Surdas, a great saint of this country was visually impaired. Dhritarashtra was an emperor who ruled India and he too was visually impaired. So there are many examples.
Swami Shraddhananda, one of the greatest saints of this century was visually impaired. Just few decades ago, he attained his final abode.
Swami Shraddhanandaji used to go to Brindavan to see the temple every day. Someone asked him, ‘Swamiji, you can’t see, and there is a big rush in the temple, why do you go there? What do you see?’ He smiled and replied, ‘If I don’t see, at least the Lord is seeing me. He wants to see me, that is why I am going there. So it doesn’t matter if I cannot see. Do you think He is also unable to see me? Let Him see me. He feels happy by my going there.’
So, this is the depth of devotion, depth of love and the confidence – that the Divinity loves me. You should not ask proof of Divine’s love for you. You should never ask that. Always know that the Divine loves me, that is it! Full stop! No question mark in front of that.
Same with everybody in your day to day life also, don’t question others love for you.
Does Guruji love me? This question should not be there at all. Similarly, my friend loves me or not, my husband loves me or not, or my wife loves me or not - don’t put question marks in front of love. Simply believe they love you and move on. Whatever their behavior is immaterial.
Q: Guruji, God is the operator of this creation and God is our Father. Then why does misery, poverty and ignorance exist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Someone asked a saint this same question, ‘Why does sorrow exist in this world?’ The saint said, ‘God has kept it for me. Why? Because in spite of there being sorrow I am unable to renounce this world, how would I renounce it if there was no sorrow? And if I don’t renounce it, how will I be able to turn my attention towards God?’
The attention never turns to God.
So the saint said, ‘Sorrow exists so that I do not get caught up in the world. Even after there being so much sorrow, I am so caught up here, and I do not turn towards God. That is why God made this (world) sorrowful, so that one can enjoy it for a little while, and then renounce it and turn back towards God.’ That is why it is said, ‘Dukh mein sumiran sab karen, sukh mein kare na koye, sukh mein sumiran jo kare, dukh kaahe ko hoye.’
Q: Guruji, what is the difference between Guru, Dharma Guru and Satguru?
The other question is, it is believed that in this universe, in any given era, there is only one Satguru; so who is that Satguru, and if it is you, please answer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is said, ‘Mere Guru hi jagat Guru hain – mere naath hi Jagat ke naath hain’ (My master is the master of this Universe) – this is what one should believe, and this is the truth.
Dharma Guru, Jagat Guru or Sat Guru, these are just different names - what is it that you need – take it and move ahead.
One who speaks about the truth is Satguru. Satguru cannot be someone’s name. Who is a Satguru? One who shows you the truth.
Just as there is a Sangeet Guru (music teacher), there is a Satguru (Guru of truth). Satguru is one who makes you aware of what is truth, what is untruth, what is this world, what is the soul. The one who teaches you to understand these distinctions is called Satguru.
Q: If everything is pre-destined then why does a human being need to do anything?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Though everything is destined, man has to make efforts to get what he likes and what he wants. For example, if you want sunlight in your house, you need to open the windows and doors to see it. You cannot shut the windows and expect the sunlight to come into the house. At the same time you cannot open the windows and doors at midnight and expect the sunlight.
So you need to make efforts towards your goal and what has to happen will happen. Your efforts and destiny, both go together.
Q: Dear Guruji, no matter how much I meditate, I cannot control my temper. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do not try to control your temper, do pranayama regularly. Try to accept people as they are in this world, never try to change them but accept them.
Keep meditating, if you cannot control your temper even after meditating, imagine the kind of temper you will have without meditating. So meditate and do pranayama and it will gradually decrease.
Q: Guruji, I am following you with all my heart for the last 4 years and I have started growing a beard and wearing white clothes. My parents and wife are very unhappy with me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don’t need to do all that. Shave off your beard and wear normal colored clothes and be normal.
Role model does not mean you have to wear the same type of clothes and everything. No! Be compassionate, be loving and do all the good work you need to do.
Q: Guruji, could you talk on Shivratri and its importance?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Mahashivratri is the day when the Shiva tattva touches the ground, touches the earth. The consciousness which is always ten inches above the material ground; the aura, the ethereal world which is ten inches above the surface, touches the earth element on Mahashivrathri day.
So, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on that day.
Do not eat too much, eat very light and do more meditation, then it helps in fulfillment of desires. This is the ancient belief. It helps you to grow stronger in your being. It is like a new year for a saadhak (seeker), for spiritual growth, spiritual attainment and worldly attainment, so it is considered auspicious.
The night on this day, when the constellations are in some particular position, is very auspicious for meditation. That is the ancient belief.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen on any other day. Any time your heart is open, your mind is calm and steady, prayers do get answered. But Shivratri day is celebrated with the singing of the ancient vedic chants and a ceremony is done, and it is considered a very auspicious time for a spiritual aspirant.
It is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
The material which is eight fold came close to the ethereal which is also eight fold.
So what the eight fold prakriti (nature)? Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego; all these come in contact with the subtle eight, i.e., the Shiva Tattva.
People usually eat very light, some fruits or something and fast. I don’t recommend you fasting without anything. Take some fruits or some light easily digestible food and spend the day awake and at night meditate. You don’t need to do meditation all night. Meditate for some time.
We will have satsang and some celebrations. That’s it!
In fact every day is a very auspicious day because we do satsang every day.
In ancient times, people used to say okay, if you cannot do every day, at least one day in a year, on Shivratri day, do meditation and keep awake.
Wake the Divinity that is deep within you. That is the message. The Divinity is within you, let it wake up!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Opposite values are complimentary. If you work, you will be able to rest well; if you rest, you will be able to work well. Without doing any work, if you just lie around, you will not even be able to rest, and if you keep working without taking rest, you will not be able to do your work either. So rest and activity both go hand in hand.
Q: Guruji, does one attain knowledge according to his karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For attaining knowledge the desire for knowledge should be awakened. Now if you ask me, is the desire for knowledge based on one’s karma? Yes! But knowledge eliminates karma.
Q: Guruji, what all should be done to maintain discipline in one’s life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First thing is there should be a desire in the mind to be disciplined, once that is there then consider it already done.
Discipline is there because of three reasons:
First is love. Although in love there is no need for discipline, but through love, discipline can be achieved.
Second is fear. Suppose you say to someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will fall sick,’ then that person will become disciplined out of fear of sickness.
Third is greed. Suppose you tell someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will incur a loss,’ that person will become disciplined out of greed.
So it is better to have discipline out of unconditional love; that is the best.
Q: Guruji, it has often been seen that the very news of your arrival to a particular city starts a fight. Why does seva instigate so much controversy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First a fight has to start, only then the Gita begins!
Yes, before my arrival in any city, a fight begins. I have also heard about this before.
‘Where will Guruji stay, in whose house will he stay?’ And each one will say, ‘my place’. I will do like that and I will do like this… that is how it all starts. What to do? I wonder!
There is no love without conflict and there is no conflict without love. Somewhere or the other, the two must come together.
Q: Guruji, to retain the state acquired in meditation, what should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just keep doing what you are doing now. You have to continue doing it, again and again. ‘Baar baar Raghuveer samai’: Again and again meditate.
So do meditation, sadhana and satsang and talk about it as well. Anything that is in your speech, the mind and in action gets firmly established.
If you do your sadhana and the rest of the time you keep talking about petty things, whatever juice you got after your sadhana will start fading away. That is why in speech also, let that state find expression. Whenever you talk, talk about knowledge, talk about love. Then you will see it gets more firmly established in you. This is the importance of satsang.
In satsang we talk about the good things, we talk about knowledge, meditation and miracles.
You talk about miracles happening in someone’s life – isn’t this what you discuss? How many of you talk like this, only about miracles? What happens when you talk only about miracles? Every day something new happens in your life and so many new lessons are learnt.
So the mind becomes strong with these kinds of discussions.
Q: Guruji can I be in silence whenever I want? I feel it will benefit me a lot.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Ask others and see; ask your family members!
But do not keep silence that will cause inconvenience or suffering to others. Speak less and speak only as much as is needed.
You must speak ‘Meeta Bhaashi’ (friendly speech), ‘Geeta Bhaashi’ (melodious/pleasant speech), ‘Priya Bhaashi’ (loving speech)’ and ‘Satya Bhaashi (Truth)’ – speak less, speak beneficial, speak pleasant and speak the truth.
Q: Guruji, what should one ask for from a Satguru? Is there a need for prayer when a Satguru is there?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Whatever need arises, you ask, that is why it is called ‘need’. You can’t sit and think what I should ask. Whatever is your requirement, whatever is your need that will come as a question, as a request, yes!
Q: Guruji, when consciousness is formless, should we have faith in the forms also or just have faith in the formless?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you have reached the formless, it is fine! Forms are just part of the formless.
You can’t relate to the formless, so you relate to the forms when your eyes are open. But when you close your eyes and go deep in meditation, then only you can relate to the formless.
That is how you begin, but later on you will find whether eyes are open or closed, you are with the formless.
Q: Guruji, when I focus on my work or sadhna, my relationships suffer. I want to focus on my sadhna, yet want people around me to be happy. How do I achieve this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Skillfully! You have to do both. It will come spontaneously.
Q: Guruji, sometimes I don’t have time to do seva. Is donation also considered as seva?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! That is also seva.
See, whatever is possible for you, that is what is seva.
Suppose, you cannot lift a stone, you don’t need to do it. You shouldn’t do what you cannot do. If someone else can do it, you can make them lift the stone that is also part of seva. In the same way, if you cannot go and teach a student yourself, you can help through another teacher. They can teach.
So seva is that what you can do, yes!
If you have time, you can give time. If you have money, you can give money. In whichever way you help, it is called seva.
Q: Gurudev, you have so many disciples. How do you keep track of each disciple’s spiritual progress?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is my trade secret! (Guruji says laughing!)
Q: Dearest Guruji, any valentine in the world pampers his partner, reciprocates the love, etc. How can we find the same satisfaction in the Divine Valentine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Divine has already pampered you enough. Know that you are already pampered so much. And it will continue.
Q: Guruji, how do we avoid ‘Karma Bandhan’ (bondage due to actions) in our daily life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Karma Bandhan is when there is some craving or there is some aversion. Both craving and aversion we call as ‘Karma Bandhan’.
So when you do an action without aversion or craving, with a smile, with a free mind and a clean heart, then there is no bondage. Such kind of action brings that inner freedom too.
Q: Can you please say something for the people who are visually impaired?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Being visually impaired is not an impediment for growth. You all should remember this.
Surdas, a great saint of this country was visually impaired. Dhritarashtra was an emperor who ruled India and he too was visually impaired. So there are many examples.
Swami Shraddhananda, one of the greatest saints of this century was visually impaired. Just few decades ago, he attained his final abode.
Swami Shraddhanandaji used to go to Brindavan to see the temple every day. Someone asked him, ‘Swamiji, you can’t see, and there is a big rush in the temple, why do you go there? What do you see?’ He smiled and replied, ‘If I don’t see, at least the Lord is seeing me. He wants to see me, that is why I am going there. So it doesn’t matter if I cannot see. Do you think He is also unable to see me? Let Him see me. He feels happy by my going there.’
So, this is the depth of devotion, depth of love and the confidence – that the Divinity loves me. You should not ask proof of Divine’s love for you. You should never ask that. Always know that the Divine loves me, that is it! Full stop! No question mark in front of that.
Same with everybody in your day to day life also, don’t question others love for you.
Does Guruji love me? This question should not be there at all. Similarly, my friend loves me or not, my husband loves me or not, or my wife loves me or not - don’t put question marks in front of love. Simply believe they love you and move on. Whatever their behavior is immaterial.
Q: Guruji, God is the operator of this creation and God is our Father. Then why does misery, poverty and ignorance exist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Someone asked a saint this same question, ‘Why does sorrow exist in this world?’ The saint said, ‘God has kept it for me. Why? Because in spite of there being sorrow I am unable to renounce this world, how would I renounce it if there was no sorrow? And if I don’t renounce it, how will I be able to turn my attention towards God?’
The attention never turns to God.
So the saint said, ‘Sorrow exists so that I do not get caught up in the world. Even after there being so much sorrow, I am so caught up here, and I do not turn towards God. That is why God made this (world) sorrowful, so that one can enjoy it for a little while, and then renounce it and turn back towards God.’ That is why it is said, ‘Dukh mein sumiran sab karen, sukh mein kare na koye, sukh mein sumiran jo kare, dukh kaahe ko hoye.’
Q: Guruji, what is the difference between Guru, Dharma Guru and Satguru?
The other question is, it is believed that in this universe, in any given era, there is only one Satguru; so who is that Satguru, and if it is you, please answer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is said, ‘Mere Guru hi jagat Guru hain – mere naath hi Jagat ke naath hain’ (My master is the master of this Universe) – this is what one should believe, and this is the truth.
Dharma Guru, Jagat Guru or Sat Guru, these are just different names - what is it that you need – take it and move ahead.
One who speaks about the truth is Satguru. Satguru cannot be someone’s name. Who is a Satguru? One who shows you the truth.
Just as there is a Sangeet Guru (music teacher), there is a Satguru (Guru of truth). Satguru is one who makes you aware of what is truth, what is untruth, what is this world, what is the soul. The one who teaches you to understand these distinctions is called Satguru.
Q: If everything is pre-destined then why does a human being need to do anything?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Though everything is destined, man has to make efforts to get what he likes and what he wants. For example, if you want sunlight in your house, you need to open the windows and doors to see it. You cannot shut the windows and expect the sunlight to come into the house. At the same time you cannot open the windows and doors at midnight and expect the sunlight.
So you need to make efforts towards your goal and what has to happen will happen. Your efforts and destiny, both go together.
Q: Dear Guruji, no matter how much I meditate, I cannot control my temper. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do not try to control your temper, do pranayama regularly. Try to accept people as they are in this world, never try to change them but accept them.
Keep meditating, if you cannot control your temper even after meditating, imagine the kind of temper you will have without meditating. So meditate and do pranayama and it will gradually decrease.
Q: Guruji, I am following you with all my heart for the last 4 years and I have started growing a beard and wearing white clothes. My parents and wife are very unhappy with me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don’t need to do all that. Shave off your beard and wear normal colored clothes and be normal.
Role model does not mean you have to wear the same type of clothes and everything. No! Be compassionate, be loving and do all the good work you need to do.
Q: Guruji, could you talk on Shivratri and its importance?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Mahashivratri is the day when the Shiva tattva touches the ground, touches the earth. The consciousness which is always ten inches above the material ground; the aura, the ethereal world which is ten inches above the surface, touches the earth element on Mahashivrathri day.
So, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on that day.
Do not eat too much, eat very light and do more meditation, then it helps in fulfillment of desires. This is the ancient belief. It helps you to grow stronger in your being. It is like a new year for a saadhak (seeker), for spiritual growth, spiritual attainment and worldly attainment, so it is considered auspicious.
The night on this day, when the constellations are in some particular position, is very auspicious for meditation. That is the ancient belief.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen on any other day. Any time your heart is open, your mind is calm and steady, prayers do get answered. But Shivratri day is celebrated with the singing of the ancient vedic chants and a ceremony is done, and it is considered a very auspicious time for a spiritual aspirant.
It is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
The material which is eight fold came close to the ethereal which is also eight fold.
So what the eight fold prakriti (nature)? Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego; all these come in contact with the subtle eight, i.e., the Shiva Tattva.
People usually eat very light, some fruits or something and fast. I don’t recommend you fasting without anything. Take some fruits or some light easily digestible food and spend the day awake and at night meditate. You don’t need to do meditation all night. Meditate for some time.
We will have satsang and some celebrations. That’s it!
In fact every day is a very auspicious day because we do satsang every day.
In ancient times, people used to say okay, if you cannot do every day, at least one day in a year, on Shivratri day, do meditation and keep awake.
Wake the Divinity that is deep within you. That is the message. The Divinity is within you, let it wake up!
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