Satsang 06 May2016

Sri Sri satsang 6/5/16 Friday Have you all heard about Kamalanayana?
It means whose eyes are like lotus. Lotus blossoms in the water but doesn't get wet, the mud doesn't get stuck to it. What we see we take it inside, we get stuck to it. When there is full brightness in the eyes, with all the energy reflected in them with and they don't get affected or have any desire by whatever they see, that's kamalnayanam! One who is not entangled by what it sees or hears has vairagya.

Have you seen the eyes of small children? They are fully open, full of brightness. This happens when we get ' chakit '(wonder struck), when we fall in love. You must be 'chakit' after seeing me. That you have to be! When are astonished suddenly your eyes become big, your mouth opens a bit, your jaw drops, palms open up. Now let’s do Chakit Mudra and go into that space of astonishment and let's meditate.

Q: What is the meaning of “Kumudavadana”?
#SriSri: Both Kamalnayana and Kumudavadana means the same. The other name of Kamal is Kumud. In english it is called Lotus. In Kannada it is ‘Pavrai’. In Tamil and Malayalam it is called ‘Tamrai’. But you don’t get into the trap of different words. What will you do knowing the meaning of so many things? You are not going to give exam right? Just find these meanings in google or in dictionary. Don’t make me your dictionary. Ask me something which is not in the dictionary.

Q: The mind always goes either to the past or to the future. Is it wrong?
#SriSri: No, it is right ! (laughter) That’s the tendency of the mind.

Q: On your 60th birthday (Sashti purthi) what message do you want to give to the Art of living teachers?
#SriSri: One is Teach as many people as you can and bring happiness in their lives. Those who come to your courses, don’t they feel happy? (Yes). Another thing is, don’t blame your own mind. Listen to this carefully. Mind is like your servant. If you like someone the mind automatically runs there and the whole mind is filled with those thoughts. And when your mind starts liking the highest then the other attractions fall off. If there is a bigger goal in life, then the mind does doesn’t run anywhere.But if the liking is because of your greed and lack of faith, then the mind gets stuck in small things.

Q: When I do the hollow and empty meditations, I feel relieved and expanded. My individual existence dissolves. Is this an experience of arriving at Advait bhav(non-dual existence)?
#SriSri: Yes, it is alright to have such experience.

Q: Many times we are focusing on the breath going in and out, but I am not able to understand what it is that we are supposed to focus on?
#SriSri: Don’t focus at all! Again and again I say there is nothing to know and nothing to do during meditation. Meditation is doing nothing, being nothing and wanting nothing. Haven’t you heard this? This is very important and a serious note to remember. In meditation you have to let go. Then why do you want to focus. It is attention on the breath not focus, that too in the beginning. And if you are not able to find where the tip of the nose is and where the breath is moving, that can be because of two situations. One situation is either you are too tired and there is not enough prana in the body. Or you have used your senses too much and the mind is not rested well. Another situation is when you are in deep samadhi then also the mind is so faint, so serene that you don’t even find where the breath is. Even then you have to let go. During meditation, even if there’s little effort in the mind you need to let go. That’s all you need to follow. Then you feel happy, calm and expanded. You feel you are not the body. In meditation there’s nothing to know, nothing to do. Even knowing is a doing of the mind, right? So when you follow this inside, automatically the mind becomes sharper and focussed outside.

Q: I understand that Sakshi bhav (witness conciousness) is 'I am not the body or the mind.' But when there is pain in the body then why do I suffer?
#SriSri: No there’s no suffering in the body, there’s only pain that happens. Pain is just a sensation in the body. With this thought (witnessing the pain) in the mind, the pain in the body diminishes. This is one of the obstacles on the path of yoga. That’s why Maharshi Patanjali has mentioned about the 9 types of obstacles on the path of yoga. With regular practice of yoga all these obstacles go away.

Q. Guruji, what to do when subtle ego comes?
#SriSri: Don’t try to destroy your ego. Make your ego stronger. If you
try to destroy ego then you will get stuck in it. Be natural, be in
simplicity. You all being teachers always get respect in society, the biggest fear you have is that you should not face any insult. Just relax. Your
personality will shine in true sense only when you get insulted, do not fear it. If you get respect then surrender it, and in case you get insult then consider it as penance, be calm and observe the sensations happening inside your body. If there is negativity, unpleasant sensations are generated in the body. As you keep observing, the sensations dissolve. In meditation also when you observe the pain, it dissolves in just few minutes. This does not happen in first sitting, it takes practice. Those who have been doing meditation it works for them. Similarly, whether it is winters or summers, we can bear any season. If you practice this, then no-one in the world can shake you or take you off the track.

#SriSri: A lot work has been done in Naxalite area and villages in Jharkhand. It is really sad that in Jharkhand every election there used to be bloodshed. Many people may not even know that our yuvacharyas are working in those areas. We have seen that since then there was no bloodshed. And our teachers have gone and conducted course in Latihar jail where hardcore militants were there. The youth wanted good for the society, but their way was of violence. I told them you cannot have guns in your hand and transform the society. I told them to drop the bullets and come to ballots. 189 people contested the elections and many have won.

Colours of Joy participants performed a fun dance at the end of the satsang!

Guruji on satsang 05 May 2016

Gurudev in Satsang on 5th May 2016:
There nothing better than meditation to bring coolness to the mind!
Q: sometimes our prayers don't get answered, is it because the nuber of devotees has increased ?
A: Consciousness is like supercomputer and it is one. Whomsoever you connect with, it connects with the same grid. So, it gets answered. Divine consciousness does not have any limitation. It all depends on your own faith
Q: I saw a few pictures of volunteers working in Iraq, where do they get this strength?
A: When inner peace is there, strength comes. This is the real selfless service. There are thousand of children and women trapped in Iraq. There is no food, no medicine. Our Volunteers are constantly thinking how to benefit them. It is such a dangerous atmosphere. This shows the commitment of our volunteers and teachers.
They understand the pain of the people.
In 'Faluja' where ISI is now ruling and other side Iraqi military is present..they are blocking the aid, they had collected 80 tonnes of food and waiting for the permit go to the other side. This is bravery and service without the doer ship.We do it, because we can't but not-do it.
Q: What is the way of the universe? Is it the accident or destiny?

A: When you know there is a cause it is destiny. When you don't know it, its accident.
Q: what is the place of the discipline in life?
A: creativity needs freedom and productivity needs discipline. Life is a combination of both. Many young people have great ideas but they don't have the discipline to translate. Then there are people who can translate but don't have time to even think about ideas.
The crisis management requires creativity. Our education system is based on discipline only. When we cant do the crisis management then we cant rise up to the occasion.
Q: you have so many fans? Is the divinity also fan of the fans?
A:Yes, uf - course. Realizing that there is one consciousness and everyone is part of that.
Q: What can we do to help the climate change?
A: Everyone should be concerned out it. At WCF we have all the religious leaders sign about it that they will talk about this in all the congregation. We have been caring about it from past 35 years, before anyone even talked about it. When the world leaders were just beginning to talk about it, we were already raising the awareness about it.
Q: What is your opinion about student activism in Indian Society?
A: They are the future students of the society and they should start owning it today. They should not sacrificed their studies for it.
they should not be prejudiced about it and not loose logic and reason. Along with this they should keep and open mind.
Sometimes the values like patriotism, which is essential to life, we associate with one particular party or politics...these take us out with reasoning.
When we identify ourselves with some ideology, we become blind to other opinions. Activism should follow the reason, there is nothing wrong with it.
Q: Did god create man in his own image or the man created god in his own image?
A: Its Both ways. What is god? It is an energy that creates, destroys and operates. And man does the same thing.
Do you think that god is somewhere up in sky who will show you little finger and then run away. He is the basis of all the existence. IN fact he is the existence.
Q: When Shiva is the 'adhipati' of all devas then why are all devas invoked?
A: See, you have different body parts and then you have different creams for all parts of the body. Do you apply face cream on feet or hand cream on face?
Same way yagnas are there where different devatas are invoked for different reasons. There is a connection b/w macro and the micro cosmos.
The cosmos have specific vibrations and they effect differently. They affect each other.
You doing something here will not affect the sun, but you holding the umbrella will definitely save you from the effect of the sun.
All the different navagrahas come on the specific vehicles? What is the vehicle? A goat carries with it Mars. So every animals brings down a specific vibration from the nature... so its a fascinating thing when we go deeper in this.
Earlier people did not realize that even a butterfly has an effect on the food. In America when they had spread the pesticides, they did not consider that butterfly or the pest can have an effect on the food production. Now They are bringing them in the containers.
So, all the things have a role to play in the nature. See everything as a part of the whole.
Then at your home, you decorate each room differently and don't say that I will decorate each room... take it in this manner. See everything as the part of the whole.
Q: How do you connect to different sections of society? DO you think ISIS can be transformed?
A: I never loose hope. See, deep inside everyone is human being. If you keep aside the ideology then everyone is same inside. I have Malice to none. I have hatred to none
People who engage in violence is mentally, spiritually and emotionally sick. A doctor never hates anyone. If he does, then he cannot be a doctor. He dsnt say - I'm sorry I cannot do anything about it.\
I'm still not in that mode I think. There is still hope I believe..
Like we have done work with ULFA in Assam and Columbia, we have good experience in this field.
This morning only a teacher told me there is dacoit entered her house...and she said she did not have any fear or she wasn't scared.
She told them you have come to an ashram , have food. They tried to cover her in blanket and when they asked..dont you fear us?
She said I'm on the spiritual path and there is nothing to fear.
Q: Will all the teachers get enlightened?
A: First ask do you all want it? Teachers all get so much respect. If sometimes people hurl abuses at you and you are not shaken, then your real quality shines through.
thenn you can say that you are centered. Not when you are given lot of Adoration, but when you are given lot of disrespect.
Like when the volunteers say - I don't want to work , my good work is not recognized. There is an expectation that when I do a good job, I should get a reward. This is normal. But as teachers you have to pass this threshold.
For teachers, knowledge helps you to stay centered. Adverse situations make you realize you inner strength.
Q: Gurudev, I feel so much better when I do mediation in Russia. Is there a connection with meditation and temperature?
A: Yes there is. That's why people in earlier time used to go to Himalayas to do meditation.
Cooler temperatures are better than hotter temperatures.
Q: You have said Bhagavad Gita should be read in proper manner.. what is the right manner of reading it.

A: the essence is being skillful in action. Centered yet active and maintain balance.
People who are too active, they become restless, those who are too centered don't do any work...Maintain a balance, that's a message of Gita.
Q: Who is a good volunteer?
A: You all should think over this and come up with your own answers.
Save your mind and use your brain...we do the opposite. That's the cause of all the problems. Any small problem makes us depressed and sad.
Now a days, college students are getting depressed! We keep our minds so fragile and end up getting depressed or sad.
Save your mind and use your Brain.
These kind of ideas you should come up with...how can we make the world a better place? how to be a better volunteer? how to reduce the prejudice? There is prejudice against women, elderly, with caste. There is prejudice in the villages, in cities, in media, in the govt, in bureaucracy and even with religious leaders. we have to come out of it? how can we come out of it? we need broader vision..you come up with the ideas, be more creative.

Guru punch 3May2016

When you recognize politics in any group or Satsang, that is a blessing, an opportunity for you to be centered and go inward. You will not blame the group, run away from people, or chicken out, and you will enhance your skill to act while being unattached. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Satsang transcript 28April2016

Satsang Transcript today 28 April 2016 -
Sri Sri: Some people say, "Don't worry about the world, find your peace first."
Correct. That is the first step. But, once you found your peace, what do you do?
And when your peace is connected to so many people around you, how can you be an island of peace? Can you be?
No!
When you spread peace around you, only then your peace can also be permanent. Going inward is as important as reaching outside and transforming our environment. This has to happen simultaneously.
Someone says, "Just forget about the world. Don't try to bring peace in the world. Don't try to reform the world. Just go within your self and you find your peace."
In Art of living, we have found our peace. Haven't we?
Audience: Yes!
Sri Sri: The very first sitting you do, the very first thing you do, you are already peaceful. You understood to some extent the principles of life.
When we found the peace and joy, it is our duty to spread it across all around.
Art of Living is doing so much work around the World. In Latur, they are rejuvenating the 17th river in the country and 13th in Maharashtra. If everyone is trying to find their own inner peace and why bother about getting into river rejuvenation, even that person who wants to find peace cannot find joy or peace.
So, simultaneously. Because one meditated and finds one's inner joy, inner peace, the next step is you want to bring it to everybody.
Looks like we are one step ahead of those who just want to find peace within themselves. We have already found it. Now, we want to spread it to everybody.
Someone who has seen a good movie, is all enthusiastic. He wants to tell everybody, "Hey! Come, you see this movie. I will also come with you and watch it." Isn't it?

So that is the spirit with which Art of Living is working. You can only spread what you have. And if we are spreading peace and joy, it is because we have it.
Those who do not have peace and joy, let them search for it, find it. We have found it and we want to spread it, isn't it?
When it comes to joy, there is no end for joy and personal comfort. You can go on looking for it. More and more and more joy. But the nature of true joy is to share and care. And that is what Art of Living stands for to share and care. And the basis for this is the spiritual connect, spiritual elevation, spiritual attainment.

Q: Gurudev, how am I responsible for my past, present, and future karma yet I am not the doer?
Sri Sri: One thing is changing inside you and there is something inside you that is not changing. So you are a combination of both the changing and the non-changing. Life is a complex phenomenon of the form and the formless. You are both a doer and a non-doer. When you are getting into meditation, you are non-doer. Whenever you want to meditate, drop all responsibility and you go deep into your Self. When you are in activity, take 100% responsibility.

Unable to smile

Q: When you tell me to smile, I am unable to smile when I have problems. How can you help me?

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know what obscures your smile? It is your desire. You want something and you are holding onto that thinking, “I want this, I want this.” That is what is making you miserable. Just wake up and say, "I don’t care" for a minute. Drop the desire and say, "I don’t want this", the next second something comes up in you, and that is a smile. Just say “I don’t want this, I’ll get whatever I need. Even if I want to meet Gurudev, I don’t care, I don’t want to meet him!” If that is bothering you, kick that desire too! Then you will see that you are totally relaxed and in total peace. As I said, three things obscure our being:
1. The ego
2. Desires
3. The intellect
So freeze these things for a little while and then see how meditation happens. Even just this intention, “I want to freeze these three things”, immediately makes a difference.

One liner 25apr2016

Q: I have seen so many happy people here chasing you. I feel like I am the only one not connected to you. How do I know that I am connected to you?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don’t have to emulate what others do, run after my car; you don’t need to do that. You just be yourself.

Jai guru dev

Q. What does  jai guru dev means?
Ans:-
The word Guru means great. Jaya means victory. Deva means one who is fun-loving, playful, light. One who is playful is often not dignified and when one is dignified, he is often not playful.
Jai Guru Dev is victory to the Big Mind in you that is both dignified and playful. That is what Jai Guru Dev means: "Victory to the Greatness in you."
You do not say victory or hail to the Master as he has won over already. You say victory to your own Self, your own Mind, which is being veiled by the small mind.