Guruji... Pt Sri Sri Ravishankarji (Know more about him --> www.srisri.org )
and The Art of Living Foundation (www.artofliving.org )
What he spoke on various occasions are posted on this site.
I JUST FOUND A LOVELY COLLECTION OF SRI SRI'S ARTICLES!
WOW!
http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colHeadlines.asp?By=Sri+Sri+Ravishankar
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Actors in LA
Models in Milan
Surfers in Miami
Slums-dwellers in Dharavi
Refugees in Kosovo
Politicians in Puerto Rico
Lumberjacks in Siberia
Beauty Pageant contestants in India
Musicians in Melbourne
High Court Judges in Michigan
Hoteliers in Singapore
Commandos in Bangalore
Housewives in Hawaii
Traffic Police in Chennai
Farmers in Kenya
Street kids in South Africa
Teenagers in Lake Tahoe
Villagers in Mexico
Bureaucrats in Delhi
Oil Barons in Saudi
Belly dancers in Brazil
Yoga Experts in Sydney
Golfers in the Gulf
Waiters in Venice
Journalists in Jerusalem
Terrorists in Bihar
Jail Inmates in Tihar
Soldiers in Afghanistan
Maoris in New Zealand
And …
Over 2 million people in 142 countries…
BREATHE …
-breathe out boredom, lethargy, stress, toxins…
-breathe in love, joy, energy and enthusiasm throughthe various Art of Living Workshops…
--------------------
The inspiration behind one of the biggest NGO’s of alltimes…
The man behind 3000 volunteer teachers and hundreds ofthousands more volunteers caring for the world withthe Art of Living courses and various humanitarianservice projects…
The man who has made a permanent home in millions ofhearts across more then 140 countries around theglobe…
The man who gave Sudarshan Kriya to the world…
The man regularly invited to address the UnitedNations, World Economic Forums, Parliaments acrossEurope and Universities across the world…
The force that is sweeping planet earth withexcitement, love, peace and dynamic enthusiasm…
The child (who never grew up, in His own words) who atthe age of 8 said, “ my family is all over the worldand one day I will visit them…”
The man, women love to adore, children love to bewith, men love to talk about…
THE MAN
Experience the very force, the phenomenon, thesilence, the love and the magic that is Sri Sri RaviShankar…
Models in Milan
Surfers in Miami
Slums-dwellers in Dharavi
Refugees in Kosovo
Politicians in Puerto Rico
Lumberjacks in Siberia
Beauty Pageant contestants in India
Musicians in Melbourne
High Court Judges in Michigan
Hoteliers in Singapore
Commandos in Bangalore
Housewives in Hawaii
Traffic Police in Chennai
Farmers in Kenya
Street kids in South Africa
Teenagers in Lake Tahoe
Villagers in Mexico
Bureaucrats in Delhi
Oil Barons in Saudi
Belly dancers in Brazil
Yoga Experts in Sydney
Golfers in the Gulf
Waiters in Venice
Journalists in Jerusalem
Terrorists in Bihar
Jail Inmates in Tihar
Soldiers in Afghanistan
Maoris in New Zealand
And …
Over 2 million people in 142 countries…
BREATHE …
-breathe out boredom, lethargy, stress, toxins…
-breathe in love, joy, energy and enthusiasm throughthe various Art of Living Workshops…
--------------------
The inspiration behind one of the biggest NGO’s of alltimes…
The man behind 3000 volunteer teachers and hundreds ofthousands more volunteers caring for the world withthe Art of Living courses and various humanitarianservice projects…
The man who has made a permanent home in millions ofhearts across more then 140 countries around theglobe…
The man who gave Sudarshan Kriya to the world…
The man regularly invited to address the UnitedNations, World Economic Forums, Parliaments acrossEurope and Universities across the world…
The force that is sweeping planet earth withexcitement, love, peace and dynamic enthusiasm…
The child (who never grew up, in His own words) who atthe age of 8 said, “ my family is all over the worldand one day I will visit them…”
The man, women love to adore, children love to bewith, men love to talk about…
THE MAN
Experience the very force, the phenomenon, thesilence, the love and the magic that is Sri Sri RaviShankar…
Monday, May 22, 2006
PRARABDHA KARMA AND SANCHITA KARMA
Some karma can be changed and some cannot.
When you prepare halwa, if sugar is less or ghee is less, water more or less, it can all be adjusted, repaired. But once soji is cooked, it cannot be reversed.
If the buttermilk is sour, milk can be added, salt can be added to make it drinkable. But it can never be reversed back to milk.
Prarabdha karma cannot be changed. Sanchita karma can be changed by spiritual practices. Satsang burns the seed of all negative karma.
When you praise someone, you take on their good karma.
When you blame someone you take on their bad karma.
Know this and surrender both good and bad karma to the Divine and be free.
Jai Guru Dev
When you prepare halwa, if sugar is less or ghee is less, water more or less, it can all be adjusted, repaired. But once soji is cooked, it cannot be reversed.
If the buttermilk is sour, milk can be added, salt can be added to make it drinkable. But it can never be reversed back to milk.
Prarabdha karma cannot be changed. Sanchita karma can be changed by spiritual practices. Satsang burns the seed of all negative karma.
When you praise someone, you take on their good karma.
When you blame someone you take on their bad karma.
Know this and surrender both good and bad karma to the Divine and be free.
Jai Guru Dev
Talk by Gurudev on Ganesha
On the eve of Ganesh Festival, here is an excerpt from an insightful
talk by Gurudev on Ganesha - Reproduced from International Rishimukh,
August 2004 (www.rishimukh.org)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The principle qualities of the elephant are wisdom and effortlessness.
Elephants don't walk around obstacles, neither do they stop at them.
They just remove them and keep walking straight on.
So when we worship Lord Ganesha these elephant qualities within us are kindled and we take
on these qualities. So if you meditate on Ganesha you will get the
qualities of an elephant. You will overcome all obstacles. The enormous
head of the elephant signifies Knowledge and Wisdom.
Ganesha's big belly represents generosity and total acceptance. The story goes that one day
Ganesha drank so much milk that his stomach burst. So he grabbed a
cobra and tied it around his stomach. This signifies that acceptance of
people and situations without profound awareness is of no value. The cobra
symbolises awareness and alertness. True acceptance is acceptance with
awareness.
Ganesha's upraised hand in abhaya mudra means "Fear not! I am with you"
and his lowered hand, palm facing outwards in varada mudra, symbolic of
giving boons means unending giving as well as an invitation to bow
down.(Bowing down signifies merging with the earth again, recognizing
the truth that we will return to the earth. In the womb our position is
one where our heads are bowed, our bodies are in a circle. Even at
birth we come into this world head down. It is our nature to bow down.)
Ganesha's single tusk implies one-pointedness.
Often one sees the picturisation of the moon laughing at Ganesha as he
tried to "Saastanga Danda Pranaam" to his parents. Here, the moon
signifies the mind; the Mind laughs at Wisdom.
Also, Ganesha is mostly seen sitting on a lotus. Now an elephant supporting itself on a lotus
is kind of odd! This signifies that he is sensitive.
Also Ganesha is always seen riding on a mouse. This is the most unexpected mode of
travel imaginable - an elephant on a mouse! However the significance
runs deeper...The mouse snips, nibbling away at the ropes that bind.
The mouse who gradually nibbles away through things is like the mantra
which can cut through sheets and sheets of ignorance and carry even an
elephant. All that is required is just this tiny persistent awareness.
The ancient rishis were so deeply intelligent that they chose to
express Divinity, in terms of symbols rather than words, since words change
over time, but symbols remain unchanged. For instance, in any language, a
skull and a cross indicate danger. Similarly, Ganesha signifies
shubh(auspiciousness) and laabha(prosperity).
Jai Gurudev!!!
talk by Gurudev on Ganesha - Reproduced from International Rishimukh,
August 2004 (www.rishimukh.org)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The principle qualities of the elephant are wisdom and effortlessness.
Elephants don't walk around obstacles, neither do they stop at them.
They just remove them and keep walking straight on.
So when we worship Lord Ganesha these elephant qualities within us are kindled and we take
on these qualities. So if you meditate on Ganesha you will get the
qualities of an elephant. You will overcome all obstacles. The enormous
head of the elephant signifies Knowledge and Wisdom.
Ganesha's big belly represents generosity and total acceptance. The story goes that one day
Ganesha drank so much milk that his stomach burst. So he grabbed a
cobra and tied it around his stomach. This signifies that acceptance of
people and situations without profound awareness is of no value. The cobra
symbolises awareness and alertness. True acceptance is acceptance with
awareness.
Ganesha's upraised hand in abhaya mudra means "Fear not! I am with you"
and his lowered hand, palm facing outwards in varada mudra, symbolic of
giving boons means unending giving as well as an invitation to bow
down.(Bowing down signifies merging with the earth again, recognizing
the truth that we will return to the earth. In the womb our position is
one where our heads are bowed, our bodies are in a circle. Even at
birth we come into this world head down. It is our nature to bow down.)
Ganesha's single tusk implies one-pointedness.
Often one sees the picturisation of the moon laughing at Ganesha as he
tried to "Saastanga Danda Pranaam" to his parents. Here, the moon
signifies the mind; the Mind laughs at Wisdom.
Also, Ganesha is mostly seen sitting on a lotus. Now an elephant supporting itself on a lotus
is kind of odd! This signifies that he is sensitive.
Also Ganesha is always seen riding on a mouse. This is the most unexpected mode of
travel imaginable - an elephant on a mouse! However the significance
runs deeper...The mouse snips, nibbling away at the ropes that bind.
The mouse who gradually nibbles away through things is like the mantra
which can cut through sheets and sheets of ignorance and carry even an
elephant. All that is required is just this tiny persistent awareness.
The ancient rishis were so deeply intelligent that they chose to
express Divinity, in terms of symbols rather than words, since words change
over time, but symbols remain unchanged. For instance, in any language, a
skull and a cross indicate danger. Similarly, Ganesha signifies
shubh(auspiciousness) and laabha(prosperity).
Jai Gurudev!!!
Q & A - 6
[Lots of people came and garlanded guruji]
Its not necessary to bring flowers for me. You blossom, you smile, thats
more important to me.
Q. You said we should allow children to play pranks, then how do we
bring in etiquette's in them?
A. You should take them to temple, make them participate in festivals
and make them do service. When you do some charity or similar work let
your children perform that activity. OK.
Q. Here men are doing a lot of service. Pls ask them to do a little bit
of it in the house also.
A. Yes. Yes, men should do service at home also.
Q. I've a very bad habit of stealing. How do I get rid of it?
A. Steal big! Steal people's heart! Steal knowledge! Whats their in stealing gold and utensils?
Q. Is it true that women should not do Gayatri mantra?
A. No. Women can do Gayatri mantra. Initially women use to do Gayatri
mantra, then men realised that women will become more powerful, so it
stopped. According to scripture, men and women both can do.
Q. You can read everybody's mind. You say you are in me and I'm in you, and we are god. Then why can't I read anybody's mind?
A. God never minds. Stop minding what others do, what others think.
Q. Why does your physical presence makes me cry?
A. When heart opens tears come.
Q. Why people make you so uncomfortable, they come in your way, they trouble you, I don't like that, I get very angry at them.
A. Don't worry. I'll tackle it. I'm strong.
Q. Whats Sakha bhav and Sakshi bhav?
A. Sakha means friend. If you don't have Sakha bhav, a distance comes.
You can be more closer to a friend than somebody sitting on a throne.
Sakshi (seer) - to our own thoughts. Observing that what is happening, is
happening. When you take your children to the doctor for an injection,
your child cries but you smile. That is Sakshi bhav. Similarly when you
are watching a movie you become a seer, you are just seeing what is
happening and you always have the option of switching it off. In life,
Sakshi bhav happens very frequently.
Q. Whats the secret of your smile? You don't get angry? If you have
never harassed somebody, how would you know the joy it brings?
A. There are a lot of other things to make you joyfull. Why to hurt
somebody for your joy? Some people find joy in beating others and some
find joy in getting beaten. There are many other things which can give
you greater joy. I try to show anger but people don't believe it. But I
have seen people getting angry and I know from that. Anger has a place
in life. Its required sometimes. Even some saints have shown anger,
when they did so it only brought prosperity and knowledge. Bhishma pitamah
had taken the pledge that he would make Krishna break his pledge of not
lifting the weapons in Mahabharat. Bhishma was known for his unbroken pledges. Just to make
sure that Bhishma's pledge stays, Krishna lifted the Sudarshan Chakra.
Because of this, till today they say if you take a pledge, take like
that of Bhishma.
Q. Why is my smile so fragile?
A. Have a broader vision. Don't give a lot of attention to the events
that are taking place in your life.
Q. Why do all Devi and Devta have so many hands and you have only two?
A. Hari has 1000 hands. All the hands present here are mine only.
Q.When I do sadhana, lot of bad thoughts come to my mind. What to do?
A.Surrender! When your stomach is upset or body is not well, you need
exercise or yoga, else you'll have bad thoughts.
Q. Whats the difference between swarg(heaven) and nark(hell)? If
anyways we have to take rebirth then why to do good deeds, why not do all the
bad things?
A. Don't do good work. Be miserable and cry. Just imagine if your
neighbour has the same thought, you'll be in trouble.
Q. Whats the significance of the turtle at the entrance of a temple?
A. Turtle signifies stability, stable mind and intellect. If you want
to go to divine you need to be like turtle. But it has been wrongly
understood, people have started worshiping and garlanding the turtle
itself. When they see a turtle outside they will kick it away and in
temple they'll pray its stone. There was a Kannada saint, he wrote, its
so confusing that people pray a stone of snake and offer it milk, but
when they see a live snake, forget about milk they kill the snake.
People pray and offer food to an idol but nothing to a living saint. I
don't say that you start offering food in todays scenario. Today there
a lot of imposters. Be judicious and aware when you are doing it today.
Pray the living! Men should donate 5% or 7% or 8% of their salary or
income towards social service. Women should form a group, each one of
them should save one or two handful of grains everyday, aggregate them
at the end of month and distribute among the needy. With that we will
do some work for the farmers, in Andhra Pradesh a lot of farmers are
committing suicide now days.
Q. When will the Ram temple be built in Ayodhya?
A. That should happen. Most of the people want to get this resolved.
But there are some people, lawyers, who are getting money from outside to
keep this issue alive. What if it was the birth place of Jesus, Mohamed
or Buddha? Everyone would say in one voice that their church, mosque or
temple should be built. Same feeling should be there for Ram also. Its
such a small place, I don't know why they are fighting for it. Its not
Muslims those who are creating problems, but so called secular Hindus.
Q. I'm a teacher in a Urdu school. They don't treat us properly. They
think those who don't believe in Allah are not a part of them. How has
been your experience in Muslim countries where you traveled?
A. Thats because they didn't had exposure to all this knowledge. Now we
are reaching them and its changing.
Q. Were you in love with somebody? If so then what shall someone do who
is in love with you?
A. Pyar hua nahi pyar hai [Love didn't happen, love is]. What is born,
dies. What is there, remains.
Q. [Something about dispassion]
A. Don't be dispassionate about knowledge, sadhna, seva. Apply
dispassion where it is required.
Jai Gurudev
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to Englishand not verbatim.
10th.September.2004
-------------------
Its not necessary to bring flowers for me. You blossom, you smile, thats
more important to me.
Q. You said we should allow children to play pranks, then how do we
bring in etiquette's in them?
A. You should take them to temple, make them participate in festivals
and make them do service. When you do some charity or similar work let
your children perform that activity. OK.
Q. Here men are doing a lot of service. Pls ask them to do a little bit
of it in the house also.
A. Yes. Yes, men should do service at home also.
Q. I've a very bad habit of stealing. How do I get rid of it?
A. Steal big! Steal people's heart! Steal knowledge! Whats their in stealing gold and utensils?
Q. Is it true that women should not do Gayatri mantra?
A. No. Women can do Gayatri mantra. Initially women use to do Gayatri
mantra, then men realised that women will become more powerful, so it
stopped. According to scripture, men and women both can do.
Q. You can read everybody's mind. You say you are in me and I'm in you, and we are god. Then why can't I read anybody's mind?
A. God never minds. Stop minding what others do, what others think.
Q. Why does your physical presence makes me cry?
A. When heart opens tears come.
Q. Why people make you so uncomfortable, they come in your way, they trouble you, I don't like that, I get very angry at them.
A. Don't worry. I'll tackle it. I'm strong.
Q. Whats Sakha bhav and Sakshi bhav?
A. Sakha means friend. If you don't have Sakha bhav, a distance comes.
You can be more closer to a friend than somebody sitting on a throne.
Sakshi (seer) - to our own thoughts. Observing that what is happening, is
happening. When you take your children to the doctor for an injection,
your child cries but you smile. That is Sakshi bhav. Similarly when you
are watching a movie you become a seer, you are just seeing what is
happening and you always have the option of switching it off. In life,
Sakshi bhav happens very frequently.
Q. Whats the secret of your smile? You don't get angry? If you have
never harassed somebody, how would you know the joy it brings?
A. There are a lot of other things to make you joyfull. Why to hurt
somebody for your joy? Some people find joy in beating others and some
find joy in getting beaten. There are many other things which can give
you greater joy. I try to show anger but people don't believe it. But I
have seen people getting angry and I know from that. Anger has a place
in life. Its required sometimes. Even some saints have shown anger,
when they did so it only brought prosperity and knowledge. Bhishma pitamah
had taken the pledge that he would make Krishna break his pledge of not
lifting the weapons in Mahabharat. Bhishma was known for his unbroken pledges. Just to make
sure that Bhishma's pledge stays, Krishna lifted the Sudarshan Chakra.
Because of this, till today they say if you take a pledge, take like
that of Bhishma.
Q. Why is my smile so fragile?
A. Have a broader vision. Don't give a lot of attention to the events
that are taking place in your life.
Q. Why do all Devi and Devta have so many hands and you have only two?
A. Hari has 1000 hands. All the hands present here are mine only.
Q.When I do sadhana, lot of bad thoughts come to my mind. What to do?
A.Surrender! When your stomach is upset or body is not well, you need
exercise or yoga, else you'll have bad thoughts.
Q. Whats the difference between swarg(heaven) and nark(hell)? If
anyways we have to take rebirth then why to do good deeds, why not do all the
bad things?
A. Don't do good work. Be miserable and cry. Just imagine if your
neighbour has the same thought, you'll be in trouble.
Q. Whats the significance of the turtle at the entrance of a temple?
A. Turtle signifies stability, stable mind and intellect. If you want
to go to divine you need to be like turtle. But it has been wrongly
understood, people have started worshiping and garlanding the turtle
itself. When they see a turtle outside they will kick it away and in
temple they'll pray its stone. There was a Kannada saint, he wrote, its
so confusing that people pray a stone of snake and offer it milk, but
when they see a live snake, forget about milk they kill the snake.
People pray and offer food to an idol but nothing to a living saint. I
don't say that you start offering food in todays scenario. Today there
a lot of imposters. Be judicious and aware when you are doing it today.
Pray the living! Men should donate 5% or 7% or 8% of their salary or
income towards social service. Women should form a group, each one of
them should save one or two handful of grains everyday, aggregate them
at the end of month and distribute among the needy. With that we will
do some work for the farmers, in Andhra Pradesh a lot of farmers are
committing suicide now days.
Q. When will the Ram temple be built in Ayodhya?
A. That should happen. Most of the people want to get this resolved.
But there are some people, lawyers, who are getting money from outside to
keep this issue alive. What if it was the birth place of Jesus, Mohamed
or Buddha? Everyone would say in one voice that their church, mosque or
temple should be built. Same feeling should be there for Ram also. Its
such a small place, I don't know why they are fighting for it. Its not
Muslims those who are creating problems, but so called secular Hindus.
Q. I'm a teacher in a Urdu school. They don't treat us properly. They
think those who don't believe in Allah are not a part of them. How has
been your experience in Muslim countries where you traveled?
A. Thats because they didn't had exposure to all this knowledge. Now we
are reaching them and its changing.
Q. Were you in love with somebody? If so then what shall someone do who
is in love with you?
A. Pyar hua nahi pyar hai [Love didn't happen, love is]. What is born,
dies. What is there, remains.
Q. [Something about dispassion]
A. Don't be dispassionate about knowledge, sadhna, seva. Apply
dispassion where it is required.
Jai Gurudev
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to Englishand not verbatim.
10th.September.2004
-------------------
Q & A - 5
Q. Which is better Bhav or Kartavya?
A. Both have their own place. Its like asking whether I should watch TV
first or listen to it. Both have to be done at the same time. Bhav se
kartavye ko lagao.
Q. Can a village woman become an Art of Living teacher?
A. I don't know that, but she can definitely become Radha. You know when
you are in devotion, you don't need to know something, knowledge flows
from you.
Q. Ram chale na bin Hanuman. Who is your Hanuman?
A. After this you'll ask who is Sita, then Lakshman and so on. Till
where I'll keep on telling you. [Laughter] If you feel you are Hanuman
I'll not ask where is your tail. [Huge laughter] But don't go to look for Sita. [Laughter]
Q. Krishna gave his virat darshan to three people. Whom will you give your virat darshan?
A. Tumhara number bhi lag sakta hai. [You also might get!] [Applause]
Q. Like there is God, is there a ghost also? How to experience ghost?
A. When you are closer to God its difficult to experience ghost. If you move away from God, a ghost might catch you. Be in present, don't think of bhoot! [ghost or past]
Q. Who is behind your success?
A. You all. There is nobody behind. I keep pushing everyone ahead. [Huge applause]
Q. Lots of saints have born and delivered knowledge in this country, then why are we still there only. Again same people come and take the same knowledge, what is it?
A. How do you think that? You daily have food and still your stomach is empty the next day. Time and time the saints come and lift people in knowledge. In a school when a student clears 1 class he goes to the next. How do you know that the same student is coming to the old class?
Krishna said that whenever there is a fall of sustenance; "Yada yada hi Dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata": when it goes down, the righteousness falls off, to kill, to destroy these horrible negative forces: "paritranaya sadhunam": to save and sustain the saints, sambhavami yuge yuge: "I come in every age in human form."
Q. Thanks for being with us. It doesn't feel good that tomorrow we have
to go back.
A. Hmmm. Come back and do seva. Come once in 6 months for 10 days and do some seva.
Q. Whatever I do seem to be imperfect, then why shall I look for perfection?
A. Move from one perfection to another perfection. Strive for perfection and feel contented.
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to Englishand not verbatim.
-------------------
9th.September.2004
A. Both have their own place. Its like asking whether I should watch TV
first or listen to it. Both have to be done at the same time. Bhav se
kartavye ko lagao.
Q. Can a village woman become an Art of Living teacher?
A. I don't know that, but she can definitely become Radha. You know when
you are in devotion, you don't need to know something, knowledge flows
from you.
Q. Ram chale na bin Hanuman. Who is your Hanuman?
A. After this you'll ask who is Sita, then Lakshman and so on. Till
where I'll keep on telling you. [Laughter] If you feel you are Hanuman
I'll not ask where is your tail. [Huge laughter] But don't go to look for Sita. [Laughter]
Q. Krishna gave his virat darshan to three people. Whom will you give your virat darshan?
A. Tumhara number bhi lag sakta hai. [You also might get!] [Applause]
Q. Like there is God, is there a ghost also? How to experience ghost?
A. When you are closer to God its difficult to experience ghost. If you move away from God, a ghost might catch you. Be in present, don't think of bhoot! [ghost or past]
Q. Who is behind your success?
A. You all. There is nobody behind. I keep pushing everyone ahead. [Huge applause]
Q. Lots of saints have born and delivered knowledge in this country, then why are we still there only. Again same people come and take the same knowledge, what is it?
A. How do you think that? You daily have food and still your stomach is empty the next day. Time and time the saints come and lift people in knowledge. In a school when a student clears 1 class he goes to the next. How do you know that the same student is coming to the old class?
Krishna said that whenever there is a fall of sustenance; "Yada yada hi Dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata": when it goes down, the righteousness falls off, to kill, to destroy these horrible negative forces: "paritranaya sadhunam": to save and sustain the saints, sambhavami yuge yuge: "I come in every age in human form."
Q. Thanks for being with us. It doesn't feel good that tomorrow we have
to go back.
A. Hmmm. Come back and do seva. Come once in 6 months for 10 days and do some seva.
Q. Whatever I do seem to be imperfect, then why shall I look for perfection?
A. Move from one perfection to another perfection. Strive for perfection and feel contented.
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to Englishand not verbatim.
-------------------
9th.September.2004
Q & A - 4
Q. Having come to you, all what I want is to free myself from all the
bondages. Is it possible in this life time?
A. Its possible. Its like standing at the bank of ganga and asking
whether I can have water. [Huge Applause]
Q. Will I get less blessings because I do less seva?
A. Blessings are without any distinction. Everybody, whether good or
bad, gets blessings.
Do seva, atleast half a day in a week. You should do atleast this much.
Its not like that you don't have time. You can always take out some
time for seva. Time is same, be it a Prime Minister or a Peon. But both
would find it difficult to get some time for Seva. Everybody say I've only 1
holiday when I can be with my family, wash clothes etc. But if you want
to do seva you can always find some time for it. There is a Art of
Living basic course teacher, she is a lady with 3 kids, one is 2 years,
other 3 and the third is 4 and a half years. This lady still conducts a
basic course in a week. I wondered to her how are you managing it.
If you really want to do seva, you can always find a time to do so.
Q. How do you read our mind and answer just what we require?
A. Thats a trade secret. I'm there in you. There is no difference
between you and me. Guru is Antaryaami.
Q. My father was your devotee now he is against Art of Living. He is
stopping us from coming to Art of Living. He thinks we are moving away
from Sikhism.
A. Thats because some priest or granthi might have told him something.
Guru Gobind Singh ji said, "Sab Sikhan Ko Hukam Hai, Guru Manyo
Granth". Who is Sikh? One who has to learn. Sikh is a disciple. Guru Gobind
Singh ji said this for everyone in the world. It has been wrongly
interpreted.
So don't worry! Guruji is somebody's friend, father, mother, son. I'm
ready for any relationship. What relationship you have with you? Have
the same relationship with the Guru. Pyar ko pyar hi rehne do koi naam
na do.
Recently I went to Amritsar to deliver a talk on the occasion of 400
years of Guru Granth Sahib. Everybody liked it. Guru Granth Sahib has
the knowledge of all the 36 greatest saints who had taken birth on this
planet. It has sayings of Sufis, Vedas and everything. What is there in
Upanishad, is there in Guru Granth Sahib also. Its very good. It has
all the Brahmagyaan. And, its meant for everybody.
Q. Is our next human birth dependent upon this birth or everything has
been predecided by God?
A. Its both. There is freewill and lot is determined also.
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to Englishand not verbatim.
9th.September.2004
bondages. Is it possible in this life time?
A. Its possible. Its like standing at the bank of ganga and asking
whether I can have water. [Huge Applause]
Q. Will I get less blessings because I do less seva?
A. Blessings are without any distinction. Everybody, whether good or
bad, gets blessings.
Do seva, atleast half a day in a week. You should do atleast this much.
Its not like that you don't have time. You can always take out some
time for seva. Time is same, be it a Prime Minister or a Peon. But both
would find it difficult to get some time for Seva. Everybody say I've only 1
holiday when I can be with my family, wash clothes etc. But if you want
to do seva you can always find some time for it. There is a Art of
Living basic course teacher, she is a lady with 3 kids, one is 2 years,
other 3 and the third is 4 and a half years. This lady still conducts a
basic course in a week. I wondered to her how are you managing it.
If you really want to do seva, you can always find a time to do so.
Q. How do you read our mind and answer just what we require?
A. Thats a trade secret. I'm there in you. There is no difference
between you and me. Guru is Antaryaami.
Q. My father was your devotee now he is against Art of Living. He is
stopping us from coming to Art of Living. He thinks we are moving away
from Sikhism.
A. Thats because some priest or granthi might have told him something.
Guru Gobind Singh ji said, "Sab Sikhan Ko Hukam Hai, Guru Manyo
Granth". Who is Sikh? One who has to learn. Sikh is a disciple. Guru Gobind
Singh ji said this for everyone in the world. It has been wrongly
interpreted.
So don't worry! Guruji is somebody's friend, father, mother, son. I'm
ready for any relationship. What relationship you have with you? Have
the same relationship with the Guru. Pyar ko pyar hi rehne do koi naam
na do.
Recently I went to Amritsar to deliver a talk on the occasion of 400
years of Guru Granth Sahib. Everybody liked it. Guru Granth Sahib has
the knowledge of all the 36 greatest saints who had taken birth on this
planet. It has sayings of Sufis, Vedas and everything. What is there in
Upanishad, is there in Guru Granth Sahib also. Its very good. It has
all the Brahmagyaan. And, its meant for everybody.
Q. Is our next human birth dependent upon this birth or everything has
been predecided by God?
A. Its both. There is freewill and lot is determined also.
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to Englishand not verbatim.
9th.September.2004
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
Weekly Knowledge #2 Big Sur, California 21 June 1995 USA
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
Weekly Knowledge #2 Big Sur, California 21 June 1995 USA
Q & A -3
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Malayalam to
English and not verbatim.
4th.September.2004
------------------
Q. In Sahastranama we heard about 6 chakras and here we came to know
there are 7 chakras. Its a bit confusing?
A. Its 7 chakras over 6 chakras.
Q. What should I do to feel like this always? Because once I go back, I
slip to my bad habits.
A. This is a big problem.[Pause] Form a group, sit meditate and have
satsang. Adi Shankaracharya said, by doing satsang bad habits will go
away. Have satsang daily morning and evening. You don't need a teacher
for this. Just form small groups and have satsangs.
Q. Today and yesterday you didn't come for meditation, tomorrow full
day
you be with us.
A. When your eyes were closed, I came here and went. [Huge laughter]
Q. If God consciousness is there in everyone then why do they fight and
do bad things.
A. They have not realised that they have God consciousness. Once they
realise they will transform. If you are friendly all the bad things
will
go away.
Q. Tomorrow Advance course is getting over and we will have to leave
Ashram. A. Consider your home as Ashram. You know in commercial bank
you
deposit money and withdraw it when required. Ashram is a spiritual
bank,
you take lots of joy from here and distribute everywhere. When all the
joy is spent, come back and collect more.
[Huge applause]
Q. When will I be enlightened?
A. Same question was asked by a sage to Rishi Narada. Narada said, you
will get enlightened after as many births as there are leaves on this
tree. Listening to this the sage got so frustrated that he just threw
everything. He said, I've been waiting to get enlightened since so many
births and still I have to wait so long. He leaves everything and goes
away. Then a boy came and asked the same question to Narada. Narada
said
the same answer.
Listening to it the boy became very joyfull and happy. He said, from so
many trees and their leaves in the world I've to take births equal to
leaves on just one tree. It is said that the boy got enlightened the
very moment.
Its patience and perseverence that brings the freedom.
If you want the joy and happiness to grow, share it with others through
seva, sadhana and satsang. We have two important things for it. So what
and Soham!
Unite people everywhere. You should patch up the differences, play that
role. Create harmony and accept conflict as part of the harmony. In a
home fight is unavoidable. But if your focus is on harmony it will all
patch up. Thats what "so what" is! Patch up families, communities and
religion. They all should come together. Bring everyone together in one
wave of love. One wave of devotion.
Pray in groups, meditate, sing and celebrate. And, ofcourse, seva.
Your life, itself, is a celebration of the Infinity, the
Divine---however it is.
--- H.H Sri Sri Ravishankar
English and not verbatim.
4th.September.2004
------------------
Q. In Sahastranama we heard about 6 chakras and here we came to know
there are 7 chakras. Its a bit confusing?
A. Its 7 chakras over 6 chakras.
Q. What should I do to feel like this always? Because once I go back, I
slip to my bad habits.
A. This is a big problem.[Pause] Form a group, sit meditate and have
satsang. Adi Shankaracharya said, by doing satsang bad habits will go
away. Have satsang daily morning and evening. You don't need a teacher
for this. Just form small groups and have satsangs.
Q. Today and yesterday you didn't come for meditation, tomorrow full
day
you be with us.
A. When your eyes were closed, I came here and went. [Huge laughter]
Q. If God consciousness is there in everyone then why do they fight and
do bad things.
A. They have not realised that they have God consciousness. Once they
realise they will transform. If you are friendly all the bad things
will
go away.
Q. Tomorrow Advance course is getting over and we will have to leave
Ashram. A. Consider your home as Ashram. You know in commercial bank
you
deposit money and withdraw it when required. Ashram is a spiritual
bank,
you take lots of joy from here and distribute everywhere. When all the
joy is spent, come back and collect more.
[Huge applause]
Q. When will I be enlightened?
A. Same question was asked by a sage to Rishi Narada. Narada said, you
will get enlightened after as many births as there are leaves on this
tree. Listening to this the sage got so frustrated that he just threw
everything. He said, I've been waiting to get enlightened since so many
births and still I have to wait so long. He leaves everything and goes
away. Then a boy came and asked the same question to Narada. Narada
said
the same answer.
Listening to it the boy became very joyfull and happy. He said, from so
many trees and their leaves in the world I've to take births equal to
leaves on just one tree. It is said that the boy got enlightened the
very moment.
Its patience and perseverence that brings the freedom.
If you want the joy and happiness to grow, share it with others through
seva, sadhana and satsang. We have two important things for it. So what
and Soham!
Unite people everywhere. You should patch up the differences, play that
role. Create harmony and accept conflict as part of the harmony. In a
home fight is unavoidable. But if your focus is on harmony it will all
patch up. Thats what "so what" is! Patch up families, communities and
religion. They all should come together. Bring everyone together in one
wave of love. One wave of devotion.
Pray in groups, meditate, sing and celebrate. And, ofcourse, seva.
Your life, itself, is a celebration of the Infinity, the
Divine---however it is.
--- H.H Sri Sri Ravishankar
PADMANABHA -- THE LOTUS NAVEL
Different organs of our body are governed by different devas. The solar plexus is connected with the sun, that's why it is called "solar" plexus. When the first rays of the sun fall on the solar plexus, it is very good for your body. Doing Surya Namaskar ("sun salutation") yoga asana in the early morning is very good. The solar plexus has a profound impact on the central nervous system, optic nerves, stomach, and what we usually call "gut feeling." It is the second brain in your body. Usually the solar plexus is slightly bigger than an almond. Studies have shown that with the practice of yoga, meditation, and Sudarshan Kriya, the solar plexus can become as a large as the size of the palm. Then it performs better. It balances the body functions. When the solar plexus expands, the intuitive mind works better. The mind becomes clear and focussed. When the solar plexus contracts, one feels horrible, sad, depressed, and all the negative feelings come.
Krishna was called Padmanabha, meaning "whose navel is the size of a lotus flower." If you become Padmanabha, you become absolutely creative. Brahma, the Creator, is born out of a blossomed solar plexus.
These days, the solar plexus remains small, but the tummy keeps getting bigger.
Weekly Knowledge #83
Bad Antogast,Germany
08 Jan 1997
Krishna was called Padmanabha, meaning "whose navel is the size of a lotus flower." If you become Padmanabha, you become absolutely creative. Brahma, the Creator, is born out of a blossomed solar plexus.
These days, the solar plexus remains small, but the tummy keeps getting bigger.
Weekly Knowledge #83
Bad Antogast,Germany
08 Jan 1997
More Q& A
Note: Some part of the discourse is a translation from Hindi to
English and not verbatim.
3rd.September.2004
Q. Why do I have to face so many blocks before meeting you? Even to
come here I had to face so many blocks.
A. Just to see how strong your conviction is!
Q. What is the difference between sankalpa, expectation and desire? A.
Sankalpa is simply, intention. Desire is intention with feverishness.
Expectation is somewhere in between.
Q. If rebirth is true than why there is rise in population?
A. Because so many animals are disappearing.
Q. Please tell me whose rebirth are you.
A. That is a secret. You'll discover some time.
Q. Have you ever gotten angry?
A. I try to show but they don't believe it.
Q. In spite of regularly doing Sudarshan Kriya I lose my temper, how
shall I stop this?
A. Sometimes its OK. Make life a little spicy and colourful.
Q. In spite of doing Sadhana, I'm unable to smile. How do I bring
smile to my life?
A. You are unable to smile! Frown a little and look at your face in
mirror. Frown as much as possible and you will start laughing. If you
can't smile, starting faking. Fake it untill you make it.
Q. How you became so natural?
A. I have the same question. How you became so unnatural?
Q. There are a lot of your photos in Divine Services. Which one is
your favourite? I'll take that.
A. I like the picture, what I see when you are smiling.
Q. I feel like we are doing a lot of injustice by giving all our
botherations to you.
A. Don't worry.
Q. I love a person but he always avoids me. How to bring him closer?
A.
Very confusing question [laughter] I don't know. Pray as much as
possible.
Q. Why all hindu dieties are equipped with weapons all the time?
A. They'll are outdated. Now you need AK47 [laughter] Sword and
Trishul will not work now. They all symbolise something. God does
act, it is dynamic. Its not passive. Every atom is divine and it is
dynamic.
Ganesha has Pasha in one hand and Ankush in the other. One is for
holding the energy and one is for directing the energy. Together they
channelise the energy. This all is totally symbolic. Then they have
one hand in Abhaya mudra and one hand in Vasuda mudra, which says,
don't worry I'm giving you.
Q. You mentioned our soul is waiting for a smile from us. If I'm not
the soul then who am I? and who is the soul?
A. Keep asking this question. If you are thoroughly confused, its
done.
Blessed are those who are confused.
Q. We learnt about 7 chakras, how to know which chakra is blocked and
how to release it?
A. Hollow and empty meditation.
Q. Why do I feel that when I come close to you, you are moving away
from me? A. Don't worry. Its all part of the game.
Q. I want to spend 1 day with you.
A. Only 1 day. I want to spend whole life with you. Where you are,
I'm always there. We are always together. Close your eyes and you
will see we are all one. Its an illusion that we are different. You
sit for meditation and we are all one.
In nature, both destruction and creation are complementary. They are
two steps---like day and night. All opposite values in nature, they
all dance together. It has been that way since the beginning. It'll
continue 'til the end.
--- H.H Sri Sri Ravishankar
English and not verbatim.
3rd.September.2004
Q. Why do I have to face so many blocks before meeting you? Even to
come here I had to face so many blocks.
A. Just to see how strong your conviction is!
Q. What is the difference between sankalpa, expectation and desire? A.
Sankalpa is simply, intention. Desire is intention with feverishness.
Expectation is somewhere in between.
Q. If rebirth is true than why there is rise in population?
A. Because so many animals are disappearing.
Q. Please tell me whose rebirth are you.
A. That is a secret. You'll discover some time.
Q. Have you ever gotten angry?
A. I try to show but they don't believe it.
Q. In spite of regularly doing Sudarshan Kriya I lose my temper, how
shall I stop this?
A. Sometimes its OK. Make life a little spicy and colourful.
Q. In spite of doing Sadhana, I'm unable to smile. How do I bring
smile to my life?
A. You are unable to smile! Frown a little and look at your face in
mirror. Frown as much as possible and you will start laughing. If you
can't smile, starting faking. Fake it untill you make it.
Q. How you became so natural?
A. I have the same question. How you became so unnatural?
Q. There are a lot of your photos in Divine Services. Which one is
your favourite? I'll take that.
A. I like the picture, what I see when you are smiling.
Q. I feel like we are doing a lot of injustice by giving all our
botherations to you.
A. Don't worry.
Q. I love a person but he always avoids me. How to bring him closer?
A.
Very confusing question [laughter] I don't know. Pray as much as
possible.
Q. Why all hindu dieties are equipped with weapons all the time?
A. They'll are outdated. Now you need AK47 [laughter] Sword and
Trishul will not work now. They all symbolise something. God does
act, it is dynamic. Its not passive. Every atom is divine and it is
dynamic.
Ganesha has Pasha in one hand and Ankush in the other. One is for
holding the energy and one is for directing the energy. Together they
channelise the energy. This all is totally symbolic. Then they have
one hand in Abhaya mudra and one hand in Vasuda mudra, which says,
don't worry I'm giving you.
Q. You mentioned our soul is waiting for a smile from us. If I'm not
the soul then who am I? and who is the soul?
A. Keep asking this question. If you are thoroughly confused, its
done.
Blessed are those who are confused.
Q. We learnt about 7 chakras, how to know which chakra is blocked and
how to release it?
A. Hollow and empty meditation.
Q. Why do I feel that when I come close to you, you are moving away
from me? A. Don't worry. Its all part of the game.
Q. I want to spend 1 day with you.
A. Only 1 day. I want to spend whole life with you. Where you are,
I'm always there. We are always together. Close your eyes and you
will see we are all one. Its an illusion that we are different. You
sit for meditation and we are all one.
In nature, both destruction and creation are complementary. They are
two steps---like day and night. All opposite values in nature, they
all dance together. It has been that way since the beginning. It'll
continue 'til the end.
--- H.H Sri Sri Ravishankar
The Certainties of A Changing World
THE SPEAKING TREE
The Certainties of A Changing World
SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR
[ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 11:19:19 PM ]
You can be at ease with the uncertainty of the world when you realise
the certainty of the consciousness. Often people do just the opposite.
They are certain about the world but uncertain about God. They rely on
something that is not reliable, and they get upset. Uncertainty causes
craving for stability. The most stable thing in the universe is our
Self.
The world is of change; the Self is of non-change. You have to rely on
the non-change and accept the change. If you are certain that
everything
is uncertain, then you are liberated. When you are uncertain in
ignorance then you become worried and tense. Uncertainty with awareness
brings higher states of consciousness with a smile.
Often people think that certainty is freedom. If you feel that freedom
when you are not certain, that is "real" freedom. Often your certainty
or uncertainty is based on the relative world. Being certain about the
uncertainty of the relative makes you certain about the existence of
the
absolute and brings a certain faith in the absolute.
Can one still be enthusiastic when one is uncertain? Yes, in knowledge
you can be enthusiastic in uncertainty. Often people who are uncertain
do not act; they simply sit and wait. Acting in uncertainty makes life
a
game, a challenge. Being in uncertainty is letting go. Certainty about
the relative world creates dullness. Uncertainty about the Self creates
fear.
Uncertainty about matter brings certainty about consciousness. When you
feel time is too short, you are either restless or in a state of
expanded awareness. When you feel time is too long, you are either
miserable or keen-minded. When you are happy and love what you are
doing, you lose track of time. When you are ahead of time, it is
dragging and boring. When time is ahead of you, then you are surprised
and shocked. You are unable to under-stand the play of events. In deep
meditation, you are time and everything is happening in you. Events are
happening in you like the clouds come and go in the sky. When you are
with time, you are wise and at peace.
When the mind is happy, it expands; then time appears too short. When
the mind is unhappy, it contracts; then time appears too long. When the
mind is in equanimity, it transcends time. To escape from the two
extremes, many resort to alcohol or sleep but when the mind is dull or
unconscious, it is unable to experience itself. Samadhi - no-mindedness
or timelessness - is peace, the real peace. That is the greatest
healer.
Just as the mind experiences time, this moment has a mind of its own, a
Big Mind which has enormous and infinite organising power. Thought is
nothing but a ripple in this moment, and thus a few moments of samadhi
infuse the mind with energy. Before you fall into slumber or as soon as
you wake up from sleep, in the moments of twilight in the
consciousness,
experience timelessness.
When something is un- believably beautiful or joyful, you wonder if it
is a dream. Often what you perceive as reality is not joyful so when
misery is there, you never wonder if it is a dream. You are sure it is
real. This is knowing the real as unreal and unreal as real. In fact,
all miseries are unreal. A wise man knows that happiness is real, as it
is your very nature. Unhappiness is unreal because it is inflicted by
memory. When you see everything as a dream, then you abide in your true
nature.
A nightmare is a dream mistaken for reality. There is no confusion in a
dream. As you keep wondering whether all this is a dream, you will wake
up to the real.
The Certainties of A Changing World
SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR
[ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 11:19:19 PM ]
You can be at ease with the uncertainty of the world when you realise
the certainty of the consciousness. Often people do just the opposite.
They are certain about the world but uncertain about God. They rely on
something that is not reliable, and they get upset. Uncertainty causes
craving for stability. The most stable thing in the universe is our
Self.
The world is of change; the Self is of non-change. You have to rely on
the non-change and accept the change. If you are certain that
everything
is uncertain, then you are liberated. When you are uncertain in
ignorance then you become worried and tense. Uncertainty with awareness
brings higher states of consciousness with a smile.
Often people think that certainty is freedom. If you feel that freedom
when you are not certain, that is "real" freedom. Often your certainty
or uncertainty is based on the relative world. Being certain about the
uncertainty of the relative makes you certain about the existence of
the
absolute and brings a certain faith in the absolute.
Can one still be enthusiastic when one is uncertain? Yes, in knowledge
you can be enthusiastic in uncertainty. Often people who are uncertain
do not act; they simply sit and wait. Acting in uncertainty makes life
a
game, a challenge. Being in uncertainty is letting go. Certainty about
the relative world creates dullness. Uncertainty about the Self creates
fear.
Uncertainty about matter brings certainty about consciousness. When you
feel time is too short, you are either restless or in a state of
expanded awareness. When you feel time is too long, you are either
miserable or keen-minded. When you are happy and love what you are
doing, you lose track of time. When you are ahead of time, it is
dragging and boring. When time is ahead of you, then you are surprised
and shocked. You are unable to under-stand the play of events. In deep
meditation, you are time and everything is happening in you. Events are
happening in you like the clouds come and go in the sky. When you are
with time, you are wise and at peace.
When the mind is happy, it expands; then time appears too short. When
the mind is unhappy, it contracts; then time appears too long. When the
mind is in equanimity, it transcends time. To escape from the two
extremes, many resort to alcohol or sleep but when the mind is dull or
unconscious, it is unable to experience itself. Samadhi - no-mindedness
or timelessness - is peace, the real peace. That is the greatest
healer.
Just as the mind experiences time, this moment has a mind of its own, a
Big Mind which has enormous and infinite organising power. Thought is
nothing but a ripple in this moment, and thus a few moments of samadhi
infuse the mind with energy. Before you fall into slumber or as soon as
you wake up from sleep, in the moments of twilight in the
consciousness,
experience timelessness.
When something is un- believably beautiful or joyful, you wonder if it
is a dream. Often what you perceive as reality is not joyful so when
misery is there, you never wonder if it is a dream. You are sure it is
real. This is knowing the real as unreal and unreal as real. In fact,
all miseries are unreal. A wise man knows that happiness is real, as it
is your very nature. Unhappiness is unreal because it is inflicted by
memory. When you see everything as a dream, then you abide in your true
nature.
A nightmare is a dream mistaken for reality. There is no confusion in a
dream. As you keep wondering whether all this is a dream, you will wake
up to the real.
Question and Answer session
Some Q&A with Guruji for you from our archives
This one is from Rishikesh sometime in March 2000
Enjoy :-)
*********************************************************************
1.What among Kriya,Seva,Satsang do we need to do for being like you?
A:For even being 5%like me you need to do everything.But for being
100% like me,you need to do nothing..(the catch is..'you' need to do
nothing..wah re Guru..)
2.If you do not want pleasures,then you you get freedom(Mukti) and
if you do not want even freedom,then you get love!
3.Guruji,when we see everything,every deity in you,then is it
necessary to go in a temple?
A:It is a feeling of necessity then!When you are in knowledge,then
going or not going in a temple does not make any difference to
you.Usually when we visit temples,we do it either out of 'Lobha'
(desire) or 'Bhaya' (fear).But in knowledge,there is no Lobha or
bhaya when we visit any deity.
4.Blessed Are Those Who Get Confused!!
Confusion is a result of breaking down of some knowledge to which we
are holding on,such a knowledge which breaks down is no real
knowledge.It leads to confusion.So,when we get confused consider
that we are blessed!!
5.Is it necessary to get married?
A:The ultimate aim of this life is to be happy.Be with or without
getting married,choice is yours.
6.Is it so that when wife prays,her husband also gets the 'Punya'
the benefit?
A:If husband eats,does wife feels full?On this path,each one has to
help him/her self.
7.What do we need to do in life?Do we need to take efforts to change
our lives or do we accept whatever happens in life as it is?
A:yes,we do need to take efforts to change your life AND accept
whatever comes our way after that!
8.What do we need to do about negative emotions?
A:Soham and so what
9.Is every event in life predestined?
A:What do you think?You asking me a question right now is your free
will,and me answering it is my destiny!(laughter)
10.How do we remain at your lotus feet forever?
(The Master looks at his feet and wonders..laughter follows his
gesture)Be natural and be yourself.
11.Is Soham Gurumatra?
A:Guru is Mantra.In Hindi:man ko tarta hai wo mantra.The one who
uplifts your mind is mantra.Guru is your mantra.
12.Why in the world are both good and bad things?
A:Everybody needs some work..
13.Guruji,I wish to leave all the wordly things...
A:No,no,you don't become an escapist.Complete your duties and
responsibilities.Do not think that your family is limited to
husband/wife,children,parents..include everyone in your family.Do
not care about only your kids but also others.Do not run away.Look
at me..how I am entrapped in this sansara..so big is my family..You
can smile even when you are entrapped in this world..(in hindi he
said:fas ke bhi has sakte hain)
14.Why is Shri Shri taken twice in you name?
A:Because I felt thrice is too much.(laughter)
15.Any God/Goddess you worship,they say,that is the biggest one,no
bigger god than him/her exists!How do we understand this?
A:See,the purpose behind it is to take you to the largest to the
biggest,to the greatest.Otherwise every god is in every other
god.There is Krishna in Shiva,Shiva in Krishna.In Ganesha,even the
sun,the moon,Shiva everything is part of Ganesha.
It is like a white ray of light which looks whit but has all the
seven colours.
16.Use the knowledge like a soap,with the dirt,even the soap is
washed away else it will be like a burden to you!
This one is from Rishikesh sometime in March 2000
Enjoy :-)
*********************************************************************
1.What among Kriya,Seva,Satsang do we need to do for being like you?
A:For even being 5%like me you need to do everything.But for being
100% like me,you need to do nothing..(the catch is..'you' need to do
nothing..wah re Guru..)
2.If you do not want pleasures,then you you get freedom(Mukti) and
if you do not want even freedom,then you get love!
3.Guruji,when we see everything,every deity in you,then is it
necessary to go in a temple?
A:It is a feeling of necessity then!When you are in knowledge,then
going or not going in a temple does not make any difference to
you.Usually when we visit temples,we do it either out of 'Lobha'
(desire) or 'Bhaya' (fear).But in knowledge,there is no Lobha or
bhaya when we visit any deity.
4.Blessed Are Those Who Get Confused!!
Confusion is a result of breaking down of some knowledge to which we
are holding on,such a knowledge which breaks down is no real
knowledge.It leads to confusion.So,when we get confused consider
that we are blessed!!
5.Is it necessary to get married?
A:The ultimate aim of this life is to be happy.Be with or without
getting married,choice is yours.
6.Is it so that when wife prays,her husband also gets the 'Punya'
the benefit?
A:If husband eats,does wife feels full?On this path,each one has to
help him/her self.
7.What do we need to do in life?Do we need to take efforts to change
our lives or do we accept whatever happens in life as it is?
A:yes,we do need to take efforts to change your life AND accept
whatever comes our way after that!
8.What do we need to do about negative emotions?
A:Soham and so what
9.Is every event in life predestined?
A:What do you think?You asking me a question right now is your free
will,and me answering it is my destiny!(laughter)
10.How do we remain at your lotus feet forever?
(The Master looks at his feet and wonders..laughter follows his
gesture)Be natural and be yourself.
11.Is Soham Gurumatra?
A:Guru is Mantra.In Hindi:man ko tarta hai wo mantra.The one who
uplifts your mind is mantra.Guru is your mantra.
12.Why in the world are both good and bad things?
A:Everybody needs some work..
13.Guruji,I wish to leave all the wordly things...
A:No,no,you don't become an escapist.Complete your duties and
responsibilities.Do not think that your family is limited to
husband/wife,children,parents..include everyone in your family.Do
not care about only your kids but also others.Do not run away.Look
at me..how I am entrapped in this sansara..so big is my family..You
can smile even when you are entrapped in this world..(in hindi he
said:fas ke bhi has sakte hain)
14.Why is Shri Shri taken twice in you name?
A:Because I felt thrice is too much.(laughter)
15.Any God/Goddess you worship,they say,that is the biggest one,no
bigger god than him/her exists!How do we understand this?
A:See,the purpose behind it is to take you to the largest to the
biggest,to the greatest.Otherwise every god is in every other
god.There is Krishna in Shiva,Shiva in Krishna.In Ganesha,even the
sun,the moon,Shiva everything is part of Ganesha.
It is like a white ray of light which looks whit but has all the
seven colours.
16.Use the knowledge like a soap,with the dirt,even the soap is
washed away else it will be like a burden to you!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Old is gold
Thursday April 13 2006 20:10 IST
-Sri Sri Ravishankar
Old people are no different from children! You should treat them like kids. Like children, they are adamant and repeat the same things! They talk about the same thing over and over again, without realising they have already said it several times! When a pattern sets in them, you accept them as they are. They are the best practical example for you to demonstrate that you have followed the first principle of the Art of Living – "Accept people as they are". They come into your life and make you realise that. You cannot change old people overnight, or even in a period of time. You need to accept them.
See, there is some wisdom in what they are saying. Sometimes, you are unable to see wisdom in what an experienced, mature person says. They speak from their own experience, over the years. Understand that they have a different set of experiences than yours. So don't get upset if they don't change! If you accept them as they are, a miracle will happen. If you give them space, love and compassion, they slowly start changing. But you need to have a lot of patience. You will learn patience dealing with old people, with grannies, who have certain patterns!
Also, don't take their moods too seriously! If they're upset, don't take it too seriously because then, you won't be able to communicate with them. Don't try to convince them. Sometimes, they just want to pour out their heart to you. If they are grumbling, they are just grumbling. They're saying it, but they don't really mean it! If they say, "I'm so upset" – they may say it, but they will still go and have their food, watch television and do all their things – but when they see you, they say, "Oh, I'm so upset, I never ate food, I didn't do this, I didn't do that!" If you take all their complaints seriously, you become miserable, and won't be able to help them. You should realise it's only their way of communicating. People who are very aged or sick just want to communicate with you, but what is it that they can share? When people don't have enthusiasm, they will only share their grievances. That doesn't mean that they are purely miserable. There is a corner in them that is untouched by any amount of misery. Whether it is extreme joy, happiness or misery, there is a part in every human being that remains untouched.
It is the same with people who appear to be very miserable. In reality, they are not that miserable, but they talk, talk, talk and talk! Especially when you know that someone cares for you, you don't always go to him (or her) with a smile and with joy. You go to him (or her) with all your problems and complaints! This is the normal course of things in the world. Isn't that so?
Suppose you are at a big party, you will go find your very close friend and complain, "The party is good, but this should have been better and that should have been better. They should have put that thing there. This light is not good. That curtain is a little crooked and you know there is no salt in this food...did you taste the food?!" You will find your close friends and talk, but you won't complain to the host. Out of good manners, you won't go and complain to someone new! The same is true of elderly people!
There is a nice story. A man earned a lot of money and then gave all his property to his son. When his son got everything, he built a small out-house behind the main house for his parents and he told them, "Now you have to stay there." So the old couple stayed there, while their son and his family started living in the big bungalow. One day, while playing, the grandchild came into his grandfather's home, where everything was old and in a very poor, pathetic condition – old utensils, old chairs, all unwanted goods. Things that could break at any time were kept in that house. So the grandchild came and told his grandpa, "Grandpa, be careful with your plate and your chair. Don't break them!" When he asked why, the child said, "Because tomorrow, my father needs all this." The child's father heard this and was shocked. That little boy saying, "Grandpa don't break it because tomorrow, when I grow older, I'm also going to send my father here. So better save this!"
One does not realise this fact. You are also going to be old one day, and are going to be like them. If you find that the elderly people in your home are complaining, and you don't like it, you better not do it today, and if you see them as being so generous, so calm, so serene, so loving, you better start being that way right now. And I tell you, if you're on the path, in the knowledge, and if you keep doing your meditation and the breathing exercises, your ageing reverses! That enthusiasm to learn will exist and your alertness, focus, attention – everything – increases in life. You will not become cynical and senile as you advance in age.
-Sri Sri Ravishankar
Old people are no different from children! You should treat them like kids. Like children, they are adamant and repeat the same things! They talk about the same thing over and over again, without realising they have already said it several times! When a pattern sets in them, you accept them as they are. They are the best practical example for you to demonstrate that you have followed the first principle of the Art of Living – "Accept people as they are". They come into your life and make you realise that. You cannot change old people overnight, or even in a period of time. You need to accept them.
See, there is some wisdom in what they are saying. Sometimes, you are unable to see wisdom in what an experienced, mature person says. They speak from their own experience, over the years. Understand that they have a different set of experiences than yours. So don't get upset if they don't change! If you accept them as they are, a miracle will happen. If you give them space, love and compassion, they slowly start changing. But you need to have a lot of patience. You will learn patience dealing with old people, with grannies, who have certain patterns!
Also, don't take their moods too seriously! If they're upset, don't take it too seriously because then, you won't be able to communicate with them. Don't try to convince them. Sometimes, they just want to pour out their heart to you. If they are grumbling, they are just grumbling. They're saying it, but they don't really mean it! If they say, "I'm so upset" – they may say it, but they will still go and have their food, watch television and do all their things – but when they see you, they say, "Oh, I'm so upset, I never ate food, I didn't do this, I didn't do that!" If you take all their complaints seriously, you become miserable, and won't be able to help them. You should realise it's only their way of communicating. People who are very aged or sick just want to communicate with you, but what is it that they can share? When people don't have enthusiasm, they will only share their grievances. That doesn't mean that they are purely miserable. There is a corner in them that is untouched by any amount of misery. Whether it is extreme joy, happiness or misery, there is a part in every human being that remains untouched.
It is the same with people who appear to be very miserable. In reality, they are not that miserable, but they talk, talk, talk and talk! Especially when you know that someone cares for you, you don't always go to him (or her) with a smile and with joy. You go to him (or her) with all your problems and complaints! This is the normal course of things in the world. Isn't that so?
Suppose you are at a big party, you will go find your very close friend and complain, "The party is good, but this should have been better and that should have been better. They should have put that thing there. This light is not good. That curtain is a little crooked and you know there is no salt in this food...did you taste the food?!" You will find your close friends and talk, but you won't complain to the host. Out of good manners, you won't go and complain to someone new! The same is true of elderly people!
There is a nice story. A man earned a lot of money and then gave all his property to his son. When his son got everything, he built a small out-house behind the main house for his parents and he told them, "Now you have to stay there." So the old couple stayed there, while their son and his family started living in the big bungalow. One day, while playing, the grandchild came into his grandfather's home, where everything was old and in a very poor, pathetic condition – old utensils, old chairs, all unwanted goods. Things that could break at any time were kept in that house. So the grandchild came and told his grandpa, "Grandpa, be careful with your plate and your chair. Don't break them!" When he asked why, the child said, "Because tomorrow, my father needs all this." The child's father heard this and was shocked. That little boy saying, "Grandpa don't break it because tomorrow, when I grow older, I'm also going to send my father here. So better save this!"
One does not realise this fact. You are also going to be old one day, and are going to be like them. If you find that the elderly people in your home are complaining, and you don't like it, you better not do it today, and if you see them as being so generous, so calm, so serene, so loving, you better start being that way right now. And I tell you, if you're on the path, in the knowledge, and if you keep doing your meditation and the breathing exercises, your ageing reverses! That enthusiasm to learn will exist and your alertness, focus, attention – everything – increases in life. You will not become cynical and senile as you advance in age.
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