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Pat Gounden
Jun 22, 2014, 3:50:14 PM6/22/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, June 23, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Mind is present inside the body amidst the five sheaths (Pancha Koshas). The
five sheaths are gross body sheath (Annamaya Kosha), Pranamaya Kosha
(pertaining to the life force), Manomaya Kosha (mind sheath), Vijnanamaya
Kosha (intellect sheath), and Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss sheath). Above the
mind sheath is Prana (life force) and below it is discrimination power. Both
of these are related to Fire. Mind is related to Water. The Moon is the
presiding deity for the Mind. Hence coolness is its nature. Because of the
presence of life force above and discrimination power below, the Mind melts
and gets transformed into water. Water’s nature is to flow towards a lower
level. It does not have the nature of flowing upwards. Hence the mind always
wanders around the sensory and worldly pleasures. It cannot voyage towards
the pure and higher stages. To divert the mind towards higher realms,
spirituality is of utmost necessity. (My Dear Students, Vol 3,Ch 7, July 9,
1989)
-BABA
Not just repeating some prayers, and not just visiting some holy places, but
living the values is what is Spirituality.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Equanimity: Our Greatest Friend
Sat, 06/14/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
<http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom/good-and-bad> The Case Of Good vs. Bad)
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, for a Yogi this world is a penance, and for a Bhogi being alone is
a penance. Can there be life beyond penance?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Penance makes us strong.
A Yogi is all alone in the forest and he feels happy. But when he is amongst
people, and they pounce on him, pull his leg, or cause him pain, yet if he
does not get angry and remains calm in his mind, then he has won.
For a Yogi being alone is very easy. But for him to be comfortable and happy
amongst people is a penance and a skill, which is necessary.
Similarly, a Bhogi is very comfortable in a crowd. But if he gets depressed
being alone, then eventually he will be unhappy being in a crowd too. Why is
this? It is because there is no fulfilment inside.
If you cannot be happy with yourself, then how can you be happy with others?
That is why, when you spend some time in silence, and sometime by yourself,
you become so content from inside. Then you will not long for attention, or
for some praise from others.
Gurudev, I have a girlfriend and we truly love each other and want to get
married, but she is Manglik. My parents are against our marriage because of
this. Please tell me what to do.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Look, if your parents believe in this and they have a
strong feeling for it, then as you sow, so shall you reap (meaning: what you
believe in, is what will bring the outcome).
But if you say, 'God is beyond all that, and I have deep devotion in the
Divine, and he will pull me out of all this', then it is a different thing.
So you have to take steps in agreement with everyone.
Whenever any Yagna (fire ceremony), or any auspicious work is to be done,
the first step is to know everyone's agreement. In the beginning only, they
generally ask, 'Is everyone in agreement to do this work? '
If everyone is in agreement then everyone will participate.
So, all of you, sit down together and look at the situation and make a
decision. If all of you feel that 'God’s grace is above all this, and with
devotion and prayer it will all be taken care of', then all planetary
affects will be nullified.
Also, just by chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya', everything will be alright.
Yesterday, somebody in Pune told me that he met an astrologer. The
astrologer told him, 'How are things going well for you. You chart says that
you have many problems'.
He told the astrologer, 'By the grace of God, everything is going well'.
This is very true; devotion, grace and blessings are above all.
Gurudev, how to overcome the fear of losing my loved ones? fear
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, if you don’t have much to do, and you have a lot
of free time then fear will come to you in some or the other form. The fear
of losing a loved one, or the fear of catching a disease, of the fear of
dying; many different fears can take over you.
The antidote for fear is love and service.
If you keep yourself busy in doing some service, where is the time to think
about anything? It is the same energy which manifests as fear, hatred or
love. So if you channel the energy towards love, then it will not manifest
as fear or hatred.
So, keeping busy, being active in doing some selfless service will help.
Gurudev, you have written a book called 'God loves fun', and yet you say
that if we follow fun misery follows us. It is correct?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes it is very correct. If you follow fun misery
follows you, but if you follow wisdom then fun will follow you.
Gurudev, sometimes there seems to be conflict between love for my own
country and the idea of a One World Family. Can the smaller be dropped for a
bigger cause?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I do not see any conflict between the two. One can
have love for one's own country, and at the same time have love for
humanity.
You can do both.
It is just like how a family person serves his family, but at the time also
comes out and serves the society.
It is not that if you are into social service, you must neglect your family.
That is not right. You have to do both, you have to attend to the family and
also do your social service.
Now, if a family member is upset for no reason, then what can you do. But
from your side, you should make sure that you do not do anything to upset
anyone.
In the same way, you can serve the country, and also be part of a One World
Family.
Moreover, hating somebody is not patriotism. Patriotism does not mean that
you are against the others. You not against anybody, but at the same time
you protect your country, and work towards its development. This is Dharma.
In Mahabharata also, Lord Krishna never advised the Pandavas to hate the
enemy. He never spoke about hate.
Lord Krishna said, 'Yudhyasva vigata-jvarah'. Fight without feverishness.
If you fight with feverishness in your mind then you will be disturbed.
Fight with a calm mind.
That is why he said, 'Yogastha kuru karmani'. (Meaning: Be steady in yoga
and do whatever you must do. Give up attachment, be indifferent to failure
and success. This stability is Yoga).
India has fostered such high ideals and have set an example for the rest of
the world.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
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“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
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cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present
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Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 <mailto:p...@pgco.co.za>
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Pat Gounden
Jun 23, 2014, 6:25:25 PM6/23/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If you are established in peace, you will find that Love arises from it.
Peace and love are intimately related. Many pretend as if they love all.
Their actions represent how dramatic one can get in the field of love. This
is not true love. True love finds fulfilment only when it is with peace.
Once you develop true love, Non-violence will naturally manifest from within
and you will not hurt or harm anyone. Love is present everywhere, in every
being in this world. Love is beyond a specific name, form or action. Love is
God, Live in Love. This is taught to you by Educare. The process of
education inculcates desire, hatred, jealousy, lust, greed and avarice,
which are worldly traits or behavioural tendencies. Educare on the other
hand, consists of adherence to Truth, Non-Violence, Love, Peace and
Righteousness - qualities that are present within you. (My Dear Students,
Vol 2,Ch 13, June 7, 2007)
-BABA
Love is the highest vibration.
Allow yourself to receive love unconditionally from others. Give love from
your heart unconditionally to yourself and others and you will experience
the highest state of consciousness possible.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 06/18/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
I have started listening to this spiritual leader since a year now. He is
saying that enlightenment is just a pure physical and physiological function
of the body, and there is no religious content in it.
He is rejecting other schools of though and saying that, no system or method
will lead you to enlightenment, and there is no such thing as enlightenment
at all. Gurudev, is there really anything as enlightenment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, in this world, different people have different
opinions and different views. They can have their views, but reality is
different.
Somebody sitting in a desert might say, 'There are no trees on planet
Earth'. That is their experience.
On the other hand, we say, 'Oh, there are so many tress. There is plenty of
water, and the water is so sweet'. But that is not their experience. The
water they have tasted is salty.
People are entitled to have their own perceptions.
If we say that there is no enlightenment, first we need to understand what
enlightenment means? It means raising above the mind; becoming your natural
self. It is not something that just falls on your head. Have the feeling
that 'I am happy, come what may' is enlightenment.
If enlightenment is not there, then why have people from centuries spoken
about it. It is not just one person's fantasy. For centuries people have had
the very same experience that 'I am not the body'.
And yes, you do not have to read and read, and then you will get an
experience. So many people have not read anything, but when they do
Sudarshan Kriya, they have the same experience as someone who has read.
You should ask this person to come and do the Sudarshan Kriya and Shakti
Kriya. Once he does Sudarshan Kriya, Shakti Kriya and some meditation, then
he may understand.
I once heard a very famous person say, 'You cannot stop thoughts in the mind
for even a second. If thoughts stop, then you will become crazy'.
This is not our experience! Is this your experience? What is your experience
when you meditate here? For an extended period of time, your mind become
calm, settled and serene; isn't it so? (Everyone says, 'Yes')
You experience a mind without thoughts! (Everyone says, 'Yes')
Today, this can even be measured using instruments. When there is total
harmony and synchrony between the left and right hemisphere of the brain,
and when the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system are working in
harmony, then you say that this is an altered state of consciousness. And
this altered state of consciousness which can be physically measured today,
is what is called enlightenment.
How do we free ourselves from the pain we have received till now, and what
to do so that we do not receive the pain in the future?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yoga and meditation is the only way.
Here everything is painful. Even an overdose of anything pleasant becomes
painful.
Wanting something pleasant causes pain. After having gotten what you want,
then also there is pain because there is a fear of losing it. And when it is
gone, the memory of it gives pain.
Something unpleasant anyways gives pain right away. But the pleasant also
gives pain because wanting or craving for something pleasant, is painful.
This is what happens many times.
Someone wants to get into a ministerial post. Before getting into it, there
is so much pain to get into the post. Once they get into the post, then
maintaining it is painful. And then when they leave the post, then also
there is pain, because no one respects them. But when you feel completely
unattached to it, that is when the pain disappears.
That is why it is said, 'Tena tyak tena bhunji thah'.
Know that all this belongs to the Divine, so just let go of attachment and
enjoy!
I am not saying that it is bad to get into a position, or bad to experience
pleasantness, no! But you should be detached from it.
How did Buddha attain enlightenment without doing sadhana, seva, or satsang?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Who said that Buddha did not meditate? Meditation is
sadhana!
Buddha also travelled to so many places and served the people. He listened
to everyone's problems, and taught them meditation. Isn't this seva?
Who said he didn't do satsang? Every day they would sit and do satsang. All
the Buddhist scriptures are from these satsang only. He sang and spoke in
Pali (a Middle Indo-Aryan language).
He is the one who said, 'Bhavatu sabba mangalam, rakkhantu sabba devata'
(May all beings be happy, and may all the Gods protect you).
In those days the language used was Pali, so whatever Buddha spoke and sang
in Pali, is what has become the Buddhist scriptures today.
If you look at it that way, then you can say that Lord Krishna did do much.
He recited the Bhagavad Gita.
In fact Lord Buddha did a lot. He meditated a lot, he fasted a lot. Whatever
anyone told him to do, he did. After doing so much, when finally he got very
tired, that is when he got enlightenment.
Buddha did a lot of sadhana. Krishna did not do much sadhana at all. He was
mischievous; he did something here, and then he went and did something
there. That is why it is called Krishna Leela (The Play of Krishna), and
Buddha Katha (The Story of Buddha).
Gurudev, in the Bhakti Sutras, you have said that all good things have a
tax. Do I have to pay for devotion too?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Ego is the tax for devotion.
When should one stop engaging with the world and be free completely?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: While engaging in the world you should feel the
freedom.
When you sit for meditation that is when you should completely disengage
from the world. And when you come back to activity, then you should have
keen awareness. Develop that mindfulness and keen awareness.
Pat Gounden
Jun 24, 2014, 5:37:27 PM6/24/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Understand the Nature of the Divine Soul (Atma), which gives sustenance to
all the senses. The five senses originate from Ether, which emerges from the
Atma. Hence, if you understand the Atma, it is highly likely that your
senses will be under your control. Then you will always be happy. Know that
happiness is beyond comfort and sorrow. Comfort and sorrow are just the
manifestations of the human mind. The state which is beyond this pleasure
and grief is truly happiness. You can realize this state when you listen to
the voice within you. God is present within you and He truly speaks to you
from within. To experience that inner voice, you must silence your mind. You
must control the activity of the external senses. When the inner and outer
organs are completely controlled, you will clearly hear the Lord, speaking
to you, from within. (My Dear Students, Vol 3,Ch 7, July 9, 1989)
-BABA
Inner journey and outer world events are complementary. If you are happy
inside, you are able to work dynamically outside. The more dynamic you are,
deeper and better is the rest and meditation. When you meditate the joy
increases.
People who are lazy, they cannot be happy. And people who are dynamic, it is
not necessary that they will be happy also. Dynamism should be combined with
inner silence. So, time to time, one should take a few days off, learn how
to go deep inside and meditate.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 06/18/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Of Enlightenment)
Questions & Answers
Gurudev in the Yoga Sutras, it is said that by aparigraha (the concept of
non-possessiveness or non-greediness) one gets to know their past lives. Is
that true?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes. When you do not receive anything from anyone, not
even their abuses, then you are most centered.
See, material things are different. When people give you things, it is easy
for you to not take it; to deny them. But when people abuse you, then you
don’t deny them. In fact, when someone insults you, before they can even
complete what they are saying, you take the insult from them.
Someone has not fully abused you yet, they have just begun saying it and you
have already taken it from them.
That is why aparigraha is important, which means, neither take anyone's
insults nor take their compliments, because a compliment can get into your
head and make you arrogant, and an insult can sink into your heart and can
cause you intense pain.
So aparigraha is neither taking anything positive or negative that people
give. If they give, you just smile at them and not harbor them in your mind.
So, when you don’t worry about other’s opinions of you, that is aparigraha.
You don’t take anything. And of course, not sitting and seeing, who is
giving what and how much they are giving (in terms of material things) is
also aparigraha.
How can we attain this
<http://unity.artofliving.org/in-en/wisdom-q-a-18-june-2014-qa-1> altered
state of consciousness (enlightenment)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is why we say, 'Do meditation'.
Why do we sing? So that there is activity in the right brain. And why do we
discuss knowledge and logical things? So that there is activity in the left
brain as well. That is why we have kept both, logic and music in satsang, so
that there is a balance between both sides of the brain. There is a complete
science on this.
Now, if someone sitting somewhere says, 'It is not possible', then what can
you say to them? You can only say, 'Well, that is your experience'.
What is important is that one should be open to experience. But if someone
says, ‘This is it, I know everything’, then you can’t say anything to them.
If people are fanatic and they think, 'This is it, I know everything', then
it is not correct.
Lord Mahavira (spiritual master who propagated Jainism) gave the sayatva,
which is one of the most scientific approaches of dealing with the
intellect. It says, ‘Perhaps there is something that I do not know.’
If someone says, ‘This is it, I know everything', it is not correct.’
That is why he spoke of sayatva: perhaps it could be some other way also.
All is possible. That is a sign of a mature intellect, otherwise it is an
immature intellect.
One can use jargons and write lots of books. Some of these
pseudo-intellectual people who claim to be enlightened, they are a big
problem for the world. They call themselves as Gurus and all that, but they
have big egos. They know the answer and they criticize everybody.
Someone said, being like a child is stupidity; innocence is stupidity. These
people have no understanding of stupidity and of innocence, and they
criticize! They piggyback on other’s popularity; catch hold of popular
people and piggyback on them.
Someone who has confidence on them self will not piggyback on someone else’s
popularity. They will just do what they know, and what they want to do.
So, there is no need to comment on what others are saying. The main thing is
that everybody has a right to exhibit their knowledge or their ignorance.
This is my contention. Everyone has their right to exhibit not only
knowledge, they have the right to exhibit their ignorance also.
Gurudev, it is said that whatever had to be said has already been said, but
the point is, have people heard it? Is this why so many enlightened masters
have to come again and again. How to make sure this time people listen.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: A farmer knows the answer to this question very well.
See, what does a farmer do? He takes the seeds, ploughs the field and then
throws the seeds. Some seeds sprout and some don’t. He does not worry and
think,’ Oh, this seed has not sprouted, that has sprouted.’
He just puts the seed and whichever sprouts, sprouts, and whichever doesn’t,
it doesn’t! Usually most of the seeds sprout if it has been ploughed
properly. And if the farmer has sown the seed at the right time, it does
grow.
That is what we should all do. Don’t worry about how many will reach the
goal and how many will not. You do your job.
A musician simply sings, he doesn’t see how many people are listening. If
someone is playing the flute or the sitar, there is no guarantee that
everybody sitting in the audience are keenly listening to the music. Some
may even doze off while the music is playing. That is their prerogative.
Many times, someone says something unpleasant to me, but at that time I do
not know what to reply back. Later on, I keep on thinking about it again and
again for a long time. I think, maybe I should have said this.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is where the knowledge helps.
I know it goes on eating your head for a long time. That is when you should
say, ‘Everything is nothing. All this will disappear. All these people are
nothing, and they are all going to disappear one day’.
See, the brain keeps giving some opinion here and there, and this tongue
which has no bone goes on blabbering. What is the big thing? Those sounds
which came from their mouth and reached our ears, need not rattle our mind.
See it scientifically.
That’s why both gyana (knowledge) and vigyana (science) are important. From
both angles if you see, nothing really matters. Knowing this brings you that
inner strength to move on with a smile.
Gurudev, if someone is continuously speaking badly, then what should one do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If someone is doing something continuously, then that
is their nature.
Can you say that every day the dog is barking? It is a dog only who can
bark! You can’t expect a dog to say, 'Meow'. Same way, you should understand
that this is their nature.
If they do it continuously then you should be more relaxed! If someone does
it once in a while, then you should be concerned, ‘What has happened? Has
this person eaten something wrong or what?' We can think about it.
When someone is doing it continuously, it brings freedom to you. That is how
they are. Why do you even have to worry about it? Just move on.
At least the dog is in your house, and not in the neighbor's house! The dog
in your home, you can at least feed him something and make him shut up. But
if the neighbor's dog is crying all night and barking all day, you can’t do
anything with that!
So you simply have to accept the situation as it is. Keep telling your mind
this and keep moving.
Buy nice ear plugs and put it in your ears, or think this dog is singing a
lullaby and go to sleep.
Pat Gounden
Jun 25, 2014, 5:49:10 PM6/25/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Health is the greatest blessing. Without it, you cannot do even the smallest
work. Health is indispensable for your progress in material, moral,
political, economic, artistic and spiritual fields. Food habits are of
primary importance if health must be secured and maintained. 'No restraint,
no success' is the axiom. Among the 8.4 million species of living beings,
all except humans live on food as provided by Mother Nature. Human beings
alone strive to make such food more palatable, more attractive to the senses
of sight, touch and smell by boiling, frying, freezing and mixing, grinding
and soaking. Natural Food is really beneficial. Catering to the cravings of
the tongue, if you intake heavy food thrice or more a day, you will fall ill
and lose the sprightliness of youth. Restraints, controls and limits must be
applied to the tongue. Regular and limited intake alone will enable you to
discharge your duties. (Divine Discourse, 20 Nov 1982)
-BABA
Why do diseases come into our life? What is their purpose?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is because we are violating the laws of nature. We
eat what we should not eat, or eat too much. We do not take good care of the
environment. There are so many (telecommunication) towers everywhere. There
is so much radiation. All this affects us. Also, if the mind is stressed,
the immune system goes down.
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 06/05/2014 Goa, India
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, somebody speaks very well, and give speeches very confidently, but
when it comes to work, nothing gets done. So how should a politician be, a
good orator or a good worker?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Both are needed.
When I finished college, a gentleman met me and he said, 'Being honest is
not enough, you should look honest too. If you are drinking milk in a bar,
it won't be considered as milk. You should look honest too, therein lies the
skill'.
Gurudev, what do you feel about scams, vices and slums in India? How can
India be saved from this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, everybody worked hard to create voter awareness
in India. Unprecedented voter campaigning happened, and it has yielded the
results.
Volunteer for a better India (VBI) went door to door asking people to come
out and vote. What then happened? A strong and stable government has
happened. So let's hope that this strong and stable government lifts the
country off scams and slums.
Gurudev, however spiritual, compassionate and service oriented I may be, if
fate has something else written for me then no matter how good I am to
others, they still turn against me. Then what to do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Don't worry. It's okay if people turn against you.
See how our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was bashed so much. I don't
think anyone in the country had been bashed so much. People called him all
sorts of names, but he came out of that.
We have many such examples. Even if you do only good to people, and have
done nothing wrong, there are people who will only see bad intention behind
it.
It is so surprising that people who want to find fault, they can find fault
in anybody, anywhere. But such people are in very few, so don't worry, let
them be.
Even for The Art of Living, some people say that we have grabbed land. I
have heard this. They don't tell us which land have we grabbed. Let them
come and show us.
Someone says the Art of Living has 50 acres of land in Maldives. We don't
even have a small place in Maldives. They should come and show us the 50
acres, we can take it at least.
They say Art of Living has grabbed government land. It's the other way
round. We had to give our own land, for which we had already paid money. But
there are people who say such things, what can we do? Just ignore them.
Gurudev, I want to know your opinion about India. How according to you
should India be?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: India, in my vision, is where people from all religion
and communities come together for their country. India has been divided by
religions and communities.
I want to see a slum free India. All slums should be removed. I want to see
a corruption free, violence free, misconduct free India, hatred free India;
where the youth are calm, farmers are happy, and businessmen trade outside
the country too.
India was once like that. Those days cell phones and such things were not
there. India's fame was known all around.
Columbus set out to look for India and he discovered America instead. See
how India’s fame had reached all around the world.
When British left India they carried with themselves 900 ships full of gold.
That was India, which was so prosperous that its prosperity never
diminished. See where we are today. That time we were spiritual and
religious too.
Lord Macaulay, when he went to London, he wrote to Queen Elizabeth, saying,
'I have traveled the length and breadth of India, and I have not see one
person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this
country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think
we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of
this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage'.
Gurudev, when I meditate I am asked to keep leather items away. I am told
that Lord Shiva is in Vajarasan on tiger skin, is it so?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Somebody asked me, 'Shiva also drinks alcohol'.
I said, 'First Shiva drank poison (halahal). Can you drink poison? Then we
will talk'. Don’t think on these lines. Those days that was the only seat.
In Gita it is written that sit on a deer skin. That means, be natural like a
deer.
There are already so few animals. If you kill them to sit in meditation then
that it is not correct. They ask to keep leather away because there can be
obstruction in flow of energy.
Gurudev, I am very enthusiastic about fighting the elections, but I have
stage fear. How to get rid of it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Go for the DSN course. And also do the happiness
survey. This is the best thing.
How many people have done the happiness survey? All those who have not done
it, take the happiness forms, make a group of 2-3 people and go door to
door. Some people will close their doors on your face. Never mind, move on
to next house with a smile.
When people criticise you and still you smile, all the fear will be gone.
Your personality will blossom. So definitely do the happiness survey.
Gurudev, we see a lot of alcoholism is going on. How do we save our health
and mind from alcohol?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, Gujarat is the first state where beef and
alcohol, both are banned. And slowly similarly every province should start
banning alcohol. And at same time, we should start teaching happiness
programs in all villages, and in all the slums. This will definitely help.
Pat Gounden
Jun 26, 2014, 7:12:25 PM6/26/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, June 27, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What manifests externally is called ‘Manas’ (Mind). That which is internal
is ‘Nama’ (The Name of the Lord). Repeating the Name of the Lord, you can
gain control over your mind and attain the state where there is no Mind
(Amanaska). As long as you are under the influence of your mind, you will
tread the worldly path and get lost. You can clearly hear the voice of the
Lord, only when you attain the “No Mind” State. To attain that state, you
must listen to the inner voice, the voice of the Lord within you. To hear
Him, you must practice Devotion and Surrender. The easiest way to understand
and experience God is to Love Him. You can easily grow in love for God, by
worshipping Him in a specific form. A true devotee does all duties with
total surrender only to please God, and dedicates every action to please
Him. (My Dear Students, Vol 3,Ch 7, July 9, 1989)
-BABA
Your heart beats by itself – you do not make it beat. Your breath moves by
itself, sleep comes, you feel hungry, you feel thirsty, you feel good, you
feel bad.
All these phenomena are happening in your life. When this realization comes,
a deep relaxation, a trust, a feeling of being “at home,” and a fullness
arises in you. That is surrender.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 06/20/2014 Bad Antogast, Germany
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, how do I learn forgiveness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why do you want to learn? Why do you want to take all
the trouble? Hold on to your grudge, and when you cannot then you have
already forgiven (the person).
It’s not easy to hold on to a grudge against somebody. If you are wise you’d
say, 'I am tired of this grudgeful feeling'. The moment the grudge falls,
you have already forgiven.
Forgiving is not an active engagement, ‘Oh, I forgive you from now’. If it
is an action of that sort, then that forgiveness has only boosted the ego.
Forgiveness happens as a result of being unable to hold on to the grudge, to
bear the pain of hatred, and to sustain that anger.
You’re angry with somebody, but at some point you say, ‘Let me give up. I
don’t care.’ Then you have forgiven them.
How long can you hold on to a grudge? It wears you down. You feel so tired,
exhausted, and sick. At some point you say, 'I don’t want to be sick
anymore', then you have automatically forgiven.
That forgiveness is the one without ego. You don’t even know that you’re
forgiving. You say, ‘Never mind, let’s move on’.
When you think, ‘I have forgiven you today consciously’, you have not
forgiven! Still you are holding on to something and you expect them to
behave in a certain manner. It is very subtle.
Dear Gurudev, when I do my Sudarshan Kriya in the morning, I feel very
sleepy after that. Please advice.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, if you are not sleeping well at night, then this
could be a possible reason.
If you have time, then after kriya just lie down. You may take a short nap
of 10-15 minutes, or you must meditate. If you don’t do this, then it could
happen that you feel sleepy.
After kriya just sit and meditate for some time. Kriya should always be
followed by meditation.
When you come back home in the evening, do your kriya then, if feeling
sleepy is bothering you at work.
Dear Gurudev, what is the force that keeps the material things in their
shapes? I go to sleep at night and when I wake up in the morning, all the
furniture is still there. What is holding the outside world together? The
explanation I found in Physics was not satisfactory.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is called intelligence. There is some
intelligence that is making you ask this question; that is holding your
brain together.
That which is keeping the brain together is the same intelligence which is
keeping the furniture together also! Brain is also a furniture for
consciousness to sit on. Got it? If you have one, you have got it!
I am sure you have one, otherwise you couldn’t have asked this brilliant
question.
Usually ordinary people take things for granted. It needs that extraordinary
brain to get intrigued by the realities of life. Question these things in
the universe and don't just be satisfied with what comes in the so called
science books because they keep changing. New theories come up every day. It
is really the intelligent ones who want to see beyond science also; who are
not satisfied with scientific research also. They want to prove more and
more.
So give a big pat on your head and to the thing that sits inside it. And
give a big pat to your back and to the thing that sits on your back. And it
is intact I tell you!
Beloved Gurudev, I have a vatta imbalance. My mind is so restless most of
the time. It is almost impossible to meditate deeply. What to do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: These imbalances are not permanent. You call it
imbalance because it is impermanent. It can’t be there for too long.
If vatta imbalance is there, it is going to go away. A little rest, an
ayurvedic massage, a little attention on food, and some good sleep, it will
be gone.
You shouldn’t sit and worry about it too much. It is the nature of the body,
sometimes it gets very stiff, sometimes it becomes very loose. Same thing
with the head! What do you do? That is how the nature is.
Do what you can, and do what is to be done, and just move on.
Pat Gounden
Jun 29, 2014, 4:16:33 PM6/29/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, June 30, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
As a pilgrim, you are helped or handicapped by the antics of the mind. The
mind has as its warp and woof, desire or thirst for something or the other,
getting some gain or avoiding some loss. Desire arises from attachment,
which is a consequence of delusion. Desire distorts and denigrates the mind,
and keeps it incessantly agitated. No sheet of water can be calm when stones
drop on it, and if there is a perpetual shower of desires, it will be
pitifully restless. The bliss which emanates from the Soul (Atma) must be
stored leveraging the reservoir of your mind (Buddhi). But, if the reservoir
has many cracks and crevices (senses), bliss (Aananda) will be frittered
away rendering the reservoir of mind dry. When the hunger of the senses is
sought to be appeased, your mind becomes vacillating and wayward. Your
mind’s legitimate role is to be the master of your senses, which are its
servants. (Divine Discourse, 22 Jan 1982)
-BABA
When the mind transcends the senses, it comes back to its true nature, which
is innocence - 'in no sense'.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
Devotion Is The Head Of Meditation
Mon, 06/09/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, is it alright if I meditate thinking about you, about how
beautiful you appear, how wonderful are your eyes, and that your smile is so
lovely? Is it alright to meditate upon your form?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, if you are able to meditate effortlessly by
remembering someone or something, then that is alright.
Maharishi Patanjali has mentioned in the Yoga Sutras (a treatise on the
eight limbs of Yoga) that if you are able to meditate by remembering or
contemplating upon an image of someone, or something that is very dear to
you, then that is alright.
There are many approaches to meditation.
Here (in the Advanced Meditation Course), by saying that everything around
you is hollow and empty, we bring the mind that is turned outwards (to the
material world) back inwards to its source. When you become aware that
everything around you is hollow and empty, then a deep realization dawns
within you.
So meditation is that which happens very effortlessly. But if, while you sit
for meditation, you make efforts to remember Gurudev’s image and how he
looks, then meditation will not happen.
There is a tradition in which people are taught to meditate by contemplating
upon some form.
In the Yoga Sutras it is said, 'Vitraag vishayam-va chittam'. It means that
just by thinking about an enlightened and dispassionate soul, one can go
deep into meditation. That is why one goes into meditation just by thinking
about the Guru. This really does happen, and it is alright. But you need not
strain yourself so much to think of the Guru in order to meditate.
Once you are connected with the Master, when you heart becomes one with the
Master, and when love dawns from within you, then meditation happens
effortlessly.
It is how it was with the Gopis (the womenfolk of Vrindavan where Lord
Krishna spent his early years), who were so totally in love with Lord
Krishna. The Gopis never made any effort to meditate. They were so soaked in
their love for Lord Krishna that they would effortlessly slip into
meditation. The moment there is deep love, meditation just happens.
The other approach is that which was taught by Lord Budhha. For meditation,
Lord Buddha would say that 'Everything around you is temporary and
transient. Nothing will last forever. Just remember that it will all
disappear one day'.
So this is another way to meditate.
Gurudev, how can one experience the mind, intellect, memory and the Self as
separate from each other?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you are listening to whatever I am saying, your
mind is the one that is listening through your ears. When you listen to
music, you hear it through your mind.
But when you ask questions about something, you do so through the intellect.
So it is the mind that is responsible for listening to the music that is
playing; it is the mind that experiences the hotness or coldness of touch.
But the faculty, or the level of existence that tries to understand what you
experience (through the mind), is the intellect.
Then, when you feel, 'I want this', or, 'I don't want this', then that 'I'
reflects the ego.
Remembering this entire experience is the function of the memory.
These are really four different functions of one consciousness.
Gurudev, in one of the meditations you say, 'The nose is hollow and empty,
the throat is hollow and empty'. When everything already is hollow and
empty, then what is the use of taking our attention there during meditation?
Should we not meditate upon God instead?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: To get there, at least make yourself hollow and empty
first. First you must become hollow and empty like a flute. Then you will
see that the harmony of the Divine will flow through you.
This is why in the great tradition of our Masters, it is said, 'Neti Neti'
(not this, not this). It means, 'It (Divinity) is not this, and it is not
that also'. So in this way, they went on negating and rejecting every
limited understanding of God, until they finally realized that everything is
One Consciousness, and there is nothing beyond it.
God is not a person or some limited form, He is the Supreme power behind
everything in this creation. God is the melodious harmony playing through
this entire Creation. But to be able to recognize and listen to His music,
you first need to become hollow and empty (meaning to drop one’s limited
concepts, small desires and understanding).
This is why it is necessary to experience and become aware of that emptiness
first. Only then will you be able to experience the totality of the Divine.
Gurudev, I have been a follower of the Radhaswami tradition for a very long
time. In my desire to meet you, I attended the Happiness program and learnt
the Sudarshan Kriya. Now I feel guilty that I am not doing something wrong.
Can I follow two different spiritual traditions together?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is no need to feel guilty at all. See, you
started following a particular spiritual tradition sincerely and did a lot
of good service there, as a result of that you got the gift of coming to
this tradition. But once you are practicing the meditation practices of this
tradition (of The Art of Living), I would suggest you to not mix up them up
with what you were doing earlier.
Do not try to change or mix the techniques taught here with some other ones
you have learnt before. Follow the techniques and the approaches taught here
as you have learnt it. You are also receiving the knowledge from that
spiritual tradition, so continue to do so and honour it.
All knowledge is one – the knowledge of the Self. It is just expressed in
different ways by different people and spiritual traditions.
If you really look at it, there is no conflict between any spiritual
traditions. It is just a trap of the mind, so you need not worry about this
and take it too much to heart. Honour everyone and every tradition, but
follow one spiritual tradition with all sincerity.
Pat Gounden
Jun 30, 2014, 5:14:41 PM6/30/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, July 01, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Virtuous living, beneficial thoughts, elevating ideals and righteous conduct
can confer not only good health, but what is even more precious,
Aatmaananda, the ecstatic Awareness of the Reality itself. When one yearns
for the happiness and prosperity of all mankind, he or she is blessed with
the wisdom and strength to mark out the way and lead them towards it. The
person sees one’s chosen God in everyone. Every act of theirs will be as
pure, as sincere and as sacred as an offering to God. A very effective way
to conquer all sources of physical and mental disease and debility is
awareness of one's Divine (Aatmic) Reality. That will bring about an upsurge
of Love and Light, for, when one recognises that he or she is the Atma, one
would cognize the same Atma in all, and share in the joy and grief, strength
and weakness of all. (Divine Discourse, 20 Nov 1982)
-BABA
Recognize the greatness in you and recognize the greatness in others. Then,
there is no 'you' and no 'others'. That is fullness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 06/20/2014 Bad Antogast, Germany
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Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, when someone criticizes me I switch off and go into hiding.
How to handle criticism without arguing and fighting?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: b>Know that you’re magnanimous. Every time you face a
criticism know that you are vast like the ocean, and you can take in
anything.
When you feel small that is when you don’t feel like taking criticism. When
you feel you are very big, then you think, 'I am much bigger than this
criticism, let me take it in'.
When there was Kriya Yoga* already, what was the reason to introduce
Sudarshan Kriya? Do both kriyas lead the follower to the same destination?
(*An ancient Yoga system (revived in modern times by Mahavatar Babaji
through his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya) consisting of a number of levels of
Pranayama based on techniques that are intended to rapidly accelerate
spiritual development and engender a profound state of tranquility.)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I don’t know why another kriya has come. But I know
that it is good that it has come because it has helped many more lives than
what the Kriya Yoga has touched. This much I know.
On the other hand, we have no right to comment on other techniques. It was
very useful at that time for those people. Today, this is very useful.
Maybe, today also, for some people Kriya Yoga might be working. And we know
for sure that Sudarshan Kriya is working for many more people. So, we
acknowledge that and we celebrate this!
Dear Gurudev, I love singing bhajans, but sometimes I feel I am being very
superficial and just treating them like nice music. How can I discover the
real devotion when I sing?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just be natural and don’t worry about your feelings.
Feelings keep changing.
If you have had devotion and if it is not coming up the next day, you can’t
force it to come. Even that devotion is a gift. You can’t demand a gift.
When it rises up, just be grateful. If it does not show up and you feel like
a rock, then just have patience. This is a passing phase.
A time in life comes when you feel such flatness. You feel devoid of any
emotion, without any commitment. Like this, a stagnant state may step in,
but it is only for a short time.
We don’t mind when such moments come in life. We don’t say, ‘No, I must feel
very devotional today.’
Think it is like one of those cloudy days and wait for the sunshine.
Dear Gurudev, I know that you have stayed by my side when I had no one to
talk to or express myself. I have not been successful at work so far and
often I am unlucky. I have not been able to take things to completion.
Please help me with your advice?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The pain or the concern that 'I have not been able to
complete things' itself will take you towards completion. So just relax.
If you don’t feel concerned that you are not completing things, then there
is a problem. But you have that concern, ‘Oh, I am not completing. I want to
complete’.
As long as that intense wish is there to complete, you don’t have to worry,
that will take you to completion.
Gurudev, what to do with people who do their kriya and meditation daily but
still have suicidal tendencies?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: They should do more courses and spend more times in
satsang. They should keep themselves busy and engage in some seva activity.
Dear Gurudev, in my daily life I catch myself breathing very slowly and
deeply. In this state it is hard for me to do physical work, or get
connected to the situation in hand. Please advice.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do some yoga and do some exercises. Very shallow
breath is good while you’re meditating but not while you’re in activity.
Dear Gurudev, how do I increase my self-worth and self-esteem?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is no way on the planet Earth. You cannot
increase your self-esteem even if the Sun rises in the West and sets in the
East. Even if that is possible, it is impossible to increase your
self-esteem. Just accept it. Finito!
My dear, if you think you don’t have it and you try to have it, it is not
going to work! You simply have to recognize that it is already there.
Pat Gounden
Jul 1, 2014, 4:09:29 PM7/1/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, July 02, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
All of you are pilgrims in the journey towards the city of liberation. Every
life is but a stage in the journey, your body is a rest-house for a short
stay during the pilgrimage. The mind is the caretaker in the place of our
rest. Do not treat the Mind as a Master or Owner, but take care of it so
that the house we are privileged to occupy is not damaged or polluted. We
must treat the watchman politely and not destroy its interiors. A restless
mind is an important source of ill-health. Many are constantly afflicted
with some source of worry or other, never free from anxiety. Why? Because
they are identifying themselves with the body! One acquires their body,
through their past activities and deeds, caused by the twin pulls of love
and hate. You can escape from this cycle, if you realize the Oneness of the
Divine being present in you and in everyone. (Divine Discourse, 20 Nov 1982)
-BABA
The Being is only one. So when the mind recognizes this oneness, the mind
disappears.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 06/05/2013 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Devotion)
There are two types of people in the world:
One type are called Bhaav-pradhan: They are those who are driven purely by
their feelings (meaning those who give great importance to their feelings).
The second type is called Gyaan-pradhan: They are those who are driven by
fact and logic, and act on the basis of knowledge (meaning those who go by
facts and knowledge and base their actions on reason and knowledge).
You have to nurture both the head and the heart. You have to combine them
together to move ahead in life. This is how you can bring fullness to your
life.
Some people’s feelings are very strong, and they are very emotional about
everything around them. On the other hand, some people are natural thinkers.
They think, weigh the pros and cons of everything and then act in a
particular situation. Both (feelings and knowledge) of these are very
important aspects of a person’s life, and both are necessary.
If you only rely on your feelings and not knowledge, you soon get misled and
get carried away by them. On the other hand, if you only think and act
without any regard to your feelings, then your life loses enthusiasm and
becomes so dry. There is no juice left in your life then.
So you have to nurture both the head (the seat of logic, intellect and
knowledge) and the heart (the centre of feelings and emotions). You have to
combine them together to move ahead in life. This is how you can bring
fullness to your life.
The main point to attend to is this: some people rely more heavily on the
intellect and logic, while some are driven more strongly by their feelings
and emotions. If you approach people who are driven by their feelings, and
speak to them about surrendering and love; all this will appeal to them very
greatly.
But if you go to a scientist (referring to being an intellectual, driven by
fact and logic) and talk to him about love, surrender, etc., he will not be
able to understand. He will say that there is some emotional or chemical
imbalance in your mind!
The scientist will say that your endocrine glands are over-active and
secreting too many endomorphine hormones.
So people like this are driven purely by knowledge and intellect, rather
than feelings. They perceive everything through the lens of knowledge. Yet
even they are essentially devoted to the same Tattva (referring to the one
pure Consciousness).
A scientist will tell you that everything in this world is made up of one
thing only. It is all composed of one and only one element, or principle. It
is that same one principle that has manifest into so many diverse forms in
creation.
To understand this, we can take the simple example of a banana. Do you know
how many varieties of bananas exist in the world today? In South India, you
even get red bananas. Have you ever seen a red banana?
Then we also have green bananas which are small in size. They are called
Elaichi Bananas (Elaichi meaning cardamom in Hindi; here used to indicate
the small size of this particular variety of bananas).
Now, they are essentially all bananas only. But each has a different size,
color and flavor. The same goes for apples as well. You can find so much
varieties in apples. There are yellow apples, green apples, red apples, etc.
The apples you find in Shimla are so different from the ones you find in
Kashmir (in terms of colour and flavour).
So you can see so much diversity in flowers, fruits and vegetables around
you. The same is the case with human beings also.
There are so many different kinds of people. No two persons are alike. Every
person is unique and different from the other, and they have different
behaviours, feelings and emotions. In the same way, they all possess
different kinds of knowledge and different thoughts also.
Some people’s feelings are very strong, and they are very emotional about
everything around them. On the other hand, some people are natural thinkers.
They think, weigh the pros and cons of everything and then act in a
particular situation.
Both of these are very important aspects of a person’s life, and both are
necessary.
Lord Krishna says, 'Jnana-yajnena cha-apy anye yajanto mam upasate. Ekatvena
prthaktvena bahudha visvato-mukham'. (9.15)
Everything you see around you is a play of diversity of this one
Consciousness only. This you should know and believe firmly. You should
honor this diversity. You can prepare so many kinds of dishes from the same
flour. From the same flour, you can make bread, Naan (a special type of
Indian bread), Samosa(an Indian savory snack) and also Halwa (a common
Indian sweet preparation).
In the same way, there is only one God whom different people worship in
different ways. There is only one Truth, and one Divinity; it is only the
ways of worship that are different among different people.
Now if we start expecting that everyone should behave and work like us, then
that would be very wrong.
You know, there is so much terrorism in the world today because some people
think, ‘Everyone should follow my way; everyone should work and behave like
me. What I say and do is right, everything else is wrong’.
People who say this are the ones who spread fear and terrorism in the world
today. And they do this out of ignorance. This is why we need a Gyaan Yajna
today (literally meaning to spread knowledge to more and more people and
dispel ignorance and negativity).
(Note: The discourse was given in Hindi. Above is a translation of the
original talk.)
Pat Gounden
Jul 2, 2014, 4:42:55 PM7/2/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, July 03, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad Gita, "There is nothing in the three
worlds that I am obliged to do, nothing unaccomplished that I have to
accomplish, but I am still engaged in activity (karma)”. Lord Krishna says
this, for, if God is inactive, the Cosmos will come to a grinding halt. You
too, must take the lead and follow it. Translate your strength into activity
along the path of duty. The young follow the lead of elders. So elders must
consistently hold on to ideals and work towards their realization so that
the entire universe can attain prosperity and peace. Mother Earth teaches
her children this lesson of service and sacrifice. Good conduct must be the
main key to the life of every being. Remember, it is the 'way of living,'
the path of virtue, that keeps you in the memory of people long after death.
(Divine Discourse, 22 Jan 1982)
-BABA
Virtues have to be practiced till they become your nature. Friendliness,
-BABA
compassion and meditation should continue as practices till you realize that
they are your very nature.
The flaw in doing something as an act is that you look for a result. When it
is done as your nature, you are not attached to the result and you continue
doing it. An action that arises from your nature is neither tiring nor
frustrating. For example, daily routines like brushing one's teeth or
bathing are not even considered actions because they are so integrated into
one's life. You do all this without doership. When Seva is made part of your
nature, it happens without doership.
Wise men continue the practices just to set an example, even though for
them, there is no need for any practices.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
January 24, 2014
Bangalore, India
4544
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, taking out time for Sadhana in everyday life becomes little
difficult, whereas I enjoy doing Sadhana. How to make it an easy habit?
Sri Sri: Look, is it difficult to take out time to brush your teeth? You
need to take time out to go to the washroom, isn't it? You bathe everyday or
not? Do you run to the office after getting up from the bed? Without having
breakfast, do you go?
There is time to have tea, breakfast, and gossip. There is time to bathe for
an hour, and there is time to stand in front of the mirror and comb your
hair. Whoever comes home we have time to talk nonsense with them. And on top
of all this, there is time for television. But for doing Sadhana, after
doing which one feels so good, how come there is no time? I know there is a
lot of running around to do in life, and it feels like there is no time, but
you have to create a discipline for sadhana. Make a commitment, 'If I don't
do Sadhana today, I won't have breakfast. I don't have the right to eat
anything until I sit for 15 minutes'.
Only 15 minutes, in the morning after waking up, sit in bed. Loosen your
whole body, and realize that God is your own, God is within you. Just sit
there for a few minutes.
I tell you, once in the year 1980, we went to Badrinath and Kedarnath
(pilgrim spots in North India). In those days going to Badrinath and
Kedarnath was very difficult. It would take three days from Rishikesh to
Badrinath. We had to stop frequently and couldn't travel at night. There
were two Germans with us who we taught pranayama and meditation. When it was
evening, they would ask the driver to stop the car near any pavement. And
there on the road, by the pavement, they would spread their mats and sit in
meditation. I was surprised seeing them. Whatever condition you are in,
wherever you are, you should meditate.
During my college days, if I was travelling by train, even I would also do
it (my sadhana) there itself, in the train. But I was seeing these two
Germans, they were so particular about the time. As soon as it was 6 PM they
would stop the car, and sit in meditation.
What I mean to say is, we should make it a habit. Morning or evening, at
least one time - when you return home from work, wash your face and sit for
20 minutes. This much time we can definitely take out. Or wake up a little
early in the morning. If you were not able to wake up early and got late one
day, then do it after returning home in evening.
When you have decided that without doing sadhana you won't have food, then
this becomes a part of your routine. Then if you miss one or two days, no
problem. But don't make missing it a habit.
There's a very nice bhajan by Sant Kabirdas.
"Kaam na choda, krodh na choda, satyavachan kyu chod diya, Naam japan kyu
chod diya".
(You didn't leave lust, you didn't leave anger, then why did you leave the
words of truth? Why did you stop chanting his name?)
Gurudev, we have learnt that there are 16 sanskaras which define and direct
the flow of life. Why is there no sanskara for divorce? Was it not there in
the Vedic times?
Sri Sri: You know, sanskaras are there so that you get something from them.
A divorce is using the delete button, that is it.
Maybe even sanyaasa could be called as a delete button, wherein you leave
everything. It is not that you enter something, whatever has been entered is
deleted in divorce.
These are all for the householders, all these sanskaras. And sanyaasa is
becoming a monk, where you press one delete button and everything deletes.
I usually tell people, you put your 100% to see that your relationship
works. And not just in one or two months, give enough time, enough space for
the other person to grow to your level, or for you to grow to their level.
Give enough time. After your 100% effort, if it doesn't work, then it is
better you go your different ways, and still be friends, rather than making
things very sour and having to live in very frustrated condition. It is
better to move apart happily.
But you have to give your 100% to make it work. It is not an easy job for
many, especially in these days.
In ancient times, people had that great acceptance. They took it for granted
that it is a done deal. Once you are married, then that is it, you have to
live with them. People had that type of attitude. Like you have chosen your
mother and father once, your brother and sister once, like that they would
say, 'I've chosen this husband, this is it!'. That type of mindset they used
to have, but today it's not the case.
So we have to be with the changing times.
Gurudev, to gain something is it necessary to lose something? What if I want
both the things?
Sri Sri: To achieve something big, you should leave something small. If you
keep a pebble in your hand and say you want something very big, how is it
possible? You first need to drop the pebble.
As soon as you realize the importance of a big thing, you don't need to put
an effort, the small thing will drop by itself.
I will give you another example. Before the sun rises, light a candle and
keep it. When the sun rises, is there any importance of the candle? Whether
it is burning or not, it doesn't make any difference. Do you need to blow
the candle to be able to see the sun?
Now don't take this example too far, don't misuse the example. If you have
some bad habit, drinking or smoking, and you think these will go by
themselves, no. First you leave those habits. If you have a habit which is
not in your nature, leave it.
Gurudev, how to manage the feeling of loneliness? How to come out of the
feeling that nobody needs me?
Sri Sri: You know, everything is going to finish, this whole chapter is
going to end one day. You will be all alone! Yes? That is called Vairagya
(dispassion). When you get into dispassion, you see that everything here is
temporary! All the people you are seeing, everything will be gone one day!
This whole thing will finish, like the soap bubble one day bursts. Then only
you remain. This gives you immense depth of understanding.
Now, if intellectually this doesn’t suffice your loneliness, then with that
loneliness or longing, you can write poems. You can do a lot of things in
that loneliness.
Many beautiful art pieces have come out of loneliness. Many songs and music
have been born out of that loneliness. So instead of letting the loneliness
turn into depression, you can turn the loneliness into a longing for
something higher. And the longing will keep the love alive in you. So sing,
dance and write poems in the deep pain, and turn this loneliness into
longing, and longing into something so creative; something eternal.
Gurudev, how can silence be a celebration? Silence sometimes makes all faces
so serious. How can it be a celebration?
Sri Sri: That is the paradox. You think celebration is only in noise, and
silence is only mourning. When people are celebrating, they make too much
noise, and when people are silent, they simply mourn. Somebody died, or
someone is in a horrible situation, then they keep silent.
Our celebration is totally different, our silence is completely opposite.
This is being joyful and yet keeping silence. That is how the joy gets its
depth, and silence in its true sense becomes a dominating force in our life.
So this silence is not that silence of sadness, and the celebration is not
just very frivoling and superficial. For celebration to get depth, you need
silence. For silence to manifest in its total glory, you need celebration.
Gurudev, wishes don’t let us relax. But without them, how can I move towards
my goals?
Sri Sri: That is the role of knowledge. Knowledge helps you to move forward
with wishes. With knowledge, patience increases. With patience, you can take
any wish, that wish is called sankalpa (commitment/resolution). You can move
forward rooted in commitment.
In life, Yoga is essential. If you want to be one with the Self; the One
being, then you need to surrender your resolutions. Surrendering all wishes
and commitments, you should sit for a few minutes thinking I want nothing.
By doing this, the mind becomes stronger, the intellect becomes sharper, the
body becomes healthier, and the spirit becomes gentle. This happens due to
yoga. We become eligible through yoga.
The tendency of the mind is to keep bringing resolutions from time to time.
So stay in Yoga, then from there silently move to the realm of doing.
Gurudev, how to make a choice between options that are equal? Which way to
go?
Sri Sri: You have to choose. Choice is yours, blessing is mine!
If your car is broken down, the job of the mechanic is to fix the car and
see that it runs. And where you want to run it, where you want to go is your
choice! Got it? Mechanic only fixes the car!
Dearest Gurudev, when I meet anybody, judgments come automatically. How to
feel unconditional love for everybody?
Sri Sri: No, you can’t feel unconditional love, it’s impossible. The more
you try to feel, the more it will be a far-fetched reality. Just relax, be
natural. The moment you realized that you are judging, the judgment has
already disappeared.
Gurudev, I have so much love for you, it is so much in me that I don’t know
how to express it to you. Can you please tell me what to do?
Sri Sri: You have said it already! (Laughs) True love always feel like that.
You feel you cannot express yourself, because love cannot be contained in
expression. Love is so huge. And for ages, people have tried to express
their love and finally they felt they cannot. Even the great sage Narada
said, 'Anirvachaniyam prema swarupam'. You cannot express it. The nature of
true love is that it is beyond expression.
Pat Gounden
Jul 3, 2014, 5:57:56 PM7/3/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, July 04, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What or who is God? When the answer to this question is sought, one
discovers that God is the glory immanent in Nature. The earth rotates on its
axis at a speed of thousand miles an hour. As a consequence, we have
alternations of day and night, which helps us to live on this globe.
Besides, it moves around the sun at the rate of 66,000 miles an hour,
causing the seasons which bring rains for crops and vegetation which sustain
human life. The earth does not profit in the least by these rotations but
human beings survive, enjoy life and prosper on account of them. Nature must
indeed be laughing at the sterile frenzies, the endless pursuits, and the
countless miseries to which human beings submit themselves to, in their
search for achieving the unachievable! You must search in Nature the sacred
lessons it holds for you; then, you will understand how deep and how
everlasting is the Truth that it conveys to you! (Divine Discourse, 22 Jan
1982)
-BABA
Nature does not judge you, this earth does not judge you. You misuse it in
all possible manners, but still it doesn't refuse you.
Creation does not reject you - not water, nor earth, nor sky, nor this air,
nor the sun, the moon, the stars. Breath makes no distinction - it moves
into a saint as well as into a wicked person.
Unconditionally creation loves you, supports you and holds you in its arms -
this entire creation is Shivatattva, innocence.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 06/24/2014 Washington, United States
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/stress_2.jpg
Questions & Answers
I studied the subject of happiness personally, and one of the things I found
in my survey is that only a third of Americans consider themselves happy.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to the large number of
Americans who are living a hectic lifestyle?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You’re limiting me to a very narrow scope to only one
thing. Why one thing? I would go for 25 things!
Well, there are different situations that we face but mainly it is the
stress that shrouds our happiness. Stress simply means too much to do, too
little time and no energy. Either you increase your energy level or reduce
your demands, then you’ll be happy.
Who are the people who have been the most influential in your life to make
you who you are today, and who have helped you build your philosophy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is very difficult to say. If I just take a few
names I won’t be doing justice. But it starts from my mother.
When you are in the moment, when your mind is here right now, then you’re
able to draw inspiration from everyone around you. Anytime, anywhere, people
can inspire you. It is an internal phenomenon.
So I find that inspiration is opening that source of energy within you, and
anyone can become a catalyst for that. A child in the street can inspire
you, a carpenter can inspire you, a gardener can inspire you. You only need
to have that willingness to take the inspiration.
Your Holiness, what is the secret to happiness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: By being yourself and finding that inner reservoir of
peace that we have all been gifted with. Just be yourself!
Would you speak about the importance of silence. How do we practice it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: (Maintains a few moments of silence) That’s it! Take a
moment, observe your breath, calm your mind, and relax your body. You find
such peace and so much love within you.
We are all born with this gift of love and peace. Somehow we forget to look
within, which is of utmost importance. A few moments to introspection is
very necessary.
Either eyes open or closed, being in the moment, now, and relaxing suddenly
connects you to yourself.
Could you talk to me about your own problems? What are your problems?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, my biggest problem is that I am a dreamer.
Knowing very well that there is violence, there are problems in the world, I
still dream of a violence-free society; a violence free world. And I know it
will take its own time, but I can’t give up my dream. This is my big
problem. I hold on to it.
If you read newspapers and watch television, it looks or appears like we are
so far away from this dream, but yet I see the same dream: to see the world
united in love and peace. I dream of a violence-free and stress-free
society.
You have said that there are two ways of looking at life. One is, 'I’ll be
happy if I achieve this certain objective'. The other is by saying, 'I am
happy, come what may'. Which is the better of the two?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Obviously the latter in which you find happiness
within yourself. You see that your happiness is unconditional.
One is a taker and the other is a giver.
As children when we took things we were happy. But as grandparents, we feel
happy when we give. This is a mature joy.
Like the grandmother at home, when she makes different dishes and serves
everybody, she feels a sense of happiness.
So, there is a joy in giving which is much more mature than the joy in
taking, or in grabbing. Somewhere we need to graduate from taking to giving.
Finding that we are the source of happiness, and come what may I’ll be happy
and I’ll spread happiness around me, is what I call as wisdom.
Your Holiness, do you believe in evil?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I don’t believe in evil but I know that evil is the
shadow of lack of goodness. It is an absence of goodness, absence of love,
and absence of light.
In India we believe in six types of evil: Pride, Greed, Arrogance, Jealousy,
Anger and Lust. Any of these distortions of love, or lack of knowledge, lack
of wisdom can destroy one’s life.
If evil is the lack of love, is the solution simply greater love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Absolutely. Turn towards light and all this will
disappear.
We have been talking for 5 years now about the value of work. Can you tell
me your views about the value of work aside from its monetary advantages?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Hard work keeps you out of trouble. If you don’t do
anything then your mind runs too fast and goes where you don’t want it to
go. Work is essential to keep yourself busy, to keep yourself sane and
creative as well.
There are certain ethics in work also. Making money is not bad, but if it is
done through unethical means, it is not going to give you a good night’s
sleep. That’s for sure.
Is your philosophy of compassion compatible with free enterprise and
capitalism?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Definitely. Capitalism without compassion will not
lead to a just society. Only a rich person can be compassionate. A poor
man’s compassion has no value.
You have told me that compassion and morality must be a precursor to an
effective economic system, but you’re also saying that an effective economic
system is important for compassion. Is it true that compassion and free
enterprise are intertwined and one must build on the other?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, whether capitalism, communism, socialism or
secularism, no ism will work without humanism. The heart of humanism is
compassion, and it is essential. Without that nothing can work. Everything
will be lame. And we’ve found this throughout the world. There are ample
examples. Whenever the human values are found missing, all these isms remain
in books as success but really not on the ground.
Pat Gounden
Jul 6, 2014, 3:33:34 PM7/6/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, July 07, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The scriptures declare that body is the temple and God is installed therein.
Hence, consider your body as a vessel for cooking food, given on loan for
hosting the festival of life. Can we return it to God, the Owner, in a worse
condition? Should we not scrub it clean and return it bright and free from
rust and dust? When the festival of life began, we received a pure, fresh
and bright body from Him, innocent of evil. We have now inflicted dents,
leaks and other signs of damage, through lust, greed, hatred, anger and
envy. Do not return His property in poor condition. You must return it to
Him, as pure as He gave it, to be most worthy of His Grace. Remember the
purpose of your birth; and leverage your full potential and capability to
achieve it. Wear the garland of devotion around your neck and saturate your
thought, word and deed with Divine Love. (Divine Discourse, 22 Jan 1982)
-BABA
You are a devotee and a true devotee. Don’t ever raise a doubt on this. The
badness is imposed from outside. Inside you are one with the Truth. Your
devotion is also true devotion. This is the way to think. Otherwise, the
self doubt transforms into guilt and then you spoil your mind. Move with the
belief that I am a true devotee. Hear this with open ears.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 06/24/2014 United States
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/rich-wealth.jpg
(Below is a continuation of the post
Happiness)
Questions & Answers
How can we alleviate the negative consequences of materialism in each of our
lives, and how can we teach that in our free societies?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: As I said, consumerism is a problem. It is not wrong
to be rich, but it is wrong to exploit people and the planet. That is what
is happening.
In many places, people are trying to become rich while undermining the
environment, undermining the laws of the nation. This is where the problem
arises.
Corporate Social Responsibility is something that every Corporate should
undertake. Do something for those around you; for society.
Now in India they have made it a law that every company must invest at least
3% of their profit in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). That sense of
giving back to society has now been made a law.
Creation of wealth should always go hand in hand with its distribution also.
You create and you give. Not keep it all for yourself. That’s where the
problem arises.
Is it your view that being rich brings a particular sense of moral
responsibilities to a person?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, of course!
Your Art of Living center in Pakistan was recently burned to the ground.
Thank God nobody was hurt. Would you tell us the story of the strange
premonition you had before you lost your Art of Living center in Pakistan.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: A couple of days before the incident, we were supposed
to have a Silent Retreat (Advance Course) in that place, and then we had
shifted the venue to another place. There were 60 members who were going to
be in the silence over that weekend.
Usually our centers are buzzing with activity. About a 100-150 people come
there and they practice meditation. By God’s grace, or some good luck, we
shifted the venue that particular weekend. It is then when they came and
burned our center and sent threat letters to many of our teachers.
This is sheer lack of understanding and ignorance. 'My way is the only way'
sort of mindset has created so much problem in the world today. Not just in
Pakistan, but all over. Fundamentalists, fantasist, terrorists are nurtured
with this philosophy.
I feel it’s absolutely essential today, to give that multi-faith and
multi-cultural education right from a young age, so that a child doesn’t
grow up thinking 'Only I go to heaven and I have the right version of God,
while others don’t'.
If they think, 'Only I go to heaven and everybody else goes to hell', they
create hell for everyone else.
A broad understanding about religion must be imparted to everyone. The
UNESCO should put this as a requirement all over the world. A
multi-religious or a multi-cultural education a must for children all over
the world.
When it comes to terrorism and the threats that are given to people who are
trying to live in peace, what’s your view on military intervention?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I think military intervention should be the last
option. Before that there should be enough diplomatic interaction. Trust
building, communication building efforts should be made.
I would say that track II diplomacy (non-governmental, informal and
unofficial contacts and activities between private citizens or groups of
individuals) should be engaged much more vigorously than it has been in the
past. Business men can make a good bridge between different communities.
They can play a very big role. They should put in their efforts, and then if
nothing succeeds, the last option should be the military one.
But you don’t rule it out. Is that correct?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That option should be the last option, though it’s not
my preferred option. You don’t want innocent lives to be lost.
Our friends in Europe are trying to get rid of religion entirely. What’s
your view on that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Religion has its own place, but I feel that
spirituality is something that rises above religion and unites people’s
hearts and minds. religion has got spiritual values in it. This is what
needs to be highlighted much more than the practices that the different
sects practice.
I would say we need to have unity in diversity, at the same time, enrich the
diversity because that is the beauty of our planet. We are so different, and
there are different rituals and different practices, none of it should be
lost. Everything has its own value.
There is a unifying force in all religions, and that is of the values of
compassion, love, and togetherness. These values need to take the front
seat.
There are skeptics who think that India is slowly coming down because of its
messy democracy. What are your views?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Corruption and the number game is a big problem in
India.
India has such a large population and there are many issues in the country.
The number game has been a very big issue in the past decade. Though there
are good leaders in the government who want to take good steps of economic
reforms, they’ve always been pulled down by regional parties, or allies who
don’t see eye to eye with each other.
Fortunately, this time they have got a clear mandate, so it is not a
coalition government of different parties. This can be advantageous for
faster progress.
One thing is for sure, we would prefer to be a democracy even if it means
that progress is slower, than a dictatorship where progress could be faster.
Different voices can be heard in a democracy, but in a dictatorship there is
no chance. We would not want a dictatorship at all.
How do you deal with the problems of terrorism and religious extremism that
we see increasing around the world today?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is a big problem. As I said, the reason is the
lack of understanding, the lack of a sense of belongingness, the lack of
trust between people and between communities, and also probably the
misinterpretation of scriptures.
I feel that every child should know a little bit about all the world
religions, and start respecting them all. Then they can grow up with a broad
mindset and terrorism can be nipped at the bud.
I feel spirituality has a big role to play here. It unites people of all the
different religions, and sects within a religion to come to an understanding
that we are all part of one universal human family.
It is the sense of identity (towards only one particular religion or
culture) which creates this sort of tension between people. One feels that I
belong to a particular sect and now I am ready to sacrifice my life in order
to hold on to that identity.
But if we get a bigger identity, i.e., I am part of the human society; if we
hold on to that bigger identity, then the violence, the suicidal bombings
that are happening around the world, and terrorism is stopped right away.
Again, scientific education combined with spiritual education is necessary.
Perhaps UNESCO should take this to every country in the world. The UN can
say that this is mandatory in the world. Like we had vaccinations mandatory
all over the world. This could be vaccination against terrorism.
Pat Gounden
Jul 7, 2014, 4:20:52 PM7/7/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, July 08, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Silence is the first step in Sadhana, which makes the other steps easy. It
promotes self-control, lessens chances of anger, hate, malice, greed and
pride. Besides, you can hear His footsteps, only when silence reigns in the
mind. Cleanliness opens the door to Godliness. Inner and outer cleanliness
are essential to install God within your heart. Service saves you from the
agony you get when another suffers; it broadens your vision, widens your
awareness, and deepens your compassion. All are waves on the sea originate
from the same sea and also merge in it. Seva teaches you to be firm in this
knowledge. Practice Love. Practice Hatelessness. None must be looked down
upon as secondary, inferior or unimportant. Everyone has their allotted role
in the drama designed by the Almighty. Do not slight, insult or injure
anyone; for, He is in every being and your slight thus becomes a sacrilege.
(Divine Discourse, 19 July 1970)
-BABA
Every face on this earth is the book of the universe, the book of God.
Everybody is a fountain of love. Let this love be expressed, let this
fountain flow, and enrich our planet at this time. Love and blessings to all
of you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 06/24/2014 Washington, United States
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
(Below is a continuation of the post
Wealth)
Questions & Answers
Religious beliefs can effect economic views. I am wondering, what does your
faith say about a free enterprise system (a system in which private
businesses are able to compete with each other with little control by the
government), to encourage human flourishing? Also, what does your faith say
about wealth creation and working for success?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In India, there has always been free entrepreneurship.
Freedom has always been there.
Creation of wealth, as I said, if it follows certain ethics then it is good.
Poverty is not all holy and richness is not all sin. But if poverty is out
of laziness, it is a sin, and if richness is out of greed and unethical
means, it is a sin. That’s the measuring point.
How do you create wealth? Does your creating wealth cause problem to many
people? Then it is no good. But, if your creating wealth brings comfort to
many people, employment to many people, and solace to many people, then it
is good. Go for it.
You have millions of followers all over the world. What are the biggest
obstacles that they face in achieving personal happiness? Do these obstacles
differ from country to country, or are the same reasons universally
applicable to human kind. For instance, will it be different in India and
the United States?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes. As many different cultures or languages are there
in the planet, that many challenges are there.
Basically, you can put them into four categories:
1. Employment or work related issues
2. Financial problem
3. Relationship problems
4. Health issues
Some people don’t know why they are unhappy. This is another issue. They are
unhappy but they cannot pin point and say, ‘I am unhappy because of this
reason'. These are the general issues that come up.
If a problem stays for too long people get used to it. It no longer appears
to be a problem for them. Somewhere, insensitivity towards the problem
itself is a problem.
For example, insensitive towards the environment. If you live in a slum and
you have accepted that, it becomes a problem for the society.
Scams and slums have caused a lot of problem in India. But in USA there is
classroom violence. You send your kids to school and you don’t know what
will happen to them. There is such a fear in parents about their kids coming
back home safely.
We hear about the gun culture. There are more gun stores than grocery stores
in USA, this is what I read in the newspaper and it is appalling.
40% of the population in Europe are suffering from depression. These are
major issues. Depression may not be an issue in India, but corruption and
poverty is an issue.
Eroding family values is another issue in India.
As I said, when we bring back the human values in society, people become
more proactive and stand up against corruption, and that’s what you have
seen in the past couple of years. People have stood up against these ills of
society.
Addiction is another big problem in India. In the last three years
alcoholism has increased three-folds. Drug abuse has almost consumed a
couple of Northern states in India. Strict enforcement of laws is a big
issue there. Whereas here the laws are very good. As far as I know, we have
very good law enforcement here.
These are challenges still to be faced in India, and the big population is a
big hindrance also.
The world is facing unprecedented challenges on many levels today. In the
wake of public dissatisfaction of political leaders, what type of leadership
do we really need today to be effective in responding to the 21st century
challenges?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For a more educated society, we need a leader who
doesn’t say, 'I am the leader', but instead leads from behind.
A leader who doesn’t have the mindset that I am a leader and I am going to
lead you, rather one who promotes leadership from behind. A leader who works
more through inspiration rather than authority, that type of leader would
work more in an educated society.
A society which lacks basic education needs a decisive leader.
If you go to a doctor, and the doctor says, ‘Perhaps this medicine will
work. May be you can try it’, you will hesitate to try it, isn't it? A
doctor has to be very decisive. ‘This will
work you take it’, that confidence needs to be there.
Such confidence in a leader makes a lot of sense where people are not that
high in their intellectual pursuit. Whereas, people with wisdom, with a high
intellectual bend of mind, they need to be promoted from behind. They need
to be encouraged to walk the path.
So a leader first of all should know whom he’s leading and where he’s
leading.
Gurudev, do you think world citizens are closer or further from the virtues
of trust and compassion with the advent of modern technology and
entertainment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You must know that there are a lot of people in the
world who have not even seen a cell phone, or a television, so you can’t
generalize this.
As I said, if you move around the world you will find different types of
people. They are people who are living in the 17th century even now. But one
thing is common with everybody, love, compassion and a sense of
belongingness. In fact, it is much more in the rural areas, in those remote
areas of the planet where they don’t have any access to media. They have
that humanism, they have the human values. They connect with people, there
is sincerity in them.
Do you think the world is becoming a better place?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In parts yes, in parts no. You can’t generalize. If
you say, 'It’s bright here', yes it is bright here in D.C, but it’s dark
somewhere else in the world. So things are getting better in some places,
and things are becoming bad in some other places. Now it’s for the world
community to wake up and see how we can bring more harmony.
It’s happening in some way.
How do we put the things that we learn today, into action? We can use the
wonderful avenues available to us for progress and the good of human
civilization, and that’s the responsibility you’re giving all of us today.
Is that our charge?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Right! We need to share what we have and reduce the
suffering and pain of people who are caught up in a whirlpool of distress.
Families are breaking up in many places; we can go and bridge the
communication gap that is happening more and more in society.
Sri Sri many people have written about India’s new Prime Minister Narendra
Modi as a politician. But you’re one of the few people who knows him as a
man. Could you share your thoughts on Modi the man.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: He’s a tough man with a soft heart. And he means
business. Few people know that he has a soft heart. I think that says it
all.
Pat Gounden
Jul 8, 2014, 3:04:37 PM7/8/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, July 09, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When Yajnavalkya resolved to go into the forest to live as an ascetic, he
called his two wives before him and proposed to divide the riches he had
earned between them. Before accepting her share, Maitreyi asked her husband
whether the riches will help her to realise Truth and achieve immortality.
When she understood that they will not, and in fact they are mere
hindrances, she refused to be burdened. Nachiketa refused the gifts of
empire, affluence, and years of healthy life. Prahladha taught the same
lesson to his playmates. Buddha solved the mystery of suffering through
renunciation of attachment as the first step in his Sadhana. All of them had
implicit faith in the existence of God; their lives revolved on the axis of
that faith. (Divine Discourse, July 19, 1970)
-BABA
Faith is a railing. You will never fall if you hold on to it.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 06/09/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Head Of Meditation)
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, please explain the significance of Go-daan (the custom of
donating a cow as charity in India) and whether one should do it while being
alive, or by someone else after his death. What is the reason behind doing
this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Let us first understand the meaning of the word 'Go'.
What does it mean? There are four meanings to it: Go means jnana
(knowledge), gaman (to travel to one’s final destination),prapti (the act of
receiving something) and Moksha (liberation).
So the word 'Go' is synonymous with each of these four meanings.
Go-daan therefore does not simply mean donating a cow in charity. It also
means giving knowledge to someone.
Before this life ends, you should share whatever knowledge you have gained
in this lifetime with as many people as you can.
Suppose you learnt and mastered playing the Sitar, but you die without
passing on this knowledge to someone else, then you have not performed
Go-daan in life. Then you cannot attain liberation. So, sharing all the
knowledge that you have received with everyone else is Go-daan.
The second meaning of Go is gaman. It means to progress in life. So when you
move ahead in life, and also help others move forward in life, then that is
progress.
Our scriptures speak about Sadgati (good progress). So gaman means to reach
a particular destination in life, and it also means to become so full and
content within yourself.
The third meaning is prapti (to receive), and it means to become content and
happy once you receive something. This too happens with knowledge.
Why is the cow referred to as 'Go'? The cow walks and moves, and it provides
everything that one needs for life. You need food for life. The cow provides
cow dung which is used to burn the earthen stoves for cooking food. Cow dung
is also used to plough the fields before growing crops. The milk from the
cows is so nutritious and satiates one’s hunger. Cow milk makes the body so
strong and gives a lot of nutrition. Also, we get butter, cheese and curd
from cow’s milk. So because of all these reasons, the cow is also called as
Go.
And then the fourth is knowledge or Jnana. Knowledge helps in the smooth
running of life, and it also helps one to achieve great things in life
(prapti).
In the Indian culture, there is a deep connection between a word and its
function. For example, the word 'Parna' (meaning leaf) means one that drinks
in and absorbs water and energy from the Sun. Our scientists refer to this
process as Photosynthesis. Why so? It is because the leaves absorb the
energy from the sun.
So, when you see it this way, Go-daan means to be able to make our life and
skills useful for the benefit of others.
In the ancient days, there was a custom of donating a cow to someone else
because of this reason. By donating a cow to someone in need, they would be
able to feed and sustain themselves and their family.
In those days, the greatest wealth a person could have was a cow. Do you
know why? It is because by donating a cow, you were helping the person to
feed himself and also helping him to make a living.
So in those days, having one or more cows was a huge source of support for
life. This is why so much importance has been given to Go-daan in our
culture.
Gurudev, in West Bengal there are no Indian cows, only the foreign or hybrid
varieties such as the Jersey cows are to be found. The administration there
has sent many of the Indian cows to the slaughterhouses for beef, in the
name of secularism. So the milk that we drink is not from the pure variety
of Indian cows, but rather that of the hybrid cows. Please advise what we
should do in such a situation.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, we must do something to secure and promote the
indigenous Indian cow varieties.
Just today, a gentleman from Andhra Pradesh had come to meet me. He told me
that the species of the bulls found in Ungol were taken to Brazil for
breeding. And now we are importing those varieties from Brazil itself.
The species of bulls found in Andhra Pradesh are said to be the best, but it
is so unfortunate that the species has nearly disappeared from our own
country which is its home, and we have to import it from another foreign
country. Why is this so? It is because many years ago, these bulls were
exported to Brazil where they have been conserved and bred, while in our own
country it has nearly disappeared.
The Andhra Pradesh government is now engaged in efforts to revive and bring
back this native species of Indian bull to our country. I truly appreciate
the government for this initiative.
I came to know that they are starting a full-fledged revolution to revive
the native indigenous Indian varieties of cows and bulls in Andhra Pradesh,
and I am happy to pledge every kind of support from the Art of Living for
this noble cause.
Gurudev, how can an atheist be transformed into a believer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is a believer sitting in the heart of every
atheist. You do not need to make any efforts to change them into a believer.
You just stand by and watch with a smile. An atheist over time becomes a
believer automatically (Laughter).
Gurudev, what is the difference between God and Guru?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First tell me what are you going to do by knowing
this? Let the two of them sort out whatever differences they may have among
themselves! (Laughter)
All your wishes are getting fulfilled, isn’t it? That’s it. What else do you
need?
Gurudev, who comes first according to you: the Guru or one’s parents?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It depends on the situation. If it a question of your
marriage, then your parents come first and you should take their consent and
blessings before proceeding further. But when it comes to spirituality and
meditation, then listen to the Guru first. Meditate in the way I guide you
during the guided meditations. Parents may not be well-versed with spiritual
practices and meditation, so you should consult and follow the Guru rather
than your parents when it comes to spirituality.
Gurudev, if our parents come first, then why do people become Sanyasis (one
who has renounced the material world)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, it is an individual’s choice and a matter of
personal interest when choosing a particular lifestyle. It is not a
compulsion for everyone to become a Sanyasi. Neither is it a compulsion for
everyone to get married and have children. Some people feel that they are
happy by themselves and can work tirelessly for uplifting others and be
devoted to the Divine.
So if someone feels this way in their heart, then they become a Sanyasi.
Then they do not feel the need for a companion, or a life partner. They many
times feel that why should they marry and disturb the life of someone else
when they are happy and content with themselves and wish to go on serving
people.
Parents should not force their children to get married.
What is the purpose of the Ravana Gita?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, if you know about the Ravana Gita then you also
know what it has been composed for.
There are different kinds of Gita (literally meaning knowledge sung in the
form of verses), each with a different purpose. But the essence of all these
scriptures is the same, i.e.,Atma Jnana (Self-knowledge).
There is a couplet in Hindi, 'Atma jnana bina sab soona; kya Kaaba kya
Kashi'. (Meaning: What good are holy places of pilgrimage if one does not
have Self-knowledge?).
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
a) 14 – 19 July 2014 (6days – evening course) @ APD Chatsworth
Pat Gounden
Jul 9, 2014, 3:17:04 PM7/9/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Gita offers valuable advice to help one swim across the sea of sorrow.
Bear no ill-will against any living being (Adweshta Sarva Bhoothaanaam),
always be engaged in promoting the wellbeing of all (Sarva Bhootha hithe
rathaah), and consider foe and friend alike (Samah shathrou cha mithre cha)
- these are jewels contained in the Gita, highlighting the means to develop
Universal Love. By declaring that none should have ill feeling towards the
entire world of living beings, the Gita is teaching an invaluable lesson
that the Divine is in all beings and objects, as an active illumining
Principle, appropriately called Atma. The Vedic assertions also firmly
establish this profound Truth. All are enveloped in God (Ishaavasyamidham
Sarvam); the inner core of all beings is He (Sarva Bhootha antharatma).
(Divine Discourse, 29 July 1969)
-BABA
Recognize the greatness in you and recognize the greatness in others. Then,
there is no 'you' and no 'others'. That is fullness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Password To The Eye-Pad
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 06/28/2014 California , United States
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ad/GP.jpg
(Someone from the audience gives Sri Sri a basket filled with questions)
Does it really matter?
(Sri Sri keeps silent for a little while) This is the latest technology, all
questions answered in silence; non-verbal, downloading.
Could you all download your answers? How many of you got your answers
already? Those of you who have not yet got your answers, keep your question
and be silent. (Sri Sri observes silence again)
The question and the answer comes from the same source. Where the question
comes from, the answer also come from the same place. You simply have to be
a little quiet.
How many of you got your answers? (Many raise their hands)
Each one of you is so complete!
A bud has all that it needs to become a flower, it simply has to blossom. A
few moments of quietness, a little bit of dispassion, and contentment;
that's all, it is done!
That is the highest knowledge.
(Sri Sri observes silence again)
It’s so amazing what this consciousness is; so thrilling, so amazing! You
only need the password (hinting: to be able to see the unseen). This eye-pad
(pointing towards the eyes and head region) needs the right password.
Just imagine if everybody has an i-Pad but they don’t have the password, and
they just keep looking at the screen alone.
Be natural and simple! You know, I feel home with everybody, I don’t feel
formal at all. Everyone is a part of me, I am a part of everybody. Is this
normal? Or is it not normal? Clarity in mind, purity in heart and
spontaneity. Is this too much to ask for?
I think we all had this as children, but I am keeping it. Some have lost it
temporarily, but only temporarily.
This is such good knowledge: eye-pad (the big eye (big mind) and the pad
(faculty of vision)). The password is So Hum.
(Sri Sri observes silence again)
(In gestures Sri Sri said: What is there to talk? When I talk, you take from
one ear and it goes straight out through the other ear. I know. I will talk
the language of the heart. There’s no need to talk, no need to say I love
you. I can see it in you. That’s it. What is there to talk? You keep silent,
I keep silent. We all keep silent. Good idea?)
Pat Gounden
Jul 10, 2014, 4:57:49 PM7/10/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, July 11, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Grief and joy, and pain and pleasure alternate like the dark and bright
fortnight by God's decree, to foster equanimity and to lead man towards
reality beyond both. If you do not attempt to transform yourself but resort
to blaming God for your sorrows, it is incorrect! You blame God because you
announce yourself as a devotee too soon, and expect plentiful grace. Grace
cannot be claimed as such; first God must accept you! Use your talent of
discrimination to sift the trash and discard it in preference to the
valuable. Engage in selfless service; flee from bad persons and win the
friendship of the good and noble, who will cleanse you and heal you. Man is
consumed by time; God is the master of time. So take refuge in God. Let God
be your Guru, your path, your Lord. (Divine Discourse, 2 Jul 1985)
-BABA
Make your home God's home and there will be light, love and abundance.
Make your body God's abode and there will be peace and bliss.
Feel your mind as a toy of God and you'll watch and enjoy all its games.
See this world as play and as a display of God Himself and you will repose
in the Non-Dual Self.
Blessing comes to you in many forms.
1) If you are generous, blessing comes to you as abundance.
2) If you are hardworking, blessing comes to you as happiness.
3) If you are lazy, blessing comes to you as hard work! (Laughter)
4) If you are pleasure loving, blessing comes to you as dispassion.
5) If you are dispassionate, blessing comes to you as knowledge of the Self.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 06/09/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Talents Are For Others!)
Questions & Answers
When we are children, we complain to our parents. When we go to school, we
complain about our teachers and our friends. When we start working, we
complain about our boss or our colleagues at work. How do we get free from
this habit of complaining all the time?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That’s it! Once you have realized and become aware of
this tendency about yourself, then just know that you are out of it.
A complaining mind usually complains about things that happened in the past.
When we do not look forward to the future with a positive mind set, and when
our Prana (life force energy) is low, then our mind tends to get entangled
with the events of the past, and it starts to regret or complain about them.
That is why the wise ones around us who have foresight encourage us by
saying, 'Drop all this garbage of the past. Just smile and move forward.
Your complaining does not help improve or resolve anything'.
Gurudev, these days there is a sitcom being shown about Lord Buddha on the
TV. In that, they have shown that the King of Magadha (a kingdom in ancient
India) and his Vedic priests had plotted a conspiracy against Lord Buddha.
Can you please tell how true this is?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, it is quite possible that they may have conspired
against Lord Buddha. But at the same time, many Brahmins also became the
disciples of Lord Buddha. And if you watch or read further, you will come to
know that his own brother and some of his disciples actually tried to attack
him as well.
The people who make these sitcoms actually add more drama and extra spice to
these stories to make them popular and increase the viewership, and to also
kindle some emotions within you. But there is absolutely no need for you to
believe these stories as they are portrayed.
Many times the directors and producers show the epic and historical battles
by distorting many facts. So it is very difficult to say what part of the
show is genuinely true, and what is just make-believe.
It has been more than 2500 years since Lord Buddha walked the earth. There
have been so many versions and tales written about His life and his nature,
time and again. It is very difficult to comment upon how much of what is
shown on TV is true, and how much of it is just imagination.
Some people have written these things out of ignorance and little knowledge.
In some Hindu scriptures like the Mahabharata, it has been written that it
is a great fortune to die under the foot of an elephant. In some, it is
forbidden to enter a Jain temple.
The Jain temples have been made very beautifully, with a lot of decoration,
carvings and sculptures of Lord Mahavira, and were very attractive to those
who visited them.
The idols were decorated with different jewels and precious stones, and
people visiting the temple would make various kinds of offerings. People
naturally would get attracted to these temples and visit them. To discourage
this, someone out of ignorance added to the texts of the scriptures that it
is better to die by falling under an elephant’s foot than to visit a Jain
temple. These are all baseless things.
Similarly in Buddhism, it is preached not revere Lord Shiva. The Buddhists
pray to Lord Avalokiteshwara instead.
The Buddhists have created replicas of the male and female demigods that we
have in Hinduism, with very similar forms and imagery, but with different
names.
Some people have even shown in paintings that the demigods in Buddhism have
vanquished the deities revered in Hinduism by defeating them in battle. By
making up such false stories, they conspired to make one religion go against
the other; to establish it’s supremacy over the other. But these kind of
gimmicks did not last for long because people are very intelligent and found
out the truth.
There were such harmonious relations between the Hindus and Jains, and there
was never any disparity between Hinduism and Buddhism in the past also. Even
though some people did try to create an atmosphere of conflict, but they
never succeeded. Why is this so? Since the ancient times, there has been
such strength and stability in the Vedic tradition which has always helped
in bringing people together so that everyone moves forward and makes
progress together.
Gurudev, I have been continually unwell since a very long time and have
suffered numerous accidents in the past. I am not able to bear so much pain.
What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Listen, if you had really been so unwell, then you
would have never been able to come here (to the Ashram).
We never notice how healthy we are. Rather we keep focussing on the small
diseases and problems in life and become miserable. It is not possible that
someone can be unwell all the time, or since birth. If that were the case,
then such a person will not be able to come all the way here and speak
during the satsang. So do not think that you have had to take a lot of
trouble to come here. You are already very healthy and are smiling too. You
need to bring a change in your mentality, and your outlook in life.
See, the body has its own limitations but you must be strong in your heart.
Sometimes in life you may suffer pain, or some disease, or meet with an
accident. That is the nature of the body, and it is alright. Continue doing
your seva, sadhana and satsang and everything will be alright soon.
This is why we have kept all types of facilities in the Ashram, to sustain
and boost a person’s health, whether it is through Ayurveda, or the other
techniques that we have that can help relieve the body from illness. The
main point here is that you need to keep your mind healthy and happy.
Gurudev, how can one achieve all the four aspects of Purushaartha – Dharma,
Artha, Kaama and Moksha?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Both Artha (wealth and material comforts) and Kaama
(desire or passion) arise in life from time to time according to one’s
needs. Fulfilling those needs to sustain one’s life, yet not getting
entangled in too much greed or lust is the responsibility of
Dharma(righteous action) and Moksha (liberation from suffering).
The main goals of our life are Dharma and Moksha. In the course of our life,
from time to time, we have to engage ourselves in the pursuit of Artha and
Kaama. Enjoying them but at the same time not getting caught up in it. This
is why we should engage in those action that are in alignment with our
Dharma, and refrain from those actions that go against Dharma. The same goes
for Artha also.
Life cannot run without any one of the four aspects of Purushaartha.
In the course of life, you must have Moksha as your supreme aim; adhere to
and uphold Dharma at all times, and you will see that your pursuits for both
Artha and Kaama will also give good results in due course of time.
Gurudev, if my soul is thirsty for love, peace and contentment, then why do
I find excuses not to do my sadhana?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, I would suggest that you reflect upon this
question yourself. Then you will realize that you are making excuses to take
your medicine (here indicating sadhana) which are for your own good.
This is like going to the doctor to get medicines, but going off to sleep
and keeping them under your pillow instead of actually taking them.
Why do we make excuses or skip doing something that brings us so much peace
and contentment? I also have this question for you.
Gurudev, if I ever have to ask you for something, please tell me what is it
that I should ask of you?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Come on, now do I have to tell you this too? You are
anyway getting everything in life without asking or running behind it,
right? So just relax.
Pat Gounden
Jul 13, 2014, 5:03:06 PM7/13/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, July 14, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Let God be your Guru, your path, your Lord. Adore Him, obey His commands,
offer Him your grateful homage, and hold Him fast in your memory. This is
the one and only way, and the easiest way to realize Him as your own
reality. This reality is cognisable everywhere. It is evident within
yourself, when you earnestly seek it. You can experience it, even while
performing selflessly your duty to yourself and others. I shall indicate to
you today, four directives for sanctifying your lives and purifying your
mind, so that you can contact the God within you. They are: Give up the
company of the wicked (Thyaja durjana samsargam); Welcome the chance to be
among the good (Bhaja Sadhu Samagamam); Do good deeds both day and night
(Kuru punyam ahoraatram); Remember and discriminate which is lasting or
otherwise (Smara nitya-anityatam). (Divine Discourse, 2 Jul 1985)
-BABA
Your life is the Guru tatva(principle).
Throw light on your own life. The wisdom that shines through your life - you
need to honor, that is honouring the Guru.
See, life has taught you so many things - what you did wrong and what you
did right, and if you don’t throw light on your own life, then the Guru is
absent. So reflect on your own life and honor the wisdom that life has
offered you. That is honoring the Guru.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Sat, 07/12/2014 North Carolina, United States
No Wisdom No Happiness
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Guru is present like space in life.
You just sang this song, 'Ajo Ananthaya'. Ajo means Never Born, Ananthanya
is Infinity, Nitya Shudha is Forever Pure, and Sat-chid-ananda is Pure
Bliss.
Guru principle is like the space, and you cannot avoid space. Whether you
recognize that there is space or not, is another question. You cannot escape
from air. Whether you recognize there is air or not is another question. And
today is the time for you recognize that there is air; there is space.
It is a privilege, a good fortune to have access to knowledge. Today is an
occasion to remember, and to celebrate life with knowledge, life in
knowledge, and life for knowledge.
You know, air is there everywhere but when you sit near the fan, you feel
it. In the same way, in the world, in the universe, the Guru principle is
there. When you recognize it, you feel so great, and you feel bliss.
Recognition of the existence of the Guru Principle, and the role it has
played in life, is Guru Poornima.
In our body, the throat chakra is for gratefulness. Above the throat chakra
is the Ajna (Agya)Chakra, that is the seat of Guru. So gratefulness is a way
to reach to the Guru Tattva.
And then where does the Guru lead you to? Bliss (pointing to the top of the
head), i.e, the Sahasrara Chakra. So, Guru is sandwiched between
gratefulness and bliss.
This Guru Principle is that which removes darkness, it is that which removes
all suffering.
We chant, 'Bhishaje bhava roginam', which means, it is like the medicine for
those who are stuck in small little worldly things; the disease of small
mindedness. It is called a disease because the mind wants to get out of the
suffering. Guru Tattva brings that absolute comfort.
You know, there are some people who live without light; they don't even know
of electricity. Animals live without electricity, without light; they don’t
need it. But human beings need light when it is dark. So human beings need
the Guru Tattva, they need the knowledge. People living without knowledge
are equivalent to animals.
One without wisdom lives an animalistic life, it is not a human life. So, it
is fashionable to be civilized and to have a Guru in life. If there is no
Guru in life, it means life is uncivilized; like one who does not know
anything of technology.
It is a privilege, a good fortune to have access to knowledge. And this
ancient tradition, from millenniums has preserved this beautiful knowledge,
and today we feel very grateful! It is an occasion to remember and to
celebrate life with knowledge, life in knowledge, and life for knowledge. It
is wisdom that can eliminate misery in the world. If wisdom cannot bring
happiness, nothing can bring happiness. So we have this privilege to spread
happiness, wisdom, and knowledge.
The Guru Principle is that which removes darkness, and which removes
suffering.
It is like a medicine for those who are stuck in the small little worldly
things; the disease of small mindedness.
Guru Tattva brings that absolute comfort.
Wisdom is not just information, it is a quality of consciousness; it is a
quality of life. Wisdom does not come just by studying and attaining
degrees, or by stuffing yourself with information. Something triggers inside
and you become wise. Some Naadi (energy channel) inside, or some part of
your consciousness flips over and you become wise. I think so!
Wisdom is not attained just by reading a lot. You cannot just read a lot and
be very wise in everything. Wisdom is a quality of consciousness, a quality
of life, and this gets transferred by good company. That is what happens.
The Presence of the Guru does not bring you any information, it shifts the
quality of consciousness, and that brings the wisdom to your mind.
Now, should we go and sit in front of a Guru all the time to become wise?
Not necessary. Wherever you are, simply can feel the presence of the Guru
Tattva.
Guru Tattva is in-between the eye brows. The Ajna Chakra, where the
pituitary glands are situated, that is the seat of the Guru. In the science
of Yoga, the Ajna Chakra or the space in-between the eyebrows is called the
seat of the Guru. It is situated above the Vishuddhi Chakra (in throat
region); the pure space. You enter the pure space, you enter into
meditation, and you reach to the Guru. And it is the Guru who pulls you into
meditation.
You are stuck in the heart region where there is love, hatred and fear. If
you have to get out of hatred and fear, you have to get into the inner
space. And who pulls you into the inner space? The Guru Tattva. So the Guru
pulls you into the inner space.
When you come to the inner space, what happens to you? You become pure,
i.e., Vishuddhi which means So Pure. The heart becomes pure, the mind
becomes pure, and that connects you to bliss, which is the Sahasara Chakra.
This is the science of Yoga. It's so amazing if you go into the depth of it.
Every moment it reveals even more.
Wisdom is a quality of consciousness, a quality of life, and this gets
transferred by good company.
The Presence of the Guru does not bring you any information, it shifts the
quality of consciousness, and that brings the wisdom to your mind.
So do not think that just by words, by reading books, or by stuffing
yourself with a lot of information you can become wise, no! Wisdom comes by
that shift; that is why it is called Grace.
Grace (or Good luck) means what? That which you cannot explain. If you could
explain how you got something then it is not luck.
When do you call something your luck? When you cannot explain the cause of
it. Of course, same for bad luck also. If you have bad luck, you say you
can’t explain it. So it’s the gratefulness which leads you to Guru Tattva
and the bliss further on, and vice versa, because when you find that solace,
then you feel more grateful.
So, what is wisdom? It is a quality of consciousness; like alertness.
What is alertness? (Sri Sri snaps his fingers) Your presence in now! You
know when you suddenly become alert, your mind shifts (sort of, opens), and
suddenly you are all alive. Words cannot describe what alertness is! In the
same way, words cannot describe what wisdom is.
Everyone in their life, sometime or other, have experienced a little bit of
wisdom. Whether one has maintained it or not is another question.
It is wisdom that holds the key to happiness. No wisdom, no happiness. So
people seeking happiness will have to go come to the Guru. People seeking
knowledge will have to come to Guru. People seeking a better quality of life
have to come to the Guru; they have to acknowledge the Guru principle in
their life.
One of the saints of the middle ages, a great yogi said, 'Who drinks the
nectar? One who has a Guru. One who doesn’t have a Guru in their life, he
goes thirsty, he has no juice in his life; he does not know true joy. But
one who has a Guru drinks the nectar; again and again he drinks the nectar'.
There is plenty of nectar in the inner realm of our being. One who has a
Guru drinks it in abundance. One without a Guru goes thirsty all his life.
He is describing our own physiology, which means, in this (pointing to the
head or Sahasara Chakra) there is bliss, there is nectar. When there is Guru
in life, then you get access to it, otherwise life becomes meaningless.
Wherever you are, simply can feel the presence of the Guru Tattva.
There are a lot of beautiful poems written on this. I’ve not read them all,
only heard a little bit here and there. But the essence is how the quality
of consciousness gets shifted, and the shift is a gift (wisdom is a gift).
The company of the wise brings that shift in the consciousness, or its given
to you as gift, and so you feel thankful. It is not something that you
earned in your life. You cannot earn it but it is being bestowed on you, and
that is the key.
Many people think wisdom means reading a lot of books. Wisdom has nothing to
do with books. Wisdom has nothing to do with gathering information. It is
just the quality of consciousness that shifts in the mind, and that is
bestowed by the Guru Principle, by acknowledging the Guru in life.
One has to acknowledge from one's side. The Guru does not accept or reject
anyone. It is the student, the disciple, who accepts (a Guru) as his Guru.
To be continued...
Pat Gounden
Jul 14, 2014, 5:17:36 PM7/14/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Love (Prema) cannot be affected or modified by considerations of caste or
creed, or religion; it cannot be tarnished by envy, malice or hate. Preserve
Love from being poisoned by these evils; endeavor to cultivate
hatred-lessness and distinction-free feelings. The root of all religions,
the substance of all scriptures, the rendezvous of all roads, the
inspiration of all individuals is the Principle of Love (Prema). It is the
firmest foundation for every human being's mission of Life. It is the Light
that ensures world peace and prosperity. Fill every word of yours with Love.
The word that emerges from your tongue should not stab like the knife, nor
wound like an arrow, or hit like the hammer. It has to be a foundation of
sweet nectar, a counsel of consoling spiritual wisdom (Vedantic), and a soft
path of blossoms; it must shower peace and joy. (Divine Discourse, 2 Jul
1985)
-BABA
Can there be joy without peace? (No, said the audience). If you want to make
a distinction, then peace is very mild and always connected to disturbances,
love is more to the heart and could be hate or love. Then joy, you find
small or big joy. But they are all your nature. Like you can see, you can
hear, you can smell, you can taste, but it is all you. There is something
deep inside you which unifies all. All emotions are part of you. Their
functions and expressions are different but all are in you. All arise in
your mind. In this sense, they all are one, in another sense they are all
different. When you smile you are different, when you sleep you are
different, when you eat you are different but all are you. In this sense,
they all are one. When someone dies, people stand up and say, ‘Let’s have a
moment of peace’. Certainly that is not a joyous occasion and nobody will
say, ‘Let’s have a moment of joy, somebody has died’. In some joyful
celebration, like marriage, people don’t say, ‘Let’s have a moment of
peace’, that will always be called a moment of joy. My dear, all are part of
you, all arise in you and in that sense all are one, all are linked.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Wisdom Catches Wisdom
Sat, 07/12/2014 North Carolina, United States
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(Below is of the post a continuation
<http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom/message-on-guru-poornima-2014> Sri Sri's
Message On Guru Poornima)
In India, there is a famous story of Eklavya (a character from the Hindu
epic, the Mahābhārata).Eklavya is considered the epitome of a disciple.
As the story goes, Eklavya wanted to learn archery to save the deer in the
forest that were being hunted by the leopards. He was the son of a poor
hunter. So he went to Dronacharya (a master of advanced military arts) and
requested him to teach him archery, but Dronacharya rejected him because he
was the teacher of the Royal family, he was a Raj Guru. He was teaching the
royal princes of Bharat (India).
In those days, if you are a teacher of the royal princes then you cannot
take someone else and teach them archery and make them equal to the prince.
It was not considered ethical.
You are teaching archery to the prince so that you make him a great archer,
to protect the nation. So you cannot teach someone from the street the same
knowledge. It was forbidden to make anyone as powerful as the prince. His
duty is to make the prince very powerful, so he cannot create a competitor.
Otherwise the nation would not be safe and secure.
So, Eklavya wanted to take Dronacharya as his Guru, but Dronacharya could
not accept him. This was the law of the land, that you have to exclusively
train the princes.
Nevertheless Eklavya accepted Dronacharya as his Guru, and he went home and
made a statue of his Guru. He learnt archery and became even better than the
prince. He became an expert. He would just hear the sound of the animal and
shoot an arrow at it.
One day, Arjuna, the prince found out about this. He saw that Eklavya was
far better than him. So he went to Eklavya and asked him, 'Who is your
Guru?'
Eklavya said, 'Dronacharya is my Guru'.
Arjuna then goes to Dronacharya and shouts at him. 'What is this? This is
cheating. You are supposed to teach only me, but you taught this man and
made him more skilful than me', he questions Dronacharya.
Dronacharya was baffled as to who was this student of his, whom he had not
taught, and who has become a competitor of the prince. Then they both go and
meet this boy. Eklavya leads them to the statue that he made of Dronacharya
which he considered as his Guru.
Dronacharya then says, 'You have to give me some Dakshina (a gift as fees
for learning)'. He asks Eklavya to give him the thumb of his right hand as a
gift (without the thumb there is no archery). Eklavya without a second
thought gives the thumb of his right hand to the Guru.
This story is viewed as the Guru to have a very cruel attitude. The boy has
learnt on his own, while Dronacharya goes and asks for his thumb taking away
his skill. How bad this Guru was! This is one way to see: the Guru robbed
the student of his skill. But from the other side, if you see, if it were
not for this incident, nobody would have ever known Eklavya.
Though on the outer level it seemed as if Dronacharya had done injustice to
Eklavya, but actually Dronacharya uplifted Eklavya because this one act made
him immortal. So when people think of devotion, they think of Eklavya, and
not Arjuna.
When you wake up in the morning, think of the Guru, or any wise person, or
any saint, so that your consciousness becomes like that. Then the whole day
passes by like that because you have incorporated wisdom (by remembering the
Guru), and the quality of consciousness has changed to that level. This is
called Pratah Smaraniya.
See the greatness of Dronacharya, he took the blame on him and uplifted his
student. That is why, even if the Guru is wrong, if your devotion is there
you can never go wrong. But the Guru is not wrong, it appears he was partial
but he uplifted Eklavya and preserved his Dharma (duty) also. His duty was
to maintain the law of the land: You cannot have anyone much better than the
prince.
This is a beautiful story. There is a full dialogue on this which people say
is very good.
Yoga Vashishtha is another very nice story of how Vashishtha gives knowledge
to Sri Rama. You should read Yoga Vashishtha, it is a very beautiful way in
which Vashishtha gives knowledge to Sri Rama and uplifts him from
depression; makes him realize that he is an incarnate of the Divine and the
light of the world.
So again, wisdom is a quality of consciousness. It can be developed through
sadhana, or grace, not through information. Wisdom can directly be instilled
in two ways:
1. Through spiritual practises (sadhana). Through sadhana that quality of
consciousness develops in you, or
2. By putting your attention on it.
See, whatever you put your attention on, that quality comes into your
consciousness. You become that. If you keep thinking about monkeys all your
life, then... (laugher). Or if you keep thinking of someone who is angry all
the time, you will also get into that state of anger. Haven’t you
experienced this? (Many raise their hands)
So wherever the mind goes it absorbs those qualities. So when you put your
attention on wisdom, then your consciousness becomes like that.
That is someone who is enlightened or very wise is called Pratah Smaraniya.
It's a very common word used in India. It means, that which is worth
remembering first thing in the morning.
As soon as you wake up whom do you think of? Whomever or whatever you think
of, your mind assumes that quality. That is why it is said, when you wake up
in the morning, think of the Guru, or any wise person, or any saint, so that
your consciousness becomes like that. Then the whole day passes by like that
because you have incorporated wisdom (by remembering the Guru), and the
quality of consciousness has changed to that level. This is called Pratah
Smaraniya.
Wisdom catches wisdom. In the company of wise people, your quality of
consciousness also shifts.
A man of great achievement and a saintly person is called Pratah Smaraniya.
Pratahmeans Morning, and Smaraniya means Worth Remembering. That which is
worth remembering first thing in the morning.
Usually people say a prayer before going to bed, and as soon as they wake
up, they say a prayer. Like that, in the morning it is worth remembering
those with wisdom so that you become wise.
That is a practice, and it makes a lot of sense.
We are in a world where emotion catches emotion. If some people have an
emotion, others catch that emotion. Similarly, wisdom catches wisdom. In the
company of wise people, your quality of consciousness also shifts. If it
doesn't, then you have to think why not? Maybe Time could be a factor,
because it is impossible not to change when there is wisdom in somebody
around you.
Remember this: Wisdom is not information. It is a quality of consciousness.
When you walk around today, or any day from today, think that you have a
diamond inside of you, a gem inside. You have acquired some gems, some
wisdom. Walk in life with the feeling that you’ve been given something very
precious.
A lady saint called Meera, a devotee of Lord Krishna, could not make
progress without a Guru. So she went to a cobbler (a person who makes
shoes), and he became her Guru, and then she sang the song, 'Payoji Maine
Ram Ratan Dhan Payo' (meaning: today I got the most precious wealth).
Though she was a devotee of Krishna, the Guru gave her the mantra 'Ram'
(laughter), and Ram and Krishna are completely opposite. Whatever Ram did,
Krishna undid it all. Have you heard the comparison between Ram and Krishna?
(Audience says, 'No')
Ram was born at 12 noon and Krishna was born at midnight.
When Ram was born there was a big celebration, but when Krishna was born
there was fear all around.
Ram was born in a palace, Krishna was born in prison.
Ram will not cross the line and would obey what his father said, and Krishna
never listened to his father.
Many such things, completely opposite. That’s why people say, you should
follow Ram and notKrishna. You should listen to what Krishna said but you
should act like Ram. It is easier for the parents and the spouse.
Remember this: Wisdom is not information. It is a quality of consciousness.
So she used to sing the name of Krishna all the time, and her Guru gave her
the mantra 'Ram', and so she sings, 'Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo'.
What I am saying is that, even though her Guru gave her the mantra 'Ram', it
did not cause any conflict in her.
If someone is Christian, a Sikh, a Budhist or a Hindu, it doesn’t matter.
Whatever religion you are born into, or whatever religion you practise, it
doesn’t matter. The spiritual wisdom carries you forward, so honour the
knowledge.
That is why Meera sings, 'Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo'.
It is a very famous song in India; most Indians have heard this. So Meera
says that this is a wealth I received, a blessing I received. It is a great
wealth.
Pat Gounden
Jul 15, 2014, 5:10:19 PM7/15/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Many of you do not consider the sacred values of Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi,
Prema and Ahimsa as inner current that are present within you. In fact, they
form the basic foundation of human life. Without the basic fundamentals, the
more knowledge you acquire, the greater and longer you continue to be a
fool, if you do not invest effort to realize your true nature. Truth is
present and latent within everyone. It is a precious gift from God. Whether
you recognize these facts or not, and even if you consider them as
irrelevant, these facts remain. Hence now onwards, you must install Truth
deeply in your heart. Love is the natural fruit of developing Truth. If you
grow in truthfulness, then as a result, Love blossoms from within. Along
with Sathya and Prema, comes Ahimsa. Truth sustains Ahimsa or Non-Violence.
You will find that the value of Non-violence is often absent, in every
person, wherever and whenever Love is absent. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch
13, June 7 2007)
-BABA
We need to spread the knowledge of human values (dharma). The lesson of
‘dharma’ is humanity; compassion and commitment to responsibilities: all
these must be instilled in us, and allowed to blossom.
These qualities are there, present in everyone. Do not think, 'I do not have
these, I do not have honesty.' Honesty is there inside you. Just that an
effort should be made to bring this to light. Honesty is hidden somewhere.
It has been overshadowed by dishonesty.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 07/09/2014 North Carolina, United States
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There are three levels of silence:
One is not saying anything. This is what we usually call silence. People
understand silence as not talking, not gesturing, and not doing anything.
There is another level of silence which is one step further. It is when our
mind is not interested in the things around it, but is just focused inward.
You are not interested in seeing, talking or listening to anything.
What happens when you see? You’re taking something in. When you’re
listening, you’re taking something in. When you’re tasting, and touching,
you are talking something in. All our five senses are trained to take
something in. This is all an activity. Silence is disinterestedness in
activity.
This does not mean that you shouldn’t eat food. Eat food, but do not feel
like, this food is tasty, this food is not tasty. Eat food but your mind
must not be involved. The mind not getting involved in any of the five
senses brings a certain amount of quietness inside you and this is the
second type of silence. It is an inward journey of the mind.
Silence is disinterestedness in activity.
The mind not getting involved in any of the five senses brings a certain
amount of quietness inside you. It is an inward journey of the mind.
The third degree of silence is, total oneness, total satisfaction. There is
no need of anything, total contentment. It is when all your energies, the
thoughts, the mind, which is scattered all over the place comes back to its
source.
In some deep meditation you might have had the glimpse of that total
stillness of the mind. And this stillness can be there even when you are
active.
Now you might think, 'Why bother about meditation when sleep is good
enough?' That is because when you are sleeping, even though your mind is not
engaged in activity, there is another type of physical activity which is
even more during sleep. When you’re sleeping your body is rejuvenating, it
is growing, cells are multiplying; there is a lot of physical activity in
the body. In fact, this sort of physical activity is much more in sleep than
in the waking state.
In meditation, the reverse happens, the physical activity is low in the
body. In sleep, the metabolism is high, but in meditation the metabolism
comes down. So, the body also calms down and the mind also calms down during
meditation.
Then what happens? The intelligence awakens. This is the result of
meditation. That is why you become brighter and sharper (with the practice
of meditation) because it rejuvenates the body and mind at the same time and
so you feel energetic.
To know 'Who You Really Are' you need a lot of energy. Energy is what is
essential.
To run an atomic reactor you need energy in order to create more energy,
isn't it? In the same way, to tap the source of energy, you need energy.
Don’t think this means that you have to be strong physically, no! They are
referring to weak in the energy sense. And how do you become weak? When you
all the time engage in the five senses.
To know 'Who You Really Are' you need a lot of energy. Energy is what is
essential.In Sanskrit there is a saying from the Upanishad, ‘Nayam Atma
Balaheenena Labhya’. A weak person cannot attain the Self. And how do you
become weak? When you all the time engage in the five senses.
If you sleep a lot, don’t you feel tired and weak? If you eat a lot, don’t
you feel tired? You do feel tired, isn't it!
If you sit and watch soccer the whole day, how do you feel at the end of the
day? Totally drained! People watch movies day after day. Everyday there is
some TV serial, something thrilling, something exciting, and after watching
and watching, you look so tired!
People who go for movies, you should click a picture of them when they get
into a theatre and again when they come out of the theatre. You will see how
tired and worn out they get.
If you go to conferences where people talk from morning to evening, and
sometimes even at the dinner table, they get so worn out. Someone is giving
a speech and hardly anyone is listening to them, only the one who gives the
speech is satisfied that he gave a talk. That is all that happens. He waits
for an opportunity to throw out whatever he has been thinking in his mind,
but there are very few takers. People listen and they feel so exhausted and
tired. This happens in many of the conferences. If they don’t leave that
little space for a break, or music, if they don’t give people some time to
sit and relax, they get worn out.
When you see many professors or intellectuals, do you see them smiling and
having a vibrant energy? Seldom you will find it. They are all so tired and
worn out. Listening too much also wears you out.
Usually people who give lectures, it takes 10-15 minutes for them to warm
up, and then they start delivering. They talk for not less than an hour and
a half. I only talk for 10-15 minutes, sometimes half an hour. That’s the
maximum. No more. People cannot take it.
So, listening too much drains you, seeing too much drains you, eating drains
you.
Just hang around with somebody, hold their hand, that also will definitely
drain you. That's the reason why people get together and they move apart
because they have not taken that much needed space for them self, or given
that space to others. We must respect our own space and another’s space.
If you’re upset, angry, depressed, hateful, or jealous; any of these
negative emotions, it simply means that you are lacking energy (prana), and
you have moved away from the center.
Once you’re centered (established in the self), once you’ve caught the
essence, then it doesn’t matter. But even then there should be caution: not
to do too much of anything. But till the time your system becomes strong
enough to hold this enormous energy, these steps or these rules are very
essential.
Silence is bringing you back home, and it gives you that much needed energy
to realize 'Who You Are', to realize that there is bliss, there is beauty,
there is joy, and that is 'You'.
If you’re upset, angry, depressed, hateful, or jealous; any of these
negative emotions, it simply means that you are lacking energy (prana), and
you have moved away from the center.
This is a very simple equation: If you’re upset then you lack prana, that’s
it. When energy is there, then there is no question of getting depressed or
upset. There is no question of saying, ‘Oh, everything is bad. The world is
hopeless’.
When there is energy, it gives you enthusiasm, then you say, 'If the world
is hopeless it gives me an opportunity to do something about it. Improve the
world', because that energy uplifts your spirit and uplifts everybody’s
spirit as well.
It is like making a home of sand. You make a home of sand 10 times and it
collapses, but then the next minute you’re ready to make it again. You
remain unmindful of whatever has happened before, that indicates prana.
To be continued...
Pat Gounden
Jul 16, 2014, 5:47:19 PM7/16/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Just as all rivers merge in the ocean, all branches of education end in
spiritual education. You must experience that kind of totality and merge
with Divinity. Traditions and truths are being separated into various groups
and the vicious syndrome of dislike for one person towards the other has
come into existence. However, not just in the past, even in the present,
there are quite a few people who conduct themselves as per the traditional
rules and guidelines with purity to attain the ultimate goal in life. The
means to liberation, in Krita Yuga was Meditation (Dhyanam), in Tretha Yuga
was performing ritualistic worship (Yagna), in Dwapara Yuga it was worship
(Archana), and in the present Kali Yuga, it is chanting the Name of the Lord
(Namasmarana). Any or all of these methods, when followed with utmost
sincerity and devotion, will help one achieve the ultimate goal of life
which is Liberation (Moksha). (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 1, Dec 25, 1980)
-BABA
Wanting freedom is a natural phenomenon. What you feel after your exams are
over is a little experience of liberation (moksha). In life also you burn in
your own hopes and desires. These desires have only brought you misery. When
you relax taking a step outside all this, there is liberation (moksha). When
you sit for meditation with the feeling, I am nothing, I want nothing, and I
do nothing - this feeling is the feeling of freedom. It is fun, it is
freedom.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 06/09/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Start Living!)
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, is it destiny or our actions that decides our future?
I have heard many times that whatever is going to happen is already
pre-decided. Is it true? If that is so, then we should not be made
responsible for our good and bad actions. I have been confused about all
this for a very long time. Please help me understand this.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is a very deep subject. If everything was already
predestined, then what is the need to do anything? Then doing Sadhana,
chanting mantras or offering worship to God would all be useless activities.
See, when it comes to animals and other living creatures, then everything is
indeed pre-decided (by Nature). But in the case of human beings, some things
are predestined by destiny, but there is some freedom of choice too. You are
gifted with Viveka (discretion) to distinguish between right and wrong.
See, birds and animals do not acquire the fruits (merits or sins) of their
actions, since all their actions and activities are programmed in their DNA
itself. But in the case of human beings, you have the freedom to choose how
to act, and you also have the ability to distinguish one thing from another.
So you can change the way things happen as per your wish, that is why human
life is well suited for attaining liberation.
So, despite things being predestined in life, you have the ability and free
choice to either endure what happens, or change whatever happens in life.
Human life is a mixture of things that are predestined, and free will.
Gurudev, please elaborate upon the contradictory nature of truth.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you go to any temple in India, not only will you
see idols of Gods and Goddesses, but you will also see the idols of many
demons (representing negativity and delusion).
Gods and Goddesses acquired their position because they were able to
overcome these demons. If there were no demons, then how will they acquire
their position? So whatever you find contradictory in nature are actually
complimentary to each other.
Take milk for example, is milk good or bad? If you drink only as much milk
as is needed, then it is good for you. But if you drink too much, then the
same milk can cause indigestion also. So when taken in excess, the same milk
can harm you.
In the same way, is poison good or bad? All medicines and life-saving drugs
have a warning label written on them that says, if taken in excess they are
poisonous. So poison can help in saving life, and it can also take one’s
life. That is why it is said that these aspects of Nature may appear to be
contradictory, but in reality they are actually complimentary to each other.
When you go deeper in knowledge then you will realize this.
A hero in a movie has some importance only when there is a villain also. If
there is no villain in the movie, then the hero has no job, except to eat
and sleep. When there is some mischief or some conflict that the villain
creates, then all the talents and skills of the hero blossom and become
evident.
Gurudev, what is a Kundli (a person’s astrological chart), and are all the
things written in the Kundli true? My mother-in-law says that according to
her Kundli she will take Sanyas when she is 50 years old. So will she leave
us when that happens?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, there is nothing like that. Astrologers say many
things at times. Like I just explained, the Kundli simply gives you pointers
or indications as to how things would happen.
Take your mother-in-law for instance, it says that she will attain
dispassion after the age of 50. But that does not mean that she will abandon
her family and become a recluse. If she continues to do her sadhana and
meditation, then she will be able to fulfil all her family responsibilities
and at the same time also continue to move forward on the spiritual path.
This is what you should understand.
You should not bother too much about all these things. May be you trouble
her a lot, that is why she must have said this thing (laughter).
Gurudev, I have been very regular with my sadhana, seva and satsang for many
years now. Despite this, I have been going through financial difficulties
for the past three years and am very disturbed. Please advise.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Everything will be alright in time. There may be some
delay but it will surely happen. These difficulties will not last for long.
See, the entire country is going through financial trouble. Our
industrialists have been facing various financial difficulties for many
years now. Our growth rate has fallen from 12% to -2.5%. What else can you
expect when this happens? There will be financial troubles everywhere,
people will suffer losses in business; these things will happen. But all
this is going to change very soon. Have faith and patience.
Gurudev, we have a tradition of donating a person’s valuables after they
die. Some people are able to do this and some cannot. How relevant is this
in Hinduism?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, many priests nowadays exploit the sentiments of
people in this way to make money. If you go to Haridwar or Kashi, the
priests in the temples force you to make donations. They make you feel so
guilty, or they induce a sort of culprit-consciousness in you. Do not listen
to what they say. You do what you feel is right.
They may ask you to donate a cow or some money. You do what you can and as
per your faith. Do not blindly follow what a priest tells you.
Pat Gounden
Jul 17, 2014, 6:10:34 PM7/17/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, July 18, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God descends for the people and among the people with love, compassion and
affection, and mixes with the Individual Consciousness (Jeeva Prajna) so
that Divine Consciousness (Deva Prajna) may be attained. Such rare
opportunities are bestowed upon individuals as a result of the good deeds of
past several lives. A Guru is truly like God. Guru teaches in order to build
the character of the devotee, so he or she can have a good future. A good
devotee/student is he or she, who has utmost devotion towards their Guru and
surrenders at their Master’s feet. Arjuna personified an ideal devotee who
surrendered completely to his Master, Lord and Guru, Sri Krishna. Arjuna
said to Krishna, “I will do whatever You tell me to do”. This is a classic
act, an example of complete surrender to God. Students today must follow
Arjuna as their role model and achieve complete surrender of their lives to
service and betterment of the society. (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 1, Dec
25, 1980)
-BABA
Your life is the Guru tatva(principle).
Throw light on your own life. The wisdom that shines through your life - you
need to honor, that is honouring the Guru.
See, life has taught you so many things - what you did wrong and what you
did right, and if you don’t throw light on your own life, then the Guru is
absent. So reflect on your own life and honor the wisdom that life has
offered you. That is honoring the Guru.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Role Of A Guru
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 07/14/2014 Montreal, Canada
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/role_of_guru.jpg
Yoga is coming back to the seer, and that is what meditation is: from the
scenery getting back to the seer. So when you sit for meditation what
happens? All the old experiences come up; they come up only to go away. So
when you sit down to meditate, all the impressions come and then they
vanish, and you are left with nothing! And this nothing is very precious.
That is called Nirvikalpa - nothing.
This nothing is healing, uplifting, and it is the door to another dimension.
Life had multiple dimensions. And Guru Poornima is the day when you feel
grateful that you got entry into the multiple dimensions.
There are many ways to come to the seer; many techniques. All these
techniques ,Hollow & Empty Meditation, Sudarshan Kriya, Shakti Kriya, that
we do is to get back to the seer.
(Sit straight everybody, and keep your spine erect. We are going to have a
silent discourse. Keep your eyes open, and if you have any question on your
mind, keep it with you and you will get the answer as well. I am going to
give you an answer through non-verbal communication.)
Did you get your answers? How many of you got your answers? (Many in the
audience raise their hands).
Good!
I will tell you a story of Guru Poornima.
Long time ago, there were four elderly men who were seeking answers.
The first one was miserable, so he wanted to know how to get out of his
misery.
The second one wanted more progress and success, and wanted to know how to
get that.
The third one wanted to know the meaning of life, and the fourth one had all
the knowledge but there was some emptiness in him, so he was still seeking.
He had all the wisdom but still he lacked something, and he did not know
what that was.
So these four people were wandering for answers and they all landed up in
one place where there was a Banyan tree.
Under the Banyan tree, a young man was seated with a big smile on his face.
Suddenly all of them thought that this person could give us the answer. The
same thought came to all of them from within, that this person is going to
solve my problems, and so all four of them sat there, and they got their
answers.
The young man who was sitting under the Banyan tree with a smile did not say
a word, yet all of them got what they wanted.
Seek to see, 'I am the light', and that it what the Guru is.
Guru means the one who removes darkness, misery, loneliness & lack, and
brings abundance, because lack is only in the mind. So the Guru removes the
lack and brings freedom.
This is the first story of Guru Poornima. That was a full moon day, and that
is how the Guru Parampara (Lineage of the Guru order) started. All these
four elderly people became Gurus. They all got what they wanted. Misery was
gone, abundance and happiness arrived, the seeking stopped, and the
knowledgeable one got a Guru to express himself to find the link.
That fourth man had everything, he had all the knowledge but he did not have
a Guru to connect to. So the inner connection to the Guru happened.
That why Adi Shankaracharya said, 'Mouna Vyakhya prakatitha, para, Brahma
thathwam yuvanam'.
(Meaning: I praise and salute that Dakshinamrthy (The first Guru), who
explains the true nature of the supreme Brahman through his state of
silence)
In the story, the teacher is young because the spirit is young, whereas the
students are old. There are so many similes associated with this.
Seeking makes you old. Seeking for the world, or for liberation, or for
anything makes you old. So the disciples were old, and the master was young.
And what is the meaning of the Banyan tree? A Banyan tree grows on its own.
It does not need anybody’s care or protection. If the seed of a Banyan tree
gets inside the crack of a stone, where there is not much water, it will
grow there also. All it needs is a little mud and very little water.
Sometimes it does not need even that.
Second, a Banyan tree give oxygen all the time. This is one tree that gives
oxygen 24 hours even if the Sun is there or not.
In India, there is an ancient belief that there are five important trees
(Panca-vrksa), and people go around these trees. It is believed that
everyone has to plant at least one of these five trees in their lifetime.
The Banyan, which only gives, symbolizes the Guru Principle.
Everyone has to play the role of a Guru to somebody at least at some point
in life to get the taste of it. Just like how everyone should play the role
of a mother at some point of time, everyone should play the role of a Guru.
But this does not mean you say, 'I am the Guru'. If someone is ascertains
that I am the Guru, then that is no good. Being a Guru means being in that
hollow and empty space; being one with the light.
Today, you should look back and see, what life would have been without this
knowledge. Where would you have been? Just imagine, 'If I had no knowledge,
no meditation, so Sadhana, no Satsang, where I would have been?'
We are not just the body, we are much more than the body. The body is just a
tiny stone tied to the big balloon. This is what you should keep in mind,
that the body is just one small aspect of me.
You pinch the body, it pains; the body gets hungry, it gets thirsty. These
are all the normal functions of the body which happen, but we get so stuck
in it, all the time, without realizing the vastness of our self and of life.
We have not found the aim of life because all the time we are stuck in the
small shell (i.e. body) and we keep worrying about it.
Seek to see, 'I am the light', and that it what the Guru is.
Guru means the one who removes darkness, misery, loneliness & lack, and
brings abundance, because lack is only in the mind. So the Guru removes the
lack and brings freedom.
So, today to celebrate we will do Guru Pooja!
Usually we keep a picture of the Guru Tradition, but I find that a picture
is too limiting. To feel the presence of the Guru Principle, I feel that we
need not have a picture also. Just the Paduka(footprints)to feel a light
dawning, is good enough.
Today, you should look back and see, what life would have been without this
knowledge. Where would you have been? Just imagine, 'If I had no knowledge,
no meditation, so Sadhana, no Satsang, where I would have been?'
One of the saints of the middle ages, a great yogi said, 'Who drinks the
nectar? One who has a Guru. One who doesn’t have a Guru in their life, he
goes thirsty, he has no juice in his life; he does not know true joy. But
one who has a Guru drinks the nectar; again and again he drinks the nectar'.
That is to indicate that the bliss is inside of us and if you have the Guru,
nectar? One who has a Guru. One who doesn’t have a Guru in their life, he
goes thirsty, he has no juice in his life; he does not know true joy. But
one who has a Guru drinks the nectar; again and again he drinks the nectar'.
the wisdom, the knowledge, you are able to get the access to it. When that
is not there, then go thirsty.
If you have the Guru, the wisdom, the knowledge, then you are able to access
the bliss inside you again and again. When that is not there, then go
thirsty.
I will tell you another story of Shiva and Parvati.
Parvati was very disturbed and she wanted some quietness, so she came to
Shiva and asked him, 'Tell me Lord, what do I do?'
Shiva gives her a technique Anahate Patra Karne.
There is a sound that is coming from deep inside your heart (Anahate),
through deep meditation listen to that sound (Patrakarne).
If you close all your senses, from deep inside you there is a sound that is
coming from your ears, a ringing sound, listen to that.
Or listen to a sound which is unbroken, like the sound of the fan, or a
stream. When you go near a waterfall, like the Niagara waterfall, the sound
of the water does not stop. It is a continuous sound. So to go to
Parabrahman, you just have to bathe yourself in the sound.
Similarly, bathe in the sound of a Bhajan.
Do you know why the same one line is repeated again and again? So that your
analytical mind becomes quiet. And when you take a bath with that sound, you
move towards the Divinity.
That is one secret.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
Pat Gounden
Jul 20, 2014, 4:44:01 PM7/20/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, July 21, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Everyone is very interested about their future. What is future? It is based
on the past. Don’t brood over the past and don’t worry about the future.
Past is past. What is the use in thinking about it or worrying about
something that is dead and gone? Just forget it! Present is very important.
Live in the moment and follow the present. Often many think of the past or
of the future and ruin the present. Many times you feel you were happy in
the past and are unhappy now. To what extent were you happy then? Has your
attitude changed since the past? Has the dirtiness in your mind been
cleansed? Believe that you are happy now; you have sufficiency in
everything. Your mind is right now blessed. You must always “Help Ever and
Hurt Never”. Bhagawan wants you to appreciate the importance of the
“present” and work for your progress, living in the present, living in the
moment. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 14, 22 Aug 2007)
-BABA
Wake up to the present moment now. It is not just a fleeting moment. The
present has the depth of infinity in it. The entire past and future is in
the now. Your entire exercise should be to be in the now. Who cares how you
feel? Are you doing what you need to do? Whatever you do, are you keeping
the delicate aspect of your consciousness or are you being a bulldozer? The
present moment is sensitive. Usually when you are sensitive, you become
weak. When you are strong, you become insensitive. Have a combination of
both – sensitiveness and strength. That is wisdom. The effect of past
actions is limited. It is not forever. Brooding over the past is not
alright.
Face the consequences. Be calm now. Wake up! When you wake up, even the
consequences you fear will not occur. The moment you acknowledge your
mistake, you are forgiven. You are innocent every moment.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sun, 07/13/2014 Montreal, Canada
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ad/infinity.jpg
I have to tweet some knowledge today, what knowledge should we talk about
today?
Did you read my last tweet? What was it? (Someone speaks from the audience)
Yes, 'If wisdom cannot bring happiness and take away misery, then nothing
else can'. That was the last tweet.
What can we tweet today? (Someone from the audience asks, What is wisdom? )
Wisdom is not information, wisdom is not scholarliness, wisdom is a quality
of consciousness which is alert, uplifted. and dash, dash, dash. Think about
it and fill in the blanks!
So, if you are wise, it is a quality of consciousness.
How do you get wisdom? How do you bring your consciousness to that level? It
is through direct transformation, or through spiritual practices. Someone
can become wise directly, and I think that’s happening, isn’t it! Those who
come and sit here and do the practices, meditation, satsang, all of it
helps.
There are many different types of fear that people have:
1. Fear of rejection
2. Fear of obligation
3. Fear of responsibility
4. Fear of the unknown
5. Fear of failure
6. Fear of abandonment
7. Fear of confronting the truth
8. Fear of separation
9. Fear of opinions and humiliation
10. Fear of not having enough
Make a list of all of this and then we will see how we can overcome them in
one go. All these fears are because you do not know that you are connected
to the infinity. When this is forgotten that 'I am part of the infinity',
fear comes.
All these fears are of only one fear, of not being able to exist. You will
always exist because you are connected with the ocean.
A drop is afraid because it thinks it is alone, it is not connected with the
ocean. But when the drop is in the ocean, the drop has no fear. It will
never get extinguished because it’s in the ocean.
Separation brings fear. If there is oneness, there is no fear.
So how to get over fear? By remembering the oneness, then there is no fear.
Pat Gounden
Jul 21, 2014, 4:39:51 PM7/21/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God alone possesses the strength to create anything and everything, both
permanent and impermanent. God is all knowing and omnipresent. He created
this world with His Divine Will (Sankalpa). God is the basis of all
creation. Gold is the basis of jewellery; if there is no gold, then there is
no jewel. Clay is the basis of the pot; if there is no clay, then there is
no creation. Similarly, if there is no God, then there is no creation. God
is omnipresent, omnipotent and omnipresent. Everything around us is Divine.
People, in their ignorance, forget this Divine Principle (Atma). In order to
jostle human beings from their deep slumber of ignorance and greed, great
sages and Divine Incarnations descend on earth. Whenever ego and pride
becomes second nature of human beings and ignorance reigns supreme, moreover
when demonic nature of human beings are at peak, Divine Incarnations
(Avatars) descend on earth to restore righteousness to its pristine glory.
(My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 1, Dec 25, 1980)
-BABA
Avatar means one who has come down. Those who want nothing, they come for
-BABA
the wellbeing of all. They haven’t come for themselves - either to enjoy or
burn karmas. They have come for jankalyan (welfare of all).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 07/14/2014 Montreal, Canada
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
(Below is a continuation of the post
The Bodhisattva (anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated an
enlightened mind for the benefit of all sentient beings) is known for his
compassion. Just before taking the last jump into Nirvana, he said that I
would like to stay by the door and send everyone, and then I will go last.
So he is considered even a step higher than Buddha, because Buddha went
through the door, but the Bodhisattva who followed the order of Buddha to
bring people to liberation said, 'I will stay by the door and send everyone
in'.
See that compassion, that greatness! He did not say 'My enlightenment!' He
said, 'I will stay back till the last disciple gets in, then I will go'.
This is following the words of the master, and the Bodhisattva is considered
the highest, even higher than Buddha. This is why Guru is higher than God,
because Guru leads you to God.
Jesus said, 'I am the way. If you have to go to my father, go through me'.
Jesus took all the pain and suffering for the sake of his disciples. So that
is the compassion of the Guru; of the Guru Tattva.
The emotions of the student also affects the teacher, or the master.
If the student is depressed, angry, or upset, it pinches the teacher also,
because there is connection.
See what happened in Jesus’s time, all the 12 disciples ran away. All of
them chickened out!
When he was being crucified people said, 'Oh, he came to save us, he could
not save himself!'
The most humiliation, if any Guru has experienced, was Jesus. He was
humiliated, and till the end, nobody could understand him.
He said that after saying all the knowledge the only thing they asked me
was, 'On which side of God you will be sitting, left side or right side?'
They did not get it, they were so dumb! But still there was something in
them, that fire in them that kept them committed.
Afterwards, even all the disciples were crucified or hanged upside down,
just for preaching love! For spreading love they were all turned upside
down, and butchered.
If they were only connected only through the head, they would have asked
questions, 'What are things like this, why didn’t God save me? Why did God
do like this', etc. But the connection was not from the head, it was from
the heart, from the commitment.
They endured the toughest time ever in history, and then the knowledge
spread throughout the world. Of course, later on the Church distorted the
whole knowledge and just went with fear and guilt and fear, and forgot the
teachings of the master.
It is the same with Buddhism. There is only one Buddha, but today there are
32 sects of Buddhism, and they have forgotten all the knowledge that Buddha
gave.
Even with Buddha it happened, his own disciples threw a very big stone at
him.
You know, if somebody is very closely and there is a deep connection, then
love hate starts happening. So his close disciples, four or five of them got
together and they went behind the hill and they pushed a big boulder from
the top towards where Buddha was sitting and giving a sermon. The boulder
stopped just a few inches in front of Buddha. He barely escaped! The entire
congregation was shocked, but Buddha was unperturbed. He just smiled and
said, 'They are getting over some Karma, so don’t react!'
There was total acceptance on Buddha’s side.
They used to test the student in the ancient days, to see whether the
student is ready or not.
But I say that only when the student is ready does he come to us.
This is another way of looking at it.
You will see like that, in our holy tradition, Adishankaracharya was a great
Guru. He is called Jagat Guru, which means the Guru of the entire world, not
just one country or one community.
The title Jagat Guru started coming from Adishankaracharya. Before that
nobody was called Jagat Guru.
Jagat means The Entire World. He was given the title of the Guru of the
entire world.
Just like Jesus Christ, he also lived only for 32 years.
As a young Sanyasi, once when he was walking and someone from a very low
class who was doing some manual work came in his way. So he asked him to
move. That person asked Adishankaracharya, 'Whom are you asking to move, the
body or the spirit? Who should move?'
In that one moment, Adishankaracharya saw a Guru in him, in a scavenger, in
a manual laborer.
He said, 'You are my Guru because you have opened a new dimension of
awareness for me'.
In the ancients days, before taking someone as a disciple, they used to take
a lot of tests. It is like, before putting the roof you shake the pillars to
see if they are strong enough to take the load. So they used to do a lot of
testing in the ancient days to see whether this person is fit to be a
student or not.
If you want to go to an engineering college, you have to first give an
entrance exam, isn't it. You have to give an entrance exam and only if you
pass then you get admission into the college. So like that, they used to
have vigorous tests in the ancient days. This is because, in those days if
you take someone as a disciple and they are not capable, then they will pull
you down.
If you have a horse and it is not moving in the direction you want it to
move, then it will pull you in its own direction. Then you will be in
trouble. The emotions of the student also affects the teacher, or the
master. And if the student is depressed, angry, or upset, it pinches the
teacher also, because there is connection.
Among the seven billion people on the planet today, you should feel precious
and privileged because you have gotten something so precious!
There is a proverb in Sanskrit which says, 'If you make an unworthy person
as your student then even you (the Guru) will go to the hell if the disciple
does not listen'. But I don't believe in this going to hell.
So they used to keep it all very exclusive and very limited, but
Adishankaracharya did not do that. He just opened the doors to everybody.
That is why he was called Jagat Guru. And we are from that tradition.
Even here, people say, 'Oh pranayama is a secret, you should keep it only
for the meditation class. And don’t give mantra to everybody, give it only
to those who are ready for it'.
We said, 'No, we will make people ready and will give it to everyone. We
will open the door to everyone'.
This is another way to look at it.
The tests they used to do in the ancient days was to see whether the student
is ready or not. But I say that only when the student is ready does he come
to us. This is another way of looking at it.
So today, when you walk around, realize that you have something great that
has been bestowed to you. You are carrying a diamond with you, you are
wearing the most precious thing in your heart.
Among the seven billion people on the planet today, you should feel precious
and privileged because you have gotten something so precious!
Pat Gounden
Jul 22, 2014, 5:36:27 PM7/22/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Even animals react based on your feelings. As is the feeling so is the
reaction. Every being goes by these three: reaction, reflection and resound.
It is only the evil tendencies, the bad feelings amongst human beings which
cause wild reaction from animals. Two sons born in the same family
constantly fight. What is the reason for hatred? Their own minds are
responsible for their temperament. Never have bad temperament. You must
always cultivate and develop noble feelings. All of you have good
upbringing, good family and good education. You must upkeep the name, honour
and reputation of your family and the University you studied. To earn a good
name, you must have good friendship. “Tell me who your friends are, I shall
tell you who you are” is a famous quote. As is the company, so you are.
Therefore always seek and keep good company – it is your good fortune to
have and be in good company. ( My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 14, 22 Aug 2007)
-BABA
See the possibility that people and things can change at any time and don't
hold onto the judgements.
You need to judge your company. Your company can pull you up or pull you
down. The company that drags you towards doubt, dejection, blame,
complaints, anger, delusion, and desires is bad company. The company that
pulls you up towards joy, enthusiasm, service, love, trust, and Knowledge is
good company.
When someone complains, first you listen, then you nod, then you sympathize,
then you complain.
Your company can create Hell for you in Heaven -- or Heaven for you in Hell.
Judge for yourself . . .
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 07/14/2014 Montreal, Canada
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
Questions & Answers
Why in life you are always tested and challenged when God wants to make us
happy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Know that every test is an opportunity for you to
grow. Don't take it as a test!
A test is not to know whether you are strong or not, but is for you to
realize that 'Yes, I am strong'. God is not ignorant that he needs to check
and see whether you have the strength or not. God already knows your
capacity; nature knows your capacity. The tests are for you to realize that
you are strong.
If you find that you are going through testing times, it is for you to
realize that you are much bigger and you can overcome that. It is for your
own knowledge.
Gurudev, how to be contented and happy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are not happy? You are not contented now? This
very moment; right now (Sri Sri snaps his finger)!
Greed takes away the contentment. It is the, 'I want more, I want more',
which makes you miserable, which makes you put so much effort! You should
think that whatever is needed for me, I will get it. You should have that
faith, that it will come to you.
Why do you get so disturbed? It is greed which disturbs you. So, not wanting
too much of anything; balance!
Happiness and contentment comes, the only thing you have to ensure is 1. You
are not lazy. If you are lazy and you say, 'Let happiness come to me', it is
not going to come to you. Lazy people will not be happy
2. Don't be selfish. If you are selfish, happiness is not going to come to
you. If you only say, 'Me, mine, only me', you are not going to be happy.
Selfish people will not be happy
3. Don't be greedy. A greedy one will not be happy. If you are greedy and
say, 'I want more and more and more', you will not be happy
4. People with the feeling of revenge will not be happy. If you want to take
revenge on anybody, then you cannot be happy
Gurudev, will you help me become a healer? I want to help people.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, but you should not make it a profession. You
shouldn’t say, 'Okay, I am going to heal you, but you have to give me some
money'.
You know, with that type of healers, the healing does not work. It may
appear to work for a little while but really it does not.
If anyone wants to become a healer, I say yes go ahead, but don’t make it
your profession, don’t make it your livelihood. If they give something, take
it, never mind.
How is it that in Vedic times, men and women both were priests and teachers.
What caused that transition that women were cut out from the knowledge?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In Vedic times men and women were equal. There were
women priests, women saints and all that. But later on, in the middle ages,
when the Arab influence fell on India, at that time, slowly women’s powers
were taken away, because India was ruled by the Arabs for about one thousand
years. This is talking of the Mughal time.
There were some exceptions, like Kerala. Kerala and Tirpura was never under
Mughal rule. There matriarchal society continued.
In Kerala, all the wealth goes to the girls. The mother is the head of the
family. The husband lives in the wife’s house after marriage and not the
other way round.
In Tripura also it is the same with the tribal. All the property, etc., goes
from girls to girls.
Are there many such Earths? Are you present in each one simultaneously?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, I have many dimensions. We are all in many
places, but let us make use of this place properly, that is good enough.
Pat Gounden
Jul 23, 2014, 4:02:13 PM7/23/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The moment a bad thought comes, you must teach your mind, “Oh mind, are you
on the path of human values or on the path of an animal? This thought is an
animal thought – you are not an animal.” Train your mind saying, “Oh mind,
human beings are not meant to eat, sleep and enjoy pleasures. Shed all
animal qualities, give up previous habits and old ways. You must get away
from all evil”. If you thus teach your mind, its speed will be lessened and
the flow of thoughts will change. You must consistently teach your mind to
transform your thoughts. There will be difficulties in the process. But let
them come – the one who works hard and passes through these hardships will
enjoy abundant peace. Without effort, there cannot be gain or pleasure.
Hence don’t worry about difficulties. (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 2, March
9, 1993)
-BABA
To overcome difficulties in life one needs to be strong, and the strength
comes only through spiritual knowledge.
Sri Sri Ravi Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 07/15/2014 Montreal, Canada
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You say the consonants without vowels. Without 'Aa', 'Ka' cannot be said.
Without 'Aa', 'Cha' cannot be said. None of the consonants can be uttered
without vowels. And when you try to utter consonants without vowels, the
mind stops. Try it!
When you try to utter 'Ka' in your mind without 'Aa', you mind stops, your
breath stops. Try and see, keep eyes open and do it in your mind! The secret
lies there...
It is words that cause you disturbance. Words are made up of letters, and
letters are called Akshara, which means The Imperishable; they come from the
imperishable consciousness. They come from the space or being which is
imperishable, and they take you to the imperishable.
Say 'Pa' without 'Aa'!
How many of you noticed that the breath stops, and the mind stops.
This is something new!
Questions & Answers
Please talk on the subject of divorce. When is it a good thing? Or is it
always to be avoided?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now, I have no experience on this.
You should ask yourself, have you put your 100% to make the marriage work?
Have you done all that you could to please your spouse and make them happy,
and still it has not worked?
Marriage means sacrifice. Sacrificing your desires for the good of the other
and for the sake of the whole family. Marriage is compromise.
If you only keep thinking about your own wants then no marriage will work.
You should see what ‘We’ want. How ‘We ‘ can progress and bring happiness to
the family. Only if you keep your attention on that, will the marriage be
successful.
So if you have done your 100% and still it doesn’t work, and you find that
you are totally incompatible, then instead of being in hell and both
suffering, with a good understanding you say, 'We cannot get along so you
walk your way and I walk my way. Let’s be friends and be happy'.
So, one must part with this understanding. There is no point in living in a
furnace all day and all night. But not like this gentleman who said that
they had been married for forty years and suddenly after forty years, they
realized that they we were never compatible.
He is already seventy years old, and has been married for forty years and
now he says,' We were never compatible'.
Never mind, bear for another five to ten years. Anyway, they say marriages
are made in heaven, so when you go up there, you can resolve it.
My dear, when you go through a bad phase in your life it appears like
everything is dark and nothing was right at any time. But if nothing was
right, you could never have tolerated it for forty years. Something must
have been right somewhere that kept you going.
Pat Gounden
Jul 24, 2014, 4:52:05 PM7/24/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, July 25, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Is there any object in the world without a creator? Consider a loud speaker.
It has the power to broadcast sound, way beyond any individual’s voice and
must take someone with required knowledge and skill to design and produce
it. He or she may be in Germany, Switzerland or Japan, and perhaps invisible
to you! Without that person, would this loudspeaker have come into
existence? No! Similarly for everything that you enjoy in this world, there
is a Creator. The stars that twinkle, the Sun and the Moon that illumine the
world have been created by a Supreme Infinite Power. It is obvious to us
that no ordinary person can create these super objects and ensure they are
still working, after billions of years. Scriptures (Vedas) describe to us
that this Super Power is Aprameya (One beyond description, beyond all proofs
and limitations). The primary objective of every being in this Universe must
be to seek and understand this Infinite Power. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch
15,Mar 1, 1981)
-BABA
The infinity longs for you as much as you long for it, it’s waiting to
receive you. So when a devotee flowers on this planet, God is so happy.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 07/15/2014 Canada
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ad/judge-others-one1.jpg
(Below is a continuation of the post
Tomorrow's Strength)
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I have observed that all your devotees are very sweet when they are
at a course, or in a satsang, but when they go out in the world, things
change. It seems like nobody wants to take the pains to be like you.
Gurudev, please design another course to create more people like you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well listen, don’t judge others. You never know what
they are going through, how they feel and how they are inside.
You look at yourself. If you have not changed, see why, and if you have
changed, then you have understood the course.
It is impossible that all the sadhana doesn’t have any impact at all. So,
just imagine how they would have been if they did not even have this
knowledge.
Dear Gurudev, after meditating with you today all my pain has gone. How do
you do that Gurudev? How do you know where I have pain?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: leave you to wonder about it.
See, pain is not just in the body or just in the mind, it is somewhere where
between the body and the mind, where they both meet.
When a local anesthesia is given, some nerves are numbed and you don’t feel
the pain, even though you are awake.
Sometimes there is nothing in the body, but there is pain in the mind.
Emotional pain is all caused only in the mind, but again it cannot be only
in the mind or only in the body but somewhere where these two meet.
Meditation is definitely something that takes you above misery and pain.
That is why the Guru is called the medicine for the worldly diseases.
Mind is caught in the diseases of aversion, anger, hatred, cravings and the
Guru is the doctor and the medicine. 'Bhishaje bhava roginam'.
Gurudev, you have always taken care of me. I have only one wish: For as long
as I am in this body and in my other births to come, please make me your
disciple and liberate me. Show me the truth so that I can liberate others
too.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Recently, a saint came to see me in Rishikesh, and in
our congregation he said a beautiful thing. He said, 'One who has learnt in
this school will stay. One who has not learnt only will leave'.
Usually, in a school, if you have learnt and you pass you leave the school
and you move on. This is such a school that if someone passes over here,
they stay forever. It is very interesting. One who passes in this school
will not leave but will stay on!
What is nothingness filled with? Is it full of life and awareness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Nothingness is filled with energy. This is again
quantum physics.
They say, the empty space that you see around the Sun is not empty. In fact,
the Sun is round because the energy surrounding it pushing it from all the
four sides and making it round.
It is like a bubble in a water bottle. How is a bubble round? The pressure
of the water keeps the bubble round. In the same way, the Sun is round
because the energy around the Sun is one million times more denser than the
Sun’s. This energy is called dark energy or dark matter.
So the space around the Sun is all filled with energy.
Dear Gurudev, what makes you so special?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I don’t think I am special, not at all. I may be a
little crazy but not special. If you are not crazy, you would not keep going
round and round the world for nothing (laughter).
Which Indian scripture is equal to the Koran or Bible?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Actually there is none. It is very difficult to say.
The Vedas are considered as the main source (of knowledge), but it is so
vast. For all practical purposes, Bhagavad Gita is what everyone reads
because it has the essence of most of the main knowledge. So Upanishads and
Bhagavad Gita can be considered as the Bible or Koran of the East. That is
what is used in the courts also.
The Gita is only 5,200 years old, but this tradition has been there before
the Gita, from several millenniums. In Rama’s time, there was no Bhagavad
Gita, only the Vedas were there, but the Vedas were in such an ancient
language which people could not understand. The Vedas need a lot of
interpretation, and they are very symbolic in many places.
The Upanishads and Vedas are considered the authority, and the Bhagavad Gita
for practical purposes is the Koran or Bible of the east.
Dearest Gurudev, life has become so fast paced, I find it so difficult to
stay centered. Please help.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is good, if life is fast, you can’t hold on to
anything. It doesn’t leave you any time to sit and brood over the past.
Before you start brooding over something, something else has already come to
attend to. Just go with the flow.
Pat Gounden
Jul 27, 2014, 3:39:45 PM7/27/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, July 28, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We generally consider direct perception as the most important type of
evidence. We are able to see our body, the number of hands, legs, eyes we
have and so on. This is one type of proof. Consider another example: We boil
milk. After heating, we add some yoghurt to it in the night and wake up the
next morning to find that the whole milk has turned into curd (Yoghurt).
Though our eyes don’t see the transformation process, our own action
provides us the proof and we don’t need anyone else to convince us that the
change from milk to curd has really occurred, though the change process was
not visible directly to our eyes. So too, though the Soul (Atma) is
invisible, and we cannot see it, we must have faith in its existence.
Several great sages and saints have had the direct experience of Divinity in
their present lives and have conveyed the teachings to us. (My Dear
Students, Vol 2, Ch 15, Mar 1, 1981)
-BABA
This body is changing everyday. Yet something is also not changing. To
-BABA
understand this, you should study a beehive. You have seen a beehive? What
keeps it there? The queen bee. Once the queen bee is gone, everything
disappears. In the same way, your body is made up of billions of atoms.
There is a queen bee in your body. Each body is a beehive full of honey.
Locate the queen bee within yourself and that is meditation. Billions of
atoms are present throughout your body. It is the same in a human body as in
an ant or an elephant. The outer size of the body is irrelevant. It is the
unknown or atma (self) which is non-changing. It always remains. Nothing can
shake you with this knowledge. You will feel at home with everybody. Nothing
will disturb you. This is the essence of spirituality.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 07/16/2014 Canada
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Questions & Answers
From what I understand, the spiritual path is about dropping one's ego. Yet
what I've observed is, as a Guru you seem to do a lot of pumping up of
people's ego; especially certain people. Please talk about this apparent
irony.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are two ways:
1. Tell someone, 'You are useless, you are dirty, you are good for nothing'.
This is what people think and that is how they blame, scold and abuse
another. People think, 'This is the way to put down their ego', but most of
the time it doesn't work.
2. Tell some, 'Look, you are beautiful, you are good, you are great. There
is greatness in you'.
You have to invoke the greatness in a person, and that happens through
praising. Praising is a divine quality. Don't think praising is only
boosting someone's ego. Praising is bringing up the good qualities of a
person.
When you are on the path of meditation, when you go deep, what happens is
your words gain so much power, and if you tell someone, 'You are a dirty
goose', they really become one because your words have power. If you say,
'You are so generous', they become generous.
I remember, long time ago, a family used to visit me in India. Whenever that
man would come I would say, ' Oh, you are so generous, so very generous'.
One day, his wife gathered the courage and asked me, 'Gurudev, why do you
call my husband generous? He is such a very stingy guy. This has created a
doubt in my mind. I keep thinking that maybe Gurudev doesn't know that my
husband is not generous. He doesn't even buy two ice-cream to my kids, he
will buy one and ask them to share it'. She narrated many incidences of how
stingy her husband is when he can afford to spend.
She said, 'He doesn't spend on himself nor on the family. What for he is
earning money I have no idea'.
I told her, 'I know, that's why I'm telling him this all the time, that he
is very generous'. If you tell somebody, 'You are hopeless', they become
hopeless. If you just keep saying, 'You are a nice person, you are
generous', then the generosity in them comes up, and it did happen. Big
Change did happen to him.
Dearest Gurudev, could you please talk about Manu and his role in all our
scriptures.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Manu was one of the initial kings, like Adam and Eve.
I don't know at what time period he was, but he has written the rules and
regulations for society at that time.
Manu has written many good things, but one of the reasons why he has been
bitterly criticized is because he has said that women are not fit to be
independent.
He said that what a woman is young her father takes care, when she is middle
aged, the husband takes care of her and when she is old, the son takes care
of her. So she is not fit to be independent. She has to be dependent all her
life.
This one line, 'Na sthree swathanthram arhati', which means that a woman is
not fit for independence because somebody has to take care of her, is not
the right thing. I don't agree with that. Maybe, at that time, in society,
that was the way things are.
He never said that don't give women freedom, he just said that she is not
fit to enjoy freedom.
Woman are called the fairer sex, or the weaker sex in every language, isn't
it? So, one doesn't have to agree with everything one says. Manu has said
some good things, just take that and don't latch onto this one thing that he
said that women are not capable of handling freedom. That is not valid on
today's society.
Dear Gurudev, what do you think of channeling?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Stay away from it! I think you shouldn't get involved
in channeling. You are on a path which is much higher and far superior than
the channeling.
Channeling is when some spirit comes into your body or somebody's body and
says something, and it is never 100% true. There could be some truth in it,
that will give you a little idea of what is going to happen in couple of
months, or a couple of years, or what happened in the past. They can give
you a little insight, but you should not be dependent on such things.
Often, people who channel, they channel the lower spirits. It's almost like
the Plan-Chit (Ouija board). People call John F Kennedy to come and answer
their questions. These things are not good for your own energy. I have seen
people who do these things and their energy gets so drained. People who do
crystal gazing and all these techniques are ill most of the time. How many
of you have noticed this? So it is not advisable to take the help of these
people.
Once in a while if you want to do it, you can do it, maybe just for fun, but
don't take it too serious. And you should not do channeling. I won't agree!
I think you know that people can get stuck in the channeling. That's a very
unpleasant place to be in, if you are stuck with the departed. Then you
won't find liberation. Such instances have happened.
I want to tell you one incident. A young lady from France had come to India.
She was a very good seeker, she did her spiritual practices every day and
she was very bright. She went to a person who did channeling and as the
person was channeling he said, 'I see someone with a white dress behind you
protecting you, so I cannot predict anything for you'.
So she thought, 'Okay, this must be because I am an Art of Living teacher,
which is why this person is unable to tell me anything'. So she just dropped
Art of Living and she went into channeling. She got married, and had two
kids. Her husband was a drug addict and so she too got into drugs and I tell
you, her whole life became a big mess, and she became so miserable. There
was nobody to feed her, or to take care of her. Then some of the Art of
Living people went helped her out of that. After five to six years she came
to the German Ashram (Art of Living European International Center, Bad
Antogast, Germany) and I looked at her and my God she was completely in a
mess.
When channeling many of the lower spirits can try to detract you from your
path of joy, wisdom and knowledge. So it is best to keep them at an arm's
length.
Sometimes, when you go to someone who does channeling, they may say, 'Oh, I
see some big saint coming'. But, only if the person is completely hollow and
empty then they can become a channel for a pure life, but often people are
not. They say all these thing during channeling for money, or for maybe for
some other motive.
So, as I said, you don't need to be afraid of it but at the same time, no
point in getting into this spirit world.
Dear Gurudev, how can I devote more time to my spiritual growth when I am
financially struggling?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don't have to devote more time, whatever little
time you devote is good enough. Once or twice a year, a few days for an
Advance Meditation Course is good enough. You don't have to go for one
course after another for the whole year. If you do two or three courses a
year that is enough. Taking out five days every six months is not much. And
every day just continue with you regular practices.
What is important is to be regular. You should have this determination, that
I will not eat food unless I do my pranayama and my meditation. So, even if
you meditate for a few minutes and listen to some knowledge in morning,
afternoon, or evening, all this will uplift you, and that is good enough.
Being in touch with knowledge is very essential. You know, while you are
driving, listen to some knowledge. Or just before going to bed, listen to
some knowledge and go to bed. If you do these things, it uplifts your
spirit.
Dear Gurudev, why do I go on and off in my sadhana (spiritual practice)? I
hear that other people do this as well
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, it's natural. When there are fruits in the tree
you enjoy the fruits and you forget to water the roots. And then when the
tree starts drying out then you water it again. This is how we do. Once,
twice or three times you go through this cycle and then you become
intelligent, then you make it part of your life. Once it is part of your
life then you will feel so uncomfortable if you don't do your practice even
for one day. Even for one day if you are not in knowledge, it throws you
off, you feel as if you're missing something, or there is a lack of
something.
So, you need to make these good practices part of your life, like brushing
your teeth. One day you don't brush your teeth, do you feel comfortable? You
feel so awful, isn't it? Just like dental hygiene, this is mental hygiene!
Pat Gounden
Jul 28, 2014, 4:14:15 PM7/28/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ignorance has a very powerful influence on the mind. Arjuna said to Krishna,
“The mind is very powerful, however it has a wavering nature.” Lord Krishna
said, “A bee has the strength to drill a hole in the hardest variety of
wood. However when it enters a lotus, if the lotus closes its petals, then
even with all its might, the bee cannot come out of it. Similarly once the
all-powerful mind comes to the lotus feet of the Lord it becomes powerless
and surrenders. However potent or wavering one’s mind may be, it can be and
must be controlled with spiritual practice (Sadhana). When Jesus was nailed
in the Cross, his followers were deeply pained and in great grief. He said,
“Just as this body had a dress, this body is just an attire for the soul. Do
not grieve”. He taught his followers, “Do not harm anyone or hurt anyone.
Treat everyone alike.” Everyone must practice these teachings. (My Dear
Students, Vol 2, Ch 15, Mar 1, 1981)
-BABA
If any day your meditation, or Kriya, or anything, is a little low, or not
-BABA
that charming, it is because you have lost respect for it.
Not in the sense that you disrespect it, but that attentiveness, and that
alertness towards it has reduced.
What is honour? Have you ever thought about it?
What is honouring?
Honour is total attentiveness to the present moment with a tinge of
gratefulness.
Just notice, any day your meditation has become dull, or not to your
satisfaction, see, 'Have I kept the continuity of the practice? Yes I have
been doing it every day'.
But still if it is not good, then what is the problem, 'I have not honoured
this mantra, I have not honoured this time of sitting with myself, I am not
honouring the life in me, and so my meditation is going haywire. Now let me
honour. All the events are secondary, but let me honour'.
This is very precious.
Any practice is a practice when it is done over a period of time, without a
gap, respectfully, with honour. Then it becomes firmly established. It is a
very vital thing.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 07/17/2014 Montreal, Canada
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, who are you? Are you God? Do you know everything? What is a Guru
and why are you a Guru?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why am I Guru? It just happened by accident. I kept
sharing what I knew and people started calling me Guru. That’s how I became
a Guru.
What is a Guru? The word coach or guide has come from the word Guru. If you
want to play soccer, or go to the gym, or drive a car, you need a coach,
don’t you? If you need a coach for simple things like driving or playing
soccer, don’t you think you need a coach to delve into some unknown realm of
consciousness? Don't you think you need a coach for meditation? Definitely
you need one.
Now if you ask me, 'Are you God?' I would say, 'Yes'. I would say, 'You too
are God'.
What is meant by God? God is not somebody sitting up in heaven, love is God.
What did Jesus say? Love is God. Are you not love? Am I not love? The whole
universe is made up of a vibration called love and that is what I am and
that is what you are.
So in India we say, mother is the first God, and you must see God in your
mother, father, teacher and also in a guest. You must treat your guests as
God, because you don’t know in what form God will come to your door step. So
don’t see God as some separate entity sitting somewhere in heaven trying to
give you a little finger, which if you try to catch, he goes further away.
This concept of God has given rise to communism and atheism in the world. If
you understand God as energy, as love, as a presence, as a being, as sum of
the whole creation, then there can be no atheist left on this planet. This
is a scientific way of seeing what God is.
God is Love, can anyone deny love from existence? Can someone say love
doesn’t exist? If they do, they are blind. They don’t know.
So first you should know what God is. God is not a person with too many legs
and too many hands sitting up in heaven. A man with a long beard, no. The
concept of God is what has created lots of problems in the world and divided
people into religions and sects.
We should always think scientifically. If you see scientifically, we are all
made up of one thing and that is God. That’s why the ancient people all over
the world including Canada always felt that God is in the mountains, trees,
rivers. The native people of this country believed that God is present in
nature, in the directions, in mountains and rivers, and they are right.
The ancient Vedic system also says that God is present in the creation, just
like how oil is present in the sesame seed. So see God everywhere. If you
see God within oneself, you will see God everywhere.
A Guru is one who helps you find God in yourself and in everyone.
Beloved Gurudev, you often talk about multiple realities. Please tell us
some more. Please tell us more about angels, guardians, devas, etc.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, it is altogether a very deep subject. As I said,
the world is of multiple layers. On one level of quantum physics, everything
is made up of just one thing. But when you come to periodic tables in
classical chemistry, then it is different. There are different metals and
different substances. Both are true. Classical chemistry is as much a
reality as quantum physics. So all these angels, guardians, spirits, souls
are like classical chemistry.
If you see your earrings, your bangles, your chain, all are made up of gold,
but a bangle cannot be a chain and chain cannot be a earring. They are all
very different. Similarly, this entire hall is all made up of wood, but
still the flooring is not the ceiling and the ceiling is not the door and
doors are not the stage. So they are all very different.
It may be very contradictory when you just listen to it. This whole hall is
made of wood, but the floor is different, ceilings are different, pillars
are different. They are all different. This is what many people miss. That
is why this creation is very intriguing and very complex. Understanding the
creation itself is a challenge. It is moving into the mysteries. Sometimes
you cannot explore all the mysteries but you can live them fully. Living the
mystery is spirituality. Understanding them is science. They go hand in
hand.
Dear Gurudev, the most important person in my life after you, is not talking
to me. What should I do? Also, he was not very happy with my coming here.
What should I do when he behaves badly when I have done nothing wrong?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Have patience! You be nice to him and he will turn
around.
You know, sometimes people are scared because they think your love for them
has reduced when you do other things. So give them the confidence that you
love them most. It is all about just wanting some attention, that's it.
Dear Gurudev, what is the most effective way to deal with obsessive
thoughts?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just embrace them. The more you try to push them away,
the more they come. If obsessive thoughts come, give them a big hug and stay
with them for a minute or two and you will see, they just disappear.
Another way is to put a stick in the burning fire and watch it burn. That is
how your thought is burning away.
One more way is to watch a flowing river and how the water flows. As the
current flows by, your thoughts also flow. Many people go on top of bridges,
or where there is water flowing to commit suicide, but when they see the
water, they change their mind. This has happened to many people, but not
all. There are several who have jumped from the Niagara falls also. They
were not looking at the water, they were caught up somewhere in the mind.
Obsessive thoughts can be overcome by these means but best is pranayama,
mediation and knowledge. Read some Yoga Vashishtha. Just wake up and see
this whole thing is a dream. The moment you observe this is all a dream, the
mind snaps out of the past and from obsessions.
Gurudev, today while doing gardening seva, I sprayed natural insecticide
probably killing a thousands of bugs. How does this fit in with karma and
non-violence?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Don’t worry, you can kill a mosquito, no problem! You
see, violence is the act that you do with anger or some selfish goal. When
animals prey for their food, it is not called violence. They are just doing
their dharma. Similarly in your body every day, millions of bacteria are
dying. It is happening as a phenomenon inside of you, otherwise you cannot
survive. The moment a harmful bacteria enters your body, all your white
blood cells attack and finish it, and that is how you get a cold. What is
done for survival or safety is not called violence.
Violence is the act done with negative emotions like anger, jealousy,
hatred, greed, arrogance. Otherwise, when you breathe in and breathe out,
you are killing many germs, does that means you should stop breathing?
When you take a shower, many bacteria are dying, does it mean you are
killing them? There is a sect on the planet that don’t take bath because
they think they are killing the bacteria. They don’t get into the water.
They simply wipe their body with a towel. I think that is foolish.
Nature is pouring water and giving you rain. Every animal in the forest
takes a shower the whole season. So bacteria, mites, insects are dying, but
if it is done for the sake of survival, it is not violence. Only when it is
done with negative emotions, it is violence. That is why Krishna says in the
Bhagavad Gita, 'You are only doing your duty. It is not a sin. Don’t worry.
Even if you are doing a sin, I am there to take away your sin. I will set
you free. You be happy. You do your duty and be at peace'. This is the
essence of the
Gita.
See, a policeman trying to control a mob, his action is not violence. It is
his duty. If he doesn’t do it, he is violating the law.
What about the meat industry? Is it violence?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Meat industry, I would say is outdated now because
people have started understanding how our whole system is made for
vegetarian food. We are herbivorous because our immediate ancestors, apes
are vegetarians. Monkeys, cows, zebras are vegetarian. Most of the domestic
animals are vegetarian and our system is made for vegetarian food.
Personally, if you see the way the animals are tortured to make food for you
and you look into their eyes, nobody will touch that food because we all
have a human heart, compassion and sensibility. The meat industry keeps
unaware of how it is produced and they only give you the meat to consume it.
But once you see how it is produced and how much torture the animal
undergoes, you will abstain from it. Today with the growth of natural food,
people have changed their preferences. In North America, a large section of
the population has found health in vegetarian food.
What really is the mind without thoughts?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is nothing. A bundle of thoughts is what the mind
is. When the thinking stops, that is the no mind state. That is what
happens. It happens for a few moments in meditation and then you feel very
good.
Pat Gounden
Jul 29, 2014, 4:40:12 PM7/29/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Inference is one method of verification or understanding. We see smoke at a
distant hill. From the smoke that emanates, it is easy to decipher that
there must be fire somewhere in the hill. Although you see only the smoke,
we infer the existence of the “unseen” from the presence of what is seen.
This type of verification is called Anumaana Pramana (Inferential Proof).
These methods of verification – direct or inferential proof is applicable
only to the external universe. To determine the Divine Principle, one must
depend only upon the Shabdha Pramana, or the Vedas. When the Divine is
described as the One without the attributes, eternal, ever existing, pure
and free, self-effulgent, etc. – all these appellations will not make
Brahman visible to you. You must follow the teachings and realize the
existence of the Divine within you and around you. (My Dear Students, Vol 2,
Ch 15, Mar 1, 1981)
-BABA
“ Once lord Rama asked Lord Hanuman, ‘How do you see?’ lord hanuman replied,
-BABA
‘If I see myself as the body, then I see myself as your servant. When I see
myself at the level of a Soul, I see myself as a part of you. But when I see
myself as the Self or Consciousness, I see that there is no difference at
all between You and me. You are what I am, and I am what you are.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 07/17/2014 Montreal, Canada
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
(Below is a continuation of the post
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, why does someone sometimes have attractions towards people of the
same sex? Why is being homosexual or bisexual such a taboo?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I think it is no longer a taboo in many parts of the
world now. In the past it was, and people were executed because of their
sexual preferences. People simply don’t understand that each one of us is
made of both mother and father. You have qualities of both in you. Of the
feminine and masculine energies that you are made up of, sometimes one
dominates and sometimes, the other dominates and that’s how these types of
changes happen in people. Someone thinks they are straight and after fifty
years or so, they suddenly discover that they have attraction towards the
same sex. Then they get so perturbed and their mind goes haywire. They are
simply not able to comprehend.
The other way is also true. They are gay from the very beginning but you
never know, sometimes preferences change. So it is better not to label
oneself for lifetime and feel bad about it. Even if you label yourself, do
it happily. But don’t label someone else and accuse them because it is just
a play or display of energies inside of you. And I want you to rise above
identification of the body because you are genderless. Your body has a
gender but your consciousness has got no gender.
Love is the nature of consciousness. That is why sometimes, irrespective of
the body’s gender, consciousness gets attracted or your mental attraction
goes in that direction. So it is wrong to blame oneself and blame others.
What you need to do is realize that you are scintillating light. You are not
just a piece of flesh, bones and blood. You are light. When you get this
understanding, then you will be free from whatever emotional turbulences you
have. Serenity dawns in you and you get a better understanding of yourself.
There are so many people who discover their sexuality and get so upset or
assertive that they start hating the entire society. We should get over
these extreme reactive tendencies in the mind and realize that we are not
just the body but scintillating, sparkling joy and consciousness.
People are understanding now that homosexuality is not a disease as it was
thought some time back. Today people see that it is just a tendency. It is
just the energy that plays that role. Sometimes, the male energy is dominant
though you are a female and sometimes, the female energy is dominant though
you are a male. All this is possible.
Dear Gurudev, we learn about yoga, breathing and other Vedic practices. What
about other religions and cultures? Don’t they have anything to contribute
to our spirituality?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: These practices do not subscribe to only one religion
as such. Hinduism is not a religion. It is only a way of life which people
have been practicing for a long time. And if you go to the root of religion,
definitely there will be something one can explore. You can always find
parallels. But unfortunately, most of the organized religions, later on,
what remained was symbols, power and rituals, and many of them forgot the
ancient practices they might have had. Prayer is in all religions, singing
is in all religions. Silence and fasting and not stuffing yourself with food
all the time, etc., is practiced in all religions.
I have made a small booklet on the similarities between Christianity and
Hinduism just to make people come together. There are 33 practices which are
common between the two.
Similarly, there are many practices common to Islam and Hinduism. If you
study comparative religion, you will find many things in common and there
are many differences as well. Differences are only to make it richer and we
should celebrate differences. We don’t have to say everything should be the
same.
People say they have started Christian yoga. I say this is piracy. They
should not do such things. Just imagine, some Rishi has in the past has
discovered yoga, instead if acknowledging him you turn it around and say, we
do Christian yoga. Yoga is yoga. There is no Hindu yoga or Christian yoga or
Muslim yoga. If you try to put a colour to it, it is disrespect to the
founder of that particular knowledge. It is piracy and one should not do it.
People say, we will accept all the postures but we will not say Om. Why
would you not say Om? You will say apple, or other bad words but you won’t
say Om which means eternal peace, purity, serenity, and unconditional love?
This is all what Om indicates. It is a complete vibration; the vibration
originates at the base of the spine and moves all the way to the top of the
head. Why can’t you say Om? The sound makes you drop your religion? The
faith in your religion is so weak that saying a syllable takes you out of
your religion? That shows how weak your faith is. Om is the signature of
yoga and a part of it, and we should keep it.
You cannot go to an apple store and say, 'I want your computer but I don’t
want that apple symbol on it. Please remove it. That too a bitten apple, not
even a full apple. I don’t want this bitten, half eaten symbol on my
computer'. Will they agree?
Will you go to an iPhone store and tell them, 'Remove the iPhone, I will
place I will put my phone there'. That is piracy. You can’t do such things.
Acknowledge the source of knowledge.
Why bother with helping others when you can choose infinite bliss?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you have found bliss, you can’t but share it with
everybody, and what is the point of finding it and not sharing it? What is
the point of going to the bank and getting lots of money and not spending
it? What is the point of earning money and not spending it?
Similarly, when you gain knowledge, you must share it. When you are happy,
you don’t say, 'Leave me alone, I am very happy'. You want to make a phone
call and say, 'Hey look, I saw this wonderful movie. I want to share it with
you'. The nature of happiness or bliss is always to share. And if you are
unable to share and you become unhappy, that is again not bliss.
Dearest Gurudev, what is spiritual pleasure seeking? I want to make sure
that I am not shifting my pleasure seeking from the material world to the
spiritual.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Pleasure seeking is when you are focused only on
yourself. 'Beg, borrow or steal, whatever it does to others is okay but I
should be comfortable', this is a pleasure seeking tendency. You don’t care
for others or for discipline, or for what anyone says. Just do what gives
you pleasure, unmindful of logic or reasoning and only focused on yourself,
this is pleasure seeking. That will definitely put you through a lot of
problem and will not elevate you.
Sometimes I feel like leaving the normal life and just staying in the
ashram. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I would like you to live the normal life. I want to
make the whole world into an ashram, and you want to leave the world and
come to the ashram?
What does Ashram means? A place where you get some care, love, food for
thought and some food for your stomach. So you can make your own homes
ashrams. Invite people, give them some good knowledge and give them some
food, and if you do this a lot then every home is an ashram. I want people
in the ashram to go out and start centers wherever they are, make their
homes as lighthouse of joy, knowledge and love.
When will you come and stay here and do? Even I don’t stay in one place. I
keep travelling across the continents. So you don’t have to leave the world
and come and live here, if you have some responsibilities. But you are most
welcome to come and stay sometime, and do some seva. When you think you can
do better things here being in the ashram and contribute better to the
society and not just for your comfort, then it is okay. I don’t want the
ashram to be a place for lazy people who want to renegade, run away from
everything and waste their time and be a trouble for everybody else.
Ashram is the place for people who want to do a lot for the society and
don’t want anything for themselves. Then here is a place where they come and
rest, and then go back and do some good work in society. If you have that
much dedication to do work for the world and society then yes, this is the
place for you. Your needs will be taken care of.
Pat Gounden
Jul 30, 2014, 5:35:38 PM7/30/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Naxalites (terrorists) are not merely the people who hold guns and pistols.
Anyone who hurts others in thoughts, words and deeds is a naxalite. Three
important things that all of you must pay attention to are your thoughts,
words and deeds. When there is a thought, the word follows and then the body
acts. In the arena of thoughts, never think evil of others. Next is word.
Never use harsh words, do not humiliate others and never try to deceive
others with your words. If one is killed with a knife or a pistol, they die
immediately. But if you hurt a person with words, he or she will be pained
till their death. Medicines exist for all external injuries, however no
medicine or doctor can heal the wound or injury inflicted through words.
Therefore the harm done by words is more dangerous and takes a long time to
heal. Spiritual ways alone can alter the harm done by thoughts, words and
deeds. (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 2, March 9, 1993)
-BABA
Don't think speech is a small power; it is a very big power. The more and
more we are soaking in the Being---any harsh words from us will become a
curse! Our words are there to bless people, bring peace in the world.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 07/23/2014 Germany
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ad/suffer-pity_01_1.jpg
What is it that is bothering you? Wake up and see, everything is going to
finish. Everything is going to come to an end one day. This very awareness,
that everything is going to finish one day, can take you out of the worrying
tendency of the mind. This is the ultimate: Everything is going to finish
one day!
So many things have happened in the past, some pleasant and some unpleasant,
they are all gone. Similarly, what is today will vanish tomorrow. This is
your own experience. When you see that everything is changing, everything is
vanishing, then you become so solid, so strong, yet so soft and centered.
Then comes relationships. Relationships cause you problem and you get so
heartbroken. Wake up and see, before the relationship, you were alive and
kicking, you were laughing, smiling, and happy. Remember the days before you
met the person and started your relationship. Life was okay. So it will be
like that afterwards also, so why do you have to be so upset about it?
Are you worried about health? How healthy are you going to keep yourself?
However healthy you are, one day it is going to finish and your connection
with the body is going to end. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep yourself
healthy, but sitting and worrying about your health is nonsense. Do what is
needed to take care of your health but no point in worrying about it.
Finance is causing you to worry? Look at the birds, look at all the animals,
they all get their food? Nature provides everything. Nature is a big
provider, so trust that nature will give you what you need. Your
consciousness is like a field, whatever seed you put there, that sprouts.
You put a seed of lack, then lack comes. If you say, 'Yes there is
abundance', then abundance comes.
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, how to overcome self-pity?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, you have already thought of overcoming it. When
you thought, 'I should overcome self-pity', you are already one step out of
it because you recognized that you are pitying yourself. There are many
people who do not recognize that they are pitying themselves. They simply
think, 'I am this way'. But when you know 'I am pitying myself', then you
are out of it.
There is no how to overcome self-pity. Do you know how to wake up? You
simply wake up. When someone is sleeping, and you say wake up, they just
wake up. They don’t ask you, 'How do I wake up?' They have already woken up.
In the same way, if you recognize you are pitying yourself, you have already
woken up. Come on, get out of it, that’s it.There is no poor me. You did
something in the past and you are reaping the fruit of that action. You
should also not pity anybody.
In the ancient times, if someone told the Guru, 'Oh, I am suffering', they
would not care about it. If you suffer, it is because you did some wrong
thing. It is your karma, finish it off. It may appear that the Guru is rude
and uncaring but it was to stop you from self-pitying. It was to make you
take responsibility for your actions. Otherwise we try to run away from our
responsibilities and we pity ourselves, and others say, 'Oh you poor thing,
God has been so unkind to you. I am so sorry for you'. This is all
ignorance.
Pity is ignorance, whether it is self-pity or pitying someone else. Everyone
gets what they deserve. But this is higher knowledge, so don’t go and tell
everybody about this. People on the streets will not understand. They will
think you are very rude.
If someone is suffering, you cannot say, 'It is your problem that you are
suffering. You must have done something wrong'. It is true but better not
say it. In your mind, you just understand it.
People go to the hospital because they violated laws of nature. You eat too
much, you suffer a stomach ache, you get diabetes. You drink too much, you
get liver problems. While someone is lying in hospital you don’t say, 'You
did this and now you are suffering'. No, you say, 'Okay we will do whatever
we can', but never pity them.
In this universe, there is a cause and effect. For every effect there is a
cause. There is a reason. If you get what you want, there is a reason. If
you don’t get what you want, there is a reason. Nature is intelligent.
Divine is intelligent. Self-pity is bad on the spiritual path. Do not pity
yourself and do not pity anybody else also.
The difference between pity and compassion is that, when love flows into
action, it is compassion. You can’t say, 'I love you so much but I won’t do
anything for you'. That is neither love nor compassion. Compassion is love
plus action.
Pity is an attitude that shows regret and defies the laws of cause and
effect, and the law of karma. Pity is ignorance. There is no point in
blaming karma which is what you do in pity, and you show remorse.
How to get rid of my tendency to control everything everywhere and every
time?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You can control small things, that is why you have
this illusion (that you are in control). Just try to control the big things:
stop the war in Iraq, or stop the war in Syria.
A couple came to meet me and they were talking. The husband said, 'My wife
decides all the small things and I decide all the big things. Like my wife
decides what car to buy, what colour the house must be painted, where we
should go for holiday, how we should spend our money and all these small
things. I don’t interfere in her work and I do the big things. I think about
how to stop the war in Iraq, who should be the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, and how the nations should interact with each other, etc, and she
never interferes in these matters, so we have peace at home', (laughter).
Like that if you want to have control, think about the bigger things. How
you can control the weather or bring rain. If you are a control freak, you
should control those things. Think about something like that.
Dear Sri Sri, during my morning meditation, a strange vision appeared. I saw
my body in a crashed car. Is it only a fear of mine coming up?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, it is only your fear coming up. Don’t worry about
it. Just chant Namah Shivaya' a few times and it will be gone.
What to do with about the fear of death?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is okay, nature has kept a little fear of death
in everyone. It is called Abhinivesh, and it will be there. You don’t need
to worry about it. Just know one thing, when you have to go, you will go,
whether you are at home or in a car. It is all fixed, so you don’t have to
worry about it. And if fear comes, just say 'Om Namah Shivaya' and it will
take care of it.
This doesn’t mean that you should be careless. See, this is delicate higher
knowledge. Don’t apply it to the day to day level and say, 'Oh, anyway I
will die when I have to die, so let me drive faster'. That is not correct,
but don’t worry about this kind of fear. Just observe the breath and say 'Om
Namah Shivaya'.
Dear Gurudev, how to find a balance? I am attracted to spirituality but also
the material world.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is okay, they are not in opposition. You should
have balance in life. Work hard, earn money, save it and save some time for
meditation.
People who are ambitious, who work hard and make money, don’t forget to
brush their teeth or eat their food, isn't it. However busy they are earning
money, they take time to enjoy their food. Like that, spirituality is food
for soul, so do this also.
Some people are more interested in spirituality and they go deeper. They
say, 'I have seen enough wealth in life and I will keep doing my work, but I
will also do more work for betterment of people', then life takes off to
another level.
These are different levels in life. You can sit in any step you want. The
first step, second step, third step or the ultimate step. It is your choice.
A lot of people want to sit in front of you during satsang, and often it
leads to some battles. Does it matter how close we sit to you if you are
everywhere?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I tell you a secret, they simply don’t know that more
blessings go to the people who are at the back (laughter). They should drop
this 'Me' and allow everyone a chance to come to the front. 'Yesterday I
sat, today let someone else sit'. this should be the attitude. Unless you
have a role to play, i.e., you are singing or you are a translator.
Otherwise, give space for others. That shows that you have digested
something of what you heard, else all the knowledge that you have heard is
gone.
subject line.
Pat Gounden
Jul 31, 2014, 5:48:59 PM7/31/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, August 01, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The number of students in schools and colleges has increased very
significantly. Formal education, which was for long the privilege of a few
scholars and the sons of the rich, is now at the very doors of everyone.
People rejoiced when schools and colleges rose up more and more in the
countries of the world, without realizing what is happening through them.
Unrest, fear and anxiety are increasing because of improper and incomplete
education. Education process that does not involve itself in proper values
or does not lay stress on morals is dangerous. Consequently, the products of
the process, who have no sense of values, gradually enter the positions of
higher authority in the administration of nations at very high levels. Hence
the world has come to the brink of a disaster. Education can yield peace and
prosperity only when along with technical skills and objective information,
students are equipped with moral ideals, righteous living and spiritual
insight. ( My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 15, Mar 1, 1981)
-BABA
The basic human tendency to "give" is lost somewhere in the pursuit of an
education that has a narrow vision and promotes selfishness and greed. Old
and outdated methods of teaching warrant reform. Education must not only
instill in students an appreciation for the sciences but also reflect
today's diverse cultural influences. A good system of education must instill
self-esteem and creativity in children. It must help nurture a free,
un-obsessed, anger-free and relaxed mind. Such a well-rounded education
system can also prevent fanaticism in young minds. Education's stakeholders
must ponder on an education system that will retain human values and address
the various aspects of life. Teachers are the single most important resource
to a child's learning. Teachers and local authorities must join hands to
create a class room system wherein a child learns to increase awareness and
not just assimilate information.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 07/23/2014 Bad Antogast, Germany
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Meet Self-pity)
Questions & Answers
Dearest Gurudev, please can you talk about domestic violence and give some
knowledge on this. What is the role of acceptance and responsibility when a
spouse feels that their actions are in proportion to their hurt?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Listen, when two people are living together, there
will definitely be arguments. However compatible, no two people can think
the same things all the time. There will be difference of opinions. If both
have sweet talks all the time, both will land up having diabetes (laughter).
Sometimes, misunderstandings do crop it and it should come.
When one gets upset the other should be quiet; take turns to get upset. If
both get upset at the same time, it is a problem. And if you compete by
saying, 'You got upset, now I will get more upset than you', then there is a
bigger problem. If one is getting annoyed, the other keeps quiet. The other
can take their turn the next time. If you want, you can give back twice as
much, but not at the same time and the same place. To one bad day, you can
add another bad day, but don’t make the days so horrible that you can’t
continue anymore. One should take turns in getting annoyed or upset. This
should be the basic ground rule. If someone is upset, support them.
Now, domestic violence happens because of anger, and alcohol. It happens
many times that there is no argument, but a person comes back home drunk and
hits the spouse. If someone is drunk, they don’t know what they are doing.
This is a big problem all over the world, especially in developing
countries. Men come home drunk and beat their wives. Next day they say, 'Oh,
please forgive me, it’s not me, it’s the drink'. This is no good.
Marriage is give and take, or compromise. You cannot say, 'I want it this
way only', no! You have to let go of your wishes and desires and listen to
what the other person wants. You have to compromise somewhere in between. If
there is no compromise, then there are arguments. When there are arguments,
then the fight happens.
Stress is another cause of domestic violence. If people are stressed,
sometime or the other, it is going to erupt. So people should know how to
get rid of stress.
Then, everyone should have some purpose or goal in life. If both husband and
wife, direct their energy into something useful or bigger, they will not
police each other, or sit on each other’s head and blame each other. They
won’t go on bickering about each other’s mistakes. So if they have a bigger
goal in life and are busy doing that work, then things go smoothly.
When two lines run parallel with a goal in front, they are together all
through like the railway tracks. But if they are just focused on each other,
then they cross at some intersection. So it is important that two people
living together should not bore each other so much that both want to run
away from each other.
To keep the relationship alive and charming, spirituality and knowledge is a
must. Big heartedness is a must, a greater vision is a must and leave space
for each other. Then domestic violence will not happen.
Dear Gurudev, I am really worried about my family. They are caught up in a
dark world of lies, manipulation and money. I have had to completely break
contact with them and it breaks my heart. They do not listen to me and I see
bad consequences in store for them. It is hard to watch all this. Do you
have any advice?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First of all, don’t cut-off from them. At least don’t
give them the feeling that you don’t care about them and are cut-off from
them. That is not going to help them. It is your innate nature to help and
you want to help them. For some reason you are born into this family. There
is some karma together, so you do what you can to help them, if at all.
That doesn’t mean that you have to be there every day, listen to them and be
involved totally. You can have a very friendly relationship. Cordiality will
not come in the way of what you want to do. You have your life and they have
theirs, but you can be cordial with them and politely refuse what you don’t
want to do and help whenever you can help them. This is the skill that we
need to learn in our communication and in our actions.
This world is full of people who are so absurd, crazy and mindless. See what
they did in Ukraine, they shot down an airplane with so many passengers.
What are they doing in Iraq? Gaza? Israel? Can we run away, renounce and go
to another planet? No! We have to live on this planet with these people.
Recently, a very famous medical surgeon came to our Bangalore ashram. He
gave a talk which was an eye opener. He said how many clinical trials of
many medicines are done because of the pressure from the pharmaceutical
lobby. He was telling me about a particular medicine, where the chief
medical officer manipulated the research and passed the drug saying it is
good for health. When he was dying, he confessed that he had committed a
great sin and passed a medicine that actually had adverse effects and wanted
to repent for his sins. That medicine is still being given to people and
freely used all over the world. There are dozens of such cases.
We will invite him here some day to give a talk. Most of the surgeons today
in USA and in Johns Hopkins are his students. He is an elderly retired man
and is against these pharmaceutical lobbies. He says that when you are
working they will come after you and ruin your career. But now that I am
retired, I can speak my heart out and feel free to speak what I want.
These pharmaceutical lobbies are destroying the health of people. A whole
generation spends their time thinking butter is bad for health and leads to
cholesterol and heart problems. We had an elderly Swamiji in our ashram who
was 78 years old and had a slight heart problem. His cholesterol was high
and the allopathic doctor said, 'You should not have butter', but the
Ayurveda doctor said, 'You should have butter. It is good'.
Today in the Time magazine, the research shows that butter is good for you
and not margarine. Margarine was used to substitute butter but the research
was all wrong.
Similarly, in India they used to have coconut oil. But then a whole research
lobby said palm oil should be used and not coconut oil. Now they say, cold
pressed coconut oil is better than palm oil.
The chemicals that were used in the last century are proving to be hazardous
to health. Now they are using Genetically Modified seeds and products (GMO).
And the employees of the company where these seeds are being made say, 'We
don’t want to eat it', what does it mean? The employees of Monsanto refuse
to eat GMO food in their canteen.
These people are only concerned about money, money and money. Even if people
die, they are not bothered. These types of pharmaceutical lobbies,
recreational drug lobby, gun lobby is huge in North America. I don’t think
you have much in Europe. There are more gun stores than grocery stores in
America. Two gun stores to one grocery store and there is a big lobby
working for it. All these lobbies are destroying the health of society and
they think yoga and meditation are rubbish. We must see that more and more
people know of these practices (yoga and meditation) and become happier in
their lives. A whole generation thought butter is bad and missed out on
eating butter.
How do I see God in the face of a stranger?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is actually the other way around, you can’t see God
in people you are familiar with. In a stranger, you might think that maybe
God is like this because you don’t know their bad qualities or good
qualities. If you don’t know their bad qualities, it is easy for you to see
God in them. People whom you are familiar with, you know their bad qualities
and weaknesses, and you will ask me, 'How do I see God in them?'
If I say, 'Forget seeing God in anybody, see God in yourself', you will say,
'I can’t see God in myself'.
Then I would say, 'Never mind, be a communist and don’t see God anywhere'.
So it is your choice!
What do you mean by God? God means love. Can’t you see the other person as
made up of love?
One would find it easier to see God in a stranger than in someone familiar.
Have you heard the saying, familiarity breeds contempt? But I don’t agree
with that. There are many cases where people are very centered. The more
close you go to them, the more charming and loving you will find them. But
familiarity breeds contempt is also true to some extent.
“unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Aug 3, 2014, 4:50:37 PM8/3/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, August 04, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
All of you are sparks of the Divine. Just as a spark of the fire from the
furnace, after a while, turns into ash, you too forget your divine origin.
When you pursue your education, you must also pursue spiritual discipline,
which will lead you to Divinity. Those that study in institutions that have
a spiritual discipline, must consider themselves extremely fortunate. If you
choose to adhere to the ideals learnt and practice even a small fraction of
the Lord’s teachings, you will realize the true purpose of education and the
true objective of human life. Education without right conduct is of no
value. You must make use of what you have learnt, not just for earning a
living but also for service to the society. Only then your degrees will have
any meaning. Whatever job you take up, wherever you work, you must continue
the practice of spiritual discipline and aim for Self-realization. (My Dear
Students, Vol 2, Ch 15, Mar 1, 1981)
-BABA
Not just repeating some prayers, and not just visiting some holy places, but
-BABA
living the values is what is Spirituality.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
25 Jul 2014 Bad Antogast, Germany
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Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, what is the key to keep a good friendship?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Not demanding anything from the friends, and telling
them I’m here to support you.
Just believe in one thing: what you need you will get. The giver is somebody
else, so don’t demand love. When you demand love you are destroying love. So
you should never demand love or attention from people.
If you are there only to give love and attention, then anyone will feel
comfortable with you. But if you are expecting something then you are
putting people in a very uncomfortable position. Do you see what I’m saying?
You can’t say this to everybody in the world, but intelligent people if they
understand this, they can make their way.
Tell your friends, 'I’m here for you', I don’t want anything from you other
than friendship. That will make your friendship long lasting. When you come
from that space, you think your friend will not help you? They will help you
when you need help. Not one but ten will come to help you.
Also when you do something good for them then don’t keep on talking about
it. Don’t keep reminding them of it. How do you feel when someone helps you
and keeps on telling you about it all the time? You feel nauseated, isn’t
it? You want to get away from them. Nobody wants to be under obligation, so
don’t make people feel obligated.
Also, don’t make people feel small. Suppose you have done a lot of good to
somebody, then sometimes ask them for something, a little help like taking
you to the railway station or airport. Some small thing, so that you
maintain the self respect of the other person as well.
There are people who do a lot of charity but they rob the other of their
self-respect. That is no good.
One gentleman came to me and said, 'I’ve not taken a dime from anybody, I’ve
only given to all my brothers, and all my friends. I have done so much but
nobody wants to be with me, nobody wants to meet with me, nobody wants to
talk to me. This is strange, I never wanted anything from anybody'.
I asked him, 'Did you anytime ask them to do something for you?'
He replied, 'Never, and I asserted that I wanted nothing from anybody'.
What happened? He put down the self-respect of people. When the self-respect
is in danger, nobody wants to be with that person.
Friendship has two things. You may feel it’s very confusing. On one hand I’m
saying don’t want anything from them, and on the other hand I’m saying, ask
them for something to keep their self respect. That is the skill. They are
completely two opposite positions. Keeping the self respect of the other
person is number one and second is not demanding anything from them.
Just keep these two things in your mind:
- Firmness with humility: Do not assert your own ego by saying you’ve never
taken anything from anybody or don’t want anything from anybody. It may be
true, but you should not come out like that. Do you see what I’m saying? So
first firmness with humility.
What is humility? Saying, 'Oh, I’m so humble', is not humility. Its firmness
with humility.
- Dignity with cordiality: Many people who are very dignified they keep so
aloof. They are not warm and cordial. People who are warm and cordial they
don’t have any dignity. They just look so mushy mushy and wiggly wiggly,
like noodles. Just imagine noodles all joined together, you can't even take
it in a fork, it’s like a paste. That is of no use. Noodles are a good
example. They are soft yet separate, not mushy nor hard. That middle path:
cordiality with dignity, this is the secret of friendship.
Whenever a person is down uplift them. When you go to a true friend with a
problem and you feel lighter when you walk away from them, then that’s a
good friend, that is good company. However, if you have a problem and you go
to a friend but you come away with your problem appearing much bigger than
you ever thought, then that’s not a good friend.
How do I live with a husband who is a mama’s boy? How and when does a man
switch from being a devoted son to also being a husband and a father?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See this from a long term perspective. What would you
like your son to be? Do you want your son, as soon as he gets married, to be
only a good husband and good father and stop being a good son? This is a
question in front of you. If you answer this question you will get an answer
for your question also.
Nothing stops someone from being a good husband and a good father, he just
needs a little orientation. Maybe it’s such a new role for him and he has
not yet adjusted to the new role. With patience, educate him and don’t ask
him not to listen to their mother. This could be a way.
Sometimes people buy new cars and they don’t know how to drive it very well.
If there are too many gadgets and too many buttons they look around in order
to get oriented with the car.
Often mothers feel very insecure the moment their children, daughter or son
get married. So they need some reassurance that everything will be as usual.
This could be one issue.
Secondly, one person can play all roles devotedly without getting into
conflict. This is a skill, and one can get this skill when one is free from
stress and has good support. So after sometime a wife should also treat the
husband like a son, in the sense she has to have a lot of patience. How much
patience you have till your child starts learning, that much patience you
need to have. A child teaches a mother lot of patience because she has to
teach him how to brush his teeth, how to wash himself, how to use the
toilet, how to eat, how to wash his hands, everything she has to teach him.
How much patience you have had with your child, so you keep at least 50
percent of that patience with your husband.
Since I am in Art of Living I try to overcome my aggression. I do all the
practises but sometimes I again feel very strong aggression. Could you tell
me what to do.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When the cloth is very clean, even a little dirt
appears very big on it. Similarly, when the mind is very calm, even if a
little bit of something comes up it is very over powering. This is normal.
If the cloth is all dirty one more dot, some more dust does not make a big
difference. But it makes a difference when it is getting much cleaner.
So in this sense, when you have moved away from aggression, sometimes if an
old impression pops up notice the quality of it, it will be different.
Before you were aggressive and the aggression stayed for long. Now also,
some time you get that but you immediately become aware and you move away
from it, isn't it?
This is a stage and to move away from this stage, more meditation will help.
No need to worry.
What to do to stop being demanding? It comes and goes. Where does such a
tendency arise from?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just wonder about it. When you get attention it gives
you some energy and you feel elevated. When you are so centered within, then
it doesn’t matter whether people’s attention is there or not, you don’t care
about it.
But normally people’s attention somehow makes you feel little better. That’s
why people do so many things just to draw attention from others.
Don’t worry about where this tendency arises from. If it is arising and you
have watched it, then just let go and move on.
What is faith?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That which withstands all doubts is faith. Your doubt
is always about something that is POSITIVE. You doubt the honesty of
somebody, you never doubt the dishonesty of someone. You doubt the love of
somebody, not the hate of anyone. You doubt your happiness, you never doubt
your depression. Has anybody ever doubted their depression? Have you ever
said, 'Wait, let me see, am I depressed or not'. You are so sure of
depression! This is the nature of doubt. And faith is that something which
even doubt cannot overshadow.
Once a journalist asked me, 'Don’t beat around the bush, I want to ask a
direct question. Are you enlightened?'
I just looked at him and smiled. If I say 'Yes' I have to prove it, so why
take the headache of proving it. So I said 'No'.
He said, 'You are kidding. I want a serious answer'.
I said, 'When I say no, it is finished, no more conversation', yet he kept
on insisting.
I then said, 'Ask your heart. Is your heart telling you that I am not
telling the truth?'
He said, 'Yes'.
'So, what is that something inside you that is telling you this? Listen to
that voice. Why do you ask me?'
Pat Gounden
Aug 4, 2014, 3:13:05 PM8/4/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, August 05, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Religions are set forth in order that people enjoy the benefits of leading a
moral life. Religion is a meritorious system that unifies body, mind and
intellect. Integrity or wholesomeness of conduct is morality. Morality is
also called as Righteousness (Dharma). Practice of morality alone can help
the world attain greater levels of prosperity. All religions have the same
goal and establish the same truth. Their fundamental duty is to transform a
human being into a divine being. Religion brings out the inner
transformation in a human being. It aims at developing self-confidence to
lead a good life. All religions are built on the secure foundation of
morality. If morality deteriorates, not just religions, but humanity as a
whole deteriorates. Every individual must practice being good and lead a
moral life. Attainment of wealth and prosperity is possible by practicing
moral values. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 16, Jul 23, 1989)
-BABA
You are not a fool if you stick to moral grounds, because those who walk on
immoral grounds soon realize they have been fools.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
25 Jul 2014 Bad Antogast, Germany
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Will Get)
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, I find that very often people take advantage of me. For a
while it seems okay, but then it makes me angry that they are just walking
all over me. Where do I draw the line? If I resist I often feel guilty that
I’m being selfish. How can I differentiate between self respect and ego?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now you are mixing up too many things.
First of all, you should know when a person is taking advantage of you and
when you have to be compassionate. This is like asking me how to balance a
bicycle. Just balance! I can’t say if you fall to the right, push over to
the left! No, balance like how you would ride a bicycle.
If people are taking advantage of you, put your foot down and say no more.
Where you need to help, there you help them. It’s not self respect issues
all the time, but you should not be vulnerable to people taking advantage of
you as well.
If someone is in need of help it’s okay to help, but someone is unduly
asking help from you all the time then you should say 'No, it won’t work'.
Our compassion should always be accompanied by wisdom.
I was in the California Bay Area recently. Our AOL volunteers came there
very enthusiastically to tell me that they fed thousands of homeless people
and that they wanted to do it on a regular basis. I refused and I asked them
to stop. They were shocked because they thought I would be pleased listening
to the service they had done.
I said, 'No, I appreciate you did it this once but no more. Look at those
people, they are not old or invalid people. These are strong men and women
who can work and earn their bread. If you keep giving them food like that,
while they are sitting on the roadside or in the homeless shelter, they will
keep on eating and enjoying and they won’t do anything. You are spoiling
them'.
So I said no, this is not compassion but misled compassion. Compassion would
be to instead teach them bhastrika (a breathing technique taught in Art Of
Living programs) and do some skills training for them.
Labour is not available these days; there is lack of drivers, construction
workers, and many other areas. People should do some hard work. If they are
invalid or very aged then definitely they need to be helped, but not someone
who is in their youth and quite strong. Otherwise we are cultivating a wrong
culture.
Compassion should always be accompanied with wisdom. Wisdom is knowing whom
to give, where to give, what to give, how to give.
Gurudev, I am in silence so I can’t speak but I wish to scream at some
people on this course. They are so rude and think only about themselves.
Shouldn’t spiritual people be more considerate?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, you are right. I keep them here so that they
cause less problems in the world. Just imagine even after having come to the
spiritual field if they are rude, how would they have been in their previous
incarnation without the spiritual knowledge.
You don’t get disturbed by them. We are not a homogenous group here, not
everybody is same. We are all different types of people here. Among the 500
people that are here there maybe only three or four very irritating people.
Thankfully they are only a minority. You don’t see everybody behaving that
way, otherwise we would have a war here. There are some very good people
here with a lot of patience as well. So put your attention on the good
people, on the good natured decent people who have courtesy.
I am also at a loss with these people. I’m also thinking how to educate
them. Maybe they are slow learners. Let’s hope one day they learn. Just
remember there are all different types of people. We are literally in a zoo
because the world is like that; it is like a zoo.
I’m confused as to why in the Vedic books there is mantra for success in
gambling when Lord Krishna forbids gambling in the Bhagavad Gita?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The ancient thought was that a king should know
everything, even how to steal. So a prince, before he becomes a king, he was
trained how to become a thief and steal, so that tomorrow when he becomes a
king he understands a thief also.
So all this good, bad, all types of knowledge is present in the Vedas. It is
so that people understand everything and everybody.
To understand criminals you have to know their psychology and that is what
they have said about. It’s not that you should do it or practise it.
Dearest Gurudev, what to do when suddenly one experiences a state of
emptiness? What to do when all meanings fade away? Please bless me!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, bless you! All these feelings and emotions come
and go. Sometimes you feel so dry like everything has disappeared. All your
good feelings: love, dedication suddenly go away; but suddenly they appear
too. So these are just passing phases in life, just keep moving on.
Dear Gurudev, is it better for couples to come to the course together or
each for him or herself?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Sometimes you come together, sometimes you come
separately. Even if you come here together, sit in different corners and do
your own meditation. Don’t watch each other and see what the other is doing.
They are sitting and meditating and you are thinking, 'Is my wife here?'
It depends on you. Sometimes if both of you want to have your own space,
that is your decision. And if you want to come together and enjoy it
together, again your decision. Both are okay.
Dear Gurudev, please tell us which is the best place to put our heads when
we sleep (North, South, East or West).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Put your head on the pillow! (laughter)
North has a magnetic pole, so if you put your head in the north and sleep
north-south then the magnetic current that flows from north to south passes
through your head to your toes. It can be tiring and drain the energy a
little bit. This is an ancient thought.
You always sleep east-west so that you cut the magnetic field and let it
pass through your whole body horizontally and not through the nervous
system. That is a very minor issue, nothing major. It has only to do with
the magnetic current.
Pat Gounden
Aug 5, 2014, 5:31:46 PM8/5/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, August 06, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Oh tongue, you are the one selected to enjoy the sweet taste; you speak
truth that symbolises sacrifice! You respect yourself and others. Without
leaving your home, you attend to your work, without friendship or friction
with your neighbours. How sweet are the words you speak? Oh noble one, you
recite lovely poems and sing beautiful songs. When any tasty dish or fruit
is given to you, you don’t retain it, but immediately send it down the
gullet to the stomach. When anything bitter is given, you spit it out,
saving the stomach from hardships. You are selfless, derive much joy in
sharing and are the epitome of tolerance. You live amidst 32 sharp teeth,
but intelligently and tactfully you conduct yourself without getting a
single cut. Please don’t slip and utter inappropriate words at any time!”
Thus, remind the tongue about its noble qualities and teach it never to lose
its reputation by criticising others. (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 2, Mar 9,
1993)
-BABA
Just look at yourself. How many flaws you have! And Nature has accepted you
with all your flaws. She has taken you in her arms. She never says, “You
were so bad today, you yelled at me. I will not let air into your nose! I am
going to stop pumping your heart!” Nature does not judge you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 07/09/2014 North Carolina, United States
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Questions & Answers
In a practical and immediate way, what can we do to combat terrorism? Can
people say special mantras or prayers to help erase the horrible violence?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: We need to bring unity in diversity. Terrorism is just
a lack of education in spirituality. The root cause is that and it has to be
nipped at the bud. Schools and colleges should have a broad spectrum of
knowledge. Every child should know a little bit about all the religions of
the world so that they don’t grow up thinking that only they go to heaven
and everybody else goes to hell.
When people think that others are infidels, others are non-believers and
only they have the right over God and God’s word, then that becomes a
problem for the world. People should know that every word and every sound
belongs to God. Multi-cultural, multi-religious education is a must in the
world. I have been pushing for it. I have been talking to so many people.
Our teachers are working tirelessly in Iraq, in Kurdistan, and in Pakistan.
In Pakistan our teachers are working very hard to educate people. Of course,
we face opposition.
It was going so well in Pakistan, hundreds of people were taking the course.
But suddenly some people were not happy with it and so they tried to stop
it. Yet see the enthusiasm of the people, they say, ‘No, we will still do
it.’
I told them to wait for a little while and then continue our work. None of
the teachers are saying, ‘No, we are not going to work because we got into a
problem'. Instead they said, ‘No we will do it.’
The same happened in Buddha’s time. Some of Buddha’s very close disciples
ganged up and went behind the hill and pushed a big boulder towards him. The
boulder stopped just inches in front of Buddha. All the others were so upset
but Buddha still smiled and kept quiet. He said, 'It was some karma that had
to be finished’. This is Sattvik Dritti.
Similarly, in Pakistan we had a beautiful center outside Islamabad where
about 100-150 people could go every weekend and meditate. Usually there is
an advance course there every weekend, but this one particular weekend they
talked to me about it and I told them to do it in at another place. I also
had no logic to tell them to do it somewhere else when we have our own
place. But I just did and they shifted the venue. They did the course in a
hotel.
On Saturday, eight gunmen came there in two cars and they set fire to the
whole center. Our center was burnt down to the ground. They destroyed the
whole center.
'We are so lucky that nothing happened to the people and nothing happened to
the guard', this is what they tell me. This is Sattvik Dritti.
Instead of saying, ‘Everything got burned down.’ They said, ‘Nothing
happened to the guard.’
'Even in disaster there is something good that has happened, something that
has moved us forward', this is a sattvik doer. If everything is collapsing,
take it as an opportunity and say, ‘We will move forward. We will take this
as an opportunity to create something new'.
When a relationship breaks down, you should see how people get so devastated
as though they cannot exist anymore. At that time knowledge gives them the
strength to move on.
The other day when I was in California somebody said, ‘I am devastated, my
relationship ended. We were together for so many years and he left me'.
I told her, ‘My dear, there are seven billion people on the planet, and a
third of them are of a marriageable age. Don’t worry, you will only get a
better person. Move on!’
Just that one word of encouragement and she lit up and got the confidence,
‘Yes, so what if he left me, he does not know my worth, he is a fool'.
So just move on! You don’t have to say bad things and call him a rogue and a
cheater. If you call him a cheater you are going to be in more trouble. Do
you see what I am saying? By trouble I mean, you are going to get more
upset. If you keep saying, 'You are a cheater, you cheated me, you cheated
me', the other can say, 'Well, you are so dumb to get cheated. Why don’t you
look inside?'
So you cannot correct the other person, but you can definitely correct
yourself. Think that he is dumb and he is not worthy of me and say bye. Then
you can move on with a fresh heart, with a lighter heart, and with a happier
heart, instead of cribbing and calling him a cheater and all these things.
Otherwise he has left you and gone but you have not left him, you have put
him in your head and spoiled the whole head.
So we can change our attitude to events, our attitude towards people, and
our vision, and this is what the Bhagavad Gita teaches us.
Lord Krishna says, 'With these eyes you cannot see the Divinity in the
world. I’ll give you special eyes to see the vishwaroopa, to see the play of
the divinity'.
The knowledge is so amazing, so uplifting! No superlative is enough to even
say how beautiful this is. When you go chapter by chapter, it is so
interesting.
Many times people talk about seeking something on this path (questions like:
Who am I? What is the truth?) I feel like I am not seeking anything, is that
okay?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, because sometimes the seeking is not on a
conscious level, but deep inside it is there.
Why are you here in the first place? You are here because inside the soul
wants something. It wants to connect with itself. So it is there inherently,
you don’t have to consciously say, ‘I want to know myself, I want to know
myself!’ If you keep saying this, you’ll become crazy. In our language we
call such people the Blue Stars. They are good people but not so grounded.
If you don’t consciously have the feeling, ‘I want to know who I am’,
doesn’t matter. Know that there is a seeking and that’s how you’re enjoying
the knowledge, the meditation and this path. It is there in everybody but
sometimes it gets overshadowed, and sometimes it becomes a little more
obvious. It doesn’t have to be at an intellectual level but it is there on
the existential level.
Pat Gounden
Aug 6, 2014, 4:29:53 PM8/6/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, August 07, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
No religion ever preached enmity amongst faiths. It is the narrow-mindedness
in individuals that gives room for conflicts and differences. Truly
speaking, there can be no scope for any such disputes. For example, the word
‘Islam’ means surrender and peace – signifying surrender to God, and a
peaceful life with fellow beings. Two words in Quran are important – Salaat
and Zakaat; Salaat means adoring God with steadfast devotion, Zakaat means
charity to the needy and destitute, and helping fellow beings. Ancient
Hindus lived with the motto, “May all the beings in all the worlds be happy”
(Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu) and “Help Ever, Hurt Never”
(Paropakarayah punyaya, papaya para peedanam). Treating such aphorisms as
their life breath, people of all religions lived with amity and harmony in
the past. They considered truth, peace, love and forbearance as their very
life breath. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 16, Jul 23, 1989)
-BABA
We don’t have to be Danish to eat Danish cookies nor do we become Swiss if
we eat Swiss chocolates. We accept food, music and technology too from every
part of the world. Then, why don’t we accept wisdom from every part of the
world and from every tradition?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
·
What SRI SRI said
19 Jul 2014 Montreal, Canada
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Questions & Answers
Can you please talk about peer pressure and how to deal with it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Sometimes, young people should learn to walk alone. Then you will be more
centered and you will know how to be by yourself and not be bogged down by
peer pressure. Take a long five kilometer walk all by yourself, or run by
yourself. That will solidify your personality.
If you are surrounded by friends all the time, you will feel you cannot
exist without friends. But if you are trained to take longs walks and runs,
then you know that you can walk by yourself.
The poet Rabindranath Tagore has written a song called ‘Ekla Chalo Re’ (walk
alone) and that song inspired so many people during the freedom struggle.
Even if nobody comes, you walk by yourself, be a leader. If you get bogged
down by peer pressure you can only be a follower, not a leader.
Why do you want company of your friends? It is because you want attention
from them, and attention gives energy. And if you are not a leader, nobody
is going to pay you attention especially in schools and colleges. So to
overcome peer pressure what do you do? Stand up and walk alone.
When you experience that all is dissolving including this body, how to be
enthusiastic about pursuing that which is temporary?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know what, that is when you get the enthusiasm.
Because everything is changing you get into the space of 'hey, there is
something that is not changing and that something which is not changing,
loves all that is changing and it plays around'.
Since we surrender our botheration, pain and problems to you, are we running
away from our responsibilities?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No! You should have a balance there. You give your
100% and then leave the rest. Surrender does not mean running away from
responsibilities, it is a sense of assurance in you that yes things are
going to be well.
I am very interested in yoga. I have started training on the Kundalini Yoga.
Can you talk about the importance of yoga and about Kundalini yoga?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I would recommend you not to go into Kundalini yoga
and all these things. It is anyway coming up naturally. You have done the
Sudarshan Kriya, Shakti Kriya, and Advance Meditation Course, and it is
moving very smoothly, and very nicely.
I have seen many people forcibly moving the Kundalini and they lose balance
in life. They lose their sleep and they get into big problems. I have seen
many people who have literally gone crazy because there are some types of
yoga which are not suitable for today’s age.
In ancient days, they had lot of time. 12 years they would stay and slowly
they would do these practices. They had nothing much to do. But today, they
give you Kundalini Yoga and make the energy rush into you and you go nuts. I
don’t want you to do that type of thing.
Many people do a little bit of this practice, a little bit of that practice,
and sometimes a one year syllabus they make you do in one month.
See, if too much electricity goes, what happens? The fuse blows. That sort
of thing happens, or you get stomach problems, or some other problems. So it
is very important to grow gradually and steadily. That is why your body is
getting prepared.
Practice Sri Sri Yoga, and read some knowledge. We have such a composite
program in our Yoga, it is so complete. There is Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga,
Hollow and Empty Meditation. If you are having good meditation, then it
means that the Kundalini is already awakened. But when these people make you
do all this forcefully and make the Kundalini rise, then it leads to
complications. Then there are no beneficial results is what I have seen.
Dear Gurudev, I love you more than I have ever loved or imagined I could
love. I divorced several years ago and recently realized that the love and
affection that I feel for you, I would like to have that with my next
partner. I fear that I will never find this.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, we learn from past mistakes and we move on.
Don’t ever put a label on yourself that I would never be able to do this, I
would never be able to love. Don’t put such concepts in your mind. Take all
that you get in your life as a gift and just move on.
There is nothing you can have forever. Everything comes, stays for some time
and goes away. You have to keep moving on.
Dear Gurudev, is it okay to love and be with a married man?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Suppose you were married and your husband was with
someone, would you like it? Put yourself in the place of the other woman who
is already married. Then you decide for yourself. I won’t say anything about
it.
What do you do when you love your work and you know that you are good at it
but still not successful?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are appreciating your work, but others also have
to appreciate it. Keep at it and see what more you can do to improve. If
your attention is on that, things will change.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
Pat Gounden
Aug 7, 2014, 5:03:37 PM8/7/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, August 08, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is no God other than Truth. What is the difference between Truth and
fact? You may put on a coat today and wear a different dress tomorrow. This
is not Truth, it is only a fact, because it is subject to change. But Truth
always remains the same. The Gita refers to Truth as Ritham. So Truth is not
reporting what you see, hear, and experience. What you see and hear is
worldly truth. It is not Truth in the strict sense of the word. It is only
external truth (pravritti satyam). But the inward Truth (nivritti satyam)
remains the same in the past, present, and the future. In this world of
plurality, there is the underlying principle of unity. Of all the numbers
1,2, 3, 4.. the most important number is 1. AIl the other numbers are mere
modifications of the number 1. 1+1 becomes 2. 9–1 becomes 8. Thus 1 forms
the basis for all the numbers. This is the unity in multiplicity, this Unity
is the Truth. (Divine Discourse, Sep 11, 1988)
-BABA
Adi Shankaracharya said that the definition of truth is that which is
untouched by time. It is that which stays the same yesterday, today and
tomorrow. So going by this definition, body and mind are not the truth.
Truth is the substratum of creation. There is something at the core of our
being that is not changing and that is the absolute truth. That’s why even
when you become old, you don’t feel you have become old. Somewhere we know
that something in us will not die at all.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.07.25 Bad Antogast, Germany
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Advantage Of You)
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, will the world financial crisis soon be over? Will global
corruption diminish and will our dream of a new world become reality?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, when you become active all this is possible.
India had the same problem for last 10 years, scam after scam after scam,
and corruption hit the ceiling, rather went beyond the ceiling. People
thought change is not possible and this will continue. Many of our people,
Art of Living volunteers, they worked very hard to bring change. (A bee
comes in from the window and Gurudev says, 'It’s okay, let him stay. Oh,
it’s gone. It’s a little too early for him to attend sessions, next lifetime
or a couple of lifetimes later it will come to our session'.)
Thousands of our volunteers in India went door to door and did the Happiness
Survey and asked people to wake up and vote. All our Swamis participate in
Vote For Better India, It is a huge campaign.
Today there is such a big change and a stable government has come. A
government which can take decisions. In the previous government they made a
council in each department with 5-7 ministers in every department being
decision makers, and so if they make any wrong decision no one person will
be held responsible for it. They took group decisions. To cover up
corruption they made groups of people ministers in every department to take
decisions and nobody took decisions. The country was in paralysis. From 10
percent industrial growth, India went down to - 2.5 percent. Poor people
were suffering.
It was the good work of volunteers that increased awareness in people,
though we never said which party they should vote. I thought it is not
ethical for me to say that, so I remained completely apolitical, but for me
it was like walking on a razors edge.
I cannot say which party they should vote for, but I have to tell people to
bring a change. It’s not an easy job, not at all because if we say vote for
this party or that party you become political, you become one among them. I
never want to be that because we have our place, we have to inspire people.
We are for everybody.
I have always said that I’m for everyone. Not one party or one ideology in
the world; not one race, religion or community. I would go even further to
say I don’t belong to one nation, I belong to the whole world.
Whenever you feel that in your country corruption is a problem like in
Greece, Italy and many European countries, all that you need to do is work
together with everybody and make people understand. This can only happen
when human values come up. Without a rise in human values, without a rise in
consciousness this problem is not going to get solved.
In South America violence has become an issue. Argentina lost in soccer and
there was street violence. My dear, it’s only a game! How does it matter who
wins. Games are to enjoy whether you lose or win. If you take game as a war
or contention then you have to bring the police into the celebrations. So
many people got hurt.
This happens even here in Germany. Whenever games happen people hit each
other; they get violent. This is simply lack of human values. I say you
should have this attitude: Either I win or I make others win. Then you are
always winning.
When you play a game with a 5 year old boy or girl, or with your kids, do
you always win? Is there joy in winning over your children? No, you get
happiness when you give up and make them win. They are happy, you are happy.
You should have the same broad mindedness all the time. Then you will say,
'This time I make you win, next time I will win'. Then it’s a win-win
situation and in either case you are happy. This should be the attitude in
games.
Today we have made games like war like and wars like games. War has become a
game.
We are having a conference at FIFA (International Federation of Football
Association) in September. I am addressing them. Somebody today asked me,
'Now that Federation of Football is under lot of scams and some corruption
charges, what is your take on it?'
I said , 'That’s good, that’s why I am going' (laughter from the audience).
Some told me not to go there because there is corruption. A doctor’s job is
where there are sick people. Similarly, there is no job for me to do if FIFA
was free from corruption; there would be no need for me to go there and
talk.
We don’t need an ethics conference in a place where there is already lot of
ethics. We need to bring ethics to places where you find it is eroding.
A doctor has no job in a burial ground, or in a place where everybody is
healthy. His job is there when people could be made healthy.
We all have that job to do. We all must reach out to people, and the best
way to do it is through the Happiness Survey. Nobody ever asks another if
they are happy, what their problem is. That is why people are getting into
depression.
40 percent of Europe is suffering from depression. It’s a huge number.
A few of you join together and go to all your neighbours with the Happiness
Survey form. Knock on the door and say we have come to do a survey and want
just two minutes of your time. Ask them if they are happy. If they are not
happy then ask, 'Are you not happy all the time, most of the time or
sometime'. And if they are not happy what are the reasons: financial,
relationship or health. If it is anything else, note it down. Do the survey,
and ask them how we can help.
Nobody objects to a survey. If one or two do object never mind, move on.
Many people have said that for the first time somebody has come and asked me
if I am happy, and what do I need to be happy. That care and concern, that
itself will make many people feel better. Their life becomes better. This is
needed. We all have to do some such work. Do you agree? Yes!
I’m a teacher of a junior high school. 15 year old girls say we might die
tomorrow so we have to enjoy now. So they say alcohol and sex is important.
They don’t take care of themselves. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is misplaced knowledge. When anyways you are
going to die, why do you have to drink and spoil your health. When anyways
you are going to die, why do you have to have sex. Relax, anyways you will
die. You can talk the other way around as well.
When kids want to do what they want they will come up with any excuse, any
knowledge. Anything they will use as an excuse. You have to educate them.
Tell them to forget about all that, they are not going to die tomorrow. They
are going to live and they don’t want you to live with sickness. Parents
have to educate them.
Bring them here. It’s become difficult all over the world with children
getting into sex, drugs, and alcohol. It’s a big challenge. Everyday so many
mothers and fathers come and cry to me about how their children are going
astray because of bad company. Maybe we should have our own schools
everywhere.
As parents you must see that your kids have proper company. Invite all the
friends of your kids home and talk some good sense to them. Friends of your
kids will listen more to you than your own children, so become a good uncle
or aunt. Tell them nice stories, play games together, get them engaged in
some service activity. Parents must do all this.
Pat Gounden
Aug 10, 2014, 3:09:51 PM8/10/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, August 11, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Love is a precious diamond that can be got only in the realm of love and
nowhere else. The kingdom of Love is located in every love-filled heart.
Love can be experienced only in a mind flowing with love. The precious
diamond of Love cannot be obtained merely through meditation or following
prescribed sacred rituals. At best they only give mental satisfaction. The
greater your love for God, the greater is the bliss you experience. When
love declines in you, your joy also declines proportionally. Hence you must
fill your heart with love for God. Love will not enter your heart if it is
already filled with selfishness and self-conceit. Hence forget your petty
self and concentrate your thoughts on God. If you love God, you will see Him
everywhere. The essence of all spiritual disciplines is contained in Love.
(Divine Discourse, Sep 2, 1991)
-BABA
Love is the highest vibration.
Allow yourself to receive love unconditionally from others. Give love from
your heart unconditionally to yourself and others and you will experience
the highest state of consciousness possible.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 07/09/2014 North Carolina, United States
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Silence)
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna beautifully describes the types of doers.
He says, 'Mukta-sango 'naham-vadi , dhrty-utsaha-samanvitah siddhy-asiddhyor
nirvikarah, karta sattvika ucyate'. (18.23)
While doing work there are three types of doers.
1. A Sattvik doer
2. A Rajasik doer
3. A Tamasik doer
You have to see, which category you come into at this moment. It is not
going to be the same all the time, it changes.
Who is a Sattvik doer? A Sattvik doer is one who, whether work has happened
or not happened, whether success or failure, they have not lost their
enthusiasm.
Utsaha means Enthusiasm, and Dhrty is that something which uplifts you and
upholds you. That which sustains life and prana, the presence of that energy
is a Sattvik Karta (doer).
This physical world, of what we see, is ruled by a subtle world. The inner
fire (consciousness) connects you from this world to the subtle world, from
which this whole manifestation is happening.
The second type of doer is a Rajasik doer, one who is always interested in
the outcome. He is so attached to the outcome that if something goes up he
jumps up to the ceiling, and if something goes down he goes down along with
that. He feels totally destroyed when things don’t happen, and when things
happen, his ego gets a boost, ‘See, I did it’. This is a Rajasik doer.
Though he does everything with a lot of passion, but along with the passion
there is a lot of Rajas. Rajas means, there is a lot of anger, ego, a sense
of challenge, etc.
Have you had this experience, if someone doesn’t do something and you just
challenge them, they immediately get up and say, 'I take it as a challenge'.
That sense of challenge is a Rajasik Karta.
The Tamasik doer is one who thinks that everything is always bad. One who is
always regretting, ‘Oh, I should have done electrical engineering ten years
ago, I made a mistake’. My dear, you have already crossed those ten years,
what is the point of regretting.
Often you will hear mothers tell their children, ‘Since 10 years I am
telling you.’
Or a wife tells her husband, ‘It's been 30 years of our marriage and you’re
still like this.’
So, Vishaadi means Regretful or Remorseful, and Dhirga Sutri means anything
you tell them they would say, ‘Oh, that is not possible. It is very
difficult you know’. They beat around the bush so much and then come up and
say how things cannot work. They finds everything difficult, everything
hopeless. This is Tamasik Karta.
These are the three types of doers.
See at this moment, in your mind, what type of a doer is coming up? How do
you move from being a Tamasik Karta to a Rajasik Karta, and then to being a
Sattvik Karta? This is the challenge and this is the path.
If you recognize (what kind of doer you are being), you can move. Otherwise
you get caught up, saying the same thing, 'For 30 years I have been saying,
'Become hollow and empty', but nobody is becoming hollow and empty. Since 30
years I’m banging my head saying, 'Smile, smile', then they smile in front
of me, but later on, nobody smiles. Since 35 years I have been saying, ‘Love
everybody, have freedom, be enthusiastic', still everybody is fighting with
everyone else! What’s the use? Let me just go to the spa and enjoy my
workout. Let me do my thing. Why bother about all these people? Everybody is
hopeless! Nobody understands the value of this knowledge. This world is
never going to change. It is not possible. It’s all karma and nothing can be
done. I better not meet anybody, just go sit in the Himalayas somewhere and
be happy listening to the birds and the water, and be content. Why bother?
All these years I put so much effort and people are the same! Nothing
changes'.
This is vishaadi, being regretful; feeling that anything you do goes back to
being the same, so there is no point.
Dhirga sutri is when you say, ‘Okay, let’s take the challenge, let’s do
this’.
But then you can’t be stuck there because it will again lead you to Tamasik
Dhruti. Rajas can only be a bridge. You cannot stay on the bridge, you
cannot live on the bridge. You have to move across.Rajas is only to get rid
of Tamas.
In the Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, ‘What will people think of you?
What will they talk about you? You want to run away from this war? They will
think you are a coward. It is better to die than to get a title of a
coward.’
He never told him, don’t be a football of others opinions, because at that
time he had to push someone who was so depressed into doing some activity.
Then he said, ‘Look, whether you win or lose is immaterial. In this world
nothing is perfect. If you’re so anxious about winning, about making things
perfect, then you will definitely get upset.’ This is an unwritten law.
Parents want their children to be so perfect. They bring them up with such
care, but then they become rebellious and go the other way. This is what
happens when you get attached to the results of action.
Many people do such good acts and then say, 'It is a thankless job. Nobody
thanked me’, and they get so upset and depressed.
‘I have such a good heart. I did such good things but nobody cares for me’.
This one thought is good enough to pull you down for days, months and years.
‘I did so well. I am so perfect but what happened to me? The world is cruel,
people are cruel, God is cruel.’ Finished! That’s it!
Don’t you see this happening in the society?
If you are in that Rajasik nature or Tamasik nature, you will attract only
such people. They will all come and tell you, ‘God is very bad. He is so
cruel. He has been so unkind to you. It shouldn’t have happened to you'.
This is how they will give you solace.
Tamasik Pravriti will attract people with Tamasik nature around them. It’s
the same with Rajasik. People who sit together and complain, they vibe
together. If someone comes and says, ‘Come on, that’s rubbish,’ they can’t
tolerate that. They think the other doesn’t understand. This is a fact.
If things are bad that’s how it is. If someone comes and says, ‘It will all
be fine’, you can’t vibe with them. When you don’t vibe with them, when your
thoughts don’t match, you don’t go with them. So, you remain in your circle
which in turn puts fuel into that type of mindset.
Way back in 1985 or 1986, I was in Italy. There was a recovery home with
about 50 young and good looking men. They were all recovering from drug and
alcohol addiction. I was invited to speak to them and give them a seminar,
so I went and took a course for them.
After the course they all completely lit up. They were all so happy, and
suddenly they found that they were so free! That inner freedom came to them.
However, the owner of the recovery home got very upset, because he had kept
these people together by telling them, 'The world out there is very cruel'.
He had created a sense of fear and hatred in these young men against the
world, and now they realized that that is not how it is.
At first, all their questions were about, 'Why people are so bad, why are
they so cruel?' But after the course, they found out that it is not like
that, and they all shared how they felt such a sense of relief, such a sense
of freedom and upliftment, in just two days time. The boss got very upset
and said that he had completely lost control of the whole group.
One the first day of the program, it was he who introduced us and spoke so
highly of the course. But on the third day, he said the complete opposite.
His whole tone and behavior was completely different. Why? It is because the
people had changed; their sattva had gone up, and when sattva increases, you
no longer buy into negative news.
I am not telling you that you should be in la-la land all the time and
ignore the ground reality. This is not about ignoring the ground reality, it
is about not losing your energy and enthusiasm. It is about not making
concepts in your mind and saying, 'It is like this only', but instead
realizing that it (i.e., concept or conclusion you have come to) is only one
part of your analysis, and so you say, 'Perhaps this may be or this may not
be'.
If you go to a market, there are rows of shops. One shop does well but the
next shop does not do well. Why? They are in the same place, in the same
road, may be even next to one another, but one shop is profitable and the
other shop is going in a loss. Why? You have to ponder on this.
This physical world, of what we see, is ruled by a subtle world.
A very simple explanation is karma and we leave it at that. Sometimes we
accept it and move further, but it is not just karma. Yes, that could be one
explanation, but if you go subtler you will know that everything that
happens here is from some other field of energy, some other field of
existence and consciousness. And in that consciousness is where the
intention is, which brings manifestation here. To put attention there we
need to put our attention inward.
Agni is the connection. Agni is not just fire, it is the fire in you, the
consciousness in you which is so alive. It is that fire in you which burns
the past, which burns all that rubbish that we collect due to the actions of
the past.
It is said, 'Agni mukha vai devaha', all the Devas (Gods) can be approached
only through fire. In a gross way it is shown as, only when the offerings
are put into the fire it reaches God. It is not like that. Knowledge is the
fire. The inner fire connects you from this world to the subtle world, from
which this whole manifestation is happening.
Pat Gounden
Aug 11, 2014, 4:12:15 PM8/11/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Tell your hand, “Oh hand, how sacred you are? You are unity personified. One
finger cannot lift a cup; when one finger moves to pick it up, all of you,
though different in sizes and shape, rush to help and hold the cup! You
don’t care for or observe any difference. Such is the unity inherent in you,
amongst your fingers. Oh hand, you are very helpful in preserving the human
body, you remove troubles through your hard work and you help others. Why do
you sometimes act in a manner that develops enmity? Today there is no unity
in any congregation, society or religion. However, you know no hatred.
Please never indulge in wrong actions.” Thus instruct and guide your hand so
that your actions become sacred. When your thoughts, words and deeds are
sanctified, all the other instruments also follow suit and thus you attain
liberation. (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 2, Mar 9, 1993)
-BABA
So if we are pure we can lead everybody, we can lead the whole world in the
right path. Thought, word and deed. You may say, ‘Oh my deeds are very
correct and clear, but my thoughts, what do I do with them? I don’t do
anything, but the thought comes in my mind to strangle that person, what do
I do?’ It is a question? Tell me how many of you had this question here?
Some people sitting in the back also had this question. Raise your hands
those who have this question, don’t feel shy. See, so many people. ‘Guruji,
by deed we don’t do anything, even the words we can control, but what do we
do with the thoughts?’
I tell you, it will automatically start happening. That is why when the body
is cleansed, the mind is also cleansed, and good company is essential. See,
if you are in the company of people who are very sattvic, or in the right
atmosphere, such thoughts don’t come. When do they come? They come when you
are in the company of people who are uptight, angry and agitated. You seem
to pick up their vibes. Now, every time you get a negative thought, don’t
blame others. Don’t say, ‘That person is putting this thought into my head’.
This mind is so tricky that in any situation it can get you trapped. That is
why there is a proverb in Sanskrit that says, ‘Vachyarambhe Vikaro Nama
Deyasya’, which means, the moment you say something things get distorted. So
pranayama, meditation, all this will purify the thoughts.
Then words; your determination, your will not to utter those words which are
unpleasant and which should not come out of the mouth, you should not utter
them. You should not make them come out of your mouth. You know what I am
saying. Make a sankalpa, ‘I’m not going to say these unpleasant words’.
Saying, ‘Oh my God’, that is okay, but something else should not come out,
whether you make a mistake, or someone else makes a mistake.
People say, ‘Oh Jesus’ that is okay. ‘Hey Ram’, that is okay, but not the
other words.
We need to culture our speech. If you speak unpleasant words then children
will also pick up the same thing. So words and then deeds of course follow.
Deed is a very small thing. Most important is your mind. So, everyone is a
leader. You lead people either towards light or towards darkness. You either
tell them things that confuse them that they lose whatever nice things they
have in their heart and in their mind about goodness, about society, and
they become paranoid and go astray, or you lead them towards wisdom and joy.
Every individual can instill faith or destroy faith. Every individual has
this capacity. Not forever though. You cannot destroy someone’s faith
forever but only temporarily. For eight to ten years their mind goes round,
round and round. They don’t believe there are good people on the planet and
they believe everything is bad, everybody is hopeless.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Sri Sri On The Auspicious Month Of Shraavan
2014.08.04 Bangalore, India
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Today is the last Monday of the Shraavan month (the fifth month of the Hindu
calendar, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August).
All months of the calendar are auspicious, but the month of Shraavan is
considered to be especially auspicious to offer worship and pray to Lord
Shiva. In North India, the month ofShraavan is given special importance,
while in South India the month of Kartik (the eighth month of the Hindu
calendar, beginning with the new moon in October/November) is considered
especially auspicious for praying to Lord Shiva.
Do you know the significance of Shraavan month? So many of us do not know
it’s significance, but we consider it to be very auspicious, so it a special
time to pray and offer worship to Lord Shiva.
All months of the calendar are auspicious, but the month of Shraavan is
considered to be especially auspicious to offer worship and pray to Lord
Shiva.
In our Puranas (ancient Hindu scriptures containing stories of deities and
other folk lore) it is said, 'Alankara Priya Vishnu Abhisheka Priya Shiva'.
One feels so happy in adorning Lord Vishnu, so you will always see Him well
dressed and decorated with beautiful ornaments. Lord Shiva on the other hand
is pleased with abhishek (ceremonial Holy bath offered to a deity). Many of
us go to the temple every day to offer water to the Shiva Lingam (symbolic
of Lord Shiva), but we do not offer abhishek to Lord Vishnu.
Where is Lord Shiva? Does He reside only in a temple? No, He is manifest in
this whole creation. What is Lord Shiva’s body like? In the scriptures it is
said, 'Bramanda vyapt dehaya' (His body pervades this entire creation). When
His body is in the entire creation then how can anyone pour water on Him? He
Himself alone can shower His whole body with water.
In the month of Shraavan there are rains everywhere on Earth, as if the
Earth is receiving Abhishekam from the skies. Not only that, the entire
Creation appears to be receiving the Abhishekam of water from the skies.
Everything is cleansed and purified by the rains, and the Earth blossoms in
beauty.
The Earth is His feet while the sky and constellation of stars are garlands
around His neck and Lord Shiva Himself does His own Abhishekam in this month
with the clouds raining down, therefore this month is considered supreme for
worshipping Lord Shiva.
The whole creation rejoices and blossoms, and gets soaked in the nectar of
the Divine. When the whole of Creation soaks itself in the Divine, mankind
too naturally have to immerse themselves in it as well. We become one with
creation and the Divine, and sing the many praises of the Divine, that’s why
it is said to worship and pray to Lord Shiva in the month ofShraavan.
Once Goddess Parvati, who is not only His wife but His first disciple also,
asks Lord Shiva, 'O Lord, how can one attain Para brahma gati (to move or go
deeper towards the Divine blissful Brahman or Consciousness)?'
To this, Lord Shiva replies beautifully, 'Anahate Patra Karne, abhagna
shabdh saridrate, shabdh brahmane nishnata, Para-brahmadi gachhati'.
What does this verse mean? It means there is a Divine note playing deep
within our hearts. It is called the Anaahat naad and it is happening deep in
your Self all the time. Sit in meditation and listen intently to that inner
sound.
If you are unable to hear that or do not have the ability to hear that inner
sound, then evoke that sound from deep within you. Just sit quietly and
listen deeply. Can you hear the tune of a single string echoing from within?
It is subtle yet it is there. Can you all hear it? This is what Lord Shiva
calls as the Abhagna Shabda – meaning the unbroken eternal sound.
Sounds often have breaks in between each other, but this one is unbroken and
continuous, just like a subtle humming sound. It is like the dim humming
sound of a cricket (insect similar to grasshopper), or the light sound that
you hear when you go to a jungle or a lonely place where there is nobody,
and where there is no noise of vehicles. When you listen intently to that
silence, you will hear a sound and listening to that sound you can become
meditative.
In today’s world an example of this sound would be the slight sound that
comes from an Air Conditioner or a running fan. It is an unbroken sound that
is heard continuously, and listening to that will also enable you to become
meditative.
In the verse, Saridrate means like a stream of water or a waterfall. So the
phrase abhagna shabdh saridrate means the eternal sound that resonates like
an unbroken stream of water.
Sit near the River Ganges or any other flowing water body and with closed
eyes listen to the continuous sound of the water flowing. Nowadays you can
do it at home also by keeping a small fountain at home, and sit and listen
to that unbroken sound of flowing water!
Shankar (another name of Lord Shiva) means one who is ever-auspicious and
blesses everyone for their well-being.
So during this month we pray with the desire for the welfare of all.
So Lord Shiva says, 'Shabda brahmane nishnaata', which means, one who has
soaked himself in the stream of this unbroken eternal sound moves towards
attaining the Para Brahman (the all-pervading One Consciousness). One who
becomes perfected in the method of listening to this sound is able to let go
of all other sounds, inside and outside. All other noises become silent for
him. By doing this, a person soon turns inwards to returns to the bliss of
his own consciousness.
As you sit here watching the water rain down from the skies, just feel that
the entire creation is performing an Abhishekam for Lord Shiva.
Shankar (another name of Lord Shiva) means one who is ever-auspicious and
blesses everyone for their well-being. So during this month we pray with the
desire for the welfare of all.
If it doesn’t rain during the Shraavan month then the earth becomes dry and
we will get nothing, neither food nor water. Hence it is very essential that
it rains in this month. A full year’s rain happens at this time, and the
entire creation blossoms. And we also blossom from within along with the
entire creation as we soak in the bliss of worshipping Lord Shiva.
We sing, 'Har Har Mahadev', this means, 'O Lord Shiva, take away our
miseries and free us of all ignorance!'
There is a verse in Sanskrit which says, 'Jnaanam-ichhet Maheshwara,
Moksham-ichhet Janardhana'. It means that for attaining Self-knowledge pray
to Lord Shiva, and for liberation pray to Lord Vishnu. Both Gods are the
same, they are not different from each other. Lord Vishnu resides in the
heart of Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva dwells in the heart of Lord Vishnu. We
only consider them different according to their form and attributes for our
own interest, but in reality there is no difference. It is one Divinity
only.
We pray to Lord Shiva in Kartik month because there is maximum darkness (of
the days) during this month. And God is the light of knowledge that can
dispel this darkness. Hence in the month of Kartik, it is suggested to light
as many diyas (lamps) as you can and pray to the Lord of knowledge. That is
why there is special importance given to Kartik Somavaar (the Mondays
falling in the month of Kartik).
Questions & Answers
What is the difference between Spirituality and Astrology?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, spirituality is related to the Atma (soul) and
astrology is related to planets. Astrology deals with observing the
movements of the planets and making calculations related to the events that
are yet to happen.
The science of Vastu is related to direction, to space, while astrology is
related to time. But the One beyond space and time is Mahadeva (Lord Shiva).
That’s why for remedying any ill-effects of Vastu or any of the astrological
movement of planets, just pray to Lord Shiva. He is the Lord of all planets
and He can move them to favourable positions for your benefit.
Pat Gounden
Aug 12, 2014, 6:06:12 PM8/12/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Supreme Lord can assume countless forms including that of the entire
cosmos. Hence scriptures declare, "The entire cosmos is God’s dwelling. All
are forms of the Divine." Seeing a Divine Incarnation people doubt whether
God has such miraculous powers while He has the same body as themselves.
People who find it difficult to perceive their oneness with the Self (Atma),
fail to recognise the Avatar. Such people reviled Lord Krishna as a
philanderer and a thief. Such accusations, born of delusion, will never
undermine His greatness. Lord Krishna's leelas were intended to reveal His
Divinity. People make the same mistake about themselves; forgetting their
inherent Divinity, they identify themselves with their bodies. Lord
Krishna’s Avatar is to teach mankind to transcend their body consciousness.
(Divine Discourse, Aug 28, 1994)
-BABA
Life is love, Life is enthusiasm, joy and bubbling energy.
Moderate food and moderate activity makes you realize that you are connected
to the universal spirit. Then you don’t feel you are just a human being, but
realize you are much bigger. The body is a small thread, the mind is much
bigger. Our mind is occupying the whole universe. The mind is much bigger
and the consciousness is so vast.
We watch various programs on television. The television is just a box
presenting the waves. Our body is like the television that reflects waves
from all over the globe. In the same way, you are present all over. I am
present all over. This connects you with the aspect of the spirit.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
True Joy Is The Fruit Of The Spirit
2014.08.04 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Auspicious Month Of Shraavan)
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, when death is the ultimate truth of life, then why does one take
the guidance of astrology?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Are you asking this for yourself or for somebody else?
If you are asking for yourself then just become aware that all of us are
going to die, for sure. The important thing is that while we live, we shall
be happy and have fun in all that we do.
While man is alive, he usually gets entangled in thinking, 'Oh, what will
happen to me? What if there are some difficulties tomorrow? How will I be
happy?'
This urges him to acquire wealth for a sense of security. The main aim of
life is to be happy and comfortable with what we have, but often the path
one takes brings misery instead of happiness. This is utter foolishness.
So what does an intelligent person do? An intelligent person knows for sure
that God is with them, God loves them and belongs to them, so they don’t
need to worry about anything. This feeling of deep faith gives them
confidence. This is the secret of confidence. So they are able to do and
achieve what they want.
See, if you are in the driving seat then you can turn the car in whichever
direction you want, and spirituality gives you that strength to go where you
want to. Hasn’t this happened for you? How many of you here have experienced
that whatever you wish for starts happening? (Many in the audience raise
hands in agreement).
This is the magic of being in knowledge, of having tasted the nectar of the
spiritual path.
What is the use of behaving like a beggar all the time? There is a saying,
'Ram jharoke baith sabka mujra le' (Meaning: Repose in the faith of the
Divine and see everything as a passing event). So when the connection with
the Divine happens, no matter where you are, you can achieve and get what
you wish for. Whatever blessing you give starts to manifest. Many of you
have had this experience. This is the great wealth of spiritual knowledge.
We have such great knowledge with us in this country but many people are not
even aware of it. People go to the temple, just break a coconut, give money
to the priest to perform Aarti (act of rotating the sacred lamp before the
deity) and keep wondering on how to improve their life. They come back home
and get stuck again in craving and aversion, criticizing others, belittling
others, and getting entangled in feelings of jealousy and greed. They spend
their whole life like that.
To improve your life you should find joy in spirituality. Once you find this
joy, do not run away from your family responsibilities; stay at home and
attend to your family responsibilities also. Balance both so that your
spiritual life as well as your family life improves.
This is such beautiful knowledge and this is what we must practice also.
Gurudev, are you an Avataar of Lord Shiva or Lord Krishna? I have been
asking myself this question for a long time, so please remove my confusion.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Have you read the Bhagavad Gita? I would say that
first you read the Gita. It is not enough to read it once. You must read it
again and again. Lord Krishna says, 'Wherever you see any divinity, that is
a part of Me and Me alone'. He says that I am present everywhere, in the
plants, in trees. I am the strength of the strong, I am the magnificence and
glory of the radiant ones. There is nothing beyond Me in this creation'.
Speak on longing. Why do I have so much longing?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Longing itself is God. When there is longing for the
Divine in the heart, when longing arises in life for God, then one acquires
siddhi (extraordinary abilities) in life. Without longing there can be no
love, no perfection, no contentment and no playfulness in life. Hence
longing is essential in life.
We keep longing for small and trivial material things, but once the longing
for God arises then you become a Chakravarti (a term in ancient India used
for an emperor who was a sovereign and whose chariot could go anywhere
without any opposition or hindrance).
Gurudev, in the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says that among the months of the
year I am the Margashirsha month (corresponding to the period from the third
week of November to the third week of December). Please explain.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, in our country, every month of the calendar has
been associated with some event and so each month has its own importance.
There is also a special month called thePurushottama Maasa (literally
meaning the month of Lord Vishnu) that is considered very special and
important by the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees of Lord Shiva consider Shraavan to be most important. Devotees of
the Mother Divine consider the months of Chaitra and Sharad (autumn) to be
important. The festival of Navaratri is celebrated in the month of Sharad.
So every month has its own significance and importance.
In our country we do not have a single school of thought or tradition when
it comes to spirituality. There are so many sacred Puranas and scriptures,
and each scripture prescribes something different and unique for each month
of the year. But the essence of it all is that one should honour Time and
give it due importance. Do not waste it unnecessarily on eating and
drinking, or in useless gossip.
The message is that Time is sacred. Consider time as a Prasaad (a sacred
offering) from the Divine.
Why is Lord Shiva called Bholenath?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Lord Shiva is bhola (innocent) so He is called
Bholenath (meaning the innocent One). He is easily pleased, and gives a boon
to anyone who asks Him with love, and then He Himself gets caught into
trouble (when the seeker of the boon misuses it or uses it against the Lord
Himself). He innocently gives a boon to anybody who meditates upon Him, be
it a demon or a demigod. He gives them whatever they want, that is why He is
known as Bholenath.
Another meaning is when you become bhola (innocent from within) then He is
your Nath(Lord or Master). You must have heard the saying, 'Bhole Bhav Mile
Raghurai'. It means that when you become innocent and pure from within, that
very moment you become one with Divinity.
Gurudev, why was this world made?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It was made for Me! (laughter) And if you ask why are
there so many problems made in this world, then I would say they were made
for you! (laughter again)
These problems were made so that you don’t get stuck and attached to this
world. You get stuck with this world even though there are so many problems.
Imagine if there are no problems, then you will never want to leave this
material world! Correct?
Gurudev, you spoke about listening to the Anaahat Naad in silence. But if I
try to do that, I feel very awkward as if I have some disorder. Once when I
told my doctor about this he said that I must be hearing things and that I
have some mental illness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Relax in the sound that you hear from within. We try
to fight with that inner sound, we try and get rid of it. Don’t do that,
instead relax with a calm mind in the sound.
For example, the people in Mumbai and Delhi who have homes near the main
road, or in New York have a home by the highway hear the sound of heavy
vehicles 24 hours in a day. If you go stay there for one night after having
stayed in the ashram, neither will you be able to sleep nor will you be at
peace, because here you have become so used to sleeping in an quiet peaceful
environment. Every five minutes you hear the sharp noise of a vehicle
passing by, and not just that, you feel the vibrations also, as if it
passing right over your head. Since we are not used to these sounds we keep
fighting with them.
In foreign countries, if you have your home near the highway or some main
road, then it is very difficult to get some peace there. You lose all your
serenity. If someone new goes to live in such a place, they become very
uncomfortable and lose their sleep. Without sleep, your entire body becomes
shaky and you feel fearful. But those who have been staying there since a
long time become habituated to the noise, so they do not have a problem
sleeping despite the noise. They sleep very easily, snoring away the whole
time, because they have gotten used to it. The same is with the people in
Mumbai. . Those who stay near the main road can hear a lot of noise in their
house but since they have gotten used to it over time, they are not troubled
by the noise.
Similarly a voice arises within us and we think we have some disease. We go
to a psychiatrist who gives us a medicine which instead of resolving the
problem creates another problem, making it worse than before. So all I am
telling you, accept the subtle sound and relax in meditation.
Just imagine that you are gently soaking into the sound. Accept it lovingly
and you will see that everything will change.
Pat Gounden
Aug 13, 2014, 5:00:53 PM8/13/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, August 14, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The external is the creation of the internal. Brahmam manifested itself as
the Universe. God created the world; the world conferred the glory of
'Creator' on God. Through his yearning, imagination and intensity man
endowed God with a form and name, and a bunch of attributes from which he
hopes to benefit. But, God is above and beyond human traits and
characteristics known as Gunas. Krishna told Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, "I
have no need to engage Myself in any activity. But yet, I am busy acting, in
order to promote the well-being of the Universe." The Gita refers to its
chapters as Yoga. Yoga means union of the Self with its source. How do the
eighteen chapters, each a Yoga, help man to fulfill his destiny? The Gita
provides the answer: "Samathvam Yogam Uchyathe" (Yoga is being in a state of
equal-mindedness or equanimity). (Divine Discourse, Sep 7, 1985)
-BABA
Inner journey and outer world events are complementary. If you are happy
inside, you are able to work dynamically outside. The more dynamic you are,
deeper and better is the rest and meditation. When you meditate the joy
increases.
People who are lazy, they cannot be happy. And people who are dynamic, it is
not necessary that they will be happy also. Dynamism should be combined with
inner silence. So, time to time, one should take a few days off, learn how
to go deep inside and meditate.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.08.05 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, our horoscope is based on our birth time. If the birth time is
unknown, does that mean our horoscope is wrong?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If the timing is correct, interpretation is right. You
can never say that it is 100% right. There is a probability of it being
80%-90% correct. And there is always an adrushya(invisible), i.e., an
unknown influence. It can happen anytime and that is what is called grace.
So grace has the ability to change anything at anytime.
Shastras (scriptures) have their significance.
Like for instance, a boy was born and the father went to the astrologer to
show his son's horoscope. The astrologer said that your son is very great.
There will be many cars around him all the time around, and he will have the
ability to stop anybody at anytime. So the parents thought that their son is
going to become a big minister, or the president, and he will be surrounded
by a fleet of cars but the son became a policeman. Today of course there are
traffic lights which have come, but twenty years ago there were not as many
traffic lights but only policemen who direct traffic.
The father came and fought with the astrologer, 'You told me that my son
will be surrounded by a fleet of cars, but he has become a policeman'.
The astrologer said, 'See my prediction has come true even now. He is a
traffic policeman and he is surrounded by many cars'.
Another astrologer said to someone, 'You will be hit by a bullet in your
head'. But what happened one day, the person was wearing a big hat and
something did come, but it hit the hat and took the hat away.
So there is a saying in Tamil, 'What came to head went off with my hat'. So
a big trouble which would have come, by grace it went away in a small way.
So here the scripture is also proved right, but at the same time you were in
a right place at the right time.
Dear Gurudev, how to act passionately after being trained to be
dispassionate?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You cannot create passion, when you love something it
simply comes to you. You cannot ask me how do I love something, there is no
way, no method.
Sometimes repetition might create an attachment but I wouldn’t say it is
love. I have seen people who are fighting and when one person is not there
anymore or has gone far away then one feels some sort of vacuum suddenly.
Every day you are fighting with someone and suddenly that person is not
there, what to do now? This is a sort of attachment, but passion that is
something which cannot be cultivated, it just comes to you. Dispassion can
be cultivated to some extent but compassion and passion cannot be
cultivated.
Gurudev it is said that energy cannot be created or destroyed, then how can
one get moksha? What does jeevan mukti mean?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Moksha is a drop merging in the ocean. It cannot make
the ocean disappear, nor the drop stop its existence totally. The drop
merges in the ocean and become the ocean. Like the space in a pot cannot be
destroyed, it can only merge with the greater space, and when the mud pot
breaks the space inside and outside becomes one. That is what moksha is,
realizing that 'I am free, I am space, I am not just the body, body is the
container but I am the spirit'.
To simply speak ultimate inner freedom.
Dearest Gurudev, how to be compassionate towards others those who do not
behave properly with us. I find being compassionate more difficult than
getting angry or irritated.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you broaden your vision you will see this from a
different angle. You will feel sorry for the person with whom you are
getting angry. Their behavior is rude because somewhere in their psyche
there is roughness, discomfort, and uneasiness. They have not received as
much knowledge or love as much as you have. They don’t have that much
wisdom, and that is why they are behaving in this way. When this
understanding comes to you, then compassion also will come.
Gurudev, the wise talk about the mindfulness, doesn't a person become
unnatural being mindful always?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Mindfulness is a practice that you do time and again.
It may appear to be some effort in the beginning but later on it becomes an
effortless process. That’s how it is.
After death will a person come back into another karmic body?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See karma cannot be dissolved without a body. So one
has to come back to the body to dissolve all the karmas. But moksha is
possible.
Moksha means relief from pain, relief from sufferings, relief from
ignorance; the whole knowledge is about this only. The spiritual path helps
one to release themselves from all of this.
Pat Gounden
Aug 14, 2014, 5:33:11 PM8/14/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, August 15, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In three situations, you do not have freedom: the discharge of duties
(karthavyam), actions done under compulsion (nirbandham) and obligatory
actions arising out of certain relationships (sambandham). If a poor man,
unable to get food, resorts to stealing, he cannot claim that he is
exercising his freedom to appease his hunger. Even if, for his own selfish
reasons, he may try to justify the stealing, his conscience will tell him
that he is committing wrong. Any action performed against one’s conscience
is not an act of freedom. True freedom happens only when one is free from
the impulses of the mind. Freedom (Swechcha) is made up of the words: Swa +
ichcha. ‘Swa’ means Atma. Only when the will of the Atma prevails can there
be real freedom. God and you are not separate. This oneness should not be a
mere intellectual concept. It should be a living reality. Then you will
experience true freedom - the freedom of the Spirit. (Divine Discourse, May
31, 1990)
-BABA
Our mind is responsible for both our bondage and freedom. Our own mind is
our best friend and our worst enemy. So freedom from our own mind, is what
we need look at. The mind constantly judges and discriminates. Sometimes we
should tell the mind 'Just relax'. When the mind relaxes, and you keep
awake, that is meditation. Usually mind is throwing all the tantrums and you
are sleeping, this is ignorance. Mind resting and you being awake, that is
wisdom. That is meditation, that is joy.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.08.10 Bangalore, India
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Today is Raksha Bandhan (a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and duty
between brothers and sisters), and Shravan Upakarma (ritual conducted once a
year when people change their upanayana thread).
The purpose of Raksha Bandhan is to remove fear from our lives.
It is fear that distorts our goodness and our creativity. It shrinks our
personality and badly affects our behavior with other people.
Do you know what Upakarma is? It is the day of changing the Yajnopavita
(sacred thread). What does the thread symbolize? It symbolizes the
responsibilities that one carries on their shoulders.
There are three strands in the Yajnopaveeta. What it implies is, we are
indebted towards our parents, we are indebted towards our society and we are
indebted towards our heritage. Carrying these three debts on the shoulder is
Yajnopaveeta.
We have responsibility towards society. Society is giving us everything, so
we have to give back to the society. Parents have taken care to us, so we
have to repay their debt. And we have received knowledge, so we have the
debt of that knowledge, debt of the heritage, debt of the Dharma. We are
carrying these three debts on our shoulder. That thread weakens with time,
so each year we remember it and giving Tarpana (offering) to the Rishis
(ancient sages) we change the thread.
We are indebted to the sages who have maintained this knowledge in the world
for millions of years. Without the Rishi heritage, the knowledge would not
been available for us today. For that, this is the day to pray to those
sages and thank them.
Similarly, we need protection from fear. When we live in society, there are
always some arguments, misunderstandings, difference of opinions, and all
this creates tension, insecurity and fear. When society lives in fear it is
bound to get doomed. When a family lives in fear with each other it is bound
to get doomed. So Raksha Bandhan is a festival of giving assurance to each
other, 'Look, I am with you'.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival of connectivity, of giving assurance and
confidence to each other that I am there with you and I am committed to help
you, and stand by you. To say these things, we celebrate Raksha Bandhan,
which means the bond of protection. With this assurance what happens? That
fear vanishes. The purpose of Raksha Bandhan is to remove fear from our
lives.
When there is bonding there is no fear. The lack of bonding is what causes
insecurity to creep in. We worry what the other person will do. Will they
take away our things from us. This fear of someone snatching things from
you, whether it is family or society is very strong. And this fear is what
distorts our goodness and our creativity. It shrinks our personality and
badly affects our behavior with other people.
You will see that many people who are very aggressive, they have some sense
of insecurity. So Raksha Bandhan is where one ties a band saying, 'I am
committed to our friendship. I am committed to protecting you, and I give
you assurance of our bonding'. So bonding removes fear, and when fear is
removed ignorance vanishes from our lives.
All the four Vedas are written by many Rishis, so this is the full moon of
conveying our gratitude to the Rishis.
How do we convey our gratitude to them? Through good bonding between all of
us.
If there is friendliness among each other then the resolution of Rishis of
‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (one world family) gets fulfilled.
I also say, put a tikka or some chandan on the forehead. Chandan symbolizes
wisdom: let wisdom reign in your life, not stupidity, or foolishness, or
self pity.
So the whole process, the festival is to celebrate knowledge and wisdom.
Also, here in India, each full moon is dedicated to a particular event. A
particular attribute is given to each full moon.
In the month of April the first full moon,Chitra Poornima, is attributed to
celebrating life with caution, by saying 'Be very aware and alert and
celebrate'. Whatever we do in our life, somebody is writing that down. So
let us be cautious in whatever we do. Chitra Poornima is that which gives
this warning.
The second full moon is Buddha Poornima, when Lord Buddha was born.
The third full moon is Jyeshta Poornima (also called Bhoomi Poornima) and is
celebrated as the full moon of the Earth.
Then comes the Ashada Poornima and is celebrated as Guru Poornima or Vyasa
Poornima.
The Poornima after that is Shraavan Poornima and is celebrated for the
Rishis (ancient sages and seers) who made it possible for us to have this
knowledge, read the knowledge, and so we show our gratitude towards them. So
the Rishis are remembered on this full moon. All the four Vedas are written
by many Rishis, so this is the full moon of conveying our gratitude to the
Rishis who are not visible to our eyes, and who are Chiranjeevis (immortal
living beings). How do we convey our gratitude to them? Through good bonding
between all of us. We should not fight. If there is friendliness among each
other then the resolution of Rishis of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (one world
family) gets fulfilled. For that purpose today’s full moon (Shraavan
Poornima) is celebrated for the Rishis.
The next full moon is dedicated to the infinity and the one following that
is Sharad Poornima. That is when there is celebration and dance. It is when
Lord Krishna danced with all the Gopis.
Each full moon is celebrated with a grand history behind it. In The Art of
Living we take any excuse to celebrate because life is celebration.
Pat Gounden
Aug 17, 2014, 2:47:06 PM8/17/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, August 18, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
All have faith in the power of love. But how is this love to be fostered and
developed? This question may arise in the minds of many. When people ask,
"How can we develop our love for the Lord?" The answer is: "There is only
one way. When you put into practice the love in which you have faith, that
love will grow." Because you do not practise what you profess, your faith
gets weakened. A plant will grow only when it is watered regularly. When you
have planted the seed of love, you can make it grow only by watering it with
love every day. The tree of love will grow and yield the fruits of love.
Often people today do not perform those acts which will promote love. When
you wish to develop love for the Lord, you must continually practice loving
devotion to the Lord. (Divine Discourse, Sep 2, 1991)
-BABA
Keep your heart in a safe place; it is too delicate. Events and small things
make strong impressions on it. A precious stone needs a setting around it -
gold or silver - to hold it; in the same way wisdom and knowledge are the
settings that will hold your heart in the Divine. To keep your heart safe
and your mind sane, you cannot find a better place than the Divine. Then the
passing time and events will not be able to touch you; they will not create
a scar.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.08.06 Bangalore, India
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There is a very intricate connection between Time, the Mind, and an Event.
An event has an impact on the mind, and time has an impact on an event. Time
also has an impact on the mind; it is a triangle.
An event is influenced by time, the mind is also influenced by the event,
and the mind is also influenced by time.
Liberation (Mukti) is freeing the mind from time and events. You cannot
separate time from an event, but you can separate the mind from both, events
and time, and the way to that is meditation.
So, it is time that makes an event good or bad. And it is the event that
makes the mind pleasant or unpleasant. And it is time that makes the mind
free or bound. So this is an extremely interesting mechanism. The triangle
of time, mind and events.
So, people who knew the Divine Laws, the Divine Plan, the Divine Mind, or
who understood time were called Daivadnya. If you understand Time, then you
can manage events, and also manage the mind.
The farmer knows at what time he needs to sow the seeds. Suppose a farmer
sows the seeds before the rainy season, or at the beginning of the summer
season, then he is going to incur a loss. So, the farmer knows when exactly
to sow the seed. He looks at the time and then sows the seed.
The farmer also knows when to harvest. If he harvests before time, then it
won't work. If he does if after the right time, then also it is no good. So
for sowing and harvesting, the farmer knows the right time, isn't it? So to
know how the events are happening, that itself is a knowledge. The knowledge
of how the events are happening.
Events are associated with action, the mind is associated with action. Time
is associated with action. It is all like a trapezium: Actions, Events, Time
and Mind.
This is a very interesting thing. So it is important to do the right thing
at the right time.
Pat Gounden
Aug 18, 2014, 4:33:44 PM8/18/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You must welcome both summer and winter, for they are both essential for the
process of living. The alternation of seasons toughens and sweetens us.
Birth and death are both natural events. We cannot discover the reason for
either birth or death. They simply happen. Hence we must learn to welcome
the field of natural ups and downs (Prakrithika). The second is the field of
social equanimity: We often try to blame some person or some incident for
the injury or loss we suffer but the real reason is our own karma (action).
When the background of the event is known, the impact can be lessened or
even negated. Hence you must welcome with equal-mindedness fame and blame,
respect and ridicule, profit and loss, and such other responses and
reactions from the society in which one has to grow and struggle. (Divine
Discourse, Sep 7, 1985)
-BABA
In this whole drama, this complex game of life and society, is inevitable.
-BABA
Things come and fleet away. And everything that comes and goes has a
purpose. A thorn and a soft rose petal, they both have their purpose.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.07.21 Montreal, Canada
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Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, how can I keep my ego and anger from hurting others around me?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Listen, if your are sensitive and your intention is
not to hurt anybody, that is good enough. But sometimes in spite of your
being so cautious, some people get hurt. There is nothing that you can do
about it. Some people feel that anything you say will hurt them. You
compliment them and they think you are taunting them. You give them an
honest feedback and they think that you are cruel and rude.
So there are some people who are in that mindset, they may feel upset
anyway.
If you invite them for a party, they are unhappy because they think you are
showing off. If you don’t invite them then of course, they feel that you
don’t care for them. What do you do! So, you don’t worry about it. They have
to deal with their hurt.
From your side, you don’t use harsh words. From your side be courteous. From
your side be caring. That is all you can do. Don’t worry about what is going
on in their minds because there are millions of people around and their
minds are all going in different directions. You have no say over it. You
cannot make everybody happy.
If two people don’t like each other and you talk to one of them, the other
becomes your enemy automatically! If you are simply talking to one person,
that can irritate somebody else because you spoke to them. And that is what
is happening in the world today.
What is happening in Gaza? If you show sympathy for Gaza, or say something
about it like, 'Oh it is wrong, so many children are dying', then Israel
will get upset with you. And if you say, 'Israel is right', then Gaza will
get upset about you. What do you do? That is why in this world you can’t
make everyone happy. You listen to your conscience and see to the maximum
extent that from your side you have no intention to hurt anybody. That is
good enough. You cannot be football of so many people’s emotions and
feelings. what they feel what they don’t feel.
There is a saying in Sanskrit, 'There is no giver of happiness of misery.
You create your own happiness and you become miserable on your own, and
nobody can stop you from being miserable'.
Pat Gounden
Aug 19, 2014, 3:08:27 PM8/19/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The easiest means to achieve love for God is to worship God as having a
form. Worship of God is of three important types: Satvic, Rajasic and
Tamasic. In the Tamasic form of worship, the individual prays to God but
continues violence, anger and pomp, causing pain. Any worship that is done
for the sake of name, fame, with pomp and ego is called the Tamasic worship.
Rajasic worship is done for the sake for fulfilling selfish interests and to
attain great heights in one’s life. Devotion with the feeling that one alone
should be safe, happy and should be blessed involves utter selfishness. Such
a devotee does not even aspire or think about the well-being of the family
or the society. A Satvic devotee performs all daily tasks to please God,
with total surrender and offers all tasks performed during the day as loving
service to God. (My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 7, July 9 1989.)
-BABA
The infinity longs for you as much as you long for it, it’s waiting to
receive you. So when a devotee flowers on this planet, God is so happy.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Inner Peace Is The Key For World Peace
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.07.26 Bad Antogast, Germany
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Art of Living is being happy, singing, dancing, serving, meditating, and
making life a celebration. Life is so short on this planet. We are here for
just 60-100 years, some people live long then too maximum 125-150 years.
This short span of life we spend on this planet is better spent happily and
spreading happiness instead of bickering for various things, conflict, and
war. It’s ignorance, sheer ignorance. See what is happening in the world
today in all the places. You don’t even feel like seeing the news. Everyday
there is some violence somewhere.
So sing, laugh, dance, serve each other and meditate. Don’t get caught up in
this either, you should not get caught up even in fun. It’s easy to be
addicted to fun. Then if you don’t have fun you get so bored and you cause
problem for others. Your craving for fun can make others miserable.
Live lightly. Take life lightly and this is possible when we spread this
knowledge. More & more people should become free from stress and start
spreading happiness.
One street light is not enough to light the whole path. Every few meters you
need a light to dispel the darkness and this is essential. So we need many
teachers and volunteers who help the teachers to teach the courses. What’s
happening in Ukraine, Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan, and in other places domestic
violence. This is something that needs attention and it can be done; because
here is a solution, something we can do.
Inner peace is the key for world peace. You cannot have world peace with
individuals who are boiling from the inside ready to explode. If such people
are at the helm of affairs then not only the person explodes, but the
countries and communities explode.
Last month one of our teachers from Germany went to Iraq to teach 35 Members
of Parliament. After the 3rd day of the program they all shared such
beautiful experiences. They said, 'We are all from different political
parties and this is the first time we could really connect to everybody and
we understood our responsibility. This is the first time that we said that
we can all live together and this is needed in Iraq. This is the solution
for Iraq’s problem'.
Their words were very touching. They have all given a testimony, all of
them. Just in 3 days, a couple of hours each day, not even a whole silence
course. Just imagine if it was just the Happiness Workshop, or suppose they
had done the Silence Program.
If people can get access to inner peace then outer peace is a reality. Peace
is not just absence of conflict or absence of violence, it is a positive
phenomena inside of us. When our mind is quiet our intellect becomes
sharper, our emotions become positive and lighter, our body becomes healthy,
and our behaviour becomes much more palatable. These are the effects of
finding inner peace.
Inner peace is the key for world peace. You cannot have world peace with
individuals who are boiling from the inside ready to explode. If such people
are at the helm of affairs then not only the person explodes, but the
countries and communities explode.
Same with religious people. Many so called religious people have not found
inner peace. They pray a lot, thank god, ask for blessings, etc., but many
times its out of habit, and lip service. It is not coming from the inner
space of peace. If that comes from the inner space, then words are not
needed. Your breath becomes a prayer; you breath in and it is prayer, you
just sit and it is prayer, you walk and it is prayer. Your very life becomes
a prayer and a celebration. Everything we do becomes a celebration.
(Somebody peeps in thru the window. Laughter in the audience)
You have to see through my window, the world looks very different from
there.
We need to open that window so that everyone can peep through it and see,
'Oh, this is life. This is something great. Something beautiful is happening
here and there is a possibility of a world which is full of celebration.
Today when sports have become war and war has become a sport, we all have
the onus of bringing that sense of celebration to society, don’t you think
so? And we will do it in whatever small manner we can. But for that we need
find that inner peace.
To find inner peace knowledge is very important. You may sit and meditate
and find it very peaceful, but then you open your eyes and mix with people
and you come back to the same old pattern.
What can help in your activity is knowing that everything is going to
change, and everything is changing.
To find inner peace knowledge is very important. You may sit and meditate
and find it very peaceful, but then you open your eyes and mix with people
and you come back to the same old pattern. What can help in your activity is
knowledge. What knowledge?Knowing that everything is going to change, and
everything is changing.
Now you will ask, 'Should we never get upset, should we always be smiling?'
I say no! You get upset, you fight and argue but snap out of it in an
instant. Do it all like a drama, or see that it doesn’t stick to you.
Many times it is not you, it is the atmosphere, the collective consciousness
that affects you.
In Ukraine, the whole country is boiling, there’s uncertainty. If you go
there, your mind also gets affected by it. If you go to Afghanistan, you get
affected by what’s happening in the world country. And when you go to the
mountains or Switzerland, you become calmer, that atmosphere affects you as
well.
You come here to the ashram, (The Art of Living European International
Center, Bad Antogast, Germany), as soon as you walk in you feel a
difference. As soon as you come there is some energy that changes the mind.
Our perspective changes and this is knowledge.
So, time and space has an effect on the mind.
Space has an impact on our mind and time also has an impact on our mind. At
certain times for no reason tension arises in your system; many of you have
experienced this. It’s the effect of time. The new moon yesterday night and
day before impacted your mind.
Sometimes on new moon or on full moon suddenly you can’t sleep! How many of
you cannot sleep on full moon nights? On new moon and full moon something
happens to the mind. Time affects our mind.
Our company affects our mind. If you sit with someone who keeps talking
negative, a little later you also do that. All your joy simply disappears.
Company also affects the mind.
Food also has an impact on mind. Too much food or sometimes wrong food has
an impact. But that impact is minor. Food has a very small impact, so you
don’t have to be paranoid about it.
Our company affects our mind. If you sit with someone who keeps talking
negative, a little later you also do that. All your joy simply disappears.
Company also affects the mind.
The impact of breath is much more powerful. All these impacts can be
corrected, be it time, food or company through knowledge, meditation,
Sudarshan Kriya (practise taught in the Art of Living programs), satsang
(singing) and the company of the wise.
We are all so fortunate that we have this opportunity to see life from the
perspective of celebration. Out there just see how people are moving around
with guns, hurting other people. So inhumane. If all these people are put in
jail and made to do Sudarshan Kriya (practise taught at the Art of Living
programs) they will be completely reformed.
This is happening in many prisons, but to get these people to do it is a
challenge. I’m thinking on how to get these people to do it.
Last year itself, or the year before, I was making an effort because I
foresaw a big force like this coming from Egypt. I thought I should go and
talk to the religious leaders who are telling them to take to violence,
because some religious leaders have a say over the people.
I wanted to even go and talk to these militant groups. Though the streets
are full of violence our volunteers had made efforts and got some contacts
and arranged several meetings in Egypt. When I went to the Egyptian embassy
in India their ambassador refused me a visa. He said, 'No, you are too high
profile. We can’t let you go in there because the country is in a terrible
state and if something happens to you then we will have a problem. Our
embassy will be shut down here in India'.
I said, 'Don’t worry, I have my own security, nothing will happen to me. I
know how to take care'. But he apologized and refused to give me visa.
We were all ready to go. Me and a few others were all set to go to Egypt and
have a dialogue with various people – the Christian patriarch, the Muslim
religious leaders, the rebels, government. We had chalked out a three day
plan but they didn’t give me visa.
We must keep doing our effort. It’s not an easy job. For that slow and
steady concerted effort is needed.
It’s only ignorance on their part because they don’t know the other side.
It’s not that they are bad people. If you see through my eyes there are only
ignorant people, not bad people. There are ignorant people who do bad
things, that’s all. There are some in-between who have a little knowledge
and are a little ignorant.
Another side is the drug abuse. When many mothers come and cry that their
teenage son is into drugs, my heart breaks. I feel, what can we do? Hundreds
and thousands of young people are spoiling their lives. That’s why
spirituality is a must right from the beginning, right from childhood.
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, I have a very nice person as my partner. I feel that I am not
good enough for my partner and I am not fulfilling the expectations kept
from me. Is marriage really made in heaven? Am I being cursed with love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are wondering why you got married! It’s a little
too late for that! It is better not to spend time regretting.
Marriage is a compromise and you have to compromise. You know you have a
very nice person as a partner. Just imagine what you would have done if you
had had a very bad person as a partner. Now either you put the label on your
partner that he or she is a bad person, or you put the label on yourself,
it’s the same. If you put the label on yourself you are justifying your
action by saying, 'Anyways I’m a bad person so I will keep doing what I’m
doing, I don’t need to change'.
If you put the label ‘bad’ on your partner, you think he will never change.
In either case it’s not going to work.
I once read a small story. After death a gentleman was departing and his dog
came along with him. When they got to the gate marked 'Heaven', the guard
said, 'Only you can come in, you cannot bring your pet in. Your dog is not
allowed'.
The man said, 'The dog has been so loyal to me, how can I leave him'.
The guard said, 'In heaven dogs have no entry'.
The man felt committed to the dog so he didn’t enter heaven and went
further. Then they came to a gate with a board saying 'Hell' where they
welcomed him. He asked if he could bring his dog with him and they said yes.
He went in and the place was really heaven.
He thought, if this is heaven then what was that other gate? He was told
that was hell! It was only to test and filter people to see whether they
give up their commitment and not care for others, or they care for those who
they are committed to.
'That is real hell and this is heaven. You have kept your commitment and so
you are here'.
Do not think you are a bad person, change yourself. Why can’t you change
yourself? Give up little things for the sake of your partner. I am not
telling you to give up all the time, but at least sometimes. Then you will
not label yourself as a bad person. Do you see what I’m saying?
If sometimes without your own knowledge some words come out of your mouth,
or if you behave differently, don’t sit and regret. Just see it’s a dream
and move forward.
That’s why you should live in the moment with commitment, not just live in
the moment.
Pat Gounden
Aug 20, 2014, 4:09:59 PM8/20/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Priyam, Modam and Pramodam are three types of happiness. For example, when
you recall your favourite fruit, you experience some happiness. When you
spot the fruit in the market, you feel greater joy! (Modam). Finally, when
you procure the fruit and relish it, it gives the greatest joy! (Pramodam).
Thus, Priyam is the pleasantness or happiness that arises due to the
affection you have on a particular thing, person or object. Modam is the
happiness you experience when you come in contact with the things you like.
Pramodam is the ecstasy, the real happiness you experience when you actually
enjoy the object of your liking. Similarly, the thrill you experience by
knowing God’s powers – the manifestation of His Divinity and His love from
scriptures and epics is called Priyam. When you put into practice what you
heard, you derive the happiness of Modam. You experience Pramodam, the
everlasting state of joy and bliss, when you are in Union with God.(My Dear
Students, Vol 2, Ch 16, July 23, 1989.)
-BABA
Teacher is one who leads by example. Who shares what he knows and grows by
sharing.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
2014.07.21 Montreal, Canada
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Responsible For Your Own Happiness)
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, can you give us proof of heaven and God?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First give me proof that you have a mind! Give me
proof that you exist. You may be dreaming! Are you sure you are not
dreaming?
What is the proof you want. You want the proof of the planet existing; that
there is consciousness, there is energy, there is some force that makes the
trees grow, that makes the water flow, that makes the rain come, that make
the sun and moon – the whole universal phenomenon exist. There is some
energy which is the basis of this whole creation, don’t you know that?
Everybody agrees to this point that there is orderliness in creation. There
is a law, and there is orderliness in creation due to a power. There is some
power and because of its presence there is orderliness, and that power you
call God, you call brahman, you call energy. You can call it anything.
God is Love; if you want proof for love, that is so stupid!
You want proof for love? Is there not love in the planet? There is so much
love! Look at the birds bringing food and feeding its little ones. Look at a
cat, how it carries its kittens. Look at the puppies. Look at the animal
kingdom.
Look into the eyes of a child, if you don’t see God there, you are not going
to see God anywhere. There is a saying, 'If you don’t see God in the first
person who you meet, you are not going to see him. You are going to miss him
everywhere'.
In every human being what is there is love, and that love is God. That is
why God is in the heart of every human being.
I will tell you a nice story about this.
God got so tired after doing all his work, creating this creation, (actually
there is no God who created all this and went somewhere, but this is just a
story).
So after God created Adam and Eve, he was resting. As he was resting, man
comes and says, 'This Eve is a big problem for me. She complains all the
time God. I was better off alone by myself. Why have you created her? Please
take her away'.
So God said, 'Okay'. He called Eve and said, 'Eve, you leave this guy. You
come and be with me, be here in heaven'. So Eve went to heaven, and man was
sent back to Earth.
Then man came back home but he felt so lonely that there was nobody to take
care of him at home. When he came back from the forest, there was nobody to
give him tea and say, 'Honey, your dinner is ready!' He had so much work to
do that he felt so stressed. He had to do everything, wash his clothes, iron
them, go to work, cook and everything. He got so exhausted and he said,
'What for am I living here? Life is so boring'.
So he went back to God and said, 'I made a mistake, please send her back'.
So, God said, 'Okay', and sent her back. First day was very good, second day
there was nagging, third day she was frowning and pouncing like a tigress.
Once again man said, 'Oh, there is no peace at home. She keeps talking,
talking and talking'.
He tried earplugs but nothing worked. Fourth day, he went back again and the
same story repeated three times.
The fourth time God said, 'Look, no more! You have to manage'. Since that
day, man and woman are managing with each other. But God wanted to go and
hide somewhere because he was scared that sometime either Eve or Adam will
come back, now with a bigger force; with all their kids and everybody. So
God was wondering where he can go and hide because man followed wherever he
went. He won’t leave him even on the Moon or Mars. He said, 'There is no
escape, where should I go?'
Then there was a wise Yogi who was coming, he looked at God and said, 'You
look very worried and tensed, what is the problem?'
God said, 'You look very relaxed! Tell me how I can get rid of this stress!
Man is complaining all the time, these people come for one or other request
or complain all day and all night, and ask me a million questions'.
The yogi told him, 'You know, there is one place where man never goes. And
if he goes there, all his complains also disappear'.
So God asked him, 'Tell me, what is that place?'
He said, 'It is in his heart. You go and get into his heart. Man never goes
there, he goes all over the world, to Venus and Mars but never enters there.
One guy here and there in a millennium enters that space, but he won’t
complain. The moment he enters, there will be no complaints or demands'.
It is said that since that day God liked this idea very much.
Some people say God exists, some say he doesn’t exist. So God said, 'I don’t
care if people think whether I exist or I don’t, I am going in the heart of
all human beings' And since that day, he is hiding there!
In The Art of Living we are smarter than God, so we go to that area and we
catch him there, 'Oh, you are here!'
A Saadhak or a Yogi only knows this and celebrates. He catches God and he
finds, 'Oh, you are not different from me. I am you, you are me!' And there
ends the story.
Dear Gurudev, can you please explain what it means to let go. How do I let
go of situations that are currently causing me pain which I have no power to
change?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: How do you sleep at night? If you don’t let go, can
you sleep? No! If you don’t let go of an event or situation, or objects, or
anything around, you cannot fall asleep. That is letting go.
Just wake up and see, the world has been like this in the past, and it is
going to be there for few more million years. See this all as a dream, let
go and relax.
You know, big catastrophes have happened; the two world wars have happened,
still the world is continuing today! Like that a little problem here and
there happens, and there is a power that takes care of it! You are not going
to be here forever. So see life from a broader picture, then you will be
able to let go.
How to deal with loneliness. It is difficult to live without love in my
life. How to bring love? How to bring a loving companion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Find love within you, that is what meditation is. If
you are comfortable being with yourself, then anyone will be comfortable
being with you. So here you are, in the right place to develop those
vibrations within you. And you will see that you will get it. It is simple.
Dear Gurudev, I am suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and severe
low self-esteem. I am unable to talk to anyone freely because I always feel
I am not as successful or accomplished as the person next to me. I keep
thinking people hate me because of this. I have begun to separate from
reality and living in a negative world. I would like to seek your advice.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First of all, know that life is like a river. You
cannot put your feet twice in the same water because the water is changing.
Like the flow of a river, your mind is changing all the time. You don’t get
the same leaves in the maple tree for two seasons. What leaves you see in
the maple tree today, next summer the leaves are different. Remember that
the same is with your mind. Don’t hold on to whatever happened to you in the
past. That person is dead and gone. You are a new person. And especially
after coming to the knowledge, after doing Sudarshan Kriya, after
meditation.
If you want, you can even change your name, I tell you. You are a new
person. You don’t have to hold on to your past history.
Many times when people come to spiritual path they are given a new name. It
is almost in every tradition. The reason is just to make you understand the
past is gone because that was all out of ignorance. Now, you are in a
different plane of existence, you are on a different level. Recognize it,
honor it. Move on.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
a) 1–6 September 2014 (6days – evening course) @ APD Chatsworth
Pat Gounden
Aug 21, 2014, 4:51:51 PM8/21/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, August 22, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A devotee without the faculty of observation and discrimination fails to
ascertain what is real and unreal. They cause pain to others, though they
have no intention of troubling others, as they lack the capability of
understanding. Such people and many others preach about devotion beyond
attributes. Anyone who does not have the quality of being helpful to others,
and is devoid of compassion and pity is said to be possessing demonic
devotion. Some other people lose the relationships with people who are near
to them, thinking that the object that is dear to them is far away. Such
devotees can be called as practicing devotion with hatred. Stay away from
all of these practices. The true aspirant is the one, who has love,
compassion and concern for all, including those who are less privileged than
themselves. They work with them and help them in a way in accordance to the
status. Love is primordial in devotion.(My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 7, July
9 1989.)
-BABA
Now don’t try hard to become a devotee. Love combined with commitment is
devotion. Love with wisdom is devotion.
Love without wisdom can turn into negativities: Love today, hate tomorrow.
Love today, jealousy tomorrow. Love today, possessiveness tomorrow.
Love combined with wisdom is bliss, and that is devotion. Devotion is a
strong bond, a sense of belongingness. Everybody is born with it. It’s just
like becoming a child again.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
2014.08.09 Bangalore, India
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Q: Gurudev, anger is both a weapon and a weakness. Many times anger erupts
like a fiery weapon, but in those moments how can one prevent it from
becoming one’s own weakness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do you know why you feel angry? You feel angry because
of some weakness. When you want to do something but are not able to do it,
then that incapability evokes anger in you.
When you are capable and powerful, why would you feel angry? You never get
angry over an ant or a fly. You never get angry with someone or something
inferior. We get angry at someone who is greater or mightier than us. We
feel angry when we see or find something that is beyond our skills or
capabilities. We get angry when we feel that someone does not obey what we
say. Anger arises when we think that our words carry far more importance
than us. So anger does cause pain when it arises.
You feel angry because of some weakness.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to display some anger too. Anger used simply
for display should be used as a weapon. So you get angry, but you remain
calm and unshaken from within. With such (display of) anger, your blood
pressure will not rise, you will not become shaky and heated up.
See, a mother often scolds her child over something or the other, but at the
same time she smiles at her husband. Although today the scenario could be
reverse as well (laughter). She may scold someone in anger, and smile
cheerfully at someone else. But this anger does not trouble her, or give her
a headache. It does not ruin her sleep. So being angry for the sake of
display is alright.
Why do we do that? It is because sometimes people do not understand things
by simple words, even if you explain the same thing 10 times. So then in the
11th instance, you need to show some anger to make them serious.
It is alright to be angry for the sake of someone else’s welfare, but not
for your own selfish motives. That will only harm you. Getting angry because
someone is insulting you only brings harm to you and no one else. Getting
angry at someone in order to stop them from harm when they are deliberately
walking into a ditch (meaning a wrong path or action) – that anger is
actually beneficial.
Anger that is born of 'I, Me, or Mine' is the one that causes pain and
frustration. When you realize that someone is being foolish in his ways and
then you get angry (to correct them), then such anger is actually
beneficial.
Lord Krishna got angry at Bhishma as well, in the Mahabharata war. Why did
he get angry? It was because Bhishma was prolonging the battle each day for
no reason whatsoever when he could have ended it. So Lord Krishna broke his
vow (to not wield weapons or participate in battle) and took up the
Sudarshan Chakra. At that moment, Bhishma folded his hands before the Lord
and said, 'O Lord! This is what I was waiting for. If You get angry at me,
then my life will be cleansed and benefitted. My life will be perfect and
complete if I receive death at Your hands. So your anger too is only a
blessing for me'.
.
Lord Krishna was revered as a Jagatguru (the Guru to the entire world). Both
Kauravas and Pandavas regarded Him as a Guru. Bhishma in fact knew this fact
for certain. He knew that there was no one greater than Lord Krishna. So he
did all this deliberately so that Lord Krishna gets angry, and at least by
way of anger, some connection gets established between him and the Lord.
After this incident, Bhishma himself gave the clever idea to the Pandavas to
defeat him in battle. He said, 'If you make Shikhandi stand before me in
battle, I will not take up arms and will lose the battle'.
At the end of the war, Duryodhana and all his kith and kin perished and died
in battle. Seeing such vast bloodshed, Gandhari (mother of the Kauravas)
gets angry and curses Lord Krishna for allowing such a terrible battle to
happen.
This is what I have heard. She tells the Lord, 'You have brought death to
all my children by unfair means and trickery in battle'.
At that moment, Lord Krishna reminds Gandhari by saying, 'Dear Mother, when
your own son Duryodhana came to touch your feet and take your blessings for
victory, do you know what words came from your mouth? You had said, 'Yato
Dharmaha Tato-Jayaha' meaning, where there is Dharma, there will surely be
victory. So you had blessed him saying that 'May Dharma be victorious'.
Then Lord Krishna says, 'O Mother, what is my fault then and how am I to be
blamed? I only helped to fulfill the blessing that you gave to your own
son'.
Upon hearing this, Gandhari became silent. She realizes that somewhere it
was her mistake, because such were the words of blessing that came from her
mouth for her own son. Had she directly blessed her son for victory in
battle rather than saying what she had said, then such a blessing would have
become her son’s invincible armor in battle. If that had happened, then no
one could have defeated Duryodhana in battle.
Gandhari was a great Tapasvini (a pious female seeker), so if she had given
that blessing to her son, it would have surely been true. Yet the words that
came from her were that may Dharma alone be victorious. So in the end it was
Dharma that was victorious.
These aspects and understanding of Dharma is very beautiful and also very
deep. Nature works in mysterious and surprising ways.
So, one kind of anger is that which is expressed with full awareness. The
other kind is the one that is without awareness, and with ignorance.
So when you feel anger arising in you, just before that you can feel some
sensations in your body, like a tingling sensation on the top of your head,
or in the forehead or the back of your head; or you will feel some stiffness
at the neck and shoulder region. Observing all those sensations at that very
moment is a skill. When you become habitual of observing those sensations,
then you can conquer anger very easily. This is why meditation is so
important. Anger cannot be tamed by anything other than meditation.
Lord Krishna says that there are three doorways to Hell. They are Krodha
(Anger), Kaama(feverishness or lust) and Lobha (greed).
Today, we see that these three are also the doorways to prison. People today
are so terribly caught in the clutches of lust. You would be shocked to know
what wicked deeds 60 or 80 year old people commit today. They have to suffer
in jail because of what they do out of lust. It is so shocking to know what
wicked acts some 65 year old person did with innocent children. He grew
tired of doing such things with adults, so now he turned to children for
such wrong deeds. These are indications of an ailing and sick society. The
intellect of such people gets distorted and deluded.
If someone has too much lust in them, then should get married in the proper
traditional way and then satiate whatever desires they have with their
spouse. Nowadays if people grow uncomfortable with their spouse in a year or
two, they immediately divorce their partner and remarry a second time. There
should be some self-control over oneself and one’s actions. When you do not
have self-control over yourself, then you have to suffer in prison.
The second is anger. So many people today steal, or murder someone in a fit
of anger. A few moments of anger arises in them and they end up doing some
wicked deed or another because of which they have to be behind bars. Anger
destroys relationships. So when you are unable to keep your anger in check,
then too you have to go to jail, and experience misery in society.
The third is greed. You all are already aware of the many financial scams
that have happened in our country. There is rampant corruption both in our
country and abroad. It is all because of unchecked greed. What wrong can
happen if someone does business ethically and follows the laws of the land?
But instead people resort to unfair means to make money. Why is this so? It
is purely out of greed.
If you are going to get Rs. 100 from a transaction, you instead hanker to
get Rs. 200 out of greed. If you get Rs. 200, then you hanker for getting
Rs. 400. Then also one does not become content and wishes for Rs. 500 or
more. It is all due to greed. I am not saying it is wrong to desire or
expect more. Dispassion does not work in business, business is driven by
passion (to progress and make gains). Doing business with a sense of
detachment or dispassion is foolishness. Do business with full passion and
zeal, but do not resort to fraudulent and unfair means to make money. If you
do business in an unfair manner, then you will surely have to suffer in jail
for that, one day or the other. You must have heard of this IT company
called Satyam (meaning Truth) that recently went bankrupt and suffered huge
financial losses. It was called Satyam only for namesake, while its
executives used all unjust and unfair means to make money. Ultimately they
all had to go to jail.
There was a great businessman in America. He was so rich and popular that
every politician in America wanted to have a photo clicked with him. But one
fine day his own son disclosed the wrong doings that his father was up to.
His son told that the ways his father was adopting to make money were wrong
and unethical. So the son disclosed the dark truth behind all that his
father had been doing to make money.
The 80-year old father had to go to prison for his wicked deeds. Just see
the courage and spirit of the son. His father owned millions in money, yet
the son had the courage to stand up against his father and tell the world
that his father had earned money using unethical ways.
Until he spoke, no one knew what that businessman had been up to. Once this
news became public, everyone who had clicked their photos with this
businessman began hiding or destroying those pictures out of shame. People
would run away at the very name of that businessman. Just see the courage
and character of the son.
He said, 'We have no need for so much money. Why should we fool and cheat
people to make money this way?'
The poor businessman is still in jail today. That is why it is said that
even greed brings misery to a person.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, 'Tri-vidham narakasyedam dvaram
nashanam atmanah. Kamah krodhas tatha lobhas tasmad etat trayam tyajet'.
(16.21)
There are three doors that can cause misery and suffering for the soul:
anger, lust and greed. That is why Lord Krishna urges Arjuna to renounce and
do away with all three.
Pat Gounden
Aug 24, 2014, 4:55:41 PM8/24/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There are four goals (Purusharthas) in the world that people aspire for.
They are Righteousness (Dharma), Wealth (Artha), Desire (Kama) and
Liberation (Moksha). Realising God is the worthiest and highest goal in
life. When such God is seen, realised and a close relationship is
established with Him, the happiness one enjoys then, that state of
liberation, that principle of love has been called as devotion of the
highest order (Para Bhakthi). This devotion is liberation itself; it is
attaining oneness with God. Liberation is the ability to look for unity in
diversity, rather than calling out the obvious differences. Attaining
Parabhakthi is not easy. It is definitely possible for those who yearn and
work towards it. Do not get confused that you are unique and others are
different. You will be in doubt if you miss the principle of unity in your
daily lives. So long as there is doubt, you cannot realize the eternal
truth. (My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 7, July 9 1989)
-BABA
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Blessings for a GOoD day
The Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath which
harmonize the rhythms of the body and emotions and bring them in tune with
the rhythms of nature. The breath connects the body and mind. Just as
emotions affect our patterns of breathing, we can bring about changes in our
mental and behavioral patterns by altering the rhythms of our breath. It
flushes our anger, anxiety and worry; leaving the mind completely relaxed
and energized.
"We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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91&type=1>
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Pat Gounden
Aug 25, 2014, 3:35:36 PM8/25/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Today there is much controversy and conflict that brews amongst all
religions. There is nothing wrong with any religion. All religions are here
to teach good sense. All religions propose the same Truth; they adore the
same One God and the essence of all texts is the same. Hence every being
must depend upon their own sanctity and morality, and try to nurture them.
Morality is the lamp within every individual. Without this lamp, there will
only be darkness around. This is the essence of the chant, “Lead us from
untruth to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality
(Asathoma Sadgamaya, Tamasoma Jyothirgamaya, Mruthyorma Amrutham Gamaya)”.
Sages searched for God and finally declared that they have identified Him
and have known Him. Where did they see God? It is within their hearts. They
said that they saw the Absolute Being who is beyond all darkness. ( My Dear
Students, Vol 2, Ch 16, July 23, 1989)
-BABA
Without knowledge, without wisdom religion appears to divide people. It
becomes the core or the only way of one's identity.
First conflict arises between different religions, then inside the religion
you will see inter religious conflicts arise and then groups are formed. All
this happens due to lack of wisdom and lack of understanding.
A wise man would benefit from all religions. He will see that religion is
adding more value to one’s life. Without this wisdom if you hold on to
religion only for identity and not for your evolution then definitely it is
divisive.
Our identity should first be that we are part of one light. The second
identity is that we are part of one human society, one global family. And
the third could be nationality or language. The fourth could be religion.
And fifth could be the heritage or family.
You can keep the other identities, but when you forget that you are a part
of one human society, one universal light, that is when religion is used to
divide our society and destroy ourselves. With wisdom you would celebrate
diversity and take the best from every religion so that you can evolve to be
a good human being.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sun, 17/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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The message of Janmashtami is simply this: when Lord Krishna is born, there
is joy and celebration everywhere. Every heart, every mind, every home is
filled with joy and happiness.
Tomorrow we shall celebrate Annakuut (a festival in Gujarat that celebrates
Lord Krishna’s birth with cooking various dishes as an offering of gratitude
and joy).
The birth of Lord Krishna is the birth of joy, because Krishna is absolute
joy. We celebrate this days with dance and music, and there is so much joy
in every heart, in every mind, and in every home. And this is the best way
to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. I think it has already happened
here! Everyone is so happy and everyone is dancing with joy.
Tomorrow is usually celebrated as Annakuut. People make so many varieties of
food. The whole Gujarat team has arrived here and they have prepared
hundreds of varieties of food items. That shows the abundance. The feeling
behind this is that there is so much abundance; there is enough food for
everyone. So on this day, grow enough food and distribute enough food.
Nobody goes hungry on this day – either in body or in spirit.
The abundance on the physical plane is celebrated by abundant food. We
celebrate our well-being and prosperity and there is also joy and
celebration in the mind. So there is food for the body, and there is also
knowledge – which is the food for the soul. That makes life complete.
You know, Lord Krishna and the Mother Divine were both born on the same day
of Ashtami (also a day of special significance during the Navratri
celebrations). You all would know this. So, the Mother Divine took a
physical form, but when the evil King Kamsa tried to grab hold of her, She
freed Herself from Kamsa’s hands and disappeared into the skies. The essence
here is that the ego cannot capture or trap Shakti – the Divine energy
(represented here by the Mother Divine). It may appear that ego can trap
Shakti, but it is not so.
Ego can neither capture bliss (represented by Lord Krishna), nor can it
capture Shakti. This is the message of Janmashtami. Both Lord Krishna and
the Mother Divine were born on the same day.
Lord Krishna was never truly born (here referring to the Lord as the Supreme
all-pervading eternal Consciousness). He is regarded as eternal and unborn.
So to celebrate the birth of that which is never truly born, people usually
have grand festivities and celebrations on this day with a lot of joy. And
this will go on forever, there is no end to it.
The land of Gujarat has always echoed with the sounds of 'Jai Shri Krishna!'
(Meaning: Praises to Lord Krishna!) You all have brought (the spirit of)
Gujarat right here to Bangalore! Even I am looking like a Gurjarati in this
attire (Laughter).
Pat Gounden
Aug 26, 2014, 4:29:10 PM8/26/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The pride of wealth, manpower and youth seems to be predominant presently.
Money is inert, it is lifeless. How can it be strong? Its strength or
weakness is the reflection of the mindset of the individual. Wealth and
education are like pure water. When water is poured in a bottle of a
particular colour, the water appears to be of that colour. In the same way,
when wealth is in the hands of a wicked person, it will be used only for
evil deeds. Money, if it is in the hands of pure hearted people, will be
used for noble deeds. Hence the usage of wealth or knowledge is dependent on
the character of the person in whose hands it is. Money is not bad. The
intent with which you use money should be for good. Use spirituality to
streamline the focus of your mind towards good. (My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch
7, July 9 1989)
-BABA
Spirituality is dealing with that basic aspect of human beings. If the
-BABA
foundation is not right, then the building will have a problem. So if you
want to keep the building intact, then a strong foundation is very
essential. Spirituality is the foundation.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 08/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Wealth)
Questions & Answers
Can one be free from this world by reading scriptures? Or should one stop
reading for salvation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you know then why do you ask? (Referring to the
teachings of Saint Kabir Das). 'Pothi Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit
Bhayo Na Koye Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Padhe so Pandit Hoye'. (Meaning: Reading
books everyone died, none became any wise One who reads the word of Love,
only becomes wise)
You have already read about this and have understood it. But at the same
time, instead of playing cards it is better that you read something. By
reading knowledge the intellect becomes pure, but nothing happens by playing
cards. You only waste precious time.
Lately in India, in the villages, the youth have started playing cards. They
sit under a tree and play. Instead of playing cards, discuss some knowledge.
There is a saying in Sanskrit, 'Kavya Shastra Vinodena Kalo Gacchati
Dheematam'.
It means, an intelligent person spends his time in knowledge, music,
literature, science, and in bringing people together. But the foolish always
enjoy spending their time indulging in addictions (vyasanam), altercations
and fights.
Are you seeing the state of our country today? Earlier people used to sit
under the tree and discuss the shastras (scriptures), but nowadays they play
cards or drink alcohol.
Our ancestors never said that one must be only serious all the time and
discuss the shastras, no! Be joyful and humorous, smile and make others
smile; don’t get addicted to anything and make others also get addicted.
Playing cards is a sort of addiction. Instead spend your time in being
joyful; dance, sing, play, write something creative.
Spending time on gossiping about somebody, talking ill behind people's backs
- all this is a signs of foolishness.
Gurudev, it is said that from every animal and bird something can be learnt.
What can be learnt from humans?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Humanity! From human beings we can learn two things:
1. What we must do
2. What we must not do
We can learn about the different kinds of animals and birds, we can also
learn what we must do from animal and birds, but we cannot learn what not to
do from them. Animal and birds cannot teach us what we must not do because
they violate nature. It is human beings who violate nature and then get into
trouble. So when you see another person falling in the ditch, they are
teaching you to be alert so that you do not fall in the ditch. So what not
to do is taught by human beings and that is why human being are considered
most superior.
There is an old saying in Sanskrit, 'Durjanam prathamam vande, sujanam
tadanantaram'.
You must first salute the bad person and then salute the good person. Why?
This is because the bad person is teaching you a lesson at his own cost:
'Don't do what I did, otherwise you will also go through the same trouble as
I am going through'.
So, salute everyone, whether the person is your enemy or your friend.
Dear Gurudev, when we shouldn’t get stuck with the five senses, why do we
light a diya, incense sticks and offer flowers while doing pooja?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, you can make all these offering, and you can do
none of these as well. A pooja can happen just in your meditation. These
practices are a tradition, and it creates an atmosphere so people have been
doing it.
Let us suppose that there is a ceremony and nobody lights any lamps, you
will notice that there is a lack of luster in the ceremony or celebration.
So to add color to celebrations, all this is done, i.e., lighting lamps and
incense sticks, decoration with flowers, etc. It is just like how we use
confetti on birthday parties.
Can birthdays be celebrated without a cake and confetti? Yes, you can
celebrate without these items, but then there is something lacking. When
there is a celebration, you like to decorate the room with some flowers, you
do something to create a festive atmosphere, isn't it. In the same way,
lighting lamps and burning incense sticks is to create a sense of
celebration, it is to create an atmosphere of celebration, that is all.
There is nothing more to it. When such an atmosphere is created, the
positive ions increase in the atmosphere.
Since a long time the this tradition has been going on and so we continue
the tradition. From thousands of years, it has been a tradition that on a
specific day with specific mantras (chants) we put specific herbs in the
fire and create an atmosphere (yagya). And these practices definitely
creates subtle vibrations; subtle energy which nullifies the negativity, and
this has been proved already.
Gurudev, there are some prayer rituals that we perform at home to nullify
any bad things that are to happen. My question is, will the Divine do bad to
us if we do not perform these poojas?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, there is nothing like that. The Divine is not
going to do anything bad to you, or get angry at you. The purpose of pooja
is to keep a good atmosphere, to bring in good energy to your home and to
purify your mind and your heart.
If you sit with your eyes closed and go into deep meditation, that is good
enough! That is the best thing one can do.
There is a beautiful couplet in Kannada which says, 'When your breath is
fragrant, what is the need for flowers?'
When will the breath get fragrant? Only when you are meditating every day.
When you are aggressive your breath is hot. When you are obsessed with
desires, your breath is shaky. And when you have negative feeling and hatred
towards something, your, breath smells bad. Negativity makes the breath
smell bad.
When your mind is in deep love, very subtle, very peaceful, and contented,
your breath has a fragrance. It is a beautiful thing.
What is the need for Samadhi and meditation when there is peace,
forgiveness, compassion and patience. If you have all these qualities in
you, what is the need of doing meditation? Then no need of Samadhi, you are
already in Samadhi.
What is the point of solitude when the whole world is me only? When
everything is a part of me then what is the point of going into solitude?
You know, people go to Himalayas to find solitude. Why do you want to go
there to find solitude! Everybody is part of you, you have become the world,
the world is you. When you get this realization, then you see that there is
no need of running away to Himalayas for solitude!
This knowledge is so beautiful, but it is higher knowledge. Don’t tell me
tomorrow that since you are quite compassionate and forgiving you don’t need
to go and meditate. Continue your meditate and you’ll see that these
qualities are already present in you. Then every moment is living serenity.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
a) 1–6 September 2014 (6days – evening course) @ APD Chatsworth
Pat Gounden
Aug 27, 2014, 4:48:05 PM8/27/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The stream of life is marked by different stages - in each stage you fall a
prey to vices like egoism, jealousy and falsehood instead of cultivating
truth, righteousness and humility. During your childhood, you lead an
innocent life without being aware of the distinction between the worldly and
sacred paths (Preyo and Sreyo Marga). But as age advances, you take to the
worldly path, rather than to the sublime path. Plunging into the river of
desire, tossed by the waves of delusion, getting immersed in the waters of
family life, and submerged by peacelessness and strife, you are swallowed by
the whale of discontentment. To turn human life from this mundane existence
towards the Divine it is essential to have association with Truth, Sath
sangam. Sath refers to that which remains the same regardless of time, place
or circumstance. One should associate oneself with this Truth. Merging the
consciousness with this Truth you should experience the bliss of such
association. ( Divine Discourse, 31 Aug 1992)
-BABA
Adi Shankaracharya said that the definition of truth is that which is
untouched by time. It is that which stays the same yesterday, today and
tomorrow. So going by this definition, body and mind are not the truth.
Truth is the substratum of creation. There is something at the core of our
being that is not changing and that is the absolute truth. That’s why even
when you become old, you don’t feel you have become old. Somewhere we know
that something in us will not die at all.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Blessing Of Wealth
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 08/08/2014 Bangalore, India
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
When bhajan is happening, close your eyes and dissolve in the sound. Don’t
see here and there, or at people’s faces. Don't see who is opening their
mouth, who is laughing, who is looking up, who is looking down. There is no
use in seeing all this. Close your eyes and bathe in the sound. It doesn’t
matter what sound, which language. Bathing in the sound energizes the mind.
Like when you take a fresh water bath, how your body feels fresh and
energized, similarly, when you bathe in the sound, the mind gets energized.
So when bhajans are being sung, don’t keep looking at somebody’s face, don’t
keep looking here and there. With eyes closed, just immerse in the sound.
I keep a watch on everybody, who is looking where. No point in looking here
and there, it is a waste of time.
Today is Vara-mahalakshmi Pooja. Lakshmi can be a vara (promise) as well as
abhishaap (curse).
I once met a young man at the airport who looked very worried. I asked him
what is the matter. He said, 'Gurudev, somebody has given me a gold biscuit.
I agreed to take it and give it to their sister but now I am very scared to
take it (on the flight). I don’t have money to pay tax and I don’t want to
pay tax for it. Since the time I have kept it with me my heart is beating
faster, my blood pressure is high, and I am not able to sleep with this
tension that how I should carry this'.
Gaining one kilo of gold affected his blood pressure! So Lakshmi (goddess of
wealth) can be a curse as well.
The poor are not as insecure as the rich. There is nothing to think for the
poor. When there is wealth, then there is a worry about how to handle it.
Many times it has been seen that families that are living in peace have
broken down because of money. There are conflicts between the husband and
wife because of money.
Many times the divorce cases become criminal cases because of money being
involved. Two people who had been living together all these years file a
criminal case because of money. They both know that they are not criminals,
but even then they file a case in the hope of getting money.
Then there are conflicts between brother and sister. Brothers who used to
play together and share so much love, as the father dies, they get into
disputes regarding property and inheritance. They even stop talking to each
other. Disputes arise between brothers and sisters because of money. Now
this money, has it given happiness or sadness? Did it prove to be a curse or
a blessing? That money which was supposed to give happiness and contentment,
that money has started giving sorrow and grief.
How many people die because of money. Old people are not able to sleep
peacefully keeping money at home. People are afraid of going anywhere with
jewellery, because they feel that cannot trust anybody. They have to keep an
eye on the servant. Everybody is viewed with suspicion. So is it
(money/wealth) a curse or a blessing? A curse!
This is why on this day (vara-mahalakshmi pooja) we pray for wealth to be a
blessing, not a curse. We pray, 'Oh lord, give us wealth but also let this
wealth prove to be a blessing in our lives and not a curse. May there be
wealth, but wealth that proves to be a blessing, wealth that brings joy,
peace and prosperity in life, and not conflict'.
Our ancestors have presented these things so well, after so much thought:
Not only should wealth be present but it should also be a blessing. With
such wealth, there is peace in life. With this feeling, the women perform
pooja on this day, i.e., the Friday before the Poornima (full moon) of the
Shraavan-masa (The month of monsoon in Hindu lunar calendar).
On this day, they place some rice in a kalash (urn) and begin the prayer.
This custom has been followed for a long time.
On this day the women pray that may there be no conflicts, disputes or
bloodshed in society. Let there be lots of wealth, but not wealth that
creates conflicts, greed and jealousy. Let wealth bring only harmony, peace
and comfort.
Not only women, everybody can do this pooja. But the women do it, tying a
thread to their hand saying, 'I take a vow to see that that wealth of the
home is spent on a good cause. Not on intoxicants, not on things that would
destroy life and the society'.
Today so much wealth is being created in so many countries, but they use it
wrongly. They use it on weapons to destroy people. This is not a blessing,
this is a curse of the wealth. Many countries create so many weapons to
destroy the society, destroy human civilizations. So the idea is to honor
wealth, and use it as a gift for human evolution; to bring comfort to people
and not to create conflict among people.
It’s such a brilliant thing, isn’t it: realizing that wealth should be a
blessing and not a curse. If you really look into it deeply wealth has
caused so many conflicts! Many times, even though there is wealth, that
wealth has not created harmony, peace and comfort. It has created more
insecurity, more fear, more tension and distress. So, pray that the wealth
that you receive be a blessing. Vara means Blessing. Let the wealth that
comes into our life be a blessing to us and not a source of conflict and
contention.
In this country, everything is considered as sacred. Even wealth is
considered sacred. And it is even more sacred when it is a blessing.
Pat Gounden
Aug 28, 2014, 5:29:03 PM8/28/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, August 29, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What does the term Ganapathi signify? Ga means intellect (Buddhi). Na means
Wisdom (Vijnaana). Ganapathi means the Lord of the intellect and of wisdom.
He is also the Lord of all Ganas (spiritual entities). Ganas also symbolise
the senses. Ganapathi is thus the Lord of the senses. Hence on this
Ganapathi festival, you must purify your mind and offer it to Him. It is
only when one is pure that intelligence blossoms. It is only with the
blossoming of intelligence that Siddhi (the spiritual goal) is attained.
Vinayaka presides over Buddhi and Siddhi (the intellect and spiritual
realisation). Siddhi signifies the realisation of Wisdom. That is why the
scriptures say that Siddhi and Buddhi are the consorts of Vinayaka, and
Kshema (well being) and Ananda (bliss) are His two sons. (Divine Discourse,
31 August 1992)
-BABA
We have five senses in our body: the sense of sight, smell, touch, taste and
hearing, and there are five elements in the creation: Earth, Water, Fire,
Air, and Ether. There are five senses and five elements, so in this way
there are five facets to God. So that form of Divinity which is capable of
removing any obstacle in these five is called Panchamukhi Ganapati.
Everything in this creation is made up of the grouping (Gana) of these five
elements. For example, the Water element has many diverse forms, like milk,
curd, etc.
In the same way, the Air element is not of one kind alone. You can see that
there are so many different gases like carbon-dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen,
etc. So this group (Gana) of different gases collectively constitutes the
Air element.
Similarly, different types of fluids (a group or Gana) collectively make the
Water element. Water has one group, Air has one group, and in the same way
the Earth element has a group of different metals and minerals within it,
such as gold, silver, copper, stones, and soil etc.
The Space element too has its own group within it, like the inner space, and
outer space, etc.
Lord Ganapati (another name for Lord Ganesha) is the lord of all these Ganas
or groups. And since there are five principal groups, that is why this
particular form is called the Panchamukhi Ganapati.
The main essence here is that God, who is Nirguna (one who transcends or is
without attributes) and Nirakaar (the formless all-pervading Divinity) is
worshipped by representing Him in this form by chanting sacred mantras.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 15/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
What should be the role of an entrepreneur in taking India forward?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Entrepreneurship should grow many fold and so plan for
it. Also it is important not to forget to do your CSR (Corporate Social
Responsibility). Definitely you can be a part of the inclusive growth if you
participate in CSR activities. Don't do it just because it is a law and you
have to do it, but do it willingly with all your heart.
If the law says that you have to contribute 3% and that is mandatory, why
don’t you put 4% or 5%. If you add that 1% more it will show your commitment
towards the country.
Competition is very good but in competition there should be no bitterness.
And how can you have competition yet no bitterness? With spirituality.
Spirituality gives you that inner confidence and tranquility that helps you
to be competitive yet not cunning or unethical in your attitude and
behavior.
What are the five things that the youth should do to make India unstoppable?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You want only five things, I have twenty five things.
1. The youngsters today should be proud of their roots. If they are not
proud of their roots then that will show up as a weakness in their
personality. So take pride in your roots, then your self esteem will go up.
If you have a good self esteem then you can do anything in the world. In
India, many people suffer from a lack of self esteem.
2. Stay away from intoxicants.
The province of Punjab has been destroyed by drugs from across the border.
It is a sad thing. The youth don’t want to do anything because they are so
addicted to drugs. Not just the province of Punjab but the same is in Kerala
as well. I had a delegation of youth who came and met me couple of days ago.
He was telling me how drugs have taken root in Kerala, in Mumbai and in
Bangalore. It is unbelievable. We must chuck the intoxicants. I request the
youth to stay away from all types of intoxicants. Drugs and alcohol
de-addiction is a must for a progressive country.
3. Engage yourself in some form of social activity, at least for one hour a
day. Give one hour to the nation.
4. Do some random acts of kindness.
5. For the youth, this is the time to improve your talents. This is the time
to be creative and multi-dimensional. You have to be multi-talented. Though
you may pursue one line of education do not ignore to equip yourself with
others skills. You may be studying for engineering, but also learn some
cooking. Suppose you don’t get an engineer job at least you can cook
somewhere.
When I was a youth like you, I use to think, what else can I do, thought I
was anyway going to do spirituality. So I used to put my hand everywhere.
Even if you are not a master it is good to be a jack of all trades. That can
at least explore your ability to be a multi-faceted personality. So it is
very important to improve your personality by engaging yourself in many
areas.
How can we promote other sports other than cricket in India? India seems to
be stuck with cricket.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, so many people stand and watch only two people
playing. In that sense I think soccer is most engaging game, everybody is
active on the field. Though cricket increases your alertness, you have to be
alert to catch the ball at any time.
We should promote our Indian games like Kho Kho, Kabbadi, etc. Our village
games are very good, so we should encourage them.
As a house wife, how can I play a role as a nation builder?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, women should stand up. Even if you are a house
wife, stand up. You have equal rights, and you have great responsibilities.
Never feel you are weak, you are empowered, you must do and you can do many
things.
Keep aside one hour every day for serving the nation. Women love talking,
you should go and talk to the people on the streets, in the slums, and to
the under privileged people. Go in groups to these areas where there are
underprivileged people and sit with them, talk to them, and give them some
solace. Just by talking you can reduce the burden and worries of many
people. You can bring down their tension.
Instead of just sitting and talking about movies and fashion, or jewellery,
why don’t you go and give some solace to people who are suffering. You can
contribute a lot. I see many ladies here who are doing such great work in
old age homes.
The new government has put a lot of emphasis on skilled development. What
can we do to enhance skills?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, skilled training is separate, and The Art of
Living is also doing it. Get in touch with our SSRDP (Sri Sri Rural
Development Program), we have many teachers who are training the youth on
handling electronic equipment, so that if anything goes wrong, they know how
to repair it. We need to teach these things them.
Is this conspiracy theory of the new world order true? Are people’s minds
being controlled by chemical or biological agents?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are many conspiracy theories, and if you read
some of them they will appear absolutely shocking and may be very true. But
I tell you don’t be paranoid. Do not pollute your mind with all these
conspiracy theories. Of course the pharmaceutical industry has a big lobby
and we know very well that many of the pharmaceutical products are not too
good for human consumption yet they are pushed through. So, we need to be
cautious about this.
Pat Gounden
Aug 31, 2014, 4:24:36 PM8/31/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, September 01, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A young college student can roam free on his two legs; when he marries, he
becomes four-footed! A child makes him six-footed; now the range of his
movements is restricted. The more the feet, the less the speed, the stronger
their grip on the ground; a centipede can only crawl. More hurdles, more
handicaps. Accumulation of sofas, chairs, cots, tables and shelves clutter
the hall and render movements slow and risky. Attachment brings sorrow in
its wake; at last, when death demands that everything be left behind and
everybody be deserted, you are overpowered with grief! Be like the lotus on
water; on it, not in it. Water is necessary for the lotus to grow; but it
will not allow even a drop to wet it. The objective world is the arena of
virtue and the gymnasium for the spirit. But use it only for that purpose;
do not raise it to a higher status and adore it as all-important. (Divine
Discourse, May 15, 1969)
-BABA
Dispassion is not a happening; I would say dispassion is what you invoke in
yourself. When you widen your awareness, when you see everything is going to
disappear and death is imminent, we are all going to die and everything is
changing; when this knowledge comes - then dispassion is spontaneous. You
need to understand and see life from a broader perspective and then
automatically dispassion comes within you; but there is some effort. A
little effort from you and then it will happen.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 18/07/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Dearest Gurudev, it is possible to restore trust in a relationship after a
partner cheats? How to get past a cheating partner?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I can tell you one thing, suppose you were in your
partner’s place and you made a mistake; not willingly but unknowingly, or
due to some compulsion. If your partner does not forgive you and holds it
against you, how would you feel?
Get into your partners place and see. If you were the person who made that
mistake, and your partner is not forgiving you, would you feel okay, or
would you beg your partner to give you one more chance? This is good enough
for you to take a clue.
You expect your partner to be an enlightened person. You expect him to
behave in an enlightened way. This is expecting too much from your side. If
they have made a mistake once or twice, you should forgive them and give
them another chance. This is why spiritual knowledge and the spiritual path
is so essential for someone to grow in integrity and in honesty. Without
this there cannot be honesty.
If they have made a mistake, your bigness is in forgiving them, you should
not make someone feel guilty all the time. If they have done some mistake,
you should say, ‘Never mind, forget it! Let us move on'. But we don't do
that, instead what do we do? We walk with a finger pointed towards them,
which says, ‘You did it!’ Then how can they be friendly with you?
Nobody wants to cheats anyone, it is a temptation or a craving for something
more that drives a person to do unethical things. Your soul does not stop
until it finds itself, until it finds the ocean of joy. Until then, it keeps
going for something more, thinking, ‘I may get something here’. This is what
drives a person.
I have a constant feeling that I am not doing enough for you. I also feel
some envy when you praise someone else. How do I deal with this feeling?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is the nature of love, you always feel that you
want to do more and more. A mother always feels that she wants to do more
for the daughter. She feels like she has not done enough for her daughter.
It is the nature of love to want to do more.
When love is diminishing, then you feel or say, ‘Oh, I have done enough! I
have done all that I could!’ That is when frustration has stepped in. The
day you feel that way, then know that there is some tiredness or
frustration; the spirit is going down.
Dear Gurudev, what would be the best way to stay connected with you while
overcoming organizational politics?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Listen, where there are people there is politics. What
does politics mean? It means people. The world has (people) politics
everywhere. If you think there is politics, it appears even bigger. If you
think people are different, with different roles to play, different
tendencies, and it is not necessary that everyone likes everybody, then you
will not see it as politics. Some people like you and some don't like you.
Everybody's vibes do not match with everybody.
Why do you say politics? It is because your vibes have not matched with
someone. You cannot find an escape to such things anywhere in the world. You
should simply see that we are much beyond and above this politics.
We are here to bring happiness, and we should be focused that. If you focus
on knowledge and know that you are connected with me, nothing can deter you
from that.
Even though I know what is good for me, I still am still attracted to self
destructive habits such as laziness and selfishness. I feel like it has
something to do with my childhood. What is the best way to remember what is
forgotten from the early years?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you label yourself saying, 'I am lazy', you
justify being lazy. If you label yourself saying, 'I am bad', it gives one
the license to remain bad. Do you see what I am saying?The first step is to
remove these labels, peel them off. Know that you don't know who you are,
and how creative and strong you are. You should say, 'I don't know who I
am'. When you don't know who you are, then you stand a chance to improve;
you get that determination to say, 'Okay, I am going to do this!'
Start with simple things, and be determined to follow them. For example,
say, 'I am going to walk a kilometer today', and do it!
I remember, when I used to walk home from school, I would count every step.
It was almost half a kilometer, and I would say, 'Step one, two, three,
four', and so on. I would walk home with full awareness. Even when you walk,
do it with awareness, and determination. Say, 'Today, I reached home in 20
minutes, tomorrow I will do it in 18 minutes. Then I will do it in 15
minutes, and with full awareness.’
You set the challenge for yourself and fulfill it. This is the way to
increase your confidence and capacity.
Dearest Gurudev, people are enjoying less personal freedom. The Government
and the cooperation are taking over our lives more and more. What can the
regular average people do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Rules and regulations are essential in any society,
but it should not be too stifling. Individual and private life should also
not be too stifling.
When you feel life is getting boring and coming to a standstill, that is
when you should engage in activities like what you are doing this weekend
(The Silence Program). Enroll in such programs at least twice a year. Here
we are singing, reflecting, thinking, and doing something more. We should
also engage in some group activities for a couple of hours on a day to day
basis.
The more we are in our comfort zone, just caring for ourselves and our
immediate families, our life starts shrinking. Then we start being angry,
upset, frustrated; all these negative thoughts start coming. If you keep
yourself a little engaged in social and public activity, you will be less
upset at home, and there will be more harmony at the home front.
Pat Gounden
Aug 31, 2014, 4:33:17 PM8/31/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, September 01, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A young college student can roam free on his two legs; when he marries, he
becomes four-footed! A child makes him six-footed; now the range of his
movements is restricted. The more the feet, the less the speed, the stronger
their grip on the ground; a centipede can only crawl. More hurdles, more
handicaps. Accumulation of sofas, chairs, cots, tables and shelves clutter
the hall and render movements slow and risky. Attachment brings sorrow in
its wake; at last, when death demands that everything be left behind and
everybody be deserted, you are overpowered with grief! Be like the lotus on
water; on it, not in it. Water is necessary for the lotus to grow; but it
will not allow even a drop to wet it. The objective world is the arena of
virtue and the gymnasium for the spirit. But use it only for that purpose;
do not raise it to a higher status and adore it as all-important. (Divine
Discourse, May 15, 1969)
-BABA
Dispassion is not a happening; I would say dispassion is what you invoke in
yourself. When you widen your awareness, when you see everything is going to
disappear and death is imminent, we are all going to die and everything is
changing; when this knowledge comes - then dispassion is spontaneous. You
need to understand and see life from a broader perspective and then
automatically dispassion comes within you; but there is some effort. A
little effort from you and then it will happen.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Spiritual Principle Of Honesty
Fri, 18/07/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Fri, 18/07/2014 Bangalore, India
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Pat Gounden
Sep 1, 2014, 4:35:34 PM9/1/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, September 02, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There are people who go about declaring that there is no God because they
are unable to see Him. They say that they have searched in space, on the way
to the moon, and even on the moon there was no sign of the Almighty. But
they themselves are the mansions in which He resides, all the time! Like the
blind bamboozling the blind into a fall, others too repeat like parrots this
‘fashionable slogan’. No one sees the roots, but the roots are indeed there,
deep in the soil, away from all eyes. Can you assert that there are no roots
for trees, that nothing feeds them or upholds them from below? God feeds,
sustains, holds firm - though unseen, He can be seen by those who make the
effort, along the lines laid down for the purpose by those who have
succeeded in experiencing Him. God is, as butter in milk, visible when
concretized by spiritual striving (Sadhana). (Divine Discourse, May 15,
1969)
-BABA
Why not God? Why would you ask this question if there was no God. What will
you say if a wave questions the existence of God? A wave exists because of
the presence of ocean. Because of whose presence you are standing, you
think, you listen, you understand, you breathe – that only is God. Who is
God? God is not sitting somewhere up in the sky. God is the power due of
which everything happens.
(The person still holds on to his question)
Ok! Do one thing. Drop all your concepts of God. First, find out who you
are? Who is asking this question? If you find out that, the purpose is
solved.
I will tell you a story. Once a man went to Lord Buddha and asked, “I don’t
believe in God, Why God?
Lord Buddha said, “Ok! You are right”. The man went back happily. A second
man came and said, “I believe in God”, to which Lord Buddha again said, “Ok,
You are right”. That man also went back happily. Then, a third man came who
very humbly requested, “Please answer this question. Some people say that
there is no God. When I listen to their logic, I get convinced. But when I
listen to saints, I feel that God exists. Now, I am in confusion. I am not
able to understand whether God exists or not. I have not experienced God.
Please, you tell me.” Then Lord Buddha said to that person that he was at
the right place and he should stay there. He continued to say that he didn’t
have any preconceived notions of God in his mind, and they would together
find out if God is there or not. Perturbed mind can never go close to God.
Also no knowledge sprouts up in a perturbed mind, and whatever knowledge
sprouts up in such a state of mind is also wrong. So, I say let’s be calm.
You have come to the right place. Drop your concepts of God. Sit with your
eyes closed and find out who you are. Are you this body? Are you this mind?
Are you your thoughts? ‘I am something beyond my thoughts also’ – When you
experience this, the truth will automatically dawn.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 18/07/2014 Montreal, Canada
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Principle Of Honesty)
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, please say something about in-laws. Nowadays, people hate
their in-laws.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, this is a very common thing. In India, we had a
program with about 20,000-25,000 people. I usually say that anyone who comes
to the ashram should leave their worries and problems here, and go back home
with a smile.
One lady said, ‘My problem is my mother-in-law, can I leave her here?’
I told her, ‘Wait, let me ask your mother-in-law what is her problem! And
your husband! He may say, 'Both of them are my problem, can I also leave
them here?’
I told that lady, 'Look, you have a mother, right? Did you not fight with
your mother on a routine basis? When you fought with your mother, you forgot
it the next day. In fact, your mother was even harsher than your
mother-in-law!’
She said, ‘Yes, but she is my mother!’
I said, 'It is the same. Your mother-in-law is also your mother. They belong
to same category, same age group. In fact, she is a little more cautious
because you are the daughter-in-law so she doesn't scold you as much as your
mother. Why don't you win her over with your love? Why do you take what she
tells you so seriously?'
When you fight with your mother, do you stop talking to your mother? Do you
hate your mother because your mother was not very nice to you? No! So, treat
your mother-in-law the same way as your mother. You know she has her
limitations, and her own life, so why don't you win her over with love? What
is the big thing?
Most problems happen because of the way we talk. You may want to have a
carrot salad, and your mother-in-law may want a celery salad. So, on one day
let her have her way, and on another day you have your way. What is the big
thing about it? You don't need to be bogged down for this, or hate her for
this. How long are they going to be on this planet? Anyway, you are going to
be here longer than her.
Imagine yourself in the same position. You have a son that grows up, gets
married, and the daughter-in-law comes to your home and she hates you. Would
you like to be in that situation? Would you like to be in a situation where
your own daughter-in-law hates you and takes your son away from you? You
would not like that, then why do you do that?
We live in a world that is so complex, people are so different, and we have
to live with them. See, there are all types of animals living in the forest,
from tigers to deer. They don't say, 'I am going to live in a separate
forest and you live in a separate forest'. Sometimes you become a deer, and
sometimes you become a tigress, that is okay. You don't have to be a deer
all the time. But don't be a tigress all the time and keep frowning at
someone. Even they don't prey all their life. They remain like the deer,
sometime at least, when they are not hungry. So, endure people at home. Be a
beacon of light, a beacon of joy to the home you have gone to. Know that you
can change the situation and you can change people. If you find that an old
dog cannot learn new tricks, they are too old, then accept them the way they
are. Never mind! It is necessary for us to see life from a bigger picture.
If you hate someone too much you will have no freedom from them. You will be
born with them or they will be born to you. Then you are stuck with them for
your lifetime; not only this lifetime but even the next lifetime. So it is
better that you make peace and be happy with them so that you get freedom.
Suppose you hate your mother-in-law and she hates you, and she dies or you
die, both of you are going to come back to finish the score again! I tell
you, it is going to be tougher the next time, much tougher. It is better you
swallow the bitter pill or whatever their tendencies are and forgive them
and give only joy. Be compassionate and stop hating people.
If you are a daughter-in-law, you have gone into a house which is very
challenging, your first challenge is to see how you can win over the
people's mind and heart.
Know that you have the capacity to change people, especially when you are on
this path. We are changing the mindsets of terrorists, even they are getting
transformed, can't you change the mind of that one poor lady? If not change
her, why not just accept her the way she is? She maybe singing off tune, let
her sing. Sometimes, off tune singing becomes a fashion, it becomes a new
style of singing. Let it go on and have patience.
Wisdom can pull you through this sort of mental self created agonies.
Why do people say words like, 'My Gurudev' or, 'My Master'? It is like
saying, 'My Sun', or 'My Moon'.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Don't log on to their words, it is a feeling. Language
always has ‘My’ and ‘I’, you cannot speak without these words. Even if you
speak without them, it doesn't make much sense. It doesn’t imply anything
much bigger.
Let people say whatever they want to say. My master, or my mom, or my son,
so what? As long as there is a sense of belongingness, there is a personal
connection, there is love, and life, it is good. When you think something is
very personal, then automatically ‘My' comes.
Why do you have to worry about what others say? There is no point in
latching onto their words, and getting yourself to think that they should or
they shouldn't , and all such things. See their feelings, see their
intention. If you can, see them beyond their words.
How can we know, according to astrology, that we are going through an
obscure time in our life? How long does the planet Saturn affect someone?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Astrology is a science pertaining to the connection
between the macrocosm and the microcosm. It speaks about how the far away
planets like Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto are connected to our planet, our
human existence, and the entire creation, ranging from birds to grains to
stones.
The ancient people had found a connection between the planets and our body.
For example, Saturn is connected to our teeth, and legs; the Sun is
connected with our eyes. They also saw the connection with different grains,
birds and stones in the universe. Saturn is connected with sesame seeds,
crows and blue sapphires.
In today’s age, we can find out how big the universe is with the help of
powerful binoculars and telescopes. However, the ancient people knew about
it at that time (when there were no telescopes), and they wrote all about
it. All their calculations are in place and are accurate even today. They
have written the time (including seconds) when the eclipse will happen; it
is amazing. Astrology as a science has not been explored very well in this
modern age.
Yes, Saturn affects people’s lives. If you are undergoing a particular
Saturn period, the period is going to affect you and your mind. However,
does Saturn always affect us in a bad way? No! Don't think that the Saturn
period is always bad. Saturn is a very spiritual planet.
If you are on the spiritual path, he (Saturn) can be good for you, he will
elevate your life. If you have dispassion, he will help you more. If you are
not on the spiritual path, he will create a problem so that you get on the
spiritual path.
If you are caught up in the worldly life, he will trouble you so you get out
of there and find the bigger wealth inside you. If you are too attached to
something, Saturn will try to remove that attachment and push you. This is
what happens to most people: they lose their job, relationship, reputation,
they lose everything. Then they start searching, trying to figure out where
to go? And then they come to the spiritual path!
So, Saturn will either give you inner wealth or outer wealth. If you are
stuck to the outer wealth, he will push towards inner wealth. If you have
inner wealth, he will give you outer wealth. He will give you more things
outside.
Saturn takes 30 years to take one circle around the Sun, so it stays for
around 2.5 years in each constellation or zodiac sign. The period can extend
up to 5 years or 7.5 years. This is why people feel so desperate; they have
a problem with their relationship, money, job, all sorts of problems for 2.5
years to 7.5 years.
It is a common saying in India, if someone is undergoing a big problem they
say, ‘Saade Satti’, which means a person is undergoing a Saturn period of
7.5 years. (For little lesser problems, they say ‘dhaiya’, which means it is
a Saturn period of 2.5 years.)
A Saturn period comes only twice in a lifetime, not more; maximum twice. It
comes once in 30 years, so two times for 7 years. When it comes the second
time, it is not that severe. One finds it very severe the first time, you
feel so bad and the mind goes down, nothing feels right. This is when
Jyotishi (astrology) comes to help. If you know that you are going through a
particular period, then you wait for time to pass. You turn spiritual, you
do more meditation, and all the practices that uplift you, elevate you, pull
you through that tough period.
Again, it need not be bad for everybody. If you are already well established
in the path, then it can give you lot of success also. It is fascinating to
know about all the different planets, their nature, their effect, and their
impact.
Hemant here has studied astrology deeply. When I was coming here, he said,
‘Gurudev, a transit (in the planetary position) is happening; there will be
some problem in the air', And a plane was shot down (referring to the
Malaysian Airline shot down in Ukraine) yesterday. Thus, the planetary
positions give indications; again, you cannot say that it will happen 100%.
They only give an indication because there is always a grace element that
can change anything, anywhere, anytime. This is the reason for spirituality
or sadhana being a step higher than this knowledge.
Astrology is knowledge, it is a necessary knowing. However, there is
something more remedial. Sadhna, satsang, devotion, are all remedial
measures that help.
Pat Gounden
Sep 2, 2014, 5:23:35 PM9/2/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, September 03, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Remember, hands that serve are greater than the lips that pray. Real
humanness consists in dedicating oneself to the spirit of service. Quantity
does not matter; quality of service counts. Whatever you do, do it
wholeheartedly and spontaneously. The primary requisite is purification of
the heart (Chittha Shuddhi). When your heart is purified, you get Supreme
Wisdom (Jnana siddhi) and you can dedicate all actions in a spirit of
detachment. Divine love can be secured only by dedicated service. God
responds bounteously to your offer. For a handful of parched rice given to
Krishna Kuchela got in return limitless prosperity. Draupadi was rewarded
likewise. How can you receive God’s love if you do not love Him? God’s Grace
is like a bank. You can draw money from that bank only to the extent to
which you have built up deposits through Tyaga (sacrifice). Earn God's grace
through love and sacrifice. (My Dear Students, April 27, 1990)
-BABA
The Tree does not withdraw shade from the woodcutter. Loving even those who
hurt is the true sign of a devotee.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 18/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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We shall begin this Janmashtami’s celebration with silence, and let the
festivities end in a celebrative and joyful silence.
There are four main dimensions through which we should see our life.
The first is Saamipya. It means to feel that those who are very dear to us
are also very close to us and are always with us - whether it is your Guru,
God or even a Jnani (wise or knowledgeable person). So you must know that
Lord Krishna belongs to you and is with you at all times. Just take this for
granted.
When you say that 'Gurudev belongs to everyone', then you tend to feel a bit
distant from the Guru. But when you say that 'Gurudev belongs to me', then
you experience that nearness and closeness with the Guru.
Experiencing this intimate bond with the Guru does not depend on place and
time. No matter where you are, you can experience this nearness. If you
think that you are distant from the Guru, or the Knowledge, or God Himself,
then that is what will start to happen also. Just know for certain that you
are very dear and very close to the Guru. When you stay firmly established
in this thought despite all obstacles and doubts, then you acquire
Saamipya-siddhi (the experience of being very close to the Guru). Then you
will feel that you are always close to the Guru, and the Guru to you.
Just take it for granted that you are very dear and close to the Guru. It is
just like how you treat someone who is closely related to you.
If you think that you are distant from the Guru, or the Knowledge, or God
Himself, then that is what will start to happen also.
When this happens, then the next thing you experience is Saanidhya – which
means to truly feel the presence of the Guru, or God. So first you should
believe totally that you are always close to the Guru, despite all odds that
may shake this faith. This is Saamipya. Then in no time you will be able to
feel their presence near you, as if they are standing right beside you or
behind you, and are deep within your very being. Such is the deep feeling
that arises in one’s heart.
How many of you here have experienced this? (Many in the audience raise
their hands). This is the sign of a sincere seeker.
This experience too does not depend on the place or time one is in. It is
not that only if you come to the Ashram you will be able to experience the
Guru’s presence. No, it is nothing of that sort. You can have this
experience anywhere and at any time. The moment your mind becomes quiet and
you reposes in your Self, that very moment you can feel the presence of the
Guru.
There are many Art of Living teachers sitting here. How many of you feel the
presence of the Guru when you sit to teach the Happiness course? (Many
teachers in the audience raise their hands). You surely experience it, which
is why you are able to teach the course. Many times you give answers to the
participants which you yourself did not know. When you sit to take the
course and someone asks you a question, the right answer just comes from
within at that very moment. This is Saanidhya.
The third is Saarupya. It means to feel that the Divine is present in every
particle of our being, and we have the same look and form as the Divine.
During festivals like Janmashtami and Ram Navami, it is a tradition in India
to dress young children in the attire of Lord Krishna or Lord Rama. This
feeling is to see the form of the Divine in each and everything around us.
In some religions and traditions in the West, this is considered to be a
crime or a serious insult to the Divine. Dressing up like their Gods or
their prophets is considered to be a crime in those cultures. But we in
India do not think like that. Instead, we see it as a way of deeply adoring
and honouring the Divine. That is why during these festivals you will see
that in every other street, one child is dressed as Lord Rama; another gets
dressed like Devi Sita, and some other child tries to look like Lord
Hanuman.
We do everything we can to look like these deities and imitate them in the
best way possible. The thought behind this is that if you must imitate
someone, then why not imitate the Divine, and why not look like God Himself.
But while doing this, you should not cheat people. Do this for your own joy,
but not for others. So do this with pure and clear intentions for your own
happiness, and not to cheat or trick others for something.
When someone is worshipping the Mother Divine with intense devotion and
love, then you will feel as if it is the Mother Divine Herself is present
there, and not the person. Just like how someone starts imbibing all the
qualities of Lord Krishna as they go deeper and deeper into worshipping and
adoring Him. This is what happened to Devi Radha and Saint Mirabai also. It
is what happens to all devotees. When they are soaked totally in the love
for the beloved, the Divine, then they see no difference between them and
the Divine. No matter where they look, they see nothing but the Divine.
Every form and being appears to be no other than the Divine. This is
Saarupya.
Then the final step is Saayujya (to merge and be one with the Divine). In
Saarupya also, there is intense longing for the Divine. The devotee is in
love with the form and appearance of the Divine. There is intense devotion,
but there is also longing and restlessness to unite with the Divine.
Saint Mirabai has said that 'If only one knows how painful is the longing
that comes with Divine love, then I would roam the streets telling people
not to fall in love! '
Such is the pain of longing that comes with the intense devotion for the
Divine. It is at this stage that one needs a Guru who can dissolve the
difference between the devotee and the Divine. So when Mirabai finally met
her Guru who gave her this knowledge, she was overwhelmed with joy and sang,
'Paayo ji maine Ram ratan dhan paayo' (O what bliss! I have found the mantra
of Lord Rama, the most precious of all gems! ). Just see how wise and
established is the Guru. He knew that Mirabai is in love with Lord Krishna
and could not bear the intense and painful longing for Him that came with
her devotion, so her Guru told her a very different thing altogether. He
could see that she was overwhelmed with both devotion and the intense
restlessness of separation from her Lord and so he gave her a mantra
dedicated to Lord Rama instead.
Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are as different from each other as the earth and
the sky. Whatever Lord Rama did in His lifetime, Lord Krishna did the exact
opposite of it all. Lord Rama was born at 12 in the afternoon, while Lord
Krishna was born at the stroke of midnight. There was so much festivity and
celebration at the eve of Lord Rama’s birth. But there was widespread fear
at the time of Lord Krishna’s birth. Lord Rama was born in the royal palace,
Lord Krishna was born in the royal prison. There were celebrations
everywhere when Lord Rama was born. But when Lord Krishna was born, his
father feared for His life and secretly took Him to Gokul in the dark night
(to save the infant Krishna from being taken away by the evil Kamsa).
There is so much contrast and difference in their personalities. Lord Rama
always remained as a disciple, He was never a Guru to anybody. Lord Krishna
on the other hand was always a Guru to everyone around Him from the very
beginning. At first Lord Krishna revealed His true divine form to Mother
Yashoda and gave her the knowledge of who He really was. Then He became a
Guru to His father also. When He went to Guru Sandipani for education, He
became a Guru to him too, though he stayed as a student in his Gurukul
during that time to fulfil his role.
It is said, 'Guru bina gati nahi' (Meaning: One cannot progress and evolve
without a Guru). So to fulfil this saying from the scriptures, Lord Krishna
went and lived as a disciple with Guru Sandipani, though He Himself was a
Guru. His Guru was so elated to have Him as his disciple that he said, 'O
Lord, I am so fortunate to get the chance to give knowledge to You, when you
yourself are the Guru of the entire world. You are so kind to have given me
a chance to be Your Guru and serve you'. Guru Sandipani never said these
words but these were the intense feelings that arose in his heart for Lord
Krishna.
A Guru alone knows how to bring balance to the life of the devotee.
It is said, 'Guru bina gati nahi' (Meaning: One cannot progress and evolve
without a Guru).
Lord Rama was devoted to one wife only, and adhered to Dharma and the
scriptures at all times regardless of what happened. Lord Rama would
consider His father’s instructions as absolute and would never disobey. Lord
Krishna on the other hand was naughty and never once listened to His father
(laughter). If His father said go left, Lord Krishna would turn right. If
His father asked Him to not go to Mathura, Lord Krishna would insist 'No
father, I must go to Mathura'.
Mirabai’s Guru gave her the mantra for Lord Rama. Why? It is because a Guru
alone knows how to bring balance to the life of the devotee.
She was so overwhelmed and carried away in her intense devotion that she
could not find peace because of the longing that came with it. But her Guru
knew what was needed, so he gave her the mantra and helped make her steady
and established in devotion to the Divine. This is why Mirabai, a devotee of
Lord Krishna sang the praise of Lord Rama, 'Paayo ji maine Ram ratan dhan
paayo; Vastu anmol diyye mere Sadguru' (O what bliss! I have found the
mantra of Lord Rama, the most precious of all gems! So priceless is the gift
my Sadguru has bestowed upon me) .
That is when she found Saayujya. It means to dissolve in the Divine, to
unite and become one with the Divine totally. This is the ultimate state of
devotion. To meditate and be in a state ofSamadhi (feeling of merging with
the non-dual one Consciousness) – this is a sign of being inSaayujya.
You must contemplate upon the knowledge heard again and again and imbibe it
deep within yourself.
You know, there is a special meaning to the Annakuut festival also. It is to
celebrate this deep feeling of abundance, and to acknowledge the grace and
prosperity in life. It means there is no lack of any kind. It is to
celebrate the fullness in life.
We should consider ourselves to be very fortunate. The Creator of the entire
world is with us, what lack can one possibly have then! The Divine is there
to remove and do away with any lack or shortcoming one may have.
See, the feeling of lack is always in the mind first. That is why we
celebrate Annakuut during Janmashtami to celebrate abundance and remove any
feeling of lack we may have. The purpose of Annakuut is to unite everyone
and bring them all together in harmony, regardless of caste, creed, religion
and any other differences. People come together, sing, dance and just
celebrate this feeling – Annam Brahma (Food is the Divine). So during
Annakuut, you honour the grace and bounty of the Divine through food.
In our culture, we have connected every aspect of our life with the worship
of the Divine. We remember the Divine even through our food, and we also
honour the knowledge that is associated with it. This is a very unique and
beautiful principle, and an honourable tradition in our culture.
(Note: The discourse was given in Hindi. Above is a translation of the
original talk.)
Pat Gounden
Sep 3, 2014, 5:10:20 PM9/3/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, September 04, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
People think that giving up hearth and home is renunciation. This is not
what Vairagya (detachment) implies. Whatever we do should be done in a
spirit of goodwill and service. It should be for the wellbeing of the
nation. And the welfare of all must be looked upon as the motto of the
nation. From very early times, Bharatiyas have lived up to the ideal: "May
all the worlds be happy!" To uphold this ideal, rulers, scholars, sages and
everyone made many sacrifices. Today the spirit of sacrifice is not to be
seen anywhere. It is selfishness that is the root cause of all the cruelty
and violence today. All that we have in this century are strife, disputes,
riots and violence. Selfishness has reared its head. Embodiments of Love!
Get rid of selfishness. Regard yourself as an integral member of society.
Develop the faith that your welfare is bound with the well being of all.
(Divine Discourse, Apr 27, 1990)
-BABA
Glory (Vaibhav) and Dispassion (Vairag)
It is often believed that glory and dispassion are contradictory and cannot
co-exist. Glory and luxury without dispassion is a nauseating pomp and show.
Such glory does not bring fulfillment for anyone. It is shallow.
Alternately, the dispassion that is afraid of glory is weak. True dispassion
is oblivious to glory.
The glory that comes with dispassion is something that is true, that is
permanent and authentic. When someone runs after glory they are shallow.
Like movie stars, politicians and religious leaders who try to hold on to
their status, to their glory, they are certain to lose. If you run after
glory all you get is misery. When you are dispassionate, glory comes to you.
If you are afraid of glory, that means you are not well-founded in
dispassion. In India, the Sadhus (Saints) run away from glory. They think
they will lose their dispassion and get trapped in the web of the world, the
circus. The dispassion is so blissful; they get attached to the dispassion.
They are afraid of losing the dispassion, the centeredness and bliss that
comes along with it. This is weak dispassion. Dispassion is a state of being
and glory is the happening around it. True dispassion can never be lost or
overshadowed by glory. True dispassion is glorious! Real glory is true
dispassion!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 28/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I have heard that we are enlightened until we realize it. What is
the meaning of getting enlightened then? Is it just a realization?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, that is why it's called Pratya Bhigya which means
Realizing.
See the elephant that is here does not know its power. With great love, he
holds your hand with his trunk and pulls you. He doesn’t know that he can
break the person’s hand whom he is pulling. For him it’s a play. In the same
way, we do not realize our inner potential. We think we are just this body
mind complex with a few emotions, some little thoughts, little likes and
dislikes. The truth is that we are much beyond these things, and that is why
enlightenment is like the peeling of it.
The word enlightenment is used so many times, that is why it is so
confusing. Enlightenment is simply the peeling off layers and becoming
hollow and empty. Get to that spot where you feel absolute comfort and
absolute freedom. That is liberation, that is nirvana, that is
self-realization, that is yoga, and that is unity. You can call it by so
many names. And too much reading also confuses you about it. That’s why I
say be natural, be simple. Read a few words, or a few sentences and let that
knowledge sink inside.
Just take the five principles of Yama
1. Ahimsa (non-violence)
2. Satya (truth)
3. Asteya (non stealing)
4. Brahmacharya (celibate)
5. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
Even if you take the above five, or just one of the above, let us say
Ahimsa. Then see, am I being on the path of Ahimsa? Let me adopt
non-violence in my life. Immediately you will see all the tension, and
aggression simply dissolves. Your relationships improve.
Then truth: am I truthful to myself? I tell you, if you are honest and
truthful to yourself, you will get enormous strength. And when you are
strong then anger disappears. Anger comes only when you are feeling weak.
When you feel strong then whatever you wish for and what you want, will
happen. This confidence will come in you.
Then the five Niyamas
1. Shaucha (cleanliness)
2. Santosha (happiness)
3. Tapas (penance)
4. Swadhyaya (introspection)
5. Ishwara pranidana (surrendering to the divine)
These are so beautiful:
Shaucha: I want to be clean from inside and outside. Whenever you feel dirty
from inside, then there is something wrong. So cleanse yourself and do do
some pranayama and kriya, and then you will be out of it.
Sadhana gives you so much benefit. You feel clean from inside, you mind
gains more focus. All this leads you to joy, Santosha. Come what may, I am
not going to lose my happiness. This one determination in you and life
changes.
Gurudev, does a Guru punish a disciple?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why should a Guru punish? He doesn’t need to punish.
If you do something wrong, you will face the consequences naturally. The
Guru doesn’t have to do the job of punishing, he only wishes that you grow
out of your misery. And if you do mistakes, misery will come to you.
The Guru will try to take you out of misery once, twice, three times, and
then he may say that maybe you should be little miserable then you will come
out of it slowly. But Guru will never punish.
When and how can we achieve complete control on the five senses? Is total
vairagya possible?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Your experience and maturity shows. You don’t have to
exercise control. You didn’t have to exercise any control to let go of
cotton candies or lollipops. As you grew up, your interest in lollipops
vanished.
In young people there is a lot of craving for sugar, in youth, there is a
craving for company of friends, but as an adult you don’t crave for any such
thing. As the mind or the consciousness matures, automatically these things
don’t interest you. That is vairagya and it is a spontaneous thing. You
don’t have to make an effort.
See when the sunlight has come, you don’t need to put off the candle. Even
if the candle is there, it just loses its significance. The candle light has
significance only as long as the sun has not come up. So when the inner joy
wells up in you, you don’t need to exercise control. It is a spontaneous
happening.
Is it okay to cry or is it a sign of weakness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, it is okay to cry. No, it is not a sign of
weakness. Tears come when you are grateful. Tears come when you are in deep
love, or deep in despair. It is inbuilt in the human system. Laughing and
crying are two important things of human life.
You came into this world crying. If you had not, your parents would have
cried. And when you leave this world, then also people will cry. If they
don’t cry, you have not lived a good life. By your departure, if people are
happy, you have not lived well.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
Pat Gounden
Sep 4, 2014, 5:02:55 PM9/4/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, September 05, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Desire (kama) must be got rid of by Tyaga (sacrifice) and Yoga (communion)
to secure God (Rama). Desire discolours the intelligence, perverts judgment,
and sharpens the appetites of the senses. It lends a false lure to the
objective world. When desire is directed to God, the self-luminous
intelligence within shines in its pristine splendour, and reveals God within
and without, and you attain Self-Realisation (Atma Sakshatkara). I bless all
of you to succeed in your Sadhana (spiritual efforts)! If you have not been
practicing sincerely until now, take up the simple practice of remembrance
of the Divine (Namasmarana), along with reverence towards parents, teachers
and elders, and service to the poor and needy. See everyone as your
lshtadhevata (Beloved Lord). That will fill your heart with Love and give
you stability of mind and peace. (Divine Discourse, May 15, 1969)
-BABA
-Peace is your nature, yet you remain restless.
-Freedom is your nature, yet you remain in bondage.
-Happiness is your nature, yet you become miserable for some reason or
another.
-Contentment is your nature, yet you continue to reel in desires.
-Benevolence is your nature, yet you don’t reach out.
-Going towards your nature is Sadhana.
....Sadhana is becoming what you truly Are!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 15/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Forward)
Questions & Answers
I am 21 year old girl in the second year in the college. I find Starbucks
more interesting than visiting temples. How can I cultivate an interest in
Gods?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You cannot cultivate an interest in God, just relax.
Know that it is already there. When you try to cultivate it, it becomes a
pressure on your mind. So don't try to cultivate it.
How long you can sit in Starbucks? When there is an examination, or when
there is some problem, you automatically go to the temple. Or if you just
pass a temple, automatically your head bows down. When there is uncertainty
or insecurity in your life, or when you desire for a higher rank, or some
prizes to come to you, you will run to the temple automatically. In moments
of need and in moments when you feel so grateful you will always remember a
greater power and at that time prayer happens.
Prayer is a happening and it happens on two occasions:
1. When you feel so grateful then prayer happens. In moments when you feel
that you just got saved, at that time you don’t say Starbucks. When you get
saved from an accident you say, ‘Thank God’. When you are saved from a
mishap the first thing you remember is 'Rama'. Or immediately the words 'Om
Namah Shivaya' comes out.
2. When you want something then too prayer happens. When you are in a
running race or when you have applied for a job, do you pray to Starbucks to
get you the job? No! You automatically remember a higher power when you need
help. That is quite natural for anybody, even the most proclaimed atheist.
Atheism is very superficial. It is very tough to become a true atheist. If
you are a true atheist you will become a true spiritualist as well at the
same time, simultaneously.
Genetic engineering has many benefits in agriculture, pharmaceuticals,
nutrition and different other aspects. The intention encompasses a noble
cause to help the poor and I would like to have your opinion on this.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When genetic engineering is banned in many countries,
why should we invite them here? When it is banned in Canada, when Europe has
banned it, when USA has banned it then why should India be open to it?
Second point is, experiments are okay, but we should first look into the
pros and cons of doing it on a mass scale. Without that we should not step
into something which will cause us to regret later. We have done that with
the BT cotton and you know the consequences that followed it. It is very
serious.
For your information, the employees of Monsanto (An agrochemical company)
went on strike and said that they wanted food to be GMO free in their
canteen. This says a lot.
India is known for the age old science of Ayurveda, what is the way forward
to make it global?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First we start using it here. The world has already
started recognizing Ayurveda.
I want to share with you one incident that happened in 1980. I had organized
a meeting of Ayurvedic doctors and doctors of modern medicine in New Delhi.
It was in Vasant Vihar and there were about 50 to 60 doctors on each side.
As the conference was going on, the discussion of turmeric came up, and I
vividly remember this discussion of turmeric. All the allopathic doctors
said that turmeric has no value, it is just a pigment. They dismissed the
Ayurvedic doctors who said that turmeric is a vayosthapan, which means it
arrests ageing, and it creates the more ojus (vitality) in your system. This
is what the Ayurvedic doctors kept saying but the allopathic doctors said
that it is all total nonsense.
Today allopathy has recognized that the turmeric does the job of 19 life
saving drugs including cancer. Turmeric is an anti-viral agent if you have
viral fever. Usually allopathic doctors say that there is no medicine for
viral fever, just take some fresh turmeric with fresh lime, and that will
do.
In India, we make pickles of turmeric, ginger and lemon, and this is the
best. Turmeric is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and an antioxidant. It does
the work of aspirin, it is blood thinner, and it stops blood coagulation. It
does the work of 19 important life saving drugs.
In our tradition, on any auspicious event, the first thing what we buy is
turmeric and then we buy clothes and other things. I remember when we got
new clothes my grandmother used to put a little turmeric at the corner of
the cloth. If it is a new cloth put some turmeric at the corner. Turmeric is
given so much importance in our country and today.
Ayurveda is the medicine of the 21st century. Of course not all Ayurvedic
preparations which people do are hygienic or scientific in nature. We must
not ignore science, but along with science we must take Ayurveda.
Pat Gounden
Sep 7, 2014, 3:51:27 PM9/7/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, September 08, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Lord resides not only in the hearts of devotees, but also in the hearts
of the evil-minded. Once the child Prahlada approached his mother, Lilavati,
and told her, "Mother, there is only one difference between me, who is a
devotee of Hari and my father, who hates Hari. Ever contemplating on the
nectarous sweetness of the Lord, repeating His name, and constantly
remembering Him, I am immersed in the bliss of love of the Lord, like one
intoxicated. My father, in his hatred of Narayana, has turned his heart into
stone and installed Him in it." The Lord, who dwelt in the heart of
Prahlada, who loved Narayana, and the Lord who was in the heart of
Hiranyakasipu, who hated Narayana, was one and the same. One has to live in
faith to experience happiness. Realising that the Divine is omnipresent, the
devotees make their lives sublime by singing the glories of the Lord and
ever dwelling on His name. (Divine Discourse 15 Sep 1986)
-BABA
The first lesson taught to you is see God in mother, father, teacher, guest,
then in trees, rivers, mountains. Just sit with this dharana (understanding)
that God is there everywhere around me, in every particle and person. Then
meditation happens and samadhi happens.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sun, 24/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, how to come out of attachment? And if people deceive us, how to
come out of that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If someone deceives you, they are going to face the
music. They will face the consequences. That is the law of karma. You got
deceived because you were not careful. You should have been careful, isn't
it? So you learnt a lesson when somebody deceived you. Now move on!
I have seen you saying that we need more help from people and the
Government. I know we need to do seva but how exactly do we go about it?
Please guide.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, bringing change in society is a collective
effort. So I said that everybody should participate. Don’t say, 'Gurudev,
you do it. You take care of terrorists, you change them'. No! It is a
collective effort. Each one of us has to work to reduce crime, stress and
violence in society. So you all think. Give one hour a day to become
volunteers for a better India, and see what volunteer work we can do.
Do you know, one plastic cover, like the milk packet that we have, if burnt
can cause cancer to a thousand people. That much of dioxin comes out of
plastic, if anyone burns it. So don't we have to inform everyone about this?
We have to let people know? Instead all that we do is worry about small
little things here and there in our life. We worry about things, people,
comments, opinions and all these small things. Is it okay to sit like that
worry about these insignificant things?
I tell you, be simplicity, natural, and adjusting with everyone. This is
what we have to do. Otherwise, if something small happens, we get ready to
fight. We should not do that. Leave all kinds of prejudice, and whatever you
can do, you do it with love and a sense of service.
Gurudev, I don’t understand the relationship between the prana (life-force),
body and soul. When an accident happens, the prana gets into problem. As
soon as the Prana leaves the body the soul also leaves. So the soul is bound
to the body and body to prana?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, you have said it. Prana connects the soul with
the body. Prana leaves with the soul. Now, when there is smoke, there is
fire. When there is fire, there is smoke. The relationship between soul and
prana is like that of fire and smoke.
Gurudev, how do we stay self-motivated?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why do you have to motivate yourself? Just relax and
be happy. When you are happy, you are already motivated. If others get happy
because of you, do you become happy or not? You become happy right away!
What more motivation do you need?
Now, if you have to be happy, it happens only if your family members are
happy, right? If everyone around you is happy, you can be happy. If everyone
is sad and suffering, you alone will not be happy. If someone has got fever
at home, you will not say, 'I will go to a movie and be happy'. Even if you
go to a movie, your mind will be at home. Why? It is because our happiness
is dependent on the happiness of all around us.
Now, is it enough that our friends and family alone are happy? If your
neighbours are lamenting, can you be happy? No! If there are thieves,
alcoholics and such type of people in your street, can you be happy? You
don’t know what will happen when you get out of the house. If the person in
the neighbouring house is a thief or an alcoholic, or if this type of bad
people are there around you, can you do anything? No. Is it possible for you
to be happy? If anxiety, hatred, crime, all these are not there, we can be
happy, isn't it? So, if all are well in our society, we can be well.
So that is why we all need to work towards a better society. If we are well,
then we must work towards giving everybody a chance to be well, and so we
must spread this knowledge to everyone.
You say that we have to be thankful for all that we have, but I feel that
whenever I feel thankful, whatever is done gets undone. So what do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Nothing like that. Don’t feel such things, it is only
in your mind. The more thankful we are, the more things will happen.
You are thirsty, somebody brings you water, you thank them and what happens
after that? Thirst comes back. Thirst does not disappear .
Gurudev, after death can we donate our organs?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, after death we can donate the organs of our body.
There is nothing wrong in it. People say, 'Oh, if you give your eye, you
soul won't go to heaven', all this is not true. Didn’t Bedara Kannappa (a
hunter who proves his extreme devotion to Lord Shiva by plucking out both of
his eyes and donating them to Lord Shiva) donate his eyes? He donated them
to Shiva when he was still alive. Dadhichi gave his spine to Indra.
Similarly there is nothing wrong in donating the organs of our body for good
cause. You don’t need to be concerned about it.
Why is the percentage of autistic kids growing?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The stress of the parents. Parents are very stressed
and that affects the children. Stress is one of the main cause. The second
is food, that can also have an effect.
Gurudev, there are reservations based on class or race for many courses.
Should Art of Living followers utilize these reservations or not?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is up to you. If you want to utilize it, do so.
If you don’t want to, it is fine. All I want is that you be happy and make
everyone around you happy. The best scenario is if there is no reservations,
as everyone is equal. They do these for political reasons.
Reservations were initially set up for a ten year period and we should have
discontinued it after that. But instead we have reservation after
reservation nowadays, and we are dividing the country because of this. But
now people are waking up. We should all unite and move ahead.
Pat Gounden
Sep 8, 2014, 4:44:26 PM9/8/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, September 09, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Gayatri mantra mentions: Bhur Bhuvaha Suvah - the Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka
and Suvarloka (The human world, nether world and heaven). It is wrong to
conceive of these three as existing one on top of the other. In fact the
three lokas (worlds) are intertwined with each other and one exists within
the other. The real meaning of this kind of geometrical configuration of the
three lokas is that the pancha indriya, bhutas and koshas (five senses,
elements and sheaths) that constitutes the body is Bhuloka; the aspect of
prana shakti or manas thathvam (mind principle) is Bhuvarloka; and the
microscopic state of Anandam (bliss) represents Suvarloka. So it can be said
that the three worlds are nothing but the deha thathwa, manas thathwa and
Ananda thathwa (essential nature of body, mind and bliss) and the totality
of these three represents the Trivikrama thathwa (nature of Vishnu expanding
to the three worlds). (Divine Discourse, Sep 4, 1979)
-BABA
The Gayatri mantra is one of the greatest prayers mankind has.
What does it say? Let me soak in the Divine, and let the Divine destroy all
my sins. The Divine light that burns all sin, let me adore and soak in that
Divine light. And let the Divinity inspire my intellect.
See, all our actions happen through our intellect, right? Thoughts comes and
then you act. So you pray to the Divine to bring good thoughts into your
mind. You pray to the Divine, 'Take over my intellect. Inspire my
intellect'; dhiyo yonah prachodayat.
Dhi means intellect. May my intellect be guided by, kindled by, and inspired
by you (Divinity).
When right thoughts come, your action will always be right. When intuitive
thoughts come, your actions will be fruitful. So praying for the best
thought. Let my mind, my whole life energy be soaked in Divinity. That is
it.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 28/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Best Policy)
Questions & Answers
If everybody’s soul is Krishna then why is there so much negativity and
violence in this world?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The soul is God, but in many people the God inside is
sleeping, and so you are not able to see the light that is deep inside. The
Divine is also in those who do wrong things. It is not that people who do
bad things are devoid of God, no, it is just that the Divinity is covered;
sleeping.
In Sanskrit we say, 'Devi Jagran'. This means that Divine qualities exist in
everyone, it only needs to be awakened. These Divine qualities are dormant
in our consciousness and need to be awakened.
If you see, in an awakened consciousness there will be no negativity or
violence.
We should see the world and all its event as a play. That is why it is
called as a Leela (Divine Play).
Dear Gurudev, is being greedy for the Guru good?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, you can be greedy to do seva, and to get higher
knowledge. No need to be jealous of others near the Guru.
Guru keeps all kinds of people around him or her. He keeps some people
closest so that they don’t cause problems to others. Some are very thick
skinned, and some are sensitive.
Ashrams are like a zoo. It is not homogenous type of people. In our ashram
also, there is a whole zoo. At the entrance, there are monkeys, then there
are a whole lot of squirrels, snakes, and mongoose. At the back there are
geese, swans, and plenty of birds. There are around a 100 varieties of birds
and 200 varieties of butterflies. There are deer, horses, rabbits, turtles,
cows; there is an elephant, and if there are some animals missing, there are
people who behave like them. They pounce like lions and tigers. We have a
miniature zoo here. But it's very interesting and everyone is happy. That is
the thing.
How do I get over Bulimia? I need your help.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Take a long time to eat your food. When eating, feel
the food, sense it, chew it 32 times and you will find satisfaction. So if
you are given a bunch of grapes, keep each grape in your mouth and eat it
with full awareness.
Bulimic people tend to gulp things. They don’t taste it, chew it. So chew
and chew and chew and taste the food well and then you will feel the
satisfaction. In fact, you will feel tired and then there is no bulimia.
Pranayama and meditation will definitely help you get over bulimia. Or if
you fall in love with somebody then also bulimia disappears. When there is
love, then food is not a big issue. It is not a compelling thing. That is
why when there is longing, people eat a lot of food as a way to fill the
emptiness. So if you have a lot of love or if you have a purpose in life,
bulimia will disappear.
Gurudev you have tweeted today about how a smile comes when you know that
the Divine loves you. Does the love of the Divine express only as positive
actions in my life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes the result of it is only positive. It may appear
to be not so positive somewhere in the middle but definitely at the end, it
has got to be positive, uplifting and evolutionary.
Gurudev, the yoga sutra says, 'Theevra samvegaanam asanah', having a strong
desire, makes the path faster. Another aspect is contentment or relaxing.
How can I be having a strong desire and be relaxed?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is like driving a car. Do you know how to drive a
car? You have to see the rear mirror, side mirror and the windshield. How do
you do that balance? The same way you do this. You should have an intense
desire and at the same time not be in a hurry; just relax.
If you want to make good food, you have to start the process of cooking but
you can't hurry up. If you are making rice, it will take its time to cook.
If it takes ten minutes, the whole ten minutes are needed for the rice to
cook. You cannot put the rice on the stove and say, I want it to be cooked
in one minute. Then that quality of rice cooked for one minute will not be
good.
That is why it is said, 'Samadha siddhi, ishwara pranidana'. You know the
big mind is part of you and you are part of it, so just relax. This is when
Samadhi happens very quickly.
Is there a scientific explanation for the materializations of vibhuti and
other small objects such as rings, necklaces by many saints?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, even they say don’t give much importance to it. It
is nothing. It is just a technique. There are many such vidyas (techniques)
to do those things. You don’t have to be enlightened to do those things.
What is much more important than bringing a ring from there to here is
bringing a change in the mind, and a change in one’s life. That is
important.
Dear Gurudev, I don’t speak out my problems to you knowing that you already
know what is going on in my mind. I read a book where you said that a
devotee must speak out his or her mind to the master without any hesitation
regardless of how trivial the matter might be. Does this mean that I should
be more vocal than I am at the moment or do silent prayers have effect?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: As long as the things are happening and you don’t feel
like verbalizing it, its fine. There is no need that you must say it out,
but many times when you say it out, you feel lighter from the inside. That
is why I say speak out. You don’t need to hesitate.
Pat Gounden
Sep 9, 2014, 5:32:25 PM9/9/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Is it possible for anyone in this world to be free of any desire and
expectation? Not quite! Some things (material and sensual) may be attractive
to some persons and some big aims (non-physical and transcendental) may
interest others. Almost all desires fall into one of the above categories.
Then how is it possible to get rid of both kinds of desires? This is
possible! In the Gita, the Lord has declared that He is present in all
righteous actions. Therefore those who perform righteous actions can develop
anapeksha (desirelessness). This means that when a man performs all actions
as offerings to the Lord, they become desireless actions. The Lord is the
One who from within, makes one act, speak, listen, see, etc. If a person
performs all actions with the conviction that the indwelling Lord is the
real Doer, then the actions become desireless. Hence to begin with every
sadhaka should regard one’s actions as offerings to the Divine. (Divine
Discourse, August 30, 1993)
-BABA
Offer everything to the Master.
Your anger,
Your frustration,
All your bad feelings
And your good feelings.
When you offer it all, you become free.
You become light like a flower.
You can again rejoice in the moment.
What remains in you is pure love.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 21/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
I want to become a teacher and spread this wonderful knowledge, but I’m
disturbed sometimes by the politics that I see on this path. Kindly guide
me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Wherever there are people there will be politics.
Politics means everybody has their own tendencies, and human beings have
many tendencies. In this world, in any field, on any path, anywhere you go
you won’t find everybody to be alike. If in your mind you think everyone
should behave in the same way, or have the same attitude, same mentality or
same level of growth then you are making a big mistake.
The spiritual path is like going to school. All the children in a school
cannot be in the same class. Some are in A grade, some in B grade, some in C
grade, some are in 8th standard, some in 9th and some in 10th. Even in a
school there are kids of all age groups and all ranges of intelligence. Any
path is like that. And the spiritual path is a place where some have just
stepped in, while some have been there for some time. There are some kids
who fail in one class for many years, you can’t just look at them and say
you don’t want to go to that class. You have to go to that class! Sometimes
someone gets stuck in one place.
Sometimes people ask me, why do I keep some very tough and rude people here
and there (in The Art of Living). I say that I keep them close so that the
world is free from them.
Sometimes, some people who are too troublesome, their parents come and leave
them here. The parents say, 'Gurudev, we cannot handle him at home so you
please take care of him'. How can I say 'No, so I say 'Okay'.
One such boy came to me and I kept him as the gate keeper to my old kutir
(room). This boy would fight with everyone including with mother. When my
mother would come, he would have a tiff with her as well. The boy was like
that, which is why his parents said they couldn’t handle him at home. He
stayed here for 4-5 years and now he is such a good boy. He is handling a
business in which he is giving employment to 300 people. His parents are so
happy, they have two grandchildren. This boy, who was good for nothing, who
was fighting with everybody is now a different person.
I give a long rope and enough room for people to transform. You don’t worry
about them, you leave it to me, I will handle them, it’s my Karma (duty). I
handle all types of people.
I have said, 'Accept people as they are', so I can’t go back on my words, I
am stuck! (Sri Sri laughs).
In every field there are people who are an exception to the rule, or a black
sheep in that field. You shouldn’t look at someone else and make a concept
in your mind or be prejudiced towards them. This is very important.
Prejudice kills people.
It seems, recently a movie has been released in which they show a sadhu
(Hindu saint) in very bad light, In the movie, they project that if you go
to a Dargah (Sufi Islamic shrine) your work will be done, but if you go to
an Ashram (spiritual hermitage or monastery) you will be finished. They have
portrayed Ashram to be a very bad place. Some people are creating this type
of prejudice.
A terrorist from outside India has funded people and asked them to make a
movie in which they put down spirituality. We should see the intention
behind such acts. In the movie, the character says that they are for truth
and anti-corruption, but in real life the makers of the movie bribed the
Censor Board to pass the movie.
What they say in the movie and their acts in real life have no connection
whatsoever. And our young minds are getting influenced by this. They should
wake up.
The drug lobby is behind this. They want to take people away from
spirituality. They want to put barriers in their mind towards participating
in spiritual programs so that they can easily lure them, as they will feel
an emptiness within.
One who has attended a spiritual program, and who is involved in bhajan, and
spiritual discourses will not take to drugs or intoxicants. You are
thousands sitting here. How many of you drink alcohol or take drugs? (Nobody
raises hand). None! So this is a big loss for them. So to improve their
business they target all such places which create a barrier against drugs
and alcohol.
The people who do this are blind. They see only money and nothing is beyond
money for them. Their philosophy is 'Make money even if the world goes to
the dogs'.
There was a boy who was into drugs earlier, and then he left drugs and came
onto the spiritual path and into knowledge. He was so happy, and these
people saw this and put a doubt into his mind. They asked him, 'Why do you
go to ashram and do meditation'. They told him, 'Nothing will happen by
doing all this'. So the boy stopped coming here and doing his spiritual
practices. He went back to taking drugs and fell back into depression. The
boy then jumped off the bridge and committed suicide. Who is responsible for
this? Those people who put such thoughts in the mind of the young boy and
created barriers in his mind towards spirituality are responsible. We must
be alert about this.
If spirituality is about finding ourselves and in the process we keep
changing ourselves then are we actually ever able to know ourselves, or is
it okay to just keep on trying to find oneself?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is like peeling an onion, layer by layer. This is
what Adi Shankaracharya said, 'Neti, Neti', I am not this, I am not this.
You keep contemplating about yourself and at some point you will find that
inner tranquillity. That is important. Don’t stop, keep moving. That’s why
our Vedas say, 'Charaiveti charaiveti' (keep moving, keep moving).
I’m a teacher and I see lots of my students doing a forceful bhastrika
(breathing exercise taught in Art Of Living programs), as it seems to give
them a kick. Is it okay?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, it should not be forceful. I always say take the
middle path. Don’t do it very slowly or gently but don’t use too much force
also.
Pat Gounden
Sep 10, 2014, 4:41:01 PM9/10/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Every object in the world, whether it is a bird or a sheep or anything else,
has a value of its own. Man alone has lost his value because of his
involvement in mundane pursuits. People have no gratitude to the five
elements which confer on them gratis innumerable precious benefits like
light, heat, air and water. You have to pay a price for so many small
amenities like electricity and running water. But what price do you pay for
the light of the Sun who illumines the world? This light is a gift of the
Divine. What price do you pay for a soft breeze or a heavy downpour of rain?
God is providing freely such precious benefits to you. What gratitude do
people show to God for all these? The only way to show one's gratitude to
the five elements is Smarana (to chant the Lord's name incessantly). (Divine
Discourse, Sep 14, 1997)
-BABA
As one goes on chanting the name of the Lord, gradually a stage comes when
the chanting stops and one naturally slip into meditation. So one goes from
Japa (chanting) to the state of Ajapa-Japa (chanting without the mental
effort normally needed to repeat the mantra), and then into silence.
The very purpose of chanting is to lead you into meditation.
It is said, ‘Naam laet bhava sindhu sukhai’, (simply by repeated chanting of
the Lord’s names, one can immerse oneself into the ocean of bliss). So
simply by chanting the name of the Lord also, one can be at peace, and can
go deep into meditation.
This is very effortless, and that is what is in the Sahaj Samadhi meditation
as well.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 30/08/2014 Delhi, India
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I don’t think I need to address you on happiness and success. You’re already
happy! If you are a group of very sad people, there is no point in talking
about happiness because whatever I say will go above your heads. And, if
you’re already happy, then there is no point in talking about happiness! But
success is something we can talk about.
Once I was invited to talk to a group of the most successful people of the
world. I was introduced to everyone around. They introduced me to one person
saying that so and so is a very successful businessman, but he was a highly
irritable personality.
They introduced me to another person saying he was highly moody. His wife
told me, 'Can you do something about my husband’s mood? It goes off all the
time'.
When you just look at them you feel that they must have laughed some decades
ago. There was no smile on anyone’s face. Some have high BP, some have
tension, others have stomach problems. Are these successful people? Many of
them look as though they have one foot in the grave.
What is the definition of success? Many times a doctor says, 'The operation
was successful', but the patient dies. In the pursuit of being successful
you get so bogged down in your life; there is no energy, there is no
enthusiasm, and there is no confidence. How can such a person be successful?
A person works so hard to achieve a high post, and when he get the post then
he is always fearful of losing it. He spends most of his time either blaming
or doubting.
My parameter for success is very different. To me, an undying smile is a
sign of success, a confidence that cannot be shaken is a sign of success.
These people are shaken by small things, is this a sign of success? A sign
of success is fearlessness. A fearless attitude in life is a sign of
success.
A successful person will never go and steal things because he has the
confidence that he can create wealth anywhere he goes, so why do anything
unethical?
You know who uses unethical way of amassing wealth? One who has no
confidence in himself that he can create wealth. If a person has that
confidence that he can create wealth anywhere, then he will not steal or use
unethical means of taking money and then ending up in jail. Such people are
successful people only for a short time, later on they find themselves in
jail. This does not indicate the success of a society, a family or an
individual. The benchmark of a progressive society is that there should
always be beds available at the hospitals, and the prison cells must be
empty. Then it is a progressive society.
Today, there are hospitals coming up each day and there is no space in the
prisons. This is not a successful society. It is not a successful life.
Somewhere we are missing the point. We need to redefine our parameters of
success.
What do we mean by success? When we look at so called successful people, do
they look very vibrant? Or do they look so beaten up? What kind of success
is this? I tell you, this kind of success is good for nothing! People work
so hard with no consideration towards their health, and they have diabetes,
cholesterol, insomnia, hypertension; some or the other problem and they
can’t enjoy any of the comforts of life.
Half the health we spend in creating wealth, and then we spend half the
wealth to gain back the health. This is not an intelligent way of making
money, and this will not make us happy.
Happiness and success are linked. It has to be linked. Confidence,
compassion, magnanimity, these have to be there. Ups and downs keep
happening. If you didn’t want something to happen and it has happened, you
need to let go of it, otherwise you cannot be happy. How can you be happy if
you’re holding onto unpleasant memories of the past? Unpleasant memories are
the biggest hindrance for you to be in the present. The nature of the mind
is such, it leaves all the pleasant memories and it grabs onto those few
unpleasant events and chews on it. We have advanced in technology but we
have not used that technology for our mind. This mind slips many times.
Trade, technology, truth and tradition, these four things need to revived
again and again, otherwise they get outdated.
Don’t you keep updating technology? By the time you learn to operate one
device, a new model has already come to the market. Isn’t it happening? All
the senior citizens sitting here will know. I am trying to learn how to
operate this new mobile phone, and before I know it, a new model with more
features has already come. So, technology is advancing so fast, and we have
to be updated.
Similarly with traditions as well. There are people who discard tradition
and there are some who hold onto them without updating them. Both are
missing the point. We have beautiful ancient traditions in India which needs
to be updated, so that we can bring out the essence of the traditions. Not
all that is ancient is bad and not all that is new is good. We need to look
at it from a very different perspective.
Technology is there to give us comfort, that is it. Similarly, spirituality
is there to bring absolute comfort to our soul and our mind. I call
spirituality and meditation as an AC. You know what AC means? Absolute
Comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable from the inside then how can you be
successful in life? If you are disturbed from within then how can anyone
even say that you are successful and happy? We need to relook into this
paradigm: How to be successful in the world? We need to redefine the
definition of success.
What is important is to take time out for yourself. There is no hurry. This
run for success is what makes you stressed, and stress is the biggest killer
in the world today. They say the second biggest, but I would say it is the
first.
40% of people in Europe are depressed. Luckily in India we have not reached
that number but slowly we are reaching there. In fact, Delhi is not behind.
Suicidal tendencies have increased so much in Delhi because parents put too
much pressure on their children become successful. There’s parent pressure
and peer pressure for becoming successful. This is another issue.
So, as I said, we all should take a little time for ourselves. We need to
know what is the reality, what is the truth. What am I here for? What is
life all about? We need to ask ourselves these questions, and this is what
will bring transformation.
Pat Gounden
Sep 11, 2014, 5:26:47 PM9/11/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, September 12, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
All aspirants must have internal purity, as all actions arise from internal
impulses and not external forces. Your actions reflect your inner being.
When pure feelings arise within you, your actions will naturally be pure. To
cleanse the internal impulses, you must be pure in your mind, speech and the
body. Of these three, purity in speech is the most important. Gita reveals,
“Every word you utter should be free from causing excitement or agitation
(Anudhvegakaram Vakyam Satyam Priyahitam cha yat)”. Your speech must be true
and pleasing. Four factors account for the pollution of speech; they are -
uttering falsehood, excessive talking, carrying tales against others, and
abuse or criticism of others. Make sure your tongue does not indulge in
these offences. Only when you get rid of these four evil tendencies from
within, your speech will become pure and unpolluted. (Divine Discourse,
August 30, 1993)
-BABA
" Vaakya shuddhi, purification of speech. This is very important.
All of you must see that the words that you use do not hurt other people. If
you have said something that hurts somebody, and if they are crying, then it
is going to affect you somewhere."
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 30/09/2014 Delhi, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Success)
Do you know what psychologists say? If a speaker speaks for more than 10
minutes, the listener go for a break three times! Attention deficiency is
growing these days among our youth in a very big way because we have so many
impressions being bombarded into our brain. This is why attention
deficiency, schizophrenia are all on the rise today. It is very important
that we take care of our mental health. Like you have dental hygiene, we do
have a mental hygiene, which is not being paid much attention.
Couple of centuries ago in some parts of the world you would hardly find
people who have all their teeth in place because they would never brush
their teeth, that is in some parts of the world, not everywhere. Today, the
one thing that has reached everywhere is toothpaste and toothbrush.
Similarly, we must educate our people on how to keep their mind sane, and
this is called mental hygiene. Meditation is a sort of mental hygiene, it
keeps you sane. When you are sane then you feel happy and your family is
happy.
Can a person be happy if his surroundings are unhappy? Even if one person in
the family is unhappy, everyone in the family becomes unhappy. Their
happiness gets affected. Happiness has to spread, if it doesn’t spread, it’s
going to die very soon.
Then the nature of happiness is to share. Suppose you watch a very nice
film, what do you do? You don’t say, ‘Please don’t disturb me I have watched
a very good movie today. Leave me alone.’ Do you say, leave me alone?
(Audience say, ‘No’)
When you see something nice, what do you do? You want to tell everybody that
it is so nice, and they should also go and see it. The nature of happiness
is to share and to give.
There are two types of happiness, the first is of grabbing or taking. This
is the happiness we are all born with. A child enjoys taking things. This is
an infant happiness, the want to possess. You take children to a toy shop
and that’s it! They would want to bring the whole toy shop home. They like
to grab everything. This is infant joy.
Then there is a happiness that is more mature. It is the happiness of your
grandmother or grandfather. Say your grandmother is at home all by herself,
she will not make 4-5 dishes and have a big meal. But when her grand
children are coming, look at the enthusiasm in her. She prepares so many
varieties of dishes and she enjoys feeding them. This is a mature joy, which
comes from giving. There is a joy in giving.
You will see many industrialists around the world who always enjoy giving.
Why do they give? They give because giving gives them more joy, it gives
them a satisfaction which is unparalleled. Giving gives you happiness which
is unparalleled.
A successful person is one who has tasted the joy in giving, who has
understood the joy in giving and goes on giving. This is the sign of
success.
Now, it is not that you should give only after you become successful, no! It
is not like that. You need to make it a habit.
It is so unfortunate, this country which is known for giving, the government
had to make CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) a law. All entrepreneurs
must give 2-3%of their profit for a social cause, this is now a law. See
where the values have disappeared. This was in our genes. We had always
contributed back to the society. So, happiness and success, both depends on
the ability to give. This ability to give is in your consciousness, in your
mind. And it is not the object that you give that matters but the attitude
of sharing.
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, today ragging is a major issue in colleges. Please sensitize the
youth against it in our Happiness Program.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, sure. You know why one does ragging? For some
fun. There are ways to have fun but not at the cost of others. Be
innovative. You are all tech students, you can innovate ways to have fun,
but not at the cost of someone’s life or their mind.
Gurudev, my life is quite uncertain. I am unable to understand what is the
goal of my life. I get influenced by my surroundings easily. Show me the
right path.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The first goal for a student is to excel in studies
and make a career. At the same time be multi-faceted and improve your
talents. This is a time for you to develop as many talents as you can.
Studying alone will not give you enough satisfaction. Do a lot other extra
co-curricular activities and see that they don’t eat up your main focus.
Focus on your studies. Don’t think, ‘Oh I don’t like it. I want to leave
it.’ No way. When students come and tell me this, I always tell them, ‘First
you finish your studies. Whatever you have taken, you complete your
graduation and then everything else’.
Even a single failure hampers my confidence and I have faced many failures
in life. How do I keep myself from getting de-motivated?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Every failure is a step
toward success. There are many successful people today, you know how much
they have failed at some point in their life? There are ample examples in
the world.
In a competition if you lose, you know what you should think? You’ve just
made someone else win. In Art of Living I say, we believe in winning or
making someone win. We don’t lose at all. Making someone else win is also a
joy.
Suppose, you have won a prize and your friends have lost, are you happy
about it? No. When you win you want others to share that joy with you. So
think that way. If anybody wins in a competition, share the joy with them.
How important is it to have your profession as your passion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Profession is a passion if you excel in it. Wherever
you have a passion, it becomes a profession. Suppose you have a passion for
music though you are an engineer, you will see, if you follow your passion
you will become a musician. If passion and profession is combined then it is
a formula for success.
How to keep a check on my arrogance when I feel successful and happy? What
are the other ways to calm the mind and make it happy, other than
meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Arrogant people are somewhere insecure. They don’t
have enough knowledge. But when the context of your life expands, when it
changes, then where is the place for arrogance? Once you see life from a
holistic perspective, there is no arrogance.
Billions of people have come here and they’ve all died and gone, more people
will come. What’s the big thing that you have done to be so arrogant? You’re
going to go into the same mud like everybody. I think you are not aware that
you are going to die. You should take a walk in the cemetery and know that
this is where you are going to be one day.
No arrogance can stay on. Humility, a sense of belongingness is an automatic
phenomenon. It is a simple awareness of our life. You don’t have to do
something to make it happen.
When am I truly happy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: True happiness is when you find inner stability, inner
comfort and when you know you are connected to something much bigger than
what you can even imagine. True happiness is when you know that there is
some power in you which is unshakeable. The love or God that is deep inside
you is that which manages or keeps the orderliness in the whole creation.
When you know that then nobody and nothing whatsoever can take away your
happiness.
Pat Gounden
Sep 14, 2014, 6:08:13 PM9/14/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, September 15, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Many people speak about getting a vision of God. This is a naïve desire.
They do not realize that God is present in everything they see. Scriptures
declare that the one who fails to see the Divine manifest everywhere around
them is a fool. Every being, every atom in this Universe is permeated by the
Divine. So you must seek to realize your own inner Divinity and also
recognize the Lord in all beings. You must manifest your loving nature, not
become stone-hearted. For this, you must cultivate forbearance, love and
compassion, and not resort to any sinful means. Your desires can never be
fulfilled if you cause harm to others. If you are full of envy, pride and
ostentation you cannot please God. The Divine will respond instantly only to
unsullied love, and never to wealth, power or position. (Divine Discourse,
Sep 14, 1997)
-BABA
The Divinity is omnipresent. It is nirvishesha – beyond qualities and place.
It is as common as air, water and light. God is the cheapest commodity and
present everywhere. It’s you who keeps God somewhere far up in the sky.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 07/15/2014 Montreal, Canada
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Sacrifice)
Questions & Answers
I have misbehaved and now I feel very sad about it. My family is also
suffering. I keep thinking of the past and I can’t get rid of it. Please
tell me what to do.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: What is the surety that you will take my advice and do
what I say?
If you would have taken it, you would have done it already. You don’t take
my advice, so what can I do?
Come on drop it! Some karma, something made you misbehave, and it is
finished. Why to sit and crib about something that has happened in the past.
Every action happens because of four things:
1. You had the intention to do the action
2. Someone else wanted you to do it and that made you do it
3. Neither you or the other person wanted it, but somehow it happened
against both your will
4. Both wanted it so it happened
Are you getting what I am saying?
Two people are involved in a fight with each other.
First possibility is, you were upset and it came out of you. You were upset
and your own anger caused it.
Second possibility is, one comes to you in an angry mood and you catch that
angry vibration and you also shout. You were very happy but someone’s
vibration took over and you reacted.
Third, neither you nor the other person expected but something happened,
like an accident. This is because of time and some karma.
Fourth is, both you and the other person wanted to go on a ride, so you went
together.
So actions or mistakes have these four types of possibilities.
It is useless to sit and worry about the past. Just move on! Every moment
there is sparkling, scintillating energy within you, so move with that.
Mistakes have caused pain and that is good. Pain has given you depth and
that is good. You have learnt from the mistakes and now you don’t want to
commit the same mistakes again. That is good also.
Can you please talk about karma and how it works? I always question young
kids that die painfully, or babies who die in the mother’s womb.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, karma is unfathomable. It is very deep, like
measuring the depth of an ocean. Which karma, where, what? It is all simply
too big to explain, but it is the cause for any action.
No event or action can happen without a cause, this is simply a scientific
theory. There needs to be a cause for every result. So every effect has a
cause and this cause is karma. But this cause is so deep because it is not
connected to just one incident, it is connected to many things and it is
enormous.
That is why Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, 'Gahana karmano gatih',
unfathomable are the ways of karma. So don’t sit and waste your time
thinking about karma.
In the scriptures also it is said, 'If you do this you will have this karma,
and if you do that you will have that karma', but there is no need to go
into it.
The breath is so powerful. How does it work in connecting us to the subtle
dimension?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: My dear, in the subtle you are already connected. The
breath only makes you realize that you are connected.
Your mind is always outside and it does not come back to itself, so the
breath is the first step in bringing the outgoing mind inward. It is the
doorway or the pathway, and meditation keeps the mind in the inner chamber.
Can you please discuss the link between quantum physics and yoga?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Quantum physics has discovered that matter does not
exist. What exists is just wave function.
The table, floor, ceiling, all appear to be there, but they are all just
wave functions. If you take one piece of matter and go deep into it, you
will see that it is only space. Everything is just space. So what you see
does not exist.
You know, one great quantum physicist, when he met me, he said a wonderful
thing. He said, 'You know Gurudev, for forty years I studied matter only to
realize that it simply doesn’t exist. Now if I talk on quantum physics,
people think I am talking on Buddhism'.
I told him that in Yoga they talk about the five elements. He jumped out of
his seat. He was shocked. He said, 'Greeks only knew four elements, Fire,
Water, Air and Earth'. I said, 'Yoga talks about the fifth element which is
Space'.
If you read Yoga Vashishtha, you feel you are reading quantum physics. Yoga
is all about realizing the oneness of consciousness and that’s exactly what
physics talks about.
So, one is a materialistic approach and the other is an approach from the
level of consciousness, and they meet at the same point.
Spirituality is only an extension of science, it is not anti-science.
Do you think martial arts can play a role on the path to enlightenment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, martial arts can bring strength to the body,
discipline in the mind and sharpens your intellect. It can channelize all
the energy and emotions in you. If your emotions are not channelized, they
go haywire and that’s when you get aggressive, angry, upset or depressed.
If you do some martial arts, karate or even workout at the gym, then it
helps you harmonize your emotions.
Why is worthlessness and helplessness so uncomfortable. Why is there a
constant need to become worthy or important? How to shed this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you are not useful on this planet, nature would
have taken you away a long time ago. Nature is very intelligent, and if
nature has kept you here, there is some use for you, so don’t be too hard on
yourself.
Each one of you is capable of doing something, and whatever you can do keep
doing it. From time to time, see if you can extend yourself a little more.
By this your capacity to do will also increase.
I don’t know what to choose as my career as I want to honor all my talents.
Any suggestions?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: One gentleman came to me who could play forty
instruments. He could play the flute, guitar, sitar, tabla, and many more
other instruments. It was fascinating.
I also knew a gentleman who had nearly forty five degrees, and he was not
more than about 47-48 years old. I wondered how he got so many degrees. He
is a lawyer, he is a doctor, he is an engineer; my goodness! Unfortunately,
he died in a car accident.
At the age of 47, he knew a lot of things. He simultaneously did a lot of
degrees, otherwise you can't do this. He had an amazing personality.
Whatever you choose is good, but when you take up something, complete it. It
is not that you take up something and then you drop it and take something
else. Then you may be very talented but it is totally useless. So you take
up something and see it through.
Pat Gounden
Sep 15, 2014, 4:54:25 PM9/15/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Dakshah is the quality of having firm determination to perform pure actions.
The determination should be confined to actions that are pure, helpful to
others and that sublimate you. At all circumstances, you must choose to act
in a good manner and strictly refrain from any impure act. A person who can
accomplish this is called Dakshah, and is very dear to the Lord. Udaseenah
means the freedom from attachment. It means remaining serene and unruffled
by fame or blame, peace or sorrow, loss or gain, pleasure or pain, not
elated by prosperity or depressed by failure. You must never succumb to
calumny, nor should you exult over fame. Fame and blame are like passing
clouds; they must be treated the same. If you take them seriously, they will
give rise to agitations in the mind, which may lead to demonic tendencies.
Any devotee who possesses these sacred virtues is very dear to the Lord.
(Divine Discourse, August 30, 1993)
-BABA
-BABA
In this whole drama, this complex game of life and society, is inevitable.
Things come and fleet away. And everything that comes and goes has a
purpose. A thorn and a soft rose petal, they both have their purpose.
Things come and fleet away. And everything that comes and goes has a
purpose. A thorn and a soft rose petal, they both have their purpose.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Overcome Fear In One Go
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sun, 07/13/2014 Montreal, Canada
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I have to tweet some knowledge today, what knowledge should we talk about
today?
Did you read my last tweet? What was it? (Someone speaks from the audience)
Yes, 'If wisdom cannot bring happiness and take away misery, then nothing
else can'. That was the last tweet.
What can we tweet today? (Someone from the audience asks, What is wisdom? )
Wisdom is not information, wisdom is not scholarliness, wisdom is a quality
of consciousness which is alert, uplifted. and dash, dash, dash. Think about
it and fill in the blanks!
So, if you are wise, it is a quality of consciousness.
How do you get wisdom? How do you bring your consciousness to that level? It
is through direct transformation, or through spiritual practices. Someone
can become wise directly, and I think that’s happening, isn’t it! Those who
come and sit here and do the practices, meditation, satsang, all of it
helps.
There are many different types of fear that people have:
1. Fear of rejection
2. Fear of obligation
3. Fear of responsibility
4. Fear of the unknown
5. Fear of failure
6. Fear of abandonment
7. Fear of confronting the truth
8. Fear of separation
9. Fear of opinions and humiliation
10. Fear of not having enough
Make a list of all of this and then we will see how we can overcome them in
one go. All these fears are because you do not know that you are connected
to the infinity. When this is forgotten that 'I am part of the infinity',
fear comes.
All these fears are of only one fear, of not being able to exist. You will
always exist because you are connected with the ocean.
A drop is afraid because it thinks it is alone, it is not connected with the
ocean. But when the drop is in the ocean, the drop has no fear. It will
never get extinguished because it’s in the ocean.
Separation brings fear. If there is oneness, there is no fear.
So how to get over fear? By remembering the oneness, then there is no fear.
Pat Gounden
Sep 16, 2014, 5:46:48 PM9/16/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ravana was a great scholar. He mastered 64 distinct fields of knowledge,
including the language of animals, birds and insects. He possessed all
knowledge, wealth and prosperity that equaled heaven. He used his penance as
a means to acquire mastery over the physical world, reposing his faith on
the phenomenal world and not on the Creator. He chose not to enquire about
the Creator of the phenomenal world. The Universe is the Creator’s property.
Rama was the Creator Himself and Sita was Rama’s Power (Shakti). Ravana,
giving in to lust, desire and greed, developed hatred and enmity towards
Rama and abducted Mother Sita. What was the result? Not only he, but his
entire kingdom was destroyed. Despite such high knowledge and prowess, he
failed to recognize the Divine within and ruined himself due to a moral
lapse. Thus Ramayana clearly teaches the lesson that spiritual wisdom alone
saves, and is essential. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 17, Sep 17, 1992)
-BABA
If you want to quicken the pace then keep listening to knowledge again and
again. Read at least one page of Yoga Vashishtha, Ashtavakra daily. Keep
doing satsang, seva, satsang, meditation.
Maya has long hands and the pull keeps happening. With the help of the rope,
one to has walk away from the pull. Satsang, sadhna, satguru are all there
for this only.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sun, 07/06/2014 North Carolina, United States
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You have nothing to ask and I have nothing to say.
The question and the answer comes from the same source. Where the question
comes from, the answer also come from the same place. Just be a little quiet
and see, either the questions disappear or the answers come to you. There’s
no need for this (indicating to the microphone).
A seeker asks a question; once he finds the answer, he is satisfied and he
goes. A devotee simply sings, dances, and expresses his love. Once he
expresses his love, he is happy and he goes. A devotee just wants to express
his or her love. But a wise man simply drinks silence; he simply feels the
presence and gets intoxicated.
Pat Gounden
Sep 17, 2014, 5:49:18 PM9/17/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sakhubai, an ardent devotee of Lord Panduranga, went to saint Namadeva and
submitted, “Master, I make so many cow dung cakes, but people are stealing
them. I need to earn a livelihood by selling these, but very little is left
for me to sell. What do I do?” Namadeva smilingly asked her, “How do you
know that those stolen are your cow dung cakes?” Sakhubai promptly answered,
“Master, I make them thinking and reciting Lord Panduranga’s name all the
time; my feelings are reflected in them and they give amazing results!” She
then asked Namadeva to break and listen to one cake. Everyone around
Namadeva were greatly astonished to hear the inanimate cowdung cake
reverberating with Panduranga’s name with the correct pitch, tune and
rhythm. Mother Sakhubai said, “Not only in these cakes, but if we think of
the Lord while performing every action, it will reflect and resound in the
work we do!” (My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 13, Mar 16, 1998)
-BABA
You give your 100% and then leave the rest. Surrender does not mean running
away from responsibilities, it is a sense of assurance in you that yes
things are going to be well.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
True Meaning of Service
November 20, 2013
Bangalore, India
4528
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, what is the true meaning of seva? Does it mean to support someone,
help them or give them some donation? And if our family opposes our doing
seva, should we still continue to do seva, or instead serve our family alone
and be happy with it?
Sri Sri: Seva means to do something for someone else without expecting
anything in return. It means to do without the desire of any reward in
return.
You should do whatever you can do, whether it is by contributing your time,
or by donating your money, or just by speaking about positive things. You
should do seva in whatever way you can. But it does not mean that you do
seva by putting your family members in trouble, or making them uncomfortable
and going against their wishes. You should balance both intelligently. Do
your Seva and also manage your family well.
Some people go do seva even when there is a family member at home who is ill
and needs their care and support. This is not right. You should do seva with
wisdom.
You might have heard this short story before. Once a lady asked a Christian
priest, 'Father, what does service mean?' The priest replied, 'My dear, say
you see an old lady trying to cross a busy road all by herself. Then helping
her to cross the road safely is service'.
So when someone heard this, they went out on the streets to look for such
people who were trying to cross the road. But they did something quite
opposite. They would approach elderly people and ask them, ‘Do you wish to
cross the street?’ Though they said, 'No', these people forcefully held
their hands and took them to the other end of the road (Laughter). When the
elderly person moved a little ahead, another person approached her and asked
the same thing, ‘Do you wish to cross the street?’ When she again said ‘No’,
he said, ‘No no! You have to cross the street. I wish to do some service’.
So the poor old lady was taken from one end of the road to the other and
then again back to the same end. This happened some four or five times. She
got frightened because of this. So, this is not seva.
Some people pledge themselves to serving the cows and taking care of them.
But what they do is light some camphor and perform an Aarti (rotating an oil
or camphor lamp around a deity or idol as an act of worship) before the cow!
The cow gets so frightened seeing the flame. Is this what is meant by
serving the cow? The poor cow gets so frightened. You should instead feed
the cow well – that is its service.
Worshipping the cow with rituals is not seva. It is by taking care of the
cow with love. But people often mix seva with many superstitious beliefs.
I have often told the Vedic pundits here when they perform the cow worship,
not to take a flame near or in front of the cow, as it would get frightened
seeing it. All these rituals are not necessary. In fact they are wrong also.
But many people take a long time to understand that they are doing wrong.
Over time, people make a habit out of such rituals and get entangled in it.
We need to rise above all these things.
The other day, I saw that someone had dressed their dog in a jacket
(Laughter). It is you who are fond of clothes, not the poor dog! (Laughter)
Why trouble the poor animal with such things?
I have heard that nowadays there are beauty parlours and spas for dogs in
some countries. Dogs are bathed and given massages there. And people do all
this in spite of knowing that dogs are scared of water! (Laughter) The next
time the dog is taken to a spa, it gets frightened even before getting
inside. What is the need for the dog to go to the spa? Its master may be
going to the spa frequently, but what is the point of taking the dog too?
Such people are very foolish.
You know, some restaurants also serve a buffet for the dogs, where the dogs
are served different dishes. Now what does the poor dog know about one dish
from another (Laughter)? It will simply eat whatever is kept before it. The
dog does not have the sense of filling up its bowl with a little bit of this
dish, and a little bit of that dish. It will eat whatever it is served
first, and will have its fill with that.
I tell you, these dogs belonging to rich families and households are so
troubled! The stray dogs on the street are more free, and happy-go-lucky
than them.
Someone once told me, ‘Gurudev, my dog is suffering from depression’.
I asked them, ‘How do you know that for certain?’
They said, ‘Gurudev, for many years we had no child in the house. After our
child was born, this dog became jealous because we started loving the child
more. So it became depressed. It started feeling jealousy like how siblings
feel. So ever since then, our dog has been depressed’. You know, they even
took the dog to an animal psychologist! (Laughter) The psychologist examined
the dog and prescribed some medicines for it. But even then, the master and
his wife were not convinced. So they took the dog to a powerful psychic, who
could find out what was going on in the dog’s mind. And that psychic placed
some instrument on the dog’s body, and tried talking to its soul! (Laughter)
All this happens in America also, and it has become very widespread today.
There is no limit to the amount of foolishness in the world today.
In the same way, someone came to me and told that they have a parrot at
home, who started suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome after a
minor earthquake hit their town (Laughter). They thought that the parrot was
suffering from the trauma and distress of the earthquake. I asked the
person, ‘How do you know the parrot is suffering from stress?’
He said, ‘Gurudev, it is because ever since the earth quake happened, my
parrot hangs upside down in its cage’ (Laughter)
So then I asked him, ‘What are you going to do about it?’
He said, ‘Gurudev, I am going to show him to the animal psychologist’.
My God! They do not even leave a poor parrot alone! Just imagine the plight
of these animals. Some people like these might take their parrot or dog to
the doctor for treatment, saying that ‘my pet is suffering from a vitamin
B-12 deficiency’. Then the doctors would give different kinds of injections
to the poor animal. This is all very strange.
Gurudev, what kind of a leader does our country need today: one who is a
youth or someone who has experience in politics and administration?
Sri Sri: Does this mean that a youth cannot be intelligent and experienced?
Being youthful does not mean by age alone. Many people are young by age, but
they appear so tired and distraught. And some people are so youthful despite
being 60-70 years of age. They are so enthusiastic and full of life. So,
Youthfulness is not simply a quality of one’s age. Of course, we do need a
leader who is wise and experienced in matters of governance.
Gurudev, I feel we have come to the limit of tolerating corruption and
injustice. Surely God has not created this beautiful world for this. You
have gifted the world the Sudarshan Kriya, but to rid it of such negativity,
you would have to use your Sudarshan Chakra (referring to Lord Vishnu’s
divine discus)
Sri Sri: See, you too have to do something about it, so you should get
started. Tell everyone around you to enroll themselves in the voter list if
their name does not already appear in it. You should move out on the field
and work for the country.
An ocean is formed when every drop comes together. So, every one of you
should do something for the country.
Pat Gounden
Sep 18, 2014, 4:43:26 PM9/18/14
to Pat Gounden
Dear One – Please note that regular daily messages will resume again on 3
November 2014. However, when possible, messages will be forwarded during
this period (19 Sep to 3 Nov 2014).
May Love, Peace & Prosperity blossom during Navarathri 2014.
Love
Pat
Date: Friday, September 19, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The birth as a human being is sacred and precious. By indulging in
selfishness, people undermine their birth and the Divinity within
themselves. Leading a moral life alone can sanctify this birth. God is the
indweller in everyone and directs human life as one’s inner conscience. If
you let selfishness grow within you, it takes the form of lust, hatred and
greed. These three vices are very dangerous and demonic. When worldly
desires increase, the vices grow to the extent of making you lose faith in
God and even lead you to developing enmity towards God. Never go after
worldly happiness which is fraught with danger, giving up the Divine who is
ready to be near and dear to you. Your parents or relatives may be away from
you. God is never distant from you. He is always with you, behind you and
around you, and He will always protect you. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 17,
Sep 17, 1992)
-BABA
Let go of all efforts, searches and desires, for He can be felt only in deep
peace and stillness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Goodness Always Pays
Sat, 16/08/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, why did Lord Krishna cheat in the Mahabharata? Was that his dharma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, you can’t say he cheated. He had everything, why
would he cheat?
A student in the classroom cheats because he doesn’t know the answer. He is
not capable. If he has not studied, then he cheats. A student who is
thorough in his knowledge, why would he cheat? Tell me, will he cheat? There
is no need to cheat. If you ask him any question, the student will answer
because he is brilliant and has studied well.
Who will cheat? One who has not studied well. Who would steal and cheat? One
who has no ability to earn money.
Suppose a person is an artist who gets 50 lakh rupees when he performs a
dance or sings a song, why would he cheat somebody? Why will he pick-pocket
someone when he has the ability to generate money? Will he do it? What is
the need. He need not do that.
Someone who plays music, he just performs and he gets money for that? Why
would a cook cheat when he can cook and earn money?
Who would cheat? One who does not have the ability, doesn’t not know the
skill and has a lot of lack. To fill the emptiness he cheats others. He
knows he doesn’t have the ability to earn so he cheats, right!
So why would Krishna cheat anybody? He was a Yogeshwara, he had everything
at his finger tips, why would he cheat? He used skills. That is not
cheating, it is called skill. He was skillful. He was not dumb like
Yudhisthira who put everybody in trouble.
That is the beauty. When you are always with dharma (righteousness), someone
comes to help even if you are dumb and stupid. Even if you’re dumb and
stupid there is always a support that comes to you. But, if you’re cunning
and if you don’t have a pure heart, you don’t get nature’s support; the
Divine's support.
Krishna just showed the way to be skillful.
At the end of the war, Duryodhana and all his brothers died in battle.
Seeing this, Gandhari (mother of the Kauravas) got very angry and cursed
Lord Krishna. She tells him, 'You have brought death to all my children by
unfair means'.
At that moment, Lord Krishna reminds Gandhari, 'Dear Mother, when your own
there will surely be victory). So you had blessed him saying that 'May
Dharma be victorious'. What is my fault then and how am I to be blamed? I
skills in communication has improved? (Many in the audience raise their
hands). The path you are in definitely improves your skills.
Gurudev, why do some people get success easily and others have to strive
hard?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You cannot generalize this. Many factors are there in
success. And what you mean by success is only one-sided success. Someone
having a Rolls Royce or BMW is not necessarily success. Do they have
confidence, peace of mind and happiness in their life? You should look into
this.
Gurudev, how can I be sensitive but yet strong? When some unpleasant
situation comes I tend to escape.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You’ve noticed that you tend to escape, next time say,
‘No, I am going to face it'. Just that one dharana (thought), ‘I will face
it', will take you along.
Just like you got one dharana that you want to go to Bangalore, you reached
here right? You got a thought and you went behind the thought. Just like
that you should keep a dharana.
Is being successful related to spirituality in any way? I have friends who
are atheist yet very successful. Is being spiritual just a support for the
mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Being spiritual enhances your intelligence, intuition
and innovative ability. It also gives you inner strength. Someone may say,
‘I am an atheist’, but he is surviving on the past luck, not earning
anything new. They may appear to rise high but you will see that the fall
will also be very fast.
You can never brand somebody an atheist. They may not be going to temple, or
church, or mosque, but they may be doing something good. In their heart they
may be praying silently. You never know.
Is spirit of enquiry most important or dispassion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you watch television, what is important, seeing
or hearing?
Be natural. Don’t sit with too many concepts. Free the freedom. Don’t burden
yourself with too much understanding. Too much analysis is as bad as no
analysis at all. Take the middle path.
You need to breathe in, that is passion. You need to breathe out, that is
dispassion. Both are essential. You can’t say I only want dispassion. What
do you want dispassion for? There is something in you which is beyond
dispassion.
Dispassion is breathing out. Why should one breathe out? So that you can
take a breath in again. Why are you breathing in? So that you can breathe
out again. So, in life, all three are needed: passion, dispassion and
compassion.
The ego is not dissolving into love or humility. It exhibits its
idiosyncratic character. How do I handle this situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: These are all words. Don’t try to dissolve your ego.
If you find you have one, just keep it in your pocket. It’s okay to have an
ego. Let it be there. You try to dissolve the ego and that is what the
problem is. Don’t try to dissolve it. Don’t label yourself that ‘I am
idiosyncratic.’ Throw these labels out. There are so many such phrases that
the West have come up with which has really no deep meaning.
When you read these psychology books your mind reels even more. What I would
say is the antidote for ego is being natural.
Just act like a fool for one day, and you will see, where is the ego?
November 2014. However, when possible, messages will be forwarded during
this period (19 Sep to 3 Nov 2014).
May Love, Peace & Prosperity blossom during Navarathri 2014.
Love
Pat
Date: Friday, September 19, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The birth as a human being is sacred and precious. By indulging in
selfishness, people undermine their birth and the Divinity within
themselves. Leading a moral life alone can sanctify this birth. God is the
indweller in everyone and directs human life as one’s inner conscience. If
you let selfishness grow within you, it takes the form of lust, hatred and
greed. These three vices are very dangerous and demonic. When worldly
desires increase, the vices grow to the extent of making you lose faith in
God and even lead you to developing enmity towards God. Never go after
worldly happiness which is fraught with danger, giving up the Divine who is
ready to be near and dear to you. Your parents or relatives may be away from
you. God is never distant from you. He is always with you, behind you and
around you, and He will always protect you. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 17,
Sep 17, 1992)
-BABA
Let go of all efforts, searches and desires, for He can be felt only in deep
peace and stillness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Goodness Always Pays
Sat, 16/08/2014 Bangalore, India
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/honest.jpg
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, why did Lord Krishna cheat in the Mahabharata? Was that his dharma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, you can’t say he cheated. He had everything, why
would he cheat?
A student in the classroom cheats because he doesn’t know the answer. He is
not capable. If he has not studied, then he cheats. A student who is
thorough in his knowledge, why would he cheat? Tell me, will he cheat? There
is no need to cheat. If you ask him any question, the student will answer
because he is brilliant and has studied well.
Who will cheat? One who has not studied well. Who would steal and cheat? One
who has no ability to earn money.
Suppose a person is an artist who gets 50 lakh rupees when he performs a
dance or sings a song, why would he cheat somebody? Why will he pick-pocket
someone when he has the ability to generate money? Will he do it? What is
the need. He need not do that.
Someone who plays music, he just performs and he gets money for that? Why
would a cook cheat when he can cook and earn money?
Who would cheat? One who does not have the ability, doesn’t not know the
skill and has a lot of lack. To fill the emptiness he cheats others. He
knows he doesn’t have the ability to earn so he cheats, right!
So why would Krishna cheat anybody? He was a Yogeshwara, he had everything
at his finger tips, why would he cheat? He used skills. That is not
cheating, it is called skill. He was skillful. He was not dumb like
Yudhisthira who put everybody in trouble.
That is the beauty. When you are always with dharma (righteousness), someone
comes to help even if you are dumb and stupid. Even if you’re dumb and
stupid there is always a support that comes to you. But, if you’re cunning
and if you don’t have a pure heart, you don’t get nature’s support; the
Divine's support.
Krishna just showed the way to be skillful.
At the end of the war, Duryodhana and all his brothers died in battle.
Seeing this, Gandhari (mother of the Kauravas) got very angry and cursed
Lord Krishna. She tells him, 'You have brought death to all my children by
unfair means'.
At that moment, Lord Krishna reminds Gandhari, 'Dear Mother, when your own
son Duryodhana came to touch your feet and take your blessings for victory,
you had said, 'Yato Dharmaha Tato-Jayaha' (meaning, where there is Dharma,
there will surely be victory). So you had blessed him saying that 'May
Dharma be victorious'. What is my fault then and how am I to be blamed? I
only helped to fulfill the blessing that you gave to your own son'.
Upon hearing this, Gandhari became silent. She realizes that somewhere it
was her mistake, because such were the words of blessing that came from her
mouth for her own son.
So this is not cheating. It is skill in action. How many of you feel your
Upon hearing this, Gandhari became silent. She realizes that somewhere it
was her mistake, because such were the words of blessing that came from her
mouth for her own son.
skills in communication has improved? (Many in the audience raise their
hands). The path you are in definitely improves your skills.
Gurudev, why do some people get success easily and others have to strive
hard?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You cannot generalize this. Many factors are there in
success. And what you mean by success is only one-sided success. Someone
having a Rolls Royce or BMW is not necessarily success. Do they have
confidence, peace of mind and happiness in their life? You should look into
this.
Gurudev, how can I be sensitive but yet strong? When some unpleasant
situation comes I tend to escape.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You’ve noticed that you tend to escape, next time say,
‘No, I am going to face it'. Just that one dharana (thought), ‘I will face
it', will take you along.
Just like you got one dharana that you want to go to Bangalore, you reached
here right? You got a thought and you went behind the thought. Just like
that you should keep a dharana.
Is being successful related to spirituality in any way? I have friends who
are atheist yet very successful. Is being spiritual just a support for the
mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Being spiritual enhances your intelligence, intuition
and innovative ability. It also gives you inner strength. Someone may say,
‘I am an atheist’, but he is surviving on the past luck, not earning
anything new. They may appear to rise high but you will see that the fall
will also be very fast.
You can never brand somebody an atheist. They may not be going to temple, or
church, or mosque, but they may be doing something good. In their heart they
may be praying silently. You never know.
Is spirit of enquiry most important or dispassion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you watch television, what is important, seeing
or hearing?
Be natural. Don’t sit with too many concepts. Free the freedom. Don’t burden
yourself with too much understanding. Too much analysis is as bad as no
analysis at all. Take the middle path.
You need to breathe in, that is passion. You need to breathe out, that is
dispassion. Both are essential. You can’t say I only want dispassion. What
do you want dispassion for? There is something in you which is beyond
dispassion.
Dispassion is breathing out. Why should one breathe out? So that you can
take a breath in again. Why are you breathing in? So that you can breathe
out again. So, in life, all three are needed: passion, dispassion and
compassion.
The ego is not dissolving into love or humility. It exhibits its
idiosyncratic character. How do I handle this situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: These are all words. Don’t try to dissolve your ego.
If you find you have one, just keep it in your pocket. It’s okay to have an
ego. Let it be there. You try to dissolve the ego and that is what the
problem is. Don’t try to dissolve it. Don’t label yourself that ‘I am
idiosyncratic.’ Throw these labels out. There are so many such phrases that
the West have come up with which has really no deep meaning.
When you read these psychology books your mind reels even more. What I would
say is the antidote for ego is being natural.
Just act like a fool for one day, and you will see, where is the ego?
Pat Gounden
Sep 21, 2014, 11:52:51 PM9/21/14
to Pat Gounden
Dear One – Please note that regular daily messages will resume again on 3
November 2014. However, when possible, messages will be forwarded during
this period (19 Sep to 3 Nov 2014).
May Love, Peace & Prosperity blossom during Navarathri 2014.
Love
Pat
Date: Monday, September 22, 2014
November 2014. However, when possible, messages will be forwarded during
this period (19 Sep to 3 Nov 2014).
May Love, Peace & Prosperity blossom during Navarathri 2014.
Love
Pat
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Inside us, outside and all around there is air. But it cannot be seen, nor
can it be grasped by the hand. For this reason can you deny the existence of
air? How can one exist if there is no air? To deny the existence of air is
to deny one's own existence. God is all-pervading. He is omnipresent. He
transcends time, space and circumstances. God exists at a level which is in
accordance to one's own level of understanding of the Divine. All the
animate and inanimate objects in the world are Vishnuswarupa (manifestations
of the Divine). It is foolish to look at the cosmos and deny the principle
that pervades the cosmos. Equally is it not silly to look at the universe,
which is the embodiment of the Divine, and deny the existence of the Divine?
That is the reason why the scriptures declared: Pashyannapi na pashyathi
mudho (The foolish one, even though he beholds, does not recognise). (Divine
Discourse, Sep 09, 1992)
-BABA
The first lesson taught to you is see God in mother, father, teacher, guest,
then in trees, rivers, mountains. Just sit with this dharana (understanding)
that God is there everywhere around me, in every particle and person. Then
meditation happens and samadhi happens.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Happiness Is Good For Health
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 30/08/2014 Delhi, India
(Sri Sri was the chief guest at a conference titled ‘
<http://srisriravishankar.org/entry/stress-reduction-skills-conference-aiims
-aug-2014/> Stress Reduction Skills: Scientific Update’ organized by
Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS in collaboration with Sri Sri GMDA (Global
Meditating Doctors Association). The event was attended by doctors from
Government and private sectors, nurses, scientists, researchers,
psychologists, pharmacists, health administrators, medical students and
health professionals across various disciplines from all over the country.
Below is the transcript of Sri Sri's address at the conference)
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/happiness%20%282%29.jpg
I would like to tell you a small story. Once a patient came to a doctor and
he was very impatient. He had pain all over his body. His back was aching,
his head was aching, and he couldn’t sleep. He had lots of problems. So the
doctor said, 'Let’s do an investigation from head to toe'.
A thorough investigation was done and all his reports were clear. His blood
reports were clear, blood pressure was good, he had no cholesterol and his
kidneys were functioning okay. The doctor told him he was perfectly fine and
healthy but patient insisted that he was not!
He asked the doctor to investigate properly again saying, 'I know I’m not
well'. Doctor insisted that he had no disease and told him, 'See, there is a
circus in town, where there is a joker who makes people laugh a lot. Go sit
there for some time, laugh a lot and you will feel better because you have
no disease'.
The patient said, 'Doctor I’m that joker! I make people laugh but I have so
much stress myself'.
I remember a couple of years ago I was invited to address a group of medical
professionals in AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). A research
conducted there found that 60% of doctors themselves were not well. They had
high stress levels and many other such problems. Common people think that
doctors must be perfectly healthy because they are creating health for the
society, but that’s not the case. Why? We have to put our attention on the
why. The medical profession is not just about giving medicine to people, it
is about one's life style. Unless someone is able to laugh and smile from
the core of their being they are not considered to be healthy in the Indian
ethos.
In India, in olden days we used to say 'swastha' which means, one who is
established in oneself, one whose actions matches what he says. Only such a
person can be considered to be healthy. If someone spoke something else but
did something else, people would not blame him, he was just considered
unwell.
In our country we never blamed a culprit, we considered them unwell from
either a physical or mental level and treated them with yoga and Ayurvedic
remedies.
These provisions were created for this purpose, so that a person can be
wholly and completely healthy. A person can be considered wholly and
completely healthy when he has commitment and a good character. And when he
wants for others what he wants for himself. A very pleasant and committed
mind set is a sign of health. Fortunately they are recognizing this fact
world over: that happiness is a factor of health. If you are not happy there
is something wrong.
In past decades we used to think that science is very rigid, but it is not
so. Science is also a growing subject, an ever growing subject. Science is
never complete, it can never be complete. If it is completed then it is
dead. Science is always in its youth. A sign of youth is that it grows, and
science is ever growing. Unfortunately the field of science was plagued by
prejudice for a very long time, of course now it’s changing.
In 1980 I was called for the first conference of Ayurvedic doctors of this
country. At that time I was only 24-25 years old. In addition to Ayurvedic
doctors there were allopathic doctors as well, many of whom were from AIIMS.
At the conference, the Ayurvedic doctors had a discussion on turmeric. They
said turmeric is anayostapni, which means it arrests aging and is an
antioxidant. Ayurvedic doctors said that turmeric is very important, while
allopathic doctors would not agree. They believed it is a superstition and
turmeric has no value. Today there is a research which says that turmeric is
the best anti-depressant. It has the quality of 19 important life saving
drugs. A latest research shows all of this.
Now, what those Ayurvedic doctors were saying has been proved correct.
Similarly, a whole generation went thinking that butter is very bad for
health. Now, a couple of months ago, Time magazine has published an article
which says that butter is good for the heart. They have said that one must
have at least two teaspoons of in a day to prevent heart disease.
For 50 years people thought butter is very bad and so they switched over to
margarine, now they say margarine is bad and butter is good! Anything that
melts when you keep it in your hand is good for you, it won’t block your
arteries. Margarine doesn’t melt in your hands, butter does. That’s why I am
saying that science cannot afford to have prejudice as its ever growing. At
the same time spirituality cannot afford to maintain superstitions. It
should be open to debate, and not blindly followed just because it is
written in the scriptures. It is necessary to see whether it is applicable
in today’s day and age. We should think on the reasons behind what was
written.
In the scriptures it says that water should be filtered through a cloth
before drinking it, so in many Jain homes you will see a cloth tied over the
taps. There are many flies and insects that come and sit on that cloth and
that creates many other problem. So even the good clear water which comes
out of it becomes impure.
It is said that we should eat with our hands, but we have not thought about
how we should do it. It is important that we understand why it has been
written in the scriptures to eat with hands.
The ancient systems should be open to scrutiny, and scientific examination.
We should look at it with a scientific temperament. We should neither
discard it with prejudice nor follow it blindly with superstition. Find a
middle path where you take both the old and the new and move forward. Just
like how the roots of a tree are always old while the branches and leaves
are new, life is also like that.
To be continued...
Pat Gounden
Nov 3, 2014, 4:04:23 PM11/3/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, November 04, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A man was performing a marriage in a village. Due to the insufficiency of
cooking vessels, the person went to a rich man to borrow them for the
occasion. The rich man generously loaned them and the vessels were used to
cook a feast to serve the guests attending the wedding. After the function,
can the dirty vessels be returned to the owner? No! The vessels must be
cleaned inside and outside thoroughly and then be returned. This is true
also for the vessel present within you, loaned by God - your heart! All of
you are pilgrims in the journey of life. Just as you cannot misuse the
borrowed vessel or return it unclean, your heart too must be maintained and
returned pure and clean. Do not use the God-gifted heart and limbs to
undertake unholy actions and get involved in unnecessary relationships,
growing more in bondage. Lead a pure life.
-BABA
The more sattva/purity rises in your life, the more easily your tasks get
accomplished. The amount of sattva/ purity in us decides the productivity of
our input. If you put in a lot of effort and the result turns out to be less
or below your expectations, it means that there is a lack of sattva/ purity
in life. When we meditate, then our work happens easily. How many of you
have noticed this? (Audience raises their hands). People are unaware of this
secret. They think why to spend 20 – 30 minutes meditating, when that time
can be spent to earn them money. It is very important to meditate whenever
we get time, so that you accomplish your tasks more efficiently and with
ease.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Being Joyful Like A Child
Sun, 12/10/2014 Quebec, Canada
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There is one thing that everybody is seeking for, and that is happiness. It
is not that people don’t find, they do find happiness but it doesn’t last
too long. It is momentary; for couple of hours, or one or two days. But the
tendency of the spirit is to find everlasting happiness; happiness that
doesn’t turn bitter.
I would like to tell you a small story. There was a gentleman who was
looking in front of his house for his keys which he had lost. He was looking
for it under the street lights. A bunch of people came around to help him
find the keys and they all started looking. Then one gentleman went and
asked this guy, 'But tell me, where did you lose these keys?'
He said, 'I lost them inside the house'.
'But then why are you looking for it here?'
It is very similar to what is happening in this world with everyone. Each
one of us has abundant joy deep within us, yet we are looking for it
somewhere outside.
Just remember, when we were kids what we used to do? We used to shout, play
and enjoy. Every child is nothing but a bundle of joy but as we grow up,
somewhere, we lose that joy. A child smiles 400 times a day. When a child
grows up and becomes an adolescent, he smiles only 17 times a day, and when
he becomes an adult, he smiles occasionally and that too when someone
smiles. The whole question is, how do we reverse this? How do we get back to
the innocence we were born with? How to smile back again? This is the quest.
So if you look at it, there are three things that stops us from being joyful
like a child.
1. Prejudice
2. Insecurity
3. Stress
I don’t think there is any fourth thing. If you find any thing, tell me. Now
we need to get rid of all these three.
Stress we can get rid of by making using of the breath. There are number of
breathing techniques that help us relax and get back a lot of energy. If you
ask me what is stress, I don’t know, but I see people having it. And when I
analyse, I see stress is wanting to do a lot but having no energy and no
time.
Now, either you have to reduce your needs or increase your energy. In these
two things, what is most practical is not reducing your needs but increasing
your energy levels. So breathing exercises, pranayama, meditation, yoga, all
these increase the energy level in a short time of 15 to 20 minutes. If we
relax consciously through meditation, it raises our energy levels equivalent
to 6 to 8 hours of sleep.
Meditation is not sitting and thinking something. It is going to the source
of thought. So reducing and eliminating stress is the first thing.
Relaxation that you get from sleep is dull relaxation. Another kind of
relaxation is conscious relaxation. That relaxation brings your energy
levels higher. That is called meditation.
Second is to get rid of prejudice. There are many types of prejudice. There
is prejudice between generations. Young people will not sit and share their
heart out with senior citizens. There is generation gap. You find this all
over the world. People of certain age group only stay together and talk
together. They don’t open up and mix with elders or people younger than
them.
There is prejudice about class, and about gender as well. May not be so much
here in Canada but in many parts of the world, there is prejudice against
gender and prejudice about religion, culture, language, and so on. So many
types of prejudices. Wisdom is to rise above prejudice and see the whole
world as one family.
If this idea of the whole world as one family comes, there will be no war,
no crime and none of the problems that we are facing in the world today. See
how many people are being killed. There is so much violence in the world.
This is all because of lack of a broad vision and wisdom.
Third is insecurity. Insecurity of what? 'Oh, there is nobody for me. Who
will take care of me?' I tell you, there is so much love and compassion on
this planet, and there is a higher power which is all love and it will give
us what we need when we need.
If you look at your own life, in the past, how many times have you felt
insecure? See how that time has passed and how complete you are today. If
you turn back and see, then all those moments you have spent feeling
insecure, appears to be such a waste of time, isnt it? Count and see how
much time you have spent being insecure in the past 20 years. How many times
you felt insecure? How many days you spent in a gloomy mood? It looks like
such a waste of time and energy, and not only that, it created toxins in
your body. Your health gets disturbed by a feeling of insecurity.
Three things you must do:
Wisdom is to rise above prejudice and see the whole world as one family.
If this idea comes, there will be no war, no crime and none of the problems
that we are facing in the world today.
There is so much violence in the world. This is all because of lack of
wisdom.
1. Look back in the past and see that it was futile feeling insecure. This
gives you strength
2. Know that there are good people on this planet. They will always come to
your help
3. There is a power which is going to guide you and help you out
So with this wisdom and understanding, get over insecurity.
Now, once you have gotten over stress, gotten over insecurity and you have
overcome prejudice, then you are like a child, full of joy, and happiness
simply wells. It was already there, it is covered by these three things and
once you removed all these three things, it becomes obvious.
So with meditation, yoga and breathing techniques, get over stress. With
wisdom, get over prejudice, and reflecting on your own life and having the
confidence and faith, get over insecurity.
Pat Gounden
Nov 4, 2014, 4:49:27 PM11/4/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, November 05, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Today the world is facing a lot of problems because people are not doing
enough Namasamarana. Let each and every street reverberate with the singing
of the divine glory. May each and every cell of your body be filled with the
Divine Name. Nothing else can give you the bliss, courage and strength that
you derive from Namasamarana. Even if others make fun of you, ignore it, let
it go! Everyone young or old, rich or poor, must do Namasamarana. Do it with
all your mind and total dedication. Sing to the Lord without any
inhibitions; only then can you experience divine bliss. You do not need any
musical instruments - it is enough if you call Him from the core of your
heart. Take care that you do not have evil thoughts as they will produce
discordant notes. Then you will receive divine grace and energy.
-BABA
Yes, it is true. It is at the time of death that the mind separates from the
body. So at this time, whatever impression one bears in the mind become the
reason for the next birth. This is a scientific truth.
You can see this for yourself. If you observe, the first thought on your
mind when you wake up in the morning will be same thought that you had
before you went to sleep.
Now, usually your mind is so consumed with thoughts of something or the
other, that at the time of death, you may not even remember to chant
Narayana. That is why the ancient people have said, keep remembering God all
the time by chanting His name (Narayana). Remember him every night before
sleeping; while you take a shower; even while eating your meals, remember
him and thank him for the food you receive.
Before starting something new, remember Him to make it an auspicious
beginning. The ancient people were very intelligent and they made it a
custom.
So, whenever one opens a new shop, the first thing they must do is naam
smaran (remember the name of God), and then they start the shop. If one buys
something new, they must remember Narayana and then begin.
We all do this, is it not so? We do this even today.
If you are going to write an examination, you think of the Divine and pray
that the questions in the examinations are easy, and that you are able to
write the answers properly.
Everyone prays, whether kids, adults or old people; all of them pray. But
they do it out of fear. I would say, don't do it out of fear, rather to do
it out of love; out of a deep sense of gratitude.
When you pray with love and faith that is when you blossom.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Pleasure Eventually Leads To Pain
Sun, 05/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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Pleasure always keeps you on your toes; it makes you run. First pleasure
makes you run towards it and then it makes you run away from it. Yoga on the
other hand makes you stay stable. It brings stability to your life.
A yogi is one who is strong and stable in his body, mind and emotions. This
is very important. If your emotions keep going up and down it is because you
are running towards something. And what is that something that you are
running towards? It is pleasure, and once you are there, it makes you run
away from it.
You can see in your life, whatever you ran towards, at some point or other,
it pushes you away from it because you cannot handle it anymore. So all the
people who at some point of time feel that 'I want to run away', you should
know that it is because you are enjoying it. When you are enjoying
something, you will definitely want to run away from it. So if you change
that attitude of your mind from seeking pleasure to just being stable, then
nothing becomes too much.
You should feel, 'I am here to give comfort to others, not seek comfort'.
This one attitude will arrest that tendency of 'Oh, this is too much, I want
to run away'. Only enjoyment of pleasure will make you feel, 'It is too
much'.
When you are stable, you always give what you can. The Sun never says, 'I am
shining too much and now I want to run away'. Gold never says, 'I am
glittering too much', because it is stable in its nature. It has not gone
out of its niche. Yoga is being establishing in your nature. Yoga is getting
stability in your own nature.
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, what is the difference between Simaran (chanting) and meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Simaran is the beginning of meditation and samadhi is its end. Simaran means
to remember. Just see, if you like someone and you remember that person some
emotions come up, isn't it. When the emotions overflow, then the mind
becomes peaceful. The irritation in the mind becomes quiet. When the
emotions overflow and make the mind peaceful, that is meditation.
Pat Gounden
Nov 5, 2014, 5:02:12 PM11/5/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, November 06, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Always attend to your duties with a pleasant and smiling face. There is no
use putting a ‘castor oil face’. Happiness is union with God. That is real
Divinity. When you are confronted with difficult situations do not get upset
and constantly worry thinking, “Oh My! How do I cross this situation?”. Such
worry will only worsen the situation. Repose your faith in God. Think that
difficulties are opportunities for your advancement. If you develop this
attitude, your life will be sanctified. Whoever does Namasmarana, whatever
name they take and wherever they are, their life will be sanctified. They
will be free from sin. Do not be too much concerned or bogged down with raga
and tala (tune and rhythm). There is only one Raga, that is Hridayaraga (the
tune of your own heart). That is ‘So… ham’ (“I am I”). Tune your life Unto
Him. Then, whatever activity you undertake, it becomes a success.
-BABA
After kriya, many people feel so pure and so clear, so complete, because the
consciousness, which was stuck in the matter, material, which is foreign to
itself, got released from that and came back to its home. That is the sense
of purity, feeling of purity.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Just Let Go!
Mon, 06/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Yoga)
Divinity is in the simplest state or form of awareness, i.e., feeling 'I
don’t know. Who cares, I don’t know'.
When you relax what is happening? The body relaxes and the mind expands. But
when you want to know something, the mind is focused, it is intense and
concentrated. We are trained to concentrate. We are trained to be attentive
and then the attention, attention, attention becomes tension. So the first
step in yoga is to let go, to relax.
Now don’t ask me, how do I relax? How do I let go? Just let go, that’s it.
The desires in the mind is something that holds you, that restrains or
restricts you. Instead of thinking, 'I want this, I want this', have the
feeling that 'I will get what I need'. Once this feeling is there, then
where is the need to want something?
Only when the mind feels 'I may not get it', it starts running 'I have to do
it, I have to get it'.
Instead we must be focused on just one thing, 'I will get what I need'.
That is why it is said, 'Samadhi siddhi ishwara pranidhana', i.e., by
letting go or dropping it at the lap of the Divine, samadhi starts happening
in you.
Only two sutras refer to god in the Yoga Sutras and one of them is, when you
need to get samadhi you have to give yourself onto the higher power.
The purusha or God inside you is free from klesha (suffering), karma (merit
& demerit),vipaka (fruit of action) and that goes into higher knowledge.
We will stop here now. This is good enough.
The five vrittis come and go. We should not fight with them, we should just
recognize them and relax. In the realm of mind, the way to get rid of
something is through relaxation and not through action.
In the physical realm, if we want to get something, action is essential. In
the realm of consciousness, inaction is essential. So somewhere inaction and
somewhere action is all what life is about.
Now let us talk about Vedic Wisdom.
See, nobody knows when the Vedas were written, but the historians of the
world say that the oldest scripture that is written is the Rig Veda, there
is nothing older than this.
So what are the Vedas? It is called 'shruti' which means 'we heard'. Many
ancient Rishis in the past, when they went into deep meditation they heard
something and then recited it. People who heard them repeated it and started
recording it. So that which 'was heard' in deep meditation is called
'shruti'. In computer terms we can say they downloaded it. So those who
downloaded the mantras are called Rishis. So the Rishis downloaded many of
these mantras including Ayurveda.
How many of you know of the birth of Ayurveda? In the central part of India,
in the forest, some thousands of sages or scientists of those days gathered
together and said, 'We need to go into deep meditation and find out what is
good for human beings; how can they be healthy and how to treat sick
people'. There was no Materia Medica or any material before that.
Then they thought that if everyone goes into meditation, who will record? So
one Rishi Bhardwaja said, 'I will not meditate, you all go into samadhi and
you keep saying what you hear and I will record it'.
So in a state of deep meditation they said which herb is for which part of
the body, what is the shape of the herb and everything was described; the
entire herbology and how to prepare different medicines and how to treat
different parts of the body.
If you find one Materia Medica in the world which is in the form of a poem,
it is Ayurveda. Ayurveda is not in prose, it is all in poetry. The whole
medical science (of Ayurveda) was downloaded and even today it stands good.
It has stood the test of time and stands good in today’s scientific age, and
it has proven to be very useful. Now even Allopathy is turning towards
herbal and Ayurvedic medicines. They have started recognizing it one by one.
One of the best examples of this is turmeric. In 1980, we had a conference
in New Delhi and we had invited Allopathic as well as Ayurvedic doctors and
they had a debate.
Ayurvedic doctors said that turmeric is very essential. It is good for
anti-ageing and stops decay of the cells in the body. The Allopathic doctors
just smiled at each other and said it is only a pigment and has no food
value. They completely dismissed it. Today, the same Allopathic doctors say
that turmeric has 19 important functions and does the work of 19 life saving
drugs. It also arrests Alzheimers, is an anti-oxidant, a blood thinner and
does the job of aspirin. Aspirin affects your stomach, turmeric does not
affect your body in any adverse way. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial,
anti-cancer. All these benefits of turmeric have now been discovered.
Similarly butter; a whole generation went away from this world thinking
butter is not good for health. They had been deprived of eating butter, but
today, The Time magazine has a cover story about how butter is good for you.
Ayurvedic doctors have always said how a little butter is good for your
heart and not bad, contrary to what was believed in the past. So, Ayurvedic
science is rooted in the Vedas.
Similarly, all the yagnas and the knowledge is so vast that no one person in
one lifetime can understand and study all this.
There are 16 major branches of the Vedas and a person can study only one or
two branches in his lifetime. It is like, someone cannot be a doctor for
everything. One can only be a pediatrician, or a heart surgeon, or a brain
neurosurgeon. Even in surgery, you can chose only one part. In engineering
you can’t be an electronic engineer, civil engineer and an architect
engineer as well. It will take you a lifetime to study all that.
To build a building you need a structural engineer, you need an interior
decorator, you need an architect, you need a civil engineer. Like this,
Vedic wisdom has got many avenues.
So for all those who are doing the Vedic Wisdom course, in this short period
of 40 days, you will get an introduction and glimpse of all this.
Questions & Answers
What is samadhi? Does it only happen with eyes closed?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First it is good to start with eyes closed, then it
can also happen with eyes open. A devotee has sung such a beautiful verse in
Kannada. He has said, 'When my breath is so fragrant, why would I need any
flowers?'
See, when your mind is in a very heightened or pleasant state, your breath
is like a flower, very soft. When there is pain or heaviness in the mind,
your breath is also heavy. When there is love for everyone, the breath has
fragrance. So when there is fragrance in the breath, why would one need
flowers.
Then he says, 'When there is ksame (forgiveness), daya (compassion), shanti
(peace),sairnne (endurance) in me, why would I need to go and sit in
samadhi?'
What is the need of samadhi where there is total forgiveness, total
compassion, total peace and total endurance to welcome the opposites? When I
can handle the pleasant and the unpleasant equally, because every pain and
every unpleasant thing also gives depth to your life. They are also an
instrument for you to progress in life. Not just pleasant situations but
unpleasant situations are also stepping stones for you to become strong and
stronger. So when all these four exist in me, what is the need of samadhi?
Now what are the four things?
1. Ksame which means forgiveness. The Earth is called ksama. Do you know
why? Earth is most forgiving. Even though you dig the Earth and you are
straining and sweating, in return, it nurtures you and it gives you water to
quench your thirst. You till the soil and it gives you grains. So it is most
forgiving
2. Daya which means compassion
3. Shanti which means peace. Peace is total relaxation. Feeling relaxed
physically, mentally and emotionally
4. Sairnne which means forbearance or endurance
The next one is even more interesting. He says, 'When I have become the
whole world and I see the whole universe as myself, what is the point in
solitude? Where will I go and hide? This is not necessary'.
And then the devotee asks God, 'Are you listening? This is my opinion. You
better listen'.
Every province in this country is so rich with knowledge written by saints
who are blessed. Not that they went to school or learnt these things from
any scriptures. It is from their own experience.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
1.2 Sri Sri Yoga 24 – 28 November 2014
Pat Gounden
Nov 6, 2014, 5:01:55 PM11/6/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, November 07, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Lord Krishna in the Gita says, “You are all part of My Divinity. Hence you
should follow Me. My love is divine and sacred. So is yours!” (Mamaivamso
jeevaloke jeevabhutah sanatanah). If you truly follow this principle, you
will automatically achieve purity. Where there is purity, there is Divinity.
Since time immemorial, each and every one of you are part of Me; you are My
very own. Never forget this truth. If you develop faith in this truth, it
will amount to reading all the scriptures. Every human being follows Dharma
(Righteousness). Where did this Dharma come from? It has come from feeling
(bhava), which in turn emanated from faith (vishwas). Where faith is, there
Dharma is! That faith is Truth. Dharma is verily the embodiment of Divinity.
Truth is God; Faith is God; Love is God; Live in Love. Only when you
cultivate Truth, Faith and Love, you can achieve anything.
-BABA
Adi Shankaracharya said that the definition of truth is that which is
untouched by time. It is that which stays the same yesterday, today and
tomorrow. So going by this definition, body and mind are not the truth.
Truth is the substratum of creation. There is something at the core of our
being that is not changing and that is the absolute truth. That’s why even
when you become old, you don’t feel you have become old. Somewhere we know
that something in us will not die at all.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Blessings for a GOoD day
6 November 2014, 7 PM (IST): Welcome to the live webcast of satsang with Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar at The Art of Living International center, Bangalore.
Today, we are celebrating Karthik Poornima (Dev Diwali) and Gurunanak
Jayanti in the beautiful Guru Paduka Vanam by lighting 10008 lamps.
Sri Sri: Greetings to everyone on Guru Purab and Dev Diwali. 15 days ago,
there was Diwali. It was on the new moon, where we lit the lamps and greeted
each other to move from darkness to light.
Now, 15 days later on the full moon also we celebrate. Moon signifies the
mind. Mind sometimes becomes like new moon and full moon; it goes up and
down. But when you determine to celebrate, then you transcend the mind. You
go into the realm of pure consciousness. Your own dimension of something
which is even beyond intellect. That something which gives you strength to
endure.
Sri Sri: Hmm… Very nice. Was it good? How many of you enjoyed the
meditation? See thoughts and emotions come one their own. You do not create
them. The thoughts come on their own. When they come, then you realize. As
they come you realize. Now, you can get caught up in it or you can witness
it.
When you become witness to the thought or emotion, then they move like a
cloud. When you identify with the thought or emotion that you have created
it, then the problem comes. The sky stays and the cloud passes. The same
with our mind, thoughts come and don’t say, ‘I created it’. Thoughts and
emtions do come. They have their own chemistry how they come.
Food, environment, your background, education, environment, health causes
the thoughts and emotions to come. When they come, you are a witness to it.
It is ignorance to identify with the thought and emotion. Breaking the
identity with the thought and emotion is freedom. You can focus on improving
your health, environment and food habits. Do pranayama.
Q: They say whatever we say becomes our experience.
Sri Sri: Nobody knows. You have an intention and when the intention will
manifest you cannot say. Time has its own course. It will take its own time.
You know it is Divine grace. Grace makes things happen quickly. Japa, tapa,
sadhana, prayer all this is there to hasten the good happenings.
Q:
Sri Sri: Never mind. As the healing happens the faith comes back
immediately. Faith is much stronger than other things. Good company and
friends can help the faith to come back in life: faith in the Divine, faith
is Self, and faith is society,. All three need good company to become firm.
Always know that faith is stronger than doubt. Doubt comes as and shakes
you, then you say never mind I am going to go. Momentarily, doubts may cloud
you but faith wins.
Q:
Sri Sri: Now, you cannot say that “: I do not have any power at all” . There
is something you can do and something you cannot do. Like you cannot
increase your height after 21 years. But your weight, you can change. You
cannot say you can change everything. You can pray, I want to become 7 feet
tall. But weight, you can change. if you have to book 2.5 seats in train or
plane, it is better you take care and reduce
Q:
Sri Sri: It is not in Yoga Sutra. It is Bhagavad Gita. ‘Yogastaa Kuru
Karmani’. Be established in yoga and act. To act you need skill and the
skill comes your yoga. Yoga is skill in action, that you get by uniting with
yourself. When your mind, memory, intellect , and being is united then there
is harmony, sharpness in mind, refinement in emotions, all this happens.
Q:
Sri Sri: When you feel you are different, only then the word union comes.
Union with God is only to say that the waves are different from the ocean.
Waves are rising in the ocean but it appears that it is coming out and going
in. This is the ultimate truth. To experience that, this is the beginning.
Well, the vedas say that the creation is eternal. It did not even happen. It
just exists. It expressed itself. The infinity expressed itself. It did not
take another material and create it. The wave is a part of the ocean, it
appears to be rising and falling, but it is part of the ocean. Three things
are anaadi; three things are without beginning and without end. Like a
tennis ball. When truth is spherical, there is no beginning, there is no
end. Yet at each point there is beginning and end. Like a dancer is there
and he dances sometimes. Similarly, the bramhan is there and sometimes the
material, Self, Universal spirit (Divine, Parmatma) is there.
Q: Gurudev, what is this magic that you do which brings just positive
transformation in people’s life?
Sri Sri: You have said it is magic. If you explain then it does not remain
magic. Love, honesty, simplicity and that is what you are . The simplest
thing is the highest. And that is what we are all made up of.
Q: What can be understood by the heart and mind?
Sri Sri: Heart feels; mind understands. Both are essential. You cannot be
very emotional and be wiggly wiggly. And you cannot be stuck in the head.
Life is a combination of both.
Clarity in mind, purity in heart, and sincerity in action: this is our
motto.
Q: What is the connection between varsh and Bharat? In olden days, India was
called Bharat Varsh.
Sri Sri: Varsh means continent. In olden days they used to call Bharat Desh
and Bharat Varsh: Indian sub continent.
Q: After committing sins the entire life, the Gita says that the last
thought has a lot of impact.
Sri Sri: The last thought is very strong. What you have done the whole life,
that will have a deep impact on the last thought. That is why they say do
good deeds, the end can come at any time.
Pat Gounden
Nov 9, 2014, 4:26:42 PM11/9/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, November 10, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
While performing your duties in your house or outside, constantly remind
yourself, “Whatever I do, think or speak, everything belongs to God.” The
proper attitude should be, ‘Sarva karma Bhagavath preethyartham’. Take for
example, the process of cooking. You add different ingredients to the dish
being cooked in definite proportions and try to make them tasty. But the
real taste comes only when the job of cooking is done as an offering to God.
The food becomes divine when it is offered to God. On the other hand, if the
various items are cooked with the attitude, ‘I am doing this job as a
routine; I am cooking these items for my family members to partake’, it does
not reach God. Hence undertake every act in your life as an offering to God,
chanting His Name. Whatever you think, speak or do, consider it as God’s
command, God’s work.
-BABA
One who is intelligent always worships the Divine with a one-pointed mind.
A Mahatma also always worships the Divine with a one-pointed mind because he
is aware (of the temporary nature of things), so he says, ‘What is the use
of asking God for trivial things? All those He has already given me in
abundance. I have received the greatest gift of all – God Himself! I need
nothing more’.
This is the quality of a one-pointed mind.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 14/10/2014 Quebec, Canada
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ad/surrender_0.jpg
(Below is a continuation of the post
Questions & Answers
Is true surrender god given? How can human beings try to achieve it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For god’s sake, don’t try to surrender. I think this
word surrender has been misused so many times that it is scary. So I would
say keep that word away somewhere; put it in the lake if you want. Just be
natural, simple and don’t try to surrender. If you have the confidence that
there is a higher power that is helping you are looking over you that is
good enough.
Whatever you cannot handle something, you say, ‘I give up’, and when you
give up, you’ve surrendered. You can do that with frustration or with total
relaxation.
Gurudev, you teach us to have a yes mind. Sometimes I say yes to too many
things and then I am unable to complete them. I am experiencing a conflict
between a ‘yes mind’ and good time management.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: They are not in conflict. Having a ‘yes mind’ does not
mean blindly saying yes to everything. It means thinking positively with
wisdom.
A ‘yes mind’ always goes with wisdom, not foolishness.
If someone says that the lake is very warm, you can jump into it, you can’t
say, ‘Yes’. You should say, ‘I think your perception is different, you must
thinking about summer. Right now it’s very cold’.
So a ‘yes mind’ is not simply nodding for everything someone says, but
always seeing through wisdom.
At what point in creation do things that are alive get souls? I am referring
to mosquitoes, trees, bacteria, cells, and so on.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Soul is in everything, right from an ant to bacteria;
it is there everywhere. But a mature soul enters into your system at a
particular stage, either during conception or in the fourth or fifth month,
or even at the time of birth. These are the three possibilities, and you
don’t know when it happens. So it’s better to just be.
What is the most important lesson you want us to learn from you?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This like going to a pharmacy and asking, ‘What is the
best medicine you can give me?’
There is not just one thing, whatever you need, you can get everything here.
Why should I limit myself to one advice for everybody? If someone is leaning
to left I would say, move to right, and if someone is leaning to right, I
would say move to left. Be in the centre!
Are you right or left handed?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I handle everything in the right manner. I suppose I
don’t leave anything, so there is nothing left behind. So there’s nothing
left and I suppose I’m right.
Do animals have a mind? How come they don’t have any mental issues?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Animals do have a mind, they do have the feelings.
There was an article on how a leopard helped a baby monkey survive, and how
a dog was helped by a dolphin. These are such many amazing things.
Usually we use the phrase ‘fighting like dogs and cats’, but in our ashram a
kitten is being nursed by a dog. The kitten sits happily on the dog’s back
and dog cuddles the kitten. They are such good friends.
Just a month ago, Bhanu (Sri Sri’s sister) was telling me that she saw the
peacock at our ashram escorting a snake. Usually peacock and snakes are
staunch enemies, they kill each other, but because there were rabbits in the
same place and the snake can kill the rabbits, the peacock escorted the
snake out and saved the rabbits from being attacked by the snake.
So animals do have minds. If you see elephants, they are very intelligent.
Our ashram elephant, if I give her rice, she will not take it in her trunk
because she knows it will become messy. But if I give her a banana she will
take it in her trunk. When I give her rice she will pull my hand and put it
in her mouth.
The mahouts says that when she comes to my kutir (room) she runs, but when
it’s time to go back, she’s very reluctant to go and doesn’t want to go. So
she’ll do all sorts of pranks.
The mahout says, ‘She listens to me on the way to your kutir Gurudev, but
she doesn’t listen to me on the way back’.
Animals are very intelligent. They do have a mind, but mostly they align
themselves with nature. They don’t do anything against nature, they don’t
overeat, and they don’t oversleep or not sleep. They don’t indulge in any
excessive activity like human beings, like excess pleasure. They are better
off because they are programmed to be aligned with nature.
Pat Gounden
Nov 10, 2014, 3:32:43 PM11/10/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You may encounter any number of losses and difficulties in life. You may
undergo a lot of suffering. But, you should never give up truth, faith and
love. Loss, suffering and difficulties are like the waves in the ocean of
life. They just come and go. But the water of the ocean is permanent. Hence
develop the faith of ‘water’, i.e., Divinity. The power of the divine name
is unparalleled. Do not take it lightly. God’s name is the real diamond.
Keep it safe and secure. Do not ever be bothered by pain and suffering,
losses and difficulties. Your thoughts are like the passing clouds. Once you
seek refuge in the lotus feet of the Lord, never give it up. Wherever you
go, the divine feet will protect you. If you install the divine name firmly
in your heart, your life will become sanctified. That is devotion (bhakti).
That is your power (sakthi). That is liberation (mukti).
-BABA
Q. How do we remember the Divine in every breath?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Divine is not so sub-standard that you will ‘have’
to remember Him. Remembrance happens. Don’t make an effort to remember. You
have to remember something when it has not touched your heart. When the
heart is kindled then you don’t have to make an effort to remember that.
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 03/11/2014 Delhi, India
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ad/cow-slaughter.jpg
Mr Gopal here really lives up to his name – ‘Gopal’ (another name for Lord
Krishna; also meaning one who takes care of the cows). He is so dedicated
towards the cause of safeguarding the cows.
I have been wanting to come here since a very long time, but somehow it was
not working out. Today I was supposed to take a flight from Delhi to
Hyderabad at 1:45pm. There is a Satsang there in the evening today along
with Gopashtami celebrations (a traditional festival in India held to honour
the cow as a mother), and a program at the Gaushala (a large shelter for
keeping and raising cows in India). But today I have the chance of visiting
the Gaushala on my way to Hyderabad via Jaipur.
Whenever I used to travel by car and saw a cow eating something made of
plastic, I would feel very troubled. I would always feel this way, even in
the past when I saw any cow eating plastic. Even if you go into Delhi city
and travel along the Ring Road, you will find many cows standing in the
middle of the road chewing plastic. Today I am very happy to hear from you
that you have taken the efforts to bring such cows to the Gaushala to take
care of them. This act of safeguarding the cows is one of our most important
divine duties.
See, all that is noble and virtuous begins with the sound ‘Ga’, such as
Guru, Gyaan (knowledge),Gita, Ganga, Gati (progress), Gaman (to move towards
one’s ultimate destination), etc. And it is our duty to honour them all.
When people take a tour of the Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore, the
Gaushala is an important part of the bus tour. In the Ashram we currently
have 300 cows. You will find that wherever there are large Ashrams, there
they will surely have cows being raised in a good environment. So the
safe-keeping of cows is an important and integral part of our lives. You all
should keep visiting the Gaushala and feed the cows here when you come.
The word ‘Gau‘ has four meanings: Jnaana (knowledge), Gaman (to progress),
Praapti (to receive) and Moksha (liberation). A cow provides all four of
these.
Cow’s milk helps to sharpen the mind and the intellect. The milk from the
Indian cows has a very unique protein component in it that helps enhance
one’s intelligence. Then the next is Gaman - meaning to progress. All the
other products that a cow gives us help in moving ahead in our day to day
lives. So a cow is the one that provides us with all four of these. We
should pay attention to this and honour the cow.
The act of safeguarding cows is one of our most important divine duties.
We should continue to appeal to the Government of India to bring an end to
cow slaughter.
See, just by offering worship and bowing down before a cow will not help.
You must truly serve the cow. Usually what we do is garland the cow and
perform a pooja by lighting a camphor lamp and showing it to the cow. This
is not right, because it scares the cow. So you must truly serve the cow.
Your life should blossom fully with these four things – Daya (Mercy), Karuna
(Compassion), Sahanshilta (Tolerance) and Shanti (Peace). What good is a
heart that cannot feel the pain of others? Such a heart can only bring pain
and violence to others.
Today all the parliament ministers are also here. People across India today
want to bring an end to cow slaughter.
When India won independence, it is said that the animal population was close
to 120 million and we were just 30 million in number. Today that number has
reversed. Today, we are around 120 million in number and our animal
population has dwindled to around 30 million. This ratio is not good at all.
Do you think it is right? So we all have to work hard towards increasing the
population and well-being of our cows. We should continue to appeal to the
Government of India to bring an end to cow slaughter.
Pat Gounden
Nov 11, 2014, 4:11:58 PM11/11/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The hard working farmer has no fear of starvation. The one who chants the
Lord’s Name has no fear of worldly worries. The person of a few words will
be free from enmity. Through excessive talk, people fall prey to quarrels.
Everyone must cultivate moderation in speech. Restraint in speech is
conducive to friendly feelings. The one who is careful in behaviour, doing
all actions after due deliberation, will have no fear of danger. True
education consists in knowing how to lead a peaceful life. To embark on or
have a successful career, you must aspire for world peace. For you are part
of the world and your well-being is intimately tied to that of the world.
Give up all narrow feelings and acquire unity and fellowship. (My Dear
Students, Vol 5, Ch 14, 14 Jan 1996)
-BABA
Getting rid of people and things is not the answer, but dealing with them
with skill is the answer. And silence is the mother of all skills -
silencing this chattering mind with a few minutes of deep meditation. Then
you will see that everything changes.
<https://www.facebook.com/SriSriRaviShankar> Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 14/10/2014 Quebec, Canada
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ad/clarifying-doubts.jpg
Questions & Answers
How can a person build up faith? Or is it a talent with which one is born
with?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You cannot build up faith, you should simply become
aware of your doubts and drop them. When you drop your doubts, faith is
already there.
A doubt is like a cloud hovering over the mind. Wake up and realize, 'What
is this doubt? It is only putting me down and making me heavy. I don’t need
it'.
If you refuse to be bogged down by doubt, which you have had in the past
many times, then you wake up. And when you wake up, faith is already there.
Faith cannot be built but doubts can be done away with.
There is no end to clarify doubts. You should never go to clarify doubts
because when you answer one doubt, it will give rise to ten other doubts.
Simply become aware, 'This is weighing heavy on me', and drop it. Then you
snap out of it and you come to a place deep within you which is of strength,
truth, and endurance. That is called faith.
You would have noticed that whenever you have doubt, you feel weak. When you
have faith, you feel very strong; almost invincible from within. So the
choice is between feeling strong and invincible or feeling weak.
Doubts are always about something good. We never doubt something that is
negative, that is bad. We doubt something that is good. Just this one
awareness is good enough to snap you out of it.
Dear Gurudev, please can I do tantra sadhana. Do you mind it? I am doing one
of the Dus mahavidya sadhanas.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, I tell you, there are not many people who know
the ten mahavidyas. So you don’t need to do any of those. You simply relax
and listen to some chanting. The Art of Living has released so many chants,
and they are all a part of that only.
The sahaj mantras that are given to you are a beej (seed) mantras, they are
all great.
Somebody may say they will give you the knowledge of the ten mahavidyas, but
it is too complicated. I would say, you just honor them from a distance. For
your practice, whatever has been given to you is great. If you feel like,
you can join the Vedic programs that happen at our centers. In 40 days and
you will understand more about these things. If you come to India, we also
do the upanayanam (thread ceremony) and you can learn the mantras then.
There are so many people who say, 'I will give you this knowledge, that
knowledge', but it will only become a messy confusion.
What is the purpose of Yoga Nidra and how does it work?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It works, doesn’t it? You take your attention to
different parts of the body one by one, you see how the body and the
consciousness are separate. Yet, they are one with each other.
I understand the importance of being at peace internally, despite all
hardships and injustice. But as an activist who fights against all forms of
oppression, how should one deal with an oppressor who has violence on their
side? In other words, how must the weak overcome the powerful?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If we are disturbed, our actions will not yield fruit.
When we are calm, we get intuitive thoughts and with these thoughts you make
a plan and take action on it. If you have to deal with an oppressor alone,
it is not possible. You have to create awareness and in a group it is
possible. At the same time, keep your intention strong and know that there
is a power that will guide you and support you.
Remember, sometimes Mahatma Gandhi had to walk alone. Other times he created
such a big wave of awareness and moved the whole continent, isn't it? And he
always meditated. Every day they did satsang, they would sing bhajans every
evening. Morning he would read Bhagavad Gita.
So Mahatma Gandhi had the spiritual force, otherwise he couldn’t have done
what he achieved.
Pat Gounden
Nov 12, 2014, 1:55:39 PM11/12/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Desire and disappointments are the order of the day. Human life for most
people seems to be full of fear. Various types of fears haunt wherever one
is, whatever one does. How can one escape fear? Even the little objects of
happiness which one seems to derive from life, is coupled with fear of
losing them soon! Sin and merit, joy and sorrow, profit and loss, light and
darkness are pairs of opposites that every being undergoes during their
lives. Truly speaking, the absence of one (sorrow), indicates the presence
of other (joy)! Saint Adi Shankara further clarified, “Where there is no
attachment, there will be no fear!” How can one attain that state? By
attaining proximity with the Divine! He further exhorted, “Banish fear by
cultivating detachment (Vairagya) and journeying towards the Self. It is
through Self-Realization that you can understand the true nature of fear and
overcome it. (My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 17)
-BABA
When you are established in your Self, you are not holding on to concepts.
You are loose, free, easy, and open---just like a child.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 13/10/2014 Quebec, Canada
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, how do I find a life partner? I feel I’ve tried everything with no
luck. What do I do differently?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Well, I’m not an expert in this. You have to ask this
question to somebody who has been in many relationships and finally got
someone who they are happy with. They will give you their expert advice.
One thing I would say is, if you’re looking for a partner, know that you are
there to contribute to their life. If you are looking for a partner to get
something out of them and they also want to get something from you, then
this ‘want to get’ will pull the two of you apart. But if your whole
intention is to support, guide, and contribute to the other, then you will
find that such a partnership will go on forever.
What is enlightenment? How does a regular person find out if someone is
enlightened?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It cannot be said in words, it has to be felt. You
cannot describe love. You can’t say that love is endorphins or oxytocin
getting produced in your body, it is something that only the heart can know;
your existence can feel something different.
The funniest thing is that it is in everybody, it is in the original nature
of our being and everybody has it, but it has not been uncovered.
How can I stop sexual desires?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Through higher fulfillment. It’s like, kids crave for
cotton candy and chocolate, but when they grow up they automatically they
have no such cravings. It just drops off. Similarly, pranayamas and a higher
goal in life will help.
When you have a lot of work to do, sex is not a botheration at the time.
Just ask any student, during exam time are they bombarded with thoughts of
sex? They’ll say no. For that whole month when they have to achieve
something, their mind is fully focused on it. Not once the thought comes
during exam time. They have a bundle of books to read and to prepare. So
engaging yourself in some creative activity is helpful.
Pleasure always makes you run towards it first and then later on makes you
run away from it. This is its nature. First you crave for it and you go
towards it and then later on, you go away from it because it becomes too
much to handle. Yoga is that which makes you centered, it stabilizes you.
When you are stable and centered, if pleasure is there, you enjoy it, if
it’s not there, you don’t mind it, it’s not occupying your mind. It’s not a
craving that bothers you.
How can I stop telling lies and be open with my parents?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are already tired of telling lies, that’s why you
want to stop it. Good, so you are on the right track. A point will come when
you say, ‘My god, I can’t handle any more’, because if you keep telling so
many lies you’ll forget what you’ve said before. Truth is freeing and
relieving, but you can’t say it to all the people at all times. You need
wisdom and discrimination. There is this tendency in some parts of the world
where people feel that ‘I have to be truthful, I have to tell everything’.
Yet you don’t know how much truth is there in your perceptions.
I will give you an example of an incident that happened right here in the
Canadian ashram. An elderly couple came here with their daughter who watched
some of these shows in which a child said , ‘My father touched me here and
my mother did so and so’.
Suddenly this girl had an idea that her father had touched her
inappropriately when she was two years old. The parents were devastated, to
the extent that the father wanted to commit suicide. And the daughter
started believing this and said to her father, 'You prove to me that you
haven’t done this'.
They came here, they were crying and the father was saying, ‘Would I ever
even think of that?’
This is true for many people. We impose something on our conscious, our
psyche and we think this has happened to us. You feel that you are a victim
and you find some glory in being a victim, because the victims were
glorified on TV and the young girl thought in her subconscious mind, I
should also be like that.
If it really happened and the child remembers it, then it is a different
issue. But imagining that things are happened to you, that too when you were
two year old. How can a two year old baby remember? It has to be at least
six or seven years old to remember any such thing.
It was so painful to see such a happy family completely destroyed. Our
perception many times may not be correct.
Dear Gurudev, music and dance is the way to balance energy. Is it wrong to
listen to pop, jazz, and rock and roll music?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, there is nothing wrong, but if it’s too noisy then
it’s too hard on the nervous system. Jazz, rock music, etc., activates the
first chakra, so it takes you out of inertia, no doubt. But it can also be
very jarring if you’re more subtle, and if your
nervous system is very refined.
Just like how a super-computer needs an air-conditioned controlled proper
atmosphere, same is with our nervous system. It cannot handle anything too
rajasik or too jarring.
You can just try listening to some very loud music in a rock concert, just
stand there for some time, you may enjoy it for five to ten minutes, but
afterwards you want to run away from there. And when you come back home,
your whole body may shake. How many of you have had this experience? (Many
in the audience raise their hands)
See! many people. I’ve never been to any rock concert, still we rock
wherever we are.
Pat Gounden
Nov 13, 2014, 4:19:35 PM11/13/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, November 14, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You have immense potency within you. Like the light that illumines, your
vision must be pure, sacred and pleasing. Do not taint or pollute the
blessing of sight by looking at undesirable objects, or by looking with bad
thoughts. A magnetic energy circulates in you. Although this energy is
present throughout the body, its presence is conspicuous in the hand. Hence
the hands should be employed for good purposes. They should never be used
for harming others. The ears listen to gossip, slander and evil talk. The
result is that the power of hearing gets polluted. Also the power of speech.
This power finds expression in sound waves and it has to be used with great
care. The words one utters should be examined to see that they do not
excite, irritate or anger others. Bad words come back to the speaker with
double strength. Hence one's speech should be soft and sweet. (My Dear
Students, Vol 5, Ch 14, 14 Jan 1996)
-BABA
Don't think speech is a small power; it is a very big power. The more and
-BABA
more we are soaking in the Being---any harsh words from us will become a
curse! Our words are there to bless people, bring peace in the world.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 25/10/2014 Chicago, United States
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ad/room-for-possibilities.jpg
There are three components in life:
1. Effort. Without your self-effort, nothing happens. So you have to put
your effort. Will everything happen only through your effort? No.
You make an effort and sow a mango sapling today and you want the fruit of
it tomorrow, it is not going to give you the fruits tomorrow. It will take
its time.
2. That is the second aspect: time. Everything has a right time.
Similarly, even for acting there is a right time. Suppose in winter you sow
a mango sapling and then you say, ‘Oh, nothing has sprouted’, it is not
going to sprout now, unless it is in a green house. There is a right time to
act and a right time to receive the fruit of action as well. So, time is the
second factor.
3. The next factor is a higher power or grace; that of all possibilities.
You should always keep room for possibilities; give miracles a chance.
Logically you may think that something is impossible, but many times it
becomes possible. How many of you have had this experience? A gift from the
higher power is that of all possibilities.
You can club the three components as perseverance, patience and possibility.
These are the three aspects. This is knowledge.
At midnight, you cannot say, 'I made all the effort, I removed the curtain
but the sun is not coming in'. No, the sun will only come at the right time.
And if you have all the blinders on even when the sun is there, you will not
get the light. So, all the three have to match.
Like in a cell phone, the charger, sim card and the signal, all these have
to be there. If the phone is charged but the sim card isn’t there or the
range isn’t there, then the phone is not going to work. So, all three
aspects are needed.
If you put a lot of effort at the right time, there is achievement. But
sometimes it also happens that you put very little effort but still you are
very successful. This is because the unseen possibilities are coming to your
help. For example: someone has not put any effort, but they won a lottery.
When time and possibilities come together, you call it luck. You say, ‘I
don’t know how it all happened!’. In a devotee’s life this is more; the
right time and the possibility come together.
When at the right time you put a lot of effort, it will give you benefit.
When you put in a lot of self effort, but there is very little support from
nature, that is bad luck. When there is little effort but a lot of support
from the divine, it is good luck.
Solar eclipse is over just now. Eclipse is a very good time for mantra
chanting and meditation. When the Earth, Sun and Moon are in one line, at
that time it affects the mind, and they say that when you chant mantras at
that time, it is much more powerful. This is the ancient saying.
One or two hours before an eclipse, stop eating so that the food gets
digested well and during the eclipse time you have an empty stomach, and on
the empty stomach chanting and mantras are done for maximum result.
Questions & Answers
What if a resolution breaks?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Never mind. In the field you throw so many seeds. Not
all seeds sprout. Some sprout, some don’t. When you sow saplings, not every
sapling grows. Some do, some don’t. In a tree, not all flowers become fruit.
Some fall when they are not even ripe. That’s why you put your effort and
then you give up (here meaning surrender).
Giving up without putting any effort is foolishness and after putting all
your effort, not giving up is also foolishness. Put all your effort and give
up. Not putting all your effort and giving up is also foolishness.
What makes you free? Putting your effort and giving up makes you free.
If you say, 'I give up', without putting effort, it doesn’t make you free.
You say, 'I give up', but you have not really given up because of that
tendency of wanting to do. That will hold you back from being free. The
secret of freedom is, put your effort and give up.
Not putting your effort and giving up doesn’t free you. And, putting all
your effort and not giving up will also not free you.
Any action should only be done with awareness. An action from an unaware
state has no meaning. Then it’s not called effort.
(A member of the audience asked a question and it was inaudible)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Wait for the time.
Choice is not between good and bad. Whatever you choose, something else will
always look better. So, be choice-less, be spontaneous. Take up something.
Play with life.
Too many choices and it gets difficult to choose.
Pat Gounden
Nov 16, 2014, 2:08:49 PM11/16/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, November 17, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There are many Nobel laureates. How many remember them? But the great
benefactors of mankind, the men of noble qualities, are cherished by all
mankind. For instance, Kolkata produced many great intellectuals, who after
a time are not remembered at all. But Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a noble soul
from that city, even though he was illiterate, is enshrined in the hearts of
millions all over the world. Is education responsible for it? Likewise if
many noble persons are instilled in the hearts of people, what is the
reason? They have earned their good name by their faith in God, their
character, magnanimity and spirit of sacrifice. This means that together
with concern for worldly things, there should be devotion to God as well.
Together with education Samskara is essential. What is the meaning of
culture (Samskara)? Refinement of action is true culture - Samyak Kriti Iti
Samskara. (My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 14, 14 Jan 1996)
-BABA
If go into the aboriginal culture all over the world you will find that they
are all similar - in British Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, India etc.
They all are similar to one another. They all honor the directions, the
moon, the earth, the sun, the water, the mountains. They all honor creation.
India and Bali are in Southeast Asia, and are of course connected. It’s good
to find similarities, and celebrate differences.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 06/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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ad/yoga_4.jpg
Let’s talk about yoga today.
You know, the definition for 'asana' is 'stable and pleasant'. You should
feel comfortable when doing yoga asanas. That's why it is said, 'Sthiram
sukham asanam'. Yoga is that which gives you pleasure and comfort.
So whenever you do a posture, how should it be done? Prayatna shaithilya –
get into a position and let go of the effort, Then what happens? Ananta
samapathibhyam: infinity abides in you. So each asana should be done keeping
in mind that the goal of this is not the correctness of the posture but to
experience infinity.
Whenever you experience joy, ecstasy, bliss and happiness in life, knowingly
or unknowingly you are abiding in the form of the seer; in the nature of the
seer. Otherwise, at other times, you are with different activities of the
mind.
What is the definition of comfort? When you don’t feel the body. If you are
sitting in some odd positions then you feel those parts of the body. Your
focus is more on the discomfort there. When you do any asana, first what you
feel is discomfort. But if you take your mind through it, you will find that
in just a few minutes the discomfort has disappeared and you feel
bodylessness. You feel an expansion or infinity in the postures.
How many of you have experienced this or are beginning to experience this?
This is the main important thing in yoga asanas.
The purpose of yoga is not only to keep a good physical shape but also to
experience infinity and timeless expansion. And that starts happening to you
with a little practice.
What is the other definition for yoga?
'Chitta vritti nirodha tada drushta swarupe awasthanam'. This means that
from the scenery you get back to the seer.
Now I am the scenery and you are the seer. For me, you are the scenery and I
am the seer. So I take my attention from outside to inside. So first from
the environment I bring my attention to the physical body. Then I go one
step further because even the body is the scenery and I take my attention to
the mind. Now when I witness the thoughts that are coming in the mind, even
that becomes the scenery and so I go deeper.
So movement from the scenery to the seer, to the one who is seeing,
everything is again another definition of yoga.
If you keep just these two definitions of yoga in your mind, that’s it, you
are done.
The yoga sutras are very simple. They are just one liners but they are
pregnant with meaning. 'Tada Dhrishta Swarupeawasthanam', which means,
establishing oneself in the seer and not in the scenery.
The five activities of the mind continue to exist, but having control over
them is what yoga is all about.
Whenever you experience joy, ecstasy, bliss and happiness in life, knowingly
or unknowingly you are abiding in the form of the seer; in the nature of the
seer. Otherwise, at other times, you are with different activities of the
mind. You become one with different activities of the mind (vrutti
sarupyamitaratra).
So what are these different activities of the mind? They are,
'Pramana-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidra-smrutayaha'.
The modulation of the mind are of five forms, some are problematic and some
are not problematic. Five modes of consciousness arises in yourself, five
modes of the mind. You can call it the mind or consciousness, it is all the
same.
1. Pramana: when the mind is engaged in wanting proof. When someone thinks,
'Is this correct? How do I know this is correct? I want some proof for it',
this is pramana.
There are three types of pramana
· a. Pratyaksha: seeing for yourself; your senses tell you. You see
the sun setting and if someone says that the sun never set, you say, 'No, I
saw it with my own eyes'.
When the senses give you some knowledge that is pratyaksha pramana.
· b. Anumana: guessing because of past experience. If there is some
smoke somewhere, you see only smoke but then you infer that there is fire
that is why there is smoke. This isanumana (guessing). If someone is
behaving funny and you think, 'Someone must have told them something about
me and that is why they are behaving like this', is anumana.
Someone might be very busy and so they didn’t smile at you and in your mind
you think, 'That person sat with that guy and that guy said something to
this person and that’s why this person is not talking to me'. This is
anumana.
· c. Agama: when it is said in the scripture. There are many people
who quote the scriptures for everything. Someone quotes the scriptures and
engages in violence, someone quotes the scriptures and oppresses women or
poor people. In some scriptures it is written that women are not authorized
to do this or that.
The wrong quoting of scriptures is very common these days. Today, the cause
of terrorism is the quoting of scriptures. Some people think they are doing
God’s job. Isn’t this pathetic?
So remember, when you do an asana the goal of your asana is to feel
comfortable in that and then feel the expansion; not by wanting to feel but
by letting go, by not ‘doing’ something.
2. Viparyaya: means wrong understanding. If you see, your life is full of
viparyaya. You think that somebody else is thinking bad about you, but when
you go and ask them, they will say, 'What? I have no time to think about
you. I was busy with my own stuff'. But you thought the other was thinking
something about you. This is viparyaya.
Many of you have this judgment and so you're mind gets caught up in the
judgment?
3. Vikalpa: means such a thing doesn’t exist at all. It exists only in the
mind and a beautiful example they give is the horn of a rabbit. Have you
ever seen a rabbit with a horn? Or a flower in the sky? No. This is vikalpa.
4. Nidra: which means sleep
5. Smruti: living in memory
These five vrittis really bother a human being. It drains the potential of a
human being. Not that they are bad. These five vrittis continue to exist,
but having control over them is what yoga is all about. They are like
horses. If the reins of the horses are in your hands, then you can give them
direction, but if you are at the mercy of the horse then it takes you
wherever it goes.
So it is said, 'Yoga chitta vritti nirodha', these five vrittis need to be
arrested, modulated, controlled and that is what yoga is all about. And how
is it done? All these different methodologies have been given in the Yoga
Sutra, one option after another. It is such a scientific exposition of
spirituality. Yoga Sutras is the best yoga.
So remember, when you do an asana the goal of your asana is to feel
comfortable in that and then feel the expansion; not by wanting to feel but
by letting go, by not ‘doing’ something.
Pat Gounden
Nov 17, 2014, 3:54:11 PM11/17/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
People today speak about God having forgotten them. This is not true. Most
often, it is the devotee who gives up God. It is the devotee who forgets
Him. It is their own feelings that are reflected in their utterances. People
forget God and indulge in the world and one day they suddenly declare that
God has forgotten and forsaken them. Separation from God is the primary
cause for people wallowing in sensuous pleasures. Mind is the cause of one’s
pleasure and pain. It must be directed towards God to secure freedom from
pleasure and pain. You stray away from God and think God is moving away from
you. God can and will never forget His devotee. God is never away from you.
He is always with you, caring for you and waiting for you to turn to Him.
(My Dear Students, Vol 5, Ch 14, 14 Jan 1996)
-BABA
Remember those wonderful moments you have had. Sit and be with it. In that
-BABA
very memory your entire Being gets back to that state.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Pleasure Eventually Leads To Pain
Sun, 05/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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Pleasure always keeps you on your toes; it makes you run. First pleasure
makes you run towards it and then it makes you run away from it. Yoga on the
other hand makes you stay stable. It brings stability to your life.
A yogi is one who is strong and stable in his body, mind and emotions. This
is very important. If your emotions keep going up and down it is because you
are running towards something. And what is that something that you are
running towards? It is pleasure, and once you are there, it makes you run
Sun, 05/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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ad/emotions.jpg
Pleasure always keeps you on your toes; it makes you run. First pleasure
makes you run towards it and then it makes you run away from it. Yoga on the
other hand makes you stay stable. It brings stability to your life.
A yogi is one who is strong and stable in his body, mind and emotions. This
is very important. If your emotions keep going up and down it is because you
are running towards something. And what is that something that you are
away from it.
You can see in your life, whatever you ran towards, at some point or other,
it pushes you away from it because you cannot handle it anymore. So all the
people who at some point of time feel that 'I want to run away', you should
know that it is because you are enjoying it. When you are enjoying
something, you will definitely want to run away from it. So if you change
that attitude of your mind from seeking pleasure to just being stable, then
nothing becomes too much.
You should feel, 'I am here to give comfort to others, not seek comfort'.
This one attitude will arrest that tendency of 'Oh, this is too much, I want
to run away'. Only enjoyment of pleasure will make you feel, 'It is too
much'.
When you are stable, you always give what you can. The Sun never says, 'I am
shining too much and now I want to run away'. Gold never says, 'I am
glittering too much', because it is stable in its nature. It has not gone
out of its niche. Yoga is being establishing in your nature. Yoga is getting
stability in your own nature.
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, what is the difference between Simaran (chanting) and meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Simaran is the beginning of meditation and samadhi is
its end. Simaran means to remember. Just see, if you like someone and you
remember that person some emotions come up, isn't it. When the emotions
overflow, then the mind becomes peaceful. The irritation in the mind becomes
quiet. When the emotions overflow and make the mind peaceful, that is
meditation.
Pat Gounden
Nov 18, 2014, 4:42:34 PM11/18/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Women should look after their homes diligently and conduct themselves in a
pleasing manner. Treat your guests in a cordial manner and to the extent
possible. Empathise with those who are in difficulties, comfort and console
them with soothing words. Those who talk harsh words are verily demons. If
you hurt others’ feelings, you will be hurt twice as much and you cannot
escape from the consequences of your actions. Embodiments of Love! These
teachings are simple to practice in your daily life. But do not take them
lightly - they can confer on you liberation! It is your good fortune
(adrishtam) to know them! What is good fortune? A-drishtam is that which
cannot be seen. You may not be able to see the results of your noble conduct
and meritorious deeds, but they will confer on you all happiness and
comforts in due course of time. (Divine Discourse, Nov 19 2002)
-BABA
The way you act, God awards the fruit of the action accordingly. If you
steal, God will come to you as a policeman. Your actions, good or bad,
decide your experience of joy and sorrow. Joy and sorrow are the outcomes of
your discretion; it depends on your discretion in performing actions. It is
ok if you drink one glass of milk. But what happens if you drink three kilos
of milk? Without the use of discretion, nectar can turn to be poison.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 30/08/2014 Delhi, India
(The Outreach Program, Jamia Millia Islamia, organized a dialogue with Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar. Sri Sri spoke on World Peace & Global Harmony, which was
followed by a guided meditation. Afterwards, the audience of over 400, which
included faculty members, students and staff of Jamia Millia Islamia,
interacted with Sri Sri in a question & answer session.)
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/guruji_03-169612931.jpg
Thank you all for welcoming me here on stage with this beautiful bouquet.
With this sweet gesture, you have already said what I wanted to say to all
of you.
Just like this bouquet, our global society is also a bouquet. There is a red
flower, a white flower, a carnation flower, etc. So a bouquet is made up of
many different kinds of flowers having different shades and colors. When we
forget this and expect that all the flowers should be of the kind, then that
is where the problem starts.
This is the same scenario in homes everywhere today. Supposing there are
five or ten people staying together in a house, each of them lives in a
world of their own (thoughts and beliefs). When there is no communication or
a common understanding among them all, then that is where quarrels come up.
The topic for today’s forum is World Peace. I tell you, for world peace to
happen, the individual must be at peace. If I am not peaceful, then I cannot
spread peace wherever I go. And when can an individual be at peace? It is
possible only when he or she is free of stress. When we ourselves are not
joyful and peaceful from within, how can we expect to communicate and spread
the same outside us?
What do we need to kindle peace within us?
The first thing that we need is a stress-free living. It is natural for
stress to happen to us in life. What is stress, and when do we experience
it? When we have too much to do in very little time, and when we feel that
we do not have the energy to achieve it all, then that is when we feel
stressed.
Now you could probably reduce your needs and responsibilities to reduce the
stress in life. Or, the other way to deal with this is to increase your
energy. When I say ‘energy’, I do not only mean physical strength. It also
means being mentally and emotionally strong. So we need to think about how
we can increase our strength and energy.
There are many techniques to increase our energy levels from within, but
there are not many people in this country who make use of those techniques,
and they unfortunately do not share them with everyone else.
In India, we are so divided on the lines of caste and religion. We are also
divided by our greed and personal motives, even within our own families.
People think, 'I should not teach this technique to anyone'. This is not a
good thing. Why should one say so? You should in fact teach it to everyone.
If this technique helps improve your health and reduces stress, then you
should help others by teaching them the same technique too. Yet we end up
keeping these techniques secret rather than letting others also know about
it.
So I said that this is not how it should be. I said that techniques that
help enhance one’s health and well being should be taught to everyone, such
as the breathing techniques, some exercises and Yogasanas. Everyone in the
world should know and benefit from these techniques, so that the common man
is peaceful and happy, and is able to maintain harmonious relationships with
the people around him.
It is with this thought in mind that we started The Art of Living
Foundation.
In India, we have always believed in the saying, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam',
meaning that this entire world is one family. But when can we truly become
one family? It is possible only by spreading knowledge; when everyone is at
peace and when we can lovingly embrace everyone as our own.
There should not be a difference in what we practice and what we preach. One
should practice on the outside what one believes from the inside. This
approach gives great inner strength. It is such a great strength to have,
and using it we can readily march towards success in life.
Now even as I am saying this and you are listening, the mind within you is
constantly debating and saying, 'Yes this seems right', or, 'No, that is not
correct'. So there is a dialogue happening within you also; is it not so?
This is very important and we need to become aware about it.
It does not really matter if you agree or disagree with what I am saying.
But do you agree to what your mind says? This is a very unique point. This
is what is meant by awareness.
We also call it prajna, meaning awakened intellect. It means that we observe
with awareness as to what is happening within us.
According to me, the true meaning and the goal of education is to increase
prajna, i.e., one’s awareness. Education is not simply gathering more and
more of information. That is something which even a computer can do.
Education is the art of making a human being a humane person. It is the
ability to coexist with each other in harmony, and having a mature and
non-violent approach to resolve conflicts between each other and arrive at
mutual solutions to problems that benefit everyone.
Just think, there is so much conflict and strife everywhere in the world
today. Look at what is happening in Gaza, in Iraq, in Syria, etc. It is a
good thing that the Indian media is not showing too many reports of these
incidents. But if you tune into the world media channels, you will find that
they are full of these reports and it will upset your mind.
According to me, the true meaning and the goal of education is to increase
one’s awareness. Education is not simply gathering more and more of
information. That is something which even a computer can do.
Prophet Mohammed once said, 'I can feel cool breeze coming from the East
(India)'. I took up the cause that there will always be a cool breeze (of
peace and harmony) from the East, rather than the warm winds of war and
conflict. He had said this 1400 years ago, but I am committed to maintain
this state even today.
India should emerge as a model country for the world to emulate. How can we
unite followers of different religions together? Actually, there is no
conflict between different religions as such. But when misunderstandings
arise, or when there is stress within oneself, then this causes conflicts
outside with others around us. This is what happens in many homes also.
There are bitter quarrels between brothers in the family. So until we
achieve peace from within, we cannot have peace and harmony outside us, and
neither can there be world peace, nor any kind of personal progress in our
own lives. Now, bringing peace will require everyone’s efforts. Whatever
little one can do in this direction, one should do.
Now, I am going to give you all a small exercise to practice right here.
Will you all participate in it? In fact, I will give you two exercises
together. I do not believe in giving lengthy lectures. I believe more in
practical experience.
So look around the people sitting around you and greet them by saying, 'I
belong to you'.
Is everyone done? You can also wish the people sitting in front and behind
you. Don’t just talk to those by your side.
Now, I want to ask you, did you all truly mean what you said when you
greeted the other person, or did you just do it superficially? Just think
for yourself. You need not tell this to others.
You know, this is what happens in life also. Many times when we say, 'Sorry'
or, 'Thank you', from a very superficial level. It does not come from the
heart.
When you leave an aircraft, the air hostess also says, 'Goodbye, have a nice
day'. But they are not really bothered whether or not you have a great day.
But if you were to hear the same thing from your mother, or your
grandparents, then you feel something different in the way they express it.
There is a different vibration, a warmth you feel when they tell you that,
isn’t it? They do not say it superficially. You can tell they say it with
all their heart. There is something that makes their blessings bear fruit.
When you are soaked in love, then you vibrate love and people around you
also reciprocate that same love. This is a rule of nature.
We are surrounded by vibrations around us all the time. Just by shouting,
'Peace, peace, peace', all the time does not really make the environment
around us peaceful. For such people, there is neither peace in their voice
nor in their presence. We convey more by our presence than by our words.
A small child at home cannot speak because he does not know the language.
But just by looking in your eyes the child conveys all its love and emotion.
Just take the example of a dog at home. When you return home from work or
from school, it runs all around you and jumps at you with so much
excitement. It conveys all that love just by its vibrations. Even if someone
confesses their love to you in a 100 words, it still doesn’t have that same
feeling and effect. So for our vibrations to be positive, we need three
things:
1. Clarity of mind
2. Purity of heart
3. Sincerity of action
You should have clarity in your mind and thoughts. Your heart should be
pure, and there should be sincerity of action. Whatever you do, you should
do it 100% with your heart and mind.
Alright, let’s do one more exercise.
Just tell to the person sitting next to you, 'I have no faith in you at
all'.
Were you all able to do it? Many of you were not able to say that? Even if
you tried saying it, both you and the other person started laughing.
Alright, now all of you close your eyes and imagine that all the people in
the world around you tell you that they have no faith in you. Imagine that
they all see you with an eye of suspicion. Just do this for 30 seconds or
so. Now open your eyes. How did you all feel? You felt very bad inside,
isn’t it?
We do not want anyone to see us with suspicion or doubt us, yet we ourselves
look at so many people in that very same way. We generate that kind of
vibration around us, and people catch that same vibration. When we are
caught up in doubts and suspicion, then we create that same feeling in
others around us. When you are soaked in love, then you vibrate love and
people around you also reciprocate that same love. This is a rule of nature.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
Pat Gounden
Nov 19, 2014, 2:00:46 PM11/19/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Do not find faults with others. If you point an accusing finger at someone,
remember three fingers are pointing to you. Wear the ornament of Truth to
adorn your neck (Sathyam Kantasya Bhushanam). Charity is the true ornament
that make your hands beautiful and elegant (Hasthasya Bhushanam Dhanam).
Thus you must sanctify each limb of your body by engaging in sacred
activities. Your eyes should look at only sacred things. Do you know what an
enormous power is latent in your eyes? There are crores of light rays in
them. In olden days, people used to invoke the grace of Sun God to have a
better vision. When you perform Surya-namaskar (worship of Sun God) and
invoke His grace, the light rays in your eyes will become more effulgent and
inspire you. People aspire to attain liberation. What is liberation? Help
ever, hurt never - that is true liberation. To get rid of attachment (moha)
is true liberation (moksha). (Divine Discourse, Nov 19, 2002)
-BAB
Wanting freedom is a natural phenomenon. What you feel after your exams are
over is a little experience of liberation (moksha). In life also you burn in
your own hopes and desires. These desires have only brought you misery. When
you relax taking a step outside all this, there is liberation (moksha). When
you sit for meditation with the feeling, I am nothing, I want nothing, and I
do nothing - this feeling is the feeling of freedom. It is fun, it is
freedom.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 30/08/2014 Delhi, India
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
(Below is a continuation of the post
Me)
The Ganesh festival just concluded yesterday. People often ask, 'Why do they
first worship the idol of Lord Ganesha and then immerse it in water?'
You know, there was a brilliant idea the Rishis (wise sages) had behind
keeping this custom. They said that pooja simply means that whatever God
does for us, we do the same for Him as a token of love and gratitude. It is
like a way to play with the divine, just the way the divine plays with us.
So this divine play is called pooja. This is why we ‘play’ with the idol of
Lord Ganesha (by offering worship) and after some time, the clay idol is
immersed in the water. This entire process is a way of expressing to the
divine, 'O Lord! You who are present as the very soul dwelling within me, I
pray to you to just manifest in the form of this idol for some time so that
I may play with you, just as you lovingly play with me. I wish to celebrate
with you'.
After the worship is over, we ask the divine to return once again deep
within our hearts. And we then immerse the idol in water.
You will be surprised if you listen to the description that Shri Adi
Shankaracharya Ji has given about Lord Ganesha. He sings, 'Ajam nirvikalpam
nirakaram ekam'.
It means, Lord Ganesha is Nirakara (without form). So here Adi
Shankaracharya Ji says, 'O Lord Ganesha! You are the eternal, formless
divinity manifest everywhere'.
You will find the same description about the divine in the beginning verses
of the Holy Quran. The unfortunate part is that we know so little about our
own religion and scriptures.
No religion in the world preaches that you should hurt or injure another
being. Then why is all this happening today? It is because religious
education has not been imparted in a proper way to everyone. Today there is
a need for spiritual education. Spiritual education is that which connects
everybody together. There have been so many saints in time, and they have
all had the same opinion – that everything is one.
So the leaders in Iraq asked three things from us.
The first thing they wanted is Indian Spirituality, because they see it as a
very unique way of connecting and bringing everyone together in love and
harmony.
The second thing that they asked for was help in the field of education.
They said that the youth studying in the IIT’s in India are very intelligent
and sharp. Please help our youth also get such good technical education by
getting trained in IIT.
The third thing that they said was that they would want Indian teams to come
to Iraq and extract oil from their oil wells. A lot of westerners are
already doing this since a long time, but now we would want Indians to also
come and benefit from the oil resources of our country.
I tell you, if all the countries make even 0.1% of the expenditure that they
make in the field of defense towards spreading peace and harmony, the entire
world can change. No one prefers hatred. But many times unknowingly it
happens, or it happens due to fear and insecurity of others.
There is one thing I would want to share with you all. Before coming here
today, the only other Islamic university where I have given a talk at, is at
the University in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2012. Thousands of youth had gathered
there that day. I remember that they had made preparations for that event
with such enthusiasm.
There also I was asked why we worship so many different Gods and Goddesses
in India. I gave them a simple example to explain this. See, from the same
wheat flour, you make Halwa (an Indian sweet preparation), Puuris (a fried
Indian flatbread) and Samosa (an Indian savoury snack). Is it not so?
Similarly you use the same dough to make Pizza also, and for noodles also.
Why do we do this? It is because we like a variety of foods.
In the same way, we in India always believe that God is one. But we dress
the one divinity in different costumes! (Laughter) So we dress the divine in
different attire and give every form a different name.
There are 1008 different names of the divine in Hinduism, and they have
attached a form to every name. This is what it is.
The audience there appreciated this understanding. Some people said,
'Gurudev, you have explained it so nicely. Until now could not understand
why Indians worship so many Gods and Goddesses when God is one'.
So if we want World peace today, we have to start with ourselves first. Once
you behold the divine light within you, I tell you, you will not find anyone
a stranger. You will feel as if everyone belongs to you. Every person in the
world belongs to us. But this realization can dawn once we become aware of
our own light within that no one can extinguish.
The aim of pranayama and meditation is only this, to make you aware and
realize the divine light within.
Questions & Answers
How to cope with the generation gap and the problems that it brings? How do
we cope with the differences we have with our elders?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See that has to be done very skilfully. You must
explain and keep your stand before them, but you must also be respectful and
listen to what they have to say as well.
Remember this – our elders always have love and our best interests at heart.
That is why they advise you from time to time. It is possible they may still
be following the old ways and old patterns of their generation, or they may
not know the new ways fully well. But their intention is always our
well-being. It is just that their way of explaining things to us may be
different from what we expect. A little give-and-take can help in simply
resolving this with ease.
Initially I always see the best in people but as time passes, I begin to see
the worst of them when I get to know them closely. My feelings about them
change. Why does this happen and how do I handle this situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, the opposite of this fact is also true. Many
times you do not get off to a good start with someone else, but as time
passes and you keep your patience, you start liking them. So both things are
true.
This kind of cycle comes in everyone’s life. You meet someone and like them
initially, then after sometime you start disliking them, and again after
sometime, you start liking them once again. Just ask your mother and father
about this (Laughter). They got married very happily but soon they had small
fights and difference of opinion about things.
What is the secret of a peaceful and successful life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is what I have been telling you all this while.
Accept the people and situations as they are. And always be in the present
moment. Do not keep thinking of what happened in the past or what will
happen in the future.
What is the role of religion in promoting peace and global harmony? Is it an
asset or an obstacle?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For the intelligent ones, religion is an asset. But
for the foolish ones, it is an obstacle. There are some unique specialties
in every religion which can help uplift our life and can help us blossom in
life. But if we are foolish, then we make the same qualities a cause for
differences and problems among people. So it all depends on us.
There is nothing wrong in any religion of the world. It depends on the
understanding of the one who follows and practices it. You can use a knife
to chop vegetables, slice butter and also to hurt yourself. It is like that.
Pat Gounden
Nov 20, 2014, 4:42:49 PM11/20/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, November 21, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Modern education is mere bookish knowledge, confined to what is contained in
the texts. Today many are pursuing such secular education only (i.e., value
neutral). Secular education alone is not enough. It must be supplemented
with spiritual education. Spiritual education has its effect on one’s heart,
and is called Educare. Educare means bringing out the latent Divinity, that
is hidden in the heart of human beings and establishing it as an ideal to
the whole world. Through Educare, you must develop the principle of love and
students must follow the path of truth. True education is that which is
suffused with truth and love. Secular education is for making a living,
whereas spiritual education is for reaching the goal of life. It is the duty
of students as well as educators to harmonize the secular education with
spiritual education. This is the prime necessity today. (Divine Discourse,
20 Nov 2002)
-BABA
You know there has been a research recently from England that the children
who study Sanskrit excel in mathematics and linguistic function of their
brain become so much better that these children can learn any language from
Chinese to English to Russia easily. Researchers worked for 15 years and
they find out these results. Three schools in England have made Sanskrit
compulsory in the school. They also did research why India is Excellent in
IT. Indian brain is more suitable on computer. This is because of the
background of Sanskrit language. So, it is good to have your children study
Sanskrit. Apart from this there are number of researches which show how
doing pranayama enhance the performance of children. They feel more calm,
attentive, and more alert. They are able to perceive and digest better.
There are number of such benefits that have been proved. You can look into
the Art of Living website for the benefits that a child gets in academic
field.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 14/10/2014 Quebec, Canada
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
(Below is a continuation of the post
Through Faith)
Questions & Answers
How to overcome desire?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is another desire! What we need to know is that a
desire fulfilled takes you back to the same place you were before the desire
arose.
Just imagine your state of mind before a desire arose in you, after all the
circus of having a desire and getting it fulfilled, you come back to that
same place.
Please tell me how to keep my connection with the divine in my everyday
life, and in times of distress.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This intention to keep the connection itself indicates
that you keep feeling the connection again and again.
Just make it a habit. As soon as you wake up, feel the connection. Before
going to bed, thank the divine for all that you have received. Even this,
you do not need to repeat it verbally, you should simply take it for granted
and be natural.
Divinity is the simplest form of awareness. Divinity is our most natural
state. Any moment in which you feel totally at ease and at home, know that
you are in divinity. That is it.
One of the biggest requirements is total contentment. When you feel totally
contented, that moment you are with the divine. And that is the time when
you are in the moment, in the 'now', because 'now' means 'total
contentment'.
'Now' is for 'total contentment' and 'tomorrow' is for 'desires, planning
and wanting'. So be here and now, in total contentment and total serenity.
How often total contentment and total serenity comes up in you, is up to
you. Sometimes it just happens to you. That is why many saints in the past
have said that it as a gift that they have received.
What is the significance of karva chauth? What is the story behind it? Can
only married women do it? Is it really a good time to meditate on this day?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are so many festivals in India, almost as many
as the number of Sundays in a year.
Karva chauth is one festival where women pray for their husband’s longevity,
and there are stories associated with it. I don’t know much about these
stories.
It seems that women were very powerful in ancient days. If they tell the sun
not to set then it would not set. They said women were powerful to that
extent. There are many such stories, and they are all inspiring stories to
remind one of a higher cause. So, this is one such festival in India.
Fasting and prayers are somehow connected. In almost every religion and
every tradition of the world they have connected fasting and prayer
together.
When you fast you are not pleasing some god out there by your fasting. It
simply helps to detox your body. When the body gets detoxified then thoughts
become positive. When there are too many toxins in the body, and the
pancreas, liver and intestine are all congested then your thoughts are all
negative and unclear. So fasting is done to have that cleansing effect on
your body, not to please a god.
Fasting also has some rules, but people don’t follow even the fasting rule
properly. People think fasting means that they can eat certain things and
cannot eat certain things. You can eat lots of nuts and fruits but not eat
cooked food, or rice, or bread. This is not fasting.
Someday people eat boiled potatoes and sweets and say they are fasting. They
are fooling themselves. And sometimes, some people who want to fast all day
get up before sunrise and stuff themselves with food. Then they fast and as
soon as the sun sets, again they stuff themselves. It is a very bad way of
fasting.
Fasting has to happen scientifically. Fast with juice and water, some fruits
so that the enzymes are generated in the body. The indigested food gets
digested. It is very bad eating very late in night on fasting days because
your digestive fire is not there to digest that food. So you should not do
that.
People fast in an unscientific manner. Fasting should be rational. Almost in
every tradition people fast this way – Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus –
they all should know the scientific way of fasting.
The Ayurvedic way of fasting is very clearly mentioned. Little bit of
fruits, juices, water and lemon. And if your endurance is there then fast
just on water, one or two days. This is what we need to educate people.
Even during the month of Ramadan, they fast whole day, the pitta rises, and
in the evening they eat so much. This is wrong. In the evening when they
eat, they should have salads, fruits, and something light; something that
gives rest to the system.
Hindus do fasting during navratri, and they eat jalebis! They eat all the
sweets, and boiled potatoes – that is starch! This is not the correct way,
there should be only fruits and fruit juices.
Sometimes I feel like there is a conflict between being in The Art of Living
and practicing Islam. Especially when I chant 'Shiva' or 'Ram'.
Unfortunately, Islam has gained a bad reputation.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, you should know the history of Islam. How Islam
was born, when it was written, and how it changed over period of time. What
was said then and why; what is practical and what is not practical. In those
days the women population was more, so a man was allowed to marry four women
because the male population was very less. You don’t need to follow that
today.
Similarly in those days, at a particular point, Mohammad said all the string
instruments should be done away with; no music. There was a ban on music.
But today, tell me of any one country where music is banned today; even
Islamic countries?
So the puritarian Muslims say, 'If you sing or if you dance this is haram,
this is against Islam. You should never do that'.
Second, Islam bans taking pictures of any human faces. It is haram in Islam.
But tell me, how can you even make your passport without your picture being
taken? It is impossible.
I was invited to Bahrain, the king of Bahrain had invited me as they had a
conference in the palace. We had the top scholars of Islam there and when
they were talking to me, they said it is prohibited to take pictures of the
kaba (black stone) when one goes for the haj pilgrimage. But today, people
come with their cell phone and everybody is taking pictures. They are taking
pictures of the kaba stone and even themselves.
That is why you will see, in Islam there are no human face sculptures at
all. There are no sculptures, no photography, no paintings of anybody
because it is prohibited in the puritarian Islam. But today, is it possible?
Some Imams gave a fatwa against television. They said the devil has entered
the television. You know, in a particular village in India, on one day,
everybody was asked to dump their televisions. In one day 5,000 households
brought their televisions and dumped it in a pit and stoned them saying this
is all haram, because one is not allowed to see human faces and pictures.
So, what is Islam today, and what was the intended aim of Islam? They have
grown so far apart.
Islam says that all those who do not believe in my god are infidels, and
infidels have no right to exist. This is what is happening with ISIS, this
is the puritarian Islamists, the real Islam. They think that Sufis are bad
because they adopt music, and they chant. When a Sufi saint died, and a tomb
was made, they said these tombs are un-Islamic. They say tombs have to be
erased. They did the same to even Mohammad’s tomb because they said it is
Un-Islamic. That is why the Shia sect has been declared un-Islamic because
the Shias honour these tombs.
So these ideological fights in Islam have caused so many problems. If you
steal anything, according to Islam your hands should be cut off. Just
imagine a child goes and steals something, you cut off his hand, is it
practical today? Is it practical to cut off the hand of anybody? Should a
child's hands be chopped off.
Music should be done away with, no photography should be allowed; are these
rules practical? There are diverse people everywhere, you have to adjust
with everybody. The so-called puritarian Islam creates such conflicts with
everybody.
There is another thought of Islam also, that which says that we have created
many different tribes and different knowledge, and it is all to be honoured.
This is one thing said by the Prophet.
So there is diversity in the world, honour the diversity. When you honour
the diversity, you are not disregarding your faith.
Once in South Africa, one teacher was teaching a course. In our Sudarshan
Kriya, we say 'Om'. One person said that he cannot chant 'Om' because it was
against his religion.
So the teacher said, 'Is your faith in your religion so weak that if you
chant 'Om' you will lose your faith? I don’t think so. I can chant
'Hallelujah', or 'Allah-Hu-Akbar', or ‘Buddham Sharanam Gachami’, but I
still maintain my faith. I still honour whatever faith I am in'.
These words opened his eyes. Just by saying 'Om' you are not going to lose
anything. In fact, you will gain.
In the same way, if you sing Christmas carols you are not converted
immediately into Christians. God will not get angry with you because you are
singing Christmas carols.
If you sing bhajans god is not going to punish you. Shiva means what? That
is which is so beautiful, which is so benevolent. The energy or the divinity
which is so benevolent. Narayan means what? That energy which is present in
all the nervous systems, in all of creation. Anything that sparkles in
living beings is called Narayan.
The word 'nervous system' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Nara', which also
means 'human beings'.
Narayan means that which is housed in the beautiful and amazing nervous
system. Just imagine a human being without a nervous system, he will not be
alive. It is because of your nervous system that you are able to express
yourself. That energy which perceives and which expresses in the whole
universe is Narayan.
So, singing songs in different languages of different tradition is not
against any god or particular tradition. It is just the perception. This is
how the fundamentalists train themselves and other.
They tell you that if you chant some other God's name you become an infidel
or something like that.
Today just before coming here I read about a suicide car bombing in Iraq. So
many people died. Every day there are suicide bombings, every day there is
violence in Pakistan, all in the name of peace. Islam means peace. Yet all
that there is in the name of Islam is so much violence; unimaginable
violence.
Yazidis in Iraq, they have been following a tradition from thousands of
years, but now they are being tortured, killed and massacred and being told
they are against Allah, against god. If god was against them he would have
done something to them. God is all powerful, if he did not want them to live
he would have extinguished them like dinosaurs. We don’t need to do that for
god. Let god do his job, let us do our job.
So much violence in the world in the name of religion is very unfortunate.
That is why we need to break these barriers between religions.
In Islam there are some great things, like the belief that everybody is
same.
There are mass prayers – everybody prays together. Keep these great things
and drop those other things which promote division, violence and superiority
– that I am superior and everyone else is inferior. Those things should be
done away with. And I tell you,there are a lot of enlightened Muslims. There
are so many good Muslims on this planet, but just because of these few
people and their fanaticism it has brought such a bad name to their religion
today that is so unfortunate.
The Prophet’s wife, Fatiman, never wore a burkha. She never even wore a
hijab. She was given full rights. I think that later on the male dominated
society somewhere snatched the rights of women. They don’t need to do that
now.
Pat Gounden
Nov 23, 2014, 2:34:07 PM11/23/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, November 24, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Life will be unfulfilled by merely spending time. When you enquire earnestly
whether duty comes first or right comes first, several people insist upon
‘rights’. Ask yourself - Where did ‘rights or entitlements’ come from? When
you perform your duty, its fruit, in the shape of rights, accrues to you!
How can a child exist without the mother? So also, when you perform your
duties sincerely, the result of that action comes as rights. When you
enquire into the fact whether rain comes first or the flow of water, it
becomes clear that flow of rainwater follows rain. Without rain, there
cannot be a flow. The flow can be compared to one’s ‘rights’ and rain to
‘duty’. Therefore accord your highest priority to your duties! (Divine
Discourse, 22 Nov 2002)
-BABA
See; don’t think that by giving your 100% alone that work gets done. For
success or work to get done there are five things you require. First the
intention of the person who is doing, then availability of the instruments
or things needed to do the work, then the willingness or mindset to do the
work. Then doing the work at the right time, there is a time to do the work,
if you don’t do it at the right time then there is no use. If you sow seeds
in February then there is no use, you then cannot say that I sowed the seeds
but nothing has come. You have to wait till April after the rain then you
sow the seeds and then you yield the results. So time is a very important
factor and you could get results now or you could get it later that also you
cannot say.
When we came to this Ashram this whole land was barren, there was not one
leaf or one tree on this land. Today see how many trees and plants are there
and these trees did not come in one day, so many people have put lots of
effort and after some time the trees grew. So this is how time is an
important factor and then grace. Without grace of the divine there will be
no success, that is why if you want grace then you must do Seva, sadhana,
satsang and in time you will get the fruits of all your efforts. Okay! None
of your efforts will go waste that you should be assured about, if not now
you will see the results later.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 07/10/2014 Delhi, India
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/perfect-balance.jpg
(Below is a continuation of the post
India)
4. In most companies you have a hierarchy. The top man cannot go to the
grade 4 workers and directly deal with them when there is a supervisor
in-between. The supervisor will feel sidelined. You have to respect the
hierarchy and at the same time keep a line of communication all the way
down. This is the real skill in human development, nobody should feel that
you are overriding them or disempowering them, at the same time you are
keeping the line of communication channels clear so that corruption can be
handled better. Any untoward bitterness that may be coming up because of one
or two elements here and there can be kept in check. This skill the top
management should have. Do you see what I am saying?
Once in a while the top management should have access to people all the way
down while maintaining the dignity of all the other in-between layers. Now
if the top management directly goes to the bottom in line, it will be like a
bull in a china shop. You will disturb everybody else and people in the
middle will think that you don’t trust them and there will be a huge uproar.
This is what is happening in many places where the people at the bottom
don’t trust their supervisors and say that they will talk to the MD
directly. So the whole thing can become chaotic if you don’t handle this
very skillfully. For that the top management needs to improve their own
skills and learn to respect the hierarchy in an organization and yet be able
to inspire the ground level workers. For this you have to spend time by
yourselves to sit and think how you can do this. There are possibilities and
skills that one can learn to get to that.
One more thing that clouds our progress is insecurity in the middle
management. In order to gain the confidence of the boss, the middle
management many times cooks up stories and tells the boss, 'See I have done
this and that', and this sometimes boomerangs on them. Big factories get
shut down by this sort of attitude. They may try to prove what they have
cooked up and at times, it may not even be cooked up, it may just be
perceived by them in that way. Their perception may be very erroneous. Once
they have taken a stand, they will not reverse their perception. They refuse
to see the fact the way they are and this has caused huge national loss, not
just in this country but all over the world. So the middle management needs
to get out of insecurity and have to see that their role can make or break
any institution.
If middle management is good there will hardly be any labor problems. Most
of the labor problems are caused due to lack of communication and because of
a lack of sense of belongingness.
So if you look at all these, it all comes down to our mental alertness,
physical fitness, emotional bonding and spiritual elevation. These four
aspects in life applies to us as individuals and also applies to the top
management, middle management and work force.
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I am a Chartered Accountant and I go to the premises of many
businessmen. I have noticed that when we treat them as family members they
start taking advantage of that privilege. How to come out of that situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, you need some skill here. You must create a sense
of togetherness and belongingness but don’t let anyone take advantage of it.
That is a skill.
You must not get carried away with your emotions but must use your intellect
too. Don’t become so gullible that people take advantage of you, nor must
you be so strict and inflexible that people feel suffocated in your
presence. Just like a string instrument plays only when the tension in the
strings are perfect, similarly, you must maintain a perfect balance between
your emotions and intellect.
We are plagued with corruption, unhygienic conditions and unethical
behavior. They are all inter-related and the problem is because there is so
much acceptance of corruption and corrupt practices. How do you think we can
break this vicious cycle?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Hope that the new setup and new Government will take
more stringent action. See, for corruption you need to educate people on
various levels.
1. From the level of the people.
2. From the bureaucrats, and
3. From the Government
The reason people brought a change in the Government is because they wanted
a more scam free, corruption free Government. Keeping that aside, to fight
corruption as an individual or as an SME, maybe very difficult, but if you
are all united, then as a forum, you can do it.
Just like labor unions. One laborer cannot fight with any factory, but when
they get into a labor union then they can challenge any big company. In the
same way, CRF or MSM can form a platform to take up the problem of
corruption. You can have a cell where people can come and take steps to
counter corruption. That would be good.
If nothing works, come to us. The Art of Living is there to help. Our
volunteers will go to the authorities and ask them to do the work without
taking bribes.
It is very difficult to be an entrepreneur and even more difficult to be a
woman entrepreneur. Could you please give me some advice on how women can
achieve a balance between work and family life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do you know how to ride a bicycle? Exactly the same
way!
Don’t think it is difficult for a woman to be a small scale entrepreneur,
no! Take it as a challenge. You have the energy, potential and providence to
take up the challenge.
When you think it as difficult then you make it difficult. Subconsciously
you create that energy when you think it is so difficult.
You should somehow eliminate this word difficult from your dictionary and
you should see it as challenges. A challenge will bring out the skill and
potential from within you. Challenges are there to bring out the best in
you, and there is plenty of scope for woman entrepreneurs.
Respected Gurudev, what advice would you like to give to SME business
promoters when it comes to the way they manage their human resources.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, make them your family. In this country we say,
'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam', the whole world is our family. So even if you can’t
see all seven billion people in this country as your family, at least treat
the few hundred workers in your factory as your family and raise a cordial
atmosphere. It is possible to do that.
Gurudev, I am a vegetarian but I found an opportunity in fish farming.
However there is always a conflict in my mind regarding the spiritual
consideration of fish farming and using it for food. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If your conscience says no, then listen to your
conscience. You must follow the voice that arises within you. If this has
been your occupation for many generations and you do not feel any conflict,
then it is okay. But if your conscience pricks you, then you have to follow
your conscience.
How do we get rid of the fear of the unknown?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Turn back and see, is this fear a new thing? Is it
coming to you only now or has it been there in the past also? And how is it
that you are still alive.
The best way to overcome fear is to look at your own past experience. Turn
back and looking at your own experience, you will realize that it was futile
to have all these fears. Also to get rid of it, yoga and prayer is very
good.
Pat Gounden
Nov 24, 2014, 4:12:18 PM11/24/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You must become heroes in action. It does not behoove of you to spend your
time in idle talk, without involving yourself in some solid work for the
benefit of the nation. Bend your body and work hard to attain glory. A seed
that is sown in the soil, loses its shape to ultimately become a gigantic
tree. That tree yields sweet fruits. Similarly it is only when you destroy
your ego and lose your identity, real fruit of your actions come out.
Therefore, remove your attachment to your body (dehabhimana) and develop
attachment to the country (deshabhimana). Love is a quality permeating every
living being. Truth is verily the embodiment of Divinity. It is in you, with
you, around you, everywhere, protecting you always, at all times. You need
not search for God in some distant place. Truth is the very embodiment of
God. Do not ever move away from Truth. (Divine Discourse, 22 Nov 2002)
-BABA
“That which you cannot express is Love.
That which you cannot reject/renounce is Beauty.
That which you cannot avoid is the Truth.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
Is That Really You, Who You Think You Are?
Fri, 07/11/2014 Bangalore, India
http://www.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/Emotionscage.jpg
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, you mentioned that the trick is to cut the connection between
thought and me. What makes us feel that the thought is mine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In Sanskrit this is called tadatma (identification).
When you are watching a movie you are so identified with the movie that when
something happens to the hero or heroine, you start crying. Doesn’t it
happen?
It used to happen in villages, when the hero was being attacked by the
villain, the entire audience would throw slippers and stones on the screen.
Many times the owners of the theatre would have to come and announce, 'This
is a movie, please don’t throw slippers and stones on screen because it will
get spoilt'.
This is what identification is: the mind identifies so much with the
scenery.
Same way, when you are watching a movie and if you are intelligent, you know
it’s just a movie. You don’t throw stones at the television because your
hero is being hurt by the villain.
In the same manner, your emotions and thoughts come and go. It is your
strong association with the thoughts that puts you in a cage. Identification
is that cage. Knowing that all these are just thoughts and detaching from
that identification is liberation.
We all do this to some extent; everybody does it. You don’t act on every
thought that you have. If you consider all thoughts as your own, you will go
mad. But we consider many of our thoughts as our own. We consider ourselves
to be the thought. It is only when you sit and go into meditation that you
start becoming a witness and realize that these are just passing thoughts.
We are able to disassociate ourselves from most of our thoughts; they just
become like a passing cloud.
Of course, when such a cloud comes it also stirs some emotions. Thoughts and
emotions are linked. When a bad thought comes, it stirs a bad emotion. When
you are a witness the emotion also stays for a minute and then it vanishes.
But if you identify with it then it stays longer. It can’t stay forever but
it stays for longer, it drags the whole thing a little longer.
Gurudev, what if the person you love asks you to change your religion to get
married?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: To that you should say, 'I shall follow mine, you
follow yours'. There are some religions which accept everything, but there
are some religions which say others are evil, and only mine is right. This
is difficult.
With such religions, you have to say that you will change to the religion
which is more accepting and accommodating of all forms of thoughts and
worship. That is much easier.
If your religion says that everything else is bad and only mine is right, it
constraints you. If your religion says that all paths are okay, this is okay
and that is also okay, then you can follow that. That which has a broad mind
set is always better. It has more possibilities and more harmony is there in
it.
Yesterday, about five boys from the Yazidis community who are studying here
in Bangalore came to see me. The plight of that community is so pathetic,
and so painful. This community which was 23 million has reduced over the
past 4-5 decades to only one million today. In Saddam Hussein’s time they
were made to run from one place to another, they were not given full rights
because they were considered to be infidels, as the Yazidis belief system is
different.
So many killings are happening in the name of religion and that is a big
problem.
Art of Living is working with the Yazidis. We have adopted 550 families and
already 90 tons of food grains have been collected and air-lifted with the
help of two helicopters provided by the American government to Mount Sinjar.
9000 people are stuck in the holy temple there. It’s so cold and they don’t
have any tents, food, or water. They don’t have anything. So far The Art of
Living is the only organization which is helping to get the food, but we
hope other organizations will also join.
I am so proud of our volunteers and teachers who are working there in
Kurdistan. The Shias are there, some Christians are there, some Yazidis are
there. They (volunteers) have put up some tents and are taking care of them.
When you all have these small issues that make you so upset; small things
like your mother-in-law said something, or your father-in-law said
something, or your husband/wife or neighbour said something then look at
this community which is on the verge of extinction: they have been asked to
convert or they will be killed. Yet they are holding onto their faith and
that’s why they went into the cold mountains. We must honour them, whatever
their faith is.
Why should they convert? They have been made to convert forcefully. 23
million reduced to one million.
The Yazidis are a very peaceful community like the Parses and like the
Jains. India is a place where we have accommodated everybody: the Jains, the
Parses, the Sikhs. Everyone is part of this country, and everybody has lived
peacefully. Why and how? It is because we are an example of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam (One World Family).
This is what all these countries should adopt; all communities, all
religions should adopt. It does not matter if one is a Shia, Sunni,
Protestant, Catholic, Brahmin, Dalit whatever it is, all belong to one
family.
Peace conferences happen in those parts of the world where everything is
peaceful. But we need to have peace conferences where there is conflict,
where there is war, and that is what we have organized. I’m going to Iraq
next weekend, from the 18th-21st of November. In Iraq we are having a peace
conference and I hope to see people come together.
When The Art Of Living Happiness Program was taught to the Parliamentarians
of Kurdistan (35 of them took the first program), there were Shia, Sunni,
Kurds, Arabs, etc. People from different groups were in the course. After
the course, they all said, 'This is what we need'.
You can read about their experience on our website. All their experiences
are posted there. They also insisted on having a Skype call with me, so I
spoke to them on Skype.
They said, 'Gurudev you must come here to our province as this knowledge is
very much needed. If we had this knowledge several years back, perhaps, our
history would have been different.'
I can’t but agree with them. If people had a broad mind-set then they would
not have gone through what they are going through today.
If at all you have to worry, worry about the big thing, like me! I am so
worried. You also worry big, for the world. Even for a fraction of a second
if these bigger issues worry you, you would be able to come up instead of
sinking with small little things.
Gurudev, at what stages can you solve a problem by violence? Saam, Daam,
Dand, Bhed? (The four ways of making someone do a task as stated in Chanakya
Niti)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When nothing works then the final is Mahabharat. But
only when nothing else works. Lord Krishna gave a thorough example of this:
he went three times, not just once, but three times for mediation (between
the Kauravs and Pandavas); he went three times!
There is a question people ask, 'If Lord Krishna knew that there is going to
be a war, why did he go three times begging Duryodhan to accommodate the
Pandavas. Why did he go for peace talks?'
Lord Krishna has set an example, that one should do whatever is humanly
possible and not worry about the result of it.
In Bhagavad Gita it is said that your Soul itself is the friend and the
enemy. Isn’t enmity an action by another? Are we ourselves the reason for
the enemy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, enmity is an emotion which arises in our mind. If
another person considers us an enemy then that is their doing, not ours. It
is their headache; from our side we don’t consider anybody as an enemy.
If it seems that somebody is an enemy, then act accordingly. I’m not asking
you to go hug them or make them your own. If an enemy brings a gun, you also
stay ready. If they come with bricks and stones, you also get ready
accordingly. You also be ready to protect yourself. Use your intellect.
At the level of emotions there is no benefit in considering anybody an
enemy. Never feel anybody is an enemy.
How to maintain happiness? When we receive our exams results, we go from
being 100% happy to 0% happy.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: With the strength of knowledge happiness is sustained.
Sorrow will come to you. Tell me one person to whom it has not come? How
much sorrow came to Jesus Christ, to Lord Rama, and to Lord Krishna. But
when you have the strength of knowledge, then sorrow doesn’t touch you.
Earlier, before you started doing meditation, when a problem came, you got
buried in it, isn't it? Now, once you have come into knowledge and started
doing a little meditation and pranayama, even though you come down to zero
you get up and move forward again. You bounce back, and that is it!.
Pat Gounden
Nov 25, 2014, 5:19:31 PM11/25/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
All of you have a whole set of animals within: the dog, the fox, the ass,
and the wolf. You must choose to suppress the tendencies of all these beasts
and encourage the human qualities of love and friendship to shine. Above
all, begin the cultivation of virtues; that is more important and beneficial
than mere book-learning. This will give real Ananda (bliss); that is the
essence of all knowledge, the culmination of all learning. Treat everyone as
your own and even if you cannot do them any good, desist from causing them
any injury. Light the lamp of love inside the niche of your heart and the
nocturnal birds of greed and envy will fly away, unable to bear the light.
An unbending person is infected with egoism of the worst type; Love (Prema)
makes you humble, it makes you bend and bow when you see greatness and
glory. Use that capacity and derive the best advantage out of it. (Divine
Discourse, March 3, 1958)
-BABA
Our love---capacity to love---everybody has, but they have not utilized it.
We have not thrown ourselves open. We have closed into our small, "my, my,
me, me,mine."
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 12/11/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Of Time)
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, sometimes it becomes a burden to even remember knowledge. How can
we take the knowledge we receive from manana (to ponder over again and
again) to nidhidhyaasa (complete assimilation of knowledge)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why are you increasing your burden by asking this
question too? (Laughter) Just relax and be silent for a while.
The goal of knowledge is to transport the mind from its limited
understanding and concepts to a more expanded state of awareness. The goal
of all knowledge is to make the mind agree and say 'Yes!'
As you listen to knowledge, the mind first says, 'Oh, yes! And then slowly
the mind expands and becomes silent. Then you say 'It is! '
The job of the intellect is to make you say 'yes'. Once the intellect is at
rest and agrees with the knowledge, then an expanded awareness dawns on you
and you come to realize your true existence, that you are nothing but
consciousness.
Then from that state, we expand further to realize that the Self alone is
everywhere. You feel that the Self alone is all that there is.
So you move from a state of individualized consciousness, i.e., 'I am', to
the expanded state of realizing that everything just is.
This is the flow of how our awareness expands with knowledge.
Gurudev, how can we keep our faith in Gods and Goddesses if we follow the
knowledge of advaita?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Advaita is knowing that everything is composed of and
illumined by the same light (here referring to One Divinity or One supreme
Consciousness).
To worship and honour different Gods and Goddesses is similar to expressing
the understanding that the one white light is composed of many lights of
different colours and wavelengths. All the rays of the Sun are the same
light. They all come from the same source, but when you pass a ray of light
through a prism, or through a droplet of water, then it splits into rays of
different colours. So think of these different colours as the different Gods
and Goddesses.
You will eventually have to see the underlying unity between these two, and
that is the job of the intellect (to move past the duality towards the One
Divinity). That is why in our scriptures, we say, 'This is true and that is
also true!'
For example, when we see all the furniture in this room, we say that it is
all made of wood. Yet at the same time, a door is not a chair, and a chair
is not a window, though it is all made from the same wood. This
understanding is called dvaita.
So, both advaita and dvaita exist together in harmony.
Gurudev, we were discussing about Kashi (the modern day city of Varanasi,
India). It is said that if someone breathes their last in Kashi, or if the
ashes of their dead body is cast into the River Ganga, their soul gets
liberated. How true is all this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, it is not like that at all. Kashi is also called
as Varanasi, and it gets its name by being the meeting point of two rivers:
Varuna and Asi.
Kashi is actually not outside but within us. The Ajna chakra (the sixth
metaphysical centre of energy in the human body) is the meeting point of the
Ida, the Pingala and the Sushumna Naadis (energy channels in the human
body). So one whose prana finally flows in the Sushumna Naadi is one who
gets liberated (freed from the duality of the material world to unite with
the divine).
You should not understand this to mean that everyone necessarily has to go
to Kashi only to die and attain liberation.
Where is Kashi actually? It is the region in the middle of the eyebrows on
the forehead, the region of the Ajna Chakra – which is the meeting point of
Varuna (represented by the Ida Naadi) and Asi (represented by the Pingala
Naadi). So if one’s prana is steadily established in this region at the time
of death, then one attains liberation. This is what is truly conveyed by
these sayings.
There is another meaning attached to the city of Kashi. Kashi means one that
is overflowing with knowledge. In the ancient days, it was a great seat of
knowledge and learning. In those days, there were scholars in every street
of this great city who would go about debating and explaining the meanings
of the scriptures. People would discuss knowledge and scriptures.
In those days, people did not play card games by the banks of the river
Ganga as they do today. The river was not so dirty as it has become now.
There was no consumption of non-vegetarian food or slaughtering of cows in
the city in those days. The city of Kashi in those days was renowned for
overflowing with knowledge and intellectual discourses in every nook and
corner. It was said that the city was so enriched with knowledge that even a
Parrot and a Mynah would discuss knowledge. So one who sits in the company
of such wise and enlightened ones surely attains liberation just by
listening to the knowledge.
You all have been sitting here for the past three or four days now. Are you
not feeling elevated and happy? The environment here is so different.
Everyone is happy, doing their meditation and are engaged in service. So
places where people practice all these naturally become centers of
knowledge. That is why all these things are said about Kashi.
It does not mean that people who die in other places do not get liberation.
Many people who die here in Karnataka also get liberated (laughter).
Kashi has been held in great importance through the ages because it was
always the centre of knowledge and intelligent people. Scholars from all
over the country would come to Kashi to search and discuss knowledge in the
ancient days, such was its glory. But today you will hardly find 15-20 such
people who have this genuine depth and interest in knowledge. Such is the
unfortunate state of the city today. I feel sad to see this.
When I was a young boy, I remember that there were so many reputed scholars
there. Today there are very few genuine ones to be found.
Gurudev, we have 33,000 slaughterhouses in our country, and everyday close
to one lakh cows are slaughtered for their meat and hide. Please guide us as
to what can we do to save and protect the cows.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, it is our sacred duty to save the cows. I too am
greatly concerned about this. If we want to save and protect the heritage
and culture of our country, then it is very necessary that we do everything
possible to save the cows.
You should go to the villages and educate the people there to save the
indigenous Indian cows. Even if they do not yield milk anymore, the cow
urine can still be used in the farms and fields for cultivation of crops. In
fact the farmers should be taught to concentrate the cow urine and use it as
a fertilizer.
You know, one cow is enough to help fertilize one acre of land. We must ask
our farmers to stop purchasing artificial chemical fertilizers. If you spend
one-third of the money used for purchasing fertilizers for a cow, not only
will you be able to raise and keep a cow, you will also be able to have a
healthy field yielding good crops.
What is the solution for the Kashmir issue? Peace talks for the past 50
years have failed. Is war the solution? Lord Krishna also fought for truth.
Has the Kashmir issue become an ego issue?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In the recorded history of the world, the world has
been peaceful for only 288 years. This is only 8% of the time! This is what
the historians stay. That means conflicts have been there all through.
For the India-Pakistan issue, people to people contact is essential. That is
the way to go forward. The terrorists that they trained to work against
India are now working against them. They have to realize this. They have to
drop these strategies and come on board and make South Asia free from
poverty. They should fight against poverty, not against India. India and
Pakistan should work together to eliminate poverty.
Today, if you tell the Kashmiris, 'Those of you who want to go to Pakistan
can go', nobody will go. They know on that side of Kashmir people are not
happy. People there are poorer than the Indian Kashmiris.
The Azad Kashmiris have not even seen beds. They don’t know what air
conditioning is, or dining tables, or chairs. They are in very poor
condition. When they come and see people here, they say that this is really
different.
Pat Gounden
Nov 26, 2014, 5:09:52 PM11/26/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The one who is filled with love has great peace of mind, is pure at heart
and is unruffled by any adverse circumstances, failures or losses. This
fortitude is derived from love of the Lord, and it endows one with
self-confidence. Self-confidence generates an immense internal power.
Everyone has to develop this power to experience the bliss of the Self
(Atma-Ananda). Love should be free from feelings of expectation of any
return or reward. Love which arises out of a desire for something in return
is not true love. Utterly selfless and motiveless love should be developed.
This is the bounden duty of all. You should not pray to God seeking this
favour or that, for your vision is limited. None of you can fathom what
immensely precious, Divine and magnificent treasures lie when you secure the
treasure-house of Divine Grace. (Divine Discourse, Oct 9, 1989)
-BABA
In the presence of the enlightened, something can happen. It triggers, the
very presence triggers, and your heart starts blossoming. One experiences a
depth of love. And even this you get only by a little grace from the
Divine.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Truth Stands The Test Of Time
Wed, 12/11/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Gurudev, this gross material world appears to be real, but it is actually
unreal and temporary. It also appears to be full of misery and suffering.
How can an object be both true and untrue at the same time?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You have rightly said that it only appears to be real.
In reality it is not.
I will give you a simple example to understand this. Look at a flowing
river. Would you call it ancient or new? Try answering this question for
yourself.
Now you would think, 'How can the river be both?' But then, that is how it
is. The river has been in existence since ages, yet there is a constant flow
of new and fresh water in it. Every moment the water is fresh. So in the
same way, this world appears to be real and permanent, yet in reality it
keeps changing every day. That is why it is not regarded as the truth.
What is the definition of truth? In principle, truth is called as
'Trikaalabaadhitam yad tat sat'. It means that truth is that which remains
constant and unchanging through the three phases of time.
If you look at the world in light of this definition, then the world truly
appears unreal. But that does not mean that it does not exist. It is just
that it is not the same at all times and is constantly changing, yet it does
exist.
In Patanjali Yoga Sutra, you have talked about the five states of the mind.
You say that when the mind gets into wrong knowledge, it often thinks that
it is the right. If that is the case then what is the way out to come out of
this wrong knowledge?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Viparyaya (wrong understanding) is one of the
modulations of the mind. It doesn’t stay too long. That’s why in Ashtanga
Yoga (The Eight Limbs of Yoga) any one of the limbs will trigger the mind
and say, ‘This is pramana viparyaya', meaning, it the wrong knowledge. This
comes to one’s understanding.
If you have been judgmental, when you come out of being judgmental you say,
‘Oh, I have been judgmental’. Time will trigger that point in you.
There are two ways of coming out of Viparyaya:
1. Time
2. An expanded consciousness, when you are able to see, ‘What I am thinking,
is it correct or not?’
The whole Nyaya Shastra is built on that. It is one of the Angas (limbs) of
the Upangas(yoga). You have a certain understanding, but how do you know if
it is right or not? So to know whether it is correct or not, they have given
a whole process for it, which is called the Nyaya Darshana.
The Nyaya Shastra is the most fascinating treatise. It is to know or
identify whether the means of knowledge is correct or not. It is to identify
whether the understanding that you have is a reality, or just one of the
games of your mind. They have given many examples and ways to find out. Some
other time we’ll discuss the Nyaya Sutras.
Gautama’s Nyaya Sutras say, 'You see the sun rising and setting, but you
know that the sun neither rises nor sets. Similarly, you have a beaker of
water and you put a pen into it and it appears to be bent, but in reality it
is not bent'.
It is a way to go beyond the perception.
Isn’t it through science that we can actually identify this wrong
understanding or wrong knowledge?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Correct, that is why spirituality is a science. This
is what people said thousands of years ago in the six darshanas (schools of
thought).
The six darshanas are:
1. Samkhya (emphasizing on consciousness and matter)
2. Yoga (emphasizing on meditation, contemplation & liberation)
3. Nyaya (emphasizing on the sources of knowledge)
4. Vaisheshika (emphasizing on atomism)
5. Mimamsa (emphasizing on religion and ethics)
6. Vedanta (knowledge)
So, the darshanas are nothing but pure science. That’s why we say, 'Gyana
vigyaana tripatma,’ knowledge and science, both are essential in life.
In India we never opposed science. We said, first know the five elements
(Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether), this is science, and then go to the
sixth element, i.e., the mind.
Nyaya is the method of knowing whether your knowing is correct or not.
Nowhere else in the world have people attended to this type of keen
awareness, to see whether the knowledge one has is subjective knowledge or
objective knowledge.
One is to analyze the object and then also see, who is knowing, and what is
the quality of his consciousness. Is he drunk? Does he have jaundice? For a
person who has jaundice everything appears yellow.
So, not just the object even the subject has been studied. This much depth
and detail our ancient scriptures have. That is why they say, this is true
and this is not true.
After completing the course I am very attracted to this picture. There is a
Goddess and there’s Shiva on the left and Ganesha on the right. How to
understand the picture?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I also liked the picture and that’s why we have put it
there. It is a picture of Kashi Vishalakshi. She has the son in one hand and
the husband in the other. She also has ajapa mala (rosary) and a kamandala
(water pot).
Kamandala is symbolic of giving boons, and the japa mala is symbolic of
meditation and knowledge. It is beautiful!
I liked it too and so decided to put it in our Vishalakshi Mantap.
Vishalakshi means one who has a broad vision. The one who gives such a big
vision is known as Vishalakshi.
In Rudra pooja, there are a lot of layers that we worship. Do these layers
exist in the same space?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Scientists say this universe is multi-dimensional. It
is not a universe, it is multi-verse because it has many layers. Just like
in the television there is not just one channel.
In the 1960s and 70s there was only one channel called Doordarshan. There
was no other option. Today, there are hundreds of channels. Like that this
universe has many layers and knowledge is humongous. There is no end to
knowledge.
Do you get all the channels in the same television or different ones?
Pat Gounden
Nov 27, 2014, 3:15:14 PM11/27/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, November 28, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Have faith that Truth will save you in the long run; stick to it, regardless
of what might befall. For if you are true, the sense of guilt will not gnaw
your insides and cause pain. It is cowardice that makes you hide the truth;
it is hatred that sharpens the edge of falsehood. Be bold and there is no
need for a lie. Be full of love and there is no need for subterfuge. The
easiest habit is speaking the truth, honesty; for if you start telling lies,
you will have to keep count of them and remember how many you have told to
whom, and be always alert not to contradict one lie with another! Love a
person and you need no longer deceive the person with a lie; you will feel
that the loved one deserves the truth and nothing less than the truth. Love
saves a good deal of bother. (Divine Discourse, March 3, 1958)
-BABA
So the ones, who walk on the path of untruth, enjoy some good times but
later on they meet with a downfall. The problem with the path of untruth is
that you don't get sound sleep and feel restless. At least, the ones
following the path of truth will have a sound sleep.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
To The Farmers Of India
Thu, 13/11/2014 Bangalore, India
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Today, many farmers from all over the country have gathered here at the
Bangalore Ashram. A very warm welcome to you all!
If the farmers of a country are happy and prosperous, then surely the people
of that country too will be happy. A country whose farmers are unhappy
cannot be happy and healthy. So it is very necessary that the farmer should
be happy and content, and there are two ways for this:
1. To build our inner strength and awaken our self-confidence. This makes us
capable of enduring and bearing all problems that come our way
2. We must carefully plan and strategize before doing anything so that
difficulties do not happen
See, there are some things which are in our hand, and some that we cannot
control. So we must make efforts to improve whatever is in our hands.
Whatever is beyond our control, we should simply surrender to God, pray that
everything goes well, and just move ahead with self-confidence. Then you
will see that all your works start getting fulfilled.
(Sri Sri to the farmer: We shall discuss a number of topics in this three
day workshop. I am sure you all will greatly benefit from all this. And when
you benefit and prosper, then the many hundreds and thousands of people in
this country will benefit as well. So many people in our country are able to
make a living and run their lives smoothly because your hard work.)
I always tell people wherever I go that before they start their meals, they
should say a small mantra as a prayer, i.e., 'Annadaatha Sukhi Bhava' (May
all those who contributed towards this meal be happy and prosperous).
When we were young children, my father would always tell us to chant this
mantra before we began our meals. In fact, he would ask us to chant this
mantra even after we had finished our meal. I never heard any other verse
from him. He would always give importance to this mantra. When you chant
this mantra, you actually pray for three people who help to provide food.
The first is naturally the farmer who cultivates the food grains. The second
person is the merchant who trades and brings these food grains to our homes.
You might ask why the merchant? See, the farmer grows and harvests the
crops, but if the merchant does not bring the grains to the markets, then
both the farmer and the people suffer.
The people who hoard food grains and do not pay a fair price for them, or
sell them at very high prices to the common people, cause the food grains to
get spoiled. You know, we have a great abundance of food grains in our
country, but because of poor distribution of the food grains, many people
have to go hungry and at the same time the food grains also get spoiled (due
to illegal hoarding).
It is because of wrong activities that the prices of tomatoes suddenly go up
so high, and then once again suddenly falls down in the following months .
Have you all experienced this? All those who have had this experience, raise
your hands (Many in the audience raise their hands).
You all have to shoulder the burden of this loss if the merchant and
tradesmen do not do their job properly, or if they are unhappy.
Only someone who is unhappy, unhealthy or discontent will do something
wrong. Only one who is unhealthy and unhappy will not follow the rules and
regulations and commit fraudulent activities. A person who is content from
within will never think of creating trouble for someone else.
So when a merchant is happy and righteously follows rules and regulations,
then he will not want to exploit or cheat the farmers. Today, our farmers
are being exploited. How many of you agree to this? (Many in the audience
raise their hands)
You know, the sugar we grow in India is priced at Rs. 12 for a kilo, but we
import sugar from foreign countries and price it at Rs. 30 for a kilo. Is
our Indian sugar less sweet than the imported sugar? Why is all this
happening?
Some corrupt politicians get together with some businessmen and resort to
such illegal activities. So if the businessmen are unhappy, then too the
farmer and the people at large will be unhappy and will have to suffer.
When the merchants are unhappy, they take to adulteration of food grains and
sugar and sell it to the people to make more profits. If you buy one kilo of
rice, you will find that there will be impurities and grits in the packet of
around 100-200 grams. Nowadays, milk, wheat flour and ghee (clarified
butter) also is adulterated. And a businessman who is engaged in doing such
adulteration is surely an unhappy and discontent businessman at heart. This
is why we must pray for their happiness and well-bring, so that they do not
adulterate the food produce and ensures that the farmers get their rightful
share of the profits from the market. A merchant should not become greedy
and sell food at unfair prices to make more money. He should ensure that he
sells the food grains at the same prices at which he buys from the farmers.
According to what is written in the Dharmashastras (a body of ancient Indian
scriptures that lay down the rules for righteous conduct), a merchant can
keep 20% of the profit for himself, but not more than that. But today, what
happens is that merchants and traders selfishly reserve 50% or more of the
gains for themselves and leave very little for the farmers. This is not
right. Instead, if some food grains or produce sells more in the markets,
then the merchant should ensure that the farmers also receive an equal share
of the profits.
The third person for whose wellbeing we pray through this mantra is the lady
of the house who tirelessly cooks food for us. If she becomes unhappy, then
the house will also suffer. If the lady of the house is not content and
happy from within, then no one will be able to enjoy or digest the food that
she cooks. If she cries tears of sorrow while cooking the food, then the man
who eats the food will also have to shed tears. So it is very necessary that
the lady of the house is happy and joyful. This is what we say by chanting
this mantra as a prayer.
If you really look at it, the true Annadaata (the Giver of Food) is none
other than God himself. And God is always happy and content. Does God ever
become unhappy? No! Yet, at the level of this gross material world that we
are in, we pray to God who is the ultimate nurturer, for the happiness and
wellbeing of these three people who help to provide us with food. We all
should chant this every day, both before and after our meals. Bless them
before and after you have had your food.
India is one of those countries in the world that receives the greatest
rainfall. There is so much rain here, but despite that, we are not utilizing
our water resources properly. We are still dumping so many chemical wastes
in our water bodies.
Chemicals and artificial fertilizers that have been banned in so many
countries across the world are still being used in our farms and fields. We
end up wasting so much more money for these chemicals and also destroy the
natural quality and health of our soil. We not only suffer a loss in terms
of our money, but also in terms of our soil and natural resources. We need
to have a deeper discussion on these issues.
(Sri Sri addressing the farmer: Many experts and scientists have also come
to attend this workshop here at the Ashram. They will all speak with you,
and you too should freely discuss and put your issues forward. Just think
that you have come to your own home. You are at your spiritual abode now.
This is your very own place, so be happy and enjoy your stay here.
In the mornings, practice some Yoga, Pranayama and meditation also for an
hour or two. We have many teachers here who will teach you all this so that
you are healthy and fit. When you all are healthy, then the country will
also be healthy. When you all are healthy and happy, then the food grains
that you grow in your fields will bring happiness and health to all those
who consume them in the country.)
(To be continued...)
Pat Gounden
Nov 30, 2014, 3:01:16 PM11/30/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, December 01, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
To pray to God with excessive adulation and request a favour stems from a
tone of despondency. Describing Him as One who is beyond praise by Brahma
and other gods, and narrating glories beyond description of how He helped
devotees and then asking, "Oh Lord! You have talked to them and given them
so much! Why don't You come to my help?" appears to stem from jealousy. It
is only when God is regarded as a friend and a companion that He is pleased
the most. When you address Him as, "O my dearest friend! My beloved One! The
darling of my heart," you are giving Him the greatest joy. We use words of
praise towards an unfamiliar person to show respect and regard as he/she is
a stranger. But we welcome an old friend with easy familiarity and intimacy.
Hence approach God as your loving friend, He will come to your aid and
fulfill your needs. (Divine Discourse, Oct 9, 1989)
-BABA
Friendliness, compassion and ignoring. To calm the mind, be friendly and
compassionate, and finally ignore if needed. Ignore the imperfection and
keep your mind calm. Hating somebody is like drinking poison. And more so,
never hate wise people! Patanjali says, “Awaken the opposite emotion.” This
is sadhana. If anger arises, awaken compassion, and a new chemical process
will be initiated. ‘Vitarka badhane, pratipaksha bhavanam.’
This is why we remember the Guru - the chemical process changes immediately,
and enthusiasm, joy and non-attachment arises naturally.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tue, 07/10/2014 Delhi, India
(Confederation of Indian Industry organized a special session on 'Human
Potential and Business Ethics' with Sri Sri on 7 October 2014 at New Delhi.
Below is the transcript of the Q&A session with Sri Sri)
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Q: (A member of the audience asked a question which was inaudible).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: As Jayantji very correctly said, we have human
potential but no skills and no aptitude. And I would add one more thing: no
common sense.
Someone asked what is the sign of an Indian? I said there are four things:
1. Every Indian is a philosopher. They will give you advice on what you
should do and how you should do. They will give you their own philosophy.
Even a rickshaw driver will have advice to give you
2. Every Indian is a politician
3. Everyone is a doctor
4. If someone is going forward, instead of running faster than them we have
a tendency of pulling them backwards and putting a brake on their work
What is that something that is motivating or inspiring people to put their
heart and soul into the work they are doing?
This is what we need to look at.
Way back in the 80s, I remember, I had a meeting with the top industrialists
of this country whom I wouldn’t like to name, and do you know, they were
having a discussion on how to put a brake on the people who were marching
forward. I felt this to be so pathetic. If someone is progressing and doing
very well in business we should see how we can do better than them. This is
the attitude we must have, and also build into our culture. It was there
before, but somehow we are misjudging our own abilities. We don't realize
that we have huge potential.
I know that small and medium industries have many challenges. Profit and
loss makes a very big difference to these industries, unlike big Industries
who in spite of having loans still survive. But for small and medium
industries, skill development is very important. You need to have skilled
people because you cannot employ too many people. You want efficient,
productive, creative, honest people. It almost sounds like utopia. Where do
you get such people from?
I tell you it is possible. What you need to do is just take a little time
and look at how the NGOs and religious bodies work. You know, we need to
learn from every avenue and understand how people are so dedicated in these
places. If you think you are secular and don’t want to look at NGOs or
religious bodies, the other option you have is to see how the terrorists
work.
See how the Naxalites or the terrorists elsewhere in this country work. What
is that something that is motivating or inspiring these people to put their
heart and soul into the work they are doing?
You know, the year before last year, The Government of India Home Ministry
had sent 350 ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) terrorists to our
Ashram, many of whom wanted to give up their arms. They stayed here for one
month and I tell you, each one of their lives changed drastically. Their
life stories are like a Bollywood movie; in fact much more interesting than
any movie.
Now, what is the force in these young people that causes them to let go of
all their comforts, take to guns and live in the forest. This speaks volumes
of what an individual can do.
If an individual can put their whole life, heart and mind into doing
something destructive, can’t we put the same potential and same energy into
doing something much more creative? I tell you, we can.
The one month that they stayed in the ashram brought a big transformation in
these people. The same people vowed to go out and bring a change in society.
Some of them became agriculturists and some have become small scale
industrialists. So all that is needed is that right direction.
So we have to think about how we can kindle that source of energy in the
people who are working for us. They should not just come and work from 9 to
5 and leave.
Many times, people work only when the supervisor is watching. Once the
supervisor turns the person starts slacking again. We must change this
attitude and to change this attitude and bring out the best in people, we
need to view human beings as human beings and not as commodities or
machines. We need to build a relationship with them.
For e.g., the guard outside your factory is safeguarding your whole factory.
Have you ever stopped and said hello to him anytime? Have you asked him,
'How are you? Did you have a good Diwali? How many kids do you have? Are
they fine?'
A couple of sentences or small conversation with them will help develop a
sense of commitment, and a sense of belongingness gets kindled within such
people. So these are small gestures that we need to make because these small
things can make a big difference. It is not just the money.
If you see in The Art of Living also, so many graduates from IIT and IIM are
working with us. They can earn a very high salary in any other IT company,
but they work with us and just take what they need for their day to day
expenditure, yet they put their heart and soul into their work. When this
can happen in an NGO, can it not happen at a workplace? It is possible.
This culture was in Germany soon after World War II when the entire nation
woke up and said, 'We have to rebuild our nation. Our nation is totally
destroyed'.
The youth have the power and women also have the power to bring about
change.
I must tell you of this 65 year old lady who invited me to her home in
Germany. This was about 20 years ago. This lady had children and
grandchildren, yet at the age 65 she and her husband built their whole house
themselves. They made their house out of wood and not a nail was out of
place. It was the zeal in them to work.
See, we need to induce our young people and our work force. We need to
induce a work culture. For this, we need to look into four aspects:
1. We need to ensure that their health is okay. Sometimes if they are
feeling lethargic to work, check to see what is wrong with them. They may be
low on vitamin B, or vitamin D. These days due to the excessive use of
chemical fertilizers in vegetables and food, people get tired more after
eating this kind of food. Instead of getting energy from food they get more
tired. So physical tiredness results in laziness or lethargy. So they must
focus a bit more on their food.
One such small industry in Coimbatore, on my suggestion, they started giving
a mid-day meal to all their workers at lunch time. They gave them a balanced
meal of grains and sprouts. When people started sharing lunch together their
productivity started getting so much better. And a balanced nutritious meal
in the afternoon also keeps them awake and alert for the rest of the day.
Otherwise if they eat parathas (stuffed flat bread) and drink lassi (thick
buttermilk), they feel sleepy soon after their lunch and are not able to
concentrate on their work. So some attention should be given to food.
You can charge it from the salaries you give them, but give them good
nutritious food.
Care for people. Just talking to them, interacting with them from time to
time and making them feel that the company belongs to them also will make
all the difference.
If you see our diet, we are so poor in our nutritional awareness in this
country. We only consume carbohydrates: potato, tomato and eggplant. We
don’t seem to include any greens in our meals at all. We only eat potato,
onion, tomato and eggplant every day. There is absolutely no nutritional
value in this.
Even fasting is done wrongly. We eat potato and say that we are fasting.
This is totally wrong. There is a way to fast.
It is said, ‘Jaisa ann vaisa mann’ (as is the food, so is the mind). My
grandmother used to be so particular on what one should eat every day. She
would ensure that there is some green chutney and saag (cooked green leafy
vegetable) everyday. She would daily eat food on a banana leaf, and being a
village lady she lived up to the age of 95.
In the olden days, there was a system that was followed in terms of food.
What should be eaten in what order, and how it should be served, attention
was given to all these details. Even the food was honored. It would be
served on a leaf, a small prayer would be said and then the food would be
eaten. And they would serve at least two vegetables and two types of
daals(lentils). This was a must.
So, if you look back and see what our ancient people used to have, it was
such a balanced diet If you want to change the attitude of people, you must
make their food intake more balanced.
2. Exercise. People don’t exercise at all. They just keep sitting in one
place and let both the body and mind get rusty. They should be encouraged to
do some yoga or some vigorous exercise. All should be encouraged to do this
together.
Now you may wonder, where is the time for all this? But you can incorporate
all this at lunch time. Just 5 minutes of this is good enough. You don’t
need to exercise for a full hour, just five to ten minutes of exercise will
make the body fitter. So taking care of health, this is very important. And
caring for people. Just talking to them, interacting with them from time to
time and making them feel that this company belongs to them also will make
all the difference.
Try all this and see how motivated they become. Even if someone offers them
more money they will say, 'No I like it here'. You must create an atmosphere
that is very congenial for working and give them not just physical but
mental comfort. You can then motivate people to work for you better.
3. Teach them a little bit of meditation as meditation is the only way to
get rid of mental stress. So you should have M&Ms in the afternoon, i.e.,
meals and meditation. Everyone should have their meal together and then sit
and relax.
Meditation is not concentration but de concentration. In the west, power nap
is the buzz word, and they have found out through research that when people
spend 20 minutes in the afternoon on a power nap or meditation, their
productivity goes up by anywhere between 32% to 54%. This is huge. So that
type of mental rest or power nap should be done wherever possible.
Many of you may think that this is not practical to have a nap in the
afternoon. But for people who are doing more intellectual work, to make them
more efficient, it is good to give them a little rest in the afternoon for
15 or 20 minutes and meditation is the best alternative. If you do 15 or 20
minutes of meditation, it gives you the same rest as eight hours of sleep
because in eight hours sleep your oxygen consumption rate goes down 80% and
the same thing happens in 20 minutes of meditation. So meditation is very
useful in more than one way.
So a little bit of meditation and personal interaction.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, ight
follows day, seasons come & go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms in
our body, mind and emotions. When these rhythms are in sync, we have a sense
of harmony and well being. When stress or illness upsets the rhythm, we
experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.
“We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of
fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya
cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer”
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1) The Art of Living Happiness Program to be held at APD in Chatsworth (65
Gemini Cres, Woodhurst – Pass Chatsmed Hospital – turn left on top of hill)
(P1 course)
1.1 Happiness Program (new & repeaters)
Chatsworth (repeaters only)
b) 19 to 24 January 2015 (6days – evening course) @ APD Chatsworth (new &
repeaters)
1.2 Sri Sri Yoga 26 – 30 January 2015
Pat Gounden
Dec 1, 2014, 3:13:07 PM12/1/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, December 02, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
People suffer because they have all kinds of unreasonable desires and they
pine to fulfil them and they fail. They attach too much value to the
objective world. It is only when attachment increases that you suffer pain
and grief. If you look upon Nature and all created objects with the insight
derived from the Inner Vision, then attachment will slide away, though
effort will remain; you will also see everything much clearer and with a
glow suffused with Divinity and splendour. Close your external eyes and open
your inner eyes - What a grand picture of essential unity you get?
Attachment to Nature has limits, but the attachment you develop to the Lord
when your inner eye opens, has no limit. Enjoy that reality, not this false
picture. (Divine Discourse, 2 Feb 1958)
-BABA
Inner journey and outer world events are complementary. If you are happy
inside, you are able to work dynamically outside. The more dynamic you are,
deeper and better is the rest and meditation. When you meditate the joy
increases.
People who are lazy, they cannot be happy. And people who are dynamic, it is
not necessary that they will be happy also. Dynamism should be combined with
inner silence. So, time to time, one should take a few days off, learn how
to go deep inside and meditate.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 03/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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A very happy Vijaya Dasami to all those who have joined us on the webcast
from many different cities.
After nine days of a grand divine party all over the country, today is the
day of victory (Vijaya Dasami). Today we celebrate the victory of grandness
over pettiness, of the big mind over the small mind, of good over the evil.
Normally, when the mind is taken over by negative tendencies we keep
fighting with it. This is when we surrender it to the divinity to take care
of it. We say, 'I can’t fight with my own mind so you take care of it and
you show me the path'. This is what the nine days of Navratri signifies,
i.e., the victory of the spiritual power, the higher self over pettiness and
small things.
Today is also the day of gratefulness. A day to feel grateful for all that
we have received in life.
In this universe there is nothing significant or everything is significant
(including the small things). Just imagine, you are riding on a bike and you
don’t have buttons on your shirt, what would happen? The shirt will fly and
go onto your face. So the small buttons are very significant.
Something as small as a needle also has a purpose. Without a needle you
can’t even wear the clothes you are wearing, isn't it? So tiny things also
add meaning to our lives. And today is the day to honor and feel grateful
for all the instruments that add meaning to our life.
All instruments are created by the mind and our mind is created by the
divine. In fact the mind is divine. And all the thoughts that came to the
mind to create an aeroplane, a camera, a mike, has all come from the same
source, i.e., Devi.
This is what we chant in the Chandi Homa, 'Ya devi sarva bhuteshu buddhi
rupena samsthita' (to the divine goddess who resides in all existence in the
form of intelligence). Through this prayer we see that the intellect in all
beings is the manifestation of nothing but the one divinity.
It is the one divinity which manifests itself as the intellect in all
beings. It is the same divinity that is present in all human beings as
hunger and as sleep. And it is the same divinity which is also present as
agitation or restlessness. This realization, that everything is a
manifestation of the one divine brings rest to the mind.
So you don’t have to say, 'What should I do with this mind?' Don't try to do
anything with your mind, just relax. Do whatever service you can do and just
relax.
If you want to think, then think about what you can do for the world and not
what you should do about your mind. There is a (higher) power to take care
of the mind.
On this day (Vijaya Dasami), let us all take a sankalpa to make the best use
of all that we have been given for the welfare of the world. Let us expand
our vision.
There are many situations or states of mind, but generally you can
categorize them into three kinds:
1. When there is craving or longing. Longing for worldly or spiritual
experiences
2. When there is dullness. There is neither longing nor there is any
interest in anything. a sense of inertia in our mind. You just go on with
inertia. This situation can set now and then in life
3. When there is contentment, happiness and joy
The purpose of all this celebration is to move from inertia to joy, to move
from longing to contentment. It’s so beautiful.
There are those who do not even look at their mind, they just keep working
and working. Then there are others who keep looking at their own mind. Both
are not good, take the middle path. Sometimes take a look at the mind, but
not all the time. Do you see what I’m saying? Otherwise you will become
self-centred, all the time thinking, 'What do I want?' Or 'I am feeling like
this'.
Forget about how you feel, feelings keep changing. One minute it is good,
next minute it is not good, so what! Move with valour and courage. Winning
over the small mind is Vijaya Dasami.
In the small mind there is bickering, judgements and all kinds of noise that
goes on. Navratri is a time to overcome these tendencies and unite with the
source.
During Navratri this year we have distributed 9000 solar lamps to villages
where there is no electricity.
I also thank all the cooks and kitchen staff. They have worked day and night
with a smile and have done a good job.
Pat Gounden
Dec 2, 2014, 4:29:17 PM12/2/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, December 03, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Enter upon that task of Sadhana from now on; that is the lesson you must
learn here. Otherwise yatra (pilgrimage) leads only to the accumulation of
patra (objects and souvenirs). Devotion is something sweet, soothing,
refreshing and restoring. It must confer patience and fortitude. The devotee
will not be perturbed if another is blessed with more grace. The devotee is
humble and bides one’s time, knowing that there is a higher power that knows
more and that it is just and impartial. In the light of that knowledge, the
devotees will communicate their troubles and problems only to their Lord;
they will not humiliate themselves by talking about them to all and sundry,
for what can a man, who is as helpless as another, do to relieve them? It is
only those who have that implicit faith in God, who will deign to
communicate only with the Lord and none else, who deserve Amrita (nectar of
immortality).
-BABA
A person who has faith only in bank accounts, bricks and stones will sooner
or later come to ruin, a person who places his faith in the unseen can never
fall. The freedom and security that a Sadhak has is incomparable. Sadhana
means that wealth which will forever be yours, across time and space and
lifetimes. The hours of meditation that you have put in, are forever
credited into your account.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 13/11/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
India)
This entire world is made up of vibrations, and we should see to it that
these vibrations are Sattvik (positive and uplifting).
When a doctor is good and treats everyone well, we generally say that the
doctor has a healing touch. See, all doctors are the same but some treat
their patients better than the others do. They seem to have a healing touch
in their hands. Whatever seeds of thought we sow into the consciousness, the
same will be the vibration around us. That is why we should regularly
practice yoga and Pranayama. So this is a wonderful opportunity for all of
you to enhance the qualities of your mind and your being.
Every Friday, we perform a small pooja here in the Ashram in honor of
Goddess Lakshmi. Tomorrow, those of you who wish to attend the pooja are
most welcome to do so. First we shall pray to God to bless us with timely
rains, so that whatever seeds we sow in our fields blossom and yield food,
and that no one in our country goes hungry.
After the pooja, we shall have other sessions and activities. Before we
start anything new, we are asked to pray to God. This tradition is unique to
India and is not found in any other country in the world.
When we pray, we should remind ourselves that when we were born in this
world, we were so dependent on our parents and family for all our needs.
When we grow old, we shall again become dependent on our children and family
for something or the other. So both, in childhood and in old age we have a
dependency on others. And in between these two points of our life, we still
are dependent on so many things, like the rains, the society, etc.
So throughout our life, we have a sense of dependency on something, or some
person. But when we remember that this dependency in the true sense is our
dependency on God for all our needs, then this sense of dependency becomes a
source of great inner strength rather than a source of weakness. Then we can
find strength even in moments of helplessness. This is the secret to
worshiping God.
You must have heard this saying in Hindi, 'Nirbal ke bal Ram' (God is the
strength of the weak). So first acknowledge that you are weak and then know
that God is the strength of the weak. When you have this strong faith, then
can you continue to feel weak and helpless? No, this knowledge brings
immense strength and makes you self-reliant and independent. It is very
necessary for our farmers to become independent and self-reliant.
By the way, today is also the anniversary of our Art of Living Foundation.
Actually, there is really no beginning to this knowledge, it is timeless and
beginning-less. But formally, we established The Art of Living Foundation
and the Ved Vignan Maha Vidyapeeth today, and so the organization got
registered on 13th November 1981. Today we have completed 33 years of
service.
One of the first trustees of the organization was Justice V.R. Krishnaiah.
Today he turned a 100 years. It is his 100th birthday. He is the most
acclaimed legal expert and court judge of India. He used to call himself an
atheist back then. But then, after meeting me, we would have many
discussions on spirituality and slowly he also became interested.
He would attend the guided meditations I conducted in those days because at
that time there was no Sudarshan Kriya, and I used to conduct meditation
only. He spent a lot of time with me. Then he felt that there is something
really wonderful about spirituality, and from then on he began his journey
as a devotee and a believer. He was a very noble-hearted soul.
You know, whether a person is an atheist or a believer (of God or
spirituality), as long as he remains steadfast and true to his word and
action, he surely becomes successful in life. And as time progresses, slowly
and surely they start developing an interest in spirituality and become
strong believers. We have observed this many times.
A person may sometimes say, 'Oh, I am an atheist', but they say that from a
very superficial level. Deep down, they also know that there truly is
something that is beyond their limited understanding. So such people slowly
and surely do understand the value of spirituality.
In fact, at that time I was very reluctant to start an organization. It was
these few people who inspired and supported me to start the organization,
Pitaji (a loving name for Gurudev’s father), Justice Krishnaiah, Justice
Bhagawati, Mr. Lakshman Rao who was the mayor of Bangalore, and Mr.
Narasimha Rao, who then was the Chief Secretary of Karnataka at that time.
These five people told me, 'No, you must start this organization'. Today is
the day that they formally registered the organization 33 years ago.
So, today our Ashram has completed 33 years of its existence. In those days
the Ashram was not what it looks like now. In those early days, the rooms
and living quarters were thatched huts made from straw and mud. In those
days, there was not a single sturdy house made of cement; everyone made
huts. But just see the change today. Everyone today makes strong houses made
of cement. In those days, when it used to rain, water would drip from the
straw ceiling to the floor. I always used to like simplicity. I would often
ask that the houses and huts should be constructed from coconut coir and
grass straws, just like how it used to be in the olden days. At that time,
there were just around 100-200 people with me. Some of you are still sitting
here today. We used to fetch water from the well, and a generator used to
supply electricity for lighting the Ashram. The power supply would only last
for one to two hours in a day. There was so much rain in those days, and it
was so windy, that everything used to get blown away with the strong winds.
Then we thought that we should make more pukka places to stay. Many people
from foreign countries also started coming to meet me. One of those people
told me, 'Gurudev, there are so many devotees pouring in to the Ashram now.
You will really have to get a huge meditation hall constructed soon to
accommodate all these people. They will not be able to stay in huts and
tents for long'.
I agreed and told them to start the construction. I myself made the design
of the meditation hall and gave them instructions. That meditation hall is
now the Vishalakshi Mantap that you are sitting in today.
Some 10-15 years later, more and more sturdy houses began to be constructed.
So, I told that if we are getting pukka houses constructed for ourselves,
then we should also help the people from the villages and surrounding areas
in building pukka houses for themselves. I told the devotees at that time
with me, that only if everyone living here also gets a pukka house, will I
give the permission to have such construction. They all got together and
ensured that everyone living near and around the Ashram also got pukka
houses built to stay in. Each house had a proper toilet. We also got a small
colony made for the people who stay behind the Ashram premises. Earlier they
used to stay in slums. So that really helped improve the living conditions
of the people.
Pat Gounden
Dec 3, 2014, 3:52:51 PM12/3/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, December 04, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Mere reading of spiritual texts is not enough. You may master all the
commentaries and you may be able to argue and discuss with great scholars
about these texts; but without attempting to practise what they teach, it is
a waste of time. I never approve of book-learning; practice is what I
evaluate. When you come out of the examination hall you know whether you
will pass or not, is it not? For you can yourself judge whether you have
answered well or not. So too in sadhana (spiritual effort) or in conduct or
in practice, each of you can judge and ascertain the success or failure that
is in store. The moon is reflected in a pot, provided it has water; so too
the Lord can be clearly seen in your heart, provided you have the water of
Love (Prema). When you don’t see the Lord reflected in your heart, do not
say that there is no Lord; it only means that there is no Love within you.
-BABA
There should not be a difference in what we practice and what we preach. One
should practice on the outside what one believes from the inside. This
approach gives great inner strength. It is such a great strength to have,
and using it we can readily march towards success in life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
The Measure Of Karma
Blessings for a GOoD day
Tue, 09/09/2014 Bangalore, India
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Questions & Answers
Expand all Q & A
Gurudev, where does one seek the do’s and don'ts on karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You should listen to your own conscience, your inner
gut feeling. Don’t do anything which you don’t want others to do to you.
That is the criteria.
We should do that which brings long term benefit, even if it is at the cost
of some short term unpleasant situations. We should not do that which gives
short term pleasure but problems in the long run. This is the criteria for
karma.
Gurudev, what thoughts come to your mind when another spiritual leader comes
and conducts himself or herself in a disrespectful manner, or gets caught in
a disgraceful act?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Compassion and wonder. First of all you wonder how a
person with knowledge can do something like that. You know, someone who owns
a jewellery shop will not go and steal a few pennies worth of vegetables, or
a kilo of bananas or apples. If someone does that you can only wonder, and
on the other side feel compassionate. There must be some deep rooted
ignorance and you can only be compassionate about the ignorance. There is no
point in getting angry at them. It is not going to help anybody.
This man who was climbing has slipped. He has succumbed to his base cravings
or aversions. And if they are genuine, they will take punishment on their
own. That is called prayaschit (to atone for ones sin). When someone has
done a mistake and they realize it, they should punish themselves and not
wait for others to punish them. And if they don’t fall into one of these,
they shouldn’t even be considered as spiritual leaders. They are misusing
the spiritual field for their own selfish gains.
Gurudev, I love spiritual practices and the atmosphere. It makes me feel
balanced and fulfilled to be around spiritually evolved people and their
activities. Is it possible to make a career out of spiritual practices? If
yes, what would you advise me?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, spiritual practices cannot be made into a
career but The Art of Living does provide many opportunities. We have many
schools, institutions, universities and we have an employment exchange
bureau. So you are most welcome to come and register with us because the
country needs talent, and people with a spiritual bent are welcomed
everywhere. So there are many opportunities.
Gurudev, what kind of questions from people make you uncomfortable?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: So far I don’t even remember anybody asking me any
uncomfortable question. I don’t feel uncomfortable with anybody whatsoever.
Not until now. I don’t know about the future.
Gurudev, you give comfort to so many in distress and fear. What were the
biggest moments of stress and anxiety that you have been through in your
life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I can't relate to anxiety but there have been many
points of stress. We were involved during the tsunami time and we travelled
48 hours continuously. Those days were very stressful. Also, when I was
travelling in Iraq there were bombs in the front and at the back. I went
into the red zone. I was not anxious of course, but I made people around me
anxious. I knew that all will be well with us.
The Government insisted that we should not go into the red zone but I
insisted on going and meeting with the tribal people. They gave us 12
vehicles including 2 tankers for my security. A distance which would take
normally half an hour took us two hours. So I have experienced travelling in
war zones, but I was not anxious.
Long back I also travelled to many places in Kashmir when it was in the grip
of militancy.
I travelled to Sri Lanka but my trip there was a disappointment for me. I
went to Sri Lanka because I wanted to make peace. I spoke to the Sri Lankan
President and I also wanted to speak to Prabhakaran. I wanted to tell him
not to go for war and to come to the negotiation table but he did not meet
me, so that was a little disappointing.
I stayed for a day in Kilinochchi. I could see that eighty thousand people
will be destroyed if this one man’s ego is not pulled down. If he had come
to the negotiating table the war in Sri Lanka could have been averted. Of
course, people under him were also desperate. They said, 'Gurudev please
meet with our leader. His mind will change if he meets with you', but that
man refused to meet. He said he will not meet with spiritual leaders.
Again when there were problems happening between North Korea and South
Korea, there was some effort made to meet with the new President. He was a
young President in his late twenties. We were told that he was surrounded by
the mafia and the mafia wouldn’t let us have access to the President. So
even though we came close it then fizzled out. These things happen but I am
not disturbed by these things.
Gurudev, I am 30 years old and honestly I still don’t know what I want from
my life. How do I figure out what I truly want from my life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, you should shift this 'What I want from my
life' to 'What people around want', or 'What the nation wants'. If you make
this change from 'What I want' to 'What is needed of me', you will find
fulfillment.
When you think, 'What can I do to better the nation, and better the
society', you will not find yourself empty, and The Art of Living has many
projects. Just call one of our volunteers and they will take you along with
them. You will see the amount of joy and celebration there is when you are
actively involved in some social project. You can’t buy that type of
happiness anywhere.
Gurudev, how do we manage stress and anxiety?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Keep smiling as you are doing now. Don’t hold on to
stress and anxiety. If you don’t hold on to it, then there is no question of
managing it.
What is a Guru and ashram for? Leave all your anxieties, pray, have faith
and move on. If you have the faith, you will reap the fruits.
Do you know in Bangalore city, some people have the faith that on Sunday, if
they come to the ashram and eat the holy food here, their stomach and other
illnesses get cured? They have the faith and this faith gives them the
desired result.
Maybe the people who work here have stomach pains and take medicines, but
people from outside who come with this faith on Sundays, get cured totally.
This is the experience of a lot of people.
Pat Gounden
Dec 4, 2014, 3:27:02 PM12/4/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, December 05, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The conflict between persons who accept God and deny Him, those who declare
that God is to be found in this or that place and those who affirm that He
can be found nowhere, is never ending; it has been continuing throughout the
ages. Remember that it is unnecessary to awaken a person already awake and
it is easy to awaken a person who is asleep. You cannot awaken, however much
you try, a person not wanting to awaken! Those who do not know, can be
taught by means of simple illustrations what they do not know. But those
afflicted with half-knowledge and proud of that acquisition are beyond any
further education. Your two eyes give a picture of a vast expanse of space,
but they cannot see your whole body! For that, you need two mirrors – one in
front of you and one behind. So too, to know your reality, you need the
mirrors of Self-confidence (Atma-vishwas) and Divine Grace.
-BABA
Grace grows by gratitude. When you demand, there is no Grace, but when you
are grateful It comes in abundance.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Being With God!
Thu, 02/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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(A note from Sri Sri at the Rishi Homa at The Art of Living International
Center, Bangalore on the occasion of Navratri)
Just now the Vedic pundits recited a beautiful verse from the Sama Veda. The
verse says:
This Samsara (material world or the illusory world) is born from the mind.
The world as we understand it, is not what lies outside, but it is our mind
that is behind our perception and understanding of this creation.
Now to cross over this ocean of misery (this Samsara), there is a bridge
that we can use. What is this bridge that helps us overcome this Samsara,
and what lies on either side of it?
On one side there is Adaana (greed, lack of charity). Adaana means to have
this constant hankering of 'I want this, I want that'. We do not feel like
giving and sharing with others. So the verse says that you should drop this
quality of Adaana by sharing and giving generously in charity.
Then it says that you must drop your anger by becoming more peaceful. And
finally it says that you should drop your doubts and wrong beliefs by being
more firmly established in faith and devotion to the Divine. When you firmly
latch on to Shraddha (unwavering faith), then all your doubts and negativity
simply disappear. In the same way, when you pursue the truth and establish
yourself in the truth, then all falsehood and negativity disappears.
So these are the qualities that lie on either side of the bridge that takes
you across Samsara.
In the next line of the verse, it says that it is difficult to cross the
ocean of misery, but you must still do it by constantly practising these
noble qualities.
What will you get by constant practice? You will become steady and
established in the divine and you will cross this Samsara. You will
experience the nectar of immortality (the Self) and you will become a
glowing light.
The next verse says that you are originally a part of God, a part of the
divine. So unite back with your source, and let your mind dissolve and unite
with everybody and become one with the divine, as you originally were.
Otherwise what happens is that you think something, and someone else thinks
something else, and your minds do not meet. When minds do not meet, that is
where the problems start.
This is the last verse of the Rig Veda and this is how the Constitution of
India also ends. So the verse is a prayer to unite the assembly of our
thoughts and minds in harmony with the big mind. 'Let there be equanimity at
every level because everyone is the same and everyone is a part of the
divine. Let all our minds go together without any conflict or differences'.
It is very beautiful.
Pat Gounden
Dec 7, 2014, 4:01:56 PM12/7/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, December 08, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Kaivalya Upanishad declares: “Not by means of works, not by means of
human power, not by means of wealth, but by renunciation alone can
immortality be attained.” The ‘works’ referred to are rituals like
sacrifices, vows, charities, donations, pilgrimages, etc. Through such
activities, one cannot achieve liberation; that is to say, one cannot get
rid of the veil of ignorance. ‘Human power’ means acquisition of positions
of authority, of skill and intelligence which can manipulate people and
things, of fame and supremacy, of personal charm, of health and happiness,
or of a large family with many children - these cannot confer liberation.
The works mentioned above and the acquisition referred to can succeed only
when one has ‘wealth’. But the Upanishad announces that spiritual wisdom is
not related to riches. So liberation cannot be earned by means of wealth.
Renunciation alone can confer immortality.
-BABA
See, just remember this simple formula. Those who do not run feverishly
behind joy and comforts attain Moksha. And those who do not hanker even for
Moksha too, attain Divine Love and devotion. Once you have love, then you
have truly acquired everything else. Nothing remains to be attained after
that. After that all you have to do is share and spread this love, and this
joy.
What is it that you want? There is no end to your wants and desires. There
is no end to the desire for being wealthy. You become rich and buy two cars,
then after sometime you want to have four cars, and then also have four
bungalows. You want your business to spread more and more. Is there any end
to this? A person running behind wealth goes on working towards acquiring
more and more wealth, and then ultimately tires himself and dies. After his
death, his children fight over his wealth. This is not an intelligent thing
to do. You should expand your business and do well, but life becomes
meaningless when that becomes your only goal in life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 01/10/2014 Bangalore, India
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Blessings to everyone on this auspicious day! Just walk ahead in life with a
deep sense of contentment.
There are two things you must remember:
Our godliness lies in our innocence and in being natural. That is why it is
said, 'Sahaj miley avinashi' (One attains the divine by being innocent and
natural).
The second thing to remember is that we have received a lot from the divine.
Just take it for granted that you have received a lot in your life. If you
keep thinking, 'I want this, I want that', then the mind becomes restless
and wanders here and there. But when you have this deep faith that 'I have
received so much in life', then the mind is at peace and there is
contentment.
When you keep thinking that 'I must have this, or I want that', then you
experience misery. When you think that 'I have received so much', then you
will receive more and more.
In the same way, if you think, 'I have done so much for others', or 'I have
given so much to others', then also you will become miserable and arrogant.
Having this feeling that 'I have received so much, and there is so much I
have to share with others' is the sign of being in knowledge. This is true
contentment.
So I have said three things:
1. Be innocent and natural. If you are innocent and natural, then there is
no delay in attaining the divine. Then even if you want, you cannot be
separate from the divine. This is the kind of unshakeable devotion one must
have towards the divine.
2. Remember that 'I have been given so much, and there is so much to share
with others'. This is the path to happiness and contentment.
3. Thinking that 'I have given so much, and I want this and that', is the
path to misery and suffering.
The Yajnas (sacred fire offerings) done here are done for the benefit of the
entire world, to bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to the world. The
benefits of the Yajnas done here reaches far and wide. All that we need is
to get connected to our source, to the divinity, and then we will realize
that we already have everything.
Pat Gounden
Dec 8, 2014, 4:04:17 PM12/8/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, December 09, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Keep the Name of the Lord always radiant on your tongue and mind. That will
keep the antics of the mind under control. When the lamp is burning,
darkness will not spread its fumes around you. When the word for Brahman
(Supreme Universal Reality), Om, is spelt with the last breath by the one
dying, they attain the Divine. To make that final utterance of Om, just as
the flower blossoms on the creeper of life, you need to dwell upon Om all
through the years of your current life. The Geeta advocates the process of
continuous meditation in a neat little formula: mam anusmara yuddhya cha! -
"Keep Me in your memory and fight!" The cue here for you is to fight the
battle of life, have God in your consciousness as your Charioteer at all
times. This is not merely a direction for Arjuna; it is a prescription for
all humanity.
-BABA
Make your home God's home and there will be light, love and abundance.
Make your body God's abode and there will be peace and bliss.
Feel your mind as a toy of God and you'll watch and enjoy all its games.
See this world as play and as a display of God Himself and you will repose
in the Non-Dual Self.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Fri, 05/09/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I have been your devotee for the past 15 years, and life has become
so wonderful. But many times this question comes to my mind, that what will
I get by doing Sadhana, Seva, Satsang, Siddhi (extraordinary abilities) and
Moksha (liberation)? What will come next?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: See, just remember this simple formula. Those who do
not run feverishly behind joy and comforts attain Moksha. And those who do
not hanker even for Moksha too, attain Divine Love and devotion. Once you
have love, then you have truly acquired everything else. Nothing remains to
be attained after that. After that all you have to do is share and spread
this love, and this joy.
What is it that you want? There is no end to your wants and desires. There
is no end to the desire for being wealthy. You become rich and buy two cars,
then after sometime you want to have four cars, and then also have four
bungalows. You want your business to spread more and more. Is there any end
to this? A person running behind wealth goes on working towards acquiring
more and more wealth, and then ultimately tires himself and dies. After his
death, his children fight over his wealth. This is not an intelligent thing
to do. You should expand your business and do well, but life becomes
meaningless when that becomes your only goal in life.
Gurudev, when we see everything through the eyes of Viveka (sense of
not hanker even for Moksha too, attain Divine Love and devotion. Once you
have love, then you have truly acquired everything else. Nothing remains to
be attained after that. After that all you have to do is share and spread
this love, and this joy.
What is it that you want? There is no end to your wants and desires. There
is no end to the desire for being wealthy. You become rich and buy two cars,
then after sometime you want to have four cars, and then also have four
bungalows. You want your business to spread more and more. Is there any end
to this? A person running behind wealth goes on working towards acquiring
more and more wealth, and then ultimately tires himself and dies. After his
death, his children fight over his wealth. This is not an intelligent thing
to do. You should expand your business and do well, but life becomes
meaningless when that becomes your only goal in life.
discrimination), then we feel that everything is changing. Can we also
change our commitment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, and when can that happen? That can happen when
Viveka awakens within us, and we realize that whatever commitment or promise
we made was wrong and was made out of ignorance. When a commitment made does
not bring any benefit or any good result, then you can change your
commitment. Also, you do not have the right to change this by yourself
alone. This is why you should go to a Guru, or a wise person and tell them
your problem. Tell them that 'I was ignorant when I took up this commitment.
Now I feel that this is wrong and futile. I seek your help and opinion on
how to overcome this'.
A Guru or a wise person can understand and tell you the way to overcome
this. They will be able to judge and ascertain whether your commitment was
right or not; or whether you are trying to run away from your commitment to
keep yourself in your comfort zone.
For example, you got married and have a family and children now, and
suddenly you feel like running away from your responsibilities and becoming
a Sanyasi (a renunciate or an ascetic). When you go to a Guru or a wise
person and tell them that you are thinking of doing so, they will
immediately refuse and tell you not to do so. They will advise you to
fulfill your responsibilities, raise your children well and after having
fulfilled everything, then take Sanyas. If you want to give up your
commitments in order to escape from your duties and responsibilities, then
that is not correct. But if you realize that your commitment benefits
neither you nor anyone else, then you consult your Guru or a near and dear
one before giving up your commitment.
Gurudev, when we are all a part of the One consciousness, then how does the
quality of the same consciousness vary in different souls?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It does vary. You use the same flour to cook Samosa
(an Indian savoury snack), Chappati(Indian flatbread eaten with meals), and
Parantha (stuffed flatbread). So it is the same flour which is used to make
all three, yet all three are different. So when there is diversity in such a
small thing as flour, then it is not surprising at all to have diversity in
people. There is diversity in the eternal consciousness.
If you see, a diamond and a piece of coal are of the same constitution (made
of Carbon), but still they are different. There is structurally or
chemically no difference between the two. And yet there is some difference
that makes them different. Similarly, at one level Consciousness is one, and
at another level it is very different. It varies from people to people,
place to place, and even from organization to organization.
Gurudev, where is the source of joy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you ask me, I would say it is everywhere. If you
ask me further, I would say, it is right within you.
Gurudev, I feel that I have found the perfect Guru. But do you feel that you
have found the perfect disciples or not?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Where does a Guru have time to think like this? A Guru
is always in a state of bliss with himself! (Laughter) A Guru always says,
'Take whatever you want from me'.
See, there is a deep river flowing before you. Someone may just want to wet
their feet in it and no more. Someone may want to simply take a dip in the
water. Someone else may want to swim in it, and someone else would want to
dive deep and take a pitcher full of the water from it. An ocean never says
to a person to dive and take the pearls, or to take the salt in its waters.
If you want to get the pearls from the ocean you can do so, and if you want
to just take the salt from the waters, then go ahead and do so. If you want
to take a fish, then you can do so, and if you want to extract oil from it,
then you can take the oil also. So, if you want liberation, then go ahead
and take liberation also! An ocean simply is. You should reflect upon
yourself and think about this.
Some 20-25 years ago, I had gone to meet a great saint in Rishikesh. When I
met him, he was very happy to see me and started praising me a lot. I told
him, 'Maharaj, I cannot see any flaws I may have. Please tell me about those
and how I can correct them'.
He laughed and said, 'Why should I tell you that? When misery comes to you
in life, you will automatically know it. I can only tell whatever your
nature is. I can only narrate what you are'.
In the beginning he was all praises for me. He said, 'Oh, God himself has
come to my house. I am most fortunate'. I was wondering about it and asked
him to tell me about my shortcomings so that I can correct them. But instead
he just said, 'When misery comes in life, you will know your shortcomings by
yourself'.
This is worth thinking about, and this is true as well. The wise and
enlightened ones do not speak ill for anyone from their mouth. They will
never tell anyone, 'Oh, you are such a donkey', because it might happen that
the other person may actually become (or start behaving like) a donkey.
It is said, 'Rishinam yatha-chittanam artha vaacha-anu dhaavate'.
It means that whatever words a wise person or a Sidhha (perfected or
enlightened soul) says, the meaning of those words follows very closely
behind (meaning that their words manifest instantly). So when they say that
'You are very good', then only goodness blossoms in you.
But if they tell you, 'You are a donkey', then even a normal person may
become a donkey. This is knowledge of a very high and mature level. So a
Sidhha or an enlightened person will always instruct you in this manner (by
praising your virtues). People who belong to a level lower than this will
resort to punishment and criticism. And somewhere that too is necessary. For
people who are stubborn and who refuse to improve their ways, such harsh
measures become necessary.
I am not saying that those people who scold or criticize others are bad, no.
They must be doing so because of some reason; or maybe they must be clearing
off your bad karma by scolding or criticizing you. Also, maybe you are
someone who understands only that kind of language or measure, which is why
they do that. For example, people who are egoistic and arrogant do not
understand soft-spoken words. Only when someone calls them an ignorant fool
do they take notice and realize. But this style is different, and this is
definitely not the style or approach of the wise and enlightened ones.
Gurudev, there is no logic in devotion. But sometimes when we listen to
knowledge, then the mind becomes upset or restless. Then I feel like just
swaying in your devotion. Can one not attain Moksha (liberation) without
using the intellect?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: By asking this question, you have used your intellect
and logic, isn’t it. The fact that you have asked this question means you
have thought it with your logic and intellect (laughter). Do you get what I
am saying? Suppose someone is sleeping. If you go and ask him, 'Are you
sleeping?' and he replies back saying, 'Yes I am asleep'. This is similar to
your question.
See, the intellect has its own place and emotion has its own place as well.
Samadhi is the state of perfect balance between the two.
(A member of the audience asked and question and it was inaudible)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, management courses these days are adopting
more and more informal ways of teaching. This approach is being emphasized
everywhere, and I hope that soon the world over, everyone realizes the need
for changing the methodology of teaching. Slowly it is happening.
I would like to share some good news with you. The World Bank has invited
The Art of Living foundation to design their courses for their employees.
Our courses have been welcomed and well received everywhere. The Harvard
Business School too has appreciated our courses. In fact, the Stanford
University has placed our course as a Credit Course. That means that when a
student completes The Art of Living Course, they get marks for that.
Universities like Stanford, Cornell, etc., are rapidly recognizing and
adopting The Art of Living Courses. But this is still a small number and we
have a long way to go. We have so many IITs and IIMs still struggling in our
own country. In the world over, the situation is the same for so many
educational institutions. In fact, if you check the list of the top 50
educational institutions of the world, you will find that many of them are
in China. So, we have a long way to go and promote a value-based education
to the students, which develops a person in a complete manner. Education
should not just be informative, but also develops a person with emotional
intelligence and spiritual quotient as well. That work is still pending, but
today the doors are opening.
Pat Gounden
Dec 9, 2014, 5:26:23 PM12/9/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God assumes many forms and enacts many activities. The name Bhagavatha is
given to the descriptions of the experiences of those who have realised Him
in those forms and of those who have been blessed by His grace and chosen as
His instruments. The great epic called Bhagavatha is a panacea that cures
physical, mental and spiritual illnesses. By Bhagavatha we also mean those
with attachment to God, those who seek the companionship of God. Being in
the midst of such Bhagavathas fosters one’s own devotion. Unless you have a
taste for God-ward thoughts, you will not derive joy therefrom. To create
that taste, the Bhagavatha tells stories to the earnest inquirer that relate
to incarnations. Then one develops the yearning to experience the thrill of
God, through all the levels of consciousness. One who has this intense
yearning can alone be a true Bhagavatha.
-BABA
When you feel the longing, you are really getting on the path. Tadap hi
ishwar hai! (Longing is the Divine)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 13/11/2014 Bangalore, India
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(Below is a continuation of the post
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I have been a teacher for many years. I see in myself and other
teachers that we don’t always practice the basic course points and it
disturbs me to a point that I feel a bit of a fraud when I teach. What to
do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is good that you feel the pinch. That is the safety
valve. If you are oblivious to your not following the teaching, then there
is a problem. The moment you recognize that there are shortcomings in you
then you are very safe.
Don’t think that you are a fraud. You are a traveller on the path and you
are guiding the people who are coming behind you. This will only bring
humility in you and you will know that knowledge is precious. No doubt you
may not follow it 100% but you cannot deny that your life has changed and
you are following it at least 80%. So even if you are not following the
course points or the knowledge a 100%, you look into the 80% of the points
that you are following. There are people who have not even understood or
started their journey. For them you can be a real help.
One more thing, when you teach others, you also learn, so don’t say that I
am a hypocrite. As you are teaching, you are also learning and you are
refreshing the knowledge. Instead of sitting and blaming yourself and
others, it is better you start teaching. Otherwise you will sit and blame
yourself, 'I am weak, I am unable to follow the knowledge, I am bad', and
then you go into guilt and self-blame. This is the worst thing that can
happen to you on the spiritual path. That is why on this path, you always
have a guru or a master. You leave your weakness to your master and go with
the strength that you have and move as much as you can. So don’t be hard on
yourself, and at the same time, recognize that you don’t follow all the
knowledge but you have the intention to follow and that is good.
So just move on. Don’t get off the path and blame yourself. If you feel that
way, just come and sit in an advance course, or a blessing course and it
will wash it all off, because this life is a journey and you have to keep
moving till you find perfection. And slowly and steadily you will definitely
get it.
Just turn back and analyse. Suppose you had not followed any of the points
in life, where would you have been? It will be utterly scary, that is why
know this and walk ahead. Leave your shortcomings to me.
Gurudev, many Gurus and saints have spoken about the need for a renaissance
of India. It seems that with this new government the time may have come.
What form should that renaissance take?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Renaissance has already begun a few years back. People
have woken up and it should continue with the same enthusiasm and speed that
is necessary. For that the people in power have to be very careful,
conscious and support this sort of renaissance and I am sure they will do
it. At least many of them will.
Gurudev, what sustains love? Why do I sometimes feel love and sometimes feel
no love at all?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, love is also a gift, so when it comes, feel
grateful and when it is not there, feel the longing for it, that is when
prayer will arise out of you; poems will arise out of it. Poems come not
only when there is love, but when longing is there, poems come, prayers will
happen and many miracles can also happen, so enjoy them.
Gurudev, why are the Yezdis suffering so much? Were they the guards of
Hitlers concentration camps at that time and is this their karma? Why should
somebody be victimised for nothing?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: These questions have no answers because it is
connected with something much bigger than our understanding. Instead of
sitting and wondering why they are suffering, think of what we can do for
them. You don’t need to come to the conclusion on why they are suffering,
instead of that, let us see what we can do for them.
In Kurdistan they have already collected 110 tons of food grains and
supplies. We are arranging to get all the material airlifted to the people
who are caught in the Sinjar mountains. There are 9500 of them there. So our
Art of Living machinery is working. Anyone who wants to help them can
contact IAHV. Let us see how we can help them. Let us create the awareness
in people about their suffering.
In the middle ages, this was the case with Parsis. They were chased out of
Iran. They came in small boats and landed in Gujarat and that’s how they
were given shelter by the Kings in India. The people of India were full of
compassion and they allowed them to follow their own religion and keep their
traditions alive. This has been an ancient tradition of India, i.e., to give
protection to those whose existence was threatened. Similarly the Jews also
came to India and they were given protection.
Today Yezdis are in trouble and so The Art Of Living is going to help them
to preserve themselves and come out of their trauma and current situation.
Gurudev, is the relationship with the Guru eternal, that of many births? Are
we with the same Guru over many lifetimes?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why don’t you want to finish your journey in one life?
Why are you postponing? You are asking a very tricky question to trap me.
This lifetime you do your job properly, don’t postpone it thinking that
'Next lifetime also I will get a chance'. Who knows what you will be next
lifetime; maybe a cow in a cowshed. So don’t postpone to the next lifetime.
I may not be available in the next lifetime. I may be in-between. You may
have to take many births.
Gurudev, getting love is painful and not getting it is even more painful,
and maintaining love is also painful. So which pain should I choose?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Choice is yours blessing is mine. If you want to
choose pain, you are most welcome, but I will tell you, choose the bigger
pain as the small ones are of no use. Your love for the whole humanity,
that’s what you should be concerned about. Love for the planets, love for
the animals; animal rights (animals do have a right to exist). We have no
right to take their life away. You worry about all these things.
Look into the eyes of the goats, or even the chicken, cows, dogs. Look into
their eyes. This entire creation is filled with love, and how people can
slaughter them to fill their little tummy. It is not even healthy. This is
unfortunate.
Gurudev, in the last five years the ashram has become like a fortress. It
was easier in the older times to get peace in the ashram than now.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Be in the present moment and listen to the knowledge.
In earlier days, there may have been a few people. Today there are more
people. When more people are there, there is more possibility for you to
share your knowledge and wisdom and gain patience.
You should also grow. You cannot get stuck to what you were 30 years back.
30 years back you could interact with 10 people. Today, you may have to
interact with 1000 people. So we should expand as time passes and not shrink
into shells.
We have said, 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam' (one world family). We have accepted
the whole world as our family. Then you should rise up to that idea. Feel at
home with anybody and everybody. Don’t just focus on what is comfortable for
you and what is not comfortable. You should get out of your comfort zone and
bring comfort to others. This is
most important.
See as to how many people are comfortable with you. You can do a survey
about yourself and see how many people you make happy and comfortable? If
you dislike people, you will find you are not friendly.
As we expand, we become friendly with people of different natures and
different parts of the world. Sometimes, we feel comfortable with people of
our own state or country or religion. Here you have to mix with everybody.
We have people of different faiths all here, Hindus, Christians, Muslims,
Sikhs. We have people from every state of India, right from the Northeast to
Kerala, and right from Jammu to Tamil Nadu. We also have people from all
over the world and everyone has their own mannerisms and food habits. So you
need to learn and bring comfort to others. You have had enough peace, now
it's better you give peace to others.
Pat Gounden
Dec 10, 2014, 3:23:00 PM12/10/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Maam anusmara - With Me in memory ever,” said Lord Krishna! In your daily
life, do not distinguish one task as bhajan, another as bhojan (eating), and
the third as pujan (worship of God) - all acts are offering to the Divine.
The food you partake is given by Him and digested by Him, so that it yields
strength to do His work. Each moment is worthwhile, for He gives it, He uses
it, He fills it, He fashions it, and He fulfils it. When He is fully
suffused in your every breath, you can achieve the sovereign task of merging
in Him. You have that might within you; The Divine cannot be gained by the
weak. The remembrance can become permanently established only when you are
free from the shackles of spite and envy. Be An-asuya - without the trace of
pride or envy, malice or hate, egoism or conceit. The Lord permanently
resides in the heart kept assiduously clean.
-BABA
Oh Lord, this whole universe is Yours. This body is Yours. This mind is
Yours. The mind with all its conflict is also Yours. The mind with all its
beauty is Yours---this offering itself is a technique that brings you back
home.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Thu, 20/11/2014 Erbil, Iraq
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I would request you to take some time and visit the camps to reassure the
people there and bring back their smile. Yesterday, when I walked through a
couple of camps, people said, ‘Today we are happy and are able to smile’. It
was a very good meeting.
Bringing a smile in spite of all the misery and in the midst of disaster is
something we can do. This is something we should all focus on.
The next thing we need to focus on is prevention. How can we prevent people
from joining such forces? We will have to talk to every government of this
world and tell them to spend time and resources in peace building activities
and peace education. Even if a fraction of what is spent on defense would be
spent on peace education, it will not allow such an inhuman behavior among
the youth.
All these misguided youth are from among us; they are our own brothers. Why
have they been mislead? It is because they did not get any education on
peace. It is absolutely necessary now to induct peace education in all our
curriculum so that no child on this planet grows up thinking that he is
doing the job of God by engaging in bloodshed and violence.
I would request all the educationalists here to please take the initiative
to introduce peace education, a multi-cultural, multi-religious education
and education to handle one’s emotions and traumas of the mind.
I request the media to showcase all the good work that has been done, and
also to work towards patching up the differences between communities by
highlighting the compassion showed by people of the different communities in
many countries.
I would also ask the media to tell people that when they are stressed and in
tension, there are ways to get rid of it; they don’t have to live with
tension in their minds and hearts all the time. I would request the
mainstream media to encourage people to follow the path of non-violence.
Journalism has got two important aspects, one is to play the fact as it is
in front of the people. Sometimes it can be depressing, but at the same time
they should balance the facts with the good acts that many people are doing
every day.
If you go to the camps you will see so many youth in the prime of their
lives who could be focusing on their education, career and making money, but
instead, they have left all that and are helping those who are in need. This
kind of news should be highlighted so that people can be inspired to do
something better in their life. The media can motivate people to take up
social projects and plunge into action rather than dive into depression.
Questions & Answers
We know that each religion has two aspects, one aspect is the beliefs and
the other is rituals. Which one is the unifying and which is the dividing
factor?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I would say religion has three aspects:
1. Values
2. Symbols and
3. Rituals and practices
The values seem to be the same amongst all religions, like brotherhood,
oneness of God, love and compassion, serving the poor and needy. This is the
spiritual aspect of religion.
Second, is symbol. Every religion has symbols, holy places and books. Third
is rituals and practices. There can be many different rituals.
What people usually do is, they leave the values and hold on to the rituals
and symbols. This is where conflict arises. That is why I say, ‘Spirituality
unites people, but religions can divide people'.
If you see the major religions of the world, you will see that the Abrahamic
religions come from the same source. It is like three brothers from the same
family. But, there has been a lot of conflict.
Other religions like Shintoism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism,
Jainism, there has never been any conflict. The six religions of the Far
East have always coexisted, and their rituals are completely different.
Within Hinduism there are hundreds of sects, but there have never been any
clashes. The basic rule is to respect and honor each other. It was the same
with Islam. In Islam there are five different sects, or even more. There
have been periods in history where they all coexisted peacefully. Even in
Iraq, Shias and Sunnis coexisted.
When conflicts arise, it latches on to religion much more than any other
identity and then the whole problem starts. We should focus more on the
spiritual values which can unite people of all religions.
I would like to tell you a happening in Japan. Once, President Nixon went to
Japan and he wanted to meet all the religious leaders. On one side of him
was seated a Buddhist monk and on the other side was a Shinto priest.
President Nixon asked the Shinto priest, ‘What is the percentage of Shinto
followers in Japan?’
He said, ’80%.’
He then turned to the Buddhist monk and asked him, ‘What is the percentage
of Buddhist followers in Japan?’
He said, ’80%.’
The President couldn't understand how that was possible, but it is possible.
Similarly, if you come to India, the Jain and Hindus have completely
different sets of beliefs and rituals, but they live together with such
harmony. Similarly, the Sikhs and the Hindus participate in each other's
festivals and honor each other but never has there been any conflict. They
never said, ‘Only I will go to heaven.’
This is what the Middle East can learn from the Far East. Whether they are
Yazidis, Christians, Muslims, Shias or Sunnis, Ahmedia or Sufi, they can all
coexist. What is important is to honor the diversity.
Would you pressurize the religious leaders of the world, especially the Arab
and Middle East countries to rescue the abduct, especially women and
children? When we requested for the American government to send food, the
answer they gave us was that they had to write to the government of Iraq and
other neighboring countries to rescue the abduct.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is between government to government. They have
many policies. As an NGO, we can do what we can do. I think it is not
possible for us to interfere into the foreign policies of the government. We
cannot make one government stand against the other; that will be perceived
as not being friendly. I would suggest you write to various governments and
bring to their notice the communities that need urgent help, and that we
would like to receive direct help from those governments.
In India, there is a very well known river that is contaminated with germs,
and the masters there say that if you’re interested in Hinduism or Buddhism
then as a part of the rituals you have to go and have a bath in that dirty
river. Can you tell us what really lies behind this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Once upon a time the river Ganga had very pure water,
and today our Prime Minister has taken up the job of cleaning the whole
river which is considered very sacred. In India we honor the rivers, the
trees, and the animals. Honoring the whole creation is a part of nature.
Nowhere in any scripture it is said that one needs to take a dip in the
water; or that it is a prerequisite for someone to do yoga and meditation.
These are all rituals. As I said, rituals and practices are different.
People cultivate rituals over a period of time but the main thing is to
appreciate the values. Values is the knowledge.
In poems it has always been said, ‘Knowledge is like a river. If you
assimilate knowledge, you will be happy, you will be liberated’, this is the
real message. The river Ganga, which you mentioned to be polluted also means
knowledge.
In a simile it is said, 'If you are bathed in knowledge then you are free
(here meaning liberated)'. But people literally take it as only if they
bathe in the river will they be free. This is incidental or accidental, but
the essence is living the values.
What is Yoga? How can it help bring peace?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yoga is a technique which unites the body, mind and
spirit. Yoga relieves you from stress and tension. It is stress that causes
weakness, anger, jealousy and all the negative emotions. When you get rid of
stress using breathing techniques, meditation and some simple exercises, it
helps your body and mind and creates a sense of well-being and happiness
from inside. If you’re well and happy you will not be violent. When someone
engages in violent activity, know that behind the violence there is anger
and frustration.
We have all done yoga as kids. If you watch a child from the time it is born
to the age of three, it would have done all the yoga exercises. The way a
child breathes is different from the way an adult breathes. Breath is the
link between the body and emotions and by attending to the breath you are
able to soften the emotions and get rid of negative emotions.
Pat Gounden
Dec 11, 2014, 4:31:58 PM12/11/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, December 12, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sorrow affects you because you feel you deserved joy and did not acquire it;
but there is one impartial distributor of joy and sorrow, who gives you what
you need, rather than what you desire. You may need the tonic of tragedy to
set you on the road to recovery. The Compassionate One, the eternal
all-knowing God, He knows best. Welcome the tragedy and fight your way
through, with the armour of the remembrance of the Divine. As all rivers
hurry towards the sea, let all your imaginings wend their way to God. The
play is His; the role is His gift; the lines are written by Him; He decides
the dress and decoration, the gesture and the tone, the entrance and the
exit. You have to act well your part and when the curtain falls receive His
approbation. By your efficiency and enthusiasm earn the right to play higher
and higher roles - that is the meaning and purpose of life.
-BABA
All of our wanting to do, ‘doership’, is there to eliminate the tamas or
inertia in you. Once inertia is eliminated, then you are in activity. When
you are acting, you become a witness to the acting. Then you know you are
not doing. Things are happening through you. This is the final level of
realisation. You can see this in every action of yours. Have you noticed
this? You are busy ‘doing’ when you accomplish something. In the beginning
you think, “Oh! I have accomplished.” But your accomplishment becomes more
and more and more and as time goes by, you will begin to feel, “no, it’s all
happening. I did not do anything, I did not accomplish.”
A writer will feel, “I did not write, it just started flowing, it started
happening.” All the creative work in the world — whether painting, dance,
drama, music, anything — has all come from that unknown corner. It just
spontaneously started happening. You are not the doer. The best sculptor
will say, “I didn’t do it, it just started happening.” The best painter will
say the same thing; the best music composer would say the same thing.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sun, 21/12/2014 Iraq
(Taking the call for peace to the middle of the conflict zone, renowned
spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
addressed a
<http://srisriravishankar.org/entry/sri-sri-ventures-into-conflict-zone-to-p
itch-for-peace-in-iraq/> peace conference in Erbil in Kurdistan, the
violence hit province of Iraq. Below is the transcript of Sri Sri's
address.)
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ad/World%20Heritage.jpg
I would like to thank the members of the Parliament, the Honorable Governor
Dr. Mohammed Irshad, The President of the General Board of Authority,
Dignitaries, and your Excellencies for having us here.
Usually peace conferences are held in places where there is already peace,
but I think that peace conferences should be held where there is conflict.
That is one of the reasons why I said that we will have this conference
right here in the midst of conflicts.
Conferences are held to bring clarity in concept; they are held to improve
the communication between various groups and personalities, and to bridge
the gaps between different thought streams. They are held to re-establish
the commitment towards peace and to empowering those who are in need of it
the most.
In this conference, let us put our hearts and minds and see what we can do?
How can we establish communication with those who are misguided in the name
of religion? And how we can prevent the youth from getting into a fanatic
terrorist ideology? This should be our priority.
On this occasion, I would also like to remember the wonderful work done by
our volunteers working here since the last two years.
As Ms. Mouwani has already mentioned, many agencies have come together
unitedly to uplift women and the plight that was caused by the armed forces.
It is so painful to see that in this 21st century there are people who are
trying to drag civilization to the dark ages and create havoc in the society
and animosity between nations and peace loving people.
As mentioned earlier by the Honorable President, India also shares the same
value. India has never been aggressive towards any country, but has been a
victim of aggression many times. There is only thing that pulled India
together, to move towards a progressive path, and that is confidence and
unshakable faith in peace and non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi and many other
leaders in the past had instilled this faith in the people during such
similar situations.
Kurdistan is a bouquet of various religions and cultures and we must
maintain this diversity. Even if one civilization, religion or culture goes
missing, then there is something missing for the whole world. Every culture
is a part of the world heritage and we have to preserve and maintain all of
them.
In this sense, the Yazidis (one of the most ancient faiths of this region)
need to be preserved. And Shabbat (another ancient culture) also needs to be
preserved. We can all coexist and that is exactly the design of this planet:
a world with differences coexisting and cooperating with each other.
Commitment, compassion, coexistence and nurturing of the human values is
most important at this hour.
Yesterday I visited a couple of the camps here and it was heart breaking to
see the plight of the people. We didn’t speak the language but we could
communicate and feel their pain. Many of them had left their homes; many
youth had not completed their education and they are all languished in
camps.
This is not what religion wants. This is not what Jesus or the Almighty
wants. If anyone thinks they are doing God’s job, they are totally mistaken.
There are very honorable religious leaders from all faiths, Christians,
Muslims, Yazidis and other denominations of different faiths present here
today, and we are going to discuss and send a clear message to all those
people who think that violence is the way to please God.
Unfortunately, people who are aggressive have no value for peace, and
peaceful people never get aggressive. We have to find a dialogue for them.
In this conference let us put our hearts and minds and see what we can do?
How can we establish communication with those who are misguided in the name
of religion? What can we do to protect women and children? And how we can
prevent the youth from getting into fundamentalist and fanatic terrorist
ideology? This should be our priority.
We have great minds here, let’s put our thoughts together and see what
concrete action plan we can take to ensure peace pervades over violence,
love pervades over hatred, compassion pervades over cruelty and prosperity
pervades over poverty.
In these few words I would again like to thank you all for taking out the
time to be here and to come together to protect women and to bring peace in
Kurdistan. Let’s work for this cause.
Pat Gounden
Dec 14, 2014, 3:02:18 PM12/14/14
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, December 15, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You dread that it is very difficult, nay, impossible, to realize God. It is
very simple; its very simplicity makes you feel that there must be some
hidden trap. You do not appreciate simple things and habits. For example,
there is nothing so simple as speaking the truth; yet how many stick to
Truth! If you venture into untruth, you have to invent new stories all along
the line and keep in memory all the stories and all the persons to whom you
have related them. Every student has a watch on his wrist. And, you look at
the watch at least a hundred times a day. Well, learn from the watch a great
lesson. When you watch the watch, remember the five letters of the word,
WATCH; each is giving you a fine lesson for life: W tells you ‘Watch your
Words’; A warns you ‘Watch your Action’; T indicates 'Watch your Thoughts’;
C advises 'Watch your Character’; and H declares 'Watch your Heart.' When
you are consulting your watch, imbibe this lesson that the watch is
imparting. (Divine Discourse, May 13, 1970)
-BABA
Watch your 'Thoughts', they become words.
Watch your 'Words', they become actions.
Watch your 'Actions', they become habits.
Watch your 'Habits', they become character.
Watch your 'Character', for it becomes your Destiny.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sat, 06/12/2014 Bangalore, India
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We have always had a tradition of conducting things in a more informal
manner rather than being formal. This is what satsang is all about also.
There are no formalities to be followed in satsang; we all sit together
freely with each other.
Today we are celebrating a festival to honor and commemorate the tradition
of Ayurveda.
Until recent times, the science of Ayurveda progressed quite slowly in our
country, as if it were on a bullock cart. But recently, our Prime Minister
has elevated it and given it speed, and now it is on a jet plane! (Laughter)
He has raised Ayurveda to the high pedestal of an expert science, which
Ayurveda truly deserves. One of our very own devotees is closely involved in
steering this mission with the Government. I am sure now there can be no
stopping of the growth and popularity of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is truly on the
fast track towards progress and popularity in the country, and it will be
able to reach many more people everywhere.
Yoga, Ayurveda and Jyotish (Indian Astrology) are all practical sciences.
In earlier days when we used to conduct meditation workshops, one of our
devotees always used to insist that we should start an Ayurveda workshop as
well. At that time my focus was on meditation and I had no strong intention
of going into Ayurveda. But today, look at the high national ranking that
the Sri Sri Ayurveda College has secured in the country. This also shows the
deep faith that our Ayurveda teachers have in this science.
In South India, there is a saying that every Guru desires a disciple who can
truly surpass him in knowledge. The job of a Guru is to teach and impart
knowledge, and then forget it all as well.There can be no liberation if you
keep hanging onto knowledge. For liberation, one also has to forget
everything learnt after some time.
A Guru always wants his disciples to make great progress so that they may
surpass and defeat the Guru himself one day. Then a Guru’s job is done.
Today, as you all graduate from this College as Ayurvedic doctors, I urge
you to work hard so that your teachers here can one day say proudly, 'My own
student has excelled and surpassed even me'. Otherwise, if students come to
teachers and learn nothing, and the teachers forget nothing, then the
teachers have not done their job well.
All the students here have secured 100% marks and have received First Class
in their studies. The credit for such great performance goes to our teachers
here.
A teacher must always have the willingness to share his knowledge, and a
student must always have the thirst for knowledge. Through meditation, we
can enhance our skill and capacity to receive knowledge. And when we lead
such a good life, then we become useful for ourselves and also for everyone
around us.
Life, when nourished by knowledge becomes helpful, both to oneself and to
others around.
To celebrate this occasion, the students have lit so many lamps here today.
We have to light the lamp of health and knowledge in every home. It is our
sacred duty and responsibility. Just having a healthy body alone is not
considered to be a sign of complete health or well-being. A person who is
truly healthy is one who has an unfading smile on his face. A healthy person
is one who has a smile on his face, love in his heart, and strength and
vitality in the body. Medicines alone cannot help one to achieve this state.
Along with medicines and food, one must also focus on sadhana (spiritual
practices) also.
Along with knowledge, one must also have the attitude and willingness
towards service. If all the Ayurveda doctors imbibe a sense of selfless
service, then they will become great healers. One of our Vaidji (a name
given to an Ayurveda doctor) has been going to a remote village every day
for so many years to meet and serve the needy people there. No matter what
the conditions or the weather may be, he has always been committed to go
meet the people of the village and help them in every way he can. Such is
his dedication.
I once again congratulate all the students, teachers and the management of
the Sri Sri Ayurveda College for working tirelessly for the progress of
Ayurveda. I urge you to continue to work with the same spirit and
commitment, because this entire world belongs to us. There is no one who is
a stranger to us. Until and unless everyone lives in harmony with each other
and there is an atmosphere of peace and love everywhere, our work here is
not finished.
I am glad to know that our devotee – Shripad Ji has been chosen by the Prime
Minister for promoting the cause of Ayurveda. I have always seen him smiling
in every situation, and he works with complete dedication in everything that
he does. I congratulate him and pray to God to bless him with strength so
that he can continue his work at a much faster pace and that he gets great
success in his activities.
Pat Gounden
Dec 16, 2014, 5:30:58 PM12/16/14
to Pat Gounden
Dear Ones please note that daily “Thoughts” may be irregular from 18
December 2014. Regular “Thoughts “ will resume again on 12 January 2015.
Have a Blessed Christmas & a deLIGHTful 2015.
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You must know that there is no end to the incarnations in which God
indulges. He has come down on countless occasions. Sometimes He comes with a
part of His glory, sometimes with a fuller equipment of splendour, sometimes
for a particular task, sometimes to transform an entire era of time or a
complete continent of space. God is like the electric current that flows
through various contrivances and expresses itself in many different
activities. The wise see only the one uniform current; the ignorant feel
that they are all distinct. The Holy Bhagavatha elaborates His Story that
transforms humanity. The subject matter of the Bhagavatha is the drama
enacted by the Avatar and the devotees who are drawn toward Him. Listening
to it promotes the realisation of God. Many sages have testified to its
efficacy and extolled the Bhagavatha, which they helped preserve for
posterity. (Bhagavatha Vahini, Ch 1, “The Bhagavatha”)
-BABA
We have heard that God is everywhere. You have heard it, yes? That which is
in some places but not in others cannot be God.
See, what are the qualities of God, or what is Divinity? That which is
there, which is omnipresent. It is present everywhere. If it is not present
in you, will it be God?
What is the first characteristic of God? Omnipresence! So can God be present
in some places, and not be present in some places? No! Omnipresent means,
present everywhere. And so it is present inside you; in you, yes! One thing
is settled, God is present in you.
The next quality is, He is eternal. He was there, he is there, and he will
always be there.
So, if God is present in the present moment, is He present now? Yes! He is
present in you, and He is present now.
Then, He belongs to everyone. So does He belong to you? Yes, He belongs to
you!
If he belongs only to the Hindu and not to the Muslim, or to the Muslim and
not to the Sikh, or to the Sikh and not to the Jain, then He is not God. The
One who belongs to everyone is God. And He is capable.
Just by taking your attention to these four sutras, you will easily slip
into a deep meditation, into Samadhi.
What are the four sutras—that the Divine is sarvatra (omnipresent), sarvada
(eternal), belongs to everyone and is all-powerful. The Divine is for me.
If we get into the habit of relaxing and meditating just for a few minutes
in the morning as well as in the evening with this feeling, then we find
that miracles begin to happen, and keep happening. This is what I wanted to
tell you. This is what I call faith.
That which is but cannot be seen is faith.
Just today someone asked me, ‘Gurudev, God cannot be seen so how can we say
that God exists?’
I said, ‘Have you ever seen your mind? Is it green, yellow, red; which color
is it? When have you seen your mind?’
We have never seen our mind itself, yet we know we have a mind.
Have we ever seen the air? No, but we can feel it, yes? The air surrounds
us, but if you really want to experience it, just go and sit under a fan and
you will feel it. Similarly, God is present everywhere, but is not evident
immediately.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Ultimate Love
Mon, 24/11/2014 Haryana, India
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/god-love.jpg
Did you all realize that you meditated for 22 minutes? Could you feel the
passage of time as you meditated? And did your mind wander away during this
time? No, it did not wander even a bit. So you need to learn the skill and
the art of making the mind calm and steady. Once you know this skill of
taming the mind, then you will be happy and joyful at all times.
Lord Krishna has said, 'Mana-eva manushyanam karanam bandha-mokshayoh.
Bandhaya vishayasango muktyai-nirvishayam manah'.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that one’s mind is one’s own worst
enemy, and also one’s own best friend. The mind alone is the sole cause of
bondage and also the source of one’s liberation (from worldly delusion and
attachment).
There are seven levels of existence. Today I will add an eighth one to the
list – the environment. The eight levels of existence are: the environment,
the (physical) body, the breath, the mind, the intellect, the memory, the
ego and the self.
Is your mind here at this moment? Are you all here? Are you listening
attentively to what I am saying? Or is your mind wandering somewhere else?
Your mind must be present here, right now. The faculty that helps you hear,
see, taste, smell and touch is the mind. Then comes the Intellect.
The intellect is the faculty that helps us decide whether something we hear
is nice or not; whether something we taste is to our liking or not.
Then come the memory or Chitta. It is that faculty that helps us remember
all that we perceive and understand through our senses and the intellect.
Events leave their impressions on theChitta.
Then comes the ego, and finally the soul or the self. If we gain a little
deeper understanding of these seven faculties of our existence, then it can
bring about a great transformation in our lives. And this is what The Art of
Living is all about. When you gain this knowledge about the levels of your
existence, then you start blossoming with joy from within.
Just ask yourself this question, 'Whatever you do in life, what is the
purpose behind that? Why do you do what you do?' It is to be happy, isn’t it
so?
We do everything to be happy, but are we truly happy? If you ask young
children whether they are happy now or not, they will answer, 'Once I finish
school and go to college, then I will be happy. Then my parents will not be
behind me'.
When they join college, they feel that they will be happy once they get a
good job. When they get a job, then they feel that they will be happy once
they get married and settle down with a partner. Then after some time, they
feel that once they have children then they will be happy. But then once
they have their children, they worry about their education, and feel that
once their children get admitted to a good school, they will be happy. Then
after a few years, they feel that once their children finish their education
and settle down, they will be happy. But by that time, their own life begins
to come to an end.
We tirelessly run around our entire life in search of happiness, but we
never find it. It is like preparing a bed to sleep on, but by the time we
finish spreading the bed sheet and the pillows, it is morning already. We
end up getting no time to sleep and rest. This is what we should not allow
to happen.
Our life is very important. In this very life we can attain That through
which everything in this creation has manifested and is in motion. It is
important that we recognize that one supreme power which is making
everything happen in this world. Once you realize that, then no one will be
able to wipe away your smile, nor shake that deep love within you.
Two things are most important for life to run smoothly. The first is Love.
Would you be able to live if everyone around you told you that they do not
love you? No! We want that everyone should love us. But then you must also
ask yourself that how many people have you loved unconditionally?
You know, at the time of death, only two questions will be before us: how
much love have we shared, and how much knowledge have we gained in our
lifetime?
We often do the exact opposite of this. We are more inclined to get love
from others (rather than giving), and we stay stuck in giving knowledge to
others rather than receiving.
True spirituality is that knowledge which maintains an unshakable happiness
in you, and which helps bring happiness to others around us by your very
presence.
Spirituality is that which takes you deeper within yourself and also enables
you to bring peace and happiness to others around us. Life is so dry and
juice-less without spirituality. A life that is dry is the surest way of
sinking into negativity. We tend to get angry quickly and more often, we get
stuck in cravings and aversions, we feel disturbed. The root cause of all
this is having a dry and juice-less life.
So how can we make our life juicier? There are two ways:
1. Deep faith and
2. Deep rest
Have this unshakable faith that the creator of the world loves you very
dearly. Believe that 'God is in me, and I in Him'. This single faith alone
can take you to great heights.
God’s love is 1000 times more intense than the love of your parents towards
you. You may call that supreme power by any name that you like, you can call
it Mother Divine, Lord Shiva, or God, etc. It does not matter. God loves you
very dearly all the same.
So this faith you must have. Just do this once and see how your life
changes. Then whatever you wish for will start to happen. Have this faith in
your heart and just relax and repose within yourself.
So first you must have faith in God. Then have faith in the fact that there
are many good and noble people in the society. There are some people who
have gone astray, but the number of good people is far greater even today.
Have faith in the goodness of the people around you.
Then you must have faith in yourself. It is very important to have faith in
yourself. And along with that faith, you must also rest – and this rest can
only come through meditation. We just meditated now. It was good, isn’t it?
So you all must meditate and learn a few pranayamas. Then you will have no
reason whatsoever to be sad or dejected in life.
December 2014. Regular “Thoughts “ will resume again on 12 January 2015.
Have a Blessed Christmas & a deLIGHTful 2015.
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You must know that there is no end to the incarnations in which God
indulges. He has come down on countless occasions. Sometimes He comes with a
part of His glory, sometimes with a fuller equipment of splendour, sometimes
for a particular task, sometimes to transform an entire era of time or a
complete continent of space. God is like the electric current that flows
through various contrivances and expresses itself in many different
activities. The wise see only the one uniform current; the ignorant feel
that they are all distinct. The Holy Bhagavatha elaborates His Story that
transforms humanity. The subject matter of the Bhagavatha is the drama
enacted by the Avatar and the devotees who are drawn toward Him. Listening
to it promotes the realisation of God. Many sages have testified to its
efficacy and extolled the Bhagavatha, which they helped preserve for
posterity. (Bhagavatha Vahini, Ch 1, “The Bhagavatha”)
-BABA
We have heard that God is everywhere. You have heard it, yes? That which is
in some places but not in others cannot be God.
See, what are the qualities of God, or what is Divinity? That which is
there, which is omnipresent. It is present everywhere. If it is not present
in you, will it be God?
What is the first characteristic of God? Omnipresence! So can God be present
in some places, and not be present in some places? No! Omnipresent means,
present everywhere. And so it is present inside you; in you, yes! One thing
is settled, God is present in you.
The next quality is, He is eternal. He was there, he is there, and he will
always be there.
So, if God is present in the present moment, is He present now? Yes! He is
present in you, and He is present now.
Then, He belongs to everyone. So does He belong to you? Yes, He belongs to
you!
If he belongs only to the Hindu and not to the Muslim, or to the Muslim and
not to the Sikh, or to the Sikh and not to the Jain, then He is not God. The
One who belongs to everyone is God. And He is capable.
Just by taking your attention to these four sutras, you will easily slip
into a deep meditation, into Samadhi.
What are the four sutras—that the Divine is sarvatra (omnipresent), sarvada
(eternal), belongs to everyone and is all-powerful. The Divine is for me.
If we get into the habit of relaxing and meditating just for a few minutes
in the morning as well as in the evening with this feeling, then we find
that miracles begin to happen, and keep happening. This is what I wanted to
tell you. This is what I call faith.
That which is but cannot be seen is faith.
Just today someone asked me, ‘Gurudev, God cannot be seen so how can we say
that God exists?’
I said, ‘Have you ever seen your mind? Is it green, yellow, red; which color
is it? When have you seen your mind?’
We have never seen our mind itself, yet we know we have a mind.
Have we ever seen the air? No, but we can feel it, yes? The air surrounds
us, but if you really want to experience it, just go and sit under a fan and
you will feel it. Similarly, God is present everywhere, but is not evident
immediately.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mon, 24/11/2014 Haryana, India
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/god-love.jpg
Did you all realize that you meditated for 22 minutes? Could you feel the
passage of time as you meditated? And did your mind wander away during this
time? No, it did not wander even a bit. So you need to learn the skill and
the art of making the mind calm and steady. Once you know this skill of
taming the mind, then you will be happy and joyful at all times.
Lord Krishna has said, 'Mana-eva manushyanam karanam bandha-mokshayoh.
Bandhaya vishayasango muktyai-nirvishayam manah'.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that one’s mind is one’s own worst
enemy, and also one’s own best friend. The mind alone is the sole cause of
bondage and also the source of one’s liberation (from worldly delusion and
attachment).
There are seven levels of existence. Today I will add an eighth one to the
list – the environment. The eight levels of existence are: the environment,
the (physical) body, the breath, the mind, the intellect, the memory, the
ego and the self.
Is your mind here at this moment? Are you all here? Are you listening
attentively to what I am saying? Or is your mind wandering somewhere else?
Your mind must be present here, right now. The faculty that helps you hear,
see, taste, smell and touch is the mind. Then comes the Intellect.
The intellect is the faculty that helps us decide whether something we hear
is nice or not; whether something we taste is to our liking or not.
Then come the memory or Chitta. It is that faculty that helps us remember
all that we perceive and understand through our senses and the intellect.
Events leave their impressions on theChitta.
Then comes the ego, and finally the soul or the self. If we gain a little
deeper understanding of these seven faculties of our existence, then it can
bring about a great transformation in our lives. And this is what The Art of
Living is all about. When you gain this knowledge about the levels of your
existence, then you start blossoming with joy from within.
Just ask yourself this question, 'Whatever you do in life, what is the
purpose behind that? Why do you do what you do?' It is to be happy, isn’t it
so?
We do everything to be happy, but are we truly happy? If you ask young
children whether they are happy now or not, they will answer, 'Once I finish
school and go to college, then I will be happy. Then my parents will not be
behind me'.
When they join college, they feel that they will be happy once they get a
good job. When they get a job, then they feel that they will be happy once
they get married and settle down with a partner. Then after some time, they
feel that once they have children then they will be happy. But then once
they have their children, they worry about their education, and feel that
once their children get admitted to a good school, they will be happy. Then
after a few years, they feel that once their children finish their education
and settle down, they will be happy. But by that time, their own life begins
to come to an end.
We tirelessly run around our entire life in search of happiness, but we
never find it. It is like preparing a bed to sleep on, but by the time we
finish spreading the bed sheet and the pillows, it is morning already. We
end up getting no time to sleep and rest. This is what we should not allow
to happen.
Our life is very important. In this very life we can attain That through
which everything in this creation has manifested and is in motion. It is
important that we recognize that one supreme power which is making
everything happen in this world. Once you realize that, then no one will be
able to wipe away your smile, nor shake that deep love within you.
Two things are most important for life to run smoothly. The first is Love.
Would you be able to live if everyone around you told you that they do not
love you? No! We want that everyone should love us. But then you must also
ask yourself that how many people have you loved unconditionally?
You know, at the time of death, only two questions will be before us: how
much love have we shared, and how much knowledge have we gained in our
lifetime?
We often do the exact opposite of this. We are more inclined to get love
from others (rather than giving), and we stay stuck in giving knowledge to
others rather than receiving.
True spirituality is that knowledge which maintains an unshakable happiness
in you, and which helps bring happiness to others around us by your very
presence.
Spirituality is that which takes you deeper within yourself and also enables
you to bring peace and happiness to others around us. Life is so dry and
juice-less without spirituality. A life that is dry is the surest way of
sinking into negativity. We tend to get angry quickly and more often, we get
stuck in cravings and aversions, we feel disturbed. The root cause of all
this is having a dry and juice-less life.
So how can we make our life juicier? There are two ways:
1. Deep faith and
2. Deep rest
Have this unshakable faith that the creator of the world loves you very
dearly. Believe that 'God is in me, and I in Him'. This single faith alone
can take you to great heights.
God’s love is 1000 times more intense than the love of your parents towards
you. You may call that supreme power by any name that you like, you can call
it Mother Divine, Lord Shiva, or God, etc. It does not matter. God loves you
very dearly all the same.
So this faith you must have. Just do this once and see how your life
changes. Then whatever you wish for will start to happen. Have this faith in
your heart and just relax and repose within yourself.
So first you must have faith in God. Then have faith in the fact that there
are many good and noble people in the society. There are some people who
have gone astray, but the number of good people is far greater even today.
Have faith in the goodness of the people around you.
Then you must have faith in yourself. It is very important to have faith in
yourself. And along with that faith, you must also rest – and this rest can
only come through meditation. We just meditated now. It was good, isn’t it?
So you all must meditate and learn a few pranayamas. Then you will have no
reason whatsoever to be sad or dejected in life.
Pat Gounden
Jan 11, 2015, 2:40:58 PM1/11/15
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, January 12, 2015
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Avoid spending precious time in useless pursuits and be ever vigilant.
Engage the senses of perception and action, and the body in congenial but
noble tasks to keep them busy. There should be no chance for sloth (tamas)
to creep in. And, every act must promote the good of others. While confining
oneself to activities that reflect one’s natural duties (swa-dharma), it is
possible to sublimate them into spiritual practices for the body and the
senses. You must also withdraw from sensory objects. This implies having a
state of mind that is beyond all dualities that agitate and affect, such as
joy and grief, liking and disliking, good and bad, praise and blame. Such
common experiences one encounters can be overcome or negated by means of
spiritual exercises or intellectual inquiry. Endeavour to escape from the
opposites and dualities, and attain balance and stability. (Sutra Vahini, Ch
1)
-BABA
Like high tide and low tide in an ocean, they come and go but the ocean
remains. How was it five, ten, fifteen years ago? You went through a down
time and a high time. It came and it went. Looking back in time you gain
strength. “This will pass.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Wed, 31/12/2014 Bad Antogast, Germany
http://cdn.artofliving.org/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/wysiwyg_imageuplo
ad/beyond-the-five-.jpg
Happy New Year to everybody!
#2015: Twice a day (2) become empty (0) to become one (1) with the One who
is beyond the five (5). Got it?
The world is just a combination of the five elements. That which is beyond
the five elements is the spirit. So become one with the spirit!
I salute time, for it is greater than the mind. It is time which influences
the mind. It is time that makes a pauper a prince, and a prince a pauper. It
is time that makes a stupid person intelligent, and it is time that makes
stupid things happen through an intelligent person.
It is time which makes friendships and breaks friendships, and it is time
which creates peace and which creates war. Time is greater than the mind, so
I salute time.
I salute time, for it is greater than the mind.
Now, is there something bigger than time? Yes, that is the spirit. Time
moves everything, but you can move time. That is the power of the Self.
Now, is there something greater than time? Yes, that is the spirit. It is
the spirit that moves time and which is beyond time. So as long as you are
in your mind you are under the thumb of the time. But when you realize that
you are the spirit, you are the one beyond the five, then you move the time.
I think you really have to dwell on these few words that I have said, then
it will make more sense to you. When you dwell on knowledge, then it sinks
in and becomes an experience, and makes more sense. When you dwell on it,
then it clicks.
It’s freely available yet inaccessible! Only when we become free from the
mind will we be able to access it.
So, #2015 is: twice (2) a day become zero (0) and be one (1) with the One
beyond the five (5). It is so cool, isn't?.
This New Year, let us resolve to build our trust in ourselves; the trust
that only the best will happen to me. And let us resolve to build the trust
in society that goodness will prevail in the world. When the people in
society lose this trust that goodness will prevail, that’s when their morale
goes down.
But when we have the faith that good will prevail in the society and in the
world, then our morale will go up. When you know that only good things will
happen to you, only the best things will happen to you, your self confidence
levels will go up.
So let us keep these two dimensions alive in our life in 2015. Let this be
your New Year resolution: to build trust in yourself and trust in the
society and in the world order.
You know, when you see people who do wrong things rising up, you lose your
courage, your conviction, your morality; you lose your ground and you feel
broken. That’s when you need to remind yourself that they are only rising up
to fall back down. Bad elements need a fall, that’s their final destination.
But even to fall you need to rise a little higher, only then do you really
get broken. So they raise to get a big fall.
If you are convinced of this reality, then nothing whatsoever can touch you;
no event can pull you down, no event can demoralize you, no nervous
breakdown can happen, nor will you ever have heart breaks. Your morale
becomes very strong with this conviction.
See, every event creates some knowledge and some emotions. Often events have
some lessons to teach you, and also create along with it some emotion. But
what do we normally do? We don’t learn from the events at all, but we carry
forward the emotion. And the emotion keeps haunting us, like a scar or a
craving.
When knowledge is not learnt, you are left with a bag of emotions. Be it
positive or negative, it is going to bother you in the present and in the
future.
The stronger the craving for a pleasurable experience, the more painful it
will be in the present. This is because the pleasurable experience has
created an intense craving in you which carries over to the present and
keeps you in a bigger mess. Am I making the point clear?
For example, if you have gone through a break-up which was intensely
painful, that is because the pleasure in the relationship had been equally
intense, which is why it was so painful. It is the craving (for that
pleasurable experience) that made it so painful, leaving you in the present
moment with only a bag of emotions.
Now what does a wise one do? He takes forward the lessons from the past and
leaves behind the emotions in the past. If someone has cheated you, then
learn the lesson from the experience. What did you do that someone could
cheat you. How unintelligent were you that you allowed someone to cheat you.
Just learn the lesson instead of carrying anger, frustration and hatred
towards the other.
Most of us, instead of learning the lesson, we carry the emotions of the
past. It is not an intelligent thing to do. The intelligent thing to do is
to carry the lesson and drop the emotion so that you can keep your smile
genuine, unblemished and untouched by the event. What do you say?
You can keep your spirits high, come what may. Now!! Now!! (Snapping his
fingers indicating ‘Be in the present moment’). Life is always a mixture of
pleasant and unpleasant things; things which you like and things which you
don’t like. Life is a mixture of this.
You know, on New Year, at the dining table, the child would like to only
have dessert! But no, there has to be a soup, salad and all the other items
as well, It has to be balanced! A mother knows how to give balanced food to
the child. Just because the child wants only dessert, she will not keep
feeding the child only dessert, otherwise she’s not a good mother!
Similarly, nature gives you everything: salads, soups (laughter), noodles,
sour cream, etc. Something peppery, hot, sweet, pungent; everything.
Nature provides you with a meal with many tastes. A wise one just enjoys
them all. You enjoy olives, but if you give an olive to a child, he will
spit it out.
It is time to grow up and appreciate the balanced diet (good events and bad
events) that you have been provided in your life. Your plate is full of many
varieties; just enjoy them.
Also, every year a new plate is given to you, so don’t eat the stale food.
Don’t fill your calendar with past events. Don’t fill your current year’s
calendar with old dates.
This is what we do, we keep the old calendar which says, 'Tuesday, 31st
December', but this is not correct this year. This year it is a Wednesday.
The New Year starts on a Thursday. Thursday in Hindi is Guruwaar which means
the day of the Guru. This New Year is the year of wisdom.
Thursday is the New Year, but if we keep last year’s calendar it will be a
Wednesday, and it won't match with the time today. So keep updating
yourself. Match the time, catch the time, and move the time. Now how you
will match, what you will catch and what you will move, I leave it to you
(laughter). You think about it!
Pat Gounden
Jan 11, 2015, 2:48:50 PM1/11/15
to Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, January 12, 2015
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Avoid spending precious time in useless pursuits and be ever vigilant.
Engage the senses of perception and action, and the body in congenial but
noble tasks to keep them busy. There should be no chance for sloth (tamas)
to creep in. And, every act must promote the good of others. While confining
oneself to activities that reflect one’s natural duties (swa-dharma), it is
possible to sublimate them into spiritual practices for the body and the
senses. You must also withdraw from sensory objects. This implies having a
state of mind that is beyond all dualities that agitate and affect, such as
joy and grief, liking and disliking, good and bad, praise and blame. Such
common experiences one encounters can be overcome or negated by means of
spiritual exercises or intellectual inquiry. Endeavour to escape from the
opposites and dualities, and attain balance and stability. (Sutra Vahini, Ch
1)
-BABA
Like high tide and low tide in an ocean, they come and go but the ocean
remains. How was it five, ten, fifteen years ago? You went through a down
time and a high time. It came and it went. Looking back in time you gain
strength. “This will pass.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
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