Thoughts
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
All are children of God. He is the sole Lord of mankind. People may seem to differ in their names and forms, and in their beliefs and practices. But the parent is One alone. Recognition of this basic truth of oneness is Brahmajnana(Knowledge of the Absolute). This knowledge is not gained by studying the scriptures and holding metaphysical discussions. What has to be recognised is the truth that every being in the universe is an embodiment of the Supreme. Awareness of the unity that subsumes the diversity is the highest knowledge. Mere bookish lore is of no avail. All religions have taught what is good, and all should lead a righteous life based on this knowledge. If the minds are pure, how can any religion be bad? All the religions are different paths, leading to one and the same destination. All devotees should experience this truth and live up to it in their daily lives, setting an example to the rest of the world. Their devotion should not be artificial. They should adhere to the right path, lead righteous lives and thereby experience enduring bliss. Only then will their spiritual effort be fruitful. (Divine Discourse, Jan 8, 1988) |
-BABA |
Feel One With Everyone And Celebrate
Fri, 05/13/2016 Bangalore, India
'Main Tera' (13th May) in Hindi, if you play around with the word, also means 'I belong to you'. Yesterday, I belonged to you, today, I belong to you and tomorrow also I am yours.
'This is mine', 'That is yours', all this is a limited perspective of an ignorant person. An ignorant person finds fault in everything, but a lover or a devotee finds oneness in everything, and would say, "I belong to you. I am yours". One who has knowledge know that there is not two, there is only one. So expand from the small 'I' to the big 'I'.
Recognizing the oneness with humanity and serving society is the basis of The Art of Living. I am glad that so many of you are doing such wonderful and sincere work and furthering the cause of making life a celebration.
Our motto is: Making Life a Celebration. This can happen when you recognise the divinity within you and feel the oneness with the entire humanity. If you do not recognize the divinity within you, you cannot feel the oneness with the entire world. Don't miss even a single opportunity to celebrate. Every moment in life is a celebration.
This knowledge comes to you (as an experience) through spirituality. That's why you should hold on tight to spirituality, else you will slip off in life.
Time stops when we dive deep in art and creativity. Lead a unblemished life, feel one with everyone, and celebrate life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev's Message on New Year 2017
12/31/2016 Bad Antogast, Germany
Time teaches you lessons and makes you wise. If you are intelligent, you will learn from time and celebrate. If you are unwise, you will lament and become sad with every passing year.
2016 has been such a wonderful year. We had a great event (The World Culture Festival). What people thought was impossible, we made it possible. We built the world’s biggest stage ever, of seven acres in New Delhi at the banks of the Yamuna river to the astonishment of the world. We built this stage in a place which was considered to be unusable (due to foul smell). This place was cleaned and made a field of celebrations which was one of the world’s biggest event ever. 3.5 million people attended the program, 1.8 billion people from 188 countries around the world watched it on live stream. We had 107 items of performances with 182 dignitaries from around the world participating. And most of all, the presence of 2500 religious leaders made it the largest inter-faith gathering ever to the amazement of the world. All this happened without an incident… this is something that gets jotted down in history.
So, in 2016, we all together created history. The credit of this goes to every single individual of The Art of Living. Your participation, your intention and your attention made it possible for this event to manifest. That was a very grand time for The Art of Living and for the world.
In the year 2016, The Art of Living has had so many achievements that we cannot list them all. This year, we organized The World Summit for Ethics in Sports at the FIFA headquarters in September. For the first time in history, we made people realize that it is needed to bring ethics in sports. It was a very good event.
There are people who move with the time, and there are other who move time. The Art of Living moved time. We have celebrated in the past, and we continue to celebrate year after year as our motto is to make life a celebration. True to its motto, we welcome 2017.
If you add up 2017 (2+0+1+7=1), it equals to number #1. So, I wish every one of you a bright and shining 2017. #1 is the number of the Sun. In this year let knowledge dawn in your life. What is most important is, knowledge taking the front seat in your life. Everybody has knowledge, but sometime it takes the backseat. It is not in the driving seat. When knowledge is sleeping, it is ignorance. When knowledge is in the backseat it leads to regrets later on. When knowledge is in the driving seat, there is only joy and celebration in life. Then you celebrate in every situation for life is celebration. So, wish for knowledge to be in the front seat in 2017.
There are good qualities in everyone. The courageous will accept the good qualities in everyone. Even if it is in one’s enemy, it should be appreciated. Appreciating good qualities is a very wise quality itself. So, let the Sun which is coming bring you wisdom in this new year! Happy New Year to everyone!
Life is so magnanimous! What you think about life is only the tip of the iceberg. We think of life as survival – a job, relationships, money or just making ends meet. This is what we think life is all about. Our whole life revolves around money, relationships and reputation – these three things. In trying to get these three things we lose our health, and then life starts to revolve around four things (money, relationships, reputation and health). We end up going round and round trying to get hold of these four things and finally become so miserable. And when you become miserable, you lose all these four things. This is what people consider to be life! Now what we are saying is completely revolutionary – Life is celebration, commitment, wisdom and service.
When you have such a short time on this planet, why make people so miserable around you and become miserable yourself? Who said what, when, and where is not important at all. One’s life does not depend on what someone said, or what your reputation is. Life is much bigger and much beyond that. Life should revolve around commitment, service, celebration and acquiring wisdom. Make life a celebration, uplift the spirit of others, be committed to doing good, and be caring. When life revolves around these four then money comes, reputation comes, relationships improve and health remains robust. You get everything that you want when you don’t focus the wants.
When you don’t focus on money, relationships, reputation and health, and focus on celebration, commitment, service and wisdom, you get everything. If you focus on the former four and leave the latter four, then you become miserable.
If you don’t have care and commitment, then relationships will not work. If you don’t have commitment and wisdom, then money and reputation will not come. If you don’t look at life as a celebration, then health will not be okay. So, put this message on your refrigerator “In 2017 let my life revolve around wisdom, celebration, service and commitment. And through this I will get money, health, good relationships and a good reputation”.
There is an abundance of blessings!
Time poses in front of us challenges, charm and change. With wisdom, you can sail over these three very comfortably. You can take on the challenges, appreciate the charm and embrace change.
Lets plan what big thing we want to do in 2017. Think about it, and we can accomplish it!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
It is clear that originally sports activities have been promoted in the interests of health and strength. People eagerly took part in games for the improvement of their physique and to provide entertainment to the public. Sports form an integral part of the scheme of studies in all our institutions, along with various academic subjects like Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Not only should there be participation, but there should also be a greater awareness and appreciation of the philosophy and principles governing the sports and games. The aim in sports should not be victory by any means, fair or foul. Whoever may win, others should greet it with fraternal feelings. The rules of the game should be strictly observed. Prizes do not matter. What is important is the sense of self-satisfaction derived from playing the game well. (Divine Discourse 14-Jan-1994) |
-BABA |
Sports is such an integral part of life. A child starts playing even before it starts speaking. Language comes later, but sports come first. Games are so inherent in our nature, and after retirement also, people sit and watch soccer with a cup of cappuccino, almost through-out their life.
I think that the one thing that continues through-out life is sports, and sports keeps the spirit of life up.
If the sports organizations take an active role in peace building initiatives around the world, then the thousands of youth who are taking to guns in search of some heaven can perhaps drops the guns and take footballs.
I feel, we have a responsibility to give an organizational framework on ethics for both the sportsmen and for those who love sports.
This can happen with three C's:
1. Connectivity
2. Commitment
3. A Higher Context to Life. This is very important. Sportsmen can handle their highs and lows when they have a bigger goal. When a sportsman is given a mission to educate people, and to serve the society, then that gives immense satisfaction to him. So, engaging sportsmen in peace building initiatives, and in social service activities to uplift the community outside of sports is important. This will also help the sportsmen themselves because it will bring that much needed continuity in their lives. So whether one is an amateur in sports, or an accomplished person, or a retired sports person, that sense of a higher purposefulness can come to them. Otherwise I have seen many sportsmen getting depressed when they are out of the field. When they no longer can play, then get into depression. So these kind of activities can help them get over such feelings because then they have a higher mission in their life.
Many of the sportsmen can work towards bringing ethics in sports, they can work towards glorifying sports in society and touching the lives of people with sports across the continents. They can work towards uniting people through sports, especially in areas of conflict.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
Be Happy Whether You Win Or Lose
10/26/2016 Oslo, Norway
(Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was welcomed at the Olympic sports Arena in Oslo, Norway on the 26th of October 2016. An event which saw the gathering of many sports persons was addressed by Gurudev. Below is the transcript of what Gurudev said…)
As I was listening to you speak it felt like you are echoing what we have been doing. You are uniting the world through sports and we are bringing people together from all different countries through culture, music and dance.
Recently in India, we had 155 countries come together and we celebrated The World Cultural Festival. I would like to present you a Video CD of this as well. The youth here may want to see it, or you may want to show them.
This is a World Cultural Festival in which 36,600 artists from 155 countries. It was almost like Cultural Olympics. So many people gathered on a 70-acre stage where they all performed different dance and music which was watched by 1.3 billion people in 767 locations. So, it was a big stage in which all kinds of artists with flutes, guitars, sitars, drums, tablas playing music from around the world.
Sports and music do go together and they unite people beyond language, religion, culture and nationality. I'm so glad that you agree that this is what we need today. We are a global family and our motto is a ‘One World Family’. So this is what I would like to present to your club.
Women have a very important role to play. If one girl is empowered, you are empowering the whole family. Women empowerment is also one of the agendas of our Art of Living Foundation. We've been doing girl child education and prevention of female feticide in many of the Asian countries. When people find out that the fetus is a girl, many of them go for abortion. So we are making a big campaign with UNESCO and other organizations to prevent feticide. This is one of the greatest agendas we have taken up many of villages. Women empowerment is very vital otherwise you will see half of our population live in darkness. If they are unhappy society cannot be happy. The aim of sports, culture, music, business and even politics is to create a happy society.
If sports are played like wars, then it is no longer a sport. In one of the sports club I spoke to a boy who was disappointed because he didn't get the prize.
I asked him, "Why are you sad"? He said, "I lost in the running race”. Then I asked him who had won the prize and he pointed out to another boy.
I asked him “Is he your friend?” to which he said, “Yes, he's my friend, he got the prize”. I asked him a question, “Suppose you had won and your friend was unhappy because you won, would you be happy about it. How would you take it?”
Suddenly the boy said, “No! I never thought about it like that”.
I said, “In sports it's not winning or losing, either you win or you make others win, in either case you should be happy”. A team spirit is needed.
We need to bring ethics in sports in the world. Sports without ethics will become war, sports without a friendly atmosphere of a win-win situation will only give more heart burns, more disappointment and depression. I've seen many young people who are in sports getting into depression. We need to re-orient them, tell them to do some breathing exercises, meditation and be happy. Happiness needs to be created whether you win or lose. That is what is sports.
The ancient cultures have said ‘Life is a sport, take life sportingly. Don't take it too seriously’. With these words, I thank you all for having me here and I wish you all good. Remember you belong to the whole world. Make the nation that you live in proud and at the same time nurture your own language, music, culture and religion. Norway is such a wonderful place which has given you this opportunity to progress in diversity.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
What students need today are three things: Spirit of Sacrifice, Devotion to God and Love for the Motherland. It is because people are filled with pride, selfishness and self-interest, they are ceasing to be human. For this, the first requirement is the elimination of ‘my’ and ‘mine’. The readiness to sacrifice one’s pleasure and comforts for the sake of one’s motherland must be promoted amongst one and all. When there are many noble-minded, and spiritually-oriented youth and students, nations will automatically achieve peace and security. You must develop self-reliance and self-confidence. Adhere to the basic qualities of truth, righteousness, forbearance and self-sacrifice. These are common to all people, without regard for nationality, creed or language. Cultivate a broad outlook, based on the fact that Divine is present in everyone. There is nothing that you cannot accomplish if you have firm faith in God and earn God’s Grace. (Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1988) |
-BABA |
Have this unshakeable faith that whatever is the best for you, that alone will happen in life. Nature will only give you that which will uplift you higher in life. Keep this deep faith.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang yesterday (10 Jan 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. There are clashes with parents, we get stuck in that and entire energy gets drained out only in that. What to do?
#Gurudev: First understand what do they want from you and want do you want to do. Clash is in this, right? What is the cause? Studies? Marriage? Art of Living? Seva? They fear that their son should not become a saint after going to ashram. This is their concern, right? You are too much into Seva, is it? What do they tell you? Leave seva and focus on earning money, is this what they say? Are you studying or working? (says joined a business) Give assurance to your parents that whatever Sadhana, Seva you do, you will also fulfill your responsibilities and not run away from them. After you give this assurance, then there won’t be any fight. Okay. Sometimes there is a fear in mind that why this person is going to ashram, why he is involved in seva, he should not leave business because of this.
You should tell your parents that ‘there are some people who go to watch cinema, few people are involved in some other activities, instead of all this I am doing social service’. Isn’t it? Explain it to them. They will understand. Bring them also here. Tell them that I take care of business, you engage yourself in social service then.
Q. Guruji, you are so amazing & wonderful, how can I become like you?
#Gurudev: I leave this question to you only, okay. If you keep asking this question to yourself again and again, you will get different ideas from time-to-time. Simple thing is that, keep your mind & heart clean, be in spontaneity.
When you do not wish or want anything for yourself, then you will become like me. Very simple. In one line, ‘I do not want anything for myself, I am contended’.
When you do Seva, the results are always sweet & pleasant.
Q. Guruji, what is seva, that which we do voluntarily or that which we are forced to do?
#Gurudev: What do you think? Seva is that which is done with commitment. It is not that you commit something and then you do not stick to your commitment. For example, if you given a commitment to drop someone at airport or railway station. But in the morning you say that ‘oh, let me sleep more, they will manage on their own’, then this is not Seva. Even if you had to take little trouble, you should stick to your commitment in seva.
Q. Guruji, I love you a lot. I have only one question for you ‘many a times thoughts come and go, sometimes good, sometimes bad. How to maintain these thoughts & our behavior?
#Gurudev: Let thoughts come and go. So what? You be centered, okay. We do not act & implement each and every thought, right?
Q. Jai Gurudev Guruji, I have done all the courses like Sanskar Kendra, Art Excel, Intuition, etc. In the starting I used to like doing Kriya and all, I had even prepared a chart in my room for 40 days. But now after that, I have bored to do Kriya. So, what to do?
#Gurudev: It’s okay, no problem. But do not tell me that you feel bored to brush your teeth or to take bath or to eat food. You don’t feel bored to brush your teeth, right? Do you feel that since so many years every morning you have to get up and brush your teeth? If you do like this then nobody will sit near you, right? Some things we have to continue doing even if we feel bored, because we know that it is beneficial for us, correct?
Q. Gurudev, when dealing with parents or elders and if there is a decision which they take or someone just elder and you are not okay with the decision, then how do you communicate to them that you are not okay with it? I find it very hard to communicate.
#Gurudev: Patience! Perseverance! Make your efforts. And with Prayer you can have that. What you cannot achieve by your efforts, you can do by Prayer.
Q. Guruji, there is lot of confusion in life. There is no proper direction to life. Clarity is not there. Lot of confusion is there. What should I do?
#Gurudev: Meditate. By doing meditation you will get clarity.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, January 13, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
This month, known as Pushyamaasa, according to the Hindu almanac is noted for the peacefulness, prosperity and joy which it brings with it. Hence it is regarded with special distinction. Unless people give up their bad thoughts and actions, the month, however great in itself, will be of no avail. Be loving even towards those who hate you. Control your anger and other evil tendencies. The observance of Uttarayana (the northward movement of the Sun which is considered auspicious) should be marked by spiritual transformation of the people and not by lavish feasting and revelry. You should realise how much you owe to God for all the benefits you enjoy in life which are really gifts from Him, including the air you breathe and the water you drink. Should you not be grateful to God for all this? Without gratitude, life is meaningless. (Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1994) |
-BABA |
Be grateful and prayerful. Know that whoever has given it to you cares for you and would not take it away. Do service. Put your attention on giving back to society. This is giving back to God. If negative thoughts, insecurities, doubts come into the mind, chant Om Namah Shivaya. This itself will put you on the right track. Take the past as destiny and the future as free will. What was meant to happen, happened. We tend to do the reverse. People who are foolish think the past is free will and the future is destiny. This only makes you miserable in the present.
‘Om Namah Shivaya’ has been there for thousands of years. The five elements are represented there and each sound in the mantra corresponds to one of them. For instance, Om is the life force or divinity. Chanting energizes our psyche, our inner self. It is very powerful and we should chant this everyday. It will keep away depression. Just try this. You will see that whenever you are low, saying Om Namah Shivaya removes the negativity.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
Are You Stuck In Events?
09/11/2016 Bad Antogast, Germany
Questions & Answers
What are your thoughts on home schooling?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That's up to you. If you want to play multiple roles, you can do that. But I think children should go to school and mix with other kids.
See things from a bigger perspective. The world is like a dream. If you are stuck to events, you can never see the being. Being is beyond events, so your purpose in life is to realize the being and stick to the being, not to the events. Events are just like a drama. An actor comes in several different dresses and performs and gets back into the screen. If your mind is stuck in the event, there is no better ignorance than that. You are so ignorant then you live in a small hole, you have to get the events out of your head. Pleasant, unpleasant, all events. Do you see what I am saying?
All that happened this morning – you standing at the airport when I came out of the VIP room, isn’t it all like a dream now? What is a dream? It's an impression in the mind. What is a memory? It is an impression, that's it. Everything that has happened till this moment is like a dream.
Why we say it's like a dream, because in the waking state you are experiencing a dream. In a dream, you don't have control. But in the waking state you can create, remember or recollect, that is why it's like a dream, but it is an impression. So, realizing the dream-like nature of the world moves you onto another dimension, and that is where reality begins.
What does it mean to love yourself and what is the implication of it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This simply means to realize that you are loved, that's all.
Love is not an act, it is what you are; your state of being. When you are calm, serene and subtle, that's what it is. Usually here in the west, if one is angry at oneself then it is understood as ‘I don't love myself’. If you are angry at others that means you don't love others, no. Love is there, you should never question it.
Love gets distorted when there is no knowledge. With knowledge, it remains pure. When love gets distorted it becomes anger. You love perfection and so you get angry. You want things your way and so you get anger. When you love objects, that is greed. When you love yourself too much that is possessiveness! This is all love coming forth as emotion. So, if you love yourself just relax in peace, don't be hard on yourself.
There are two occasions on which people are hard on oneself:
1. When they pity themselves.
2. When one feels, ‘Oh, I'm so righteous, I'm too good, I did so much and see nobody recognizes me, nobody loves me’.
Thinking about your goodness you can become hard on yourself, and thinking about your bad qualities you become hard on yourself. In either case, you go off balance. When you think good about yourself you will definitely find bad qualities in others. You will search and find the wrong in others, otherwise you can never feel too good about yourself. Also, when you think others are so good and I'm not that good, I have these negative qualities then you become hard on yourself. In either case, you have fallen, you are not on your bicycle, you are not balancing.
Usually we think that people who are hard on themselves are those who criticize themselves. When you praise yourself also you are hard on yourself! Do you see what I'm saying? When you stick to your good qualities you are hard on yourself, and when you stick to your negative qualities you are hard on yourself.
Gurudev, everything seems so simple and so easy when I'm here but once I'm out of here, that’s when all the challenges start.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That's why it is necessary to be in the Guru's cocoon till you are able to fly as a butterfly. Knowledge is easier here. A worm's intention is to become a butterfly, but it does the opposite, it gets into a cocoon where it cannot even move out. Either you can be a worm or you get into the cocoon and then you start flying. That's why you find it easy here.
In the Yoga Sutras, you were mentioning that when you are meditating you get intuitive message. How do you know when to follow them and when not to follow them?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just be spontaneous and don't try to follow it because you never know how much of it is Yoga Maya.
There are three types of Maya:
1. Maha Maya which is total ignorance. People who have no knowledge of spirituality. Just put yourself in their place for a moment. People who are not on the spiritual path what do they do? They wake up in the morning, brush their teeth, drink their tea, stuff themselves with burgers, run to work and do whatever they want to do there. Then they come back in the evening, eat a big meal and go to bed. That's it, their whole life is like that. They are not sensitive and they are not sensible. They are like stones. You don't find humanness inside of them, and they don't feel themselves either. They also don't feel anything about anybody. This is Maha Maya; the deep darkness.
2. Moha Maya which is attachment. I am centric everything else is around me. Moha Maya is all mine, this is mine, that is mine, my word, my thought, my thing. Day and night you are only saying mine, mine, mine, mine and that gives you a lot of miseries.
It doesn't let you see things as they are, this is Moha Maya. Attachment to very trivial things is Moha Maya.
3. Yoga Maya . Yoga-maya is these experiences, the subtle inner experiences of different siddhis coming to you, and different channeling., Ssome energies comey is coming and talking to you. and suddenly Gabriel has come and joined and she is saying things and Angel is coming and all that. See that love around? This is Yoga-maya., oOn the path of yoga you get these siddhis wherehis, some spirits come and start talking to you and then you totally get sucked into that. These experiences remain for a little while and then they go away and that leaves you in a deeper darkness. Many times, Yoga Maya is really tricky because there is some 60-70 percent truth in it, so you will start believing it. The reverse also happens, suddenly you feel ‘Oh, I've been cheated’.
I know about one lady, she was a very good meditator. She got into Yoga Maya. She would get different spirits coming and telling her ‘don't do this’ and ‘don't do that’. She would tell this to others, many times it would come true. Once that same spirit came and told her, "Your husband is a diabetic, don't give him medicine he will be fine”. Listening to her inner voice she didn't give medicine to her husband and he became blind. When your husband at home is blind, it is miserable it is for you too, and then she started questioning the spiritual path, blaming everything. That's when she came to me and I told her to stop listening to these spirits. So, this is what happens in Yoga Maya.
These are three types of Maya, and one has to cross over the three types.
Gurudev, how do you distinguish between intuition and Yoga Maya?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Intuition is different. Of course, intuition is also a siddhi. But there is a very clear difference. In Yoga Maya, you will find someone coming and telling you. And you cannot avoid Yoga Maya.
Yoga Maya is not a bad thing. The way to win over it is go through it and not be attached to it; use your brain also. This is a very delicate balance – keeping your mind and also tuning into your intuition. You need to have that balance. Unless and until you are totally centered and hollow and empty, your intuition is always colored by your own cravings and aversions. When you win over these things then Yoga Maya is your friend and does not pose a challenge. That is why path is essential and the Guru is essential because the Guru can guide you and tell you, ‘This is Yoga Maya’. Or he will say, ‘Yes, you are right’. So, without the Guru you cannot win over Yoga Maya. A Guru is very necessary.
Though Lord Krishna was born a Siddha, he had to have a Guru and so he went to Rishi Sandipani.
Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, "Mama maya duratyaya". My Maya is very difficult to cross over but it can be crossed over only by my grace, and only through me one can cross over that. That's what he told Arjun. It's very interesting how this whole thing is. So always be aware, be cautious of Maya. It can just come from somewhere and hold you in its grip, and the mind starts buzzing. Sometimes you have to snap out of that and that happens also by grace.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross) 16-21 January 2017
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, January 16, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Love for God is devotion. Devotion is not something objective and concrete – it is an inner experience which springs from the heart. As you think, so you become. Hence, your heart must be filled with good feelings. Your senses must be engaged in good actions. When your eyes are turned towards God, all creations appear as Divine embodiments. When your eyes have an issue, you have distorted or unclear vision. When they are corrected and you wear the right spectacles, you can see everything clearly. Everything in the Universe testifies to the glory of the Lord. Learn to treat every experience as a gift of the Divine. When your hearts are filled with the love of God, all your feelings will be sanctified with love, other undesirable thoughts automatically drop out. Often devotees pray to the Lord to come and reside in their pure and tranquil hearts. Where the heart is impure then is no room for God. (Divine Discourse Jan 9, 1988) |
-BABA |
When the water flows within banks, it's called a river. When water is scattered all over, it's a flood. So when the emotions get flooded everywhere, the mind is in a mess. If it is intensely flowing in a direction, then that is Bhakti (devotion). And that is most powerful.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Smiles Of Strength
12/18/2016 Rio De Janerio, Brazil
Today, I am launching a project in Brazil – ‘Volunteer for better Brazil’. If we all can give one hour each day, for just the coming year 2017, then we can make our society better.
Look at the children from the largest slum in the world. How beautifully they are singing and how their lives have been transformed! I appreciate our teachers who are doing such wonderful work. We need more of you to become teachers. And if we all can put in seven hours a week (an hour a day), we can make Brazil free from crime.
Brazil has these tags – some areas are safe and some areas are not safe. Almost in all big cities today, it is said that these areas are safe and these areas are not safe. We should not have that. The whole of Rio, every area should be safe. To make this happen, let us all take a pledge to give one hour each day, or seven hours a week, or a weekend to do something for the society.
The latest research from UK shows that crime in society because of poverty is only 5%. 20% or more is because of lack of love. Crime is more because of lack of love rather than poverty. And you know what, we are all made of love.
How much do you love your family members? How much do you love your friends? How much do you love me? Can't we share 1% of this with other people around? If we do this, then in some time our society will be free from crime and corruption.
One of the biggest issues of all in this country and many countries is corruption. You know, corruption begins where a sense of belongingness ends. Just by rules and regulations, corruption cannot be stopped. It's only through a wave of spirituality, love and sense of belongingness that we can change from corruption to commitment, and crime to compassion. This is what we need today.
If we keep the joy that we experience in life only to ourselves, it will start dwindling. How to keep our joy, our happiness, our love? The only way to increase our joy, love and happiness to spread it with others. And that is what we need to do.
Your life is like a Christmas tree which has many gifts to give. A Christmas tree doesn't keep the gift for itself. It is there to give it to everybody. You all are gifted, and you have many gifts to give society. Don't our children deserve a better world? They do. And that can only happen when we live in wisdom and spread wisdom around. We should put a smile on everybody's face.
The basic principle in Art of Living is ‘Clarity in mind, purity in heart and sincerity in action’. So as a volunteer for better Brazil, what do you need to do? On the weekend, visit your nearest slum and talk to the young boy and girls. Sit with them, talk to them, meditate with them, sing and dance with them, and create a sense of belongingness.
We should have several happiness centers in Rio. When you walk along Copacabana beach, you will find so many places where people come and play soccer, basketball and other games. There are restaurants and clinics everywhere, but there is no place where people can go and sit and become happy. Isn't it? We must have several centers, at least 4-5 centers in Rio, a hall or building where people can go when they are upset and sit and do some breathing, meditation, or listen to some wisdom, become happy and come out with a big smile.
World Health Organization is saying in next five years, the biggest challenge which the world is going to face is depression. Depression is not prevailing in the area where very poor people are there. In these areas, aggression is the issue. But it is the middle class and the upper-class people who get into depression. To get out of aggression and depression, meditation is the only way. We need to teach meditation to everybody. So, the happiness centers will teach some yoga, some meditation, some wisdom and do some counseling. How many of you would be interested in making such centers? (Everyone in the audience raised their hands) Oh my God! Everyone is interested in doing this. So, get together and find out where can you get a place and make it happen? Who will take the lead and how many of you will take the lead? I want six people to take the lead.
Brazil is such a beautiful place. It should also become blissful. Let us all work for this. let us make at least four centers.
2016 was a challenging year for many, but you have come out of those challenges. So, hope for a better 2017. Tough times make you stronger. And if you’ve been smiling through tough times, that smile is really true and original. A smile that comes from the space of strength is far more valuable than the smile that comes out of comfort. And I see that good smile on everyone's face.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross) 16-20 January 2017
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
All the diseases which afflict a person are the result of agitations in the mind. The enormous growth of disease in the world today is due to the loss of peace of mind. The mind has three kinds of capabilities. One is Anekagrata (a wandering mind). Another is Sunyata (vacancy, emptiness) and the third is Ekagrata (single-pointed concentration). Sunyata is the state in which the mind goes to sleep when something edifying is being said. The mind is unresponsive to what is good and beneficial. Such a state of mind is called Tamasic (slothful). It is the blindness of ignorance. Anekagrata is an equally undesirable mental state. It too is degrading; the mind is like the turbulent Ganga. It has to be restrained by the use of brakes, as in a fast-moving vehicle. Dhyana (meditation) is the brake devised for the control of the mind. For one-pointed concentration, peace is most essential. (Divine Discourse Jan 14, 1988) |
-BABA |
Meditation is food for the soul, it nurtures the core of our existence. It gives the deepest rest in the shortest time. Meditation has multiple benefits -- it keeps you fit and healthy physically, focused and sane mentally, brings sharpness in the intellect, keenness of attention and awareness. It also makes the emotions lighter, softer and purer. It helps you let go of all the past garbage and creates positive vibes around you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How to get rid of Suffering?
There are 2 reasons behind your suffering:
1. Ignorance – we are miserable due to our own ignorance
2. Old karmas – we are experiencing something now to pay off some old karmas.
These are the only two reasons.
It is okay to have some challenges in life. You should have that confidence within you that, you can overcome the challenge. Earlier also challenges have come in your life and you have overcome them; you have gone beyond them. Learn from that.
Look back at your own life and see how many challenges you have had and how you have sailed through them and come out of them. This will give you confidence.
The other option is to realize that you have to pay some debt so you are undergoing what you are undergoing.
Further, don’t compare yourself with others. You think other people who don’t do anything in spirituality are rising up? What do you know about them? They may have a lot of money but may not have good sleep. You don’t know their suffering. People by hook or by crook make wealth, they reach to the top, and then they fall from there. Hasn’t it happened? So many people who have climbed to the top using wrong methods, haven’t they fallen?
What should you do by looking at all that? You should always go with a determination of righteousness.
What is that you want? You should have a clear understanding of this. The brain is like a computer; the consciousness works like a computer. First make sure of what you want.
If you confused and you don’t know what you want, then pray, ‘Agne naya supathā rāye asmāna viśvāni deva vayunāni vidvān‘.
This prayer is in Ishavasya Upanishad, which means: May the Divine lead me and give me the best. And have the faith that only the best will happen to you.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross) 16-20 January 2017
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
If the development of the moral and spiritual resources is neglected, remember, you are choosing to ignore the provision of peace and happiness. Happiness and peace do not automatically follow when a person is fed well, clothed well, housed well and even educated to a high standard and employed under comfortable conditions with no injury to health or security. There are millions who have these in plenty and are yet worried in pain or are highly discontented. Happiness and peace depend on the inner equipment of people, not on their outer skill or riches. All of you are fundamentally divine, and so, naturally, the more you manifest the Divine attributes of Love, Justice, Truth and Peace, the more joy you will be able to impart and enjoy yourself! If you choose to manifest less of the divine attributes, the more ashamed you ought to be, for you are living counter to your own heritage! (Divine Discourse, Aug 3, 1966) |
-BABA |
The key to happiness in life is to not stay stuck in ‘I…Me…Mine’ (meaning one’s own personal desires or material gains). Dedicate your life to some larger goal, or to the service of others around you. Then you will find that only happiness flows through your life.
The second thing you need to remember at all times is this, ‘There is someone (the Divine) who loves me very dearly, and is taking care of me at all times. He cannot be without me and He is all capable of removing any lack that I have’.
Knowing this too brings such joy in one’s life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Everything manifests when you meditate!
Divine and worldly dispensation are one and the same, they are not discrete. God is inseparable from this world. He is all permeating. Sarvam khalvidam Brahma – All of this is Brahman.
If you stick your hand in a fire, you get burnt instantly. However, if you sow a mango seed or a coconut seed, in the ground, it takes 4-6 years to bear fruit. Similarly, there are some actions whose consequences are immediate and there are some actions with a delayed outcome. If your grandfather/forefather toils for 20 years to set up a factory, who will enjoy the fruits of his labour – you will! Applying the same logic, karma and its consequences are eternal and beyond comprehension. Some karma can be resolved only by dealing with the consequences, whereas the outcome of some karma can be modified / modulated.
For example, while preparing a meal, the proportion of ingredients can be adjusted with respect to one another. However, once cooked it cannot be reverted back to its uncooked state. Similarly, what your height is today is praarabdha karma(karma that cannot be changed), but your current body-weight can be changed (reduced/increased). That is why doing dhyaan (meditation), japa(chanting), havan(sacrificial fire), daan (charity) helps in changing your karma.
Having an attitude of gratefulness for all that we have received in life also resolves karma. Do not criticize or condemn anyone. However, on the path of Self-knowledge forget about your sins and merits, and just relax and be happy. The more relaxed we are, the more spontaneously (naturally) things get done.
When we were building the ashram, I did not seek advice from a Vaastu consultant. Several years later, some Vaastu specialists commented on how all structures were in their proper place with respect to one another. Our consciousness itself is Shaastra, so if we listen to our consciousness, our intuition, we will function in accord with nature.
Suppose you have no knowledge of electronics, but you need to tackle an electronics issue, you intuitively play around with the wires, and eventually the problem gets resolved. Many people have experienced this. Once I was going from London to Birmingham where I was scheduled to give a talk. This happened more than twenty years ago. Birmingham is a big city. One gentleman realized an hour after we had left London that he had forgotten to obtain the address or the directions to the venue in Birmingham. There were no cell phones then. So I decided to intuitively guide him, telling him to take this turn here and that turn there, until we reached the street in Birmingham on which the venue was located!
Shaastra is not a book, you yourself are the Shaastras. If you study your consciousness, your mind, that is what is in the Shaastra. This is how the knowledge of Vaastu Shaastra, Ayurveda, etc came into being. Dance, music, art, science, have all emerged from the consciousness of the spirit, through meditation. So meditation is supreme.
In english it is known as intuition. Intuition means that which is ‘right’. This power is within everyone.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross) 16-20 January 2017
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The future of the country depends on the skill and sincerity of youth. Therefore, the necessary enthusiasm and encouragement must be generated amongst the youth. All my hopes are based on the students, the youth. They are very dear to Me. They are faultless; it is the parents and the school that are at fault for all the waywardness and violence. They lead them into wrong directions. Embodiments of Love, instead of filling your heads with facts and figures, fill your heart with love and light. Have confidence in the vast powers of the soul (Atma), which is your reality. Have faith in the grace of God, which you can secure by prayer. Mutual respect can be built on the faith that all are children of God and all are Divine. With this foundation, you will get cooperation and enthusiasm for work. All of you must do your best, fully knowing your duty and responsibilities. (Divine Discourse Jan 5, 1975) |
-BABA |
Youth today are mature enough and realize the need for spirituality in their lives. They have huge potential and strength to achieve whatever they want. They experience the peak of material prosperity and comfort so much so that life has become saturated with stimulations. Just material things or comforts alone do not really make a person comfortable. What is worth having is a sense of serenity, calmness, inner peace and sincere love. And spirituality can provide that to our youth.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Does the planet Saturn affect people's lives?
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.
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.
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(spiritual practices), Satsang, Devotion, are all remedial measures that help.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross) 16-20 January 2017
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, January 20, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The tree of life must be watered at the roots. Instead, in the present times, those who plan to raise the standard of living are watering the branches, the leaves and the blossoms! Virtues are your roots. You must foster them, so that the flowers of actions, words and thoughts may bloom in fragrance and yield the fruits of service (seva), full of the sweet juice of joy and bliss (Ananda). Planning for food, clothing and shelter is only promoting the wellbeing of the cart; you must also plan for the horse, the mind of the man, which has to use all the expensive food, the beautiful clothing and the wonderful shelter and other material possessions you acquire. Train your mind, for the high and noble purpose of escaping from the ego into the Universal. Regulations must come from within, not from external sources. You must control yourself through your own innate strength. (Divine Discourse Aug 3, 1966) |
-BABA |
There is a place you can come where everything is beautiful. Tourists go from place to place looking for beauty. They try to take beauty from that place. They only get tired and tanned. Yet the most beautiful spot anywhere is right here. When you come here, you find that wherever you are, everything is so beautiful. Where is this place? Don't look here and there. Where do you go? Within you. When you come here, then any place is beautiful. Then wherever you go, you add beauty there. If you are unhappy, even the moon is irritating to you. Sweet things are nauseating, music is disturbing. When you are calm and centered inside, noise is musical, clouds are magical, rain is liquid sunshine. Book yourself on a trip to this most beautiful place in the universe. Then you find that every day is a vacation and a celebration.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Maturity In Magnanimity
12/17/2016 Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
Did you know that on average, we spend almost 40 years of our life sleeping, 10 years working, 8 years eating, another 8 years in bathrooms and toilets, and about 5-6 years in traffic jams? Add all this and life is finished. If you notice how many hours or days in life we spend laughing, it comes to hardly 3-4 years; we don’t even spend 10% of our life laughing! Do we need to change our style of living so that we spend more time being happy? I would say, ‘Yes! That is The Art of Living.’
A violence-free society, a disease-free body, a confusion-free mind, an inhibition-free intellect, a trauma-free memory and a sorrow-free soul is everyone’s birthright.
Anything that anyone does is to be happy. People do so many things to be happy, but the day doesn’t come! It’s like someone making the bed all night to sleep; changing the bed spread, the pillow case, but finding no time to sleep. We need to change this, and we (The Art of Living) can make a difference here.
Earlier today, when I was talking to the Governor, he mentioned that it costs much more money to keep a young child in prison than to send him to University. This is something very astonishing. I think we all need to focus on making Bahia free from violence. It is a very big dream, and seems very tough, but I think we can do it, we all have to work towards achieving this. Inside every culprit, there is a victim crying for help; we can heal the victim through meditation, and that is what we will do. I want more and more of you to become teachers (of spiritual practices). How many of you would like to become teachers for The Art of Living? Raise your hands. (Many in the audience raise their hands).
We need to give our children a better society than what we inherited. Just 20 years back, the crime rate was so low in Bahia. It was so safe; people could walk anywhere, anytime. Today, the crime rate has gone up and this is because we have not created a sense of belongingness in society. This sense of belongingness cannot drop from the sky, we need to create it. When there is a sense of belongingness, corruption, violence and stress will go down. So, let us all give one hour each day for our society, for our country. Let us all become volunteers for a better Brazil (VBB). Can we do this just for two years? (Everyone is the audience agrees)
My dream is to create waves of happiness. Just like how all of you here are so happy, I want to create the same happiness in every nook and corner of society. There is so much knowledge, beauty, wisdom and depth that I want to share this with all of you. But we need to create a platform for that, where society is more harmonious. That is why I ask you once again, how many of you want to become teachers or volunteers for a better Brazil? Just one hour for the country, you can keep 23 hours for yourself!
I feel we should have Happiness Centres in Bahia; what do you think? How many of you would like to participate in creating them? These centres will be places where people can come, sit for a few minutes, feel happy and go back. Every place has restaurants, gymnasiums and hospitals, but you don’t find Happiness Centres anywhere. We do need such places, right?!
I want to share a few tips with you:
• Ensure that you have good food, especially organic food - It is important that you have the right type and the right amount of food.
• Pay attention to your health - A little bit of exercise, yoga and some meditation will help maintain good health.
• Relationships - This is something that disturbs everybody, and there are many questions about it. I have three pieces of advice, one for men, one for women and one for both. First, for women – never step on the ego of a man. The whole world may say that your husband or boyfriend or man is very dumb, not intelligent, but you should not say that; you should always praise him. A man should not be pressurized to prove himself at home.
Second secret is for men – don’t step on the emotions of women. If your wife or girlfriend complains about someone in her family like her father, brother or anyone else, you don’t join the chorus. If you do that, they would feel more hurt. And if she wants to go shopping, don’t question her, just give her your credit card!
Third, advice for both – do not question the other’s love for you. Don’t keep asking, “Do you really love me” or say, “You don’t love me!” This sort of complaining, demanding for love is no good. Demand destroys love, in you and in the other person too.
I want each one of you to be magnanimous; come from a space of, “I’m here for you!” Just imagine, when both say these words, there is so much harmony. When both want to grab, there is disharmony. When we move from the joy of getting to the joy of giving, we have matured in life, and this is a sign of success.
• Devote some time to knowledge and meditation.
• Be grateful to the Police - This is because they spend their precious time in protecting our society. Whether it is festival time or birthdays or anything at home, they always have to be on duty; especially if there is a big soccer match or something. They lead such a stressed life, making so many sacrifices for society; we must not blame them or put pressure on them.
• Enroll yourself in a silent retreat. I would like you to take a minimum of four days in a year to go deep into silence, and discover the enormous wealth that we have all been bestowed with. We have Advanced courses from time to time; just imagine, all of us sitting together for 4 days, meditating, learning more about our self, it will make such a big difference. It’s like getting your battery fully charged. You learn about your soul, about who you really are, and why we have come to this planet. What is the purpose of life; is it simply eating, sleeping, gossiping and dying one day or is there something more? We can discover all these things if we take a little time out for our self.
Definitely, a silent retreat once or twice a year can be very good. Then, you will see that nobody can take the smile away from you, nobody can disturb you as you become so strong from within. And many more avenues, dimensions within you open up.
I want to tell all of you this, give me all your worries; I only want to see you all with a big smile and serving society. How many of you feel that your wishes and desires are already getting fulfilled? Raise your hands! (Many in the audience raise their hands) . Very good. Now you have to desire and ask for something bigger; not small things. Desire for a violence-free and happy Bahia. We will help people who are sad, depressed, and violent; we will help bring the smile back on their faces.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross) 16-20 January 2017
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, January 23, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Your vision that is now turned outward towards the phenomenal universe, should be turned inwards towards the Indwelling Spirit. You must manifest the Divine Consciousness inherent within you. You must submit yourself to that Consciousness as a spiritual discipline. This is called ‘Conscious Realisation of the Inner Divine’. The first task is to develop awareness of the Divinity within you. The next stage is the realisation of the truth that the Divinity within is equally present in all others too. You must recognise that the veil or barrier that appears to separate you from others is born of delusion and every effort should be made to remove it. Only then will it be possible to experience the oneness of all living beings. Gradually the realisation, “I am indeed Divine and this world is contained in Me (Aham Eva Idam Sarvam)” will dawn upon you. (Divine Discourse, Feb 16, 1988) |
-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
How to Stop Worrying
12/12/2016 San Jose, Costa Rica
I am coming to Costa Rica after 15 years. What big change has happened here!
Now tell me, does it really matter what topic we speak about? Today, if you go onto google you will find information on almost every topic. Ask me that what google cannot give you. You know, we convey more through with our vibrations than through our words. What google cannot give you is the vibration.
I will share with you something very interesting. Human beings and bananas share 50% of the same DNA. How many of you didn’t know this? (Many raise their hands). A banana is 50% human. I don’t know why people use the term, ‘Gone bananas’ when someone has gone cuckoo. Maybe because the person is using only half of their DNA. (Laughter).
There is a beautiful human being inside everyone. What makes one different is the stress that covers the beauty. When the stress is gone, we become our original selves. Every child which came into this world came as a pure, beautiful, innocent and intelligent child. But then, somehow, we tend to lose that innocence. The intelligence which has no innocence does not have much value and innocence which is not intelligent has no value. What is needed? The combination of intelligence and innocence. That which gives us this innocence and intelligence, which gives us sensibility and sensitivity, that which makes our heart blossom and keeps our intellect sharp is what spirituality is!
What is happening now? Are you watching what’s happening within you? Either your mind is saying, ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. As I am speaking you are also having a dialogue. Are you noticing that dialogue?
Audience: Yes
You have to say ‘Yes’ to this question. You can’t say ‘No’, at least for this one because your mind is going ‘Yes-No, Yes-No’. It doesn’t matter what I say. What is important is for you to know that your mind is saying ‘Yes and No’. This is creating another level of awareness. It is very important to cultivate this.
See, we all have ten fingers but we don’t know how to play the harp, or the guitar or the violin. That needs a little training. Similarly, though we have all these abilities, we are not trained to use them. If we can train ourselves to use them, what happens? Our sharpness increases, our memory sharpens, our intuitive ability becomes very strong and our presence of mind increases.
What the psychologists say is, when listening to a talk that is for 10 mins or more, your mind keeps taking cappuccino breaks now and then. Today a lot of young people are losing their attention. What is called ADHD; attention-deficit-syndrome is increasing. How many of you agree with me? (Many in the audience raise their hands). So, what to do? Meditation, yoga, a little bit of breathing exercise and Sudarshan Kriya.
Questions & Answers
How to stop worrying?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Know one thing – one day you are going to go under the ground. You will be finished. Everybody else will also be finished. What are you worried about? You are worried about money? You are worried about somebody’s opinion? You are worried about prestige? You are worried about your health? There are four things that people worry about –Money, Relationship, Prestige and Health! All of them is going to go away one day. Then why worry.
See life from a bigger context. Ten years ago, didn’t you worry? You are still alive. Five years ago, didn’t you worry? You are still alive. Three years back you worried. This worrying did not do anything to you. You only created more toxins in your body. Life anyway goes on.
Life is a balance between free will and destiny. How many of you have this question about free will and destiny? (Many in the audience raise their hands). Is life all destined or is it all free will? I tell you, life is a combination of both free will and destiny. Your height is your destiny but your weight is your freewill.
You can’t say this my destiny is to weigh 100 kilos. I will tell you to get on to the treadmill. And don’t eat those burgers. So, your weight is your free will and your height is your destiny. Similarly, it’s raining is destiny, whether to get wet or not is your free will.
(A member of the audience asked a question which was inaudible).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are love. Drop this guilt.
I want to tell you one story. This is the story from the life of Lord Buddha. It also includes forgiveness.
One day Buddha was giving a sermon and conducting a meditation. One gentlemen came from the back to the hall. He was very angry because his son did not join the business and instead joined Lord Buddha and wanted to meditate and propagate peace. So angry gentleman came in front of Buddha and spat on the face of Buddha. There were 10,000 people sitting in the hall, but then Buddha did not react and was just smiling. This man then went away. Just being in Lord Buddha’s presence brought a shift in this gentleman because he has always encountered anger with only anger. Here is a person who did not react and was smiling instead. And that one smile of Buddha did something to him. He could not sleep the whole night. His whole life transformed. He came next day and fell at the feet of Buddha and asked for his pardon. Buddha with the same smile lifted him up and said, “I can’t forgive you”.
Everybody else was shocked. This man is sobbing, crying, asking for pardon and Buddha is saying I cannot forgive you. Then Buddha tells him, “That man who was angry is gone and whom you spat is also not here now. They say, you cannot put your feet twice in the same river. Like that, the consciousness is also changing. The person who was there yesterday is no longer here now. So, if at all I met that person who spat and to whom you spat, I will tell him to forgive you”.
See life from a broad perspective. A mistake happens through you when you are not conscious, when you are in ignorance. So, you are not responsible, it is the ignorance that was responsible.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross : 23-28 January 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You have been endowed with enormous immeasurable talents, skills and powers. But you are using all that to journey towards a poor satellite of the Earth, instead of using it to journey towards the wonderland of your own inner realms; where you can come face to face with God, who is your Inner Reality, the Inner Reality of indeed this entire phenomenal world you so admire. Your body is but a boat, an instrument, for crossing the sea of change, that you have earned through the merit of many generations. When you have crossed the sea, you realise the Dweller in the dwelling. That is the purpose of the body. So even when the body is strong and skilled, even while the intellect is sharp and your mind very alert, you must make every effort to seek the Dweller (Dehi) within your own human body (Deha). (Divine Discourse, Aug 3, 1966) |
-BABA |
Divine love is not somewhere far, it is with me right here. If we have this faith, then we can never feel separate from Divine love. I have come to tell you that you can never be far from God. If you understand this today then I will consider my work done.
In the rush of our daily lives, we forget that Divinity is within us.
Let us all take this sankalpa - Remembering again and again that the Divine music is within us, my family and I take this commitment that people all over the world should stay happy.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How Crazy Are You?
01/13/2017 Bangalore, India
Questions & Answers
The question ‘Who am I’ has been pricking me since childhood and has not gone away and it drives me absolutely insane. Nothing makes sense. What to do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are such a fortunate person. If other questions are driving you insane, I would not say so, but if this question ‘Who am I’, is driving you insane, you are the luckiest person, and you are the best seeker. This is good. Hold on to it!Don’t let this craziness go away. It is this craziness in you which brings charm in life. Anyone who has any type of craze will have a spark in their life. It is good to be crazy about something and the craze to know about oneself is wonderful.
Don’t read too many books. Reading books is detrimental to this. This question, ‘Who am I?’should lead you to meditation. That is the best thing. That is enough. Hold on to it, and don’t go and ask anyone else who are you?
Gurudev, I am in love with someone. How can I make out whether it is love or infatuation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You fall in love and you want me to tell you whether it is true love or not! You would need to decipher this yourself. Only the person who is eating would know the taste of the food. How can someone else advise on that?
Is there any connection between DNA and our ancestors? If so, please throw some light.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, absolutely there is. Where do you think your DNA originated from? It didn’t drop from the sky. Obviously,it has come from your ancestors. But I can tell you one thing that you may not know, a banana contains 50% of your DNA. A human being and a banana share 50% of the same DNA which means two bananas equal to the DNA of one human being. or one banana is equal to the DNA of half of a human being. This is what the scientists say.
What happens to our consciousness that just by entering the ashram we feel happy and light?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, the vibrations of the place does affect the mind. That is why, ashrams are there and temples of knowledge are there for you to meditate and soak in the atmosphere.
Whatever is happening, that energy gets absorbed by the trees, stones and everything around in the creation. Why do people go to Bodhgaya 2000 years after Buddha got enlightenment? The Bodhi tree is still there and people feel the vibration there. Why do we go to different temples or Jyotirlingas? All these temples have at one point of time, been places of knowledge and saints and sages have lived there. That’s why these places became Teerthsthaan (places of spiritual significance or pilgrimage spots).
But today, you see that all the energy has disappeared from most of these places. They have become places of rituals and not meditation. We should re-establish meditation in all these places. That is why it is said, ‘Swayamhiteerthanipunanthisantah’ (sages sanctify all the places of pilgrimage by their mere presence). This is needed.
What was Rishikesh some 40 years back? It is not what it is today. 40 years back people were discussing knowledge and wisdom. And today, there is only loud speakers and some activities there.
Gurudev, how do I make my parents understand that my Guru, knowledge and my yearning for the truth is of utmost importance to me? They just don’t seem to want to understand this.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Why do you want them to understand? Keep your secret in your heart and serve them and make them happy. You don’t need to convince everyone about what you believe and what you think is right. If they don’t understand, it is their choice and their freedom. Your trying to impose your ideas on them only causes more tension and their fear gets more exhilarated which is not needed
How to get rid of stress, other than practicing meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Drive a car behind a bicycle. Slow down.
Why is there suffering when there is God?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: So that you can lift your eyes above this material world. Suffering has a purpose, which is to connect you to your self. Suffering indicates that you got too involved and carried away by all the relative and transient things around you. That is what suffering is all about. Once you understand that it is all transient, your eyes get lifted to something that is eternal. That is when real joy dawns in life.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Of what avail is the study of the Upanishads and the Gita, if there is no transformation in our thoughts or way of life? There must be the urge to change and progress towards a higher state of consciousness. It is only then we can grasp, to some extent, the relationship between the phenomenal Universe and the Divine. You must examine where your spiritual practices are leading you to. You have to proceed from the purely mental stage to the highest stage of the Over-mind and experience oneness with the Universal Consciousness. You may regard this as extremely difficult. But if you have dedication and perseverance, it is quite easy. There is nothing in the world easier than the spiritual path. But when there is no earnestness, it appears difficult. That is why The Gita has declared: "Shraddhavan labhate Jnanam" (The earnest aspirant acquires the Supreme Wisdom). If you are deeply interested in anything, you will accomplish it. (Divine Discourse, Feb 16, 1988) |
-BABA |
Anything done to uplift your spirit, to make you walk towards the truth, that brings up human values within, that connects you to the innermost and outermost is spiritual. Meditation, pranayama, yoga, service, singing, chanting, creating happiness around you are all part of spirituality. If you create misery, then that is not spirituality. If you can create joy, it is spiritual. But not momentary joy. Such joy, in the long term, creates misery that is not spiritual. Alcohol, drugs can create momentary joy but they are not at all spiritual. That is the spirit.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Past Mistakes
Question – What should you do if people around you keep reminding you of your past mistakes?
Gurudev : Smile and move forward. If they are not able to forget the mistakes of the past, then that is their problem. You should forget the mistakes of the past, just drop it and move ahead. You are not the same person as you were in the past when you committed those mistakes, you have changed. When you came to the spiritual path, when you gained this wonderful knowledge, then your entire life has changed. So have complete and unshakeable faith in this fact.
In the ancient times, when people used to approach a Guru, then they would even change their birth names. Why was this done? It was to signify that you have taken a new birth altogether when you have come to the Guru. You have become a new person when you gained access to this knowledge. The mistakes you committed in the past out of ignorance do not exist anymore in light of the knowledge you have now received.
Ignorant people around you may sometimes do such things, but you should have compassion for them instead of feeling hurt or angry. Think that, “Oh, they are still stuck and do not know that I am a totally different person now. I have changed”. This faith you must develop in yourself. There is no need to fall into self-pity.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
In a bud there is very little fragrance. However, as it grows and blossoms, it automatically acquires very fine fragrance. Likewise, when the human consciousness expands, it will find fullness in the state of Sath-chith-ananda (Truth-Consciousness-Bliss). Starting with the ordinary mind the consciousness rises to the level of the Super-mind. Then it moves up to the state of the Higher Mind. The next higher stage is that of the Illuminated Mind. Through all these stages, the continuing entity remains the same, as in the bodily changes from infancy to old age. That is the Universal Consciousness which is present in everyone — the One in the Many. The Universal Consciousness is the Truth (Satyam). It is the Supreme Wisdom (Jnanam). It is Infinite (Anantam). Ever bearing in mind these triple characteristics of the Divine, strive to achieve the supreme goal of human life. (Divine Discourse, Feb 16, 1988) |
-BABA |
There is a universal power that is inside of me, outside of me, and everywhere in the universe. That power is responsible for everything in the universe. All the diverse creation is because of this power and that power cares for me. Some people call it God, some call it something else. But it does not matter what one calls it. There is a power, there is a spirit. That is so compassionate, and it is with you and will help you. It is also helping you now. See, when you were a child, when you could not even wipe your nose, when you could not even stand up, didn’t nature take care of you? (Affirmative, 'Yes,' from the audience.) And when you get old, you need someone to help you. Right? Somebody will take care of your needs. So, when you were very young, someone took care of you, and someone will definitely take care of you when you will be very old. So, who is putting this thought in that someone’s mind to take care of you? That is the power. So, you have always been taken care of?
Even when you are capable and strong, you must know that there is a power that takes care of you. So, if we just understand this, a great relaxation happens, and the insecurity in the mind goes away, all the fear goes away. Great relaxation, confidence, trust and everything comes. All that is needed in life just come up. So, when we were incapable, we were taken care of, and if we become incapable, we will be taken care of. Now also, we are taken care of and we should also do the same thing. We should also take care in whatever possible manner, wherever it is necessary. This is human life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In the Upanishads it is said that knowledge liberates you and brings moksha, while in the Shiva Sutras you have mentioned that “Jnanam bandhaha” (knowledge can bring bondage). What knowledge can bring bondage and what is that knowledge that can bring liberation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Different knowledge points are spoken at different times and in different contexts. There is a different context to every knowledge. You need to understand that and see it in totality, rather than understanding each in isolation.
Whatever knowledge has been given, as per the time and context, you must understand it in that context rather than generalize. Listen to the complete Shiva Sutras and you will understand what is being said. If you randomly pick up a few knowledge points from Shiva Sutras and put those in the context of the Bhagavad Gita, then you are bound to get confused and deluded. You have to listen and understand that knowledge in the context of that particular knowledge talk or series rather than mixing up any two together.
To reach a destination, someone may say, “Go straight and take the last left turn”.
Someone else may say, “Go straight and then take the last right turn”.
Yet again someone else may say, “Just go straight, do not turn left or right”.
If you mix up all three instructions, or try following all of them together, you are bound to be confused and lose your way. The directions or instructions are given depending upon where you are at present. At least become wise enough to understand this intelligently.
No doubt there is no greater purifier than knowledge. But if you get stuck in knowledge only at an intellectual, or literal manner rather than assimilating it deep within, then the same knowledge becomes a source of bondage rather than liberation.
There are three different types of knowledge:
1. Indriya-janya Jnana: knowledge which is received from the senses. 2. Buddhi-janya Jnana: knowledge that comes through the intellect. 3. A kind of knowledge that is more subtle and deep, and is beyond the intellect.
Being stuck at the lower levels of knowledge can become a bondage or obstacle in rising to the higher and more subtle knowledge. You should sit and listen to knowledge again and again with attention.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, January 27, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
God incarnates to foster sadhus (noble or saintly ones), it is said. By sadhus, the scriptures do not mean the dwellers in Himalayan retreats; they mean the virtuous person who forms the inner reality of everyone of you, the outer appearance being but a mask which is worn to delude yourself into esteem. Everyone of you is a sadhu, for you are prema swarupa, shanti swarupa and amrutha swarupa (embodiment of love, peace and immortality). But by allowing the crust of ego to grow thick and fast, the real nature is tarnished. By the action of satsang (the company of the God-minded), by systematic attention to self-control and self-improvement, one can overcome the delusion that makes one identify with the body and its needs and cravings. Yama (God of death) can be countered by samyama or control of the senses. When man forgets this fact and starts living as a slave of the senses, God, out of His infinite mercy, comes and guides along the heavenly path into Himself. (Divine Discourse, 7 Sep, 1966) |
-BABA |
Avatar means one who has come down. Those who want nothing, they come for 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
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (21st January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: There is a proof for duality. What is the proof for non-duality?
SriSri: Proof for duality is classical chemistry. Proof for non-dual existence is Quantum Physics.
Q: Is it possible to raise the awareness to a level where we can know all the things all the time?
SriSri: A lawyer has so many books in his shelf. He has studied all the books but he doesn't have to keep everything in his head. Whenever he needs the knowledge, he will remove the particular books for reference. You only focus on attention and pick the memory. Knowledge is available as a possibility. But it depends on our ability to pick what we can. For this, intellectual analysis and intuitive ability is needed. Intuitive ability has reached to those that you have not intellectually acquired, and comes when you empty your mind few times a day. For every innovation, both are needed.
Q: Where am I in this body and how am I bound?
SriSri: You are there in your body and you are bound in this body. Why don't you ask this question to yourself? What do you want me to answer? Close your eyes and you will experiment and find the answer. This questions serves as a technique for you to go deeper into meditation.
Q: Can you please talk about the Chintamani and the point on the nose tip the subtle body is connected to the physical body?
SriSri: Scientists say the tip of the nose have a lot of info that we haven't been able to process all of it. Any knowledge you have should pass through the test of scientific methodology. Even spirituality passes through the scientific understanding. You have to keep your mind open because there are many possibilities. Chintamani - the ancient people said that it’s in the center of the skull, below the hypothalamus (controlling the voluntary and involuntary functions). You can draw parallels because there is such a huge gap of time and language which makes it almost impossible to say “this is it”. For example, all the chakras which have been described in the yogic texts correspond to the endocrine system.
Q: If one is content, how can the quest for spirituality arise? Is contentment only for material aspects?
SriSri: Yes. Levels of contentment. Frustration doesn't lead you anywhere, just leads to more. To get out of frustration, wisdom is needed. And if wisdom doesn't give you contentment, then it is no wisdom at all. Even a drop of wisdom should be contentment, but that doesn't mean that contentment allows you to be lethargic or lack in enthusiasm. Contentment is not opposed to dynamism or spirit of enquiry. And spirit of enquiry is not necessarily frustration or lack of satisfaction. You can be content and still be in the quest for the highest.
Q: Can there be dispassion and absolute enthusiasm in every roles?
SriSri: Yes. Don't you see this all around you? Kids have this. They are crying and the tears have not yet disappeared from their cheeks, they start smiling or even laughing. Perfect example of dispassion but still enthusiastic. If you don't have dispassion, you would continue brooding and be unhappy. Dispassion helps you come to the present moment.
Q: What is the secret of the exponential growth of Art of Living world over?
SriSri: The effectiveness, sincerness, beauty, and utility in the day-to-day lives. Anything authentic or impactful will always bring transformation and will take you on a long journey.
Q: What do I have to do to become your favourite? When will you call me by my name?
SriSri: Look, I take you beyond your names. You are beyond your name; in the sense that you are pure consciousness. You are with me and I am with you.
Q: Can wisdom happen instantly? Is it the same with enlightenment?
SriSri: Yes. It can be gradual also. “I am happy all the time, unlike before - sudden realization”. Gradually you become more and more happy and one day you realize you are so centered and happy, nothing can shake you and nothing can take your smiles away - then you are there. Sometimes there is a flash of lightning, but when the sun rises, gradually the night disappears and the day dawns gradually and it stays. Both phenomenon is there. For some, it can come as an electrical transformation. For some, it is more of a gradual change. Similar to “Aho!” in Ashtavakra Gita.
Q: Today people want everything instantly and that is creating a lot of stress, would you like to comment on this state?
SriSri: It is a natural tendency and there is nothing wrong with it. You want things instantaneously and hence so many scientific innovations have occurred. But have some patience also with it. Don't let that wanting frustrate you or turn into a disaster. Have that intense wanting. When you have that intense desire or instant wanting, then it is good to maintain that, appreciate that. In those situations, drive you car behind a bicycle. That will give you the much needed patience. If it gets too much, drive behind someone who is walking.
Q: How to see beyond the realm of right and wrong?
SriSri: That which gives you long term happiness might even give you short term trouble is that which is good. And that which gives you long term misery and short term happiness is bad for you. Never go for it.
Q: All the negative emotions I am experiencing, does it all affect my consciousness?
SriSri: Consciousness is pure, and unblemished. All these emotions are part of it. Don't worry about it. All these positive and negative energies come and go, like waves. But it is all just like water coming in the form of waves. It is just pure energy that manifests into all these emotions. View it from a scientific angle and then you will see all emotions are just energy. That’s when you wake up and say, “Oh I am feeling these emotions and it will pass, let me move on” Do not sit and brood over it. Keep moving on.
Q: What is the relationship between karma and money?
SriSri: Karma is related to you, and so is money. So you are the connection between the two. Got it? Everything is related to you. What you do and what you don't do is your karma. And what you can have and what you can't have is also your karma. Are you confused? If yes, then my work is done. Because karma’s purpose is to confuse you. It is beyond the intellect. Karma is the field of action: latent, inherent and impression of actions. So the the latent impressions will draw such actions into the future, and whatever actions you do in the present gets back into your consciousness as impressions. Is there a way to rise above this ocean of karma? Yes. Through consciousness and awareness, karma will not cling onto you.
Q: How do we know about the latent impressions in our mind and how do we get rid of it?
SriSri: Don't try to get rid of them. When you try, you are still fighting. Just rise above them
Q: What is the Kundalini Shakti?
SriSri: Body is the “Kunda”, “Kunadalini” is that which is in the part. The energy which is in body and when it manifests in all its glory is the Kundalini Shakti. Without the kundalini awakening, you cannot have any meditation, enthusiasm, heightened state of bliss or unconditional love. All this is happening inside you. Come for a silent retreat in the ashram for four to five days, you will know about it. Longer meditations and understanding the mechanics of the movement of energy in your body. Also, when you do Sudarshan Kriya, you see every cell of your body wake up. That exactly is Kundalini Shakti. In ancient days, they described in the language of those days. The language was flowers because of the fascination in them. Children are very fascinated by it. Someone who is calm and settled love nature. They honor the nature. Those days, they described the beautiful feelings like love and gratitude related to flower. In English we say, “say it with a rose”. That subtle and beautiful feeling when it wakes up within you, there is a normal tendency to relate that to flowers. So they said there are this many Chakras with so many petal flowers there and serpent is arising etc. There is no serpent by the way, it is just energy. Why is the earth considered to be standing on the serpent, Adishesha? It isn't a real serpent. Serpent just means centripetal and centrifugal force. The earth is going around the Sun as well as spinning around its own Axis. Just to depict that, they mention it as a serpent. The serpent doesn't go straight, it curves expressing the centripetal and centrifugal force. The movement of energy in a snake isn't straight. It is spherical. Hence the movement within us is also circular and delicate, moving from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Even our spine is also bent. So the ancient people described it as a serpent that wakes up deep within you, then the full potential of human consciousness is manifesting in that. This is what they meant to convey, in a figurative way.
Q: If intellect is influenced by time and space, how can intellect be used to experience the truth?
SriSri: Every aspect of human existence (body, breath, mind, intellect, ego and the self) aren't isolated. It is not one thing experiencing and the other not experiencing. It is the experiencer whose parts are all these faculties. You are the experiencer and your intellect is one of your faculty. Its like asking me how do I experience my one hand? You are experiencer of every part of your body, and your body is part of you and consciousness. Meditation is the way (Panchkosha Meditation) how you take your awareness from external to inwardness. And when you go inward, the intellect has a role to play. When your intellect says yes, it allows the consciousness to come to its own center. And when it says no, it doesn’t allow it at all. It is important for our intellect to agree and be. For example, when you say ‘take your awareness to the tip of the nose’, the intellect says ‘yes, I have a nose’. But when someone says ‘take your awareness to your horn’ the intellect says ‚no, I have a horn’ and meditation cannot happen. Someone asked me ‘the purpose of meditation is to lift our consciousness away from body, why are we taking attention to the body?’. I said “yes, it is necessary”. It is necessary for intellect to agree and be. When you want the arrow to go forward, you usually first pull the arrow backward. We may think we are aware of our body, but we are actually distracted by the scenery outside us. We have to bring our attention from the scenery to the seer. The first layer is the environment and the second layer is the physical body. And then the intellect says ‘yes, that’s my physical body’. When you bring the attention there, then its able to move forward to the expanded space of consciousness, which cannot be explained in words.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, January 30, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Practice the attitude of joy when others are joyful and of grief when others around you are aggrieved. Let your heart move in empathy. But the joy and grief have to be translated into service; they should not be mere emotions. It is not by your wearing the same 'bush coat' that all others wear that you should demonstrate the principle of equality; that is very easy. That is external uniformity. How are all equal? All are equal, because they all have the same Divine Consciousness (Chaitanya) within them. When the Sun rises, not all lotuses in the lake bloom; only the grown buds open their petals. The others await their time. It is the same with people. Differences do exist because of un-ripeness, though all fruits have to ripen and fall someday. Every being has to reach the Goal, however slow they walk or however circuitous their road is! (Divine Discourse, Apr 23, 1961) |
-BABA |
By sharing your misery, it doesn't reduce. By not sharing your joy, it reduces. Share your problems only with the Divine, not with Tom, Dick, or Harry -- that just increases the problem. Share your joy with everybody.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for A GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (27th January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: How do we reconcile disciplined action with bhakti?
Sri Sri: They are not contradictory. Only when you are disciplined can you have bhakti. Only with devotion can you have bhakti. Sometimes people confuse self centered, emotional outburst with bhakti. Dedication has its basis as bhakti. Dedication anywhere, discipline anywhere has bhakti underneath.
Q: How to get over mobile addiction?
Sri Sri: It is simple - tell someone to take away your charger.
Q: We are all created by God. We go through cycle of life and death. If we were to merge with God in the end, why did he create this world?
Sri Sri: Just for fun. If you ask a director why did you create a villain if you want the hero to win? What will the director say? For fun. Opposite values glorify nature.
Q: How do I realize my unconditional love for you?
Sri Sri: Very good - A Guru's job is not to clear your doubts, it is to increase them. So that from the fire of doubt, you will emerge as a powerful being. Doubts are like the clouds and faith is like the mountain. Clouds can obscure the mountain but they cannot take away the mountain.
Q:Why is it that in life I don't get what I want even though I am in the spiritual path?
Sri Sri: Drop the past. Stop analyzing the past. Keep moving forward, only then will you have energy and enthusiasm. You should look forward and hold on to your dream or hope. That is how you can nullify the negative cloud that hovers over.
Q: What is your opinion about women empowerment? Some women in Indian jurisdiction misuse the same. Are you for men empowerment?
Sri Sri: I see beyond gender. Don't pull me into gender empowerment. I am for the empowerment of all human beings and not just social empowerment. Until you realize that you are part of eternal existence, you keep swimming in this puddle of mud. Wake up and see you have an ocean of knowledge. Get empowered knowing that the existence is part of you. That which is, which will be is part of you and you are that.
Q: What role does a good friend play in one's life?
Sri Sri: A good friend makes you feel like an emperor at times and if he has to speak something bitter at times for your good, he will do that.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The root cause of all trouble is the uncontrolled, ill-directed mind. Like when the river Godavari is in floods, it rolls along, causing slips and slides, and devastates vast areas on both banks. Discriminatory wisdom (Viveka) and non-attachment (Vairagya) are the two bunds which tame the mad energy of the flood and lead the raging waters into the sea, which is, after all, the destination the waters seek. How can they be implanted? By the first three primary goals of life: righteousness, wealth, and desire-fulfillment (dharma, artha, and kama). The practice of dharma is the art of living. No attempt need be made to run away from the duties of one’s station and status. Remember, those duties have to be done as worship, as offerings of one’s intelligence, skill, qualities, thoughts and feelings to the feet of the Lord in a spirit of thankfulness for the chance given, without a trace of egoism or a sense of attachment to the fruits of the actions. (Divine Discourse, Apr 23, 1961) |
-BABA |
Any action of yours that goes against Dharma will prick you inside. It will keep troubling you from within and you will feel, ‘Oh, I think I have done something really wrong’. Your conscience will tell you this. But when you act in accordance with Dharma, then you feel relaxed and at peace.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (29th January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: Dearest Guruji, could you please tell us about Radha and Krishna’s friendship? It will be helpful for today's youth.
Sri Sri: Radha was elder than Krishna and the Raas Lila occurred before Krishna had even turned 14. Hence their relationship is that of pure love and innocence, not lust. In fact, Radha wasn't a separate person at all, she was just the power of Krishna.
Q: Krishna through the Bhagavad Gita facilitated Arjuna with serenity, before he gave him the courage to fight? Why is it necessary to be serene before everything else?
Sri Sri: If you are serene, you are sensible. And to fight, you need to be sensible. An insensible, foolish person fighting will only bring harm to himself.
Q: Is there a devotion meter you have for us? Or that we must have for ourselves?
Sri Sri: C'mon you have many things to do, don't sit and measure your devotion. Know that you have enough devotion, don't question it. Got it? Just keep busy. If you have commitment, you have devotion. Devotion is not an emotional outburst, it just your very state of being where you are focused and committed.
Q: After Krishna gave Arjun the knowledge in Bhagavad Gita, he forgot it. Is it ok for us to forget too?
Sri Sri: Knowledge should be like soap. Once you use it, you must wash it off. There’s no need to keep it. Knowledge is there to uplift you and make you realise, you are One consciousness. At that state it is pure bliss and is a different type of forgetfulness. Not Dementia.
Q: How do you keep Krishna in the subconscious mind?
Sri Sri: Lord Krishna did not refer to just subconscious mind, he said mind, intellect, everywhere. Just feel you are part of Him and take this conviction once. That is enough.
Q: If devotion is the seed, what is manure & water?
Sri Sri: Knowledge is manure and satsang is water.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Life is like a flight of steps toward the Divine. Your foot is on the first step when you are born; each day is a step that must be climbed. So be steady, watchful and earnest. Do not count the steps ahead or exult over the steps behind. One step at a time, well climbed, is enough success to be satisfied with and to give you encouragement for the next one. Do not slide from the step you have reached. Every step is a victory to be cherished; every day wasted is a defeat to be ashamed of. Slow and steady — let that be your maxim! Adhere to a regular timely routine to repeat the Lord’s Name and meditate. Just as the doctor prescribes a certain fixed quantity of the drug and warns you that anything less is ineffective and anything more is harmful, so too, balance your spiritual exercises. Do not overdo them or do them casually without care. (Divine Discourse, Mar 17, 1961) |
-BABA |
With Honour
If any day your meditation, or Kriya, or anything, is a little low, or not 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
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (30th January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: Gurudev, you said Meditation is superior than Seva, I am regular in Meditation and Sadhana, is it still needed to do Seva to reach you?
Sri Sri: Definitely. Meditation and Seva are together, they have to be done together like watching television and listening to it. Otherwise you are watching a television muting it. That’s no good.
Q: Gurudev, when things are so easy, why does Spirituality seem a little difficult initially?
Sri Sri: You have said it correctly, it just seems, but it is not so. It is just in your mind. Spirituality is not difficult. Spirituality is very easy, it’s absolute comfort. What you may find difficult is your let go of those habits which you anyway want to let go. Got it? Smoking, difficult to leave, drinking, difficult to leave and junk food and all those food which are not good for you, difficult to leave. That difficulty you think ‘Oh, you are going away from spirituality.’ Spirituality is not at all difficult.
Q: Gurudev, is giving charity or money to a beggar is right or wrong?
Sri Sri: You should see, you know begging has become a business. When this demonetization happened, a beggar had some crores of rupees with him. Then I think you should not encourage such begging. And if really someone is needy then it’s okay, you can help them. But I would not encourage beggars as profession, they are healthy, they can definitely earn, they can do some job, and it is a self-imposed poverty. Why do you want to support such self-imposed poverty, easy way of getting money? We need to support poor kids, children who are going to work, we need to support them.
You know, Art of Living is supporting 53,000 kids in India alone. In different schools, in different states, 453 free schools are being run and then we run another 100 schools from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM).
So, doing work like that is better than to just giving money to someone who just comes on street to exploit.
Q: Gurudev, of the many metals, why is gold considered to be sacred in India, it is very fascinating?
Sri Sri: No, nothing like sacred, who said gold is sacred. Everything is sacred or nothing is sacred. You know whatever is rare commodity, anything that is a rare commodity, the price goes up. That’s it. In fact, gold has little use for you, iron is much more useful to you. If you have iron deficiency in your body then that’s it, you can’t even walk. And whatever is most essential for you is freely available, so is God. Air is most important, it’s freely available. Iron is most important, it’s easily available. But you don’t need ruby so it’s rarely available.
Q: What are the top 5 things a parent should teach a child?
Sri Sri: Sharing, compassion, truthfulness, sincere, loyalty. Any child who grows up with these values will have a beautiful, strong foundation, and the parents have done their job. These qualities will help them be liked by everyone everywhere. Keep them away from addictions of any sort - alcohol, smoking.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
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@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Embodiments of Love, work alone brings out the true strength in an individual and shows others what one is capable of. Just as a mirror reflects to us our own face, so also the kind of work you do, describes your true qualities like a barometer. This barometer of work has the capacity to assess your condition and the state of your mind and will demonstrate the kind of qualities you possess (tamasik, rajasik or satwik). Some people appear to be very calm and noble (satwik), but when they undertake work, we may see that, behind the cloak of satwik quality, is present an amount of harshness. Some people appear to be very harsh and cruel in their words, but when they undertake some work, they become soft and kind. Hence never judge others by their external appearance or by words alone. In fact, no test of human qualities is more stringent than the examination of the work one does. (Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1977, Ch 10) |
-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
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (31st January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. What is the nature of the mind? Why is it so prone to restlessness?
Sri Sri: It’s like the river that wants to reach the ocean or the lake. So till it reaches it’s goal, it remains restless, it’s quite natural. Nature of mind is going towards something higher, something more and more charming, something more beautiful, something more interesting. Mind always longs for something new while heart takes pride in the old. You never say it’s my new friend. Do you say ‘Oh, this is my new friend? You take pride in having an old friend. So, heart longs for the old, mind goes for the latest and life is a combination of both.
Q. How do we achieve serenity of the mind in the midst of the dynamism of the world?
Sri Sri: That technique is called meditation. The technique to attain serenity in midst of chaos is called meditation.
Q. How to deal with the competitiveness and worldly demands that constantly assail us?
Sri Sri: Don’t take competitiveness as a burden but take it as a catalyst for you, an inspiration for you to move ahead. You know when there is competitiveness either you can take it as a burden or a threat or as a challenge to perform or an invitation to perform better. Competition is an invitation to perform better rather than a threat to your existence.
Q. How do we deal with the pressures of multi-tasking; the need to keep up with others and the times and the fear of getting outdated?
Sri Sri: If you are not worried, you become vibrant. And if you are vibrant you are ready to take challenges and you enjoy challenges, you love challenges. See people who are not worried only they take feat like sailing around the world or taking that solar powered aircraft throughout the world. If they are tired why would they do it? If they are tired, they won’t do it. Someone who has no enthusiasm, they won’t take any adventure. But adventure sports are there for those who are not scared and not tired. So the whole life is sort of an adventure sport. And to live life, you have to take it’s challenges to perform better you need to have that aptitude, not so tired & dull and sick & tired, worried. You have to be free from worry and tiredness. The tiredness in life is due to you over ambitiousness and wanting quick results.
Q. What is stress? And what are the habits that lead to stress?
Sri Sri: Stress is too much to do, too little time and no energy, this is the formula for stress. The formula for stress is too much to do, too little time and no energy. And the way to get out of it is confidence ‘that you can’ and energy that you get through your faith, your meditations. The energy you get through your meditations. Confidence, meditation and intelligence, and intuitive ability, all these will help.
Q. What is the attitude that we need to develop to let go of stress?
Sri Sri: Well, look back in life, all those moments when you felt this is the end of the world, you sailed through those moments, you are still alive and kicking. A look at your own life will give you that confidence to say ‘Yes, you can do it, it’s different.’ And practices, few minutes of practice to meditate, go inward can make a tremendous difference.
Q. What does it mean to live in the moment?
Sri Sri: You are anyways living in the moment. To live in the moment simply conveys to you ‘don’t worry about the future and don’t be upset about what has happened in the past.’ If you can let go the past and stop worrying for the future and the state you are in, is called living in the moment.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, February 3, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
There was an emperor who always asked the sages who visited his palace, “Who is the best among men? Which moment of time is most blessed? Which act is most beneficial?” He could not get satisfactory answers for a long time. Eventually his realm was invaded and he had to flee into the jungle. There he was captured by a tribe who selected him as an offering to their goddess. In this precarious condition, he was rescued by an ascetic who took him to his hermitage, where he and his students lovingly tended him back to health and happiness. Amidst that loving and serene environment, the king discovered the answers to his questions. The best amongst all is the one who has compassion. The most blessed time is the ‘present’ and the best act is to relieve another’s pain and grief. Do not postpone what you can do today, now, this very moment, to a future date! (Divine Discourse, 7 Sep, 1966) |
-BABA |
Do something good in society
Don't think only about yourself, but do some service activity. Then you will see that whatever you want for yourself, you ask and it will come to you.
You have to do something first, then when you ask, you will get.
If you say, ‘I want only for myself, I don't want to do anything’, no, that will not work. You should do some good work in society, bring smiles on the faces of people and gain some merit. If you bring smiles on the faces of others then you have a right to demand something for yourself. Do you see what I’m saying? This is real currency.
See, if you have money then you can go shopping. If you have no money, no credit card and you go shopping, who will give you anything? You need to have some bank balance first, isn't it? So, when you do seva, your bank balance goes up. Then when you ask for whatever it is that you want, you will get it.
You can buy the whole supermarket if you have enough points.
So let us resolve to do something good in society, and let us have the confidence that whatever we need will come to us; will be given to us.
Our wish will definitely be granted. When we wish something, it will be granted.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (1st February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: What do I do when I accept conditional love? I know this love will bind me and force me to do things I don't want to?
Sri Sri: Best to not analyse all these things too much. Know that you have no escape from love, either in its pure or its impure form. Its love that gets distorted into negative emotions: love for perfection brings anger, too much love for objects make you greedy, too much love for people make you attached. To keep love pure, you need wisdom.
Q: I love the son but don't the mother, how do I handle this?
Sri Sri: See don't be so attached to your likes and dislikes. Know that they will change over time. Put yourself in that situation: someone says they like your child, but not you. How would you feel? You will then get over it.
Q: How to bring more people to Art of Living in China?
Sri Sri: I will leave that to you - use the power of social media to amplify your own story, and tell them the beauty of this path.
Q: Why do I not feel a sense of excitement or an overwhelming feeling towards you? Does that mean I don't have a connection with you?
Sri Sri: No, no not at all. Just believe you have the connection. Sometimes when the body is tired and the energy is low, you will feel like that.
Q: How to convince my husband to join the course? He has a lot of bad habits and I want him to get over it.
Sri Sri: Convince his friends first. All of you convincing him to do the course should do the trick.
Q: Gurudev I have the knowledge, but when required it does not come.
Sri Sri: That is not knowledge which does not come when required. You should revisit the knowledge again & again. You should dwell in knowledge, once is not enough.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, February 6, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Only when the sacredness of the body and the sacredness of the mind come together, can divine strength be generated. With the help of the body, we should undertake sacred tasks. With the help of the mind, we should develop divine thoughts. This body is given to us and is intended for helping others. With the help of the body, we should be able to do good service and help the community. Whatever work we undertake, it should be done with a feeling that it is being done for the pleasure of the Lord. Hanuman was one who had such sacred ideas, and he always dedicated his work to the Lord. Our body is like the plastic cover on a wire. Our mind is like the copper wire inside. Along with the body, when the mind also joins, can divine strength flow into us. (Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1977, Ch 10) |
-BABA |
It is quite natural that the one who does not serve, is the one who is stressed, insecure, self-centred, or without wisdom. If there is a little bit of wisdom, service is spontaneous. If you are well cultured and civilised then service is spontaneous. Nobody has to teach you to do service. No one has to tell you to engage in some service activities.
See what happened during the Chennai floods? No one invited people, "Hey! All of you come and help out". The entire youth of Chennai, not just the youth, all the people of Chennai got together and helped each other. These disasters in some strange manner unite people, unite enemies. Disasters compel people to realize their innate human values. If you are intelligent you don’t wait for a disaster to bring out the best side of you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang yesterday (19th January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Dear Guruji, which system do you have through which you get to know everything that is going on in our mind. Can we also have that system?
Sri Sri: Yes, of course, why not! Go deep into Sadhana (spiritual practices) and you will also get to know it. We have small children who undergo Intuition Process course and can tell you if you have lost something and then where you have lost it. They can even tell what is kept in next room. They have become very smart and intelligent because of this Intuition Process.
Q. Gurudev, we have webcast today and there are many questions about ‘Jallikattu’ what do you think about it?
Sri Sri: See, ‘Jallikattu’ is a part of a very dear festival, the Pongal or Sankranti in entire Tamil Nadu. In fact, part of Karnataka and part of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala also has this festival. Unfortunately, when this is banned, it has hurt the sentiments of people. That is why spontaneous uprising of so many people all over. It’s like telling ‘on Halloween Day don’t use pumpkin’. If you say, in the West, in America, that during Halloween don’t use pumpkin, how is it possible? If it’s Easter, Easter-Eggs should not be used? It’s as close as these notions. Christmas without Christmas Tree has no meaning. Similarly, next day of Diwali is Bhai-Duj, everyone goes to their sister’s home. If you say, we should not do that, it assumes the same sentiment in Tamil Nadu.
Some people have mistreated animal, they have put chilli powder into the nose of the animal and lemon into the eyes and they have done something wrong, but that it is not part of the game. Unfortunately, what had happened, all the negative aspects of it alone were projected and then the Supreme Court ordered listening to those negative aspects.
See, like in our World Culture Festival, people made such huge hue and cry saying that Okhla bird sanctuary will be destroyed, no birds will ever come there, all the flora-fauna everything will be destroyed. Total lie! And this year, you have twice as much birds as normally it used to be. They never had so many birds in the bird sanctuary there. But they said permanently damaged the ecosystem. If ecosystem is damaged, will birds come there? So some NGO’s take pride in destroying or stopping some of the cultural heritage that this country has been enjoying for centuries. This Jallikattu is one such thing.
If they are so much caring for animals, they should stop the slaughter houses. And these very people encourage slaughter houses. Other countries import meat from here. They don’t want to forego their cattle, but they want cattle-meat from India. As a result what is happening, all the native breeds of animals are disappearing. In Orissa alone, fifteen to sixteen different types of native breeds have disappeared. It’s a loss to the world. They were unique to Orissa. These breeds today are not there at all. So Jallikattu is also indirectly preserving the breed of Ox. And they honor the animal, it is loved, it is cared. They take very good care of it. They worship it, the bull. It’s one-day program that too only thirty seconds that’s all. They don’t make them run several times. Only one run for one bull, in a whole year for thirty seconds. The owner of the bull will be standing on the far end of the fence and he will invite the bull from the other end and one person be there, one man is allowed to go and hug the bull. The bull will drag him all the way. And that is the whole thirty seconds play. And it’s happening in every temple, big or small temples of Tamil Nadu. And if you say this is violence or cruelty against animal, people cannot accept that or digest that. Just like nobody could digest that World Culture Festival destroyed Yamuna Plains. Today you go and see it’s so lush green. Not even a fool will say that this place has been destroyed. It has become much better than what we inherited. It was a place of crime. Delhi Police comes and thanks us that you have cleared this place and made it so beautiful. Today people go for picnic there. It never happened before. Only criminals used to hide there and Police had difficulty catching them in that place. So same thing with Jallikattu. See, I am asking this question, you take dog with a leash, dog don’t like leashes, they don’t like to be chained. But you keep, that means tomorrow you will say no one should leash the dog. And no one should ride the horses, because horse don’t like people riding on it’s back. And then later on they will say stop the Thrisur-puram where elephants are decorated and are paraded. Mysore dasra, you might say this is torture to elephant as nearly 700 Kgs on the back of any elephant. If Mysore dasra is stopped tomorrow, then people will not accept that in this country. And it is not a torture, they do take care of the animal very well. Instead, we must focus on how many slaughter houses are started every day in different parts of this country. Though this country does not consume so much meat, they are being tinned and exported. That should be stopped. That is the real cruelty. When Eid comes, hundreds of, thousands of goats and sheeps are slaughtered mercilessly, that is happening. There was a picture from Bangladesh in which streets were stained with blood. Entire streets were red with blood of goats and sheep.
Here I think the main problem is, people who were for Jallikattu has not presented their case properly in front of the court. So I appeal to the young people who are agitating on the streets and all over Tamil Nadu to have patience. These things cannot happen overnight. Next Jallikattu is next year, during Sankranti around 14th or 15th of January, you have enough time, have patience, appeal to the court and our Supreme Court will give a fair hearing and I am sure they will take into consideration the sentiments of people and see that all those allegations against cruelty of animals are not true. Yes, fringe elements are creating these problems. And let us make proper rules on how they should treat the animal and how they should make this game much more according to the rules and take safety measures so that nobody gets injured. See for that matter, Kumbh Mela happens every six years, Ardh-kumbh. Maha-kumbh Mela happens every twelve years, every time there are some people do die, some bridge collapses, stampede happens. You cannot ban these festivities, correct? I am sure justice will be done to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Q: We do Surya Namaskar. Why not Chandra Namaskar?
Sri Sri: Chandra is not there in Amavasya (no moon day), but you have to practice Surya Namaskar everyday. That is why we salute the moon from far sometime, but we do Surya Namaskar every day. Surya Namskar has not been described in any book of yoga. Yes, the different asanas have been described. Teachers asked, why don't we popularize the Padma Sadhana, a sequence of asanas? Yes, let's popularize it.
Q: Who is your Guru?
Sri Sri: We have a Guru Parampara. You come for the Guru Pooja course, then you'll know.
Q: Do you think Indians are capable of creating a corruption free society?
Sri Sri: Yes. Just after independence, anyone who was seen wearing a cap, was respected as a politician because they were working with dedication. Slowly, they lost that respect because they were not working with dedication. It is possible to rekindle these values.
Q: I am scared to die.
Sri Sri: When it comes I will be there with you. No need to worry about it now.
Q: You are evergreen and beautiful since many years. Can you please share the secret?
Sri Sri: Art of Living.
Q: How my mind can become my best friend?
Sri Sri: Keep your intellect above your mind. That is the way to go about it.
Q: How quickly can I realize myself?
Sri Sri: The rule is you put effort and wait for material things to manifest. In the spiritual world, you put no effort and wait.
Q: Who should be the role model of today's youth: Sri Rama or Sri Krishna?
Sri Sri: It could be you.
Q: Do we need religion to create a modern society?
Sri Sri: We have only two options: either you blame religion or you use its principles. Blaming religion has not helped. We have to move from the religiosity to spirituality.
Q: What comes first? Grace or gratitude?
Sri Sri: It may come together. The world is spherical. You become grateful, you get more grace. You get grace, then you become more grateful.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Today, people are conducting themselves in such a manner that it appears they have no understanding at all of the need for self-confidence. Without self-confidence, one will not be able to achieve much, even if one has faith and devotion. Similarly, one may have confidence in one’s own self, but if there is no devotion and faith, that too will not help. Devotion and self-confidence are like the negative and positive. It is the combination of these two that will enable us to fulfil our sacred thought. The first thing we should do is to promote and strengthen our self-confidence. This confidence in one’s own self is like the foundation at the bottom. On the foundation of that confidence, we should build the wall of self-satisfaction, and then add the roof of self-sacrifice. In the mansion thus built, we should attain self-realisation. (Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1977, Ch 10) |
-BABA |
If you believe in yourself, if you believe in your ability, if you believe there is a higher power guiding you, I tell you, there is nothing that can shake you! No loss, no defame, nothing, because you are self-reliant!
For a person who is self-reliant, losses appear very small. If you are self-reliant or have faith in the higher self (whatever you call it) when you are centered, you can always take the loss knowing that it is just a passing phase. Don’t do business emotionally; business must be done intellectually. Often people mix up these two things.
A loss should be dealt in context of one’s confidence and one’s expanded awareness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (17th January 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Just know that your consciousness is like fire. You know what fire does? It can digest anything, whatever shape the sticks are; whether it is fragrant sandalwood sticks or foul smelling sticks. What does fire do? It just burns them all down. It does not care whether it’s a leaf or a bark. It doesn’t care. It could be a foul smelling stick or a fragrance giving sandalwood, what does fire do? It just burns them. In the same way, you are fire. And all this pleasant and unpleasant sensations, they all just come, and when the fire is strong then all these things disappear. All the inadequacies, worries, past hangovers, dislikes, hatred, everything turns into ashes and leaving you really bright and shiny. So, you are the fire, you must remember that. And all the sleeping energy in you wakes up. The complaining mind disappears. You know, our worst enemy is our own complaining mind. Things are the way they are and it’s the mind which logs on to it and doesn’t accept the way things are. And it just brings down your energy.
Q. Gurudev, why is ‘Kashi’ known as Lord Shiva’s favourite place?
Sri Sri: Kashi is known for Yoga (laughs), Sanyas, Knowledge, Ganga and Gyaan Ganga. Kashi is the ‘Aagya chakra’, in between eyebrow centre. That is the real Kashi, where knowledge blossoms. It’s one of the seven cities in India, in the ancient times, which were known for it’s wisdom, universities, center of learning. Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika (Ujjain), Mayapuri (Haridwar), Saptahitey, these were all known centres. These seven cities where scholars lived and did lot of research and debate and all that.
Q. Gurudev, we use the ‘Shanti Mantras’ at the end of Meditation, could you please talk about it?
Sri Sri: That’s nice lullaby, right? Shanti mantas carry the vibration of peace: ‘Shanti, shanti, shanti’. Attention enlivens the principle and whatever your mind attends to, that principle gets enlivened. If your attention is on something negative, you are the cause of making it bigger, you enliven it. And if your attention is on peace then peace gets enlivened. That’s what we do in meditation, we begin with ‘Shanti mantra’. Anything we do, we start putting our attention. Because when intellectuals gather they don’t all think the same. They all think very differently and each one thinks that their method is the best method, their way of execution is the best, they are the best. This is one of the signs of intellectuals. So whenever a Yagya has to happen, this can cause chaos, because everyone thinks differently and different agenda’s, different ideas and they think theirs is the best, then what will happen? Clash will happen. So in order to avoid clash in Yagyas, our ancient people started with ‘Shanti mantras’. They said let us do one thing, let us all give first preference to peace. Let’s all be peaceful. And then ‘sama hito bhava’, let us all come to a serene atmosphere, let us bring serenity amongst us. When serenity is there as the foundation, peace is there as foundation, compassion is there as foundation, then discussions and any activity gains a better momentum and becomes more meaningful and more listening is there. If there is no peace inside us there is no listening. When there is no listening, there is no dialogue. So I would say that this is the most profound psychological process, understanding the ancients had, first chant ‘Shanti-mantra’. And then there is taking approval from the assembly; ‘are you all content assembly? Do you all agree, shall we do this?’ One person will ask and they will all say ‘Yes, tathastu, tathastu.’ ‘Are you all in balanced state of mind?’ The Yajmaana (host) will ask and all the Pundits (scholars) would say ‘Yes, we are all in equanimous state of mind, we are all in a peaceful state of mind. So now we can proceed with whatever we wanted to do.’ It’s really intriguing how assemblies were conducted, how any program were conducted and the beginning of a program itself. Because see, in a group, if even two or three people are bitter in their heart, in their mind, that affects the group, whether subtle or in a gross way, that will affect. That is why it is said that let us all be in one state of mind, in a serene state of mind.
In ancient times, in Gurukuls and ashrams, they used to say that you put a lock on their mind first. If you think that it should be this way, then they will do opposite, why? So that you are not in hold of your mind. If we are under the influence of our own mind, then it might take us in different directions. They used to say that you should be like a shadow of your Master, behind the Master. If you go ahead of Master then you might go in wrong direction.
Q. How to deal with people when they judge on your past and spread ill about you?
Sri Sri: Let them do what they want to do. Why do you care about that? Even when you do everything good, somebody might spread ill. You just believe in your karma: ‘what you should get, you will get it. What you have to receive, you will get it.’ And you move on your path. Why do you worry about what others are thinking about you and how they behave? Don’t let yourself tossed around by others’ doings or feelings. Educate and ignore.
Q. How do we know whether we are skillful in talking or whether we are manipulating people?
Sri Sri: Manipulation means you want something out of it. Skillful means you are sensitive to others. You are skillfully conveying what you want so that you don’t want to hurt others. Behind manipulation is your strong desires of you want to get something and you think you may not get it. That is when manipulation happens. When you think you are not qualified to get something then you manipulate to get what you don’t deserve. That is what it is. Skillful is trying to communicate and being sensitive to others’ state of mind.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Cleanse your heart with the water of love, and the detergents of prayer and contrition so that the stains of desire are removed completely. Then God will pour His abundant Grace into it. If you yearn for God, you should give up Iokabhranti and dehabhranti (attachment to the external world and to the body). There is no use trying to have one foot in one boat and the other foot in another. You may be living in PrashantiNilayam for over 20 years, but if you worry more about your physical needs, then all your spiritual efforts are indeed futile; you have made no progress at all. The waving of the camphor flame at the end of a bhajan is only to remind you that your sensual cravings must be fully burnt away without leaving any trace behind, and you must offer yourself to God to be merged in Him and His glory. (Divine Discourse 8-Sep-1966) |
-BABA |
Attachments cause feverish breath. Feverish breath takes away your peace of mind. And without peace of mind, you come apart and fall prey to misery.
When you are drowning in the ocean of attachments, surrender is a life jacket.
Without fighting attachments, observe your feverish breath and go to the cool place of silence within. Your first step in this direction is directing your attachment to knowledge, to the Divine.
Your non- attachment to the mundane is your charm. Your attachment to the Divine is your beauty.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The 4 kinds of attitude you can develop to handle your own mind
1) Friendliness: Be friendly with people who are happy. If you are not friendly with happy people, you will be jealous. This is because you think that your enemy is happy, and you cannot tolerate your enemy being happy. So, shake hands with happy people. Such an attitude does a lot of good to your mind.
2) Compassion: Do not be friendly with people who are miserable, instead, have compassion for them. If you are friendly with unhappy people you will become unhappy. And if you become unhappy, you can never help them to come out of their misery.
Many people have gotten into trouble by being friendly with unhappy people; both become miserable. It is like a doctor going to a patient who is sick, and the doctor also becomes sick. If the doctor also thinks, ‘How can I alone be healthy? Let me also share the patient’s misery’, then who will help the patient then?
So, what should be the attitude with people who are miserable? Compassion, not pity.
3) Happiness: For people who are doing good work or who are successful in the world, you should feel happy as though you are doing it.
For example, someone is a good singer, singing and bringing joy to everybody, seeing him you should think, ‘I feel so happy that this person is singing so well, and making everyone happy.’
If someone is a good entertainer and he entertains everybody you should feel happy about it. If someone is a great architect and builds beautiful buildings you should feel happy about it. Whenever someone does a good job, share that happiness with them; we need to have this attitude.
4) Indifference: For people who are doing horrible things in the society, destroying themselves, we usually get angry at them. When you are angry, your mind suffers a huge loss. You lose so much energy, you lose your mood, and your enthusiasm. When energy and enthusiasm goes away from you, you become angry and are no better than the other person. You do not know what you are doing. So, what should you do in such a situation? Have a sort of indifference in your mind.
For example, there are thieves in the world, they are there, what can you do about them? First accept, be indifferent. However, this does not mean you do not take any action. Your mind is indifferent (unaffected), but you act on it.
These are the four attitudes that will help us to save our mind. This is what we need to do, save our mind at all costs.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
In any field, at anytime, anywhere, for a person endowed with the six precious qualities of zeal, courage, fortitude, intelligence, ability and valour (Utsaham, Sahasam, Dhairyam, Buddhi, Shakti, Parakramam), success is assured. These qualities will contribute to all-round well-being. However these qualities will challenge you with various difficulties that you must confront, from time to time. Just as a student must clear tests and examinations to receive a degree, these qualities are also subject to trials in the form of losses, troubles, pain, suffering and even calumny. Such trials should be regarded as stepping stones to your high achievements. One has to overcome these troubles with courage and self-confidence, and move ahead. When you face difficulties with courage, you are bound to succeed. (Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1997) |
-BABA |
When your mind is not complaining and is responsible, courageous and confident; you become inexplicably beautiful.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
What are you struggling for?
Is it Money? You are struggling for money, then don’t sit and day dream, do hard work. If one business does not work, choose another business and do it.
Don’t sit and day dream and only think about miracles to happen.
Miracles do happen, but if you crave for miracles then they will take a back seat. Nature wants you to be dynamic. There are people who have asked me, ‘Guruji, please give me some numbers for my lottery ticket. I just want to win a lottery so that I don’t have to do anything. Just do sadhana all the time and some seva(service).’ No way! First of all, decide what it is that you want from life. You know money is something that you will always find people short of. Always!
You can see for example, the richest country, the only super power on this planet is USA and it is under heavy debt; trillions of dollars of debt. You take big companies; many of them are in debt. The richer a person gets, the more expenses he has. At the same time, there are poor people who are contributing towards charity, poor people who take time to do service, which is amazing. They feel so much abundance.
Did you know that during our silver jubilee celebration, a beautiful incident happened!
I came down from the steps on the last day and a small boy came running to me with tears in his eyes and gave me an envelope. I took the envelope and it had Rs. 5000 in it. I looked at that boy and I asked, ‘What do you do?’ He said he is a laborer. The money in the envelope that he had given me had two months of his earnings, and he said, ‘Please take this.I can’t tell you how much my life has transformed. Please accept this.’ I took just Rs.100 from that envelope and returned back Rs. 4900. I told him, you know this Rs.100 is so precious for me, this is enough. I will take this. Two months of his salary; someone who is a laborer who does manual work, he comes and offers this. Such a big heart!
In fact many rich people don’t feel abundance at all, they feel lack. They are not generous. But poor people are very generous. Don’t imagine a situation where you will become super rich one day and then you will start doing some seva(service), no, nothing like that. You can feel abundance at any point of time.
And the moment you start feeling abundance, you will see things will get better!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, February 10, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The first quality that you have to cultivate is gratitude to the Divine. People are thankful for even small acts of service done to them. Is it not necessary to be grateful to the Divine who has provided us with so many essential benefits through Nature and the five elements? The air you breathe, the water you drink, and the earth on which you walk are all gifts of God. How grateful are you to the Sun, who provides light, which cannot be equalled by all the electric bulbs in the world? Can all the pumpsets in the world provide as much water as is offered in a single downpour of rain? Can all the fans in the world, provide as much breeze as you get when the wind blows? Without being grateful for these Divine gifts, man goes after the trivial and wastes his life. The great sages of yore who adored God in various ways considered devotion as a means of expressing gratitude to Providence. (Divine Discourse, 14 Jan, 1989) |
-BABA |
Feel grateful for your very existence, your very body, all that you have, and all the love you have received. And this gratefulness will bring you a flood of prosperity, joy, and happiness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
To Err Is Human, To Forgive Is Divine
Wed, 12/10/2014 Bangalore, India
When you have that deep urge to get rid of any bad habit, deep prayer will can change it. How many of you have experienced this? (Many in the audience raise hands)
Questions & Answers
What is the relevance of morality in the real world when divinity is considered beyond morality, like in the case of Krishna?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The basic principle of morality is, do not do that which you would not want someone else to do to you. If you don’t want your husband to flirt with someone, you should not flirt with someone else, that is it!
There was a boy who was going around with a married women, and he didn’t feel it was wrong. He said, ‘We did it on mutual consent’.
I asked him, ‘If someone goes around with your brother’s wife, what will you do?’ He said, ‘I will break his leg’.
When you want her to be loyal to your brother, then how can you do it to someone else?
I said, ‘If there is a future in the relationship, it is a different thing. But, there is no future. Then why should you break someone else’s family?’
It struck a chord in him and he realized what he was doing was wrong. That is morality.
What you do not wish to be done to you, or to your near and dear ones, you should not do to someone else. If you don’t want someone else to misbehave with your daughter or son then how can you do that with someone else’s daughter or son. If you don’t want someone else to be drunk while driving, then how can you drive when you are drunk?
If you don’t want someone else to rob you of your wealth, or cheat you, then you should not cheat someone else.
Suppose someone forges your signature, you cannot think, ‘Oh we are spiritual, all this is mundane. So what if someone has forged my signature? It is all maya anyway’. If someone puts his hand in your pocket, would you say, ‘Oh, we are all one. Why should one have this ego?’ No. Then this is misuse of knowledge.
If knowledge is used to shield immoral activity then that is misuse of knowledge. Morality means not doing something which you don’t wish to be done to yourself.
If someone has done something wrong, don’t hold on to it. If a mistake has happened through you, like you forgive others their mistakes, you should also forgive yourself. Forgive yourself and forgive others; don’t chew on other’s mistakes or your own mistakes.
When you chew on the mistakes of others, you get angry. When you chew on your own mistake, you will feel guilty and you will drown in your own depression. Both are no good. Spirituality takes you away from all this.
As it is said, to err is human. You make mistakes, but don’t sit and chew on your own mistake or someone else’s mistake. If someone has made a mistake you should forgive and forget. If you have made a mistake, you should ask for forgiveness and move on. Don’t get stuck; feel free!
If you are upset with yourself, you can get angry with others very easily. And if you’re angry with others, you will get upset with yourself. Both these positions are not favorable.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, February 13, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
In ancient times, the sages and saints sacrificed everything for the sake of the welfare of humanity. Even the youth of those times followed suit. They are remembered even today because of their spirit of selfless sacrifice. On the contrary, the youth of today are becoming exceedingly greedy and totally selfish and harbouring feelings of hatred and jealousy. While those in the ancient times were leading a life of Thyaga and Yoga (sacrifice and sense control) the present day youth want to lead a life of bhoga (worldly enjoyments and pleasures), which will only result in roga (diseases). So long as one goes on multiplying desires, one will continue to be in want. When the desires are controlled, prosperity is attained. Greed makes one unhappy and miserable. Only when greed and miserliness are given up can one have an enjoyable and peaceful life. (Divine Discourse, 17 July 1997) |
-BABA |
There are two things that make you dance in life:
1. Your desires
2. Love
Desires make you dance all your life. When one desire of yours gets fulfilled, then you get another ten desires. This run to fulfil one desire after another keeps you going on the merry-go-round, or the misery-go-round (laughter). It keeps you on tenterhooks. If you just look into this dance that desires make you do in your life; you will be so amazed. And some desires are very subtle ones, they get into your heart and make you dance. That is how the world is.
Then there is another type of dance, that which comes out of joy and love. Deep love makes you dance. The dance that comes out of love does not make you tired. It is desire that makes you tired, and desires can be endless. When desires get fulfilled, more desires come, and also faith grows. When desires don’t get fulfilled, then faith gets shaken. But in love – you shake the world, you don’t get shaken. In fact, love shakes not just the world but the universe. Even the Gods and Angels stand up in the presence of love. That is why after the Chandi Homa you are supposed to dance. In many places, after people perform a yagna they make an effort to dance, but the dance looks very serious. Many times, if people don’t know how to dance, they hire professionals to come and dance. But the dance that people do over here is the real thing. How spontaneously you get that impulse to get on your feet; and then something makes you whirl around – that something is sattva; that is the positive energy, that is the truth. Here, everything is done so authentically, that the dance happens so naturally. It’s a spontaneous natural phenomenon.
You have come here and you have gotten everything that you want, so now, just be and radiate. When you just be, contentment and peace automatically gets radiated through you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (11th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, can you please talk about the Guru Mandala?
Sri Sri: Guru Mandala means to reach to the centre, you have to go through several circles. And those circles could be very attractive and keep you there in those orbit. Or could be very repulsive to chase you away from the orbit. So, it is said it is a challenge to reach to the centre of the Guru Mandala because on the way to the Guru, you encounter some very charming things that can keep you engaged in the material world or there could be such things that pushes your buttons and you feel like running away. So these two sets of situation that surrounds the wisdom or enlightenment, you have to pass them and reach to the centre. That is why ancient people called it the Guru Mandala, if you had to Guru Mandala, there is one circle of very charming, beautiful things, very attractive things and there is a circle of things which just push all your buttons. And if you pass these two things, then you have won the battle of life. The Gurus of ancient times have always said that if you get insulted here, you will never have to face it anywhere else in the world. The challenges you face here will make you so strong that you don’t have to face any challenges outside.
Q. Gurudev, what is ‘Karma-phala’? Is this whole world also considered as ‘Karma-phala’, the result of action and so is it truth or untruth?
Sri Sri: I don’t think you are serious about this question. If you are serious you can immediately find the answer.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The whole world and the objects therein are interrelated by the bond of love. It is love that binds the human race together. The world cannot exist without love. God is love and resides in the heart of every one. Love is the natural possession of every human being. Love is the fruit of the tree of life. There are certain impediments to overcome before you enjoy the tasty fruit. First you must remove the skin and rind covering the pulp inside, and also cast off the seed. Similarly the fruit of love is also covered by the thick skin of ego. You must peel off this skin of ‘mine and thine’. You can then taste the sweet fruit and its nutritious juice. With pure love, you must establish unity with the Divine. The path of love is the straightforward road to realise the Divine. Vedas describe God as, “Raso Vai Saha” – the Supreme Sweet Essence. Endeavour to progress in this journey of life from ‘I’ to ‘We’ to ‘He’. (Divine Discourse, 17 July 1997) |
-BABA |
Rise in Love with your Self this Valentine!!!
Love, everyone is looking for such a love that never dies. As time goes it seems to be dying out. You see? But we are looking for some love that stands the time – the old, ancient, strong, powerful love - The Divine Love!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (10th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, how to choose the profession when you have many talents and many choices available?
#SriSri: Choice is yours, you have many talents, then see which one you want to go with. Only then there is choice. If you don’t have talents then you have no choice at all. The fact that you have many talents that means you have many choice. Now it is up to you to choose. There is no criteria to choose, you follow your own heart, your own calling.
Q. Gurudev, while meditating, I am not able to follow the instructions, as I feel that I am slipping into some blank state.
#SriSri: That’s okay, it is fine. You don’t have to keenly listen to every instruction, you have to gently let instruction pass through you. That’s meditation. You sit and you let it happen. You allow those instructions to flow through you.
Q. Gurudev sometimes other’s behavior disturbs me and I also start feeling negative. How to be around someone who is negative?
#SriSri: They are your ‘litmus test’. Negative people are there to test you how strong you are in your positivity. How strong are you in your own space, you don’t let them influence you and instead you make an impression on them. So, when people are negative you become deaf, but not mute. You behave as though you are deaf with negative people but not dumb. You keep speaking what you want to, and see it will make an impact on them.
Q. Gurudev, it is said that ‘Satyamev Jayate’ (Truth always wins). But who will decide what is truth?
#SriSri: That which does not change in all the three tenses: past, present and future, is truth. Yesterday there was something, but today it is not there, today what is there but tomorrow it will not be there, this is not truth. Not only sentences, but situations as well. Your body for example, today it is not what it was yesterday and tomorrow it will not be the same as today, then your body is also not the truth. Similarly, this whole world which keeps on changing is not true at all, as everything is changing. So, in this what you have to search for is that which does not change: the basis of our existence, if you can hold on to it, that is truth, that is joy, that is happiness, that is consciousness. Entire life is like search operation for that ultimate bliss.
Q. Gurudev, Shankara was a champion of Advaita, and yet he sang ‘Bhajh Govindam, Bhajh Govindam’, could you please speak about ‘Upasana’ (Devotion) in Advaita Philosophy?
#SriSri: Knowledge, Action and Devotion all three are essential, all three are part of ‘Advaita’, they are not devoid of the Advaita Gyaan.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
In the journey of earthly life, people take some wealth for expenses and when they reach the goal, they hand over the balance to some trustworthy friend and sleep soundly. Everyone brings the wealth of love from the moment of his birth. In this Karmakshetra (field of activity) that is the world, it is difficult to safeguard the treasure of Prema (love). Therefore everyone should look for a faithful friend. Today, the only true friend is God. When you hand over the wealth of love to God, it will be easy for you to carry on a life of security and peace. There is no greater teacher than your heart. Time is the greatest preacher. The whole world is a scriptural text. God is the best friend. With full faith in these four, lead your life happily. (Divine Discourse, 17 July 1997) |
-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
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (13th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, I always give respect & love to help each other, but in return people insult me at the end, is this a curse from past life?
Sri Sri: See, nobody can insult you unless you are ready to get insulted. You should refuse to be insulted. Let anybody say anything, so what! You know, don’t base your life on other’s opinions and other’s perception about you, you be solid. And you keep a big smile, what insult they can do, let them do, walk like a Lion.
Q. Though I have attended many Advance Meditation Programs (AMPs), I couldn’t maintain the energy which I get in the course, I am losing the spirit when I go home. I am not doing sadhana.
Sri Sri: You are not doing sadhana, is quite natural. You eat everyday and another four-five hours you feel hungry again, right. Like that satsang is also energy. So, when you feel that the energy is going down, go to a local satsang or come back here. Don’t you feel that as soon as you come here, you feel the energy? How many of you feel that? (Audience raised hands). Energy uplifted, yes, that happens. That’s why either you be connected to the main line or you should keep charging your battery again and again, only two options. If you are connected to the main line then losing energy doesn’t happen at all, if you think you are on battery, keep charging yourself.
Q. Gurudev, we are not able to see God, how do we worship God, what is the correct way?
Sri Sri: God is not the object of a sight. God you cannot see as an object separate from you. God is like the space it is in you. Whatever ‘is’ is ‘God’. Got it? So don’t try to see God, just be quiet, become hollow and empty and then you are in that space.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Activity finds fulfilment when wisdom dawns. Sanctified action (Karma) is the path to attain spiritual wisdom (Jnana). Every worthwhile activity must result in purifying the mind. Therefore, no one, not even a recluse or monk can desist from engaging in good deeds. These deeds must originate spontaneously and should not leave any trace of pride in the mind. Nor should any attachment to the result of the deed lead to a craving for claiming it for oneself. Renunciation must be the only source of joy. The Gita recommends 'inaction in action' and asserts that 'inaction’ is the most rewarding ‘action' for those who strive for supreme peace. This attitude is named Karma Sanyasa (non-attachment to action). Action or activity is generally associated with the body only, but the mind is also busy with the world. The Atma alone is the unaffected witness. So, the secret of 'inaction in action' lies in taking refuge in the Atma and in recognising all living beings as fundamentally the Atma. (Divine Discourse, Jan 2, 1987) |
-BABA |
What is this soul? We have heard so much about it, about self-realization. What is soul? What is self?
Want to know it? How many here have studied Physics or Chemistry? Everyone here must know a little about Physics. Our body is made up of billions of cells. Each cell in the body has a life. You use body scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. So many cells are born and dying every day. You are not an individual person. This is how the ancient rishis or sages referred to it. You are a walking township. Purusha is a town. The soul lives in the town or the body that moves around. Do you know that in your intestines there are 50,000 bacteria?
This body is changing everyday. Yet something is also not changing. To 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
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (14th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. When we talk about a situation or a person how can we distinguish if it’s a judgement or a simple description?
SriSri: Whatever is, ‘is’; why do you want to analyse it too much? By the time you start analysing, the time has already gone ahead. I feel you should keep looking ahead. Only occasionally you should look into the rear mirror, don’t drive just looking at the rear mirror and forgetting the wind-shield. See, in a car it is very well designed, rear mirror is small and wind-shield is big. But if your eyes are focussed only on the rear mirror, you will go somewhere else and bang somebody.
Q. When I do meditation I feel something is getting pulled in between from my eyes, why is that?
SriSri: You know, in meditation stress release can happen and our energy channels get opened up, so many things happen. No need to judge on them, main thing is to see if you are relaxed, after meditation you feel fresh, relaxed, that’s the criteria of right meditation.
Q. What are the five things one need to know about stress right now?
SriSri: One thing I know is: too much to do, too little time and no energy, that’s what stress is. Definition of stress is what? You want to do too much, you have no energy and there is no time. Then you get stressed. Second thing is you have faced many challenges in the past and you have overcome them all, so you should have confidence ‘I can handle this challenge as well’. And then we must also know that there is nothing more important in life than life itself. If you are alive then everything else is, if you are alive then there is business.If you are alive then relationships, if you are alive then everything, fame, or whatever. But don’t put the life at risk to get those other things. We must give more importance to life itself. And after all why you do anything that you do, because you want to be happy. And at the cost of happiness if you achieve anything, it is worth nothing at all. You achieve what you wanted but you lost happiness, that achievement is null and void. So, we must keep in mind this one. And things happen through a different law on the universe. You might have noticed, you have been only very good with people, suddenly you don’t know why they became your enemies. Your friends became your enemies. How many of you have had this experience? You wonder ‘I did everything good for this person, suddenly this person turned against me!’ And you see the opposite also, someone to whom you have not done any big favor and they have helped you at times when you really needed. How many of you have this experience? So, friendship or animosity happens through some special law. That’s what is called ‘Karma’. When our times are good, our worst enemies behave as a friend with us, when our time is bad, even best friend behaves like an enemy. So, understand things from a bigger dimension; that is “time”.That’s why in India, we say ‘Kaalaaytasmainamah!’ meaning ‘I bow down to the time’ and the great time, the grand time is ‘Mahakaal’, is what ‘Shiva’ is. We share ourself with that infinity, with that all pervading consciousness, that is what ‘bhajan’ is.So like when you fall in love you keep repeating their name again and again. Bhajanhas also repetition. That is only an outcome of sharing with the Divinity.
Q. As we learn from all Yoga, knowledge that we are moving from gross to the subtle, from body to subtle body, then why do we still perform pujas,worships, homas?
SriSri: Pujas, Homas, they all create certain vibrations, they create positive ions around us.Every action has got an impact on the cosmos. Have you heard about the ‘butterfly effect’? A butterfly in South America, fluttering it’s wings has an impact on the clouds in China. Do you know about this? You can Google and find out about it, butterfly effect. Small things can impact. So, a butterfly’s wings could impact a cloud in China from South America, you think you chanting mantras, putting some herbs in the fire will not have an impact on the universe? Definitely it has an impact.
One Scientist came from Colorado here, with Titanium Radar. He would measure when the Navratri Homas were happening. And he showed us all the pictures how different chanting, different mantras got different energy patterns coming down in the whole atmosphere. It is very interesting. Those of you interested in Science, you can contact our Research Department and talk to them. I think they still have those slides here in the ashram.
So, when different mantras are recited, it has an impact in the cosmos. In this sense, yes, all those pujas, homas, ceremonies, have some very very positive impact and it nullifies the negative emotions in the atmosphere. Like you see, if someone is angry in a room and little later somebody else enters, for no reason that person also gets angry. Have you noticed? How many of you have this experience? For no reason you got angry, you didn’t know how it happened. So we have been filling the atmosphere with so much negativity, to turn that into a positive energy you need meditation, you need all these.And if you ask me ‘Why I am sitting in the Puja?’ I am not doing it for myself, even if I don’t do any Puja it does not matter to me. I am just setting an example, so I do it, so that everybody can do.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, February 17, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Divinity is inherent and immanent in every living being and the process of reminding man of that fact began with the very dawn of human history. What has to be done to lead the Divine Life is just the removal of the fog that hides the Truth and makes one imagine one is something else — something inferior, evanescent, material, and momentary. All are holy, pure, and part of eternity. But these things shine in each in proportion to their spiritual practices, just as bulbs spread illumination according to the wattage. There is no body that is not sustained by the Absolute; there is no name that does not indicate the Universal. All objects are suffused by that Principle; all names are attributes of its Glory. Divine Life is based on the quality of calm serenity (satwa guna), which must be cultivated. (Divine Discourse, 14 Dec, 1958) |
-BABA |
So we need to first learn how to calm our mind down. Only a calm mind can come up with collective thoughts. Disturbed and chaotic mind will give rise to chaotic thoughts only and chaotic thoughts are coming in abundance. How to streamline the thoughts is an art in itself, the art of silence. How can you do it? With meditation, the mind becomes calm and collective, thoughts become focused, meaningful, purposeful and focused.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (15th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q.Gurudev, what do you think about lucid dreaming, telepathy, empathy, when it starts and when it has to stop?
SriSri: Well, telepathy is not abnormal thing, it is normal and nor it is supernatural, it’s a natural phenomena. At least some time in everyone’s life you would have experienced it, sometime, somewhere.You need to be very practical, on one hand you have to be down to earth and on the other hand you have to leave some space for the mystical aspect in your life. There are people who rely only on mystical, they don’t get it and people who are so deeply stuck in the material, they also don’t get it. Somewhere in between, the fine line, you leave the space, you enjoy the mystical aspect of life and then you take the practical, material aspect also. So, that’s the real balance, that’s what will make you really centered and happy.
Q. Since I became a Happiness Teacher, I lost the excitement as I used to have when I was a Trainer. Well, I have two options, one conduct a course and one being in the course. I always prefer to be a participant, though people like my courses so much, I still enjoy participating more, can you please help me understand what is happening and why is this happening to me?
SriSri: It’s good that you want to be a student, that’s good. A real teacher should always feel that he or she is a student for lifetime, so you keep learning. Learning doesn’t end, its good. And when you are teaching that’s why people enjoy, because you enjoy being a ‘student’. If you start enjoying being a ‘teacher’, somewhere the doer-ship, that ego, everything will popup. Better enjoy being a ‘student’, it’s safe.
Q. Gurudev, can you explain about how dreams can come true? It is seeing the future a lot of times I sleep and dreams come, can you please explain about the dreams?
SriSri: There are five types of dreams. The first type of dream is your own desires& fears, your fears and desires come to you as a dream. Second is your experiences of the past. Whatever you have experienced they pop up, they come up to you as a dream. The third kind of dream is premonition, what is going to happen in the future that will come to you as your dream. The fourth type of dream has got nothing to do with you, it is to do with the place you are sleeping. Suppose you go and sleep in Mongolia and you hear Mongolian language in your dreams. If you go and sleep in Germany and you are not a German, you see German faces, you see German language coming in to you or maybe different places in the same country, different faces, or different people or different emotions of that place, they all come to you as your dream. It’s mainly to do with the place. How many of you had this experience: when you change the place your dreams also become different? (Few people from the audience raised hands). Especially people who travel a lot they can experience this very clearly. Then the fifth type of dream is just a mumbo-jumbo, mixture of everything. Say you are on a horse and horse is on a train and the train is in the water. So, such dreams you need not interpret about them, then just wake up and have a cup of tea and that’s it. No point in sitting and analysing the dreams.
Q. Knowing that in life everything is changing, creates fear. How can I maintain commitment and at the same time expect detachment?
SriSri: See, when you want to do, you can do anything. You simply have to say ‘I am going to do my job and I don’t mind whatever the outcomes are.’ Just move on. See, life is moving at such a fast pace, there is no time to sit and think about anything, isn’t it? Look how fast the time is running. I think you have too much time to sit and analysing ‘How I feel, how I don’t feel.’ Who cares what you feel? Throw your feelings out of the window. Nobody cares how you are feeling. You know, the world wants to know what have you done. The world doesn’t care how you feel, because your feelings change all the time, one day you are happy, another day you are unhappy, one day you like somebody, you don’t like the same person the next day. One lady used to come to me and any time she used to go to shopping, she would come and say ‘Gurudev, bless me for shopping.’ I felt this is very abnormal. Usually people ask blessings for grandchildren or for wife or for husband, for mother, for brother, for father, everything; here she is asking blessings for shopping. I said ‘What?’ She said, ‘Everytime I go for shopping, I come back home, I don’t like what I have purchased. Then I have to go back to the shop and fight with them to take it back or for an exchange. And my husband is so upset about it. I have broken bridges with all the shopkeepers and nobody wants to give us any credit. When I enter into the shop, the person just frowns at me. So this time please bless me that I go and pickup the right thing. Every time I buy a saree, when I come back home I don’t like it. Many time in the saree shop I heard people ask ‘Will you exchange if I come back?’ So, mind is like that, one day you like something, next day you don’t like it. Don’t base your life on these fleeting feelings. Just let go! Everything is running so fast, your life is finishing, everyday we are moving one step towards the grave, everyday. So, spend your time happily and spread happiness. These small things, ‘Can I live here? Can I live there? Can I sit here? Can I stand there?’ these sort of silly questions you should do away with them. Many times we ask question, we don’t even hear the answer. And even if you hear the answer, you don’t apply that, you don’t follow that, you don’t take that.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (6days – day course) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, February 20, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Education today highlights the accumulation of things. But giving up is equally needed. Renunciation is not a loss; it is highly profitable, as you acquire joy thereby. Renunciation means freedom, surrender to God and surrender to love. God is love. Love can be known only through expansion of love. When students leave schools and colleges and involve themselves in families, societies, communities and countries, they must set examples of simplicity, humility and mutual service. They must anchor their lives in Righteousness (Dharma) and wisdom (Jnana). So teachers and parents must imbibe it in themselves and instruct students. That will help them lead model lives and lead others to earn peace and calm. You must learn, more than anything else, discipline and patience. Life is an exercise in the sadhana of 'give and take.' Do not derive delight from 'taking' alone. 'Give' and you get the right to 'take'. (Divine Discourse, 8 Feb, 1987) |
-BABA |
Give in such a way that the other does not even feel they have taken. This is generosity, and this is beauty!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (18th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: You say everything is the play of the mind, and the mind can be handled by the breath, how much significance should we give to pujas to overcome the bad period?
Sri Sri: Yes, chanting mantras does have an impact on the mind as it creates positive ions in the atmosphere. These positive ions create positive impact. But this should be done with people who are meditating to be most impactful. The impact of the mantras goes to one who is awake.
Q: What is moksha? There are different explanations of life after death
Sri Sri: Just remember, matter and energy cannot neither be created nor destroyed. Your mind is energy and keeps on getting recycled. If you really want to know about moksha, take a deep breath and hold, at some point when you you need to inhale - that “haa” of expression of freedom is moksha. Free from cravings and aversions.
Q: What is frustration and loneliness? Why do we feel emptiness during such phases?
Sri Sri: All these questions, “Why why”? Why is linked with your misery. And misery is due to lack of knowledge. Read “Intimate note to sincere seekers” - it will shake and wake you.
Q: Is it bad to be overconfident as people say I am? I feel that is the only way I can motivate myself
Sri Sri: Dont analyse yourself so much. Just keep working. When you are on this path, know that you are already on this flight and you will alight when you have to do that. Too much self examination is a waste of time.
Q: What should we do when even after every effort of adjustment, nobody understands you?
Sri Sri: Instead of saying “nobody understands”, say “I have not expressed myself properly”. Nobody will ever understand your emotions, it's impossible. Emotions can never be translated fully - it's a futile exercise. And nobody cares about intentions, only actions.
Q: How should doctors deal with anxiety and panic attacks?
Sri Sri: Anxiety can go through pranayama, meditation and knowledge.
Q: I plan to do something in my life but I fear the risk of loss and instability - how can I overcome the fear?
Sri Sri: Where is the fear if you are standing up and talking to thousands of people here? Fear is just a concept. Like when you stood up to talk, all the fear vanished didn't it? Same way in life, if you standing near a swimming pool and wondering whether to get into the water or not, then you re afraid. The moment you take the jump, you have no time to think of the fear. Now that you have come to the samsara, keep swimming in it. If you stop swimming or just stand, you will drown. Ask any mother when she gets her daughter married, she always feels she hasn't done enough for her. The nature of love is such that it never feels sufficient. It is a good sign because when you feel you have done enough, then that is because of frustration tiredness.
Q: Please give us tips on time management
Sri Sri: Simply think you are going to manage the time properly, and it will fall into place. Just like when you have to catch a flight or train, you manage it because it is fixed, that same sense should be prevalent when you do anything in life.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (17-19 Feb2017)
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
For the wisdom of the ancient sages to dawn on every individual when they most need it, elders must set an example of discrimination (Viveka) and detachment (Vairagya). If they run after sensory pleasures with feverish excitement, how can the younger generation be blamed for their selfishness and greed? Elders must practice what they preach, show how divine life confers joy, mental poise, contentment and real happiness. They must spend some time every day in reciting the Lord’s name or in meditation, then the children too will imbibe that and acquire the means to attain peace for themselves. People say that there is nothing as sweet as the name of the Lord, but do not repeat it at all. The road is spoilt by neglect and wanton destruction, but they advise the children to walk along it. They will discover the hoax. As a matter of fact, the responsibility of any person who holds forth an ideal is great, for the person has to attempt to reach it oneself while advising others to adopt it. (Divine Discourse, 14 Dec 1958) |
-BABA |
Each one of you is a leader, don't look for a leader.
What is important is to lead from behind. A real leader is not one who emphasizes, 'I am the leader, you must follow me', instead he says, 'Go forward', and he pushes others in front. 'I am here with you, so you run'; just like the coach who assists his participant in a running race, or a coach who teaches you swimming.
Someone argues, how can I jump into the water when I don't know swimming. But unless you get into the water, how can you learn swimming?! You can't swim in the air. So that guidance has to come from one's own very life's example.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Touching the Space of Humility
01/04/2017 Bad Antogast, Germany
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I always feel that I have received more than I deserve, and I feel uncomfortable..
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You should feel comfortable. When you feel you have received more than you deserve, you become grateful, you feel life is a gift to you. When you feel that you really deserve this, then you become arrogant, dominant, rude, and rough. It is only when you realize that you are not worthy of what you have received and what you are receiving, then you become humble and more grateful! The more grateful you are, the higher you go; humility in you takes you high.
Gurudev, is there a punishing God. If not, who is punishing me? I want to live without punishment.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, there is no God punishing you at all, don’t worry. It is only your karma that comes back to you. If you don’t chuck the karma, the karmas come back to you.
Karma is, you do some action and the reaction to the action comes back to you. But if you realize this, and you do some remedies for your karma, then you can reduce it. E.g., if you hear on radio that there will be a heavy traffic jam tomorrow, you take caution and start a little early; that is the remedy, right? Similarly, if there is going to be snow storm tomorrow, then you put your socks on, and do whatever else you need to do.
Gurudev, there are many young children who are aware and awake, and know that they are here for some important work. How do we support these gifted children?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, there are many children who are telling their parents that my real home, my real family is in the ashram. Many children are saying these sort of things around the world; many have become vegetarians, isn’t it? How many of you have seen that? Many children like or love chanting.
Yesterday, I saw on a news channel in India that there was a child born to the royal family of Bhutan. He said, “I have come here after 828 years; I was a teacher and a student in Nalanda University, take me there.” And so they took the child from Bhutan to Bihar in India. The child was all dressed in a robe, looked like a monk; he could recall where he used to sit, what was there and everything around.
There are so many such incidents even in The Art of Living. One child in The Art of Living recently said, “I was a Rishi in the Himalayas, and now I have come.” He is a one and half year-old child; he calls my name so perfectly, “Gurudev”. He takes the rudraksha mala, puts it around and says, “This is the rudraksha mala!”
There are many such children. You will find this occurring more in Russia and Mongolia.
Gurudev, can you explain more about mental illness? Is it unbalanced vata or is it karma? How can we help them?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just serve such people. People with any mental diseases like depression and others can be helped through yoga, pranayama, and meditation. There are many which you cannot help, you simply have to accept them.
Despite knowing that I should not miss my daily kriya, the gap is increasing. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Never mind. If you cannot do kriya, do some pranayama. If you cannot do that, just sit and meditate. If you cannot mediate, then just think about the time you have spent here; think about the knowledge and the words I have said to you. If you say that you can’t do anything, that is not acceptable; you can at least do something!
If you have no time to meditate, then at least listen to some knowledge when you are driving the car; there are a number of CDs. When you listen to the knowledge, your consciousness expands. But don’t take this as an excuse not to meditate. You should sit, close your eyes and let go. When you become so deep and peaceful, your brain and perceptions become different. It makes a big difference. When you cannot even meditate, at least remember the knowledge, at least feel connected!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
One may desire for something good, which is due to an inner prompting (Iccha Shakti). But one cannot fulfill that desire unless one proceeds according to a plan which can guarantee success. The desire has to be developed into a deed. This requires Kriya shakti or the power of action. Above all, realisation depends on Jnana shakti, or the force and clarity of Wisdom, the self-confidence that flows from the mastery of the situation. This is a gift of grace from God - the God installed in the heart. God is Omnipresent. The Gita asserts that His hands and feet are everywhere; so are His eyes, head and face. No one can deny God or ignore Him. When a person denies God, he is denying himself. You must foster faith in God and know that He exists in all. That faith will plant in you humility, courage and reverence. Whatever one plans and executes must be sublimated as an offering to God. (Divine Discourse, 8 Feb 1987) |
-BABA |
Lack of faith in God, the world or yourself brings fear. Faith makes you full - faithful.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Adopt A Happy State Of Mind
01/03/2017 Bad Antogast, Germany
It is only with a great amount of technology that we found that Jupiter has 12 moons, but some 10,000 years ago, the ancient people wrote that Jupiter has 12 moons. It is so fascinating; one wonders as to how people in the ancient time knew all this?
In school, we studied that Galileo found out that the Earth is spherical, but thousands of years ago, Aryabhatta and others wrote in the scriptures that the Earth is spherical. Bhugol, in Sanskrit, is the word for Earth, gol means spherical; these things were said back then. Sometimes it is amazing to see how the macrocosm and microcosm are connected.
Questions & Answers
Dear Gurudev, is it okay if I surrender to you as my master but pray to Jesus at the same time? Isn’t it like sitting on two chairs at the same time?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, don’t worry. Actually, this word surrender should be removed from the dictionary, it has been so misused and misunderstood. You just relax, that is good enough. Relax with this knowledge and faith that you are being taken care of! It is this most relaxed and happy state that is called surrender. Otherwise we try so hard to surrender; whom to surrender to, where to surrender? And what is it that you need to surrender? You don’t surrender your good qualities, do you? That is what you are, so you don’t need to surrender them. You need to give up or surrender what you don’t need, and what are they? Negative qualities, negative tendencies and negative thoughts, which you don’t want to have! And if that is what you call surrender, then that is good! Do it every day, as much as you can! But then also, wake up and see; neither the positive nor the negative qualities are yours! They just come and go!
You don’t hold on to a car passing by your house and say, “I’m going to push this car, it is mine!” Similarly, thoughts are like cars on the street, they don’t belong to you, they are just moving on their own, and they go away. If you say, “Okay, I am surrendering this car, the next truck” (laughter); if that’s your way of having fun, you can have fun.
Nature knows that these thoughts are not yours. When you are saying that I am surrendering this car, nature is having fun. The Universe has a lot of fun with people who are trying to surrender. Just relax!
You have the most beautiful knowledge here, and there is no conflict either. Everybody is one there; Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, they all have a good pact with each other. Just like the Euro can work in France, Italy, Germany and Greece, so also, there is a good pact between these master; whichever form or whatever name you see, it all goes to the same source.
Dear Gurudev, does it matter where we sit during the satsang; more in front or at the back?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: (Laughter) It does matter whether you sit by the window or in the middle. If you feel too cold, don’t sit by the window because you want to close the window while others want it open. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter where you sit.
Yes, one thing, if you are too shy, and have a tendency to sit at the back, then just elbow everybody and come and sit in front (laughter). If you are a backbencher, then in satsang you better come to the front. And if you are always sitting in front, holding on to your seat, nailing your backpack to the floor, then get up and sit at the back.
Dearest Gurudev, how and why does a soul choose a specific body to be born?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is one of the five secrets that cannot be shared; these are called The Great Secrets, which cannot be fathomed; death is one, birth is another.
One thing I can tell you – your last thought can cause you your next birth. Just before dying, if you are thinking of chicken, you will most probably find yourself in a poultry farm, coming out of an egg. Similarly, if you are too fond of dogs, for sure, in the next lifetime, you will become one. This is because the deepest, strongest impressions in the mind takes you to the next life. This is the reason why a mouse, which is afraid of a cat, becomes a cat in its next life. A worm, which is afraid of a bird, will become a bird. Thus, your fears or cravings will bring you the next birth! I cannot say any more.
Gurudev, I am wondering, am I enlightened or not? If not, why? And will I be?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don’t go and ask others, ‘Do I have a headache?’ If you have a headache, it is very clear to you, you don’t need someone else to tell you; right? Enlightenment is as obvious as the pain in your head or your feet.
Now, in spite of that if you get such a doubt, it is good that you ask. If you feel you have gotten enlightened, and you don’t doubt that, then in that case, you must come and ask, so this question makes sense! Don’t worry, you are on the right track. It is inside of you and it will come out.
I would like to investigate the movement of Prana more precisely; what is the most helpful practice for this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You should sit and watch the breath; there are so many things about it. What you do on the Advanced Program is already very helpful and useful; the Hollow and Empty Meditations are about polishing and observing the breath.
The breath has been burnt down due to excess usage of our body externally; too much food, sex, sleep (even lack of it), too much watching; too much of anything burns down the Prana. And when the Prana is burnt, then you can’t find yourself; it is as though there is a crowd inside, and you feel you don’t exist there. The purpose of all these different meditations that you are doing is to help your Prana become healthier, stronger and tangible. How many of you feel that your Prana is more tangible? (Many in the audience raise their hands) . When you do a little bit of meditation, at least you can find it flowing in one line, otherwise it is all broken, and you can’t find it at all!
Sometimes, time can also do this. At some specific times, celestially, suddenly you feel a cloud of negative energy getting onto you. You feel a sense of heaviness, dullness, and the brain doesn’t seem to function. That heaviness, restriction, contraction, and the feelings of getting solidified and constrained are associated with such energy. Sometimes one would feel like getting it out, but you don’t know how to do it! How many of you have had such an experience? (Some raise their hands) .
A few minutes of chanting, pranayama, and I don’t think there is anything better than the Sudarshan Kriya can help you get it out. Sudarshan Kriya can quickly put you back on track. Ujjayi breathing, meditation and chanting also helps. And your connection to the Master helps; whomsoever you think of, that’s what your brain immediately catches on. You can think of a very negative person, immediately your whole psychology and brain cells start behaving like them. Hasn’t this happened to you? How many of you have experienced it? That is why enlightened masters are called pratah smarami in Sanskrit, which means they have to be remembered in the morning as soon as you wake up, so that your whole day, your whole system is tuned to them. Good or wise people are called pratah smarami, worth remembering in the morning. The reason one remembers them first thing in the morning is because the whole day goes with what you start with.
Gurudev, today you ignored me again; why don’t you want to look at me?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Let me tell you a secret; you are very special. I ignore only very, very, special people, otherwise I attend to everybody.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
When a person gets rid of ignorance, one can experience this infinite Light, this spiritual flame, declared the ancient sages. Where did they experience this Divinity? Not in the external world. The sages regarded the human body as a shrine in which the Divine is the Indweller. Exploring the five life breaths and the five sheaths of the human body, they experienced the Light of the Spirit in their hearts within. They realised that those who love God can find Him nearer to themselves than anything in the world. To those who have no yearning for God, He is farther than the farthest object in the planet! Remember, every individual is a spark of the Divine. You are not just a fragment of the Nature or simply a combination of the five basic elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether). You are indeed verily a part (amsa) of the immortal Omni-Self. (Divine Discourse, Feb 19 1987) |
-BABA |
The root cause of all this is ignorance. We need to wipe out ignorance. We need to bring literacy, and this does not mean only education based on facts, but also spiritual knowledge, i.e., education of human values.
Education of human values means kindness, love and belongingness. Corruption begins Where belongingness ends. Till date no one would have been corrupt to those who belong to them. It is just not possible. And what is spirituality? It is what expands belongingness. You feel that everyone belongs to you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (21st February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore
Q: When Shiva is formless, why do we worship the linga?
Sri Sri: Linga is the identification of the universal energy which is formless. A stone or a crystal is to represent the inexpressible, that which is infinite.
Q: There are panchabhuta temples, what is the significance of them?
Sri Sri: There are 5 elements that form this creation - earth, fire, air, water, and ether and they are also called linga because they signify, there is something beyond expression, the unmanifest consciousness. All the 5 elements are reminding us of the consciousness that creates orderliness. Even stones have patterns and this indicates the consciousness.
Q: Scientists discovered many things which are already mentioned in the Vedic Granth? Was the black hole also mentioned?
Sri Sri: Yes it was, it is mentioned that once there was a darkness that covered the darkness, and from there came the water. The water which all light. Every generation has had some knowledge, and when the ancient people went into deep meditation they simply downloaded it from the atmosphere. Usually people think Shiva was a person who existed 15,000 years ago. Shiva never walked on this planet because he never had a body. Shiva is just energy formless, and an eternal principle. That principle has been guiding everybody because it is part of everyone's consciousness. Hence Shiva is truth, benevolent, beauty and consciousness. Shiva was depicted as a blue person where blue actually signifies the sky. The bull signifies righteousness when you are free from guilt. Anyone who is thick skinned cannot experience the subtlety of beauty. The trident represent the 3 states - waking, dreaming and sleeping. One who hold the 3 states. And the serpent represents the wakefulness in the meditative state. When you are meditating your body is at rest, awake from inside. The half moon on the head indicates a little bit of mind which is able to express things beyond the mind. The Ganga flowing out signifies knowledge which cleanses you. When you are deep in meditation, knowledge comes.
Q: Whatever sankalpa you take manifest with a huge success. Please tell us how to take sankalpa resulting into a success?
Sri Sri: Just relax with faith. In fact faith relaxes you, and without faith you cannot relax completely. When you’re at a job, give 100% and be dynamic. Combine both, relaxed attitude with dynamism.
Q: When the stars are not good, can Om Namah Shivaya chanting help me to get a better job?
Sri Sri: Yes, because the mantra has the 5 elements, which the world is made up of. You can nullify the unfavorable effects of those vibrations, this chanting is very useful.
Q: You meet and reply to 1000s of people everyday, when do you spend time with yourself? What is the secret of your energy?
Sri Sri: If you ask the sun why it is shining everyday or the water why it is flowing everyday, what will they say? The same way, that's my nature and I’m in my element. I don't do anything that isn't in my element. If inside and outside you are one, you don't get tired. Its very difficult to bother me.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, February 24, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
On Shivaratri day you must try to establish friendship between your mind and God. Shivarathri is to remind you that the same Divinity is all-pervasive and is found everywhere. People believe Shiva lives in Kailasa. Where is Kailasa? Kailasa is your own joy and bliss. It signifies that Lord Shiva lives in the Kailasa of delight. If you develop joy and delight in your mind, then Shiva lives in you. How can you get this joy? It comes when you develop purity, steadiness and sacredness. Then your heart becomes filled with peace and bliss and is indeed Shiva’s Kailasa! Shiva will live in the sanctum sanctorum of your heart, within the temple which is your body. There is no use in just thinking of Shivaratri once a year. Every minute, every day, every night, you should think of Divinity and sanctify your time, for the Time Principle truly speaking is Shiva.
- Divine Discourse, Feb 17, 1985.
-BABA |
Mahashivratri is the day when the Shiva tattva touches the ground, touches the earth. The consciousness which is always ten inches above the material ground; the aura, the ethereal world which is ten inches above the surface, touches the earth element on Mahashivrathri day.
So, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on that day.
Do not eat too much, eat very light and do more meditation, then it helps in fulfillment of desires. This is the ancient belief. It helps you to grow stronger in your being. It is like a new year for a saadhak (seeker), for spiritual growth, spiritual attainment and worldly attainment, so it is considered auspicious.
The night on this day, when the constellations are in some particular position, is very auspicious for meditation. That is the ancient belief.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen on any other day. Any time your heart is open, your mind is calm and steady, prayers do get answered. But Shivratri day is celebrated with the singing of the ancient vedic chants and a ceremony is done, and it is considered a very auspicious time for a spiritual aspirant.
It is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
The material which is eight fold came close to the ethereal which is also eight fold.
So what the eight fold prakriti (nature)? Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego; all these come in contact with the subtle eight, i.e., the Shiva Tattva.
People usually eat very light, some fruits or something and fast. I don’t recommend you fasting without anything. Take some fruits or some light easily digestible food and spend the day awake and at night meditate. You don’t need to do meditation all night. Meditate for some time.
We will have satsang and some celebrations. That’s it!
In fact every day is a very auspicious day because we do satsang every day.
In ancient times, people used to say okay, if you cannot do every day, at least one day in a year, on Shivratri day, do meditation and keep awake.
Wake the Divinity that is deep within you. That is the message. The Divinity is within you, let it wake up!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (19th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore :
Q: How to handle rejection during seva?
Sri Sri: Whom are you doing seva for? I don't reject anybody. Nature will not reject you. You are looking for recognition then you will feel rejection - it's your own mental make up. Just do seva, don't look for recognition. And if people don't require your seva and reject it, don't force your seva on them.
Q: Is it possible to kill your ego with 3 days of DSN, when it is nurtured in us for so many years?
Sri Sri: A room maybe locked for 10 years, but it doesn't take 10 years to bring light into it.
Q: Due to bad experiences, it's hard to trust anyone. How do I handle this?
Sri Sri: As far as trusting people financially, take precautions. You don't need to trust everybody but at the same time you don't need to doubt everybody. All dealings should be written in paper.
Q: I gave 100% in my task but couldn't convince people 100%. It makes me feel bad, how can I improve?
Sri Sri: Dont evaluate yourself too much. Just continue. Time, people will teach you. Observe how others are doing something successfully and keep learning. Always be open to learning and don't judge yourself. Importantly, self degradation must stop.
Q: When children make a mistake, our parents shout at us and make us accept it. But when they make mistakes, are children expected to keep quiet?
Sri Sri: Yes, that is the wise thing. If the child has a brilliant idea or rectification, they can suggest it like this “We can do better if we do things like this, but you know better”. We need to be aware of how we talk to the father as they deserve more self-respect; otherwise they will become more defensive. We are anyways more open with our mothers.
Q: What are the main factors for achieving success? Sometimes, lot of effort gives no success but sometimes no effort gives lot of results.
Sri Sri: Thats what is called karma. When there is more sattva in our lives, things happen faster and smoother.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
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Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, February 27, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
To reach the Divine within, you must qualify yourself to pass through the four gates of self-control (Shama), self-enquiry (Vicharana), contentment (Trupti) and the company of the pious and virtuous (Satsanga). Shama calls for steadfast faith in the Lord and control of your senses and the mind. When you succeed in controlling the cognitive senses (Jnanendriyas), it becomes much easy to control the organs of action (Karmendriyas). Shama makes one a master of the mind and indriyas (sense and action organs). Such a person transcends the animal nature and can go forward from the human to the Divine. Birds, beasts and other creatures are concerned with the enjoyment of external things. Man alone is gifted with the capacity to discriminate between the transient and the permanent, and seek what is everlasting by controlling the senses and giving up attachment to the perishable body and the ephemeral objects of the phenomenal world. (Divine Discourse, 19 Feb, 1987) |
-BABA |
Dama means having a say over your own senses.
Many times, when people travel overnight in the luxury bus or airplane to attend to some important work in the morning, there is a movie being played during the journey. Now though you want to sleep, you still browse and watch the movie.
One moment you say to yourself, “Oh! I have already seen this movie before. It’s the same rubbish. What is there to watch again?” Yet the eyes say “No, I want to watch and see what is happening”. Your eyes do not agree with you. Your intellect says one thing, but your eyes disobey and follow something else.
Bulimia is another example. After eating, your stomach says, “I am full, I cannot take any more food”. But your tongue says, “Oh! I want more”. Lack of coherence between the senses, your mind and intellect is called as (absence of) Dama.
To have Dama means to have a perfect alignment and coordination between your mind and your senses. When your senses are in your control, you will not commit any crime.
Just walk into any prison and ask one of the inmates, "Why they are here".
They will tell you, “It all went out of my control”.
What is it that went out of control? Their own senses. Even lust for that matter. All the rape cases happen in this way. It is because the mind is not in control, the senses are in control. One is in the grip of the senses.
Similarly, the disease called Bulimia or over-eating is because of lack of Dama. Extreme anger is a sign of lack of Dama; obsession of any kind is a lack of Dama. You must have heard of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) many times – these too are related to a lack of Dama.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Satsang (25.02.2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Dear Gurudev, what message would you like to give on the day of International Happiness, which is on 20-March-2017?
#SriSri: Every creature on this planet is moving towards happiness. Everyone’s pursuit is only happiness; happiness for themselves of for others. You can’t be happy if member of your family is unhappy. And a family cannot be happy in isolation if the neighbours are not happy, if their friend circle is not happy. So if you see that it extends, if a city is unhappy, state is unhappy, how can an individual be totally happy? It’s not possible. So, happiness depends on many factors. Happiness depends on environment, ecological, social, political and economical. And happiness in one sense transcends all these factors and there is one very important aspect of human life, which we tend to ignore is ‘spiritual aspect’. And true happiness can only come when you look inward through spirituality. And once you get the true happiness from deep within, then you are very strong. It’s like the doctor who has vibrant health, who ventures into a hospital where everyone else is sick. So those who find happiness deep within, cannot lose it, they can only spread it to everyone around and this is what is needed today. Through meditation, through knowledge, wisdom, you get a strong foot in happiness. Then you will be an asset to your family, your society and to the world you live in. Because you are there to spread happiness and to spread happiness you need inner strength. And it cannot happen without you having solid foundation of wisdom, of experience of centeredness, mindfulness and stability deep within. On the other side if you see, inspite of having everything, all congenial atmosphere people are still unhappy, this is because they miss to find themselves, to be centered in themselves. So, on the International Happiness Day, 20-Mar-2017, just few more days, less than a month’s time, what we need to do in our life is prioritise strengthening your happiness by going deep inwards and spreading happiness by uplifting the gloomy, hopeless society around you.
Q.Gurudev, could you please talk about short-term happiness versus long-term happiness?
#SriSri: You need both, short-term happiness and long-term happiness. Like, for example, you need mango trees. Mangoes don’t grow overnight. At the same time you need sprouts, which you soak in the water tonight and tomorrow or day after they are already sprouted. So, we cannot only think long-term and we cannot be stuck in only short-term happiness.Sometimes people think of long-term happiness and they make their family miserable in the immediate present.
Q. Gurudev, the Bhagavad Gita talks about Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic happiness. Could you please speak about these?
#SriSri: Sattvic happiness is that which lasts longer and which brings happiness to you and to others around you. It’s long-lasting and long-term. And you may have to undergo a little bit of tough time to begin with. Like medical education. Young people when they join Medical, the first year, second year, they undergo terrible pressure. I have seen hundreds and hundreds of people saying ‘I want to quit.’ Same with Engineering too. But they have to bear that tough time. If they struggle hard there and study hard, in the third, fourth year, then they become very strong. So that initial difficulty has given them a very happy career in the future. This is Sattvic happiness, that which is unpleasant in the beginning, but you know you have to go through it and in the long run it is going to make you strong and happy. Rajasic Happiness is that which makes you go up and down, which brings instantaneous joy and then suddenly you fall into a sort of an emptiness, again you get excited, that which comes with a lot of excitement, this is Rajasic Happiness. Tamasic Happiness is just a promise of happiness. They promise others’ happiness and they promise themselves’ happiness but neither of them get it. This is Tamasic Happiness.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Divine Life is based on the quality of calm serenity (satwa guna), which must be cultivated. This quality can be built only upon satwic food - food that promotes health, strength, lightness of spirit, and earnestness of endeavour. There is no use distributing the juice of spirituality to underfed and weak people; make them strong enough to entertain strong beliefs and preserve strong ideals. Physical hunger must first be appeased by simple pure (satwic) food. Then, try to repeat the name of the Lord, the name that appeals to you the most. Do not treat the Name lightly; respect it even if you hear it from the lips of a beggar who uses it to procure alms. Though the person who utters it may not be good or may not have good intention, do not ill-treat the Name; for its purity can never be harmed. Thank them for reminding you of the Lord and go your way. Above all, do not laugh at and discourage those who call on the Lord. (Divine Discourse, 14 Dec 1958) |
-BABA |
I keep telling everyone that before eating food, chant this mantra, ‘Annadaata Sukhi Bhavah’ (May the provider of my food be blessed with peace and prosperity).Similarly, first thing in the morning, when you wake up say ‘Om Namo Narayana’ or ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. When something goes wrong, say 'Hey Ram!' If someone dies, chant 'Ram Naam Satya Hai' (The name of Lord Rama alone is the ultimate truth). What is the difficulty in just remembering the name of God? There is no difficulty at all. When you enter the car, say ‘Om Namo Narayana’, and then sit in the car. Before you get out of the car also, do naam smaran (remember the name of God) and then get out.
In this way, you will make it a habit to do naam smaran, is it not so? So during your last moments, at the time of death, when the Prana (life force) is about to leave your body, then also you will do naam smaran because it will come to you naturally at that time, and this will uplift you in a great way.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (17th February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: How to overcome aversion of people? There are few people who make me lose my balance overtime I see them?
Sri Sri: Keep the possibility that the same people who are averse to you may come to your help when you need it most. What is this person saves you when you are drowning? Or gives you a ride back home? Will you say, no I will not accept the help because I am averse to you? These aversion will instantaneously disappear. Secondly, see them as an agent of God. He/she has been told to act like that so that I can become stronger. It will totally change your perspective. When you change, you be surprised to see they will also change. Nobody can give you any unpleasant experience that is not due to you. This is higher knowledge. Nobody can give you any insult that you are not supposed to get; even if they want to, they can’t give it. “Nobody gives you pain or pleasure; it comes onto you”
Q: How to use one’s ego positively?
Sri Sri: Commitment. When you take on a commitment, use your ego along with that. Engaging yourself in some big activity and holding on to that commitment.
Q: How do I change my body language to make my body language more effective?
Sri Sri: The more you are aware, it will start happening. Awareness is good enough to correct it. The thing is we aren't even aware and nobody corrects us.
Q: How do I deal with other people's body language?
Sri Sri: Compassion. Bring them into knowledge. You might have noticed that as you bring spiritual knowledge to people they change - they become much loving, kinder and start embracing people.
Q: How can students help in creating a Divya Samaj? What is the responsibility of each age group?
Sri Sri: Today we renamed DSN as Dynamism for Self and Nation. Teenagers are good at social media. They should spread positivity through social media. Let them encourage their friends to do the YES+ program. Art of Living has 57 programs for people from strata of society, from prisoners to school children. We have program for everybody, leaving no age group untouched.
Q: Since I have come on this path, I have heard a lot about change. Is change more important or is discipline?
Sri Sri: Change is the nature of the universe, of life. Change is constant. In the heart of change there is something that is not changing that is spirituality. You need to recognize that heart of change. As a child you need to be disciplined to brush your teeth. As you grow up, it was not something you had to force yourself to do. We have to keep discipline, so that it becomes a habit. When it becomes a habit, you no longer require discipline. It becomes a part of you. Discipline brings freedom. If you have disciplined your behavior you have freedom on many ways.
Q: What is the secret behind padmasadhna? It is so meditative and very different from other yoga asanas?
Sri Sri: You have said that. That is the difference. It is meditative asana and the meditation is integrated with the body movements and prana is equalizing everything in the body system.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
It is the consciousness in the physical body that enables man to enjoy the pleasures derived from the objects experienced through the senses. Once the truth, that humans alone have the ability to seek the everlasting by giving up attachment to the body, is realised, the divine nature of consciousness will become clear. Then, every action can be regarded as an offering to the Divine. Work will then be transformed into worship. When the identification of the Self with the body goes, action which may seem to be done for personal enjoyment can be converted into actions of dedication to the Divine. When actions are performed in this unselfish spirit, one can experience a sense of liberation and enjoy bliss that is beyond understanding. It all begins with the control of the senses, which is in fact the first stage in Self-realisation. It must be taken up early in one's life. One should not wait till old age to embark on this vital exercise. When death knocks at the door and one is surrounded by one's wailing kith and kin, there may be no time to think of God. Begin the Godward journey from now on. (Divine Discourse, 19 Feb 1987) |
-BABA |
Anything done to uplift your spirit, to make you walk towards the truth, that brings up human values within, that connects you to the innermost and outermost is spiritual. Meditation, pranayama, yoga, service, singing, chanting, creating happiness around you are all part of spirituality. If you create misery, then that is not spirituality. If you can create joy, it is spiritual. But not momentary joy. Such joy, in the long term, creates misery that is not spiritual. Alcohol, drugs can create momentary joy but they are not at all spiritual. That is the spirit.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Utsah - Life Is Enthusiasm
01/15/2017 Kota, India
(Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses a gathering of over 1 lakh students at the Commerce College Grounds in Kota, Rajasthan on 15 January 2017. The event ‘Utsah-Life Is Enthusiasm’ was a part of the Spreading Smiles campaign under which many Arts of Living Volunteers offered meditation and workshops to more than 80,000 students. Below is the transcript of What Sri Sri Said..)
Before you start asking me questions, let me ask you a question. How many of you are mischievous, raise your hands? Wow! Good. Those who are not raising their hands, who are not mischievous, it’s better that you become mischievous! The sign of youth is to be mischievous, to dream big, and to be crazy or passionate about something. If you don't have that streak of craziness, then you are not young, you have become old. But you don't have to be crazy about someone and lose your life over it; you understand what I am saying, right?
Life is a celebration. It is when stress develops within us that we become sad, depressed and frustrated. Then people take undue advantage of us, and then we become even more sad. We should move ahead in life with great enthusiasm. Accept this society and the world, it belongs to you. Own the world right away.
Youth should be crazy about something, without that streak of craziness this youth phase of your life will not advance. You should be crazy about something, an intention for the country, society, sports, art, education; any such thing; being crazy is the sign of youth.
I want to tell you one more thing. It is an ancient practice in India to respect elders. I can see the future of India here. And I want to congratulate all the seven training institutes that are present here. You have taken the resolution to brighten the future of India, and I can see that. These youth will make our country grow and prosper in the future.
One more thing; whatever you do, do it with style; this is the second characteristic of youth. Whatever you do, do it with enthusiasm, madness, and style.
Education should not be just about information; your intelligence should also be developed alongside. I can see there is a lot of work that can be done here to develop your intelligence, and it is being done.
Questions & Answers
What is spirituality? Is it important for people? Can youth also be spiritual?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, absolutely, spirituality is meant for everyone. We are made up of body, mind, and spirit. The body needs amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals. Similarly, what does the mind need? It needs happiness, love, creativity; all this is part of spirituality. Creativity, enthusiasm, respect, love, joy, happiness; don’t you want this? Anything that brings you closer to yourself, that uplifts your spirit, that makes you feel one with everybody is spirituality.
Gurudev, is it necessary to have faith in God? Does God really exist? Have you seen God?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: God is not a thing that drops from the top and says, “Child, what do you want, I am very happy with you”. He is never going to say this! That substance, from which everything is made, is God. That in which everything is sustained, is God.
Before understanding God, ask yourself, ‘Who am I? Where was I before?’ These questions will sharpen your intellect; and be patient. If someone tries to answer your question, don't listen to their answer.
Gurudev, I tend to think a lot about my future, my exams and their outcome and it always leads me to depression. How do I come out of this compulsive thinking?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Know that every failure is a step towards success. Do you know that all those people who are now leading large corporate houses had suffered many failures in their early days? The ones who have started some of these large IT companies, in the early days, they were unable to get jobs, they underwent many difficulties and hardships. Now look at them, they are employing lakhs of people. So never underestimate your potential. If you have not done well in class one time, it is alright; know that something better is waiting for you. Remember this, ‘Something very good is going to happen to me!’
I want you to take back three things from here:
1. Only the best will happen to me.
2. Stay away from all types of addictions; this is not the age to get addicted to anything.
3. Be crazy about something in life; either arts, music, sports or social work. Many youngsters should aspire to be in politics also. Vasundharaji, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, was just telling me that she needs a lot of talented youth. Do you like the idea? Be leaders, movers and shakers in the world.
Today, across the world, Indian youth are getting new types of opportunities. You should learn a lot of skills, not just education; develop your personality; we will open avenues for you throughout the world. In every country, you can get good opportunities.
I have come here far from our home to study, but I feel lonely. I have friends. Still, I feel something is missing. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You have asked the right question. How many of you feel lonely here? Raise your hands. (Many in the audience raise their hands). So many of you are feeling lonely? Then, you definitely must do the Happiness Program. Meditate and work towards eliminating the loneliness of others. If so many people are feeling lonely, then why don't you get together and talk to each other? That will bring you a great sense of belongingness.
Understand one thing, as long as you are working towards building a career, don't get into developing any long-term relationships. If you fall in love with someone, then your studies will suffer. You are young right now. First, make a strong career for yourself, and then you will get good friends and company. If you have a weak career, then your friend circle will also be similar. While you are here, focus completely on your career, and keep celebrating, participating in events, music, and dance.
All those of you who are from outstation, exhibit your talent, your regional dance, music, and drama collectively. We can have a national cultural festival here. There is so much talent here, which comes from far away; you can really spread and share what you have with others. If you do yoga and meditation, it will eliminate your loneliness, and you will have a sense of belongingness.
I travel to so many places in the world. I never feel that I have come to someone else’s place. Wherever I go, I become one with them. Similarly, you have come here, see what you can learn from this place. If you go to see, Kota provides for food, shelter, clothes, and enthusiasm. In every house in India, there is a stone from Kota. People wear clothes made in Kota and eat kachoris (fried, stuffed food) from Kota.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Though the source of peace and bliss is within, people seek them in the external, like one pursuing a mirage. Owing to restless activity, endless worry and limitless desires, peace of mind is lost and it has become prey to discontent and misery. At the outset, peace has to be cultivated within ourselves. And then that peace has to be extended to the family. From the home it should be spread to our village. Thus, peace should begin with the individual and spread to the whole society. In the Sai organisation, efforts are made to propagate the values of Truth, Righteousness, Love, Peace and Nonviolence. This is only propagation, but not practice (or demonstration). Mere preaching is of no avail. Of all the virtues, love is the foremost. If love is fostered, all other qualities flow from it. Our degradation is the result of forgetting God. When we remember God, our life will be filled with peace and happiness. (Divine Discourse, Mar 23, 1989) |
-BABA |
No way, you can’t increase your love. It is already there. You simply have to relax and realize it is there. Never question or doubt your love. You think, ‘Oh, others are having tears in their eyes and I am not having any’. Never mind, never look from at things that angle. Every child from the mother’s womb is complete. It is not that the first child is more complete than second and third is further less. Every mother knows that every child is full, complete. Same way your love is total, complete, at its height. Never doubt that and never compare it with others. If you feel your expression of love is less, it is because of your selfishness. All that you can do is be generous, be less selfish and you can’t do it overnight. Day by day, slowly be more generous, be more centered, and be more dispassionate. Then the love which is inside you, will start expressing itself. Even in the expression of love it should not be too much or too less. It should be the middle path. The problem in the world is that in the West, they express love too much. Husband and wife keeps on saying ‘honey’ and then they become diabetic (laughter), can’t touch honey any more. (laughter) It is just the opposite in the East, they never express love at all. Both ways are extreme. There should be a middle path. It’s like you want a seed to sprout, it neither sprouts when buried deep down in the soil nor when it is put on the top. It needs a little bit of soil and put in it and that’s it. Take the best of the orient and the best of the occidental. That is the middle path.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in satsang (1st February 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q: What do I do when I accept conditional love? I know this love will bind me and force me to do things I don't want to?
Sri Sri: Best to not analyse all these things too much. Know that you have no escape from love, either in its pure or its impure form. Its love that gets distorted into negative emotions: love for perfection brings anger, too much love for objects make you greedy, too much love for people make you attached. To keep love pure, you need wisdom.
Q: I love the son but don't the mother, how do I handle this?
Sri Sri: See don't be so attached to your likes and dislikes. Know that they will change over time. Put yourself in that situation: someone says they like your child, but not you. How would you feel? You will then get over it.
Q: How to bring more people to Art of Living in China?
Sri Sri: I will leave that to you - use the power of social media to amplify your own story, and tell them the beauty of this path.
Q: Why do I not feel a sense of excitement or an overwhelming feeling towards you? Does that mean I don't have a connection with you?
Sri Sri: No, no not at all. Just believe you have the connection. Sometimes when the body is tired and the energy is low, you will feel like that.
Q: How to convince my husband to join the course? He has a lot of bad habits and I want him to get over it.
Sri Sri: Convince his friends first. All of you convincing him to do the course should do the trick.
Q: Gurudev I have the knowledge, but when required it does not come.
Sri Sri: That is not knowledge which does not come when required. You should revisit the knowledge again & again. You should dwell in knowledge, once is not enough.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, March 3, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
All of you have five advisors in your life. They are: “Who, When, Where, What and How”. Before undertaking any action, you must get answers for these five questions. When you get the correct answers for these, the actions based on them, will naturally be right conduct. Unfortunately, most people today act without any concern for these factors. All of you must exercise your own judgement using your powers of observation and discretion, using all the God-gifted instruments to you through the form of organs of perception and action. In every limb of yours, there is divine potency. That divine potency is called ‘Angirasa’. This name is derived from the fact that God is present in every limb (Anga) as an essence (Rasa). Hence, there is no need to search for God outside yourself. You are Divine. All your powers are your divine potencies. (Divine Discourse, 14 Jan, 1997) |
-BABA |
There is no expectation of qualification to attain the Divine.
No need for any effort. Just be.
Akinchan- I am nobody,
Aprayatna - I do nothing,
Achaha - I want nothing!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
The Antidote To Frustration
01/25/2017 Bangalore, India
We are doing so many dishonest things throughout the day in our society; lies from head to toe! Our smile is superficial, our saying hello, asking people how are you, all of it is a sham. How concerned are you if other people are fine or not? You are not even listening to their response! What I am saying is, we do all these interactions superficially. I am not asking you to stop doing them, it is in our culture, and should be done. But if we behave with some sensitivity, then we can do the same things from our heart.
When we are filled with stress, our mind is occupied and there is no clarity in our thoughts. Then all our outward behavior becomes a lie. This is why knowledge and meditation are very essential. When you meditate and are in knowledge, then whatever you do is authentic and heartfelt.
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, is it possible to raise our awareness to that level where we know all things at all times?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: A lawyer has so many books on his shelf that he has studied, he doesn’t have to keep everything in his head. Whenever he needs any information, he picks up that book, isn’t it? Similarly, suppose you are a mathematics professor, you don’t have to keep all the formulae in your memory all the time. When you want Trigonometry or Algebra, at that time you take it; you only focus your attention and pick that knowledge with the memory. It is the same thing with knowledge. All knowledge is available as a possibility, but it depends on our ability to pick what we can. In order to do this, you need to have the ability for intellectual analysis and intuition.
Intuitive ability will help you get access to subjects which you have not intellectually acquired. For every innovation, you need both (intellect and intuition). It is not enough if you have just studied, and have intellectual abilities. For innovation, you need an intuitive insight as well. That intuitive insight comes when you empty your mind a few times every day.
Gurudev, can you please talk about the chintamani in the center of the brain, and the tip of the nose, where the subtle body is connected to the physical body?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Scientists say that the tip of the nose has a lot of information; we have not yet been able to process all of it. Any knowledge that you get, should pass through the test of scientific methodology, and that includes spirituality too. Scientific methodology simply means going through a logical, sequential understanding, and then coming to a conclusion. Once you get to the conclusion, you still have to keep an open mind because there are many possibilities.
Where is chintamani? The ancient scriptures have said that there is a point in the center of the skull, perhaps, just below the hypothalamus. Hypothalamus is a point that controls the entire body; all the voluntary and involuntary activities in our system. This is what they meant by chintamani, the spot which scientists have called hypothalamus in the skull. You can draw parallels because there is such a huge gap of time and language, which has almost made it impossible to say this is it. For e.g., all the chakrasthat have been described in the Yogic texts somewhere correspond to our endocrine system. Hence, you can say it is very similar.
Gurudev, if one is content then how can quest for spirituality arise? Is contentment relevant only to the materialistic aspect of life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are levels of contentment. Frustration cannot take you anywhere, if it leads you anywhere at all, it leads you to more frustration! To get out of frustration, you need wisdom. And if wisdom doesn’t give you contentment, then it is no wisdom at all. Even a drop of wisdom should bring you contentment.
Contentment does not mean lethargy or lack of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, we think contentment is a sort of a dull state of peace; that is not the case. Contentment is not opposed to dynamism or the spirit of enquiry. The spirit of enquiry is not necessarily frustration or lack of satisfaction. You can be content and still be in quest of the highest; that is possible!
Gurudev, can there be a dispassion and yet absolute enthusiasm in every role?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, don’t you see that in so many people here, who are totally dispassionate, and yet full of enthusiasm? Absolutely! Children have this. When they are crying, the tears haven’t even disappeared from their cheeks, and they start smiling and laughing also. This is a perfect example of dispassion, and enthusiasm. If you don’t have dispassion, then brooding continues; you continue being unhappy. It is dispassion that helps you come to the moment, and switch gears.
Gurudev, what is the secret of the exponential growth of Art of Living world over?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The effectiveness, sincerity, beauty and utility it adds to day to day life. Anything that is authentic, impactful, and original will always bring about a transformation, and take you on a long journey.
Gurudev, can wisdom happen instantly? Is it the same with enlightenment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, it can be gradual also! The other day, someone was telling me, “Gurudev, suddenly, I realized that I am happy all the time now, which I never was before!” A sudden realization comes that gradually you have become more and more happy. One day you find yourself saying, “I am so happy, so centered; nothing can shake me, nothing can take my smile away!” And then you are there!
Sometimes, there is a flash of lightning, and suddenly you see things, and then it disappears. Sometimes it is like when the sun rises, dawn comes first, then gradually darkness disappears, and day dawns very gradually, and that stays! So both phenomena are there. For some, it can come as an electrical transformation, for others it could be a gradual change. Sometimes you don’t even notice it, but one day, you say, “Wow! Aho!” Just like what is said in Ashtavakra, “Aho! Yes, I got it!”
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, March 6, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Seeing a glass half filled with water, the optimist is glad that the glass is half-full, while the pessimist is sad that it is half-empty. Though both the statements are correct the optimist hopes to fill the other half too, while the pessimist gives up in despair. The optimist has faith, the pessimist has no faith to sustain him – this is the key difference. Faith is power. Develop faith by steady effort. You all have faith in tomorrow following today and hence you take up activities and projects, that extend beyond this day! People with no faith cannot plan, they court misery due to their lack of faith! Faith must lead to effort. Through knowledge, faith and effort, wisdom can be attained. Equipped with these, you can scale great heights and emerge victoriously. Do not cultivate too much faith in things that are merely material. Develop deep faith in the eternally valid Truth - God! (Divine Discourse, Jun 27, 1981) |
-BABA |
Have this unshakeable faith that whatever is the best for you, that alone will happen in life. Nature will only give you that which will uplift you higher in life. Keep this deep faith.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
You Are Fire - How Can Anything Burn Fire?
You have to remember that you are “fire”.
However, some ash gets accumulated in the mind. Once you blow the ash away then the fire will rise up and shine brightly.
If there are too many worries in your mind, then just say ‘Hmm’ (with slight force), and all that ash that has accumulated on the mind will be wiped off and you will feel fresh and bright.
Often we sit and worry, ‘Oh, this is not happening’, or, ‘That is not happening’. Life is such, sometimes what you wish won’t happen; sometimes what you don’t want happens. Never mind. Don’t sit and brood over it. Move on; march ahead remembering that you are fire.
When you know you are fire, nothing can burn you.
People say, ‘I am burned out. Oh, I am so tired!’
What burned out? Come on! How can anything burn fire? Move on, knowing that you are fire. Let go of the past and move happily into the future.
And take life in its totality. Some pleasant, some unpleasant experiences – all these things happen and then they go away. Knowing that ‘I have all the blessings, I have the Grace, the best will happen to me’, you should move ahead.
Break through all the barriers and feel that you Are Blessed.
This Is The One And Only Step You Have To take – the rest will all happen.
This deep sense of feeling that “I am blessed” can help you overcome any obstacles in life.
It gives you courage and confidence and it will open your lid for grace to be poured in. Once you realize that you are blessed, then:
· All the complaints disappear
· All the grumbling disappears
· All the insecurities disappear
· A sense of feeling unloved disappears
· Wanting love disappears.
If you don’t realize you are blessed, then the doership begins. If you want to make a difference in your life, feel you are blessed. And especially for those on this path of knowledge, there is no reason for you to not feel blessed. So, feel you are blessed. This is the first step towards the Self.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
All of you have vast resources of powers. When you do not utilise them while discharging duties to yourself and to the society that sustains you, you are only becoming a target for ridicule. When you are on a railway station platform, waiting for the train that is due and you hear the announcement that it will arrive five hours later, how do you feel? Don’t you fling abusive words at the train? When the mere coaches receive from you such a treatment, how much worse treatment would you deserve if you do not fulfill your duty and your responsibilities to the society? Utilise your skills and learning as consistently and effectively as duty demands. Unless used, even a watch gets rusted, what can be said therefore of unused skill? The body has not been granted by God to be fed, well clothed and to be paraded around in pride. The body has to be exercised to keep it trim as a tool for serving others. (Divine Discourse, June 27, 1981) |
-BABA |
Remember that all the gifts you are carrying in life are for others. Offer your gifts to anyone who comes to you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Shiva - The Ultimate Truth
02/23/2017 Bangalore, India
Q: Gurudev, can you please tell us about the Nataraja form of Lord Shiva? (Referring to the form of Lord Shiva engaged in Cosmic Dance of Creation)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In the history of Mankind, the most beautiful Tattva (a fundamental underlying element or principle) that has been conceived or discovered is the Shiva Tattva, and in that too, in particular is the form of Lord Shiva as Nataraja – the Lord of Dance.
The essence behind Nataraja is in itself so unique and beautiful. Our life is composed of different stages or levels. Life is not experienced at just one level alone.
Scientists today say that our brain is a frequency analyser. For example, if you set your television to a particular channel, then you get to see and hear only that channel. Isn’t it so? When we change the channel, then we see and experience another different channel. Our brain works in the same way like the TV and its channels. There is a multitude of channels across the whole world today, but we are tuned into and living in one particular channel – and that channel is this World, this Creation. When we change the channel, then an altogether different world, a different realm gets revealed to us – and that is the subtle world. In this subtle world, there is a constant dance of consciousness.
This world before us, and whatever we are going through and experiencing (at the level of the gross material world) are actually the effects or results of this cosmic dance at the subtle level. When Nataraja’s dance comes to an end, the entire creation too will come to an end.
It is not that the Divine performed this cosmic dance some 10,000 or 20,000 years ago. It cannot be dated back in time. People have a wrong notion about this and say that this dance happened on a particular day, at a certain time. No, it is not so. Nataraja’s dance is eternal, and has been constantly in motion in this Creation. The Purush Tattva, or God (the Cosmic Being as the substratum and most fundamental principle of Existence) is that which pervades and permeates every particle of this Creation – and that is whom we call as Nataraja.
In the idol representation, you will see that Lord Nataraja is standing with one foot on top of an asura (demon). That demon is called Apasmara. Do you know what Apasmara means? Apasmara refers to the disease of Epilepsy. It also represents ignorance and inertia. When one overcomes the inertia and negativity, then one dances in pure bliss – and that is called Ananda Tandava. The demon here represents that inertia which is beyond one’s control. It is inertia that comes when the mind depends on external or outward sources for happiness, and strays outwards through the senses. When the mind overcomes this inertia and turns inwards to repose in the Self; when it returns to the real source of all joy, then it is a sign of being established in the Shiva Tattva.
How is Lord Nataraja depicted in idols and pictures? He is shown dancing in absolute bliss and has four arms. In the palm of one hand, he holds Agni or fire element. Here, the fire element represents Shakti - the totality of the Energy of this Creation. This Energy is upheld and supported by the Shiva Tattva, the Divine consciousness. In the other hand, he wields a Damaru (a small two-sided musical instrument). The Damaru represents infinity. You must have seen in Mathematics also, that when one writes the symbol for infinity, it is written in the form of a Damaru. The Damaru represents both the Space element, and the Air element.
The quality associated with the Space element is Shabda or sound. It is said that when the Damaru plays, then from its sounds was born the science of language, grammar and phonetics.
Every child since its birth is a born Yogi. Does anyone teach the baby how to hold its thumb in Adi Mudra; or how to fold the fingers in Chhinna Mudra? When a baby is born, its fingers are clasped in Adi Mudra very naturally. Babies and young children are effortlessly able to perform the Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose; Pavanamuktasana pose; Hasta-padasana etc. Every child at that tender young age is able to do these Asanas very easily and naturally. Has anyone taught them these at that age? The Shiva Tattva that pervades in every particle of this Creation – this knowledge comes from that very Shiva Tattva. Who has taught the birds how to chirp? Who showed the birds how to build nests? When you think about these aspects, then a deep sense of wonder dawns within you. You then realize that there is one Supreme underlying Intelligence which has all the knowledge and Lord Shiva is the personification and representation of that Divine knowledge.
Lord Shiva is said to have three eyes. The Third Eye represents knowledge that is beyond the reach of the senses. One kind of knowledge is that which we receive through our sense organs. The other kind of knowledge is that which is beyond the limited comprehension of the senses – which is represented by Lord Shiva.
One of Lord Nataraja’s hands is placed in Abhaya Mudra (the pose dispelling fear and giving blessing and protection). It means to convey, “My dear one! There is nothing to fear. Be free of worries, be happy. Have patience and total faith”. This is what is represented by the Abhaya Mura. The other hand is swayed across and slightly bent downwards, pointing to the feet. What does that mean? It means to say, “Dance! Rejoice and celebrate! Be humble in life, but also walk confidently with your head held high.” One who is arrogant is not necessarily free from fear. Here, it means to be free from fear and yet not stiff with ego. It means to be simple, to be natural. It means to become a Sharanagati – to be totally surrendered to the Divine. You have everything with you that you need – this is what is meant by the position of the other hand. This is the deeper meaning behind the representation of Lord Shiva in Ananda Tandava.
There is a snake around Lord Shiva’s neck. What is the meaning behind that? The snake represents awareness, alertness. It means to be free from inertia and ignorance. What is the meaning behind Mother Ganga flowing from the matted locks of Lord Shiva? Ganga here does not indicate a certain lady, or the waters of the divine river. Ganga represents knowledge. There is a deep inseparable connection between knowledge and the River Ganga; just like the connection between River Yamuna and Love. Countless immortal tales of love have taken place at the banks of the River Yamuna. All the sacred congregations and gatherings for spiritual knowledge have taken place on the banks of the River Ganga.
Here in India, we have since time immemorial believed in the inseparable connection between Love and Knowledge. It means that both the Buddhi (intellect) and Bhava (feelings or emotions) have their place in Life. This is why Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “When you unite and become so totally one with Me, then not only shall your intellect become sharp and endowed with knowledge, you shall also not have any lack of intense love and emotion”. In the absence of feelings and emotions, you cannot experience peace.
There is a verse in the Gita which says, “Nasti buddhir ayuktasya na cha-yuktasya bhavana. Na cha-bhavayatah shantir' ashantasya kutah sukham”. (2.66)
Lord Krishna says, “One who does not surrender and unite totally cannot experience the intense feeling of love, devotion and bliss. Such a person becomes so dry and emotionless, as if a living corpse. Yet, he who becomes one with Me, experiences intense feelings of love and joy; his eyes shine and radiate love; his intellect becomes sharp and one-pointed”.
Lord Krishna has spoken about all the signs one experiences when one surrenders to the Divine. When feelings of love arise from within, and at the same time the intellect becomes sharp - only then can one experience deep rest and peace.
Life itself is a dance – we have to take the material and the spiritual aspects of life together, hand in hand. Let one foot rest upon the Earth, and let the other foot rise upwards into the Heavens – then that is when a dance happens spontaneously. If both feet get firmly planted on the ground, then you cannot dance at all. And if one takes both feet up in the air – meaning that if one is not steady and well-grounded; when a person only talks or acts superficially without depth, then also dance cannot happen. For dance to happen, one foot should lightly be in touch with the ground, while the other should be raised upwards off the ground. Having a very slight contact with the Earth (material world), while simultaneously elevating the rest of the body skywards to the Heavens such that it sways and rejoices in the subtle, invisible ethereal Space – this is the deep meaning of Nataraja’s dance.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Giving up the little ‘I’ is the true meaning of renunciation (Tyaga). Tyaga does not mean running away from the hearth and home into the jungle. It means sublimating every thought, word and deed as an offering to God and saturating all acts with Divine intent. This is the best spiritual practice to cultivate selfless love. Love gives for ever, it never asks another to give. Shower it, and you will be showered in return. Selfless love thrives on renunciation, they are inseparable. The essential reality of a human being rejects the ego as a blemish. When you sincerely investigate into the question, “Who am I”, you will find that everyone is included in ‘I’, and your love will expand limitlessly. Ego should not be allowed to express itself freely, as it smothers the spring of love. God is love, so all things created by God are filled with love. (Divine Discourse, Jul 17, 1981) |
-BABA |
Some say the purpose of life is to ensure that one doesn't come back to this planet because it is bereft of love. They feel if there is love then why is life so painful? All that one want in life is love. Every human being is longing for a love that doesn't die out, a love that doesn't cause pain, a love that grows and stands forever. By taking a multilateral view of life, one can see life in a different way and realise that the purpose of life is to achieve this kind of love and blossom in that ideal love.
Suppose you are immensely successful and have all the riches at your command but there is no love in your life, then life would not really be worthwhile; it would appear barren. But still most of the people lead a loveless life. Have you ever thought why this happens? It is your ego that prevents you from achieving that love. As long as there is ego, there cannot be love. And when there is love, there is no sign of ego. What is ego? Ego is simply being unnatural. Half knowledge brings ego but when knowledge becomes complete, ego drops and simplicity dawns.
The question arises that if the ego is so unnatural then why does every human being have an ego? We have the ego because it is necessary in some way for our growth in life. That doesn't mean it should not have been there from the very beginning. Ego is necessary, but with knowledge you can now grow out of it. In the Narada Bhakti Sutras one sutra says: "Knowledge is one of the aids to uncover the naturalness". Through observing oneself and deep into ones self in meditation one can overcome ego.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Chidambaram Rahasyam - The Secret Of The Infinity
02/23/2017 Bangalore, India
(Below is a continuation of post Shiva - The Ultimate Truth)
There is another story associated with Lord Nataraja. As the Lord was dancing merrily, one of his earrings became loose and fell on the ground. Then it is said that the Lord lifted that small earring by the toes of his foot. What is the meaning behind this? There is a great secret behind this. That is why this is also called as Chidambaram-rahasyam (the secret of the infinity).
In South India, if someone tries to keep a secret, then others can ask him saying, “My dear! What are you trying to hide? Is it some sort of Chidambaram-rahasyam? ” People jokingly ask this to one another in the South. As the story goes, when the Lord effortlessly lifted the small earring merely by the toe of His foot, the entire creation was struck with wonder and amazement. Here, what it means is that we grow accustomed to whatever we are listening to around us. We do not find anything amazing or unique in that. It does not astonish us; it does not create a sense of wonder in us. But when that trivial small earring was lifted off the ground by the Lord, then one suddenly gets a glimpse of the subtle, the invisible infinity. Here, it shows that this mysterious creation does not operate the way you think it does. There is a deeper, hidden, miraculous Divine power at work behind everything. You must make space in your life for that miracle of the Divine to manifest. This is the deep meaning of the story. Otherwise, we usually go through life by our own limited understanding. We tend to think we understand how everything in creation operates, but it is not really so.
Who knows and who can really say? Anything can happen at any time! When we realize this, an altogether different dimension of possibilities opens before us. The possibility of the miracles that is hidden in every moment – is what is represented by the Lord lifting off the small earring from the ground by His toes and effortlessly placing it back on His ear.
It is said that whatever you read in the Vedas, the Puranas and the Upanishads is not superficial or shallow. It is literally the Truth and you can see and experience it all in this vast Creation, and in this very lifetime. This story is mentioned to illustrate and assure this fact.
There is consciousness present within our whole body, and it is divided in the upper and lower halves of the body. This divine force or consciousness is called as the Kundalini Shakti. The other meaning from this story is to elevate and raise this Kundalini Shakti from the lower centres to the higher centres of the being (From the Sanskrit word ‘Kundala’ literally meaning an earring). When this Kundalini Shakti is awakened and rises within us, then our entire life becomes a dance of joy and bliss. Then nothing in the world can trouble us, and the entire world becomes amazed in wonder when the power of consciousness gets awakened and enlivened within you. When the Lord Shiva seated deep within you rises and dances in absolute bliss, then the entire Creation is struck with amazement and wonder. This is what happened when Lord Nataraja lifted off the fallen earring from the ground even as He was engrossed in blissful dance. All the gods and goddesses were amazed to see this. It is said at that moment, huge waves of infinite love and bliss swept over the whole of creation and everyone was steeped in joy and happiness, even the gods themselves. And then, in that same state of wonder and bliss, each started dancing in joy. This is what it means.
When you awaken from within, you perceive this entire creation dancing with such joy and total bliss. Everywhere you go, you find the nectar of the Divine pouring. Even when a bird chirps, you find it so beautiful and divine. When the Sky takes on different colours in the day, then that scene also exhilarates you from within. It is that same kind of amazement and happiness that you feel when you meet your beloved. That inner experience brings forth a glimpse of beauty and deep love within you. You find sweetness in everything everywhere. Everything appears new, and fresh. If a baby is crying, then also you find sweetness behind it. If you see a man or a lady walking, or an animal – then such trivial things too fill you with sweetness and adoration. Every particle in this Creation then appears to shine with a different and unique Light; there is uniqueness in everything. You experience the real beauty of creation and this becomes revealed through Lord Shiva’s Tandava as Nataraja. This is the essence behind the story.
So, when you awaken from within, with knowledge and awareness – then you experience the cosmic dance happening every moment within you, and you are the very Lord of that dance. The soul within you, the Shiva Tattva within you unfolds and manifests.
Here during Satsang anyway everyone is dancing happily. But usually it is the outside World that makes you dance (through desires or feverishness). The entire creation is the cosmic dance of Purusha and Prakriti. Every person in the world today is dancing to the tunes of one thing or another. So, at first it is Prakriti or the Mother Divine who makes you dance – to the tunes of anger, desire, lust, greed, egotism etc. What all kinds of actions people do when they are caught in this dance. Is it not a dance? Under the influence of these, people engage in all sorts of activities and drama. There is no dearth of such actions. Wherever you look, you will find people dancing to the tunes of anger, desire, etc. But when the spirit within you strives against these influences of Prakriti, then it rises above these lower urges born of desire and ignorance, and gets engrossed in a dance of bliss and joy – the Ananda Tandava. At that moment, Prakruti is struck with amazement and becomes enamoured to behold this divine dance.
The Devi was not able to fathom and match what Lord Shiva was able to do. We often say that a strong and one-pointed mind can support a feeble body, but if the mind is weak and stuck in negativity, then even if the body is physically strong, it cannot support or take that body forward in life.
This is one of the depictions brought out from this story. The Devi or Prakriti danced and put forward a question to Lord Shiva to unravel. Through Her movements, the Devi says, “O Lord! I dance before you through the eightfold aspects of My divine nature. Would you be able to match my steps and dance along with Me?”
That means, your body (as Prakriti) is asking the Soul (Lord Shiva), “Can You be one with me?”
So, when the soul awakens, it rises in a blissful dance and proclaims, “O Devi! O Prakriti! You are mine and a part of me only. I am the Supreme Lord of all creation”. By way of this divine dance of bliss, the Shiva Tattva dwelling deep within us all establishes its sole lordship and presence as the Master of all Creation – being endowed with all divinity and beauty.
Have you noticed that there is a ring of fire all around Lord Nataraja? It means that this divine dance is not something that takes place at the gross material level of the World. It happens in the subtle world, which is the world permeated by Shakti, by the Divine primordial energy. This divine dance is a scene set within the subtle invisible realms of creation, and is happening at all times ceaselessly. There is a ring or large halo of flames around Lord Nataraja’s dance to show its inseparable and underlying connection with the Shakti or the primordial Energy.
What is the relation of this dance with Mahashivratri? On the occasion of Mahashivratri, when the entire atmosphere becomes so filled with positivity, when all the planets are favourably placed and aligned, then you are able to go deep into meditation very effortlessly, and are able to experience the blissful Shiva Tattva. You are able to connect with the Shiva Tattva and also feel the omnipresence of the primordial Energy (Shakti). This is the importance of Mahashivratri.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, March 9, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
I have come to reform you. I will not leave you until I do that. Even if you get away before I do that, do not think you can escape Me, I will hold on to you. I am not worried if you leave Sai, for I am not anxious that there should be a huge gathering here and a big following around Me. Who invited all of you here? Without any printed invitation, thousands are coming to Sai. But, of one thing, be assured. Whether you come to Me or not, you are all Mine. This Sai Mata (Mother of all) has the love of a thousand mothers towards Her children; that is why I do so much lalana (fondling) and so much palana (protecting). If I appear to be angry, remember, it is only love in another form that I use to evince my disappointment when you do not shape up in line with my guidance. (Divine Discourse, Feb 11 1964) |
-BABA |
The society needs you. The society is to be benefitted through you. Like you have felt happiness, same way you can bring this happiness to 10, 20, 50 people. When you are happy and others become happy through you, I will also be happier.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Satsang
Ques: Sometimes I feel that I am just getting carried away with life. Do I really not have my own existence?
#SriSri: If you have realized this, it’s great, it means that you have already awakened. You know that you were dreaming only when you wake up. This is awakening. Now you will not drown, you know now how to swim.
Ques: In the Purnanas, lord Shiva grants boon to both demons and gods. Does it mean that goodness and evil is same for God?
#SriSri: The rain drops fall on both stones and earth. It does not discriminate. But, when it falls on the stone, it gets washed away whereas it stays when it falls on earth. It gets stored inside the earth. This is the way. The grace of God is same for everyone but the capable ones receive it, whereas the incapable ones are not able to receive it.
Ques: What the veil on the soul that is inside us?
#SriSri: The veil of ignorance. The veil of Narrow-mindedness.
Ques: Can you please explain the Ardha Narishwar form of lord Shiva(Shiva that is half man and half woman)?
#SriSri: Every creature, be it animals or human beings, are made of the two parts. Within each, there is equal part of both mother and father is present. This is what is depicted by Ardha Naarishhwar. That we all are Aadi Shiva & Aadi Shakti.
Ques: The tradition of the Vedas have talked about Six Darshan(Six views or insights; six philosophies). Can we attain the god through Nyaya or Logic?
#SriSri: Yes absolutely. These Six Darshanas(views or insights) are full of wonder. The first one is Naya Darshan(System, rule; logic) – Meaning the knowledge that we are attaining, is it being attained with the right means. If everything is appearing yellow to us, then it checks is it beacuse we have jaundice or if we are wearing yellow glasses. In this way, The Nyaya darshan is concerned with means of acquiring the knowledge. Like the sun appears to be rising and setting, but in reality it is neither rising nor setting. It only appears to be so. For example a crow comes and sits on the tree branch and the fruit falls on the ground and we conclude that the fruit fell because of the crow. The crows keep flying and sitting on the branch all day, but the fruits do not keep on falling on the ground because them. It only appears that the crow has made the fruit fall off but in reality is different. The fruit was about to fall anyway, but the crow came and the fruit fell off at the same time and we conclude that the fruit fell because of the crow. This is called Kaag Taaliya (Nyaya) or the Logic of the Crow. Similarly there are other types of Nyaya. These show the pinnacle of amazing intelligence. You will be amazed when you read Nyaya darshan. The ‘means’ through which we know, Is that correct or not –is nyaya darsha. The second one is Vaisheshika (Distinctionism) – What is the relationship between the dravyas(substance) and the Guna(quality). How many substances are there and how many qualities are there. What is the relation between the sugar and sweetness? What is the relation between the salt and saltiness? If the substance does not have the quality, why will it be called by that name? It’s called by a name because of its quality. Only because of the saltiness you call it salt, only because of the sweetness you call it sugar. If you take sweetness away from sugar, will you still call it sugar? So this relation between substance and its quality are described in Vaisheshika Darshan. It also says that it you know any one substance in its completeness, you will become liberated. The Third one is Sankhya Drashan(reckoning) – The relationship between Prakriti and Purusha. Alive consciousness and inert Prakriti. The living creation and the inert part, this is what has been described. It is 24 in elements. The fourth is Yoga Darshan – The union of Purusha and Prakiriti. Watching that Consciousness is different and the intellect is different. There is difference in body and consciousness. Highlighting this difference is Sankhya and the union between them is the Yoga Darshan. The fifth one is Mimamsa Darshan- The different rituals, Yagnas and practices & the performance of Vedic rites is decribed in Mimamsa Darshan. The sixth one is Vedana Drashan (End (or culmination) of the Vedas) – This is quantum mechanics. Everything is one. All these 6 Darashans are unique within themselves.
Ques: The fertile forests are being cut and replaced by concrete jungles. How will we take care of our food production like this?
#SriSri: You are right. Everyone within your house, or outside your house, wherever possible, you should grow something. Grow some trees or vegetables. It’s important that everybody takes interest in this.
Ques: There was a time when all the yoga asanas were easy for me. These days I can’t even touch my knees with nose. Is it because of planetary influence?
#SriSri: It’s okay. The body has its own limitations and you will have to accept it. What you can do at the age of 25 you can’t do at 60. The energy of the body depletes and it has its own limits. Honoring that limit is necessary.
Ques: Sahaj Samadhi is often called as meditation. What is the difference between Samadhi and meditation?
#SriSri: Meditation is the process and Samadhi is the result. Meditation is the doorstep or portico of a home and Samadhi is what’s inside the house.
Ques: If we have to fight our own, it’s very frustrating. Should we maintain the balance of mind even when fighting our own?
#SriSri : It’s good to fight as if they are your own. If you feel they are not yours, and then you fight them then there is hatred. But if you feel that they belong to you, there is love. Fighting with ego is different and fighting with belongingness as if you have a right over the is different.
Ques: What is the difference between a tradition and religion?
#SriSri: Tradition is limited to time and space and religion or dharma is beyond time and space. Like there is a practice in Kerala that you cannot wear shirts in the temple, you cannot wear anything on the top half of the body. For that climate it is ok. But if you try to do the same thing in Kedarnath or Badrinath, high up in the mountain, then you will catch a cold. You can’t do this in Nepal. The same priests from Kerala wear coats and pullovers and do the aarti. If you go to Pashupatinath, it is the same priests but they are dressed fully, with closed neck coats and do the same worship, but they wear socks. In Badrinath it is the same . See this is what they did for national integration. As per tradition you take water from Rameshwaram in the South and offer it in Kashi and take the water from Kashi and offer it in Rameshwaram, only then do you get the fruit of your pilgrimage. This is how they united North and South. The priests from Kerala will perform their priestly duties in Badrinath, up in the North. Every year they go from Kerala and it is the Namboodaris who do the puja there. Similarly, priests from North India are used in South India. There is one temple where priests come from North India. And Karnataka was united with Nepal, by bringing priests from Karnataka to Pashupatinath. And like that some priests from Nepal, I am told are in Varanasi and some other places. So this tradition was made to unite the whole country. Even now there is so much dispute over every language and region and thousands of years ago, this work was done. It must have been even more difficult at that time. No translation in those days, no telephone, no transport. Even then they took priests from here and put them there. The priests would go from here and maintain the traditions in both places. So uniting the country in one tradition, one string is very important. Today’s politicians are not able to do what the great souls of that time did.
Ques: Did Shankaracharya give every Peeth (seat of knowledge) a different way of Sadhana?
#SriSri: Yes, he distributed the Four Vedas among the four Peeths. Rig Veda in one place, Sama Veda in one, Yajur Veda in one, in this way each of the four Vedas were housed in the each Peeth. All four Vedas were there in each of the Peeth but one out of them was given prominence in each peeth. Because the knowledge is vast and so it is beyond the capacity of one person. It takes 12-13 years to read a single branch of the Vedas, so in those days it who knows how long it would take.
Ques: I want to do Seva like Hanuman. My devotion is like Him but not my abilities. What do I do?
#SriSri: Whatever your capacity is, is your Seva. Do that much. Hanuman lifted the Sanjeevani mountain. Now it is not required! There are no such wars happening, there doesn’t seem to be any Ravana in sight who picked up Sita and went. So that is why, as per this era, the strength that has been given to you is enough. If your feeling is that of Hanuman that is best. If you have the same feeling as Hanuman that is enough. The strength will automatically come. Even Hanuman was not aware of the strength that He had. At the appropriate time, resources become available. If your intention, your goal is right then that is enough. The strength, resources and support will automatically come forth. Whenever you have to do some great task, you feel that how you will complete it. Whatever is needed to complete the task comes forward automatically.
Ques: What is the connection between mind and aura
#SriSri: Aura is just the reflection of the mind. That is it.
Ques: How do I channelize my intensity in a positive direction?
#SriSri: You have the intention to channelize it in a positive direction, then know that it is already happening. Just keep away from bad habits. You have to keep reminding yourself of that. When we sit and just gossip, then time just goes by without us realizing it. At that time your tongue is not in your control, you just anything. And then you have to suffer the consequences. Even if you say something in good humour, it can cause big problems for you going ahead. So you have to exercise a little control. Practicing silence from time to time is a good idea.
Ques: How to get over lethargy?
#SriSri: Do you really want an answer to this question? What if I give you some idea and you are lethargic to even use it. Your lethargy is lack of energy. So take good rest and watch your diet. If your sugar level is normal, find out. Your D3, Vitamin B12 is not in balance, then also lethargy can happen in the body. Mental lethargy is an indication of the lack of prana. Do Bhastrika, lot of pranayama. One more thing with lethargy, when there is danger, lethargy vanishes, when there is love lethargy vanishes or when there is greed, lethargy vanishes. So love, fear and greed are three solutions to get out of lethargy. So you feel so lethargic and someone says hey you are getting 10 lakh rupees if you walk one kilometer right this moment, do you think you will feel lethargic? You will get out of your bed and run. Or someone whom you love a lot is waiting for you at a certain place, will you say ‘Oh, I feel lethargic’? No you will wake up and run to meet them. Right? And if there is fire, danger, even in a sleep os state you will run! Sense of emergency can lift you out of lethargy.
Ques: I can’t handle people’s arrogance. What wrong have I done that I am a victim to their arrogance? Is there something lacking in me?
#SriSri: No, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just wake up.
Ques: Many a times I het this ‘Who am I?’ , it is not leading me anywhere.
#SriSri: You are on the right track. If it had given you some answer then I would have been worried!
Ques: How to get over obsession and lust?
#SriSri: Meditation, pranayama and Seva.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, March 10, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The mind is the wind that brings to us the smell – foul or fragrant from the world. When the mind turns towards foul, it makes you disgusted. When it turns towards the fragrant, you become happy. The wind gathers the cloud from four quarters; similarly your mind brings into your consciousness many disappointments. It is also the same mind of yours, which scatters away the clouds that darken it or make it feel lost in the night of doubt. Control the mind and you will remain unruffled at all times. This is the secret to undisturbed peace – Shanti, and this is the education that all of you must first secure firmly. To gain this equanimity, you do not need high degrees, but systematic spiritual effort (Sadhana). Then you will be always happy, whether you are poor or rich, appreciated or criticised, prosperous or unlucky. That is an armour without which it is foolish to enter the arena of life. (Divine Discourse, 20 Dec, 1958) |
-BABA |
Deep rest is the essence of sadhana. You have become so tired by doing something or the other all the time. Now just sit down for some time and to be with yourself. Do some meditation. When you meditate, you will start seeing a new world in front of you. You get deep rest is meditation. You get rest when you are content, and this rest is what gives rise to Happiness.
Running behind happiness makes you tired. When you run behind happiness you get tired, but when you repose in the self, when you rest, you get energy, and that brings you strength, joy and happiness. So every once in a while, stop the rat race, and take some time out to be with yourself, and get some rest. This is what knowledge is and this is what spirituality is.
Many time, in the name of sadhana also, we start engaging ourselves in some activity, and once again we get tired. I tell you, the physical body does not make you as tired as the mind does. Work doesn’t make you as tired as much as your desires. Nothing else makes you more tired than your own desires, or greed. So what is important is for you to become content. Again and again, be content. This is an art and this is what meditation is. True sadhana is to being calm, contented, and rested.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How Not To Be Envious!
02/21/2017 Bangalore, India
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I feel jealous when I see people who were at the same level as me earlier, and are now much ahead of me, how to deal with it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Be friendly with those who are progressing and who are happy, and have compassion for those who are unhappy. Don't be friendly with people who are complaining and negative in their mindset because if you are friendly with them you also get into that mode. So, for people who are miserable, have compassion.
If your friend is progressing why should you be jealous? Would you like your friends being jealous of your progress? Just ask this one question to yourself.
I want to tell you an incident: once a boy was very unhappy and his parents brought him to me. This boy always used to get medals in sports but this time he lost to his friend. So I asked him this simple question, “Why are you unhappy?”
He said, “I didn't get the prize”.
I asked, “Who got it”, to which he said that his friend got it. I said, “That means you are unhappy that your friend got the prize, that suddenly woke him up. “What do you want? You want your friends to be happy when you win or you want your friends to be unhappy when you win?”
He said, “I want my friends to be happy if I win the race”.
I said, “So, now that your friend has won the race why are you not happy?”
There was a sudden shift in the mindset of that boy. I'm telling you this is what is happening in this world: we don't reflect on our self and that little awareness makes it all so different. The whole scenario changes, yes.
There are Pancha Bhoota temples around India that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, what is the significance of these temples?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are five elements that form this creation: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether, and these five things are also called lingam because they signify or tell you that there is something beyond. The un-manifest consciousness is represented by the Earth, so the Earth is a lingam – means the Earth is an identification and a sign of the infinity. Water is the sign of infinity. You look at the mountain, the mountain tells you that there is some power. So, all the five elements remind you that there is consciousness that creates orderliness.
If you see any stone, there are patterns in the stone also and there are colors in the stones. Stones are so fascinating. There is orderliness in that and this indicates that there is consciousness. Water has life and memory, have you heard about water having memory? Google this and you can know about the many experiments that reveal that water has memory; water is alive. Water indicates super consciousness.
Similarly, fire tells you there is consciousness. Air reminds you of the divinity, of the Shiva Tattva. Similarly, space tells you there is a supreme power. So all these five elements in the planet indicate you towards something which is un-manifest because the five elements are manifest, that is why they are called lingam.
Anything that points towards something big, something that is inexpressible, something that is intangible, truth that is beyond all expressions is expressed in five elements.
Could you please help me prioritize the following: studies, parents, my girlfriend, my country?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you are a student, studies come first because if you are uneducated your girlfriend will also say goodbye to you. So, you first need to have s good foundation then you can talk about the others. So, study! if you are well-educated you will be useful to the nation as well and your parents will be happy. You are asking me too simple questions.
When Shiva is formless why do we worship the lingam?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You must understand what lingam means, lingam means identification. When a baby is born how do you know whether the baby is a boy or a girl – only through one part of the body, everything else looks the same. Just the genitals tell you ‘This is a boy or this is a girl. So similarly, to identify something which is infinite they put a stone and that itself will tell you that this is a symbol of Universal energy, the formless. So, lingam means what? An identification. Genital is also called lingam because through that you identify, but that is secondary. Simply lingam means an identification, so they used to keep a stone or a crystal and say this is to identify the inexpressible, that which is infinity.
Please talk about Sahasrara chakra. Why is it that Sahasrara chakra is not activated? Most of our meditations are only till second last chakra.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, don't go too much into the chakras, just relax, everything will happen on its own.
Scientists discovered many things like all planets, distance between the Sun and Earth, etc., which are already mentioned in our Hindu scriptures. Is there a mention anywhere about black hole in our Vedas?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, there is the Nasadiya Sukta in the Vedas that says that in the beginning there was darkness covered by the darkness, and from there came water.
You know every generation has had some knowledge. The ancient knowledge that we hear today, when people went into deep meditation they simply downloaded it, it was there in the atmosphere.
See usually people think Shiva is a person, he was there some 10,000 years ago or 15,000 years ago. This is completely wrong. Shiva never walked on this planet because Shiva had no body. Shiva means energy. Shiva had no form and he never had a family and he never walked on the planet, Shiva is just energy. Shiva is a principle that is eternal, that is beyond time and that eternal principle is guiding everybody.
Shiva is the Guru since ancient times and has been teaching everyone because it is part of everyone's consciousness.
What is Shiva? It is truth, beauty and consciousness which is benevolent, which is auspicious. It is the consciousness which brings benevolence to everyone.
Shiva has been depicted in blue. Blue means sky. Unless there is a form, you can't relate to it and so the ancient people put an outline of a person in blue and called it Shiva. They put the bull as his vehicle. Bull means righteousness: when you feel righteous, when you are free from guilt, you are able to experience deep peace. Anyone who has guilt deep inside them, who is not righteous, who are thick skinned cannot experience the subtlety of the beauty that is Shiva.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, March 13, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Remember, like underground water, the Divine is there in everyone. The Lord is the Indweller in all beings; He is All-pervading. He is the Soul (Atma) of every being. He is in you as much as in everyone else. He is not more in a rich person or bigger in a fat being; His spark illumines the cave of the heart of every one. The sun shines equally on all; His Grace is falling evenly on all. It is only you that erect obstacles that prevent the rays of His Grace from warming you. Do not blame the Lord for your ignorance or foolishness or perversity. Just as underground water wells up in a gushy spring when a bore is sunk down to that depth, by constant chanting of the Divine Name, touch the spring of Divinity, so that one day it gushes out plentifully, granting you coolness and unending joy. (Divine Discourse, 20 Dec 1958) |
-BABA |
In the rush of our daily lives, we forget that Divinity is within us.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
The Way To Win
02/22/2017 Bangalore, India
Questions & Answers
In the last 70 years of independence, the people of Assam and our culture have not got the respect it deserves in India. Due to this, thousands of youth have lost their lives in their struggle for respect and identity. How can we preserve our identity and yet work towards prosperity and development of our State in a peaceful manner?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Assam is one of the most beautiful States with such a rich culture and ancient traditions. It's one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Unfortunately, in the past few decades, since the 80s the struggle began because the local people were sidelined and the population from other parts started pouring in and dominating. Lots of exodus from Bangladesh, since then the struggle had begun to keep the local identity.
It is very valid for people to be proud of their culture, their tradition and their language, and want to preserve it, but unfortunately instead of getting into the political arena many took to violence because the talks failed. They couldn't communicate and there were misunderstandings and people were misguided as well. Whatever happened in the past happened, let’s keep that aside and start a fresh beginning. In this fresh beginning, I would request all the youths who had taken up guns to come back. Many of them have come back, but there are still some who are hiding. I would ask them to come back and take charge.
India is a very vibrant democracy, here you can win the hearts of the people and you can rise up to the highest post. A man who was selling tea on the streets in the trains, if he could become the Prime Minister of this country, occupy the highest seat, it is possible for anybody. In this country, we need these youths to come forward because they have the dedication towards society, otherwise why would they run to the forest. It's because they have such deep passion to do something good and they cannot tolerate the injustice that some politicians have perpetuated.
Now I would tell the youths that you should rethink your strategies. In the colonial era, you always wanted freedom because only freedom can bring you economic prosperity, otherwise the colonial masters would just take away all the wealth from here and leave you impoverished, so people had to struggle to become independent. The purpose of independence is to become prosperous and self-sufficient. Today prosperity comes with inter-dependence, we must remember this.
If all the little States say ‘We want to become independent’, then you cannot prosper. If there is no prosperity you will take back your society to middle ages where there is more poverty. Of course, in India, the middle ages were very flourishing but at that time there was some uniting factor also, so you will slip into a bigger economic disaster. So, come together and re-think your strategies.
See in Europe, all the countries have banished their borders, they have all come together for what; it’s not for nothing. Why they make just one Euro instead of the Swiss Franc, the German Deutsche Mark, the French Franc and the Italian lira. Everything gone, now there is only one Euro currency. They know this will bring prosperity and it has. So, the young people in Assam should realize this.
Remember, you have the passion to change society, the bureaucrats don't, nor the politicians. Politicians are just in the seat and when you are fighting with any Government you are fighting with an empty seat. There is nobody there and fighting with an empty seat means you are harming yourself. It's not taking you anywhere so re-think the strategy. If you want to win any war, you can only do it through skill. Even Mahabharata war was won through skill. Skillfully communicate your plans, programs, and your whole aim to bring prosperity to the people of Assam. That should be your main agenda, and never deter from that.
When we go with such great ideas we sometimes slip into ego traps and that's what happened in Assam. People got trapped into me, my, mine, my moment, etc. The ego trap has destroyed the life of millions of youths, wasted millions of rupees over the years. But now I think we have very good leaders, and very good intellectuals who are thinking in this direction. We have Pran Sakiya here with us and Anup Chaitiya and I have great hope from both of them to give good leadership to our youths and bring Assam back on track.
When I can't find something, I think it is my room-mate who stole it. How can I improve on this mindset, I doubt other people a lot?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: At least you have realized you are doubting. The problem is when you don't realize you are doubting you think things are such, then there is a problem. Now as long as you have recognized what you are doing, there is always progress.
Should we be competitive in life, and what is healthy competition?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Compete with yourself. How you did last year, see whether you are doing better this year, that's healthy competition.
Now you may say, “Gurudev this is good but this is not practical, it won't work in the class or in the society”, I say never mind, you look into your competitors here and there but your main competition should be with yourself. If others’ doing well excites you and inspires you to do better, then take it and do it.
When will the situation in Tamil Nadu settle down?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Tamil Nadu situation will settle down, I think it is settling down. Tamil Nadu again is a very vibrant State. There is lack of proper empowerment, of right leaders and I think it should change.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You know only the present, what is happening before your eyes; you do not know that the present is related to the past and is preparing the course of the future. Each birth wipes out the memory of the one already experienced. People do not realise that the end of this cycle of birth and death is in their own hands. The tree came from the seed and the seed from the tree and so on, since the beginning of time. You may not know which came first – tree or seed, but you should know that you can easily put an end to the cycle by frying the seed. A fried seed will not sprout again! You claim to have mastered your senses and all low desires, but they sprout at the very first opportunity, just like grass that grows after the first summer shower. Just as you seek the udder of the cow for the milk it gives, seek only the Lord and His Glory in Nature. As a matter of fact, Nature is useful only when it adds to the wonder and awe that it is able to provoke and sustain. (Divine Discourse, Feb 12, 1964) |
-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
There is a story about Lord Buddha.
One disciple came to Buddha and said, ‘My mind is full of turmoil. I feel so guilty, I feel so bad, I feel so this and that’, and he just said a lot of things. And Buddha just told him to go and get some water from a pond.
So he went there and saw the pond was so muddy. He said, ‘Lord the water is so muddy, I can’t get it.’
Buddha smiled and said why don’t you try again . So this man went on and on. A little while later Buddha told him again to go get some water. The disciple said, ‘but it was all muddy’.
Buddha said, ‘no, go and get the water.’
So when Buddha insisted he had no other choice but to just go.
When he went there, by that time the water had already settled and it was clear. He brought the glass of water and gave Buddha. Buddha looked at the disciple and smiled and the disciple got the answer.
So when your mind is muddled, Just give it some time and it will settle, it will become clear.
Unfortunately we have so many books written, so many concepts on how to love yourself and make the guilt go away and blah, blah, blah.
I don’t think it will help in the long run, even if it has for a short time.
Trying to repair the emotions, correct the emotions, this is all a useless phenomenon and it only makes it worse.
There is a saying in Sanskrit; suppose you have a wound and you go on scratching the wound, it’s not going to get better. Every time you scratch it you make it worse.
This is exactly what you are doing, you try to get rid of this thing or that thing or feel better about yourself, love yourself or not love yourself. All this is useless. What you are doing here is the best, do yoga, meditate, become hollow and empty and everything else gets taken care of.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Life is a pilgrimage to God; the holy spot is there, afar. The road lies right before you; but unless you take the first step forward and follow that step with others, how can you reach it? Start with courage, faith, joy and steadiness. You are bound to succeed. Your mind and intellect are two bullocks tied to the cart of your ‘inner self’. The bullocks are not used to the path of Truth, Righteousness, Non-violence, Peace and Love, and so they drag the cart to the road that is very familiar to them, namely falsehood, injustice, worry and hatred. As its master, you must train them to take the better road, so that they may not bring disaster to themselves, the cart they are yoked to and to the passengers in the cart. (Divine Discourse, Dec 20, 1958) |
-BABA |
Are You A Tourist Or A Pilgrim?
What is the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim?
Both are on a journey. Whereas a tourist is satisfying the senses, a pilgrim is in the quest of the truth. A tourist gets tired and tanned, while a pilgrim sparkles with spirit. Every move a pilgrim makes is with sacredness and gratitude, while a tourist is often preoccupied and unaware. A tourist compares with other experiences and places and hence is not in the present moment. But a pilgrim has a sense of sacredness, so he tends to be in the present moment.
Most people in life are just tourists without even being aware of it. Only a few make their life a pilgrimage. Tourists come, look around, take pictures in their mind, only to come back again. Pilgrims are at home everywhere and are hollow and empty. When you consider life as sacred, nature waits on you.
Are you a tourist or a pilgrim?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
When gratitude in you stays, that very gratitude flows out of you as grace.
A drop of water on a hot plate takes little time to disappear. It makes some noise and it evaporates.Gratitude in our life seems to disappear even faster. We seem to forget how much we have grown, how much we have received. The mind seeks more and more. And in every wanting of more and more, it forgets the past very easily.So gratitude arises in everybody, but disappears very soon. Today we cannot say that no one is grateful. Everyone is grateful, but for the moment and then it is finished.
Grace is that gratitude which can remain all the time.
It is like the snow in the Himalayas that stays throughout the year. It doesn’t just fall and disappear. Whatever falls on the highest peak stays.
When there is gratitude, complaints disappear .
When complaints arise, gratitude disappears, gratefulness disappears. When there is a complaint in the mind, there is discontent, frustration, dejections, depression. All that follows. If you are not grateful, then you will start complaining. You will find fault. Even if there is none, you will try to see it. You will find it. Your mind will do it for you. You won’t even need to try hard. Your mind can easily pick it up. This is the lower journey. Gratitude is the plateau, the middle. And as you rise above that, there is grace.
When gratitude in you stays, that very gratitude flows out of you as grace.
Wherever you see divine grace flowing, there you will find gratitude.
Just relax and be confident at all times. But at the same time, also be wise and practical. You should not think, “Oh! I have abundance of Grace in my life”, and then put your hand in a burning fire. If you do so then naturally your hands will get burnt. Being confident (of Grace) does not in any way mean losing awareness and being impractical. Also, feeling secure and confident should not make you passive and lethargic in life that you end up doing nothing. You should not become irresponsible. Do your job sincerely and attend to all your duties and responsibilities wholeheartedly. Leave the rest to God with faith.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, March 16, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Your child will give you great joy through its play and prattle, but when it interferes with your work or demands your attention when you are working on something important, you get very angry with it. Your child now becomes your source of joy as well as grief! Remember, there is nothing in the world which can give you unmixed joy. Even if there is one such thing, when it is lost, you will become very sad! This is in the very nature of this world. So try to correct the very source of joy and sorrow, the mind. Control your mind and train it to accept and see the real nature of this objective world, which attracts and repels you in turns. This is the real fruit of education! [Divine Discourse, Dec 20, 1958] |
-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.
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Parenting Tips, Answers & Advice
03/13/2017 Bangalore, India
A sacred responsibility
When it comes to children, parenting is a sacred responsibility. Unlike the years of old, our responsibility is not just providing food, shelter, and education. We are also responsible to ensure their mental outlook, emotions, intellect, thought processes, and behavior is on the right track. This is necessary.
If you are very orderly, children will make your life chaotic. Children are the best at breaking your boundaries. I remember how one of my uncles used to be very strict with me and my sister. When he had a son, his son started disciplining him, and broke all his barriers. So, your children teach you a lot that others may not be able to.
How to be a good parent?
To be a good parent, the first few things for you to do are:
Observe Your Child’s Tendencies and the Direction Your Child is Taking
Don’t try to make your child fit into your own vision. This is a big mistake many parents make. You have to share your vision with your child and dissuade them if their vision is wrong. Every child has come to this planet with certain tendencies that cannot be changed, and certain acquired talents that can be controlled. You can do a lot through modifying the acquired talents or personality of a child, but you cannot do anything about the seed that a child is born with. That will always manifest. You have to learn to distinguish between these two aspects – therein lies wisdom. And half the job is done if you can do that. The other half has to be left to the cosmos. You have no control over it.
Be Sensitive
When parenting a child, you have to be very sensitive. This is one thing that you have to keep in mind. If you tell children not to lie, and ask them to answer a phone call saying ‘You are not at home’, this is simply not going to work.
Avoid Arguments in Front of Your Children
Avoid arguments at all costs in front of your children. Ensure they are nowhere when you argue. Also, given their sensitive nature, they can sense there has been discord between adults, so do your best to patch up before your children are back in the same room or back home.
Encourage Them to Share
Many a times, we encourage the tendency in children not to give things away, and to keep things with themselves. When this goes beyond a certain limit, children feel suffocated. In time, they develop a tendency of holding back their feelings and emotions as well, which can be a hindrance to their personality. You must encourage the attitude of sharing in your children as this helps them develop a healthy personality.
Give Them a Dream and Help Them Walk towards It
The whole process of parenting teaches you a lot of patience and perseverance. You have to help in leading your children towards where they should be going. Giving them a dream and persuading them to walk towards the dream is the biggest challenge in front of parents today. So, it is best to expose them to multifarious activities. This has to be done before a child is 10 years old. You should take your children to science and arts fares and expose them to all the faculties.
Engage Your Children in Social Service
On a Sunday, give them some chocolates and ask them to distribute them to the poorest people they can find. Once or twice in a year, take them to a slum and ask them to engage in social service. This would enhance their personality in many subtle ways and make them more thankful for what they have.
Give Your Children a Holistic Education
You have to expose your children to science as well as the arts – both sides of the brain need to be nourished. The concept of Saraswati (the Goddess of learning) is so amazing. If you look at the symbol of Saraswati, there is a musical instrument, a book, and a rosary in her hands. The book symbolizes nourishing the left-hand-side brain, the musical instrument symbolizes nourishing the right-hand-side brain, and rosary symbolizes the meditative aspect. So, knowledge, music, and meditation – all three are required to make education complete. Only when these 3 are developed can you call someone educated and civilized. So, make sure that children learn music and yoga, and have a scientific temperament.
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Encourage Your Children to Interact with All Age Groups
Observe your child’s interactions. See how they interact with those younger to themselves and how they interact with those older? Then observe how they interact with those in their own age group? These observations can reveal a lot. You can observe whether your children are developing any superiority or inferiority complexes, or whether they are becoming introverts or extroverts. And you can play a very important role here to preempt these negative traits from manifesting. Play some games with them, and encourage them to interact with all age groups.
Children who have inferiority complex would like to interact more with the younger ones and would try to run away from elder ones, and even try to avoid their equals. Children with superiority complexes shun the younger ones and would only want to relate to the older ones. They are not good communicators in either case. As parents, you can teach them communication skills early on. It is very important for them to learn how to communicate.
Protect Your Child’s Trust
Children, by nature, have a tendency to be trusting. But somehow, their trust is broken. We need to look into that. Do they trust themselves? Do they have enough confidence in themselves? A healthy child has three kinds of trust:
a. Trust in themselves
b. Trust in the goodness of the people around them and in society
c. Trust in God or a higher power
These three types of trust are prerequisites for children to blossom into good human beings.
Instill a Sense of Balance in Your Child
Do you encourage your children's complaints? Do you encourage the negativity or do you mold it into something positive? You have to play a balanced role. Sometimes your child comes to you and says that so and so is so good, but you know that that child is not so good. Here you have to point out the challenges that you have observed in their personalities and bring your child to the center.
Sometimes, they get swayed by somebody whose habits are not so good; you have to inform them about the negative things.
In the same way, when they are telling you negative things about somebody, you have to point out the positives. So, you have to do a balancing act whenever a child swings too much to the left or too much to the right.
Parenting is a two-way journey. You have to see what you want to learn from them, and what you want to teach them!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, March 17, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Many discourage you from taking up spiritual practices and say that these can be taken up at a ripe old age, as if they are the prerogatives of, or special punishments for the aged! Enjoy the world while you can and then figure out the next - that seems to be the attitude of many! The child takes its first few steps in the safety of its home; it toddles about inside, until its steps become firm, until its balance is perfected, and then as it grows up steadily, it slowly ventures into the streets and the whole wide world. So too, every being must master the inner world first and become impervious to temptations. You should learn not to fall when the senses trip your steps; you should learn the balance of mind, which will not make you lean more to one side than to the other. After mastering this discriminatory wisdom, you can confidently move out into the outer world, without fear of accidents to your personality. [Divine Discourse, Feb 7, 1959] |
-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
FAQs on Parenting
02/22/2017 Bangalore, India
Questions & Answers
How to deal with my child asking too many questions?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Children ask questions and often they are not looking for an answer, they move on whether you answer or not. Children are not stuck in questions like adults. Adults get stuck in questions, and ask the same questions ten times; children don't care. The spirit of inquiry comes to their mind, they ask a question and move on. So, you shouldn't take it too seriously.
How to cope with children’s expectations when they compare themselves with others and demand the things that others have?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You have to tell children that you can only give them this much and they shouldn’t compare themselves with others.
It is important that you don’t give them any false hope. At the same time, we can give them a dream. If you pass or do this, maybe you will get it. Here lies the importance of bringing them up with that sensitivity and belongingness. That is why I say, make your children participate in your life instead of teaching them, then they will not even ask you. They should be a participant in your life, then they will be sensitive towards you, rather than putting a demand on you.
Before you become a good father or mother, you need to become a good uncle or aunt. You should communicate more with the friends of your children. They will listen to you. Suppose, if your son or daughter’s friends have any wrong habit, you can influence them to change. They will listen to you more than their own parents.
There is so much competition in society that kids have no time to relax. There is a fear that they will not fit into society. How do we handle this situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You shouldn’t push them too much. You should teach them to relax. Music, meditation and some games will help. Take some time out to play games with your children, this is very important.
Tell your children 'Compete with yourself. How you did last year, see whether you are doing better this year', that's healthy competition.
How do I deal with the rebelliousness of my kids?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Negative suggestions call for rebelliousness in the mind. If you say, “Don't do it”, then the mind says, “Why? Let me do it!” The mind calls for rebelliousness. But if you say, “You can do it, only you won't get the results”, then you don't leave a chance for the mind to be rebellious, then it takes the knowledge in.
I remember one dentist would tell kids who would ask ‘Why should I brush my teeth’, he would say, “No, you don't need to brush the teeth that you don't want, you only brush the teeth that you want to keep!”
So, move from negative suggestions to positive ones, this is important. When there is strong bonding, then negative or positive suggestions don’t matter. It’s only when the bonding is not very strong that negative suggestions call for rebelliousness in the mind.
Sometimes dealing with kids gets so tricky that I tend to lose my patience. Every day I decide to be calm, but when the situation arises I am not able to control myself. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You can’t do anything about it now, you have to live life spontaneously. It is okay to sometimes lose your temper, never mind. You should leave a little room for imperfection in life, and start accepting.
Some kids are there to teach you a lot of lessons, and it is okay for mothers and fathers to sometimes get upset with their kids. You don’t have to bring them up with all with sweet words all the time. Then you will make them very weak. I have seen parents who have never scolded their children. These children when they grow old, they can’t stand any criticism. A little criticism, a little disrespect from someone or a little bit of failure rattles them. They become so upset because they never experienced anything like that at home. So, at home, being upset with kids sometimes is like giving them a vaccination so that they get stronger. But don’t take this as an excuse to get upset all the time with the kids, it does not work. Too much of it is also bad. If you are scolding your children every day on a routine basis, they become so thick skinned and they go all the way to the other side, which is also not good. A little dose here and there is okay.
Please give guidance on parenting special children.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You simply serve them. Don’t pity them. You know, people with special needs, their soul is in a different state. They are not in a sorry state. They have come to this planet just to take service. With this attitude, you do service. Never have sympathy for them, ‘Oh poor child’. Children with special needs have come just to take service from you.
How do I know if my child is into drugs or just moody?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That’s why it is important for you to know them and their friend circle. You will get to know what they do, where they go and keep a tab on them, especially when they are in their teenage.
Teenage is a very difficult time. Teenagers are undergoing so many biological changes and so they are not just satisfied with the love of their parents. They look for love from outside – through emotional support or physical pleasure. Their mind is in such confusion. So, to deal with teenage children is a big task.
Children don’t care about their parents when they grow up. Where do we fail as parents and what is your advice to parents so that this situation could be controlled?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is why I say that it is important to instill the three types of trust in your children – trust in oneself, trust in the goodness of others, and trust in the Divine. A little bit of moral and spiritual values, and the way you treat your parents and ask them to treat their grandparents can make an impact on them. From a young age, tell your children to take care of their grandparents. They will start being sensitive this way.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, March 20, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
God is not attracted by learning or scholarship, which does not lead anywhere except towards egoism and pride. God is drawn only by pure devotion. Bring to Me, whatever troubles you have, I shall take them on and give you bliss! You rush to the temple or Prasanthi Nilayam and crave to get a darshan! What greater sign of devotion is needed than this yearning? But, this love is not enough! In fact, it does not mean much at all! What is needed is the regulation of that Love, in the form of virtue and service. If you succeed in that, you truly achieve something. Renunciation and divine love should reverberate the atmosphere, and silence as the discipline should fill the place. Have the Name of the Lord on your tongue and the form of your chosen Lord before your eye. If you shape yourself this way, the place where you stand will become Kashi and your home will become Badri. [Divine Discourse, 3 Feb 1964] |
-BABA |
Virtues have to be practiced till they become your nature. Friendliness, 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.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How To Deal With Your Teenager
02/21/2017 Bangalore, India
You should know how to ride a horse if you have to know how to manage a teenager. First, you have to put the reigns on, and you can’t just keep it tight, at times you have to let it lose. At the same, you can’t completely let go of the reigns. The trick is: don’t try to please them and don’t try to displease them. They are undergoing a very tough time emotionally and physically and you have to handle them very skillfully. The question is how?
#1 Give them space to share their feelings with you
There is an old saying in Sanskrit, “When your son or daughter turns sixteen, behave with them like a friend”. Don’t be their teachers, don’t tell them what to do or what not to do. Give them the space to share with you what is in their heart, and their problems. Be a friend who is at their level.
If you relate as a friend and not as a parent, they will open up to you. Then the gap gets bridged. Once the gap is bridged, love flows and communication happens. And once communication happens, virtually all the problems are solved.
#2 Share inspiring stories with them
It’s important to share with your teenager inspiring stories from time to time, without pushing them too much. It is also important to give them exposure to teenagers that have gone astray. You know, those who have gone astray are teaching you more than those who are walking straight. Tell your teenager gently, ‘See, that boy has gone through such a problem, you better be careful’.
#3 Without blaming them, make them understand
You need to be skillful when communicating with your teenager. With a lot of patience, without blaming them, make them understand. And when you need to, put your foot down and say ‘no’. It’s okay to make them upset sometime, don’t feel guilty about it. Later on, they will feel thankful towards you. They will appreciate the trouble you took by taking the blame and anger from them.
#4 Be ready to swallow the anger or frustration of your child
Mother, father and a teacher will have to swallow the anger of a child. You have to be ready to swallow their anger or frustration. Even if your child is very annoyed at you, you take it and you do what is good for them and not just what pleases them. Know that you will always find a way out!
How to handle Teenagers : https://youtu.be/BhKUXYVGyOQ
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Do not tell me that you are completely satisfied with the delusion of worldly pleasures and do not care about bliss and peace! Trust Me, your basic nature abhors this dull, dreary routine of eating, drinking and sleeping, and is seeking earnestly something which it knows it has lost, which is contentment (Shanthi). In their heart of hearts, everyone craves for liberation from bondage to the trivial and temporary, and this is available at only one shop - the contemplation of the Highest Self, which is the source of all that is seen! However high a bird may soar, sooner or later, it seeks to perch on a tree top, to enjoy the quietness. So too, a day will come, when even the most haughty, the most willful, the most unbelieving and even those who assert that there is no joy or peace in contemplation of the Lord, will have to pray, “Oh Lord, grant me peace, grant me consolation, strength and joy!” [Divine Discourse, Feb 7, 1959] |
-BABA |
The true nature of our soul is obscured by three things:
1. Desire: It could be any desire. 'I don't want to have any desire', is also a desire.
2. Intellect: Which means the judging, discriminating, knowing faculty in us.
3. Ego: Ego is 'I am somebody'.
These three things obscure the self, and meditation is where you just freeze these three things for a few moments – freezing the intellect, the ego and the desires. It is just for some time, so don't be afraid or scared. Later on you can have any number of desires.
Not that all desires are bad, some desires are good, some desires are okay and some other ones are really bad. So all types are there, but if you learn to freeze them, then stillness dawns and that is Samadhi.
Children have all the three things, yet they freeze them very easily. That's why when you ask children, "What do you want", they will say, "Nothing". Have you noticed this? They don't judge anything. In children, the ego is not prominent enough, the intellect is not mature enough and their desires are not strong enough to obscure the self.
This is nice knowledge. Some other time we will go deeper into it.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the World Happiness Summit in Miami
17 March 2017
When Buddha got enlightened he became silent and angels asked him to talk. He told- People who are happy they don't need to listen to anything. They are happy. They are happy with everything around they don't need to listen to anything. And people who are unhappy they don't listen to anything. People who are unhappy try to put some sense into them. They are not there. They are so embroiled in their own misery. They have cost their ears. Those who are miserable anyway don't listen to me and those who are happy don't need me. So the angels requested him there are some people who are in the border line. Then it's said Buddha started talking.
Those who are happy you can feel the vibrations. You don't need words to express yourselves. They are so sensitive. They can catch you. The kids they exuberate happiness. You know all the oxytocin's eminates all around you. They radiate happiness.
But angels said to Buddha there are those who are in the border line. Then he started speaking.
If you ask me I will tell there are those who are happy and they want to share happiness.
Nature of happiness is to share. Nobody can say I am so happy leave me alone. When you are happy you must want to be put there and share happiness. Simple if you see a nice movie you pick up the phone and call your friend. Nature of happiness is to share. Those who are happy, they share. This is first category.
There is other category of people who are seeking happiness. So they seek happiness by changing jobs, places, cars, gadgets, trying to find happiness.
There is a third category who have no hopes of happiness. For them happiness does not even exists. And if they see someone happy they feel more irritated. Have you seen such people around? If one of them is happier the other is irritated.
Happiness is not something which has left anyone untouched. If you have not known headlines, forget about it. It will never happen.
We all know what's happiness. So there's no need to define happiness. It's really a blunder to define the basics of life. Because you can't define it in words. You can't water down it in definitions. They are much vaster, much bigger, much greater.
You know feelings can never be captured in words. Haven't you felt that there's so much you want to express but the words are not sufficient enough. Same with happiness.
Happiness cannot be conveyed in words or in gestures. Our being is much much much larger than our expressions. Your portico of the house is much larger than the house.
Happiness is something that everyone has experienced. But it is very fragile. Now you are happy. Just one nasty phone call, are you still able to keep your happiness? One nasty phone call and your happiness is gone. Your happiness is fragile.
What is that can make our happiness stronger? I call that Wisdom.
Wisdom brings a different context our life. It expands our context.
You know what psychologists say? You talk only 10m then the listener takes a cappuccino break.
So context. Anyone who is not happy, you make them see life from a different context you can bring smile back to them. As the context of life expands the problems of issues appear smaller and insignificant. So to make your feeling of togetherness, feeling of worthiness become stronger the first thing is expand the context of life.
If someone doesn't get this take them to the planetarium. When they see the light and how insignificant the little earth is in the context of bigger universe, the multiverse, something happens.
Second is commitment. If you are committed to do something, you don't care. The obstacles that come on the way, you don't care. Many unpleasant remarks from the people, nothing detracts you. That's commitment. So strengthening commitment is the second thing.
The third thing is compassion. We are more disturbed by others behaviour towards you. That is why we feel our happiness depends on many other factors. But when we have compassion. When you are the culprit, who is trying to invoke anger hatred in you from a bigger perspective you feel compassion towards that person.
Someone who is stressed so is unhappy spread unhappiness. Why do you have to succumb to it?
Instead of getting succumbed to someone else's spreading unhappiness I can be in control of myself. I can spread happiness.
I can be the source of happiness when I have compassion for others.
What do you say?
Does it make sense?
Let me review.
Expand the context. Broaden our vision.
And then having purpose in life. focusing your energy on something which you find useful, you find purposeful. To me the most meaningful thing is bringing happiness in the lives of people.
Instead of running after happiness? You know it runs father away from you. If you stay put, happiness chases you.
Most of the people who are running after happiness, I would stay where you are. Just be. You will find that happiness surrounds you. It must come to you.
If you follow joy, misery follows you. If you follow wisdom, joy follows you.
1.context
2.commitment
Commitment to the greater goals in life. Then you will be really happy.
3. and the third compassion. It's compassion which keeps us in a state of unconditional love, unconditional happiness.
Everyone is seeking happiness. A happiness which doesn't turn into misery . a love which doesn't turn into hated. The perfect action that doesn't turn into anger and frustration.
Are you all here? Audience... No cappuccino!
And that which brings the stability within us, which makes our happiness strong that I call wisdom. Wisdom for life. No wisdom. No happiness.
Q. How do you become wise?
Sri Sri : You want to become wise? That's it. You are there. The context had already expanded. See your life from a bigger context. Wisdom spontaneously comes up.
Today when you go back or go forward in your life you take this two aphorisms with you:
1. nobody can take away my happiness. I give nobody the power or no situation to take away my happiness.
2. Only the best will happen to me.
Have this two aphorisms. You don't have to keep on repeating it. You know you love yourself . But you don't say, I love myself, I love myself. You will land up in mental hospital. You know you are in Miami right? You don't go on repeating, "I am in Miami. I am in Miami."
Some people ask you to do this. Go on repeating aphorisms. When you keep doing it suddenly you get a doubt am I really in Miami? May be I am not.
So Aphorisms are to be locked and preserved your heart and not chanted aloud.
You have a question. You have an answer. In this state of happiness. In this presence of something bigger than life you know what happens questions get answered, some others then into wonder. The nature is created in such diversity only to create that wow... Awe.
As kids we have lived that state. I am living now also. Wow. See. Many of us. Questions turn into wonder. It's unanswered questions that ferments and becomes violence. If you see people who are unhappy they have a big question in their mind. Why this to me? Nobody asks why this so much happiness. Why this misery? Isn't that so?
Unanswered questions ferment and becomes violence. And all questions cannot be answered but they can be transformed as I said in the presence of wisdom, in the presence of happiness, people who are exuberating happiness. All of us here can become light house of happiness. In tour presence people start smiling, start dropping their frustrations, doubts and uncertainties , have hope.
You can act without really acting. Your very presence can create such an atmosphere. We convey more through our presence than through our words.
Someone can stand and talk for two hours about love and you may not feel anything. A puppy at home and a baby may convey that in no time.
So more that our words our presence convey a lot. How to cleanse our presence? How to cleanse our vibrations? How to make our vibrations more positive?
When we are upset or angry we carry that somewhere in our sub conscious mind. In the mind we keep thinking about all the failures we have undergone. All that has not worked for us. We don't think about that which had worked for us. We keep thinking about those which hasn't worked for us.
10 compliments are given to you and one insult. What would you hold on to? One insult as though it's a big treasure. Hug it your heart and people swear, I will never forget it. What foolishness? You not forgetting am unpleasant event, you are harming yourself. This awareness we need to create. Let go of negative. If there are 10 negative and only one positive, hold on to that positive. And let go of others. This as a child we have done it. The tears are still on the cheek of the baby and start smiling. They live in present moment. Somewhere in the so called system of education we have missed out on it.
I find this among people who are supposed to have less IQ. I really honour them. They have something very precious. They nurture this. They don't brood over the past and hold things against each other. In today's world we need to bring this awareness.
All part of the world is one world family. Our religion may be different, race maybe different, nationality different. Doesn't matter. We are one bouquet.
Happiness cannot happen in isolation. There are two things when you store, that grows. When you spread, it doesn't diminish.
Three things..... love ,happiness ,wisdom /knowledge. The more you share knowledge it stays with you. The more you share happiness it grows within you. The more you express love the more it catches all around. It becomes more stronger within you. And these three things tend to be fragile. And that which makes it stronger is Spirituality. Meditation follows.
All the best. God bless you!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Do not engage yourself in the cultivation of or the promotion of wants and desires. That is a never ending process of sowing and reaping; you will never reach contentment and one desire when satisfied, will fan the thirst for ten more. Do not run after devious desires or crooked satisfactions. All roads leading to the realm of the senses are tortuous and blind, only the road that leads to the path of the Lord is straight. Cultivate righteousness in every action, that will reveal the Divine Self. Straightforwardness will enable you to overcome the three gunas (qualities). No single Guna should dominate; all must be tamed to fill the lake of bliss. It is your internal bliss that matters, not the external, the sensory, the objective and the worldly. If the inner poise or inner equilibrium is undisturbed by external ups and downs, that is a sure sign of spiritual success. (Divine Discourse, 12 April 1959) |
-BABA |
When the mind is happy, it expands and time seems too short. When the mind is unhappy, it contracts and time seems too long. When the mind is in equanimity, it transcends time.
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
6 Ways to Make Your Relationships Stronger
03/21/2017 Bangalore, India
The Key To Making Relationships Work
If you know how to row a boat, you can row any boat. But if you don’t know how to row, changing boats isn’t going to help. Similarly, changing a relationship does not necessarily solve the issue. Sooner or later, you will be in the same situation in any other relationship, because in all relationships, what is most important is your understanding of your own emotions, your own mind, your own ability to be stable, and your own ability to see things from a broader perspective. And for this, wisdom is important, because it is wisdom that gives you strength, stability and a broader perspective in life.
Most of the time, we look elsewhere for a perfect relationship; very few look within themselves, at the place from where they relate. To have a perfect relationship, you first need to see how you related with yourself. You need to look inside.
6 Best Practices for Building Healthy Relationships
#1 Let Go of Control.
Many have a problem of letting go of control. This results in anxiety and restlessness, and it sours relationships.
Wake up and see, are you really in control? What are you in control of? Perhaps a tiny part of your waking state!
· You are not in control when you are sleeping or dreaming.
· You are not in control of thoughts and emotions coming to you.
Similarly, do you think you are in control of all the events in your life or in the world? When you look at things from this angle you need not be afraid of losing control because you have none!
#2 Have a Sense of Reverence.
Whatever you revere becomes bigger than you. When you have reverence in your relationships, then your own consciousness expands. Then even small things appear to be significant and big. Every little creature appears to be dignified. It is the reverence in every relationship that saves the relationship.
Often you do not have reverence for that which you own, and losing that reverence happens unconsciously. Reverence in ownership frees you from greed, jealousy and lust. Cultivate the skill of having reverence every moment in your life.
#3 Have Common Goals.
When two lines move parallel with each other, they can go on together forever. But when the two lines are focused on each other, then they cross and go away from each other. The same is true with relationships. When both partners have a common goal in life, that makes their relationship last longer and brings more harmony. But when they are focused on each other, then they pick on each other; they love and hate, and all the fights happen.
#4 Annihilate Conflict.
When you are in a harmonious environment, your mind picks up any excuse to be in conflict. Often small things are enough to create a big turmoil. Have you noticed this?
When your survival is at stake, you don't complain that nobody loves you. But when you are safe and secure, you start demanding attention. Many people create conflict in order to get attention. So ask yourself this question: Do you seek harmony in every situation, or do you seek to widen the differences and prove your righteousness?
#5 Know That You Have More Love Than You Deserve.
You should always feel that you are not worthy of the love that you receive. Think that the love you receive is much more than what you deserve. If you come from this space of humility, then you will behave with magnanimity and dignity in all your dealings. You won’t chew on the past, you will live in the present moment, you will honor the other’s opinions, you will understand the other’s predicaments; that magnanimity will come from within.
If you keep this in mind, that I don’t deserve this love, you will not demand love. And when you don’t demand love in your life, it keeps on increasing.
#6 Leave Some Room for The Other to Give.
Relationship means adjustment, it is giving. But at the same time, leave some room for the other partner to give. This needs a little skill - to make the other also contribute without demanding. If you demand, the relationship is not going to last long. Demand and blame destroy love.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
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Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, March 24, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Practice—that is the real thing that matters in spirituality! Scholarship is a burden, it is very often a handicap. So long as God is believed to be far away in temples and holy places, you will feel religion to be a burden and a hurdle. But plant him in your heart and you will feel light, burdenless and in fact, stronger! It is like the food basket – when you carry it on the shoulder, it feels heavy and you feel you are too weak to even carry it during a walk. But sit near a stream and eat it. Though the total weight has not decreased, the consequence of eating the food makes you feel lighter and in fact stronger! Similarly, apply this to the idea of God. Do not carry it on your shoulder, take ‘Him’ in! Let Him blossom within you! Keep the memory of the Lord and His Glory always with you! (Divine Discourse, Feb 18, 1964) |
-BABA |
There is a place you can come where everything is beautiful. Tourists go from place to place looking for beauty. They try to take beauty from that place. They only get tired and tanned. Yet the most beautiful spot anywhere is right here. When you come here, you find that wherever you are, everything is so beautiful. Where is this place? Don't look here and there. Where do you go? Within you. When you come here, then any place is beautiful. Then wherever you go, you add beauty there. If you are unhappy, even the moon is irritating to you. Sweet things are nauseating, music is disturbing. When you are calm and centered inside, noise is musical, clouds are magical, rain is liquid sunshine. Book yourself on a trip to this most beautiful place in the universe. Then you find that every day is a vacation and a celebration.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How To Deal With Problems In Relationships
01/15/2017 Bangalore, India
Q: Why do we lose our freedom and lightness as soon as a relationship goes deeper?
You don’t need to. A relationship should come from a space of contributing, not demanding, then it will be nurturing. In every relationship, if we think, “What can I take from this person, or get from this person” then it’s going to be very disturbing. But when you come from the attitude that, “I am going to be a part of this person, give whatever I can, and contribute whatever I can, to this person’s life”, then it lasts longer.
Q: I am not sure if I am with the right partner. What do I do?
See, if your relationship is based on personal need, it may not last long. Once the need is fulfilled, on a physical level or on an emotional level, the mind will look for something else and go somewhere else. If your relationship is from the level of sharing, then it can last longer.
When you are looking for security, love and comfort from your partner, you become weak. All the negative emotions come up and you become demanding, and demand destroys love. If we just know this one thing, we could save our love from getting rotten.
Q: Is there true love in this world? Most of the times love seems to be out of convenience.
Do you love others unconditionally? Ask yourself this! Do not judge other people’s love for you. Suppose you find that someone’s love for you is conditional, don’t ask them, “Do you really love me? How much do you love me? Will you continue to love me all your life?”
Take it for granted that the other person loves you. If you find that their love is a little less, ask them, “Why do you love me so much?” instead of saying "You don’t love me".
Q: How do you bring peace to a relationship with a lot of conflict and arguments?
There are two ways to handle it:
· Move away from that place at that time - because when everybody is angry and things are heating up, everyone goes deaf. Angry people do not listen to anyone. The best thing is move away a little bit and wait for things to cool down.
· Be there, with patience - First agree with the person, say, "Yes, I agree with you". Suppose your partner is arguing with you, don’t say, "No, you are wrong". Instead say, "Yes, you are right, I agree with you". The moment you agree, the temperature comes down. As the temperature comes down, say, "But…". This is the secret. Sometimes people come to me with big ideas. I tell them, "Your idea is brilliant, very good, but it is impractical". Use your skill to calm the situation, and then get across what you want to the other person.
Q: How do we deal with the anger I have towards my spouse, especially when we both are at completely different frequencies?
First realize you are magnanimous. If you believe in your magnanimity and your inner beauty, it will become easier for you to handle all such situations. When you don’t look within, when you are simply focusing on the behavior of others, it will definitely rattle your mind. Then you try to correct the other person and you will be unsuccessful.
People who irritate you, in some way or the other can bring about the best in you. They can bring out the talents and skills in you. See, when everyone around you is wonderful you don’t need any skill to handle a situation. It will only happen when there are people whom you think are unreasonable. So take it as an exercise as much as possible. I know it is not an easy job, but at least you save your mind.
Q: When love turns into bitterness, what to do?
Just wait, don’t react, the bitterness will turn back into love again. You often see that the people for whom you have done so much turn bitter, and you cannot handle it. This is because you expect everyone to be in an enlightened state, and that is not possible. Everyone is not just going to be as accepting as you are, or be in an unconditionally giving and loving space. That is not possible. You will have to face reactions, and you should face it, that is it.
Q: Should we protect our relationships at the cost of our self-respect?
Self-respect is one thing and egoism is another. Self-respect is something that nobody can snatch from you. If you have self-respect then you will keep smiling even if a million people verbally abuse you. Accept criticism! It is the other person’s choice to say what they want to say.
Somebody once told me something, and I told them that they have all the right to project their ignorance. Why should we spoil our mind over another's ignorance? Save it at any cost.
Q: How to keep on loving without expecting. How is it possible? In love expectations arise, and if not fulfilled, it hurts.
Yes, you will have to go through these gymnastics. If you have wisdom, you don’t have to go through the pain to learn. When there is lack of wisdom, you go through pain, but you will come out of it in sometime, don’t worry.
This is why it is important for one to have a larger context to life. When you have a larger context, all these trivial things don’t really bother you. They are all like waves on the surface of the ocean, they rise and fall. So, have a bigger context to life; that is the knowledge of the self.
When you go deeper into the self, you realize that nothing can shake you because you are much bigger than your emotions, your situations and the people around you. Their praise and their blame don’t matter because you are much bigger than all this!
Self knowledge uplifts you. With self knowledge you do not drown in the ocean of emotions and hurt.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, March 27, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The contact of the senses with object arouses desire and attachment; this leads to effort and consequently, either elation or despair! Then, there is the fear of loss or grief at failure and the train of reactions elongates. The ‘see-er’ must not attach oneself to the ‘seen’; that is the secret to live happily. With many doors and windows kept open to all the winds that blow, how can the flame of the lamp within survive? The lamp is your mind, which must burn steadily unaffected by the demands of the world outside. Complete surrender to the Lord (Saranagathi) is one way of closing the windows and doors. For, when you surrender completely to the Lord, you are bereft of ‘ego’ and so, you are not buffeted by joy or grief. Saranagathi, will enable you to draw upon the Lord’s Grace for meeting all the crises that arise in your life and renders you heroic, steadfast and better prepared to face life’s challenges. (Divine Discourse, Jan 13, 1965) |
-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
Getting Over A Broken Heart
01/25/2017 Bangalore, India
The Strength to Move On
Relationships cause you so many problems and you get so heartbroken. When a relationship breaks down, you get so devastated as though you cannot exist anymore. At that time, it is wisdom that can give you the strength to move on.
The other day when I was in California and 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, or a cheater. If you call him a cheater, you are going to get more upset. And you never know, the other can say, "Well, you are so dumb to get cheated. Why don’t you look inside?"
Don't Lose Your Smile
So, you cannot correct the other person, but you can definitely correct yourself. 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 have spoiled your mind.
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 okay afterwards as well.
You may have lost out on your relationship, but don’t lose your smile! If you keep the smile, then someone else will come into your life. Otherwise, who will come and make friends with a depressed person? If you are depressed, then you won’t find another boyfriend or girlfriend! Nobody will get charmed by a person who has a long face. When you are looking for a companion, enthusiasm and smiles are exactly what you need.
Gurudev Sri Sri explains how to get over the pain that relationships bring with it. Watch now!
https://www.artofliving.org/wisdom/theme/getting-over-a-broken-heart
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
An old year is gone by and a new year has come, and people joyfully celebrate the arrival of the new year. Do you know how many centuries have elapsed since the history of mankind? There is no use turning back and watching the road traversed – your duty is to watch the road ahead and march steadily towards your goal. It is lack of faith that causes you to lose temper and fly into fits of anger; it is lack of faith in yourself and in others. If you see yourself as truly the undefeatable Divine Self and everyone around you as your reflections, just as the scriptures declare them to be, you will never be provoked to get angry. What you must resolve today in the auspicious New Year is to march steadily on the spiritual path to manifest your Divinity. Resolve to do this one thing – Practice first, and then preach! (Divine Discourse, May 23, 1965) |
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How To Deal With Politics At Work Place?
You should never shy from politics. If you are on planet earth, living with people in cities, in villages, there are people and there is politics. Wherever there are people, there is politics. From village to Vatican, you will see there is politics everywhere.
So what! let it be! The moment you say politics, that means you have a resistance to it. Whatever the situation, the more you resist, the situation will persist. But people are people and they may think even you are playing politics. Your opinions change, your ideas change, your behaviors change, doesn’t it change? Are you pleasant all the time with everybody? No. So, you are not pleasant with everybody, people may think you are playing the politics too.
So, first of all, stop labelling a situation as there is politics because that labelling that you put around a situation starts creating an aversion within you and you would want to run away.
So whenever we think people are playing politics, you consciously come up with a resistance from within and the resistance colors your perception, your vision and then you get entangled in more and more unpleasant situations.
So I would suggest you just accept it. There is a beautiful verse in Kannada by a saint.
If you make a house on an ocean front, and you complain about waves, what can I tell you! If you have made a house right in the middle of the city and you say, there is too much noise, what can I tell you! You are averse to wind and you have built the house at the top of a hill, what can I tell you! You are scared of animals and you have a home right in the middle of the forest, what can I tell you! Similarly, being in the world, if you are complaining about criticism, What can i tell you!
What do you mean by politics? It is all about people’s likes and dislikes. If they dislike you, they talk about that to other people. Don’t you do this? You dislike somebody, don’t you talk about that to others? May not be as much as others, but somewhere you make your comment, your mouth does not keep shut. You air your opinion about other people all the time, all around you. What are you doing? Is it not politics? Come on don’t shy away from politics. Got it?
That is how people are. That is how things are. You be an inspiration wherever you go, you be joyful and a source of enthusiasm, source of creativity, wherever you go. You uplift the spirit in any place you are in, and you can do that. And be unmindful of anyone’s comment. You know the comments are like bubbles on the surface of water. People make a comment today and tomorrow they make a completely opposite comment. Isn’t it? Today they criticize you, tomorrow they praise you. These are normal things in society, in life. If you are so shy about these and keep running away from situations, I tell you those situations will chase you wherever you go. You will have to face it. I would tell you, face it with a big smile. Got it?
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
To reform one’s tendencies and character is indeed an uphill task. One may have studied all the text-books of spiritual practice, also read all the scriptures, and may even have lectured for hours on them; but one slips into error when confronted by temptation. Like the land that is parched, the heart may appear to be free from any crop of evil, but when the first showers fall, the seeds and roots underneath the soil change the parched land into a carpet of green. You may have the best of vegetables, you may have the most capable chef in the world, but if the copper vessel in which you prepare the soup is not tinned, the dish you cook will be highly poisonous. Similarly, you must ‘tin’ your heart with truth, right conduct, peace and divine love. Only then will it become a vessel fit to repeat holy names, practice meditation, observe religious vows, do ritualistic worship, and so on. (Divine Discourse, 13 Jan 1965) |
-BABA |
Virtues have to be practiced till they become your nature. Friendliness, 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.
Sri Sri ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
A New Year Message
(Telugu New Year 28 March 2017)
Bangalore, India
A Resolution to Take This New Year
Happy Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba!
This New Year, take a resolution to forgive all those you are/were upset with or angry at in the past year, and start a new chapter with enthusiasm and naturalness.
Time is like the wind, which nobody can stop. Time is like the Sun, around which the Earth revolves. Time is like our mind – ancient yet very fresh and very new.
The celebration of the New Year is to honor time. Honoring time means honoring the mind, and honoring the mind means honoring yourself. And the way to honor yourself is to know that you are neither the culprit nor the victim.
Take a resolution to forgive all those you are/were upset with in the past year, and start a new chapter.
What stops you from honoring yourself? One of the reasons is when you think you are a culprit and you have done something wrong. If you are a sinner, you can never be at peace with yourself. Only when you get out of the culprit consciousness, there is peace and a spiritual light within you. You should know that you are the light, and you are a spark of Universal Love.
Every individual wants to experience Universal Love, and that can only happen when we are out of the culprit consciousness.
The other side of the coin is victim consciousness, which is just as debilitating. If you feel you are a victim, you can never express the truth of life. The purpose of being here is to express all facets of life; that is, love, joy, and wisdom. And to be able to fully express this is true celebration. But if you feel that you are a victim of situations, of time, and of other people, you can never do that.
How to get over victim consciousness? Know that all the unpleasant experiences you have been through have given you depth and thank them. And the pleasant experiences have given you an opportunity to serve more, and thank them too.
Life is a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant. We must thank the unpleasant days because nothing gets us more centered than unpleasant situations. Unpleasant things take you out of the external and puts you within yourself, which gives you depth and adds to your personality.
So, drop all the complaints and thank all those bitter days because they have given you strength. And also, thank the pleasant days that made you realize your true potential and helped you express the joy that you are! By thanking the pleasant and the unpleasant, we get over victim consciousness.
Let’s welcome the coming New Year with a resolution to do something excellent and to be of use to others. Let’s resolve to be happy and spread happiness.
Taking these few pearls of wisdom and treasuring it is essential to make life a celebration. These are the decorations for celebrating life.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
In the past, Divine incarnations rid the world of evil by destroying the few fanatics and ogres who wrought it. But in the present times, fanaticism and felony reigns in every heart. The evil people are legion, no one is free from that taint, and all are wicked to some extent or the other. Therefore, everyone needs correction. Everyone must be educated and guided in the right path. Every being is a pilgrim destined to return to God and merge in Him. But most people have forgotten the path, they wander like lost children, wasting precious time in the by-lanes of the world. Human beings are the best amongst creation who can feel, think and experience their own journey across time! Armed with the sword of discrimination (Viveka) and the shield of renunciation (Vairagya), you must use this precious opportunity to transform yourself to become Divine - that is your destiny, the plan and purpose of your being. (Divine Discourse, Jan 25, 1963) |
-BABA |
It is more important to be aware that you are born as a human in this birth. You are also here and I am also here. You do whatever is possible and see that you complete your journey in this birth itself.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS WITH SRI SRI
Q: Wisdom?
Essential in life
Q: Relationships?
Difficult to keep it harmonious. But you should try nevertheless
Q: Magic?
Always there in life, especially in The Art of Living
Q: SMS?
Keep it short and smart
Q: Sanskrit?
Mother of all languages.
Q: Environment?
Needs protection.
Q: Money?
Only a means, not an end in itself.
Q: Prayers?
When it is sincere, will be answered.
Q: Bhanu Didi(Gurudev’s Sister)?
Favourite to everybody
Q: Your Secretaries?
Very hardworking. It is a big challenge.
Q: Satisfaction?
Satisfaction comes from service.
Q: Blessings?
You have in abundance.
Q: Bangalore Ashram?
Heaven on Earth.
Q: Technology?
Meant to bring comfort.
Q: Ayurveda?
Medicine of the next century, and medicine of the past.
Q: Toys?
Remember you are one in the hands of the Divine.
From being a toy of your emotions, moves on to being a toy of the Divine
Q: Patriotism?
We need to kindle this now. It is high time. India needs it.
Q: Yoga?
That makes you intelligent, and the intelligent one goes for it.
Q: Ego?
If you find it, keep it. Don’t try to get rid of it
Q: Love?
Your very nature.
Q: Shiva?
All that is, that will be, and that was.
Q: Shopping?
Don’t bring it in the spiritual field, at least.
Q; Humility?
Behavior of the matured person.
Q: Consciousness?
Beauty, Truth and Knowledge.
Q: Art of Living?
The way, the goal.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, March 31, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Once, a person in great distress clamoured for a reservation at the booking office of a railway station, but the clerk there was helpless for the person did not know where he wanted to go. He was anxious only to get away, he had had enough of that place. How can anyone help him? All, sooner or later, behave like this. Life is no unmixed good. No one is happy by being immersed in worldly life. Every individual is tossed about by the waves of joy and grief; buffeted by fortune, good or bad; a target of brickbats and bouquets. The evil around affects one’s peace and anxiety, and robs one of sleep and quiet. One therefore tries to escape from all this, but one is not sure to where! The spiritual teacher (Guru) can guide you where to go, which place to seek; but, even a Guru cannot make you reach it. You have to trudge along the road yourself. (Divine Discourse, 14 Jan 1965) |
-BABA |
Observe what happens when you have a financial loss, or a big sense of loss. Something happens in your stomach. You feel, ‘I earned something with so much effort, and it is gone!’ Sometimes, it is not in your control. The stock market comes crashing down, real estate prices go down, and you lose. At such times, when you have this contraction within you, all you need to do is wake up and see, life is temporary and life is changing. One day we are going to lose this body also. This reminder that one day we are going to lose the whole world and the body wakes you up from within. Then you see life as much larger than gains and losses.
Losses pinch you when life is smaller than your gain or loss. When you lose a tennis game that you are playing for fun in the evening, it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t touch you. If you miss a plane, a train or a bus, it doesn’t bother you so much, why? Because you know you are bigger than the loss. So, when you have confidence in yourself that you can make up for the finances you have lost, then nothing can put you down.
Small things prick you because you have a sense of loss, you feel you have lost something. But if you believe in yourself, if you believe in your ability, if you believe there is a higher power guiding you, I tell you, there is nothing that can shake you! No loss, no defame, nothing, because you are self-reliant!
For a person who is self-reliant, losses appear very small. If you are self-reliant or have faith in the higher self (whatever you call it) when you are centered, you can always take the loss knowing that it is just a passing phase. Don’t do business emotionally; business must be done intellectually. Often people mix up these two things.
A loss should be dealt in context of one’s confidence and one’s expanded awareness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Straight Talk With Gurudev - A Transcript
03/29/2017 Los Angeles, United States
Q: Do you have any message for the Vedic new year?
Know that you are ever new. We have such great talents. One can never underestimate the skills of people even if they are in rural areas or are uneducated. Human skills and talents are many folds!
In Hindi, there is a saying, “You never know what germ is hiding in which place”. Like that - skills need to be encouraged and youth today are participating in a big way in skilled development.
Survival should not be the only reason for one’s existence. Everything one does, is only to survive. We must take some risks, develop skills, progress and celebrate life.
Q: Can virtual events like this take the place of ‘Guru Sanidhya’, considered vital for mutual progress?
Yes, presence is always felt in the mind. In thought, you can feel the presence. Absolutely.
Q: Gurudev, how can we become like you?
Just stay connected. Connected with yourself and with the universe in spirit, and with me of course.
Q: Gurudev, why do some pattern keep repeating even for those who are meditating and listening to knowledge for many years?
If some patterns are repeating, you need more meditation and knowledge. Time always takes care of such situations. As time passes, you will find the intensity of those patterns wane away. And your determination to come out of those patterns will also help.
Never underestimate the power of your thought, the power of your determination. You don’t have to feel helpless – what do I do, my patterns are eating me up? Step by Step you can come out of your patterns.
Q: Why are the rivers revered so much in India?
Well, in all ancient cultures around the world rivers, mountains and trees were all revered. There were considered sacred.
Not just rivers, even trees are very holy. Like Peepal tree (or banyan tree) which gives oxygen all the time, is considered very holy. Though it doesn’t give any fruit or vegetable for consumption, it is considered very holy. People in the ancient days knew it gives us more oxygen. It helps to clean up the environment. So, rivers, trees, mountains are considered very sacred.
In the ancient tradition, before one put their foot on the ground, they would honor the Earth and then move on. It’s a very good culture. People were very environmentally sensitive in those days. I think we should continue this tradition.
Q: Why there are so many spiritual people socially not active and how does this secluded spirituality help the world?
Well, it is their choice. But don’t think secluded spirituality is not helping the world. They will be working on a vibrational level. They are at-least creating some positive vibrations, good intentions that would at some time fructify.
Q: Do you believe politics in India is becoming more holistic and spiritual? Do you foresee a new political revolution?
Revolution or change is a constant thing that happens. In India, of course, it is coming up in a very big way. People are more proactive and they are coming up with great enthusiasm. They have hope in the current change.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, April 3, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
There are three types of devotion: The Vihanga method, where like a bird swooping down upon the ripe fruit on the tree, the devotee is too impatient and by the very impatience one exhibits, loses the fruit, which falls from one’s hold. The Markata method is akin to a monkey which grabs one fruit and then chooses another and tugs at that, giving way to unsteadiness as it is unable to decide which fruit it wants. So too, the devotee of this type hesitates and changes the goal much too often and thus loses all chances of success. The third and ideal type is the Pipilika method, where like the ant, which slowly but steadily proceeds towards the sweetness, the devotee also moves directly, with undivided attention towards the Lord and wins His Grace. (Divine Discourse, Feb 1955) |
-BABA |
|
When the water flows within banks, it's called a river. When water is scattered all over, it's a flood. So when the emotions get flooded everywhere, the mind is in a mess. If it is intensely flowing in a direction, then that is Bhakti (devotion). And that is most powerful.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
A Talk from the Heart - at Tokyo on 1 April 2017
04/01/2017 Tokyo, Japan
Who Are You and What Do You Want?
It is so nice to be here in Japan - The land of the Rising Sun!
The dire need of today is to awaken the society and the world to the reality of who we are, and what do we want! If you ask anybody, why do they do what they do? And if you ponder on this question, the answer is happiness. Everybody is looking for happiness. Spiritual people are looking for happiness in liberation. Religious people are looking for happiness in scriptures. Socialists are looking for happiness as absolute comfort in technology. Commerce and industry are looking for happiness by making more profits. Politicians are looking for happiness in creating a happy society, and by making the country stronger. So, who does not want happiness? Everybody wants it! But, are we finding that happiness?
If you are not happy, why is it so?
The answer is we have too much to do and too little time and little energy. As a result of this, we are getting stressed, and we are not reaching where we want to reach.
There are certain questions which we need to ask ourselves as human beings!
From an age of three, we started asking questions about life – where did we come from, what is this and what is that… these questions indicate that our intellect is maturing. These questions are pure and inquisitive questions. But later on in life, we don’t ask these questions, instead, we ask questions which indicate misery and sorrow. We ask questions that have no answers – ‘Why am I having this problem, why am I not happy? ’
And we don’t ask these questions to others, we ask ourselves! Unanswered questions ferment in the mind and become violence.
From low energy to high energy.
Are you all here? Are you listening? (Audience respond saying, 'Yes, we are here')
See what is happening, when your presence of mind is complete, then questions transform into wonder.
When the energy (prana) in us is high, we ask questions that lead us to the truth. When energy is low, we ask questions which only bring us more misery.
So, what is that one thing that can shift the energy (from low to high) and make us more positive? What can bring that sense of happiness that we all had when we were children? It is meditation.
Meditation is that which shifts our energy from negative to positive; from a state of despair to a state of hope and joy, and from a state of worry to a state of vision for a better life!
Tap into the enormous strength within you.
Take an oath today – come what may, I am going to be happy! I am not going to lose my smile no matter what happens. If you do this, you will see that your life starts taking the direction which you always wanted!
You may have several failures, you may come across several stumbling blocks, you may not be able to be happy every day and all the time, but this very commitment that – I am not going to lose my peace for anything in the world – will bring such enormous strength from within you, that it will start changing the situations around you.
One very important thing we need is the faith that only the right thing will happen!
Today, can we all make this commitment (to be happy)? Can we instill the faith within ourselves that only the right thing will happen to me? Once you start on this journey, I tell you, things will fall in place.
Stop counting your failures.
We keep doubting ourselves and we keep remembering all the failures that we have had. When we do this, we are sowing seeds of doubt and failure into the consciousness. Right away, stop counting your failures. In fact, don't even look at any setbacks as failures because they are all stepping stones towards progress.
Do away with negativity!
Today, scientists say – if you are talking negatively, or listening to negativity, or indulging in any negative conversation, the hypothalamus, which is located at the back of your head starts shrinking. And if the hypothalamus starts shrinking, then the body gets susceptible to many illnesses. So, it is very important to get away from the cycle of negative thinking, negative conversations, and dwelling or taking pride in any kind of negativity.
Now, you may think, how is this possible? How can I completely do away with negativity? The mind catches on to negativity and goes on and on about it, how do we get out of this cycle?
That is where the breathing technique makes a big difference. Meditation and breathing techniques help us to get out of the vicious circle of negativity so that we can move towards a more positive state of mind.
Life is much beyond your achievements!
Japan is such a huge country with such beautiful people. And to see so many people here in depression, pains me, and I want to do something! If we all work together, we can help the people who are feeling depressed. We can uplift their energy and make them realize that life is more precious than its achievements.
We have restaurants and gyms everywhere, so when we want to eat or exercise, we can go there. Similarly, I feel that we need happiness centers everywhere in the city, where people can go to get rid of all their heaviness. They can go, sit there for some time and get rid of all the misery and sadness, and come out feeling joyful and happy. We need such places, and I am sure that in the future we will be able to create such happiness centers all over the world.
Uncertainty is as important as certainty.
Life is a combination of certainty and uncertainty. In big cities, certainty is an important factor. We are so certain about everything! When certainty is the main thing in life, and there is no uncertainty, then life becomes dull and boring, because everything is available. Just like the trains in Japan; you know exactly what time the train is coming, there is no unpredictability about it.
When everything is fixed, then life is dull and mechanical. But when there is some factor of uncertainty in life, then you feel wow. That wow factor, that surprise and wonder brings more juice to life.
So, life should be a perfect combination of uncertainty and certainty.
You are all sitting here, and you are certain that your car is there where you parked it. Suppose you are in Afghanistan, and you are not certain if your car will be there or not when you go back, you can’t sit and listen to what I am saying. We need certainty in life. Certain things need to happen the way they should happen. But we also need some surprises. At the same time, uncertainty alone (without certainty) brings fear, anxiety and tension.
Those who are strong, uncertainty does not shake them too much. But for many others, uncertainty shakes them inside. It is meditation that turns the fear into wonder and an opportunity in uncertain situations.
Uncertainty is the junction from where you either turn towards fear, paranoia and anxiety, or you turn towards wonder, opportunity and thrill.
Let us together create more hope in society, wherever there is uncertainty!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Dharma (Righteousness) is the code of conduct that will promote the ideals of each stage of a person: student, householder, earner, master, servant, spiritual aspirant, ascetic (sanyasi), etc. When the code is distorted and mankind undermines its earthly career, forgetting the high purpose for which one has come, the Lord incarnates and leads people along the correct path. Lord Rama was one such incarnation. He truly is the Embodiment of Virtue (Dharma-swarupam) shrouded in an illusory human form; He stuck to dharma in daily practice, even from His infancy. He is the personification of dharma. There is no trace of vice (a-dharma) in Him. His Divine Nature is revealed in His calm temperament and feeling of love and affection. Meditate on Him and you are filled with love for all beings; dwell on His story and you find all the agitations of your minds quietening in perfect calm. (Divine Discourse, Apr 1, 1963) |
-BABA |
Any action of yours that goes against Dharma will prick you inside. It will keep troubling you from within and you will feel, ‘Oh, I think I have done something really wrong’. Your conscience will tell you this. But when you act in accordance with Dharma, then you feel relaxed and at peace.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI Sri said
Inner Peace - A Transcript of What Sri Sri Said at Okinawa on 3 April 2017
04/03/2017 Okinawa, Japan
It is so nice being with you all here in Okinawa. Many of you have been coming to India, and always been asking me to come here. I am glad that I could fulfill the promise this time.
There are many secrets to life!
What we know about life is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many secrets to life and life has many dimensions. When you touch the higher dimensions you will find an underlying unity in all the diversity. You will feel that everything speaks to you and communicates with you. When you move further, you will find that there is nothing other than you, everything is a part of you.
From the small mind to the big mind.
It is strange but true – communication breaks down when you are thinking small. When the mind is small, you think small and as a result, you don’t communicate properly with people around you; there is friction. What we need to remember is communication stops in the small mind. And communication also stops when you are in the big mind, because you realize you are the big mind! In a state of enlightenment, there is no ‘other’ to talk about because everything is a part of you. See, you don’t talk to your own hand or a part of your own body because it is your own body and you don’t need to communicate.
A story of when Buddha got enlightened.
There is a wonderful story about Lord Buddha. You may have heard this but anyway, I want to tell you.
When Lord Buddha got enlightened, he was silent for seven days; he didn’t say a word. All the Gods and the angels got worried that he is not saying anything. They said that he has to say something, because what he says will benefit people for ages to come.
Lord Buddha came 2,500 years after Lord Krishna, and if he doesn’t say anything, what will happen? One of the Gods, Lord Brahma went to Buddha and said, “Please say something.”
Lord Buddha then said, “Those who know it, you don’t need to tell them. For those who do not know, there is no point in telling them because they are ignorant people, they have not seen. Any amount of telling them will not be of any use. They are in the small mind.”
Then the angels told Buddha that there are some who are in the middle; they know a little bit and yet, they don’t know a lot. When they hear you, they can move towards the higher truth. Thus, they convinced Lord Buddha, and then he started speaking. He travelled all over India and spoke for 32 years. In those days, there were no airplanes, otherwise he would have come to Japan also. His only intention was to bring compassion and inner peace to the people of the world.
The formula to enlightenment.
Each one of us has a ‘Buddha’ inside of us. Enlightenment is getting in touch with that. If you ask me, “Is it possible? Isn’t it too difficult?” The answer is – yes, it is possible and no, it is not too.
The formula is:
1. Having clarity in mind, purity in heart, and sincerity in action
2. Keeping a smile and doing meditation
3. Seeing the big picture in life
We have been on this planet many times; life is much bigger than just a few incidents. We should not let our mind get stuck in events, incidences and people. We have to sail through them all, and then our smile will be stronger. Otherwise, you get one phone call, and all your joy goes away. You cannot afford to be like that.
Though wisdom may be ancient, it is yet fresh and new.
I am here to bring the ancient modern wisdom to you. Wisdom is both, ancient and modern, like the sun and the sea. The sun is very ancient, but every sunset is new. The trees are old, but the flowers are new; every season is new, but the trees are very old. Life is a combination of the ancient and the modern.
While our head wants something that is the latest, our heart longs for the ancient. Have you noticed how we always take pride in the latest fashion and the oldest friends. You don’t say, “Oh, this is my new friend”. You say, “This person is my old friend” because an old friend is always precious.
Just like we have access to modern things, latest cars and gadgets, we should also have access to the most ancient knowledge on the planet. And the beauty is that though the knowledge is ancient, yet it is very fresh and new. And meditation and yoga are all part of it!
When you expand your mind and shift the context for your life, you become so strong, stable, solid and yet, so soft. Then there is nothing that can shake you.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
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@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The scriptural injunctions declare, “Speak the truth” and “Practice Righteousness”. Lord Rama stuck to truth despite all temptations and never deviated from the righteous path. Rama never provoked another in order to create a convenient excuse to destroy him; on the other hand, He gave the adversary every chance to be saved. He carried the message of dharma to the monkeys and demons (vanaras and rakshasas), as well as to sages like Jabali. He accepted the homage of Vibhishana without demur, and He announced that He was prepared to accept even Ravana, if only he would repent his iniquity. Repetition of Lord Rama’s pure name will save you only if you are devoted to your parents, like Lord Rama. If not, repetition of Rama’s name is merely a movement of the lips. Meditate on Rama’s form and true nature when you chant or write His name. This practice will make you spiritually healthy and strong. (Divine Discourse, Apr 1, 1963) |
-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.
That is why if all of us together take the pledge that neither will we take bribes nor accept bribes. All those sitting here, who accept bribes; I request them to give it up for just one year. And for my sake, don’t accept it for one year. Make this sacrifice for the nation. We will see after that. If all those who take bribe, take this pledge that I won’t accept it for one year, and those who give bribes pledge that they will never give again, the work will be done. This is necessary!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
A Message this Ram Navami
Mon, 03/04/2017 Bangalore, India
Ram Navami is celebrated throughout India. It is a very sacred day. It is the birthday of Lord Rama who lived on this planet in 7560 BC, which is around 9,000 years ago! Till today, Lord Rama is connected with most of the Asian continents. The entire belt of Indonesia, Malaysia and Cambodia are all connected with Lord Rama and the Ramayana.
The Ramayana is a very ancient epic whose impact is very strong even today. Lord Rama is known for his truthfulness and is considered to be perfect in all human behavior. He was an ideal human emperor. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You take away everything from me, I can live. But if you take away Rama, I cannot exist.”
A Day to Celebrate Your Inner Light
Ra means radiance, Ma means me, mine or myself. Rama means the light in my heart. The light of the soul is what Lord Rama truly signifies, and this day of ‘Ram Navami’ celebrates this Divine inner light which is within each one of us.
Lord Rama was born to King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya. Kaushalya means skill, and Dashrath means one who has ten chariots. Our body has ten organs – Panch Jnanendriya (referring to the five senses) and Panch karmendriya (referring to the five senses associated with action, that is the two hands, two legs, the genitals, the excretory organ and the mouth).
Ayodhya (Lord Rama’s place of birth) is one which should not be destroyed.
The essence of the story is this: Our body is Ayodhya, the king of our body is the five sense organs and the five organs of action. The queen of the body is skill (Kaushalya). All our senses are outwards, with the use of skill we bring those inwards, and that is when the divine eternal light, which is Lord Rama, dawns within us.
Maharishi Patanjali said – if you recognize the light present inside of you, then you will attain wholeness and purity. This Ram Navami, light the inner light, be content and happy, spread happiness among others, and leave the grudges from the past. Show everyone the way.
Move Ahead with Contentment and Faith
Only deep knowledge can bring celebration, and you need to bring celebration to everyone. Be content and know that you are at the right place, doing the right thing, and remember that only the best will happen to you.
You must have this strong belief that everything will be taken care of. Challenges do come in life and every challenge makes you strong and makes you shine from within.
Only a diamond gets cut. When a diamond is cut, it shines more. Similarly, with gold, when it is put in fire, it shines more. The more you crush the sugarcane, the more juice comes out of it. Similarly, in our life, problems come, but know that they are very small. Life is much bigger, and this is not our only life. We have had many lives in the past and we will have many in the future; have a broad vision.
The more content you are, I tell you, miracles will be abundant in your life.
If you are not experiencing miracles, don’t worry, it will happen to you too. This is the beauty of this path; there is an abundance of everything. Be on the path and bring this fragrance to many more people.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Devotion and faith are the two oars with which you can ferry the boat across the sea of worldly life. A child told its mother when it went to bed at night, “Mother! Wake me up when I am hungry.” The mother answered, “There is no need child, your hunger will itself wake you up.” So too, when the hunger for God comes, it will itself activate you and make you seek the food you need. God has endowed you with hunger and He supplies the food; He has endowed you with illness and He provides the medicine. Your duty is to see that you get the proper hunger and the right illness, and use the appropriate food or drug! Remember, the Lord is a Mountain of Love (Prema); any number of ants carrying away particles of sweetness cannot exhaust His plenty. He is an Ocean of Mercy without a limiting shore. Devotion is the easiest way to win His grace. (Divine Discourse, Feb 1955) |
-BABA |
Life is not all a rosy picture. There are thorns. There are things that you don't like in life. And the worst is when you don't even feel any devotion.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Mind and Breath - A Deep Connection
04/04/2017 Tokyo, Japan
A transcript of What Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said at the University of Tokyo on 4 April 2017.
The breath has an effect on your brain and your mind.
There is a lot to learn if you watch your breath, and see what is happening. I would like to share about some breathing techniques with you. One of them is about our two nostrils! Have you ever wondered why we have two nostrils? We could have had one big hole! There is a reason! When you breathe through your left nostril, it affects the side of your right brain, and when you breathe through the right nostril, it affects the left side of the brain.
Scientists have recently found that when you breathe through the right nostril, the metabolism in your body is twice as much as when you breathe through the left nostril.
Did you know the first thing that we did when we came to this planet was, we took a deep breath in and then we started crying, right? And the last thing that we will do in this life is, breathe out and then make others cry. In birth, you cried and made everybody laugh, and in death, you take the last breath out and make everyone cry. If you don’t do that, you have not lived a good life!
All our life, we pay very little attention to the breath, in fact, no attention. Usually, in The Art of Living, we say, there are four sources of energy:
· Food - If you don’t believe it, fast for a couple of days and you will get to know. Also, if you eat too little or too much, you will drain your energy.
· Sleep - If you don’t believe it, don’t sleep for one night and see how you feel the next day!
· Breath - It is the most important source of energy. The breath can help us energize our whole system. If you are tired, and you try some breathing exercises, change your breathing pattern, you will feel energetic.
· A happy or pleasant state of mind.
A few minutes of meditation energizes your system. Usually, people think meditation is concentration, which is not right; meditation is the opposite of concentration. Concentration is the outcome of meditation.
Let me explain to you what we do in the Sudarshan Kriya.
If you observe carefully, there is a rhythm in nature; seasons are rhythms in nature. Similarly, there is a rhythm in our body. Have you noticed, you feel hungry at some time, sleepy at some time; there is a biorhythm. (Do you know of biometrics? Only I can unlock my phone; each one of us has unique rhythms or energy patterns, isn’t it?)
Then there is a rhythm in the breath. It is different in the morning, evening, and with different emotions, the rhythm of the breath changes. E.g. when you are happy, and you smell the fragrance of a flower, your inhalation is slow, steady, and strong, and the exhalation dissolves. But, when you are frustrated, your exhalation is stronger.
There is also a rhythm in the emotions, thought patterns. The rhythm of the breath changes with different emotions; it is different when there is fear, anger. According to the level of stress in us, there is a rhythm that changes in the system.
The Sudarshan Kriya brings harmony between all these rhythms, and then life becomes like music. It takes just three days, and three hours to learn; afterwards, it is only a ten minutes practice on a daily basis. For students, especially around exam time, it is a big boon; it also enhances your intuitive ability.
Q: Japan has one of the highest longevity in the world, so does stress reduction enhance this longevity?
Stress is not the cause of mortality, although it may affect us in many different ways. When the stress hormones increase, we become more prone to diseases. So, you may be alive, but you will be sick. Stress relief keeps you healthy. Perhaps, Japan’s longevity is because of its food habits; people eat less, they have healthy foods and frequent meals.
Q: Gurudev, through your exercise we saw the immediate effect of meditation. How do we use meditation and breathing techniques to deal with pain or to reduce the negative impact of long term effect on us?
Millions have come out of trauma and depression through breathing techniques and meditation. It is now being advocated as an alternative to anti-depressants by many medical institutions; so, it just works!
Q: How long has this connection been there in history between the breath and the mind?
Well, I am not an anthropologist, but the connection between the breath and the mind is as old as the connection between the breath and the body. It is from the very beginning.
Q: How about Japan? In the history of Japan, how long has this awareness been?
In Zen meditation, and also in the tradition of Shintoism here, the movement and chanting is all connected with the breath. When you have the long drawn chanting, you take a deep breath in and then you chant for a long time.
The connection is there in all the ancient traditions of the world. If you see the Maoris in New Zealand, they greet by exchanging the breath; they rub each other’s nose, breathe in and breathe out. This is how they connect, and create harmony between people.
Lord Buddha also said to just observe your breath, anapanasati; he said with this you can observe the sensation, and go beyond to see what your true nature is. The breath has no nationality or religion, it is needed for all mankind!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, April 7, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The Lord, it is said, punishes some and favours others. Let Me tell you, the Lord does neither. He is like the current in this electric wire. It rotates the fan and makes life comfortable; it operates the electric chair and makes a life shorter. It neither has the wish to allay the warmth nor it has eagerness to kill. God’s grace is like the wind. Roll up your sails, and the boat lies limp and lame; unfurl them, and the boat moves faster and further. A father gives his wealth to the son who respects his wishes and obeys his orders, not to the rebel son who flouts him. The Lord is the Father of all. If you are an asthika (one who accepts God’s existence and lives accordingly), then you will get the asthi (property). A person who is ignorant of their true interests, and is unaware of their own downfall, is not entrusted with their own property; a guardian has to take care of his affairs until he proves himself able to manage it with care. (Divine Discourse, Jan 25, 1963) |
-BABA |
"If you think that you are managing the whole world, you are mistaken.
There were two lizards on the roof, one said “it is nice and sunny outside, let’s go and take a walk.” The other said “If I leave, who will hold the roof?”
Billions of people have come and gone, they get this illusion that they own it all – and then they disappear.
We were born on this planet knowing the whole universe is filled with life – and that is the truth. But as we grow up, we started thinking everything is programmed and automatic.
Atheists cannot accept something is alive and dynamic – even intelligence to them seems to be mechanized and lifeless.
Spiritualists consider the whole universe to be alive and vibrant with intelligence. And that intelligence is what you are. The spirit is formless. The consciousness is formless.
That which is formless, which is ever present can be perceived in all the forms.. What we perceive as a form is also formless e.g. an ice cube is also made of water. "
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
What Spirituality Can Do For You - Osaka 2 April 2017
Sun, 02/04/2017 Osaka, Japan
Q: How do you define Spirituality? Do we have a good spirituality and a bad spirituality?
Spirituality to me, is very basic to life.
We are made of both matter and spirit. Our body is made up of carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, etc., but our consciousness or spirit is made of joy, energy, enthusiasm, peace, happiness and all these beautiful qualities. Anything that uplifts the spirit, anything that brings more happiness, love, joy, creativity, compassion and enthusiasm in life is spirituality.
Now, is there a good spirituality and a bad spirituality?
I would like to ask you a question, is there a good doctor and a bad doctor? No! But some doctors do some bad things. So, in every field, there are some people who blemish that field. Similarly, if some people have brought a bad name to spirituality, it is not because of spirituality, but it is because of their individual greed.
From thousands of years, spirituality has been the guiding force behind humanity. Spirituality brings enthusiasm and energy to life.
Spirituality should always stand the test of science. If spirituality doesn’t stand the test of science, then it is not going to appeal to the people of this generation. So, we need spirituality which goes along with science. In the Orient, unlike the Occident, science and spirituality never came into conflict. Scientists were never prosecuted in the far East. Only in the West and in the Middle East and beyond that, scientists were prosecuted.
In the East, we say, first experience and then believe. But in the West, it says first you believe then one day in the future you will get the experience, which is not the mode of science.
Q: I am interested in finding the common grounds in diversity and I am doing this by bringing diverse people together. I have come across people who are physically challenging and people who are simply not interested in it. They don’t understand the value of it. Can you please advise on how to bring more people to spirituality?
That is very good. When you are working in society, you should know that you have to deal with all types of people. It is the tough people who bring out the talent within you. It’s people who have less sense and less understanding, they demand better communication from your side. Intelligent people are easy to communication with. Less intelligent challenge your communication skills. So, a tough boss is always good.
Q: When you speak with people who have never had any exposure to spirituality, what do you speak of? Have you ever been misunderstood?
If people have misunderstood me, then I don’t know. You have to ask them. It is possible. There are many, not just one. Many would have misunderstood me.
From my childhood, I have three principles:
1. Clarity in mind
2. Purity in heart
3. Sincerity in action
I have never spoken any bad word in all these years. I can count on my fingers the number of times I have gotten angry. The only bad word which has come from me is stupid. That's all. It may be my weakness, but I could never ever say any bad word to anybody.
Q: Three years ago, I converted to Islam. Of course, Islamic culture is very different from western culture, but I would like to show people that there may be value in it. How can people with such a different culture, a different belief and religion live together in same society? Can you share the experience where you have dealt with such people?
I am glad you brought up this question. This is very relevant today. Today we need to move from religion to spirituality. Religion is like the banana skin and spirituality is the banana inside.
While in the name of religion there has been so many wars and division, spirituality unites people of all religion.
There was only one Buddha, yet today there are 32 sects of Buddhism. There was only one Jesus Christ, but there are 72 sects of Christianity. There was only one Prophet Mohammed, but there are so many sects of Islam with each claiming they are the real one. And Hinduism, you can’t even count the number of sects. There are so many because it is coming from a tradition of thousands of years. So as many saints came that many schools of philosophy developed.
I want to tell you an incident. The personal secretary of Ayatollah Khomeini (the supreme religious leader of Iran) who was 78 years old came to meet me in Bangalore quite some time back. He said, “I have one burning question. People told me to come to you. My question is, if the truth is only one, is the right answer only one and the path only one. Like for a question, there can be only one right answer.”
I said, “Yes, this logic is very good. But you know, truth is multidimensional. There could be many answers which could be correct for a question. For example, to come to this place, there is one direction which says, ‘Go straight and turn left.’ And there is another direction which says, ‘Go straight and turn right.’ Then there is a third direction which says, ‘Don't turn left or right. Just go straight.’ And all these three could be correct, because it depends from where you are coming. If you are coming from the east, you have to go straight and turn left. If you are coming from the west, you have to go straight and turn right. All these different paths lead to the same truth.”
He was relieved and so happy. He thanked me so much, and he left.
Today, terrorism is because some people think that only they have the right to go to heaven, and so they create hell for everybody else. If people practice spirituality, compassion, and love, then extremism will not be there.
I feel every child should know all a little bit about the 10 major religions of the world, then life becomes richer. Otherwise, they think only their way is the right way, and they get stuck which causes so many problems to happen.
Q: Japan has a problem of high suicide rate. I lost a friend to suicide when I was high school. Japan may be peaceful, but individual happiness is lacking.
I totally agree. This is one of the reasons why we started Art of Living centers here a few years back. When energy (prana) is low, then suicidal tendencies come. With the help of breathing techniques and yoga, you can overcome this in no time.
Around 48 universities in America have adopted our techniques of breathing and meditation. These breathing techniques enhance happiness, intuition, innovation and self-worthiness among students. This course which we specially designed for youth is very useful and will help people to come out of suicidal tendencies.
If any of you have found anyone who has shown signs of suicidal tendencies, I would like you to bring them into contact with one of-of our teachers. I would like more of you to become teachers and instructor so that we can help people of this country.
Q: You have spoken about yoga and its benefits. My understanding is that yoga is something personal which you do as an individual. How does it help enhance relationships?
Relationship depends on how you feel. If you are stressed, your behavior changes. If you are unhappy, you behave differently. If you have fear and uncertainty, it affects your relationship.
Q: I am meditating but it is not helping me.
Are you meditating every day? If you are meditating once every few days, then that is not proper meditation. If you learn proper meditation, then you will find yourself free from stress. It does not matter if you are Sikh, or Hindu, or Buddhist, anyone can do meditation. It doesn’t conflict any religion.
Q: In Japan, we have the problem of discrimination against the minorities. For a very long time, victims of discrimination have suffered in silence. When we are faced with adversity, it makes us more aggressive. Of course, we don’t want to be violent, but sometime it becomes very difficult to stick to non-violent ways. Sometimes it becomes necessary for us to resolve to anger. Anger gives us power, it strengthens us. Are anger and the ways you speak of opposite?
This is a very valid question. Anger is not bad if it is under your control, and if you sparingly use it, it works. But if you are under the control of anger, and it comes very often, it is self-destructive.
Healthy anger should stay only as long as a line drawn on the surface of the water. Another thing is, you don’t always need to resolve to anger to stand for justice. When you stand for justice with firmness and with a feeling that I want to work for this section of minority, or for gender equality, you can do that without disturbing your emotion. And yoga can help you in this.
If you see, in the world, there are times when this sort of minority bashing happens. But in a healthy nation, minorities are happy and are well protected. I feel India and Japan have a very vibrant democracy. And there is so much honesty in Japan, people simply have to come forward and take an active role. That’s all. Sometimes, it is the lack of leadership in the minority which causes the problem more than the rights. But Japan has a very broad minded and deep-rooted democracy. I am sure every voice will be heard!
Q: Taiwan does not see the Chinese government in favorable light, and the relationship between the two countries are very strained. With a situation like this, even if you have two groups of people with good intentions trying to move forward, the bitter history comes in-between. How do you move on in this case when there are atrocities of the past that are extremely difficult to overcome?
I would like to remind you of the 1000 years of enmity between France and Germany. Today they are friends. So, there is always hope.
Today, borders have disappeared. All countries have come together. Not very long ago, Italy and Germany had big conflicts. Today, they have one single currency. Things change!
Remember one thing, change is constant. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends. These changes keep happening. What is needed is people who are peace makers; people who don’t take sides. They can bridge those gaps.
In the early 80’s, I would say, ‘East and West Germany should become one’, and people thought I am naïve and I didn’t know what I was talking about. At that time, East Germany and the West Germany were bitter enemies, but today they are one. So, we must not lose hope. From this, I would like the students to know that – dream bigger. Hold on to your hopes, and I tell you that nothing is impossible.
There is one thing which is the enemy of all – and that is stress. Stress destroys everything! So, we must destroy stress.
I invite youths from here to travel around the world. Learn from everywhere and keep stress out. I invite you to visit India. We have a university there upholding both the ancient and modern traditions. I invite students to come there.
I would like to narrate one small incident to all of you. A few decades ago, President Nixon from America visited Japan. He wanted to meet with the religious leaders here and so the Prime Minister of Japan organized that. President Nixon was sitting with Buddhist monks on one side and with the Shinto priest on the other side. So, the President turned to the Buddhist Monk and asked, “What is the percentage of Japanese who follow Buddhism?” The Buddhist monk said, “80%.”
Then President turned to Shinto priest and asked the same questions, “What is the percentage of people following Shintoism?” The priest said “80%”.
President Nixon got confused. How is it possible? Both of them looked at each other and said that it is possible. This is Japan!
This is a very big lesson for the Middle East where there is so much anger and conflict between communities. Japan and India have given examples of harmony in diversity. We should preserve this harmony in diversity all over the world.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program (4days) @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 6-9 April 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Virus-free. www.avast.com |
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, April 10, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Love can conquer anything. Selfless, pure, and unalloyed love leads man to God. Selfish and constricted love binds one to the world. Unable to comprehend the pure and sacred love, people today fall a prey to endless worries because of their attachment to worldly objects. The primary duty of every being is to understand the truth about the Love principle. Once a person understands the nature of selfless love, one will not go astray. One's thoughts, words and looks should be filled with selfless love. This is divine love. One who is saturated with this love can never be subject to suffering. Men and women today are affected by praise or blame. But one who is filled with divine love transcends praise or censure. They will be unaffected by criticism or flattery. They will treat alike joy and sorrow, profit and loss, victory and defeat. (Divine Discourse, Dec 25 1995) |
-BABA |
No way, you can’t increase your love. It is already there. You simply have to relax and realize it is there. Never question or doubt your love. You think, ‘Oh, others are having tears in their eyes and I am not having any’. Never mind, never look from at things that angle. Every child from the mother’s womb is complete. It is not that the first child is more complete than second and third is further less. Every mother knows that every child is full, complete. Same way your love is total, complete, at its height. Never doubt that and never compare it with others. If you feel your expression of love is less, it is because of your selfishness. All that you can do is be generous, be less selfish and you can’t do it overnight. Day by day, slowly be more generous, be more centered, and be more dispassionate. Then the love which is inside you, will start expressing itself. Even in the expression of love it should not be too much or too less. It should be the middle path. The problem in the world is that in the West, they express love too much. Husband and wife keeps on saying ‘honey’ and then they become diabetic (laughter), can’t touch honey any more. (laughter) It is just the opposite in the East, they never express love at all. Both ways are extreme. There should be a middle path. It’s like you want a seed to sprout, it neither sprouts when buried deep down in the soil nor when it is put on the top. It needs a little bit of soil and put in it and that’s it. Take the best of the orient and the best of the occidental. That is the middle path.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How To Deal With Hurtful People
03/31/2017 Bangalore, India
Q: Gurudev, my husband hurts my feelings? How do I change his egoistic nature?
Why do we try to change people? It is because they are hurting us. And the more we want to change someone because they are hurting us, they are not going to change. If you really want them to change, you have to wish for their welfare – because what they are doing is not good for them. If that is your intention, they will change. Your every prayer will make them see things differently and behave differently. So, it all lies in your intention.
Q: How to be positive and strong when people start hurting me? How to love myself in such situations?
Come on, you forget that you are a diamond! Nobody can cut a diamond or hurt it. Even if a diamond is cut, it shines more.
When anyone is trying to hurt you, they are not hurting you, they are only making you shine more. Anyone who brings down your prestige or insults you, they are only bringing up the best qualities that are hidden within you. Remember that every insult is an opportunity for you to exhibit the beauty that you are.
Q: Gurudev, how do I forgive those who have abused me emotionally and physically? Sometimes I feel like killing them but even that doesn’t seem enough.
When you get hurt, it is not only the other person at fault, it is also your ignorance and your naivety. You have not been intelligent enough, or intuitive enough to avoid it, or move out of it. So, take a little bit of the responsibility on yourself as well. If you had been strong and skillful, nobody could have abused you. When you see the situation from this perspective, you will become calmer.
I want to ask you, haven’t you caused some pain or hurt to someone else knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or unwillingly? You have. If others hold on to it for a lifetime and go after you, how would you like it?
My dear, if someone has abused you, they have been ignorant. It is because of ignorance and some hurt inside them, that they have caused it to others. See it from a wider lens. A happy person will not come and harm anyone else. If someone is harming others, it is because they are not happy, not centered and they don’t know what you know. Consider them as sick people. If someone is physically sick, do you get angry at them? These people are mentally and emotionally sick, they are spiritually sick, and if you hold a grudge against them, you will also become one among them. You will get sick. For your own sake, you should let go and move on.
Q: How can I forgive my mother-in-law who is constantly hurting me?
Take a look at how your mother behaves. How many times did you have arguments with your own mother, and how many times was she frustrated with you? Haven’t you gotten scolding from your own mother? I don’t think any girl or boy has grown up without being scolded by their mother.
When your mom criticizes you, you just fight with her and then you forget it. It doesn’t really touch you. My dear, remember, your mother and mother-in-law are of the same age, the same kind and the same category. She scolds you only 10% of what your mother used to scold you, then why does it hurt you deeply? Just accept her.
People who are tough to handle, whether at office or at home, only help you to develop your skills. You should really thank them. They make you more skilfull, more refined, more compassionate and all your good qualities start manifesting in you.
If you have knowledge, in tough situations, wisdom manifests and good things manifest out of it. If you lack skills, the worst things come out of it. This one thing we need to master. Master the skill of expressing and communication, and grab this as an opportunity to do that.
Q: I am hurt, I don’t want to forgive.
Forgiving others is not for their sake, it is for your own sake, for your mental health. Know that you have the power to do it and just do it. Open your mind to the vastness of this universe. Wake up and see that seven billion people are on this planet, everyday many are being hurt, everyday many are dying. Whatever big thing you are hanging on to about someone’s action towards you, know that it is your karma that made them act that way with you. If not that person, some other person would have given you the same experience. This is what you need to realize, this is what you need to see.
when you get a nasty email, you don’t throw your computer or laptop because you’ve got a nasty email. Whatever email came, the laptop just reflects that. Similarly, people are like laptops. You don’t need to forgive them, you simply need to have a better understanding. If you ask them, sometimes, they also may not know why they behaved that way, why they did acts that hurt you.
Look at life from a bigger perspective. That’s why I keep saying, behind every event there is knowledge, behind every person there is love, behind every object there is infinity, just know this, watch this, get this, that’s it.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
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Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
If you wish to understand your true nature, you have to do three things: Bend the body, mend the senses, and end the mind. ‘Bend the Body’ means you should not allow the ego to develop within your body. Cultivate humility and do your duties sincerely. ‘Mend the Senses’ requires you to examine how the senses behave and correcting them when they tend to go astray as well as restraining them when necessary. ‘End the Mind’ requires you to quieten the vagaries of the mind by turning it to a different direction. For example, there is a lock and key. When you turn the key to the left, it locks and when you turn right, it opens. Similarly, your heart is the lock and mind is the key. When you turn the mind towards God, it develops detachment. When the mind is turned towards the world, it develops attachment. Hence turn your mind towards God and dedicate every action of yours to Him. (Divine Discourse, 6 May 1988) |
-BABA |
The mind means the many desires that you carry within you. Nature knows very well the number of desires you drag and carry as a burden within you. Nature sees how tightly and feverishly you hold on to your desires, so sometimes it grants those desires and sometimes it does not. But when we remain happy and centered whether our desires get fulfilled or not, then you can say that you have killed or overcome the mind.
Suppose you are going to a cinema theatre to watch a movie and you stand in line to buy the tickets, and you get to know that the theatre is house-full. Do you feel angry or frustrated about it, or do you feel “Oh, it’s alright. Never mind”. and simply move on ahead.
You may also think that since you did not get a ticket for the cinema hall, so you might as well go to a temple for some time (laughter); or sit in a satsang for some time. When you are able to do this (skilfully), then know that you have killed and overcome your mind.
Have this unshakeable faith that whatever is the best for you, that alone will happen in life. Nature will only give you that which will uplift you higher in life. Keep this deep faith.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How To Stop Feeling Hurt
03/28/2017 Bangalore, India
If you have wisdom, you don’t have to go through pain to learn. We go through pain because we lack wisdom. But remember that you will come out of pain or hurt at some time or the other.
It is important for one to have a larger context to life. When you have a larger context, then trivial things don’t really bother you. They are like waves on the surface of the ocean – they rise and fall. So, if you are in pain, or have been hurt, here are the four ways of looking at the situation that will ease your pain!
#1 The one who has hurt you is pained
Many a times, people cause hurt to others because they have scars, and they are unhappy and miserable. They can only share what they have. They are hurt and they are sharing the hurt with you. You might think that these people are hurting you purposely, but in fact it is because they do not have happiness inside them, they don’t have joy or peace. They have pain inside them, which is why they are causing you hurt.
So, what should the wounded party do? Compassion. You have to be compassionate to those who hurt you, because they are wounded themselves.
#2 The one causing you hurt is just ignorant
There are people who hurt others out of sheer ignorance. They are not sensitive and they are not aware that their actions are hurting others. They don’t know themselves and they don’t know what they are doing. They are ignorant and arrogant. You can only feel sorry for them and hope that someday they will become sensitive and intelligent.
#3 You’re hurting because It is just karma
You had to get this hurt, and if not this person, then someone else would have given it to you. You must have caused some hurt to someone in the past, so nature is bringing it back to you now. When you know that it's just the karma being repaid, you feel very settled.
#4 It is being done to make you strong
Nature is bringing this pain to you so that you become strong, so that you discover the strength and power within you. Usually, when a pole is being installed, after the installation, they shake the pole to check whether it is rooted well enough or not. Hurt is just that, to see whether you are well established in yourself, whether you are in wisdom or not. Every hurt is trying to shake you, to see whether you are strong or not. It tests your strength. It is to make you stronger.
If you think a wise person or someone intelligent is hurting you, then you should be thankful because there is some purpose in that. They want you to be strong.
If your mother is scolding you, she is not doing it with bad intentions. If your father is scolding you, you can’t say, “Oh my father hurt me! My mother hurt me!”
Your parents are not hurting you – they are coming from a space of care and concern for you. We must recognize that they are doing things out of their limited understanding and love for you.
There are two major things that you feel when you are hurt – lack of communication and lack of understanding. Another reason to feel hurt, if you want to count it, is being oversensitive to irrelevant or ephemeral things. Events are all ephemeral – they are all moving and impermanent. Everything is changing. You don’t need to become oversensitive, “Oh he said this thing to me, she said this thing to me!”
Now, if someone is trying to physically hurt you, you just be careful and equip yourself. I am not saying if someone comes to hurt you, you fall at their feet. No, you be intelligent and protect yourself.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
It is not possible to progress in the Universe without sacrifice (yajna). Yajna maintains the order of the Universe. Sacrifice pleases the gods; the gods send rain; the rain feeds the crops; the crops yield harvest, the harvest strengthens the limbs and widens the outlook; it broadens the heart and clarifies the vision until man reaches the goal, where there is no more struggle or death. The highest and the most fruitful sacrifice is that of the ego. Crucify it and be free. Dedicate your ego to God and be rich beyond all dreams. Prepare yourself for this supreme status, by engaging in holy action (karma), meaning, karma cleansed in the crucible of righteousness (dharma), and attain God (Brahman - the One Indivisible Absolute) as your reward! Have faith in God; He sees everything; He is everywhere; He is all-powerful. He lives in every heart. (Divine Discourse, Nov 1970) |
-BABA |
When you can do any action with mindfulness, you are aware of what you are saying or doing, this makes you a yogi.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Touching the Space of Humility
01/04/2017 Bad Antogast, Germany
Questions & Answers
Gurudev, I always feel that I have received more than I deserve, and I feel uncomfortable..
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You should feel comfortable. When you feel you have received more than you deserve, you become grateful, you feel life is a gift to you. When you feel that you really deserve this, then you become arrogant, dominant, rude, and rough. It is only when you realize that you are not worthy of what you have received and what you are receiving, then you become humble and more grateful! The more grateful you are, the higher you go; humility in you takes you high.
Gurudev, is there a punishing God. If not, who is punishing me? I want to live without punishment.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, there is no God punishing you at all, don’t worry. It is only your karma that comes back to you. If you don’t chuck the karma, the karmas come back to you.
Karma is, you do some action and the reaction to the action comes back to you. But if you realize this, and you do some remedies for your karma, then you can reduce it. E.g., if you hear on radio that there will be a heavy traffic jam tomorrow, you take caution and start a little early; that is the remedy, right? Similarly, if there is going to be snow storm tomorrow, then you put your socks on, and do whatever else you need to do.
Gurudev, there are many young children who are aware and awake, and know that they are here for some important work. How do we support these gifted children?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, there are many children who are telling their parents that my real home, my real family is in the ashram. Many children are saying these sort of things around the world; many have become vegetarians, isn’t it? How many of you have seen that? Many children like or love chanting.
Yesterday, I saw on a news channel in India that there was a child born to the royal family of Bhutan. He said, “I have come here after 828 years; I was a teacher and a student in Nalanda University, take me there.” And so they took the child from Bhutan to Bihar in India. The child was all dressed in a robe, looked like a monk; he could recall where he used to sit, what was there and everything around.
There are so many such incidents even in The Art of Living. One child in The Art of Living recently said, “I was a Rishi in the Himalayas, and now I have come.” He is a one and half year-old child; he calls my name so perfectly, “Gurudev”. He takes the rudraksha mala, puts it around and says, “This is the rudraksha mala!”
There are many such children. You will find this occurring more in Russia and Mongolia.
Gurudev, can you explain more about mental illness? Is it unbalanced vata or is it karma? How can we help them?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just serve such people. People with any mental diseases like depression and others can be helped through yoga, pranayama, and meditation. There are many which you cannot help, you simply have to accept them.
Despite knowing that I should not miss my daily kriya, the gap is increasing. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Never mind. If you cannot do kriya, do some pranayama. If you cannot do that, just sit and meditate. If you cannot mediate, then just think about the time you have spent here; think about the knowledge and the words I have said to you. If you say that you can’t do anything, that is not acceptable; you can at least do something!
If you have no time to meditate, then at least listen to some knowledge when you are driving the car; there are a number of CDs. When you listen to the knowledge, your consciousness expands. But don’t take this as an excuse not to meditate. You should sit, close your eyes and let go. When you become so deep and peaceful, your brain and perceptions become different. It makes a big difference. When you cannot even meditate, at least remember the knowledge, at least feel connected!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Celebrate festivals by understanding and experiencing their true significance. Right from this moment, embark on a new life giving up bad thoughts and bad qualities. Purify your heart and your life will become blissful. There is no point in reading sacred texts or visiting noble souls unless you purify your heart. Let your thoughts, words and deeds be sacred. This is the true significance of celebrating New Year. When you undertake any task with a sacred heart, you will certainly meet with success. You all believe you are devoted to Sai, then you must adhere to My teachings strictly. Fill your lives with love. Stop criticizing others. Respect even those who hate you. Hatred is a bad quality. It will ruin you. Hence, get rid of this evil. Love everyone. When you follow My teachings, you will certainly achieve sacred results and earn a good name. Give up selfishness and dedicate your life for others well-being. (Divine Discourse, Apr 13, 2002) |
-BABA |
When selfishness is not there, love is there as your very nature.
Love & longing are two sides of the same coin.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Learn To Care For The Environment
06/06/2016 Bangalore, India
Only the ones who are unpolluted from within can take care of the environment. If someone’s mind is polluted with anger, aversion, hatred or greed, how can that person clean the environment? A greedy person won't be concerned about the welfare of the environment. He will be busy doing his work.
Today, pollution in the environment is caused due to greed. See, if a person is angry all the time, his vision becomes clouded and he never finds anything right outside. When the vision is distorted, the outcome of whatever work he undertakes will be similar. The person who is full of anger, his actions are followed by regret. This is for sure. You see within your own lives, whatever you have done anything in a state of anger, haven’t you regretted it later? It has to happen. This is because anger is not the right state of mind.
I am not saying that you should not get angry. But whenever anger comes, it should not stay for more than a minute in the mind. Then, it’s not pollution. But when anger stays for long in our mind, it creates pollution. You see, you eat a banana, after removing the peel if you leave the peel on the table, it does not create any pollution. But if that peel stays at the same place for two to three days, then it creates pollution.
When you eat a chocolate and you leave the wrapper at the same place for 4-5days, it creates pollution. This accumulation of the garbage is pollution.
Sometimes anger is needed in life, it can get work done. But when it makes a place within us, then it creates pollution. It pollutes our vision. Our work starts getting affected and we are filled with regret. Then there is hatred, which is solidified anger.
A person who has hatred can never be sensitive towards the environment. The Nature and the environment are very delicate and sensitive. In order to grasp their delicate nature we need to have sensitivity within ourselves. The one who has this fluidity and simplicity within, can be sensitive towards the environment.
The environment is our first body out of the ‘Panchakosha’ (five bodies or sheaths). The environment is the first sheath. Then comes the body made of blood and bones. The second kosha is the Pranamaya kosha (breath). Third is Manomaya kosha (mind). Then comes the Vignaanamaya kosha (intellect), and fifth is the Anandamaya kosha (bliss).
I believe that the environment is our body. How is that? See, if the air is polluted then your body cannot live. If the air is poisonous, the how will you survive? Therefore, it is the first body.
We should clean up the pollution within our minds first.
Questions & Answers
Out of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which prakriti is good for doing meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: By doing meditation you can go beyond all the three doshas (imbalances): Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Meditation is the destroyer of all the three doshas. If you first do meditation and then check your naadi (pulse), you will see that it has changed. If there is equilibrium (sama-dosha) between these prakriti then that is suitable for doing meditation. If you are healthy then your meditation will be deeper. And by doing meditation your health improves. Both these things are there.
After putting our botherations in the botheration basket, how do they get solved?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It gets solved, doesn't it? How does it happen, that you leave to me. How many of you have experienced this that your botherations got solved? (Everyone in the audience raise their hands). Just by putting your botherations in the basket, it is taken care of. So continue doing that. I will tell you the secret later.
When you feel like everyone is your own and when you do not want anything for yourself, then you become capable of doing everybody’s work. (Gurudev whispers: This is the secret!)
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
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Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You are the formless (Nirakara) infinite, taking the form of a finite human (Naraakara). You are the Absolute, pretending to be the Relative; you are the Self, pretending to be the body! The Universal Self (Atma) is the basis for all the beings. The sky was there before houses were built under it; the sky penetrated and pervaded them! The houses crumbled and became heaps and mounds over time, but the sky was not affected at all! So too, the Atma pervades the body and subsists even when the body is reduced to dust. The same inexplicable and invisible electric current when it enters a bulb, a fan, a stove, a cooler or a sprayer, activates each one of them or even all of them together! So too, the Divine Principle activates all beings (Ishwara Sarva Bhutanam). That is the inner core, the Divine Spark, more minute than the minutest, more magnificent than the most magnificent! (Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 1964) |
-BABA |
If it appears to you as though this bulb is different, that bulb is different, the fan is different, then you are confused, you don’t know the reality. The reality is that there is only one electricity, only one main switch and if that is on, all the bulbs are on. If that is off, everything is off. So one thing runs everything and that is electricity. So this entire universe is consciousness or one energy.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
‘Silence increases our energy level, awareness’
Bali, April 10 (Friday): It was truly Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – a One World Family that gathered at the satsang this evening. The participants of the advanced meditation programme represented countries from across the globe. Their interaction with Sri Sri reflected common queries of people everywhere. Sri Sri’s answers: simple knowledge tools, applicable to every human being.
Q. Could you please explain the significance of Easter?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Easter is the symbol of spring, it welcomes the spring. There is a new resurgence. Everything is a celebration in life.
Take any excuse to celebrate. We don’t have to wait for an occasion. Life itself is a celebration.
Q. Can you please tell us about ego?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Ego? When someone insults you, they will tell you what it is. I don’t have to tell you. You do some good job and somebody ignores you or gives you a derogatory remark: you will automatically know what ego is. And the antidote for ego is being natural. When you are natural, then the small ego cannot survive, then you expand. Or your ego should become so big that you take everybody in it. Then also it will not bother you.
Q. What is time? What is life? Is there any correlation between the two? Also, do parallel dimensions exist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Yes. Time is the measurement between two events. Space is the distance between two objects. That’s it. Life is between birth and death. The distance between birth and death is called life.
Q. What is karma and how to reduce it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : You know, you should read the book Celebrating Silence. Read the book and gift it to everyone you know.
I was travelling from Canada to the United States of America. A man at the security check came running to me and removed a copy of Celebrating Silence from his bag. ‘You are the author of this book?’ he asked me. I said, ‘I suppose so.’ He then told me that somebody presented the book to him for his birthday. ‘My life has changed after reading the book,’ he said. He hasn’t done the course, doesn’t know anything about the organisation, just reading some pages from the book made a difference. You all have the book Celebrating Silence and Celebrating Love? You should gift it to everyone. It makes a difference. All the knowledge is present there.
I have spoken in detail about karma in the book.
Q. The Sudarshan Kriya is too short. It starts and finishes in no time. Can it be made a bit longer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : When you are happy, time appears to go very fast. Ask those who are here for the 21-day Teacher’s Training Programme. Did you find it short? (People throw their hands in the air.) They also find it too short. That’s because they are really enjoying it.
Meditate after short kriya.
Q. What is divine love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Love, itself, is divine. When it has no distortions, it is divine. When it is unconditional, it is divine. Conditions, such as, ‘I love you, so you must love me’, come from the small, small mind and small love. Divine love is unconditional. And always evolutionary.
Q. What is the origin of thought? There is a thought behind every discovery and behind every misery as well. Why does a thought occur?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Where did these thoughts come in your head? It came in your head, right? Better find that out yourself. Before it comes, try to catch it. When you look inside, you will find that the thought is coming from an empty space. An empty space. And that empty space is the mother of all inventions, all creativity.
That’s why, time and again, experience silence. You will get creative and innovative thoughts will come to you. Our mind is chattering all the time, 24 hours. That’s why be silent. Silence increases our energy level, our sharpness and awareness level. It has enormous potential. Imagine someone with insomnia – they are tired the whole day and are unable to sleep at night too. They don’t know how to rest. They chatter and chatter.
You continuously talk and listen to the television and radio. We get immersed in sound from morning to night, from the time we get out of bed till we go to bed again. Chatter, chatter! How much wear and tear would’ve happened to our brain! We don’t give it any time to rest. There is so much disharmony around you. You know why you like music? Because music is a harmonious sound and all disharmonious sounds gets submerged in it.
You will start enjoying that quietness. That inner harmony and serenity is much more pleasurable than the best music you can ever listen to.
I am not saying you should never listen to music. It is necessary but don’t overdo it. You should eat, but you shouldn’t overeat. Similarly, you should listen to music, but not get obsessed with it.
Q. Silence is good, but in reality people who talk more, get more.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : When you are scared and afraid, you don’t talk when you should be talking.
But when you are confident, you talk where you need to talk and don’t talk when you don’t need to.
Q. How would you know that I’ve make the right decision?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Just wait for the result and you will know.
Q. Art of Living and meditation encourage a calm and slow mind. At work we need a fast and aggressive mind. How do I reconcile this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : If fast and aggressive minds led to progress, then Iraq and Afghanistan should have been the most prosperous countries in the world. Afghanistan has had aggression for more than 30 years, they’ve seen nothing but war. The Human Rights Commissioner came to our German centre. He did the part I course and requested to be allowed to cook his own food. He was not eating anything. What was the matter? He thought everybody at the ashram ate drugged food because everyone was so happy.
He was scared to eat our food. Then, our people spoke to him, I also spoke to him. For the last 20 years, he had never seen happy people. And here he couldn’t believe that people were so happy. He realised that people could be happy after doing the kriya. You don’t need to be on drugs to be on a high. It was so funny.
Q. Are the kriya, meditation and seva enough for a peaceful life or should I read the Bhagwad Gita?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : You should read the Bhagwad Gita. It is an important book on yoga. It’s good.
Q. You said that the past is a dream. People have been sexually, financially, spiritually abused. I have had nightmares about it. How do you say it can be dream?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Listen, people have gone through abuse. Practices like the Sudarshan Kriya, pranayama, and yogasanas will help them to erase those impressions and move forward. Along with the kriya, see the whole event as a movie, a dream. This understanding, without giving them the depth of meditation, is incomplete.
This understanding and the practices complement each other. It’s like watching television and listening to it. You have to do both.
Q. How can we find a cure for auto immune diseases?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Have confidence, pray and leave the rest to the divine
Q: My mind is alright but the problem I face is with my heart. My heart keeps troubling. Sometimes I can feel my heart is bleeding.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Read knowledge books. Listen to the knowledge talks. That’s why I have given a commentary on three types of knowledge talks. Patanjali Yogasutras – all about yoga and the mind. Bhakti Sutras which explain the different types of love. The Ashtavakra Gita which explain every aspect of life and awareness.
Q.: Could give us some suggestion on career development, especially during the economic crisis?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : This is just a passing phase, don’t worry about it.
Q.: What is the soul?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Soul is the one who is asking, the one who is understanding, sleeping, the one who is doing everything. See, there are different aspects: the individual self, small self and the big self. The small self has five aspects - ignorance, existence, ego, craving, aversion. Turn back and see your life: How ignorant you were and how much aversion you had. How are you now? It’s reducing.
Once these things are reduced, you become one with the universe.
Q: When you were a child, did you ever get into a fight?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : I am still a child. My childhood will never finish, I will never let it finish.
Q: How did your parents raise you?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Very good.. Always understanding and always cooperative.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Devotion (Bhakti) is the highest form of Love. “Service to God is Devotion” say the Scriptures. Devotion means constant contemplation of God. The term Bhakti is derived from the root Bhaj meaning to worship. Devotion means loving contemplation of God, repetition of His Name, worshipping Him and doing penance for Him. Service to the Lord is the highest expression of devotion. There is nothing that is not attainable through loving service to the Divine. Devotion does not mean merely doing bhajans or performing puja. These forms of devotion at present are based on some kind of self-interest and self-seeking. True devotion should be an expression of love from within. Devotion is not something to be proclaimed or demonstrated. True devotion must be free from selfishness of all kinds. Exhibitionistic devotion will definitely result in disaster. (Divine Discourse, Jan 16, 1988) |
-BABA |
Take it for granted that you have devotion. Put aside all these words -- should and must; just be natural and spontaneous.
You are already on the path. When you are on the path, devotion is ingrained in you.
Love is your nature, you can never be out of it. Devotion is nothing but exalted love or love in its true form, and it is there in you. If you think you don't have it and keep trying to have it, it is not going to happen. You are unnecessarily putting yourself through hardship. It is already there! It is like saying, ‘I want to go home’ when you are already inside the house! My dear, wake up and see, you are hallucinating. You are home, relax!’
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Respect everybody as you respect me
Respect everybody as you respect me, but don’t expect from everyone what you expect from me.
You usually do it the other way: You don’t respect everybody as you respect me, but you expect them to give you joy and behave ideally. When they don’t live up to your expectations, you get frustrated and you blame or curse them. By cursing, you lose your spiritual energy. When you can bless, your energy goes up.
The world is full of differences; arguments are inevitable. With forbearance, patience and wisdom, skillfully make your way up.
Fools will make you wiser. The number of fools around you indicates the strength of your centeredness. Don’t try to get rid of them! If you lose your center, you will have no patience to put up with them. When you are established in the Self, you find that even fools come up with wisdom; they are your own reflection, there is no “other”.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Ignorance can be cured only by knowledge; darkness can be destroyed only by light. No amount of argument, threat or persuasion can compel darkness to move away. A flash of light is enough to destroy years of darkness! The light is already there in you. But since it is heavily overladen by repressing factors, it cannot reveal itself. Prepare yourself for that flash of illumination! Everyone must achieve it, whether one is striving for it now or not. It is the inevitable end to everyone’s struggles, the goal to which every being, knowingly or unknowingly is proceeding. Do not be afraid of reaching the goal of liberation (Moksha). Do not conceive that stage as a calamity. Liberation indeed is the end of all calamities. It is death to all grief - grief that you will be born again. It is the birth of joy, a joy that knows no decline! (Divine Discourse, 19 Feb 1964) |
-BABA |
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Finding Purpose, Passion & Peace - Transcript of What Sri Sri Said in Conversation with Shereen Bhan & Dr. Trehan
04/18/2017 Delhi, India
Catch the conversation of Sheree Bhan with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Dr. Naresh Trehan as part of Global Exhibition on Services - The India Opportunity brought to you by the Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry(CII).
What does it means to live in a fast-paced world where you are inundated with information, and with the need to react to everything that's coming your way. How do you pause? How do you find your purpose and eventually your peace?
First of all, the question “What's the purpose of life” has to arise. For many, this question doesn't arise at all, or it arises when they are 50 to 60 years of age. This very question can kindle a certain kind of thought process, which can help one find what they want.
What was it like for you? How did you know what your purpose was?
I had this idea when I was a child. I used to say that there are people all over the world and I have to go and meet everybody. At that time, I was maybe 8 or 9 years old.
Kids at that age usually wants to collect stamps and coins. In those days, collecting stamps were a big fascination among students. They would collect stamps from various countries. I would tell my class mates, “Don't worry. I have people all over the world. I will give you whatever stamps and coins you need.
Then they would ask my mother, "Do you have relatives, friends, everywhere around the world?" My mother would say, "No." And my ears were pulled many times for lying. It appeared to be a big lie, and my mother was bewildered, why is he saying such things.
Why where you saying such things? Was there a voice in your head that told you that this is how it's going to be? What was it made you say these things?
We have another dimension within all of us that is beyond rational thinking. You may call it the gut feeling or intuitive upsurge that you may get sometimes, or a vision of what might happen to you in the future. These things, I think, we all have. We simply have to cultivated it.
We all have ten fingers, but few can play the guitar. It's simply a matter of training that can kindle these abilities that we all have.
So, is there a process to being able to kindle these abilities?
I didn't do anything. Probably, it's a gift to me. But I am sure that people can definitely cultivate it.
How does one develop a sense of detachment with people and situations? We can control only our actions, we cannot control the external. How to make this perspective the foundation of our behavior?
Broaden your context to life. Just like how a psychologist walks into a psychiatrist ward and no matter what his patients are speaking it doesn't touch him, its immaterial. He does not get upset with the patients.
So, whenever someone is stressed, someone is agitated, someone is not behaving in a civilized or cultured manner, you have to see them as patients. And you should play the role of a doctor, or a nurse, if you can.
India is on the cusp of evolution of a new form of medicine which is an integration of principles of modern medicine as we know it today. What do you think needs to be done to ensure that this is a reality in five to seven years?
World over people are looking for something that can bring a total solution, and not just identifying part of a problem and solving that part only.
Here, I want to bring to your notice that on our Charak Samhita, the Ayurvedic treatise, is the only Materia Medica in the world which is written in the form of poetry.
The first part of Ayurveda talks about your daily routine; what you have to eat, what you should not eat, how you should breathe, etc. All this had been there. Unfortunately, in India, even among Ayurvedic physicians these principles (of healthy living) are not practiced. We are only taking to the curative part of Ayurveda and ignoring the other aspects.
Is it this something which you looking at reviving?
Definitely. Today yoga, naturopathy, pranayama, meditation, etc., have all proven beyond doubt that they have a definite impact on the health of the individual and health of the society as well. We have come up with Fusion medicine that would definitely help billions on this planet.
One of the other things which we could perhaps look at exporting is conflict resolution. As we look around the world today, there's very little to feel hopeful about. In a situation like this, where do you find hope? What's the way forward?
A doctor walks into the hospital and sees so many patients, but that doesn’t rattle him. Why? He knows that these many people are to be treated, and more will be each day. And if more and people come, then you just open more hospitals.
In the same way, when your purpose is clear and when you are confident, what you are doing or offering is effective and it's showing results, then you just continue doing it. My passion is taking whatever people think as impossible and dreaming about it and doing it. I dream of a world which is free from conflict, free from stress, and where people live as one family.
I hope more people dream of a world free of conflict. But how do we get to achieving that goal?
A dream has sense only when you dream about something which appears to be impossible. If it's a possibility then it's not called a dream, it is just a goal. So, I think that we should all dream.
30 to 40 years ago nobody imagined that everyone will walk around with cell phones. I think a cell phone is my competitor. I have not reached as many individuals as a cellphone has reached. So, we need to reach out to people and tell them hey how they can manage their mind and how they can clear the negative strides that are bothering them and create positivity.
This basic education; peace education, you may call it, is what is needed in the world today. It's like dental hygiene. Unless and until your parents teach you how to brush your teeth, you would not know. You are introduced to a toothbrush to keep the dental hygiene. Similarly, you need to be introduced to the concept of mental hygiene.
Mental hygiene today is the most important thing which can keep the families united, which can keep the people sane in their mind, and society more harmonious.
Whenever there's dispute, the natural reaction is seal all talks. There should be no communication between the two governments till there's some sort of definitive action to follow. Is deeper engagement a more preferred route?
I strongly believe in dialogue. I strongly believe in communication. But when it fails, then alternative methods need to be found to make a person listen to you. That I am going to leave to the politicians.
I firmly believe that we should leave very little to the politicians. You trust politicians?
I cannot put all politicians in a category of non-trustworthy. It's not correct to do that. And I never have any prejudice or bias towards any person, or any community. And I feel it's not a healthy intellect which holds prejudice against any profession, whether it's spirituality, politics or business. I only meant to say that it's not my job to say what politicians should do. Or what actions they should take when the communication breaks down. My job is to see how we can improve communication. And I limit it to that.
They say a teacher is one who makes themselves progressively unnecessary. Do you feel that your role as a teacher is rendered unnecessary every day or the world still needs what you have to say, what you have to communicate?
I don't say anything about myself at all. And I give total freedom to people to do whatever they want to do.
There are no do's and don'ts?
Whom to give the do's and don'ts to? I only give freedom. I tell everybody, “Wake up, you are a free bird. Experience your inner freedom”.
If you find your inner freedom, you don't need to be tutored on what you should do and what you should not do. Common sense will prevail. But when the common sense is lacking, and you are engaged in stress and narrow mindedness, that's exactly when you need some guidance.
And I tell you, everyone is a teacher. No one should shy away from being a teacher. By default, everybody is a teacher, because you either teach someone what to do or what not to do. Either way you have no escape from being a teacher.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, April 21, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Discipline must be strictly observed. From the moment you wake up, you have to carry out your morning ablutions, meditate on God and then do your prescribed duties in an orderly manner without deviating from the regular routine. Variations in the routine from day to day are undesirable. The day's activities should be regulated by the same schedule. The ambience in the morning is calm and serene. In this setting, immediately after finishing the morning chores, one should devote, at least a few minutes, to loving meditation on God. Discrimination comes next. The world is a mixture of good and bad, right and wrong, victory and defeat. In a world replete with opposites, you must constantly make the choice between what is right and proper, and what is wrong and undesirable. You should not be guided by your mind, but listen and follow the directions of your intellect (Buddhi). As long as you follow your mind, you will not be able to attain Divinity. (Divine Discourse, Jan 16 1988) |
-BABA |
Balance and discipline
People who are free, regret that they don't have discipline. They keep promising that they will become disciplined. People who are disciplined look for the end. (Discipline is not an end in itself, it is a means.)
Look at the people who have no discipline; they are miserable. Freedom without discipline is absolute misery. Discipline without freedom is suffocating.
Orderliness is monotonous and chaos is stressful.
We have to make the discipline free and the freedom disciplined.
People who are in company all the time, they look for the comforts of solitude. People who are in solitude, feel so lonely and want to be in company.
People who are in a cold place want to be in a warm place. People who are in a warm place love something cool.
This is the dilemma of life: Everyone is looking for perfect balance. Perfect balance is like a razor's edge. It can only be found in the self.
There is no road to this town and there are no steps to this house.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Your armour
Bali, (Indonesia) April 9 : During the satsang held tonight, advanced course participants heard Sri Sri give practical tips for daily living. Ancient wisdom revived for modern life.
Q: Kindly enlighten us on love and compassion.
Sri Sri Ravi Shanakar : Remember that love is our nature. Don’t ask for proof of someone’s love for you. That’s a big mistake. ‘Do you really love me? Come on, prove it to me,’ people often tell each other.
How can you put into words what you feel, right? People are doing a big mistake by asking this: ‘Do you really love me?’ That’s a big mistake.
That’s why the knowledge of the Bhakti Sutras is so essential. Before people get married, they should know this. Otherwise, what happens is that they get married and then start demanding proof of their love to each other. And it creates more doubt. Suppose a woman demands from a husband: ‘Do you really love me? Show me. Prove it to me. Take me to a picnic, come home on time, do this, do that…..’ It’s such a big burden. A man has to prove himself everywhere in the world. At home too, he needs to prove himself that he is a loving person. It becomes a headache. How long can he do it? He does it for sometime and then he gets fed up and runs away. This applies to the man and the woman.
Love is our nature. And all other negative qualities in you are off springs of love. Jealousy comes to you because you love somebody so much. Greed is because you love material things more than somebody. You love your own position and status – that is called arrogance. Isn’t that so? You love certain part of the body too much. It is called lust. You become angry because you love perfection so much that you cannot stand imperfection.
Obsession, greed, anger – all these are off springs of love. If you don’t have love, you won’t have any other problem. But now, we don’t want greed, jealousy, arrogance or lust.
With wisdom and knowledge, love remains pure. It’s like putting a preservative in love. So that love doesn’t get distorted, it remains love.
Compassion is one of the flavors of love. Compassion is, in fact, an action for those who are miserable. Compassion disappears if nobody is miserable. For compassion to exist in life, you have to have someone in life who is suffering or miserable. And there are plenty of people who are like that.
For love, there are no such requirements.
There are four important moods or attitudes that we have to keep in our life.
1. Friendliness towards those who are happy. We need to be friendly with those who are enjoying their life and those who are on cloud nine. If we are friendly towards them, then there is no jealousy.
2. Compassion towards those people who are unhappy. If you are in the same boat, you cannot save them. So friendliness is no good with people who are miserable. What is good? Compassion. If your friend is miserable, if you are friendly with them, you will also get miserable. That’s where the karma principle holds good. Compassion.
You should be happy when you see people who are doing good and meritorious work. Don’t try to pull them down. Generally, you try to pull down someone who is progressing. The problem with journalists is that they criticise people when they see that they are progressing.
I’ll give you an example. One of our teachers met a journalist and showed him all the work that we do – all over the world and in India. Around 10.6 million people participated in the Mission Green Earth project. A pledge was taken to plant and nurture 55 million trees. When this was presented to a committee, they commented that no work happened in Nagaland. My dear, there are already so many trees in Nagaland, why not look at the work that has been done elsewhere?
You try to find fault in everything. ‘You are planting so many trees. Oh, you want publicity.’ We don’t need any publicity, we are getting enough already.
What do you call these minds? There is a term in the Bhagwad Gita – asuya. It means an intolerance towards good work. It is the tendency to find fault in anything.
In the Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: you are anasuya, i.e. devoid of fault-finding eyes. Lord Krishna was also anasuya. That is why, many people would try to find fault in him.
3. Ignore the ones who commit sinful work. There could be someone who doesn’t behave well with you, despite your good behavior towards them. Then it’s their problem. They could be mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law or neighbours too. When you sit for meditation, then the neighbours will switch on loud music or increase the television’s volume. They know the time that you sit for meditation and hence misbehave.
With people who do things that are incorrect, your attitude should be that of ignoring then. Then your action can be one of correctness. But if you are emotionally upset, then your mind starts thinking of ideas to teach them a lesson. Your behaviour indicates that you want them to change because it’s inconvenient for you.
When you want to teach them a lesson, it never happens because you are doing it with anger. The one who has true compassion can teach people a real lesson. One who says, ‘Look my dear, what you are doing is not good for you.’ Then they will listen, it touches their heart. But if you say, ‘What you are doing is hurting me, then they will not listen.’
Have this attitude: ‘Come what may, I will not get hurt,. If someone is going to be nasty, I will learn to be compassionate.’
The anger is boiling inside them, so don’t welcome their negativity into your system. That’s where you need to shield your mind. We need to save our mind. We say – save the planet, save the environment, save this and that, but nobody says save the mind. Think they have left that task to us.
We have to go with this slogan – save your mind at all cost.
4. A sense of belongingness. When someone dear to you progresses in life, doesn’t it make you happy? It does. That attitude is good. Say, a close friend gets selected for Miss Universe or becomes a champion in hockey. You feel happy that my friend won the gold medal in Olympics, long jump or 1,000 metres race. So, you feel proud and happy. That sense of happiness, of compassion, of joy, protects the mind. Maharishi Patanjali gave the sutra in yogasutras.
Your mind will float in grace, if you can have these four attitudes. Not going, ‘Bang, bang bang… you are a cheater’. My dear, relax. Others may be a cheater and you are no better than a cheater, because you are also spreading negativity in a different fashion.
When you have these four types of attitudes, relax. Knowing that everything will be taken care makes a big difference in our lives. Otherwise, if you wake up and see, corruption is rampant. This corruption has entered every field, including religion. Many religious people try to convert people from one faith to another by giving money. Just to increase the number of followers! When you read about the actions of so-called religious priests in the newspapers, your mind will get agitated. And when you are angry, you cannot do anything that will bring you peace. An agitated person cannot bring peace to the world. If you yourself have been suffering with bondage, how can you liberate others? So, the way to make our mind strong, pure and clear is by having these four attitudes.
Otherwise, it’s so difficult. Like when you commit a mistake, you expect others to excuse you. This is because the mistake happened in an unconscious state of mind.
Suppose someone invited you for a party at their home and you couldn’t turn up or you went late. Suppose they are angry at that. And they hold on to that anger for all their life, what can you do? Small things are made into mountains. We need to check that. That’s why we need all these silence programmes to introspect:
Are we so rigid that everyone wants to run away from us?
Are we so stiff that it becomes miserable for others to live around us?
How many people feel comfort around us or in our company?
Are you that pleasant personality that everyone feels comfortable around you?
And to what degree has it manifested in you?
Look back and see: How much were you unlikeable in the past and how much do people like you now. You don’t have to make an effort for people to like you. Are you being pleasant? Even when you have to point out a mistake, you can do it in a skillful manner.
Suppose you have to work with a boss, who is foolish and nasty, how do you work with them? With skill. You have to tell the boss: ‘You are the best, you know everything. I have an idea, but you know it better.’ Then the boss will say: ‘Yes, yes, it’s correct.’
The boss will want to ascertain his position as boss. You are shaking his position to make an action come out of it. It’s not going to work. Do you see what I am saying? People are so insecure: about money, relationships, health, friendship, prestige, status in society. They are insecure in every angle. You live in such a world, it’s a mental case. It’s a gone case. You hardly find people who are healthy and established in self.
In Bali, they say, Om swasti astu. Swasti means health, may health be upon you. Swasti really means the one who is established in spiritual health. Like your liver should function normally, heart should beat properly. Brain should perceive things related to this reality. When all the organs are doing their job, then you are healthy. Similarly, Swasti means being established in the Self. The greeting of Om swasti astu means ‘May you be in yourself! May you be in the best of health: spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.’
When you see people are not centered in their life, a small thing can trigger and put them off track. Isn’t that so? And you have been doing that also. A small comment, someone criticizes you, you went off, not one day, but months together, refuse to see them.
Someone says, ‘You look like a ghost.’ Say, ‘Yes, I am a holy ghost.’ Have some humor. Humor can save you through all these rough weather.
Make it fun!
I heard that a minister in India once said, ‘All these beautiful women are getting married to fools. They have fools as their husbands.’ His wife said, ‘Don’t keep complimenting me all day. Enough is enough, you have complimented me enough.’
Instead of telling her husband, ‘Why do you keep looking at beautiful women? Blah, blah, blah…’ the wife skillfully silenced him.
So, when you tell people, ‘Why do you love me so much?’, their love increases. But if you ask them to prove it to you, then you are creating a situation which is so heavy, so unpleasant. Got it?
Now, there are two secrets: One for men and one for women.
Ladies first: Never step on the ego of your man because he will be nothing without his ego. The whole world can tell him that he has no brains, but a wife should never tell him that he is useless or that he has no brains. You should tell him, ‘You are the best man in the whole world. The only thing is that you don’t use your brain enough.’
You should always praise your man. Don’t put him under your feet or squash him. Never. When he is tired of proving himself to the whole world, he comes home and at least he finds some peace. Always pump the ego of a man.
Now the secret for a man. Are you ready for it? Never step on the emotions of a woman. Give her the freedom to participate in religious programmes. Never say anything against her family. She may complain to you about them, but you had better not participate. If you do, she will turn against you the very next moment. She will change sides, so, never ever say anything negative about her family. And when she wants to go for shopping, never say no. Just give her your credit card.
So, keeping our mind, saving our mind at all costs is necessary.
Recently a couple came to see me in Germany. They were unhappy. The man said that his son hated him, despite him doing so much for the child. Since the father and son didn’t get along, the mother was caught in between the two. I told them to send their son to me.
When the son came to see me the next day, I just told him one thing: ‘Look, your father is so old, do you want him to die miserable? You can’t change him. You expect him to change? And do you want him to be miserable when he breathes his last breath? Can you tell him something nice? Can you do that for me? Just one or two gestures?’ The boy looked at me and said, “Yes, Guruji.”
Then the boy changed. Once, he surprised his father by receiving him at the airport. He said some good words and suddenly the burden got lifted. The whole family became happy.
Each one is right in their place, but we forget that we live in a society, in an atmosphere with differences. Have you heard about this research that came in the newspapers recently? Two scientists from California and Russia were researching together for 20 years on the topic of happiness. What they found is that if the friend of a friend of a friend of yours is happy, then suddenly you find yourself happy. 20 percent of that happiness comes to you. We are living in a collective consciousness. We are enveloped in a collected consciousness. That’s why satsangs are important, because it increases the vibrations of the whole environment around us.
In Sanskrit, it’s called kavach, armor.
Group meditation, service projects all these are essential in life.
Q: What is the meaning of the phrase: ‘Everything is there in everything’?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Just one drop of blood is enough to test the blood in your body. From just one drop of saliva, doctors can determine your DNA. The functioning of the kidney, pancreas… everything can be detected by one drop of saliva, one drop of blood. You can virtually create every possible creature from one human DNA. Did you know about this?
Scientists say a single human DNA has the DNA chains of all the animals on the planet. An elephant, crow, mosquito, even a hippo …. so there is a hippo hiding inside you. But inside a hippo, there is no human being. At least, science hasn’t made any claims on this yet.
Modern science and ancient knowledge are in the same boat. The most ancient Vedic knowledge says the same thing.
There is a doctor from Germany who has scientifically proved that everything is nothing, the whole universe is nothing. What you think as a solid substance is actually nothing. People think he is crazy. But he gives scientific explanations for every fact.
It is startling to hear the same truth as the Vedantic Truth that has been around for thousands of years.
From subjective and objective analysis, they ultimately mean the same thing.
Anyways, enough discussion for today. Remember: Just drop all that is bothering you, if you are not free today, you can never be free anytime. Don’t expect freedom to come to you.
Tonight I am free, everything is going to happen the way it is going to hap
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, April 24, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Since I moved freely among people, talking and singing with them, even intellectuals were unable to grasp My truth, My power, My glory, or My real task as Avatar. I can solve any problem however knotty. I am beyond the reach of the most intensive enquiry and the most meticulous measurement. Only those who have recognised My love and experienced it can assert that they have glimpsed My reality. Do not attempt to know Me through the external eyes. When you go to a temple and stand before the image of God, you pray with closed eyes, don’t you? Why? Because you feel that the inner eye of wisdom alone can reveal Him to you. Therefore, do not crave from Me trivial material objects; but, crave for Me from within, and you will be rewarded. The path of Love is the royal road that leads mankind to Me. My grace is ever available to devotees who have steady love and faith. (Divine Discourse, June 19, 1974) |
-BABA |
Gurudev, I am beginning to lose faith in you, what do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : That is good. Faith is not that which can come to an end, this is the first thing.
You are trying to run away from something in your life, and you are using God or your Guru as a pretext or reason for doing so. Faith that is built in such a way surely will shake at some point of time. Every time your faith shakes, your devotion will be renewed from within once again. Truth never fails or gets shaken. True faith remains unshaken regardless of everything that happens. That which shakes is just some small belief at a very superficial level. It is your own expectations and desires which shake you.
Blessings for a GOoD day
What Sri Sri said
‘Life moves with commitment, not feelings’
Q. The people of West Bengal are suffering under the CPI government and their ideology since 30 years, it seems to be unending. Can we expect a change at all and how?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Change can happen by educating people. People like you (points to the crowd) do padayatras (walkathons) and educate people. West Bengal is far behind. There’s little industry and business, it has obsolete ideology. Make people aware.
Communist China and Russia have changed their course. But in India, it doesn’t change because of lack of awareness. So, create awareness and meditate. Nothing is impossible. If something is impossible, then we can do it!
Q. Which limb of Asthanga yoga does Sudarshan Kriya belong to?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : It does not belong to any particular limb of yoga, it is a culmination of all the paths.
Everything comes together in the Sudarshan Kriya - meditation, yoga asanas and dharana.
Q. Are the customs and rituals of religions conducive to spiritual growth or are they obstacles?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : A vehicle is kept to the left in India. In the United States of America, cars keep to the right. Customs and rituals are there to guide society, steering society from going right or left.
They are made according to the time and the country. For instance, men wear unstitched clothes for a puja in South India. In North India, people wear coats. Perhaps, this is because the weather is cold there. When Muslim males go to Mecca for Haj, they have to wear unstitched clothes.
Yet, these customs and rituals are neither conducive nor act as obstacles on the path to God.
There are many customs when it comes to marriages. A coconut and a mirror are placed on a plate, when welcoming the in-laws in South India. It is as though to say: ‘Enter with a smile. See your face and feel complete. We are feeling complete here.’ When you see yourself in the mirror in the morning, you smile. You don’t frown when you see yourself.
People in Maharashtra welcome the in-laws with a betel nut and a gold coin on their head. This gesture says: ‘Your thoughts should shine like gold.’ This is an auspicious gesture.
There are other rituals in Bihar and Bengal. These customs from different parts of India should be studied thoroughly. Someone should take up this project.
In Kerala, a nirapara is kept at the entrance of a house to welcome people. It is a vessel filled with grains, flowers from the coconut tree and a diya (lamp). This custom signifies that the house which is being entered is full, there is happiness. It is a sign of prosperity.
Similarly, people gift each other chocolate eggs for Easter in Europe. It is a symbol of prosperity and progeny.
In India, people fast when going on a pilgrimage – say, to Shabri Mala, Vaishno Devi or Tirupati. Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia, fast too. They don’t eat vegetables or dairy products for some period of the year. These are rituals and customs. There must be some reason.
Q. Can I take a sankalpa for a change in someone else’s behavior?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Do it, take it. Bless them to behave better. When you want to bless someone because their behavior hurts you, it doesn’t work. When you want to bless them because their behavior hurts them, that would work. That is compassion. Say: May you behave better, so that you can be happier.
Q. Meditation gives me a high. If I discontinue for a few days and resume, I get a greater high. I fear that I will lose this high.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : I think you have too much free time. If you’re engaging yourself in some creative activity, then where is the time to feel bad?
Anand Yog means communion with the Divine, which brings bliss.
Anand Bhog is doing things for enjoyment. It is not the best.
If we worry about whether we are high or low, then we get trapped in a self-centred cycle which may lead to depression. Do some seva. Do your practice. There are so many people who need you. Do some job.
If there is nothing creative to do, then you will feel like this.
The world doesn’t care – it shouldn’t care.
You stand up, wake up and say: ‘My life is going to move with commitment, not with feelings.’
Feelings are unpredictable. You can predict that the pigeons in the hall (pointing to Vishalakshi Mantap) will remain there, but you cannot predict your mind.
Q. My father is an astrologer. Whatever he says comes true. He told me that I will get mental disorders after six years. I’m scared. Please help me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Remind your father that there is upaya (remedy) also. There is no astrology without upaya. The mal-effects of astrology can be countered with upaya. The remedy is meditation and satsang. Sit and chant: Om Namo Shivaya. It takes care of all the mal-effects. All the five elements and the whole life force is present in Om Namo Shivaya. Don’t worry about it. On this path, you should drop those concerns and worries.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Embodiments of Divine Love! Wherever you may be, never give room for any differences. Everyone must get rid of all selfishness, self-interest and self-centeredness. Mutual regard (Mamatha), equipoise (Samatha) and forbearance (kshamatha) are basic qualities necessary for every human being. Hence develop love, forbearance and compassion. Realise that love is present in everyone. Get rid of all differences and adhere to your faith and traditions. Learn to live in love and harmony with all the members of your society. When differences of all kinds are given up, love will grow in you and you can have a direct vision of God. Without love, verbal prayers are of no avail. Divine love is the only unifier, motivator and harbinger of joy to everyone. God is love and God can be realised only through love. All saints and religions have emphasized the greatness of love, truth, sacrifice and unity. Therefore cultivate love. (Divine Discourse, Dec 24, 1980) |
-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
‘The remote control of your life is in your hands’
Bangalore, (India),
Q. Guruji, you say hurt is part of love. Do you ever get hurt in love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : That’s only in the beginning stages. When you move into knowledge and wisdom, then nothing can hurt you.
Q. Can students be equal to their Guru? If yes, then how?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Yes, absolutely. The Guru will make you an equal. The Guru will make you like him. This is only for those who want to be like him. It is not by compulsion. Knowledge melts the difference between you and me.
Q. Are the Mahabharata and Ramanayana true? Maybe there were just rumours which became hyped up at the time.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Then you will believe that all of history is a myth. If Buddha is a myth, then so is Jesus and so is Mahavira. This is because miracles are attached to all these stories. But if you accept only Krishna as true and not Rama or that Jesus lived on the planet and not Rama, then there is something wrong in your thinking.
Did Moses exist? Could the Red Sea have been parted? If the Red Sea could have been parted, then the bridge to Sri Lanka could have been built too.
Q. I had a terrible fight with my mother this morning. How do I get her to listen to my point of view?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Patience and perseverence. Keep these two things in your mind – don’t expect someone to accept you immediately. Give a little bit of your ideas to people. Then leave them for a few days so that they have time to digest the ideas. Then again you share some ideas. So, bit by bit you can tell them. Then perhaps, you will change your point of view! This happens many times. Life is very complex, the intellect is very intellect – we should not be stuck with something. Our mind should be flexible, not rigid.
Q. What is the better way to stay in the present moment? Concentrate on the breath or observe the mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Both happen simultaneously. There is no choice for you.
Q. How to react when a close one breaks your trust?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : When someone breaks your trust, give them another chance, and another chance and another chance. When they keep breaking your trust, then you know how to behave with them.
Q. How to become an angel?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : There is no way. You already are one!
Q. Youth support your vision for change. There is no role model. When will the Art of Living come up with a political party?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : There is no role model because the spot is waiting for you. You be a role model. It is only spirituality that can bring transformation in the nation. Devoid of spirituality, politics becomes so corrupt.
Q. Do you need to be aggressive or calm to achieve your goal?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Both. You have to be calm and dynamic. I won’t call it aggression. Sometimes you have to be dynamic – whenever needed.
Q. What does the intellect have to do with spirituality?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Spirituality makes your intellect sharp. They are not contradictory, they complement each other. Don’t think spiritual people shut down their intellect. They have a spirit of enquiry. Your questions assume a higher dimension. If your intellect is mature, then you have no choice but to be spiritual.
Q. Man says that the blood flow is controlled by heart. The heart is controlled by the brain. What controls the brain?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : That is the life force.
Q. I have so many flaws. Everyone threw me away, you took me into your arms? How?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Easily. Everyone can do this. Accept people as they are.
When you have the remote control in your hands, you can change the channel on the television. The same television can show a horror channel or something nice. The remote control of your life is in your hands.
Q. How to control the drug menace?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Sudarshan Kriya! It gives so much intoxication, that is good enough.
Q. How does one balance seva and studies?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Do you know how to ride a bicycle? If you steer to the right, then it goes there. If you steer to the left, the cycle goes there. You have to balance life.
Q. What can I do to mitigate astrologically bad periods?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Chant ohm namo shivay and meditate.
Q. There is a lot of back-stabbing and politics in my office.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : People play politics. When you think they play politics, then it becomes big for you. Even if they do something small, then you think it is intentional.
Just understand the human mind. If people behave like that, it’s their nature. They play all these games because they are ignorant. It is the weakness which brings up these tendencies.
Have compassion. When you label them, then you are cutting off communication with them. People will not be the same everyday. They change. They change also because of the way we interact with them. In February, I met some Maoists in Jharkhand (India). I told them to drop the bullets and take the ballot. They have done that and are now standing for the elections.
We should not cut off communication with people, however they are. We should bring out the greatness in people. If we retrieve in our shells, others will then perceive us as close-minded people. People are people wherever they are. Don’t see intention behind their mistakes. Give them the benefit of doubt.
Q. Where is the seat of atma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : You have a mind. Close your eyes and search for it. You will that it is everywhere and nowhere. It is not an object to be kept somewhere. The field is all over.
Q. What is beauty?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : That which is innocent (shivam), that which is truth (satyam).
Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram. That is what is divinity. Every child looks so beautiful, whether the child is from Mongolia, Africa, Bangaladesh. Why is it so? This is because of innocence.
Q. How can we achieve Trupti and be satisfied in whatever I have?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Just wake up and see. Even if you get crores of rupees in the future, then what? Can you spend all the money? You will just put it in the bank. Then you will die and your children will fight over that money. This is what we do. It is unwise to postpone being happy in order to gain something. Aspire for something but be happy now.
When you feel that you have everything now, you will have more. Do you know who gets invited to dinners? The one who has plenty to eat.
Feel the plentitude.
Q. So many people have been born in the last few years? Where are the new souls coming from?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Many animal species have disappeared. Now you don’t see sparrows, snakes and scorpions. There is no dearth for souls. There are plenty of them.
Have you seen advertisements on a billboard? Sometimes only few letters get lit. For example, an advertisement for Lux soap or Colgate toothpaste.
The bulbs are there all the time. Sometimes some bulbs are lit, others are not. In the same way, the souls are there. Some manifest, some don’t.
(Many youth from the ongoing Yes+ programme shared their experiences. Sri Sri told them:
“Save your mind at all costs. We talk about saving the environment, saving the world but not the mind. Tell yourself: I am in charge of my life, my mind. Nobody can make me unhappy.”
Q. Whom do you worship?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Meditation is the culmination of prayer. One parmatma, one divinity – is everywhere.
Q. What is the secret behind the ever-green smile?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : I have no idea. Perhaps it’s because I always walk my talk and talk my walk.)
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Without the control of your senses, your spiritual practices (Sadhana) will be ineffective; it is like keeping water in a leaky pot! When the tongue craves for some delicacy, assert that you will not cater to its whims. If you persist in giving yourself simple food that is not savoury or hot, but amply sustaining, the tongue may squirm for a few days, but it will soon welcome it. That is the way to subdue it and overcome the evil consequences of it being your master. Since the tongue is equally insistent on scandal and lascivious talk, you must curb that tendency also. Talk little, talk sweetly, and talk only when there is a pressing need. Also, talk only to those to whom you must, and do not shout or raise the voice in anger or excitement. Such control will improve health and mental peace. It will lead to better public relations and less involvement in contacts and conflicts with others. (Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968) |
-BABA |
‘Awareness depends upon your ability to open and shut your windows. When there is a storm, you need to shut your windows – otherwise you will get wet. When it is hot and suffocating inside, you need to open your windows.
Your senses are like windows. When you are awake, you have the ability to open and shut your windows at will; then you are free.
If your windows cannot be shut or opened at will, you are bound. Attending to this is sadhana, or spiritual practice.
To the degree that you are awake, everything around you brings knowledge. If you are not awake, even the most precious knowledge does not make any sense.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
5 Tips to Get Past the Blame Game
04/25/2017 Bangalore, India
When you get angry or you blame somebody, you feel a heavy load on your head. You feel uncomfortable inside, and you spread unpleasant feelings all around you too. Blaming does not give you anything positive in return. Instead, owning responsibility for all your experiences in life makes you powerful and will put an end to grumbling, planning counter attacks, explanations, and all those host of negative tendencies. Owning full responsibility, you become free.
Here are 5 tips to walk yourself out of the tendency to blame and move towards higher levels of awareness and a more positive way of life.
#1 Blaming is not going to give you anything positive in return
What is the use of blame? See, you blame someone and if that person is really a culprit, for the first time it will provoke him or her, but if you keep blaming, he becomes numb to it; he doesn’t care. Suppose someone is a real thief, and you keep telling him, ‘You are a thief’, you are wasting your time blaming him, because every time you say it, it doesn’t matter to him. It doesn’t touch him at all.
So, a true culprit doesn’t get affected by your blaming him or her. Instead of blaming them, take this opportunity as an exercise for you to maintain your equanimity and your inner balance.
If everything is okay, if everybody is praising you and you say that I am a very balanced person, it doesn’t mean much.
#2 Before blaming someone, analyze your purpose of blaming
You want to correct the person, is that why you are blaming them? Or are you blaming because you want to vent out your emotions? What is your attitude? Why do you want to do it?
If you are just venting out your emotions then that is reflect on your own immaturity and lack of control over your own mind, that all. So, analyze your purpose of blaming someone before putting the blame on them.
#3 Blame reflects lack of communication
If your intention is to correct a person, you cannot correct them by blaming them. You can only correct them with love, compassion and communication. Blame means no communication.
If someone is a real culprit and you want to correct them, you can only do it through communication. And if he or she is not a real culprit, then your whole exercise is futile.
#4 Switch from blame to constructive criticism
Blaming is out of anger, jealousy, hatred and does not work. It does not yield any result. Instead give constructive criticism with compassion. A criticism should go with compassion and care, then it works.
#5 If you don’t like somebody, simply move away from them
If you keep blaming someone, that means you really like them. You can’t stay away from them, you can’t get away from them and that is why you keep blaming them. Don’t waste time and energy, if you don’t like someone, simply move forward. Don’t look into the behavior of others around you if it is not inspiring. If it is inspiring then definitely take it.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, April 28, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You might say that the karma of the previous birth has to be consumed in this birth and that no amount of grace can save man from that. Evidently, someone has taught you to believe so. But I assure you, you need not suffer from karma like that. When a severe pain torments you, the doctor gives you a morphine injection and you do not feel the pain, though it is there in the body. Grace is like the morphine; the pain is not felt, though you go through it! Grace takes away the malignity of the karma which you have to undergo. There are also dated drugs, which become ineffective after a certain time. Well, so too, with Grace, the effect of karma is rendered null, even though you go through the experience. Hence, it is wrong to say the ‘Lalaata likhitam’ (fate written on the forehead) cannot be rendered ineffective. Grace can surpass anything; nothing can stand in its way. Remember, it is the grace of the ‘All-mighty’! (Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1964) |
-BABA |
Anugraha means grace. Nothing is possible in life without anugraha. When you receive a lot without making efforts for it, then it is said that you are blessed with anugraha. Do you understand what I am saying?
Usually you work hard at your job and then receive your salary. So you say, ‘I have earned my money’. But if someone gives you a gift, you do not say, ‘I have earned these gifts’. Can something that is earned be called a gift? No. You receive gifts without any efforts. So when you receive a great gift or an award that you feel you did not deserve, then that is called anugraha. When we receive something that we are not deserving of, or which exceeds our capabilities, then that is what is called Grace. When we see that in our life, we have received far more than what we deserve or are capable of, then gratitude dawns in us. We become thankful, complaints disappear and abundance grows.
A person who is grateful never experiences lack of anything. Who experiences a lack in life? One who thinks that ‘I am so capable yet I got nothing’.
Being grateful means all your complaints in life simply disappear. When you have this feeling in your heart that you have always received more than what you asked for, or more than what you deserved, then deep gratitude arises in you. When there is gratitude, there will never be a lack of anything in life. For such a person, whatever he wishes for will keep getting fulfilled.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Satsang yesterday
(26th April 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, kindly enlighten, what ‘eternity’ is?
Sri Sri: That which is beyond time.
Q. Gurudev, when I am in ashram I am happy, but when I go back, all the pain, sorrow & longing comes back and it hits hard. What to do?
Sri Sri: That’s why knowledge is there, be in touch with knowledge, listen to talks, read the knowledge books, do your pranayama and see in the past you have had this experience so many times, you raise up with a challenge that I am going to fight this out. You know when the valour or challenge is invoked within you, you will find this vanishes. Only when you feel you are weak, you are helpless, you feel more sad, it hits you hard. But when you know I am going to face this, I will face it, I will be victorious. You should invoke that valour within you. Either through strong faith or through valour or through the practices or through all three you can get over this sort of lows in life.
Q. Gurudev, what is the relation between Raj Yoga & Hatha Yoga?
Sri Sri: Hatha Yoga is you go out of your comfort zone, Raj Yoga is you are extending your comfort zone. That’s it. Raj Yoga is doing everything very comfortably. That’s why both Raj Yoga & Hatha Yoga we should combine both and go out. Raj Yoga is that which has no effort or less effort. Whereas Hatha Yoga challenges you to how much more effort you can put here, and so you are extending or going beyond your comfort zone, little by little.
Q. Gurudev, when Yoga brings peace, how can it be useful for people who need to fight like Police or Army?
Sri Sri: They have to have inner-peace. They cannot fight with restlessness, fear, anxiety or anger. Fighter will have to be very calm, sturdy, quiet and then only he can hit the target.
Q. Gurudev, what is the role of temples in society? How has the role of temples changed over the years?
Sri Sri: Temples have been a place of cultural and social interaction, not just spiritual and religious. Temples have been a place where people would gather, where music, dance, drama, weddings and all the ceremonies will happen and also meditation, yoga, all that. So temples have been epicentre of social activity in every village, every city in the past. It is a place where it would unite everybody. Unfortunately in the middle-ages sometime, some people were kept away from the temple. Temple entry was not allowed. It is not in any scriptures. It is not being practiced in any big temple in this county. Only small temples had this horrible unjust rule of not giving entry to dalits. In fact, you see Tirumala Tirupati Temple, the biggest in South India, the first puja is done by dalits. So dalits have a role to play and if you see in many of these ancient temples like Kashi Vishwanath, or Kedarnath, Badrinath, there is no restriction of cast at all, everyone can go and worship the Jyotirlingas. Somewhere in the middle-ages due to ignorance and selfishness, lack of understanding of people, especially the pundits, lot of problems have been created and that continue till this century. So temples are there to unite people and is a place for people to express their talents, their devotion and their creativity.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2017
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Since times immemorial, you have an eternal, infinite and unbroken link to the Atma (Self). Bhagavatam declares, "It is natural for every living creature to go back to the source from where it came." You emerged from the Divine (Atma) and you must merge in the Divine. Till the goal is reached, do not treat lightly the sacred journey of life. Ask yourself, where did you come from? Not from your mother! Your mother gifted the body, but the Soul came from the Lord. You are not the body nor the senses nor the mind. You are the Atma alone. Each of you is a child of immortality. That being the case, why are you seeking this anrutha (untruth)? What is the way to immortality? Removal of immorality is the only way to immortality. Bad traits and evil qualities like attachment, hatred and envy, make you distant from God. Get rid of them, God becomes nearer and dearer to you. (Divine Discourse, Oct 3, 1996)
-BABA
Attachments cause feverish breath. Feverish breath takes away your peace of mind. And without peace of mind, you come apart and fall prey to misery.
When you are drowning in the ocean of attachments, surrender is a life jacket.
Without fighting attachments, observe your feverish breath and go to the cool place of silence within. Your first step in this direction is directing your attachment to knowledge, to the Divine.
Your non- attachment to the mundane is your charm. Your attachment to the Divine is your beauty.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
25th April 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, when we are young, we have time and energy but no money; when we are in middle-age we have energy and money but no time; and when we are old, we have time and money but no energy, what should we change in us & in our youth to break this equation?
Sri Sri: Just accept it ‘that’s how it is’, but throughout have faith that you need not look for energy or anything else. You should keep that. If the faith is there throughout, if the ‘bhakti’ is there throughout, then you have crossed.
Q. Gurudev, in today’s world of conflict, stress & negativity, the path of spirituality is needed to restore peace & harmony, yet this path keeps getting rocked by unfounded controversies, what can we do to prevent these obstacles?
Sri Sri: No, no, always have faith that the truth will always win. ‘Satyamev Jayate’, just hold on to that. Challenges come and those challenges will go the way they will come. They only come to see how strong you are.
Q. Gurudev, what is the unit for success: Money, Power or Happiness?
Sri Sri: Happiness, smile. Smile and the confidence in you indicates your success, not your bank balance. You look at some people, their whole face is shrunk & so unhappy, they may be very rich but look at them, you don’t find very inspiring, isn’t it? There is no confidence, there is no happiness, that is not sign of success, isn’t it? What do you say? Yes.
Q. Gurudev, I used to give Tarpanam every Amavasya, what should I do tomorrow when I am in the TRM?
Sri Sri: You can do that, Tarpanam is so easy, sesame seed and water. You know what is the meaning of Tarpanam? What you say to your ancestors? You tell them ‘Mother, Father, whatever desires you had in your mind it’s like sesame seed, it’s a small thing, now you be content, ‘tripyataam, tripyataam, tripyataam’, be contented, be contented, be contented. Let you move with contentment, leave all these things about this world, we are here to take care of your desires, you move on to the other side. To helping them to see the vastness on the other side and relieving them of their attachment to this world is what Tarpanam means. We say ‘tripyataam, tripyataam, tripyataam’, ‘may you have contentment, may you have contentment, may you have contentment’, three times you say, that you can tell anytime, anywhere, that’s all you do. There is no way that mantras are there at all in Tarpanam. It is all in just Sanskrit words. You take the name of your father, grand father and great grand father and say ‘be content’. Similarly for mother, grand mother, great grand mother and where they are, in Vasu, Aditya & Rudra lokas, three Lokas are there. And even though they are in those Lokas, especially in the Vasu Loka there is little attachment, little concern, if they have some desires left over, you tell them that these are all like sesame seeds, small things, just drop it, move on, move on to the other dimension, this is what you say, that’s it. Or you thank them, it’s sort of Thanksgiving to them, remembering them, thanking them.
But you know if you meditate that is good enough. When you are in meditation, you are creating that vibrations which reaches to people on that side as well.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
A pure devotee is one who possesses the quality of Udasina, being indifferent to external happening. The other quality a devotee must have is being free from egoism and possessiveness. And one should also get rid of the idea of doership and ownership and surrender everything to God. Krishna has declared in the Gita that such a devotee is dear to Him. Such a devotee naturally develops detachment towards all worldly concerns and is indifferent to the happenings in the phenomenal world. He is indifferent to praise or blame, pleasure or pain. Another quality you must have is giving up attachment to the fruits of one's actions. Everything belongs to the Divine. Hence, engage yourself in worthy acts and experience God. Everyone in the divine mission, unaffected by success or failure, joy or sorrow, will receive God's grace abundantly. (Divine Discourse, Oct 3, 1996) |
-BABA |
Attachment brings pain, but nothing comes without pain. We came into this world in a lot of pain. The process of birth itself is very painful. For nine months, we were comfortable and then suddenly the ocean around us disappeared and we had to come out! Attachment happens when your focus is not on the Being, but on the outside. Wanting to control, possess and hold on brings pain. When we are relaxed and content, love transforms to bliss. Demand and control only bring pain. Wisdom, along with love, is the answer.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Tips to Handle Criticism
05/03/2017 Bangalore, India
1
If someone criticizes you, welcome it! If there is some substance in it, take it. If the criticism is coming out of jealousy, frustration, or anger, it is good to practice indifference. Don’t lose your equanimity.
2
If someone criticizes you and you counter it by criticizing them, then the chain continues. Instead, thank them for their kind words and see what happens. The day you drop your defenses, the other person will not know how to respond.
3
If someone is giving you constructive criticism, welcome it! They are taking the risk of losing your friendship and giving you criticism.
4
Don't defend your mistakes. Just accept them and move on. When you are totally defenseless, that's when you'll be strong.
5
Every time you face 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 very big, then you think, “I am much bigger than this criticism, let me take it in.”
6
Know that people are there to help you in the world. Don’t see people as enemies. The foolish will look at the world as filled with hostile people. The wise will look at the world as filled with friends, and think that people are there to help.
7
Smile not only when compliments are given, but when you are criticized too. A person of true patience and courage is one who can respond to any insult or criticism with an unshakeable smile.
Unjust criticism should also be taken with a smile. To begin with, you may feel very uncomfortable, but there will be a shift in you, with which you will be so amazed.
8
Respond to criticism with humour and wit. If you get angry with someone who taunts you, then that is not intelligent behavior. The sign of intelligence is to transform an unpleasant situation into a pleasant one.
One who looks for pleasantness even in unpleasant or unfavourable situations is truly an intelligent person.
9
If somebody is talking negatively about you, they are dumping garbage. You should not hold your gunny bag and catch it. When somebody is dumping garbage, you simply move away from there. Don't take it in.
10
Have the ability to give constructive criticism from a happy, calm mind and be able to take constructive criticism from the same mind. This will transform your ego.
11
If anyone anywhere humiliates you, know that it is only a plan to soften you. It is a blessing.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The more you grind the sandalwood, the more it yields sandal paste. The more you crush the sugarcane, the more it yields sweet juice. As the gold is heated more and more, it becomes purer and shines with added brilliance. Likewise, the good qualities in a noble person blossom more and more as one passes through the vicissitudes of life. Embodiments of Love! The difficulties of life do not cause any hindrance to a person pursuing a noble course of life. In spite of these, he always remains at peace and contemplates on God constantly. Of all the living beings, to be born a human being is the rarest occurrence (Jantunam Narajanma Durlabham), so this life that you are gifted with is indeed a great good fortune. Having been blessed with such a human birth, you should develop noble thoughts and experience bliss within. Only then will you be truly fortunate. (Divine Discourse, May 06, 2001) |
-BABA |
Gurudev, what is the parameter to call myself a good human being? Please guide me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: An eye that can see beyond the obvious, ears that can give a patient hearing, an intellect that is free from prejudice, an intention to help those in need, and a heart that is strong and soft.
It is easy to find people who are very emotional, and say, "Oh, I love everybody". They are compassionate but have no strength in them, they cannot endure even a simple criticism, which is no good. Then there are those who just throw their weight around; they are very harsh and hard. They feel like there is a stone inside - that is not the quality of a good human being.
A good human being has the right combination of the head and the heart, the left and right brain is balanced.
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
6 Wise Ways to Deal with Anger
05/02/2017 Bangalore, India
If your anger is a tool and it is in your control, then anger is good. But if anger controls you then you are in trouble, and the cause is also gone. There is nothing wrong in using anger as a weapon, but if it is cutting your own peace of mind, then you should use wisdom to safeguard yourself.
Here is some perspective on how to skillfully free your mind from the clutches of anger, and experience a balanced state of mind.
#1 Give room for imperfection
The main cause of anger is that you want perfection. We get angry over imperfections, but the world does have levels of perfection. Give a little space for imperfection. When you give some space for imperfection, patience in you increases.
At home we keep a garbage can, isn't it? You cannot say, 'I won’t keep a garbage can at home'. Then there would be garbage all over the place. Anger is that garbage all over the house. When you give space for imperfection, you will put all the garbage in a can and let it be. Then you will see how you can manage your anger.
So exercise patience towards imperfections. It takes time for imperfection to become perfection. How can you give that time? When you give space for it. Then compassion arises and anger disappears.
#2 Balance between expressing and suppressing your anger
You can’t express anger all the time, you will cause so much damage to yourself and others around you. And you can’t suppress it all the time, sometimes you need to express it otherwise you will explode. So, you have to strike that right balance between expressing and suppressing your anger. Wisdom is knowing when to express it and when to suppress it.
#3 Don’t get angry with yourself for getting angry
It will take quite some time for you to get to that level where anger does not even touch you. It will keep coming in different shades and intensities. When anger comes up, don’t start blaming yourself. One thing that can be very detrimental is you blaming yourself. Keep moving ahead. If you get angry, never mind, just let it come and go. Instead of looking at the cause of anger, look at the effect it is producing in your body and keep relaxing your body.
#4 Keep good company (Sangha)
Whatever you cannot do alone, you can do it with the support of good company. Company has many benefits and a few drawbacks too, as it can also take up a lot of your energy. The positive effect is that Sangha gives you that much needed support to move forward. Whenever your mind goes topsy-turvy, or if your emotions are going up and down, at such times the Sangha will carry you forward. It will help you move through the situations.
#5 Accept people as they are
One of the principles of The Art of Living is: Accept people and situations as they are.Accepting and creating room for others itself makes your personality much wider. If you don’t have that expanded consciousness then you become very rigid in your outlook.
People who irritate you, in some way or the other can bring about the best in you. They can bring out the talents and skills in you. See, when everyone around you is wonderful you don’t need any skill to handle a situation. It will only happen when there are people whom you think are unreasonable. So, take it as an exercise as much as possible. The moment deep acceptance starts coming from within, you will suddenly find the other person also changes. It is strange, but true. When we change, they also change.
#6 Practice meditation
Meditation will definitely provide you that much needed strength to overcome anger. Practice more pranayama and go deeper into meditation. You will feel the serenity and the change in you after meditation. Meditation brings transformation in you. Remember, any meditation that you do never goes waste.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, May 5, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Mother is not just an ordinary woman; she is verily God. Scriptures give mothers an exalted position in the Universe. Worship her and attain her grace. Once you have the blessings of your mother, you can achieve anything in this world. Never disobey or displease her. Never cause displeasure to your mother. Never hurt her feelings. Then God will help you in all your endeavours. Even today, there is no dearth of noble mothers. They feel pained to see their children straying away from the right path. They leave no stone unturned to correct them. A woman’s prayer is more powerful than a thousand prayers of men because women are pure and tender-hearted. Never look down upon women. Treat all elderly women as your mother and the younger ones as your sisters. The world will remain safe and secure only when men have such noble feelings. (Divine Discourse, May 6 2001) |
-BABA |
Women bring together the finest aspects of society; the ability to create and the transformational ability to make a difference in society. Women bring us to the planet and teach us how to live. A mother is our first guru, our first teacher. Women teach us our first behaviour, our first steps in life. Women also have a great role to play in society. She can be a strong peacemaker - at home, in the community, in society and in the world. Women can glue differences and bring people of diverse nature together - she does it in her home all the time!
In this fast pace of life, we need to balance our inner peace, beauty and ethical values with the external challenges we face, and women have it in them to do it. These qualities are inherent in a woman.
A woman has the capacity to be an excellent peacemaker because it is quite natural for her to relate from the level of the heart. The biggest strengths of a woman are her emotions, feelings, motivation and inspiration. Men can inspire to fight but women inspire to unite. There are more wars in the world today because there is a lack of feminine leadership to unite people, overcome differences and bring home to us the purpose we are all born for! In todays war-torn world, we need women to come to the forefront and take more responsibility, without getting stressed.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
A Message on Buddha Purnima
05/04/2017 Bangalore, India
Today is Buddha Purnima, the day Buddha was born. He got enlightened, he attained nirvana and he died also on this same day. Today the moon seems 20% bigger than other times; it is a very big moon. It is a good occasion to watch the moon rise.
Buddha has left such a permanent mark on the planet for centuries to come, for people to remember the glory of the divinity.
Wake up the little Buddha inside you!
There is a little Buddha in everybody, and that Buddha is in the form of Siddhartha. Do you know who is Siddhartha? Before Buddha became Buddha, he was Siddhartha. He was wandering and lost but he had the spirit of enquiry in his heart.
Siddhartha, at a very young age understood that everything is sorrow. He said, “The world is all sorrow and I want to get rid of sorrow”, but he did not know the way. Everybody has this little Buddha inside of them (here referring to the burning spirit of enquiry), one only has to wake up to it.
Buddha’s first words after he got enlightened.
Today being Buddha Purnima, I’d like to tell you a little bit about Lord Buddha’s life.
When Lord Buddha saw the suffering in the world, he said, “Life has no meaning. If you have to become old, and you have to die, then what is the point in living!”
When he encountered a sick man, a dead man and an ascetic. He left his palace and sat in meditation for many years. After he attained enlightenment, for seven days he didn’t say a word. The angels and gods of the subtle world got worried. They said that after a long time a Buddha has come on the planet, why isn’t he speaking anything?
Buddha said, “The people who know, they know, and those who do not know, even by my speaking, will not understand. They are so busy making money, making relationships work, fighting, eating and sleeping that with my telling, nothing will get into their minds”.
All the Gods and angels argued with Buddha saying that there are some people who are on the borderline. If you just tell them, they will get it! There are people who have some idea, and who really want to know, for them you must speak. Then Lord Buddha stated speaking from that day; the seventh day.
On the seventh day, after the full moon, Lord Buddha started speaking and all he said was, “Everything is nothing!”
I want you to immediately experience one thing. Wake up and see till this moment, whatever has happened in your life for the last 30 to 50 years, is it not like a dream?
Take your mind forward and backward. Now fast forward it. You’re sitting here, you will go back home, have your dinner and sleep. Tomorrow you will wake up, brush your teeth, get on with your work. The next day will roll, the third day will roll and June will come. Then July, August, September, and the New Year party will happen. It’s all gone! All the days will be gone. Is it not like a dream? Could this be a dream, you reading these words? How do you know it is reality? It could be a dream! The present could be a dream, question the present. The future is like a dream. If you can manage to shift your attention and see this reality, you will see something above this. There is something above and beyond this, which remains, which is so beautiful. And if you see this, you gain such incredible strength, energy, love and beauty in your life out of it that nothing whatsoever can shake it.
What do you need to do? You need to simply wake up! Turn one switch off (mind), and turn the other one on (intuition). For a moment, wake up and see, this is all a dream, and discard everything. Immediately you get connected to the universal power, to the truth that you are made up of!
When you have to work with people, don’t use this philosophy, i.e., everything is nothing. You will not be able to do your business! However, keep this in mind – everything is nothing. This gives you inner strength, intuitive ability, happiness, contentment, love and compassion.
Happy Buddha Purnima!
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, May 8, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You should realise that for every action there is a consequence. The results of each action depend on the nature of the action, just as the nature of the tree depends on the seed which is sowed. The consequences of one’s actions are inescapable and it is for this reason that the Emperor Manu laid down that all should observe righteousness (Dharma). The consequences of actions may appear sooner or later but they are bound to occur. When you constantly think of God and perform all actions with divine feelings, you will experience the full blossoming of the human qualities. You cannot avoid actions. You must transform work into worship. You have to perform work in this spirit. You cannot substitute prayer for work. You have to combine both work and worship. Hence from now on, consider your every action as dedicated to God. (Divine Discourse, Aug 31, 1992) |
-BABA |
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
In Satsang
(6th May 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Life itself is a story. Every individual’s life is new story. Hence, every person is a Guru or a Master. Why? Because few people learn from us what to do and also learn what not to do. The one who teaches us what to do & what not to do is Guru (Master) only. That is why, whether you like it or not (wish for it or not), every person has become a Guru.
Q. Whether a person becomes happy by getting married?
Sri Sri: You are asking wrong question to wrong person (those who all are on stage right now). Though there is one thing, you decide for yourself that ‘I will be happy’, whether married or single. Few people are unhappy even after getting married and there are others who are not married and still unhappy. And there are few people who are happy without getting married and others who are happy after getting married also. You just be in the category of people who are happy, that’s it.
Q. Gurudev, can two persons at different locations contact each other by way of Yoga?
Sri Sri: Are you asking whether you can do telepathy? Yes, you can do it, not a big thing.
Q. Gurudev, my parents want that I should earn money and become rich and wealthy. But I want to be on spiritual path. What should I do?
Sri Sri: You can do both. You can do good earning, take a good job or start a business and then be spiritual also.
Q. Dear Gurudev, you treat (cure) everyone here in ashram, but if you fall sick, who is there to treat you?
Sri Sri: That situation has not come, don’t worry.
Q. Dear Gurudev, have you ever thought of living as a sage in your childhood?
Sri Sri: Hmm, my childhood is still continuing. (Laughs).
Q. Dear Gurudev, how can we, as kids attain spirituality in this life only?
Sri Sri: Oh, you are in the right place. Just relax and play, sing, do satsang, you will be fine.
Q. Dear Gurudev, as and when you were a kid, have you ever thought about this Art of Living and building Ashram? If yes, why?
Sri Sri: I think, it’s better to say ‘no’, then I don’t have to answer all that (laughs). Yeah, I have seen all of you long time back.
Q. Gurudev, can I see my future and if so, how will it be?
Sri Sri: Very good, don’t worry. You make your future. Okay.
Q. Gurudev, one can understand the way of negation, ‘not this, not this’. But it is not that easy to get ‘what is’. What is the way to go from ‘not this’ to ‘this is it’?
Sri Sri: You only have to go ‘not this, not this’ and then ‘this is it’ one day will strike. Then you have no more question.
Q. Gurudev, how to choose a career if I want to devote a lot of time to Art of Living?
Sri Sri: You can choose any career, you can still make time to do seva (service). See here we have Art of Living Teachers from all walks of life. There are Art of Living Teachers who are Doctors, who are Engineers, who are in Politics, who are Actors / Actresses. You can be in any field and still do some seva.
Q. Gurudev, today scientists talk about the effect of emotions on the body and mind. Could you please speak about how thoughts can affect the body and mind?
Sri Sri: Very easy. Just someone screams at you or gives you a derogatory remark, insults you, what happens to you? You hear someone’s insult what happens to you? Does it affect your body? Yes. It is so obvious.
Someone praises you, what happens to you? Something in you becomes bigger and someone insults you, what happens to you? Something in you shrinks, right? So, thought can make you expand and contract.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
It is indeed foolishness to single out a particular day in a year and celebrate only that day with great joy. Everything in this objective world is impermanent and unreal. Hence we must contemplate on the eternal truth and reality. We should not waste our time brooding over the past or anticipating the future. It is great foolishness to worry about the future or the past, forgetting the present. The present is only real. Past is past, you cannot get it back, however much you pray for it. The future is hidden in the womb of time. Unable to internalise this truth, people worry about past and future. Hence, from now, give importance to the present. It is important that you consider every minute of your every day and celebrate it with new joy! Indeed, for a true devotee, every day is new; every day is a festival day! (Divine Discourse, Jan 01, 2004) |
-BABA |
In the world, everything reminds us of something that is not clear, something that is beyond. A hand unseen is behind this creation, and every pair of eyes is looking towards that hand which is not seen. Wherever one looks, one is looking for that hand which is behind and unseen. You look at a flower and appreciate the flower and behind the flower, there’s that beauty, that truth which could bring this beauty. If this flower does not remind you of the eternal beauty, of the eternal truth, then it has not fulfilled its purpose. So behind every activity, pleasant, unpleasant, chaotic, harmonious, is one Divinity.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
At Cosmetic Dermatology World Conference
05/04/2017 Bangalore, India
"When the beauty inside blossoms, the older you get, the more beautiful you look.
Honorable President of this conference, and the members and delegates who have come from all over the world to participate in this 12th annual conference.
Congress has a purpose. It is to bring to light different thoughts streams, different purposes from around the world, and this is very close to the state that we are in (Karnata). We used to have Vidvat Parishad in this state of Karnataka where experts from different fields would gather from time to time and discuss and exchange notes, and pursue further development in science.
So, as a congress, while you deliberate on different topics and on your research work, I would also like you to look into the ancient dermatology of this country through Ayurveda and other principles.
True beauty is in truth and benevolence
Here in India, beauty is attributed to Divinity. And so, it said – Satyam Shivam Sundaram which is also a topic that has come here today. Beauty is benevolence and beauty is truth, that’s what it really means. Satyam is truth which is beautiful and benevolent.
If you have ever gone to Bali in Indonesia, they greet you saying, ‘Om Swasti Astu’. This is an ancient Sanskrit term which means may you enjoy the heaven and may you be established in yourself. Being established in yourself is real heaven. Not only physical healthy but also mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Today the World Health Organization has recognized the role of spirituality as that which bring you a sense of satisfaction, wellness, connectivity, and confidence in whatever you do.
Internal beauty reflects outer beauty
Beauty has several dimensions – one is external beauty and one is internal beauty. Inner beauty reflects on the outer beauty. You look at any child from anywhere in the world, there is subtle beauty in them. They don’t need cosmetics, their very spirit exhibits beauty. That beauty indicates the state of mind, and the state of one’s mind definitely corresponds to the skin as well.
The skin of a baby is very different and its mind is also very different. So, the mind and the skin are very connected. In one of the scriptures in this country called Vigyan Bhairav – take your attention beneath your skin, and here you will find the spirit being so alive. This is a meditation technique – to feel that underneath the skin is all hollow and empty. It is taking the attention to the self to find the inner beauty.
Beauty that comes from the innocence, commitment, sincerity and clarity of mind is unparalleled. You look at Mahatma Gandhi’s picture when he was young, and look at his picture when he was old, you would definitely agree that his old age pictures were much more beautiful. Same with many people – when they grow older, when they have accomplished something in the life, the sense of accomplishment brings a certain sense of beauty, and radiates its inner energy which is attractive to everybody.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder
Another dimension of beauty is that which is at the level of feelings. There is a saying in India ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder’.
When you see something beautiful, there is a wow that rises inside of you, a feeling that takes over your being. This sudden sense of wow stops all the thoughts constraints and brings centeredness. This feeling of beauty is so essential to live a normal life and healthy life. Someone who does not appreciate and understand beauty or experience beauty in their life will be lacking some endocrine functions, and will have some deficiency. The perception of beauty creates within us an upliftment and a sense of elation in our spirit.
Same is with the pursuit of truth: When you are truthful, or when you want to pursue a path, or when you are in the spirit of enquiry or into some research – a certain sense of clarity, pride and centeredness dawns into you. I think we also feel some oxytocin in our system – a sense of truth and beauty creates oxytocin in our body.
As doctors, this is something which is in your DNA. Any patient that comes to you feels the benevolence in you. And you take pride in being benevolent because you are helping someone get over their problems and feel more confident – you are making their life better. So, the sense of benevolence, truth, beauty – these are all synonymous.
What causes someone not appreciate beauty is stress.
What is it that makes a person not appreciate beauty – have you thought about it? You can be in a very beautiful surrounding but if your mind is pre-occupied, or you are stressed, or you are tired then you cannot experience beauty. So here, life-work balance is essential and we need to learn techniques to get rid of stress. However beautiful one may be, if they are stressed, they will still not radiate their beauty; they will not look beautiful. A worried, troubled person cannot exuberate beauty. So, it is absolutely essential to attend to the state of mind, to your emotions and to the state of your consciousness.
Meditation can eliminate stress and bring out the beauty in you
Lord Buddha said something very beautiful. He said that the mind is like a river, you cannot put your foot twice in it. Mind is flowing, you should let the mind flow. If you stop then it rots. So, what does it mean? It means that the mind has to align with body and the breath.
Every night we go to sleep and we wake up energized and rejuvenated because during sleep the mind, body and breath come together into one rhythm eliminating the stress of the day. But there is another way of resting which is much more superior than natural sleep – and it is called meditation.
In meditation, you are relaxing consciously. The conscious meditation or conscious rest or restful alertness is a state which in a short period of time removes stress out of our system. It brings clarity to the mind, make our skin glow and our heart glow as well.
In this country from ages, yoga is practiced as a routine. For decades, people thought that yoga is for the older generation, or it is for people who live their lives on the banks of Ganges or in Himalayas. They used to think yoga is not for common man. That misconception has gone and people are adapting yoga and meditation and seeing the benefits of meditation and yoga, and the goodness it brings to their daily life.
To rejuvenate our spirit, to be able to appreciate beauty, to be able to be benevolent and to be able to live with a sense of happiness, all that we need to do is to balance out our work life, and take some time out to go deeper into meditation.
Medicine alone is not enough to cure an illness, you need the right attitude and the right attitude comes with clarity in mind. In short, I will say, clarity in mind, purity in heart, and spontaneity and sincerity in action can make oneself better, the society better and the world a better place to live in.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Join Facebook users from around the world to celebrate World Meditation Day with
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on 13 May, 6:30 pm IST (3pm SA time)
Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You are unnecessarily struggling and planning several schemes, thinking about them day and night. In spite of all your struggles, what has to go out of your hands will go. Divinity in all the human beings is one and the same. The body is like a water bubble. The mind is like a mad monkey. If you follow this mad monkey, you will get into trouble. In the same manner, if you believe in the body, you do not know when this body, which is like a water bubble, will burst. Nothing is permanent. Only the Divine Self (Atma) is eternal and immortal. ‘I’, ‘Self’, ‘God’ are all different names by which God, the Atmaswarupa is called. God incarnated as Rama, Krishna and the like, and underwent several difficulties to demonstrate great ideals. Finally, every one of them left their mortal coil. The physical bodies of the Avatars undergo changes, but the Divine Soul (Atma) in their bodies remains the same. It is omnipresent, eternal, changeless and transcends time. (Divine Discourse, Jan 1, 2009) |
-BABA |
Rise above the dualities, the opposites. See this whole world as the bubbles on the surface of water. See people as bubbles on the surface of the Brahman, of the Infinity...Water bubbles up, rises up. Like that, everybody is rising and having their own games and plays and dissolving back into the Infinite.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How to Face Your Mistakes and Move Ahead
05/09/2017 Bangalore, India
Spontaneity is the sign of a vibrant life, and you can't be spontaneous if you are brooding over your mistakes. When you are spontaneous, you don't chew on the past. You don’t chew on your mistakes or the mistakes of others. You must remember - it is not only fools who make mistakes, the wise also make mistakes. Here are 9 perspectives that can help you face your mistakes and move ahead.
1
To err is human. Don't sit and chew on your mistakes or someone else's mistakes. If someone else has made a mistake, forgive and forget. If you have made a mistake, ask for forgiveness and move on. Don't get stuck! Feel free!
2
When you chew on the mistakes of others, you get angry. When you chew on your own mistakes, you will feel guilty and you will drown in your own depression. Both are no good.
3
Mistakes simply happen because of lack of awareness. Once awareness dawns in you, then you realize that you made a mistake out of ignorance. By realizing this, you come out of the mistake and become innocent once again. As long as you do not repeat it, it's okay.
4
Everyone learns from their mistakes, but the intelligent ones learn from the mistakes of others as well, and avoid making them in their life. If you have a sharp intellect, then you will not repeat the mistake that someone else has done, otherwise everyone commits the same mistake and goes through the same ordeal.
5
Be in the moment. This is the best way to behave and to get over the past. Digging into the past and then complaining or giving an explanation is stupidity.
6
Take responsibility for a mistake. Once you accept a mistake and take some remedial measures, then you find peace. But if you brush off a mistake and act as if you didn't do it, then it starts to prick you from within.
7
Ignorant people around you may remind you of your mistakes, but you should have compassion for them instead of feeling hurt or angry. Think so – “Oh, they are still stuck in the past and do not know that I am a totally different person now. I have changed”.
This faith you must develop in yourself. There is no need to fall into self-pity.
8
There are some people who believe that they are always right, and so they don’t learn anything from their experiences and repeat the same mistakes. There are also some people who think that they are always wrong. Both these attitudes are not good. You should take the middle path. Learn from mistakes made and go ahead with the conviction that God is on my side and will not allow me to fail.
9
If your intention is/was correct, then that is all that matters.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Join Facebook users from around the world to celebrate World Meditation Day with
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on 13 May, 6:30 pm IST (3pm SA time)
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
You consider helping people in difficulties is service. No. It is not as simple as that. Your body should be constantly engaged in serving others. The human body consists of several limbs. All these limbs are meant to be engaged in serving your fellowmen and not for other activities. Unfortunately we are forgetting this basic fact. Every limb in the body has been granted by God for Karmopasana (worshipping God through service). Karmopasana is the only means by which the human life can be sanctified. We are building several temples. We are undertaking various spiritual practices. But all these sadhanas can give us only temporary satisfaction, not eternal joy. Our ancient sages have been able to achieve eternal joy through a conscious effort. Therefore, you must develop firm faith in the truth that nothing can provide eternal joy, except service to humanity. Undertake service to the suffering humanity. Service is not merely confined to health services. Service encompasses every possible help to fellow human beings.
- Divine Discourse, Jan 1, 2004.
-BABA |
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
(8th May 2017) at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, the Sun is a Star, Mars is a Planet & the Moon is a Satellite, but they are all called ‘Grahas’ in Jyotish (Astrology). What are Grahas?
Sri Sri: That which moves, that is Graha. That which attracts, which radiates energy, that is Graha. That which captures & radiates vibration, that is Graha. Graha means you hold something, you are holding something. You know. Panigrahana, means holding the hands or taking the hand. So similarly, everything is holding the Solar system, all these planets are in their orbit, they are holding in their orbits, see how scientific the names are, the names contain the action or the nature, that’s the beauty in the Sanskrit names.
Q. Gurudev, how do rituals help in achieving the ultimate?
Sri Sri: Rituals has an impact on the body-mind complex, not beyond. So to achieve ultimate you have to have the cooperation of body and mind. Got it. Like the food helps you to meditate, food can help you to calm your mind, food can also excite your mind. So every little thing has an impact on everything else. Life need to be viewed from a very holistic angle. On one side ‘yes’ and on other side ‘no’ also. Because the ultimate is so powerful that it can overcome all these other things. At the same time, everything we do has an impact in paving the way for the ultimate.
Q. The idea that ‘everything is a lie’ keeps playing in my head and I don’t find a reason to be sincere towards anything in life. I feel a little anchorless. Is there a different context to knowing ‘everything is a lie’, that I am missing?
Sri Sri: This is higher knowledge, for now forget about it. You are not ready. If you feel that way, if you feel no motivation, completely down, then you have to know that you are not yet ready for this knowledge. You are still immature. At least go with your commitment to seva, first do whatever work you take put 100% and do it and then one day you get ready for receiving the higher knowledge.
In fact, when you realise that ‘everything is a lie’, then you all the more you become more enthusiastic, there will be no jeeva-buddhi in it, you will be able to do things much better, but there is some serious disconnect if ‘everything is lie’ is making you unhappy or de-motivated, then you are not yet mature, you have to wait for some more time, meanwhile read the Bhakti Sutras, do Yog-Sutras, do all these and then we will come to Vedanta. You have to become more firm in Yoga first. If you are not established in Yoga, Vedanta is of no use. This is Vedanta: ‘everything is a lie’ is Vedanta. That’s like Ph. D., so if you have not passed your 10th Standard, you cannot go for Ph. D. Okay, so be firm in yoga now.
Q. What is the most effective way to bring Spirituality into Education System? What kind of Training should Teachers be given?
Sri Sri: Teachers first should develop their personality. Personality which is more charming, which is lighter yet deeper, a personality which is free from all types of prejudice and emotional upheavals. Prejudice and emotional upheavals to be done with, especially if you are in the teaching.
Q. Gurudev, for the last many days I am not able to feel connectivity to you. Why is it happening?
Sri Sri: That’s okay, sometime this happens, you feel not so connected, other times you feel connected. But know that your connection is beyond feelings. Feelings change, thoughts change, but our connectivity is much beyond that.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Join Facebook users from around the world to celebrate World Meditation Day with
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on 13 May, 6:30 pm IST (3pm SA time)
Date: Friday, May 12, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Gladly share your education and wealth with your fellow human beings. God is the real owner of the wealth you acquire. Remember, the money you earn belongs to God’s Trust. You are His Trustee and accordingly, make proper utilisation of your wealth. Do not hanker over money or other forms of wealth. Instead, constantly contemplate on God. You don’t have to go to caves or forests or ashrams in search of Him. Wherever you are, He is with you. Develop this faith and win over your demonic qualities. Do not forget that what ultimately comes with you is not your wealth or education, but the sin or merit you have accumulated through your actions. Share at least a morsel of what you eat with others. Never forget to practice selfless love and service. Help yourself and help others, this is indeed the greatest spiritual practice (sadhana). Without following these principles, there is no peace and joy, anywhere in the world! (Divine Discourse, Jan 1, 2004) |
-BABA |
We all have a responsibility towards the world, to share what we have. That is the only purpose of The Art of Living - to share, because we care. We care for the planet, we care for the people.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
Excerpts from the Townhall with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - in conversation with Burkha Dutt
05/11/2017 Bangalore, India
"First you have to find happiness within yourself, then you can share it with everyone else.
Burkha Dutt: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our special series - The Townhall.
The Townhall is a program that brings the biggest news makers of India face to face with a LIVE audience; an audience that is also crucial as they make the energy of the program and they, in a sense, put forth questions to the news makers.
This program today is a very special addition of the Townhall. We are at The Art of Living International Centre which is on the outskirts of Bangalore. Please welcome our very special guest today, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Do you remember that moment when you knew that your life was going to take a very different turn from other children? Tell us a little about it.
In schools and colleges in those days, our biggest hobby was to collect stamps, currency, coins. One of my friends used to hanker for stamps and coins; they would be very happy to get some Italian lira; I used to tell them, “I am going to go all around the world and meet people. What is it that you want, I will give you?” I was around seven or eight at that time.
Did you know that you would grow up to have millions of followers?
I had some visions from time to time. I would see lots of people, crowds. I would see people that I would be meeting in the future. Sometimes, it would be scary. When my friends would come to ask my mother, “Do you really have a family all over the world?”
She would pull my ears and say, “Why are you lying?” I was called a liar as a child, and I had no answer. She thought that is the only thing I was lying for, as she knew I would not lie for anything.
Do you sometimes look back and think you miss the normalcy of human existence? What I mean is, a more conventional form of life. If you were not Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
what would you be?
Well, I could do many things. I could be a good cook, a good musician, a good talk show person! Anything I do, I think I do it well.
Is there a sense of loneliness on this path that you have chosen?
If that was the case, I would not have chosen this path. If you are lonely, then you will be upset and sad; then how can you exuberate joy? And the world is seeking happiness. If it is not within you, you cannot express it. You cannot share it and promote it. First you have to find happiness within yourself, then you can share it with everyone else.
You are almost like a smiling saint. Are you ever sad? Do you have moments of vulnerability, depression? I have only seen you ever smile. I can see people here wondering what is she asking? But you are also human. I’m wondering how a saint, a social leader deals with his own moments.
Well, it is very, very difficult to understand this situation. When I am with people, who are suffering, who are in deep distress, I am very much with them at that moment and that is what motivates me to help them out. This is a natural tendency I suppose. You can't say I am an island by myself. When you are with miserable people, when you are amidst people who have suffered a great calamity of tsunami or something like that, then you are there, their pain reflects in you. Every individual’s pain reflects in you. Yet, there is a part, an aspect in you that is totally untouched by anything else.
You have always said that reason and rationality can accompany spirituality. How do you deal with those who come to you with blind faith? I ask this because there is a word which is often debated in India, and that is ‘Godmen’, and some people believe in Godmen or Godwomen and some people are very cynical. And some people say, how can you have godly powers. I am wondering, how do you marry rationality and reason with spirituality?
There are four types of people who come on the spiritual path:
· Those who are suffering and who are in deep distress - at that moment, they only want to get out of that situation; nothing else matters.
· Those who are seeking some meaning in life - they want to know what is the purpose of life; they are inquisitive and want to know more.
· Those who are seekers of a different sense - they are seeking beyond what you see; seeker of a spiritual height.
· Those who have found some happiness, meaning to life - they want to come together and do service.
I find people of all types. In this country, we have always raised questions. Questioning and skepticism is most welcome but not cynicism. Cynical people are closed towards communication, they are not ready to listen; they are stuck with their own image of themselves or of the world. The spiritual path is that which opens the mind, the heart and heals the wounds; it gives hope for you to move on.
There is only one time when I have seen you angry; actually, that is too strong a word, maybe firm. This is about the entire collision that took place between The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and The Art of Living Foundation over the big World Culture Festival that took place at the banks of the Yamuna. You have been fined. You once told me that you would rather go to jail than pay this fine. Do you still stand by that?
The Court has again and again said that it is not fine, it is a deposit for compensation or restoration. The case is in the court; the hearing is happening. I am sure that we will get justice. I believe that truth will prevail.
One of the least reported works that you have done is work done in Jammu & Kashmir. I know that Burhan Wani, a militant who got killed, his father came to the ashram, met you and went back. I remember in an interview earlier you said that he is a pious man. Why did you choose to call the father of a militant a pious man? How would you say your conversation with him went, in terms of exploring possibilities of peace in Kashmir?
There is a saying by Kabir, ‘Bura dekhne mein chala, bura mila na koi.’ I don’t agree with the second stanza, which is, ‘Mujhse bura na koi’. I don’t agree with that because I don’t consider myself as bad. But I see some goodness in everybody. There is not a single human being on this planet who is devoid of goodness. And we need to encourage that goodness to come out. This is what I keep doing all the time.
You have met with governments, Burhan Wani’s father, separatists at the Huriyat Conference; you have become our informal Kashmir envoy, because you have worked with conflict areas earlier. What would be your prescription, what would you say should happen next?
The wounds need to be healed. And the mistrust that is running across society needs to be attended to. Proper leadership needs to come up; there is a serious lack of progressive leadership in Kashmir. It is easy to create dissatisfaction; arouse the emotions of people and create restlessness amongst them, get stones pelted, is not a very difficult thing to do. But to make them understand and give them progressive thinking, a way forward, needs the right mindset – a calm, collected mind, free from prejudice alone can do that; people who don't take sides can do better work there.
What would be your advice to the government? What would be your advice for some who say the Indian state should be tougher, some say that the PM should go stand at Lal Chowk there and address people. Which side would you choose – more tough, empathy or a combination?
As far as militants are concerned, you need to address the issue with some sternness, toughness. As far as the population is concerned, you need to care for them, have empathy, sympathy. You cannot go with one set of ideas; go with an open mind then solutions emerge spontaneously, on the spot.
You have been interacting with the army in Jammu also. Were you able to make any break through at the conference?
At Jammu, when we had the Peace Conference. People from Kashmir valley, mainly the youth (in those days, there was Sec 144 so we could not have it in the valley) - 1200 youth travelled from interior Kashmir for 12-15 hours to Jammu to be part of the conference, which was very moving. There were people from all different ideologies; people who wanted a separate state, youth of all denominations, but it was a very, very moving experience. We are doing some work; we are taking small tiny steps; let us see.
Would be willing to go back and talk to all stakeholders if the government asks you to take on that role?
I don’t need the government to ask me to do this. I am anyway doing it. I am anyway talking to people from all sides. I have met Hurriat leaders, I have met the religious leaders there, I have met Imams there. Some Imams have come here too and have stayed here for three to four days. We keep on talking to them. This is one aspect of what we are doing for conflict resolution in other parts of the world too. This has become one type of side dish for us, a routine.
What would you advise the government? Should they start some talk? Or first bring the law and order by force.
The government have their own intelligence. They know what they want to do and they do it. I only appeal to everybody, all the stakeholders to think on a long-term strategy with a calm and collected mind. Let go of the past. Half of the time in the meetings we keep on digging the past; including your shows. We should go forward from there. Let us think what pragmatically is possible? What is it that we can do to uplift the spirit or people. I am more concerned about this.
See, today happiness is the important factor. People have food, clothes and a place to live, but happiness is missing. What is the use of all these? We have to learn from the Western counties. Now they are focusing on the happiness factor. We also need to push forward to that and create the sense of belongingness in communities. When people live in their own isolated compounded communities, then there is more fear, anxiety, and all these sorts of negative emotions.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, May 15, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Everyone must be interested in knowing about the experiences of ideal ones who struggled to arrive at the Truth; for all should have an ideal to strive for, a goal to be reached. For saplings to grow, soil is essential; for ideals to get implanted, knowledge of the struggles and successes of saints and sages is essential. These experiences are not uniform; each spiritual aspirant has a different story to tell, depending upon their equipment and enthusiasm. So the vision and the glory are different, though all are divine. Take the case of Sage Agastya. He is reported to have drunk the ocean completely in one sip. The real meaning of this is, he dried up the ocean of the objective world (samsara), with its waves of grief and joy, prosperity and adversity, success and failure. ‘Drinking the ocean’ is not a special feat; it is a parable explaining that though he was a married man with a son, he conquered all attachments of the world. (Divine Discourse, Feb 8, 1963) |
-BABA |
Attachment brings pain, but nothing comes without pain. We came into this world in a lot of pain. The process of birth itself is very painful. For nine months, we were comfortable and then suddenly the ocean around us disappeared and we had to come out! Attachment happens when your focus is not on the Being, but on the outside. Wanting to control, possess and hold on brings pain. When we are relaxed and content, love transforms to bliss. Demand and control only bring pain. Wisdom, along with love, is the answer.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang – Birthday Celebrations
13 May 2017, Bangalore Ashram
In temples, the idols are covered with so many garlands. But really all that God wants is a smile from you.
You are celebrating my birthday. As the birthday boy, I can ask you for a gift. Will you all give me a gift? If you hate anybody, you should drop that hatred. Anyone you have the slighest hatred for in your mind or prejudice, you have to give that to me as a gift.
See all this as a play of the consciousness. A broad vision will arise in you only when you drop the hatred. I have never said one bad word or abuse to anyone in 61 years. Nor do I have any bitterness toward anybody. You don't have to bring me flowers and sweets. You have sweetness in your mind and heart. In your heart you should have the freshness and sweetness of the flower. You don't have to be goodie goodie all the time. It is necessary to speak out the Truth. Truth doesn't mean speaking bitter.
Be happy. There is no dearth of anything. Just like there is space within and outside a vessel. Similarly there is space inside and outside you. Let this truth come into experience. In life there are difficulties, but there is a untouched space within us. If you know that (untouched space) then there is fullness in life. That is called Truth.
You are complete. You are full. You are the space inside and outside. 'I am this'. When this truth dawns our hearts are free from bitterness. This thought you keep in your heart and continue with whatever you are doing. When you are working in the society, there are chances to get bitter. Then remember this 'I am complete. I am full.' then you will see all the clouds of ignorance will vanish. Meditate everyday. Not just for one day.
30 well known artists have come together and sung Art of Living bhajans in the CD Ananta. I thank them all.
This is a another occasion to celebrate when all the classical artists are singing and preserving the ancient wisdom.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The word surrender has been misinterpreted and people promote idleness in the name of surrender. We think that we have surrendered our mind and body to the Lord. Your mind is not under your own control, how then can you hold it and give it to the Lord? You have no control over your own body too. So to say that you have surrendered your mind and body to the Lord is untrue! The flute is a very good example of an instrument close to the Lord and the one great quality in the flute is its complete surrender. There is nothing left inside the flute – it has no residual desires and is completely hollow. Like the flute has nine holes, our body also has nine holes. If we successfully remove the pulp of desire from our body, then there is no doubt that our body-flute will also become nearer and dearer to the Lord. (Summer Showers in Brindavan 1974, Vol 1, Ch 3) |
-BABA |
|
"Each one of us is like a flute. When we get rid of all negativity and become hollow and empty from within, a divine harmony starts to play and resonate from our being. All the rhythm and sounds of our life come together in blissful harmony." |
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
|
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang today
15 May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, I just got over my silence, I am feeling very happy. But how do I control this happiness?
Sri Sri: By doing service. And the best form of service is to help people get into the knowledge. In English there is a saying, it is better to teach someone how to fish rather than dishing them out fishes. So, knowledge can uplift one’s spirit, help one to become dynamic, help one to get over their laziness.
Q. Gurudev, what can we do to clean up the corruption in the judicial and police system?
Sri Sri: This is a very big issue, bureaucracy in police, forces, politics, in judiciary, corruption in all these places. People should stand up for this, people should unite. Suppose in your area police are corrupt, all of you gather together, all those who are affected by corruption in that area. If you all, together go and give a petition to the higher authorities, they will listen. That’s why it is said ‘Sanghe Shakti Kaliyuge’ (unity has power). In this age of Kaliyuga, if you are in a group, if you are in a forum, that has more power than an individual self.
Q. Gurudev, can you please talk about evolution of species as per Karmas?
Sri Sri: You know, the making of species are such, till the human birth they have natural enemies and there are natural tendencies which lead you from one to another. So there is no freedom in the animal kingdom for karma. So animals do not collect any karma at all. See a rat is very afraid of cat, so the impression of cat is already in rat’s mind. Similarly a cat is afraid of dog, so that impression is there. Like that from one animal the other animal’s body is a natural progression. But when it comes to human beings, now we don’t know from which animal you become human beings. This is called ‘janma rahasya’, this is a secret of the birth, you should not even ask that. But once you get a human body then karma begins because then there is intellect and that intellect has choices.
Q. Dear Gurudev, you say the feeling of longing is very precious, keep it. But it causes so much pain. How to avoid that pain, yet keep the longing?
Sri Sri: You can’t avoid it, the pain itself will bring out the poetry, bring out the creativity and all that in you. There is no way to avoid that.
Q. Gurudev, when every time you ignore me, then I feel like ‘you are mine and I am yours, that’s why you are doing it’. But sometimes I feel disconnected because of this. What to do, please help?
Sri Sri: Never mind, it’s only sometimes. It gives you a taste of how important the connection is. If the connection does not matter much at all then you don’t even feel it, so little bit disconnect here & there, now and then, will make you realise how important the connection is, right, let it be.
Q. Gurudev, I am doing my sadhana, seva, satsang regularly, but sometimes I become very hyper and nobody can control, not even me. How to control my anger at that time?
Sri Sri: It’s okay. Let everybody have fun with your anger. If nobody gets angry ever, then this world will be a dull place. Sometimes there should be some spice here & there.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Unbelief is the insidious disease that is now rampant amongst people. It sets fire to the tiny shoots of faith and reduces life to cinders and ashes. You have no criterion to judge, yet you pretend to judge. Doubt, anger, poison, illness — all these must be destroyed before they grow. Repeat Rama’s name, whether you have faith or not. That will itself induce faith and create the evidence on which faith can be built. In addition, if you aspire to be a devotee, you must eschew attachment and aversion. You should not be proud if you sing well or decorate your worship room tastefully. There must be a steady improvement in your habits and attitudes; otherwise, spiritual discipline is a vain pastime. Your homes must be immersed in the highest peace (shanti) — undisturbed by any streak of hatred, malice, pride, or envy. No worship or penance can equal the efficacy of obedience, obedience to the command given for your liberation. (Divine Discourse, Feb 8,1963) |
-BABA |
Doubt cannot come where there is a sense of closeness. Doubt needs a distance to appear.
You never doubt something that is dear to you, close to you. The moment you doubt, it is no longer dear to you; a distance has come. You may doubt yourself, but you do not doubt that which is yours.
Self-doubt is a lack of closeness to oneself, a sense of belongingness, closeness, initmacy are all the antidotes for doubt.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
14th May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, how important is it for a woman to become mother?
Sri Sri: Motherhood is inherent in woman. Whether it has to be on her own child or having a feeling of motherhood to everybody or other children is a different thing. Every woman need not have her own child. But that feeling of caring for everyone is there with every woman. I don’t think it can ever disappear. That is important.
In fact, Lord Shiva was called Thayumanavar, Lord Shiva became the mother also, to his devotees. So, Shiva said ‘I am the mother also’.
So not just woman, even man can also have that motherhood in them, where they care unconditionally, that is the quality of mother.
Q. Gurudev, while doing any action, how to make sure that it does not create an impression?
Sri Sri: Take it casually, take it easily. Action if it is spontaneous, it doesn’t make any impression. But if you think about it too much and be too conscious about it then it does make a little impression.
Q. Gurudev, I am a doctor, I need to be patient to my patients, when the day starts I am cool, but as the day progresses it becomes really impatient listening to the same queries, how do I be like you?
Sri Sri: Take five-ten minutes break in the afternoon. During lunch break instead of just stuffing yourself with food, relax and meditate for few minutes. That might perhaps help you.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Good and bad, wealth and poverty, praise and blame go together in this world. You cannot derive happiness out of happiness (na sukhat labhate sukham). Happiness comes only out of sorrow. A wealthy man today may become a pauper tomorrow. Similarly, a pauper may become a rich man some day or other. Today you are being praised, but tomorrow you may be criticised. To consider praise and blame, happiness and sorrow, prosperity and adversity with equal-mindedness is the hallmark of a true human being. The Gita declares, “Remain equal-minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat (sukha dukhe same kritva labhalabhau jayajayau). You can truly enjoy your life as a human being only when you consider both sorrow and happiness, profit and loss with equanimity. There is no value for happiness without sorrow. Therefore, welcome sorrow if you want to experience real happiness. (Divine Discourse, Jul 9, 1996) |
-BABA |
The Perpetual Dance
In nature, both destruction and creation are complementary. They are two steps---like day and night. All opposite values in nature, they all dance together. It has been that way since the beginning. It'll continue 'til the end.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
– 12 May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, will you please talk about dying in accidents? Do you consider that a natural death? What happens to the souls who die in accidents?
Sri Sri: There is no general criteria. It is a very-very deep subject, you don’t even worry about it. Okay.
Q. Dear Gurudev, I am a research student in Physics and an aspiring scientist, it gives me immense happiness when I describe some phenomena in this Universe by set of equations on a paper. I am always immersed in Science, is it bad?
Sri Sri: No, no, very good, very good. I am also thrilled by this!
Q. Gurudev, I have never bothered to ask any big questions in life and unlike Science there is no structure in the Wisdom you possess. Can you guide me on where to start?
Sri Sri: Meditation, meditation. Do meditation and read Yoga Vashishta, for some Scientists, Yoga Vashishta is a very good insight into the mysteries of the World.
Q. Gurudev, when India will be free from thieves and criminals?
Sri Sri: Well, you need not be one among them. Save yourself and your friends from becoming one among them. Nature will take care of it.
Q. Dear Gurudev, yesterday you said that what you cannot by efforts, you can get it by prayers. So what if we are praying for something which is not in our destiny or not planned for us by God?
Sri Sri: In the prayer, you should always leave a clause. You know what is the clause: “give this or anything better than this.”
Q. Gurudev, Ramayana says that Ravana’s son Indrajeet, has concurred his senses, is it possible to win over sleep?
Sri Sri: Don’t try that. Keep meditating. When you are a long-term meditator you will naturally find that happening.
Or if you are in Merchant Navy or in some Police Department, Security Department, you know how you can manoeuvre sleep. But I would say meditation is the best way to do that.
Q. Gurudev, as a devotee, what kind of present can I give you on your birthday?
Sri Sri: Yes, if my devotees are in presence and in present then that is good enough for me.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Friday, May 19, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
All the five elements have been created by the will of the Supreme. They must be used with reverential care and vigilant discrimination. Reckless use of any of them will only rebound on you with tremendous harm. Nature outside must be handled with discretion, caution and awe. It is the same with our inner ‘nature’ and internal instruments too! Of these, two are capable of vast harm - the tongue and one’s lust. Since lust is aroused and inflamed by the food consumed and the drink taken in, the tongue needs greater attention. While your eye, ear and nose have single uses, the tongue makes itself available for two purposes: to judge taste and to utter word - symbols of communication. You must control the tongue with double care, since it can harm you in two ways. Sage Patanjali, the author of Yoga Sutras has declared that when tongue is conquered, victory is yours! (Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968) |
-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
Management Mantras for Success
05/19/2017 Bangalore, India
It is easy to create a company and it is easy to prosper as well, but the real challenge lies in sustaining a company, which is also the underlying factor that decided whether you are successful or not. Here are four management mantras or pointers by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to help you move towards effective management of your business and steer your ship towards success.
#1 Develop Your Intuitive Abilities
No business can work without intuition! Right from dealing with people to making investment decisions, you have to listen to your gut feeling. If your decisions are based on intuition, you will prosper.
One of the key factors to being a successful entrepreneur is intuition. If you don’t have intuition, you cannot be a good businessperson because you cannot go on gambling. The success that comes to you through gambling is accidental and can also bring you failure. But if you have intuitive abilities, you will not fail. So, intuition is the first management mantra.
The next question is – how do you develop intuition? Is it inborn or can it be developed? I would say both. Intuition can be a gift that you are born with, and it can also be developed through the regular practice of meditation.
#2 Focus on Innovation
The second management mantra is innovation. Innovation is essential to maintain and grow your business. The world is changing very fast and if you are not innovative, you will find yourself in the back seat. And so, it is important to be creative and develop your innovative tendencies.
For every innovation, you need both intellect and intuition. It is not enough if you have just done well academically and have intellectual abilities. For innovation, you need an intuitive insight as well. That intuitive insight comes when you empty your mind a few times every day; in other words, when you meditate.
#3 Create a Sense of Belongingness among Co-workers
The third management mantra is to create a sense of belongingness among people working in the company. A good measure of this is teamwork and commitment. Ask yourself this question – Are people working for your company while thinking of the company as just an ATM where you take money and walk away, or do they have a relationship with the company?
This is something you need to observe.
You may have a hundred employees, but how many of them have a sense of belongingness to the company? How many of them have the same sense of ownership that you have? People working in any setup without a sense of ownership cannot make much progress.
Some important questions you need to ask yourself/look at:
· Have you given them a sense of not just financial comfort but also a pleasant environment to work with?
· Have you created a friendly environment for them?
· Have you given a chance for their talents to blossom?
· Do they have a voice? Can they raise their concerns about the company anytime they need to?
You need to ask yourself these questions. No one else can answer it for you, and if the answer is no, then you have to do something about it.
#4 Believe in Yourself
What is success? To me, success is an unshakeable confidence and an undying smile.
If you are a business tycoon and you are irritable, stressed, and unhappy, I tell you, your success factor is zero. You know, some of the top businessmen have debts that run into billions, yet they have confidence, they are friendly with other people, and they keep a smile. That is a true sign of success.
Even if you lose everything, if you have the confidence that you can recreate everything again, then that is a true sign of success. Success is an attitude, it is not a phenomenon.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
|
Date: Monday, May 22, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Many of you grieve: “It is said that getting the audience of a holy person is destruction of sin (darshanam papa nashanam). Well, I have had darshan not once but many times, and yet, my evil fate has not left me and I am suffering even more than before!” True, you may have come and had darshan, and have sowed fresh seeds secured from the holy places — seeds of love, faith, devotion, good company, godly thoughts, remembering God’s name, etc.; and you have learnt the art of intensive cultivation and soil preparation. You have now carefully sown the seeds in well-prepared fields of cleansed hearts. Now, until the new harvest, when the fresh produce comes in, don’t you have to consume the grain already stored in previous harvests? The troubles and anxieties you experience now are the crop collected in your previous harvests, so do not grieve and lose heart! (Shivaratri Discourse, Mar 1963) |
-BABA |
Every karma has a time period and its result is only up to that time period, whether good to bad.
Good karma will affect you only for a certain period of time, and bad karma also can affect you only for a certain period of time; not forever.
So even the worst sinner, the moment he sits and his heart blossoms, and he comes into devotion and acknowledges the Divinity, he is already getting free from all the bad karma.
That is why Lord Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita, that even if someone is wicked, when he turns to me with an unwavering mind, he should be considered as a good person, as a wise man; a saint.
Like how you treat a saint, that is how you should treat my devotee. Even if he might have done all rubbish in the past, it doesn't matter, because in the present, he is free.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
20th May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore
Q. Gurudev, how was “OM” formed?
Sri Sri: “OM” was already there, people heard it in deep meditation.
Q. Gurudev, what is the difference between ‘You’ & ‘God’?
Sri Sri: Everyone is ‘God’. First tell me what is God? God is Love, and we are all made up of Love. So there is not one thing that is devoid of God.
I want to tell you a small story. A small boy like you or a girl like you, once asked his / her parent ‘Daddy, what is God like?’ And the father took the boy by hand, outside the home, and asked him one question.
Because those days questions were answered by another question. This was considered to be a better form of understanding. You ask me a question, I will ask you another question.
So, the father took the boy outside the house and asked him a question ‘What was there before this house was built?’ And the boy said ‘Space!’ Father said ‘Oh, is it so? Now where is the house standing?’ Boy replied ‘In the Space!’ Father asked ‘Suppose this house is all dismantled, what will remain?’ The boy said ‘Space!’ and father said, ‘That is God!’ God is not a person, it is the space in which everything is, was and will be. And that space is not an empty space, that space is full of love, joy, energy, compassion. All these virtues. So when you create space inside of you, you come up with lot of compassion, you will exhibit love, all these qualities will reflect from within you.
Q. Gurudev, how and why do I feel that you are everywhere?
Sri Sri: You are space, you know, when you sit in meditation, what do you see ‘I am space!’ When you feel you are space, then sometimes you feel that you are everywhere.
Q. Gurudev, how to win support from the family when your business is down but you have faith?
Sri Sri: Communication. Make them understand. Sometimes they are not well informed about the state of affairs. When your business has gone down, not just your business has gone down, it is a repercussion of global phenomenon. When your family members understands this, perhaps they will have better understanding with you.
Q. Gurudev, when to focus on intuition and when to focus on intellect, when taking a decision?
Sri Sri: They go together, your intellect and intuition are not in loggerheads. First you think and decide through your intellect, after your decision through your proper analysis, there is some gut feeling you have and if your gut feeling is strong then listen to the gut feeling. But don’t fool yourself as gut feeling as your emotional fantasy, without proper intellectual analysis. Intellectual analysis is the main thing, it’s a must. Intellect is like the main course; Intuition is like the desert.
Q. Gurudev, can there be multiple visionaries in an organisation?
Sri Sri: They can be, but they should be in unison. Otherwise you will hard time, right!
Q. Gurudev, how to deal with severe criticism? Countering it puts a defensive stance proving the criticism, ignoring it sends a message ‘silence is acceptance’, not doing anything slowly and gradually makes the self believe that there is some shortcoming when one never existed.
Sri Sri: Well, you have given a complete description and essay, doesn’t look like a question! (Laughs).
But nevertheless, I would take it this way, you should have a fair hearing for criticism. Criticism should be welcomed with open arms. Never shut yourself from criticism. If you shut yourself from criticism then you are putting a block for your own growth. So, give full hearing for criticism. Welcome criticism, number one.
Second is, you can see that the criticism if the person giving it is putting at risk their own friendship and they must be your well-wisher, otherwise why would they criticise you? If someone is criticising you, they must be your well-wisher. See them from this angle.
But if someone is criticising you out of jealousy, or out of their own stress, then you can just ignore and be compassionate towards them, even then there is no point in losing your temper and getting angry at them. Treat them like a patients.
Q. Gurudev, is being emotional our weakness?
Sri Sri: No. Emotion is your wealth. But use it properly. You have to both sensible and sensitive. People who are sensible, often are not sensitive to others needs. And those who are very sensitive, you are too mushy-mushy, wiggly-wiggly, that you are not sensible. What is needed to blossom fully is, the perfect combination of sensibility and sensitivity.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
|
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The greatest disease is the absence of peace. When the mind is peaceful, your body will be healthy. So everyone who craves for good health must pay attention to their emotions, feelings, and motives that animates them. Just as you wash clothes, you must wash your mind free from dirt every day. To cleanse your mind you should mix in good company and avoid dirt elements like falsehood, injustice, indiscipline, cruelty, hate, etc. Truth, righteousness, peace, love - these form the clean elements. If you inhale the pure air of clean elements, your mind will be free from evil viruses and bacilli, and you will be mentally sturdy and physically strong. As Swami Vivekananda said, you should have nerves of steel and muscles of iron. You must brim in hope and joy as your unshakable resolution, not display despair and dejection. (Divine Discourse, Sep 21, 1960) |
-BABA |
Okay if you ask how our inside has to be kept clean? Sometimes anger arises, temptation comes up. You see the neighbours have a nice car, and the desire to possess one comes up. You are aware that your salary will not be enough but if you took bribe from someone, or snatched someone else’s belongings, you probably could afford it. What should you do then? Read the newspaper! See how others fell into such temptation and became kings and now are lying in prison. This is what we read in the newspapers.
Okay now sometimes anger comes or some negative feeling comes, how do we get rid of them? By doing Sudarshan Kriya, pranayama and some meditation for a little time and you will see how the mind becomes so clean. As the mind is cleaned the behaviour of a person is also improved. And when our behaviour is good then we make many friends. Wherever you go, whoever you meet will feel like your own. And when everyone becomes friends, then what more, nothing will be lacking.
That is Vishwatma. That is what? Recognizing the one consciousness which is in everything and which is in me as well and serving this one consciousness is Pooja.
So keep your mind clean with sadhana, seva and satsang!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
21 May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, what should we do or what should be the aim of our life to be always on the right path and become successful?
Sri Sri: Very simple: you know, follow your vision, have a dream and stick to the dream. You may get some obstacles is life, get challenges, think every challenge is an opportunity for you to go ahead. Every obstacle is a step to rise up to another level. Have this conviction in you, you will succeed.
Q. Gurudev, how to stop or control the images that come in our mind while we sit to meditate?
Sri Sri: No, don’t control them, you should let them come. If you are ready to give them a hug they will disappear, they will run away. You don’t be scared of them, they should be scared of you.
Q. Gurudev, does Zodiac sign really affect our future?
Sri Sri: You can affect the signs, don’t worry. Zodiac signs just indicate your tendencies, but you are bigger than your tendencies, so you can affect them, yeah. Don’t worry.
Q. Gurudev, how do you manage everything in spite of sleeping so less?
Sri Sri: Well that is my trade secret! But you don’t try this now, it’s quite dangerous, don’t sleep less. You sleep six hours, eight hours whatever is required, between six and eight hours, okay.
Q. Gurudev, is it a bad thing to stay isolated and not socialise with people? Is it a key to like being alone?
Sri Sri: Life should be balance between giving some time to yourself and spending time with others. When you spend time with others, you should contribute in their life. There are so many friends of yours who would need your time, so you should participate, you cannot lock yourself in your room all the time. You know why you want to withdraw from everybody? You are scared of criticism. You should not be, you should stand up and say “Okay criticise me as much as you want. What you want to call me, ‘donkey’? What you want to tell me, tell me, say everything.”
So, stand-up to criticism, you will see all the hesitation, fear, everything will just vanish, okay. And then whenever it is needed, give constructive criticism to your friends. You don’t have to be goodie-goodie all the time. There also you should stand up and say ‘look you are my friend, I want to give you this feedback, I know you will not mind’ tell them. Even if they mind, doesn’t matter, you tell them ‘I know you will not mind’, they will really welcome it from you, okay. So it is the fear of criticism sometimes make you feel withdrawn and be in yourself, no that’s not right. Though spending time with yourself is good, but this is for wrong reason you are doing it, that should not be.
When you are happy, when you meditate, take some time, when you want to be creative, definitely stay with yourself and you can write poems, you can write good articles, all these come not in company of ten people around you, (it comes) when you are alone. So creativity can come out of you, when you take some time out for yourself. Creativity happens in isolation. But, interaction with people enriches your life, so, you should balance both, interacting with people and taking time to be with yourself, okay.
Q. Gurudev, no one is my friend, how to make friends?
Sri Sri: Your perception is wrong, why you think nobody is your friend? Don’t ever try to make friend, know that everybody is a friend. When you try to make friend, the extra effort you put, you will be very artificial in you presenting yourself, you will come out as a very un-natural being.
You would be at your best when you are natural and to be natural, don’t try to make friends, know that everybody is our friend and assume that they all are your friends and behave as you though you behave with your friends. Got it? That is being natural and that’s the best attitude. When you are natural, you become naturally humourous. But if you want to be humourous, finished, you will look like a fool, correct.
So, first of all remove this label that you have put on yourself ‘I have no friends’, throw it out of the window. Be friendly with everyone you come across, how ever they are. And second thing is say that ‘I don’t want anything from my friends’. If you are making friendship because you want something, if your friendship is based on your needs, it’s not going to work. But when your friendship is based on just sharing, you will see the world will be your friend.
Q. Gurudev, if someone has the same business vision as mine and is doing good, should one step aside or compete?
Sri Sri: You should compete with yourself and continue with your business.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
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Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Do not grieve that the Lord is testing you and putting you through the ordeal of undergoing the tests, for it is only when you are tested that you can assure yourself of success or become aware of your limitations. You can then concentrate on the subjects in which you are deficient and pay more intensive attention, so that you can pass in them too when you are tested again. Don’t study for the examination at the last moment; study well in advance and be ready with the necessary essential knowledge and with the courage and confidence born out of the well-acquired knowledge and skill. What you have studied well in advance must be rolled over and over in the mind, just previous to the examination; that is all that should be done. This is the pathway to victory. (Shivaratri Discourse, Mar 1963) |
-BABA |
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To overcome difficulties in life one needs to be strong, and the strength comes only through spiritual knowledge.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
22nd May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
It’s an honour to have with us, Shri. Pema Khandu Ji, who is the honourable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. At a very young age he has been a role model to all the youths in Arunachal Pradesh.
We have National integration, this is what it is. All the way from Arunachal Pradesh and here in South-India, Arunachal is respected and regarded as a very sacred place. So, once upon a time people used to go all the way from here, from Tamil Nadu, looking for Arunachal Pradesh, for the hills there, to worship there. And I think if we can promote more Tourism, we were just thinking, there is a big Shiva-lingam there at a place named Ziro, in Arunachal Pradesh. And if that is properly promoted and roads become alright, every year hundreds and thousands of people can go there and this will improve the economy of the country.
See, from all over India people go to Kashmir, to Amarnath cave, just some only 200 years ago it started, not very long ago. But Amarnath as a place was known earlier also, but Amarnath’s cave was discovered only about 200 years back. Every year, since I am in the Committee of Amarnath Shrine Board, I know that every year lakhs of people go there and that improves the tourism. Whatever is the problem in Kashmir, they don’t obstruct the yatra (pilgrimage / trip), because yatra brings revenue to everybody, local people there. And yatra is a way to integrate North & South.
Now we have North-East, actually North-East is called ‘Ishanya’ in Sanskrit language. Ishanya means where Shiva lives. So, from India it is North-East i.e. Ishanya, is where the house of Shiva (Isha). Ishanya where Isha stays.
So, that Ishanya direction is where Arunachal Pradesh is there, North-East. And North-East is the most sacred place according to Vaastu, according to ancient Vedic Science, when they put all the eight directions. You know East is Indra, South is Yama, and West is Varuna, like that North is Kubera, means yaksha, kubera, the lord of wealth. And in North-East is Ishanya (Ishana), is Shiva.
So, that’s where Arunachal Pradesh is and it can really blossom very well and with able leadership of young Chief Minister like Shri. Pema Ji. I think Arunachal Pradesh can really take off well.
Q. Gurudev, every time I sit idle, I feel I am wasting time. But at the same time I feel that I need this rest. How to develop great impassion in life?
Sri Sri: When you are free from stress, compassion is already there, it is within you. Yeah. Compassion comes with connectivity. And connectivity can only happen when you are free from stress. That’s why Lord Buddha said you observe your nature, in your nature there is compassion.
Q. Gurudev, when to see events & actions as happening and when to take responsibility?
Sri Sri: There is a part in you that doesn’t change and there is another part in you that always changes. Like that, you know things are happening, at the same time take total responsibility. Though they appear to be opposite, they can be simultaneously happening.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
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Date: Thursday, May 25, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The passionate and ignorant (Rajasic and Tamasic) forces besieging your heart are bent on your downfall. Just as they give calcium and vitamin tablets to cure anaemia, take Repetition-of-the-Name tablets to get rid of mental anaemia and other illnesses. The Lord’s Name is the Narasimha for the Hiranyakasipu of the mind (the Avatar Narasimha slew the evil Hiranyakasipu). There are some throat pastilles or lozenges, which you have to keep in your mouth and swallow slowly in order to relieve a cough; similarly, keep the Lord’s Name on your tongue and imbibe its taste slowly to get rid of the troublesome upsurge of passions and emotions. Keep the Name lit on the tongue; it will illumine your interior and also the exterior. It will cleanse your mind as well as minds of those who listen to the Name when you recite it. Keeping it on the tongue is like keeping a lamp lit on the entrance doorstep of your house. (Divine Discourse, Apr 29, 1963) |
-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
In Satsang
22nd May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, within a few days our Board exam results will be declared. How can we control our fear at this time?
Sri Sri: Do ujjai breath and know that you will do good, don’t worry. This is not the first time you are appearing for exam, c’mon! Every year, since so many years you have been appearing for exams. So, just relax! Yeah.
Q. Gurudev, how can we turn our weaknesses into our strengths?
Sri Sri: Once you find something as weakness, you can’t make it as strength. Now, how to work out of it; with patience and perseverance.
Trying to make our weakness as strength is justifying your weakness, that’s not going to work. And superficially even if it appears to be working, later on you will feel sorry for it. So you find something is your weakness and know there is a higher power that will help you get over your weakness, make you stronger.
Q. Gurudev, Science and Mythology seem to be contradictory, what to believe?
Sri Sri: Mythology is symbolic, we must not forget. Mythology is always poetic, artistic and symbolic. And to find science within that is your smartness.
Q. Gurudev, who is more successful in life, someone who is rich or someone who is famous for his work?
Sri Sri: Well, I would say someone who has a smile, someone who has confidence, someone who has not lost his head or heart, is one who is really successful.
You can have big bank balance, anyway what you will do, how much you can spend? And you will be gone one day, leaving all those wealth to your children or to somebody else if you don’t have children. All life you strived, you worked so hard to earn the money and then it’s all left and no owner or it has gone to your children and they fight over it, that’s not a very intelligent thing to do, right? I am not saying you should not save for your children or future generation, if you consciously do it, it’s okay. But most of you just do it, and unconsciously creating a bigger mess after you. Because about 80% to 90% of the court cases are all on the inherited property.
Q. Gurudev, is Social Media good for children? If it is, then why don’t parents allow their children to use Facebook, Twitter, etc.?
Sri Sri: Social Media is good, but you should not be immersed in it. You should have some real time speaking, dealing and playing with kids.
Q. Gurudev, the Upanishad say that the brahmann is beyond good and bad, I can understand that brahmann is beyond any negativity, but do I need to drop positivity also?
Sri Sri: See positive, negative they are always relative. This is some higher knowledge. When you go to higher knowledge then it’s both the relative world. So these questions don’t arise at all at that time.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
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Date: Friday, May 26, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Prahlada was immersed in the thought of his beloved Lord, when he was thrown downhill, trampled by the elephant and tortured at the direction of his father. He paid no heed, for he heeded only his Lord; he needed only his Lord. The cowherd maidens lost all attachment to the world and to the senses when they listened to Krishna’s flute; they yearned for the sublime spiritual merger with the infinite Lord. By the purification of impulses, one gets into the higher stage where the mystery of the Divine is grasped — this is the realm-of-spirituality (salokya) stage. Then by contemplation of the Divine, the stages of proximity to Divinity (Sameepyam) and likeness of the form of Divinity (Sarupyam), are won. Many great mystic poets like Jayadeva attained this height and sang in that strain. But if you sing that song in the same way, Krishna will not appear. He wants sincerity, not imitation. (Divine Discourse, March 1963) |
-BABA |
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A journalist from Colombia asked me, "How come the FARC listened to you and agreed to ceasefire? Big powers such as America, Norway, failed to get them to declare ceasefire. What did you say?"
I said, "It is not what I say but what I am that made a difference!"
So, if you are sincere, people recognize that and that makes all the difference. It is not the strategy but sincerity that makes a difference because the world moves with energy, and it is this positive spiritual energy (of sincerity) that uplifts the other. When you have positive and loving energy in you, that brings a difference to the world. Do you see what I am saying?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
How to Handle Office Politics
05/25/2017 Bangalore, India
"Water is never scared of mud. If something is muddy, assume you are water – and you can wash it all off. Just remember this!
#1
Wherever there are people, politics is bound to be there. Don’t shy away from it and don’t worry about it – you be rock solid. What appears to be politics will find its own way out. Have faith that only the best will happen to you and you will be able to do only the best! Keep these aphorisms with you like a treasure.
#2
When you resist politics, then you get deeply into politics. Your perception becomes political and you will get paranoid about it. All those who are paranoid about politics get deeper into it. You should not mind it and then it will never bother you.
What is politics?
Different people have different mindsets, and they air their opinions. For a while, these opinions remain and then it all changes. Some people praise you and the same people will make nasty remarks about you – all this is very common. You should take this for granted or you will become uptight. And when you are uptight, you are not aware of how you behave.
It is better to keep oneself on a higher pedestal – smiling, laughing, accommodating, and accepting that there is politics. Let politics be there, so what? You have to create this confidence that you will move through it.
How to rise above politics?
Our trouble is that we expect everyone to be Mr. or Ms. Perfect! We expect everyone’s behavior and dealings to be perfect. We expect everyone to be saints, but they are not. This expectation is the trouble. And when anybody does anything different, we say, "Oh, there is politics!" People’s actions are nothing but politics – it doesn’t have to be dirty all the time, though sometimes it is. So let it be! It takes quite a bit to rise above all this and keep your mind on the infinite, and that is enlightenment! You rise above it all.
Water is never scared of mud. So, if something is muddy, assume you are water – and you can wash it all off! Just remember this, politics is mud and I am water, I will run over it.
There is a beautiful poem in Kannada, “If someone builds a home in the forest and is afraid of animals, what can I tell them? If someone has built a home on the sea shore and is scared of the waves, what can I tell them? And if someone has built a home in the middle of a market place and is complaining about the noise, what can I tell them?”
Similarly, when you live on this planet, people will give you compliments and people will give you derogatory remarks – they will create politics. How can you be afraid of politics when you are on this planet? Never complain about people playing politics – that is what they have been doing and will continue to do.
Lord Krishna never complained to anyone about the politics played by the families. He didn’t say, “Don’t play politics, I will not come to you.” No! He was right there! Even during the time of Jesus and Buddha, there was politics.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school 26-28 May 2017
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.
Pat Gounden
Date: Monday, May 29, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Though humanity has achieved incalculable progress in science and technology, the mind of every individual is still polluted with greed, envy and gross selfishness. Egotism has struck deep roots in the heart and has grown to demonic proportions. People have become puppets, yielding to every pull of the string. They crave all things that confer temporary happiness on them and accumulate things that cater to their sense of power. They examine every item from their own selfish point of view. They are therefore enslaved by the monsters – envy, pride, fear and prejudice. True knowledge alone can save mankind from ruinous downfall. Sai has reiterated the four goals laid down in the Vedas. They are Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love. Humanity must understand the importance of these four goals as foundational pillars, accept them, adore them and practice them in daily living. Only then Divinity latent within can shine forth in all its glory. (Divine Discourse, Mar 8, 1981) |
-BABA |
You will have to listen to knowledge again and again. Then it will be firmly established in you. But it will take some time.
When you dye a piece of cloth, what do you do? You dip the cloth in the dye and dry it. And you repeat the process again and again.
When you paint your house, you paint it with three or four coats and dry it every time. Isn't it? Similarly, when you keep listening to knowledge repeatedly, the mind becomes pure and strong.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD
What SRI SRI said
In satsang
May 25 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, there is a big quest in the youth today, but I find a lot of it get’s diverted to intoxication. What is the solution to the charm of intoxication?
Sri Sri: A better brand of intoxication, that is in Sudarshan Kriya, Satsang (spiritual practices, service). Just bring them here once, other intoxication will become really tasteless for them.
Tell me how many of you here were using intoxication and you left it? Raise your hands. Look at them all. And there are many-many people around the world who have come out of these addictions. Because they find that inner bliss by sadhana. It’s so nice, so beautiful.
If you fall in love with this existence, with the divinity, all other things become tasteless. You can get out of conflicts, you can get out of addictions, you can get out of the man-made misery of his / her own mind.
Q. Beloved Gurudev, sometimes you are my father figure, sometimes my mother, in whose lap I can rest & surrender all my worries, sometimes a friend, philosopher, guide and sometimes you like an innocent kid, cuteness overloaded. Who are you Gurudev in so many forms?
Sri Sri: I will leave that question to you to ponder on. You should have some question left with yourself. Okay.
Q. Gurudev, the movie ‘Bahubali’ is so magnificent and has captured the imagination of many. What is your idea of the role of the movies should play in the society?
Sri Sri: Movies inspire people, their role is to entertain people and give information to people. Three things. Movies entertainment is not the only thing. Give some entertainment, and inspire people and then also give information, some new information, it should give you some information which you didn’t know or what you may not know fully.
Q. Gurudev, you say ‘compete with yourself’, when I do that, I become hard on myself and also expect higher perfection from my ecosystem. How to deal with such situations?
Sri Sri: Well, you have become aware that you are being hard on others, this itself is enough, this is good, because the knowledge has already surfaced your heart and you will see that the hardness has started melting already.
More of the knowledge, listen to Ashtavakra Gita knowledge, read Yoga Vashishta, spend more time in knowledge. Otherwise the illusion of the world is so strong, it just grabs you and swallows you, swallows you totally. That’s why keep a tab on knowledge all the time, all the time.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
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Pat Gounden
Date: Tuesday, May 30, 2017 |
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
The core of this Universe is the Supreme Self (Paramatma). We can describe the Universe but the Supreme Self is beyond all description. Both the cognisable and the non-cognisable have emanated from the same One Indivisible Consciousness. Each is full and complete in itself. The individual consciousness is the manifestation of the Cosmic Consciousness. When the material sheath falls off, it merges in its source. The Vedas declare, “This is full, that is full. From the full emerges the full. When the Full is taken from the full, the full remains full”. So the Cosmos, the World, the Individual - all are embodiments of the Full. Nothing is fractional or incomplete. Hence all is indeed Divine. But this awareness of the immanence of the Universal can come to your experience when the ‘I’ consciousness is forgotten. When the ‘I’ in you disappears, you automatically become fit to know the ‘non-I’. (Divine Discourse, Apr 5, 1981) |
-BABA |
One is nothing and the other is complete. Truth has two aspects - we keep saying it’s nothing and then experience the completeness. Therefore in Yoga Vashishta, Maharishi Vashishta says in beginning, that the consciousness is empty like the sky and full like an ocean. We start with saying, “I am nothing” and move to “I am in everything”.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Blessings for a GOoD day
What SRI SRI said
In Satsang
24th May 2017 at the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore:
Q. Gurudev, what is the benchmark to know my spiritual growth, whether I am moving in the right way?
Sri Sri: The benchmark for your spiritual growth is: see are you smiling more? Even if you get upset, are you bouncing back quickly? Number two, second is how confident, how calm you are? How enthusiastic you are and how detached you are? All these things. In fact, I would recommend you not go on judging yourself, don’t look into that. Know for sure that you are moving in the right direction. Once you are on this path, you are on a conveyor belt, you stand there, the belt will take you, okay.
Q. Gurudev, I have made a mistake or sin in my life, I am not able to forgive or forget and move on. The guilt makes me feel very restless and sleeplessness sometimes. Please guide me to let go.
Sri Sri: You just everyday do ‘Om Namah Shivay’ chanting, minimum ten minutes. You know that all the past is gone, once you have come, it’s a new life for you from here, okay. Don’t brood over the past. If you want you change your name also. That’s why usually when they come to Gurukul, sometimes people change their names, you know why? Because the past, that person is dead and gone, you did mistakes when you were ignorant. Now when you are on this path, it’s a new life, new journey, yes.
Q. Gurudev, what piece of advice you have for youngsters who want to enter Politics?
Sri Sri: Yes, enter Politics with the aim of serving society, with the aim of removing corruption, with the aim of transforming society. And youngsters are most needed in the politics today.
So go ahead, start in small way, first take up a constituency, serve people in your constituency, work there continuously for two, three, four years, win everyone’s hearts then automatically you will get elected.
Q. Gurudev, can we have devotion towards a person or can it be only towards God or Guru (Master)?
Sri Sri: If you have devotion, that is good enough, ‘to whom’ is secondary, that’s not important. Devotion inside you is enough to uplift you.
Q. Gurudev, could you please speak about the bombing in Manchester that happened yesterday, many young children died for no fault of theirs. What can help people to get over the trauma and not feel revengeful?
Sri Sri: It’s unfortunate that such man-made calamities continue to happen on this planet. This is sheer ignorance, sheer evilness. This unitedly the world has to tackle the situation. These tendencies for violence should be nipped at the bud. Education in non-violence for kids is so important. We need to infuse in the hearts and minds of people: the value of non-violence. We all grew up with these values you know. Even to kill some animal, a fly, used to be difficult for a person to do that. You know, to throw a stone at a dog was completely out of question, you could not do that. When people used to beat-up cows & oxes, our heart would beat so fast, our heart would bleed for it, that value of non-violence must be re-inculcated in the world today. Otherwise such events will continue to happen. Yoga must be the baseline of education in the world. Like dental hygiene, every child is taught ‘how to brush the teeth’, every child should be taught mental hygiene, that is non-violence. How could people do such things?! That too go to a concert, when people are enjoying music and killing them, what do they get?! It’s totally mindlessness, non-sense, it shows the amount of venom, hatred that people carry in their hearts and souls. Out sympathies are with the victims and our prayers are with them, their families, and The Art of Living is there, we wrote a letter to the Mayor also.
Last year in the same time I was in Manchester, during the same period and the Mayor was with me. I went to Manchester after twenty-two years. I met all those old devotees, who were there in this ashram, all those ladies and those gentlemen, who came to ashram when we had almost nothing in the ashram. Just two-three kutirs (rooms), there was no electricity, you had to carry water in the bucket, we had one small kitchen, at that time they all came here. We had small school, they all did service. So, when I was in Manchester, I invited them all on stage, such wonderful people, such loving people there and they went for a concert and a bomb there is unimaginable. Someone who is not in their sense, only can do such things. Our prayers are with the people of Manchester and all those who are affected by it. We wish that they come out of this trauma and join in spreading the value of non-violence and peace in the world.
How to relieve stress with Sudarshan Kriya?
Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles – day follows night, night 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
1.1 Happiness Program @ Heidi Pre-school, Cnr Pyrenees & Andes Street, Shallcross 22-25 June 2017
1.2 Meditation course (Sahaj) @ Heidi Pre-school
1.3 AOL YOGA course (5 evenings) @ Heidi Pre-school (Shallcross)
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Eternity Process & Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
Our past impressions carry weight and determine how well we face the present moment and how well we can live life to its full capacity, free from fears and negative emotions.
To help us to overcome past impressions, our beloved Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ~ founder of the “Art of Living” Foundation) has designed the ETERNITY PROCESS, a process that enables us to view past experiences in this and past lives to erase some karmas in a space surrounded by his love and grace. We emerge having lived through our past impressions, more alive to the present moment and to open to celebrating life. The process has given deep healing experiences to many people.
Kassie Gounden : 031 4099697/083 7999 899 kas...@pgco.co.za
Pat Gounden : 031 4099 697/083 7999 699 p...@pgco.co.za
Follow us on twitter 
@PatGounden
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please forward this mail to p...@pgco.co.za with “unsubscribe” in subject line.