Montreal Center, Canada, April 21:
(continued
from the previous post)
Q: How did you know you were a Guru? Did you have a
Guru? Sometimes I wonder if I’m a Guru, maybe just for myself. What would you
say to that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You can’t be a surgeon for yourself. You may be a surgeon but you can’t be your
own surgeon, right? So your mother is your first Guru. A mother teaches you. Of
course, a Guru is one who is unconditional in his attitude and approach towards
you. You should play a role of a Guru unconditionally. You help others or care
for someone with wisdom. Then you are playing the role of a Guru to them too.
If you
help somebody with an attitude of ‘I want nothing, I just want your progress’
then you’re a Guru to them. Yet don’t demand them to accept you as Guru. No, a
real Guru does not demand anything, not even gratitude from somebody.
Q: I hear The Art of Living is involved in fighting corruption
in India? What can we do here in North America to fight corruption in our
society?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That you should think about. How should you tackle the situation? Corruption is
at three levels. One is among people. People often accept corruption as a way
of life. Second the bureaucracy; and third, the politicians. There are good
people in every strata of life. And there are not so good people. We should
bring them to The Art of Living course and teach them the breathing techniques.
They'll become better.
Q: Dearest Guruji, Can you tell us more about what
is going to happen in 2012?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Business as usual. Only people will become more spiritual.
Q: How do we use this time to expedite our spiritual
growth?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just exactly what you are doing now.
Q: There seems to be many wars and regional violence
happening in the world. What can we do to reduce the violence in the world?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The root cause of violence is stress and anger. And the only way I know to
reduce stress and anger is through meditation, pranyama, Sudarshan Kriya.
This is the only way. You can do something with ayurveda, can change the diet…
you can do those things, yet they are all secondary.
Q: Guruji, why is singing an important part of the
courses? What’s the spiritual significance of singing?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You
know, knowledge and logic, and music are formed in two different parts of our
brain and they’re both essential. That brings a balance in the system. Music is
essential.
© The Art of Living Foundation
