‘Consciousness blossoms without form and with relaxation’
Bangalore (India), May 25:
Q.: How and when will the worldwide terrorism end? How can we contribute?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Terrorism can only be ended by satsang. More and more people should do satsang and work together. Satsang can change the ones who are influenced by terrorism.
Only strength cannot combat terrorism. Mindsets have to change. That is important. For that, all of you must come together as a unit and work.
Q.: How can one become strong without losing sensitivity?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That needs skill. And that skill comes to you by silence.
Through silence, our internal abilities come forth. Everyone should meditate for some time regularly.
Q.: Today, the youth only think of themselves. Are family and society no longer important?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The parents must also be only thinking of themselves, that’s why the kids are the same. If parents think of others, then even the kids will think of others.
This is Sanskaar (culture), which is passed down from parents to children.
Q.: Can I carry this bliss with me forever?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Establish God in your body, and then you will experience Divinity. While doing Puja, (when you say keshavaya svaha etc... ) know that Keshav, Madhav (Forms of the Divine) are in the body – and that you accept this offering for them. Meditate, and sit quietly. You may offer flowers, if you have, but it is not necessary.
It is important that the mind is clean, and calm, and completely immersed in the puja.
Q.: Have I found the Divine, or did the Divine find me?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Both are the same thing. Why do a post mortem?
There are two types of followers: The first type is those who follow the shastras. They are like the baby monkey. The baby monkey plays for a while but clings onto the mother wherever she goes. The mother walks on; it is the kid's responsibility to come back to the mother.
The second type is the devotees: They are like the kitten. The mother carries the kitten around in its mouth. The kitten does not have to worry about where it is and how to move.
Whatever the type, it is enough that the mother and child are together. It is the security that is important.
Q.: Even after surrendering mistakes, why does the mind feel upset?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Because you did not surrender completely!
Every moment, realize that there is a new person in you. Don’t think of the past.
Q.: Is it necessary to match horoscopes for a good marriage?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Check if the horoscopes are correct or not. Sometimes they are manipulated to suit someone’s needs. If you like someone in all other aspects, and everything seems okay, then it’s fine, you should go ahead and marry the person.
Q.: Do re-births happen?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, if you want them to. If you are free, if you have mukti, then you have the choice to come back or not; you are not forced to come back.
Q.: If I think badly of others, will something bad happen to me? Or will my positive thinking work for me?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Don’t get entangled in these thoughts. Just be simple, easy, and relaxed.
If you don’t have a complicated mind, you won’t have bad thoughts. Just observe the mind and relax.
Q.: How do we handle family members who are not on the spiritual path?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: With skill. Do more seva (service) and praise your family. If they are harsh on you, you should praise them all the more. Change the questions and distresses into wonder, and continue doing your work. Then they will come and tell you that you have changed their life.
There is a saint from Karnataka who said, “Only with speech can there be laughter and mischief. Conflicts also arise because of speech. For the world, your speech is your wealth.”
That is why; one should learn how to talk.
Just like those who know what should be eaten at what time will never fall ill; those who know how to speak will never fight.
Q.: I’m always worried about the future and afraid of the unknown.
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Leave your fears behind here!
Look at the past – you always had these fears, yet wasn’t life good?
Learn from the past, be in the present and hope for the future.
Q.: When love is our essence, why do we seek love from others?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Perhaps you don’t know that love is your essence – that’s why! If you knew, you wouldn’t ask.
Q.: How do we deal with corrupt people who do illegal things?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: With skill, patience, and courage.
Q.: When we know that we are doing something wrong, we are unable to stop ourselves? What should we do?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Feel the pinch of your wrong action – it will keep pinching you and one day, you will stop.
When you feel sadness over your weaknesses, then you will be able to overcome them.
Q.: Why are we on earth? Is it to remove our karma or for something else?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Give love, gain knowledge and remove karma – that is the purpose of life!
Q.: What is the significance of success in life?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Success means strength, an unshakable smile that nobody can take away, and courage that does not diminish.
Success does not mean having a big bank balance. There are some very rich people, who don’t have strength of character. They don’t have any sense of belongingness, of love
They are unable to appreciate the subtleness of life.
Consciousness blossoms without form and with relaxation.
Q.: How to deal with attachment on the spiritual path?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you are aware of the attachment, then your behavior will naturally become balanced.
Q.: Sometimes there are dilemmas in life. What to do then?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The problems should be taken as an opportunity to be prayerful, and in gratitude.
Q. What is trust?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Trust is like breath.
Just like you can’t live without breath, you also cannot live without trust.
There are three types of trust:
Self – confidence
Faith in society
Faith in God
If any one trust is absent, then life is incomplete.
Q. What is the difference between Guru, God and the soul?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Guru is knowledge, Guru is love. Guru is light,
There is no difference between Guru, God and the Soul.
(From the Office of HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Bangalore, India)
© The Art of Living Foundation
