Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Could you speak on Yogamaya?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yogamaya is intuition clubbed with delusion. From inside as you proceed in the path of yoga, the more meditations you do, sometimes you get these visions and these visions would be 90% correct. Then you start believing in your own visions and then they all go wrong, this is called yogamaya. So you should not be too attached to the visions that you get, the psychic ability. In the psychic ability there could be some delusions that mix up and come, that is called yogmaya. And you are a yogi and suddenly some siddhis come to you and you gallop on using those powers or siddhis. Then suddenly you will go down, everything will vanish and that is again yogamaya. You know the illusion and the ego that comes with yogis then they become fallen yogis. So that is what is called yogamaya.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Secularism means to treat everyone with equality. Secularism does not mean religiosity or irreligiousness. Secularism means what? To view everyone as equal and that is there in our country, in our dharma. Does that answer your question?Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That’s ecstasy, tears of love and joy.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
But I don’t want you to live like a bird. I want that you should be like a lion. Okay that you came here as a bird, but leave like a lion, and there is a lot of work to be done in this world.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
(Laughing) it is hygienic to eat in your own plate and not interfere with others’ health. This is very important.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Oh ho! There could be a million TV sets but the program can be seen in any, every television, 100%. Isn’t it?! When news is broadcasted, it does not say in only twenty televisions I can project myself, no. There is one television station which broadcasts but it can be caught in a million TV sets, just tune in, that’s it!Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Is there any possibility that everyone should doubt you? You do not have to recognize that they doubt you. You be very natural. You’re trying to impact them or make them understand that they could trust you will not help.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Navratri is special time where you invoke all the divine impulses. They’re all blessings. It’s an ancient way, in the yagyas all the five elements are used to bring the positive energy.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
They are as dear to me as anyone else. Even I work better on the photos. That’s what people tell me.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See, competition is very good. But if you are competitive and you are not caring for any of the rules then you are in trouble. But competition within the framework of rules is very good. So ethical competition is what we need to aspire for. You don’t need to put compassion there. Business and compassion should be kept separate, but business and ethics cannot be separate. (Applause)