Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Dear Guruji, please say something about Shiva. I am Shiva worshipper and he has brought me to Art of Living and you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Shiva is the principle in which everything is born, into which everything will go. There is no escape from Shiva. Shiva tatva means Shiva Principle. Shiva is not a person. Shiva is the space, is the consciousness. To describe that they put Shiva in blue. Blue means like the sky. You know, Shiva’s description is so beautiful (reciting a Sanskrit verse) it’s like liberation, liberation from everything. It is the lord, it is the most powerful, it is all over, spread everywhere. There is no place that it is not. It is where all the knowledge is present, that consciousness, that space. It has no attributes. It was never born, Shiva was never born nor has any attributes. It is a Samadhi state where there is nothing, just the inner sky of consciousness. That is what is Shiva. Where there is alertness and no action. To describe the alertness they put a snake around Shiva’s neck. They put a trident in the hands of Shiva - means it is beyond the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping. Shiva is holding a trident that means it is beyond the three states, in the fourth state, which is absolutely benevolent. The one state in which everything exists in the universe -the dark space, the dark energy - scientists today started calling it the dark space and the dark energy - in which everything else exists. The sun, moon, stars, everything exists in this one solid state of consciousness.Q:
Guruji, my parents don’t want me to be a vegetarian. How do I convince them?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You should simply say, ‘I am going to be a vegetarian’, finished, they will accept it.Q:
Every time I leave you, I feel very sad. Can you record a meditation that says “see you soon”?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Good idea. Some things are good as ideas.Q:
My heart wants to move ahead but my mind won’t let me, what to do Guruji? Thank you.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
They keep getting into a conflict again and again. Like an old couple they get into conflict every day. (laughter)Q:
Should my first responsibility be to the Guru or the mother and spouse? If a conflict arises, who should I choose?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The Guru is already happy. If you are happy, the Guru is happy.But there is a Sanskrit saying: Kashtasya Sukhasya Na Kopi Vaa (It is impossible to make someone else joyful).
How much can you prove to your wife that you love her? The more you do, the more suspicious she becomes. It is next to impossible to make someone else happy.
So, you must engage in a service project. Ten percent of your income must go to spiritual and social causes. If not, the money is said to be impure.
There was a wealthy industrialist in India. He didn’t believe in charity and said he would do it when he got older. He became bankrupt six months later,. Even the greatest fortunes can disappear. See companies like GM and Citibank.
What stays with us is our good heart.
Q:
Does Karma get transferred from one person to another?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, definitely. When you make good business and you pass on to your children, you have passed on your Karma to them. Similarly, if you create a big hell, your children will have to bear it, or your parents will have to bear it. Definitely, Karma is not an isolated Island. It spreads on to the people around, into the family, into the nation. There are different levels in karma.Q:
In astrology many astrologers recommend wearing certain gem stones and rings. Do you recommend wearing those things and if you are on the spiritual path do you need to wear those things?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No you don’t need to, of course everything little thing has some influence on you but you know you are much more powerful than a piece of stone. So if you like you can do it. Otherwise chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, that is most powerful mantra which takes care of all the bad effects of any planets.Q:
I am afraid of so many things especially death. How to overcome fear?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Meditation, and Meditation. Meditation, and Knowledge: only two things will help you overcome this fear.Q:
If mukti (liberation) is our nature then why are we in bondage?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Who says mukti is our nature? Our nature is bliss. Love and enjoyment can put you in bondage, if it is devoid of knowledge. With knowledge, the same love, the same enjoyment leads you to the experience of liberation.Liberation and bondage go together. If there is liberation, there will be bondage and vice-versa. Liberation is valued because of bondage. If there is no bondage, what is there to be liberated from?
Similarly we can be liberated, that is why we experience bondage. With the desire for liberation we come to know that we are in bondage. If the desire for liberation has not risen then you will not even come to know of bondage.
Q:
Should we meditate after Sudarshan Kriya?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Meditate after kriya. Don’t get up immediately after Sudarshan Kriya. Meditate for at least 10 -15 minutes. Learn Sahaj Samadhi meditation. Mantra meditation is good. Practice a guided meditation and just let go.