Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
I had an experience of being nobody and I was so happy, but then I started to take on some responsibility and started to feel like I was somebody again — different and special. The ego came up. How can I sustain being nobody at the same time as carry out responsibilities and playing the roles that I have to play?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Never mind. You do something and everyone adores you and says how good a human being you are.See life from a bigger context. There are six and a half billion people on the planet and they all live for sometime and then everybody dies. People who praise and people who are also praised, both die. The whole universe comes to an end at some point, so renounce it all. So when you see your life from a bigger context, you will see you are everybody.
Q:
How do we know that our past karmas have been burnt?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just assume it. Just like assuming, 'I am free' makes one free. Believing that past karma has been burnt makes it so.Q:
What is the purpose of life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is a very precious question. One who knows will not give you an answer, and the one who answers, does not know. However, if you want to reach that answer, think about this: When you die, two questions will be asked.· How much knowledge have you gained?
· How much love have you given? How much have you loved Planet Earth and people?
Q:
Is religion necessary to get deep into spirituality?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Religion is different from communism. Being religious means being compassionate, honest and not treating others as you do not want to be treated as.Q:
How do thoughts arise in the mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I leave that on you to wonder about. This is a secret, a top secret! Top secret cannot be said on the mike.Q:
Do we all have a purpose in life or we all come and go whenever? If there is one purpose, what is it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know, it’s best to take out a paper and pen, and list out what is not the purpose of your life. By negating it will be easier for you.Q:
My wish and will for my spiritual growth is not consistent. Sometimes it is not very strong? How to be more aware of myself; how to see more and stop the chattering in my head for longer periods?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just drop this more. I want to be more; I want to be more… Relax. Love for growth in the field of spirituality and mind is deep relaxation. All positive qualities are already within you. When you go deep in meditation, they unfold naturally. We can’t say: ‘I want this flower to blossom quickly. What do I do? Should I open the petal?’If I want the flower to blossom, just allow, let it be. Pour some water; in time it will blossom.
Q:
To change a habit I take 40 days to do something to change it, but I don’t even see it through.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Then again you start 40 days, you keep going. It’s good if after 38 days it breaks. (Audience laughing) Then you can do it again for 40 days.Q:
Craving and ego are troubling me. What to do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Be natural. Take things as they come.Q:
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? What is the mantra for excellence?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I think you shouldn’t push them too much. You should teach them to relax. That is why I said music, meditation, some games will all help.