Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Many times because of desire for joy and old impressions I repeat the same mistakes. How to rise above this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
here are three ways to rise above it. First is to remind yourself of the pain it has given you in the past. Every time the desire for joy has given you misery. Either recall your own experience or learn from the experience of others.The second way is to have a mere glimpse of the highest joy. The joy that is derived without any effort is higher than the one achieved with effort. Then, the third way is keeping yourself busy. When you are so busy then the greed for joy will remain hidden or its seed will not sprout.
Q:
What is the difference between Guru, God and the soul?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Guru is knowledge, Guru is love. Guru is light,There is no difference between Guru, God and the Soul.
Q:
Why do you want to help everybody?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Will you ask the sun, why do you shine? If you ask a tree why do you flower, what will it say? It is simply its nature. I only do what is in my nature. Helping others, manushyatva(humanity) is our swabhav (nature). We have to move from a lack consciousness (abhav) and the influences of external factors (prabhav) to our swabhav (nature).Q:
How does the Divine look so lovable and beautiful?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Look within yourself, you are no less!Jaisa drishti, waisa srithti. Jaisa nazar waisa nazaare, nazariya. As is the vision, so is the world. Only a jeweler can know a jewel. Only the one who is beautiful can recognize beauty. Only those who are lovable will recognize love not everyone. But everyone has the capacity. If everyone recognizes what is within (the love and beauty) then the whole world seems Satyam, Shivam Sundaram. In the whole world the blissful consciousness will be seen.
Q:
How are we connected to the five elements?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Wherever we go, we are all connected!The earth and body connects us all.
Water connects everything. Air is everywhere. One can’t say, 'This is my air'.
And we are all connected in space.
*(A breathing technique taught in the Art of Living course.)
Q:
Guruji in your weekly knowledge you have said never to have an ambition. Will you please comment on that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I haven’t said like that. Be ambitious but don’t be over ambitious.Q:
If somebody does not like their name, is it OK to change it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Change. So what? (laughter) It´s like changing the clothes. Last question.Q:
How to live without expectations?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you know that joy from expectations is lesser than unexpected joy, that is sufficient. You need not try to achieve this, it happens effortlessly.Q:
The days, I don’t do my spiritual practices, I ask God for forgiveness. Is it okay?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, yes. Do only as much as you can do. In the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: “Practice as much as possible, and if you can’t, then do my work. If you can’t do that, then feel that you are one with Me. Then drop the fruits of your actions, and relax.”Q:
Even though I do regular sadhana, many times I get feverish about things. How to deal with this feverishness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You are feverish to get rid of feverishness will become a big hindrance. When you feel feverish, accept it. Your accepting feverishness itself will bring the calming effect. Otherwise, you are feverish to get rid of feverishness, will roll into a chain reaction of feverishness. Accept life in its totality and that is the way to be centred. Once you are centred, you are the source of creativity. You will be the source of happiness, joy and love.
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Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,The Art of Living is an educational and humanitarian movement engaged in stress-management and service initiatives.
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