Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
We do everything for appreciation from people. How to get rid of the craving for appreciation from others?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
First start doubting the appreciation. Are they genuinely appreciating or trying to fish something out of you? When you doubt the appreciation then you will lose the craving for other’s appreciation.Q:
I have been on path for many years but I don’t feel your grace as people talk about?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Don’t focus on what others want. See what is it that you want. When you stop looking inside and look at others, that is when you miss the boat.Q:
Is God present or not?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Good, keep this question in your mind. However, if you know that God is present, then your life will change.As long as you are attached to material things, you won't find God.
When you are tired of things here, when you have had enough, then you will find God. Then you will find maturity.
Q:
In one of your books you have said religion is like the banana peel and spirituality is the fruit inside. Does that mean one who is spiritual has nothing to do with religion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Religion is inevitable. You have a religion since birth. Your name only conveys the religion to which you belong. Your name, marriage all this is part of religion. You can’t deny it. Spirituality unites all religions. That is the core value of all religions.Q:
I don’t easily get things in life? Recently, my case was going on and it got dismissed?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Listen, you have made this notion in mind that you don’t get things easily in life. Who has said this? First remove this label from your mind ok? Whatever you want youask for that and go ahead with confidence, ok? Don’t think that you always fail, your things get haphazard. This is wrong. It doesn’t happen like that. Everyone faces some problems initially. It has never happened that nobody faces no problem initially, and it will never happen like that.
Q:
There are so many attractions and distractions but still youth are so bored.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Youth are bored and it’s their fortune. If they were satisfied, then growth would have stopped. When they are bored, then the quest comes in them. They are not satisfied with the things available around. And this is the stage when they can take a step to look within, a leap in their inner journey, a step towards spirituality. An interest in higher growth gets kindled, when you are bored with things around. When you find the source of joy within, then obviously everything around is also reflecting the same source of joy, then you find interest in everything. Continuous bombardment of senses by stimuli can cause inertia. Inertia is boredom, is a form of boredom. Again, when prana level goes up, you move from inertia to enthusiasm.Q:
During meditation my mind wanders a lot. When will it settle down?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The mind does not wander, it is in search of more and more. This thirst for more will lead to the Supreme Self.One glimpse of the self is enough to lead you back. At least you are aware that the mind wanders. This is a big thing. Sometimes people don’t even know this. Once you know this, it means it will come back.
Desires take you farther away from the Self. Small small desires can disturb your meditation. When you sit down to meditate, tell yourself that at this time “I want nothing”. The second is to tell yourself “I do nothing”. The third sutra (principle) is “I am nothing”. Do not think that you have to meditate, just sit and be hollow and empty. You do not have to make any kind of attempt. These three sutras are very important.
Q:
What is the secret to your fashion statement?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In style, and fashion, no statement is required. No statement is made in fashion. Fashion is just appearance. But anything you do, do it with style!Q:
The world is not going your way.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I have patience and perseverance and I know it will come right.Q:
Guruji, during the course I feel very good but once I go out, I feel misery again. What to do to get rid of that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Imbibe this knowledge. Independence means depending on the inside. Your independence is only when you are dependent on the inside. You are miserable when you want things from others for your comfort. How much can you take? And even if you take everything, it is of what use? This is what I think. I am independent means I am inner dependent. So I want nothing from anybody. Just this aphorism, reminder of this, time and again, will take your mind, which is sticking to the outside, come to its center. You will feel the relief. Misery simply means you are stuck to the outside. Joy means you are in your element which is inside. If you depend on others for your comfort, you lose your joy. First, have this faith that nature will provide whatever I need or I deserve, it will never happen that nature doesn’t provide you with what you need. Secondly, I want nothing from anybody. And third whatever I have, be it be intelligence, great voice, qualifications, skill is only for others and not for me and I serve others as much as I can. Finish! Where is the misery then?
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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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