Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
What is karma? Why are some people happy, some poor etc?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You will understand the law behind all this, when you explore your depth.Q:
What is the difference between being like a child and being responsible?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Take responsibility but with child-like simplicity. This saves your mind and helps you to fulfill your duties more effectively, and saves the trauma of worry.Q:
Why do people stop behaving like normal people as soon as they think Sri Sri will turn up the next moment? (laughter)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I have no idea. (laughter)There is a story. It is very famous in India. There was a king called Vikram Aditya. He was known for his righteousness, and piousness. He was a saint of a king. He had all the characters that were required of a king - wise man, saint, good human being, and very intelligent also. There are many good human beings, but they are not intelligent (laughter), and intelligent human beings who are not good. This king had all the aspects. He was very patient. After he died, there was nobody who could take his place. His seat was so powerful, nobody could get on the throne. After some time, the throne got buried. Many years passed. There was a garden, and in the garden, a small hillock. The gardener would go sit on the hillock, and have a big smile on his face. From there he would invite all the passer-bys he would see on the road. He would invite people to come, and have fruit from the garden - mangoes, coconuts.
But when they came, he would take a stick, and chase them. He would fight with them. ‘How dare you come to my garden? How dare you trespass?’ People would not understand his behavior. Some thought he was mad. Others thought there must be something else. So, they decided to dig the hillock, and find out. They dug the hillock, and found the throne of the king. It had such an impact on the gardener, the vibrations.
If you sit in negative company, you feel negative. If you sit where there are doubts, then this is what you will feel. That´s why Buddha said ‘Sangha’. The company of people who are positive, focused on the higher goals of life is important. If someone is always thinking of money, or of cheating, those vibrations will have an impact on you. If you sit in joyful company like here (in satsang), you will feel joyful.
Q:
Should I quit the membership of Church? (I belong to a Catholic Church).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know that is your choice. You can continue to be a member or if you do not feel like it you can quit. It is your own choice. Whether you are a member or you are not is not a big issue. What is more important is are you a good human being? Are you full of love and compassion? Are you interested in helping others? Are you interested in connecting with others? Do you think so?Q:
What should I do to bring peace on this planet?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Keeping this question with you will do much more to fuel your engine to move forward. Again and again you will think and plan and that will help you to move forward. There is a lot to be done. We can all do it together.I understand, in many countries there is continuous violence. 92 percent of thepopulation is depressed they say, in Palestine. Afghanistan has a similar situation. Pakistan now, Iraq, Yemen are in the same condition. There is a lot that needs to be done. When you see the magnitude, you think what to do really! But don’t lose heart. Keep doing!
Q:
An artist is able to create a beautiful picture, but I am not. Why?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You too can make a beautiful picture! The first time you try, you may not, but at your tenth attempt, you will.Everyone is the same here. Kings, peasants, saints, - all are equal. The intelligent, and the foolish are all the same.
Q:
Guruji, I get bored nowadays. I am contented in my heart but nothing gives me joy except from your talks. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
My dear, why do you have so much time sitting and thinking about yourself? If you are happy, go and do seva (service). We have lots of things to do. Care for others, do some service. There is so much to learn. Learn more. Don’t run behind joy. Let joy run behind you. If you follow joy, misery will follow. If you follow wisdom, fun and joy follow. Wherever you go, fun tags behind you.Q:
How does a youth handle the ups and downs of life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I am a youth myself! Life is a mixture of everything: failure & success - they complement each other. If you fail, then you know the value of success, it is a stepping stone.You need to move forward: ask yourself, what did I learn from the past, and then what is my vision for the future? This will keep you going. For this, you need presence of mind, and for this, you need to get rid of stress.
You are the player, not the pawn. If you are a pawn, someone else is moving you, and you have no control. You have to be the player, empower yourself, and that’s how these Art of Living programs can help you.
Q:
Guruji is there any special message for us?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Special message is that that you are very special. All of you. When I say you, it is not for any one person but for us. All of you are very special.Q:
How to forgive and let go of things?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you see a culprit from a broader perspective, forgiveness becomes natural.
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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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