Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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:
What is the difference between being detached or in denial?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Whenever you get so confused analyzing your own feelings, I tell you, just drop it. Many times you go to get counseling and you get even more confused. The counselor tells you, “Oh, in your childhood your mother didn’t take you to the fair so you are feeling that anger.” I would tell you, see your whole past as a dream and move on to the future.Something pleasant happened. Something unpleasant happened. By picking your memory, you spoil your present moment as well. All the past is nothing but a memory. Some of its impact may continue but the event is not there. Wake up. Shake up.
You see these dogs, puppies and cats - how they shake themselves when they get dirty? They shake and move on. We should save our mind.
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:
In the talk about Ganesha, you have not spoken about riddhi and siddhi. Could you please do so?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Riddi and siddhi come with the divinity. They are part of it. Even if you don’t want siddhis, they will come. Same with riddhi. Riddhi means abundance, various kinds of abundance andsplendor.Q:
Guruji, we have two requests for you. Why don’t you come more often to Chennai and start an ashram here?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Tomorrow we are going to get a meditation hall started here. You all should come here and meditate.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.Q:
Guruji, why is it that sometimes you answer certain questions and sometimes you don’t?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is a right time and place for every answer. If questions are asked at the wrong time, then silence is the answer.Q:
How do I enter politics? Is it only for the rich or those with a political background?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is not the case. It’s all about people. People come first. Become a good social worker, people will automatically vote for you. First you must work among the people. I know somebody who worked a lot for the betterment of villages and people of villages not only voted for him but also gave him Rs10 per person for the elections.Q:
Dear Guruji I don’t know if I made a right decision. I had a relationship. I walked out of it then re-started it. Then my boy friend did the same. Is it a new beginning? Have I made the right decision?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Well, time will tell you. You know when we are upset it is an opportunity for us to know how much have we grown in knowledge. When we hold the responsibility – I have done something wrong to some one then 50% sorrow is diminished. The rest of the 50% is done when you know everything will change in the future. Once a gentleman was very angry with his wife. When he was asked why he is angry with his wife, he said, “Because of her, because I love her I am angry with her. If there wouldn’t have been any care why would I fight with her?” You fight because you have a sense of ownership, belongingness. Because of the sense of belongingness you fight and because of that sense of belongingness you come together. Isn’t it? But there are other people whom you should contact, I am not experienced in this.Q:
Is there anything beyond samadhi?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Beyond Samadhi there is Bodh Matra Shuddh Chaitanya Satta (pure awareness and intelligence).An awareness that is neither of the inside, nor the outside is developed. Not unconsciousness but one such pure consciousness. It makes no difference whether the eyes are opened or closed. It all seems alike.
Displaying 5831 - 5840 of 7916
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.
Mehr