Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Guruji, when I get bad thoughts, I am able to subdue them through the intellect.
But is it possible not to have bad thoughts at all?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
This is the skill. How you manage bad thoughts. Lots of thoughts come if there are impurities in the body, if there is aavaran (artificiality) in the mind.Having too many thoughts indicates some weakness in the body. Consult an ayurveda physician and take herbs to cleanse the body. Through pranayam, the mind is purified. Through meditation, the consciousness gets purified. Sometimes the thoughts come because of the surroundings or company. Do not be afraid of bad thoughts. These thoughts are similar to the dark clouds that come and pass away.
Q:
I often speak the truth, but because of this people become angry. What must I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Speak the truth and speak sweetly as well. When you speak harshly then people get angry, not because of the truth. When it is very necessary to tell a bitter truth, speak it with sweetness. You don’t have to cut vegetables with an axe.Q:
How does one balance between our heart and the brain when both say opposite things?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you are dealing in business, then follow your brain. And if it comes to home or relationship, then follow your heart.Q:
Guruji, even after surrendering, the mind gets stuck? What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
At least for some time the mind gets free. This is the how it is with the mind. The reach of maya is widespread. It holds on to you from so many directions. When you think it gives you some happiness then the mind gets attracted towards it. Finish it with surrender, bhog ke (bearing the pleasure & the pain) or with understanding. If nothing, then with time it automatically gets finished.Q:
Is there any formula to have peace at home?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You have asked a very difficult question! But its answer is very simple. You keep on smiling irrespective of what happens around you. If noise is there, accept it. If somebody is shouting, let it be for some time. Try considering the whole atmosphere of your home as if you are watching any television serial. Do you get upset when you watch television? Some people were telling me that same arguments take place on television which happens at their homes also. Think as if some live show is going on at home. And only a camera is missing. When you remember this thing and see yourself as the director and not actor, then at least you will have peace in your heart. And up to what time others will play their role? They will be tired in sometime. All this trouble is in wake state, neither in dream nor in sleep. God has granted you few hours of sleep and some other routine activities like bathing etc. take some more time. So at least for these ten hours, you are at peace. (Jokingly)And enjoy the other 14 hours show. What else can you do? But if you want to enjoy, remember not to be the actor.Q:
Does guru come at the end of a yug?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Not just at the end. He can come at any time. Jab guru aate hai tab naya yug shuru hota hai. Shuru mein bhi aate hai, beech me bhi, ant mein bhi. (When the Master comes, a new epoch begins.)Guru is not a person. Guru is embodiment of wisdom.
Q:
Could you speak about love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is not possible that a person does not know about love. It’s love that gets distorted into anger and anxiety. It is almost impossible to talk of love. Sage Narad said a little and after that he said it is inexpressible - Anirvachniyam.Q:
What is the significance of Kumbh mela?
(The Kumbh Mela is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. The word Kumbh has been derived from the Sanskrit word Kumbh meaning 'pot' or 'pitcher' and Mela means 'festival' that is why it is known as "the pitcher festival". It is a fair that energizes your mind and soul)
(The Kumbh Mela is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. The word Kumbh has been derived from the Sanskrit word Kumbh meaning 'pot' or 'pitcher' and Mela means 'festival' that is why it is known as "the pitcher festival". It is a fair that energizes your mind and soul)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ganga is a symbol of knowledge and Yamuna symbolizes love. Prayag (where Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet) is the unity of love and wisdom. When love and wisdom meets, celebration happens.Kumbh means coming together of saints, scholars and katha vachaks(story tellers). They participate in discussion and meditation with the sankalpa(positive intention) of universal benefit. People needn’t go to all the different places. They can all come to one place. The concept of mela started in India. Nowadays we call it expo. There are expos for motors, books, clothes, to present all the products in one place. On similar concept all the saints used to congregate in one place once in 12 years. In those days transport facilities were not so extensive and traveling would take so much time. Kumbh mela provided an opportunity for people to converse and exchange knowledge with each other.
If you see it from planetary perspective, Kumbh happens when Jupiter enters Aquarius. By bathing in the Ganges the chitta (consciousness) becomes joyful. Your consciousness is purified. The sins are washed away. It's so beautiful. The sins are so superficial that just by a dip in the Ganges they can be washed away. The ever-pure consciousness can never be dirtied.
Q:
Guruji, what’s the difference nihilism and advaita?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
One is nothing and the other is complete. Truth has two aspects - we keep saying it’s nothing and then experience the completeness. Therefore in Yoga Vashishta, Maharishi Vashishta says in beginning, that the consciousness is empty like the sky and full like an ocean. We start with saying, “I am nothing” and move to “I am in everything”.Q:
Guruji please tell us something about Vedic mathematics?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
We have Vedic mathematics department in the Ashram with several Vedic mathematics teachers in the department. There are some 16 – 17 formulas using which many mathematical problems can be solved. All lovers of mathematics should study that.
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