Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Guruji, with your grace I got a new car but if you don’t sit in it, what’s the fun of having the car?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Your body is the car of which the heart is the motor. It’s enough for you to have a seat for me there. What’s the fun of sitting in the other car! Make me reside in your heart.Q:
What makes a child learn wrong language?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Every child is born innocent. But they learn abusive language from environment. Initially they only imitate their parents or people in their surroundings. But then it becomes a habit. Whatever you give comes back to you. That spoils your mind only.Q:
What are your thoughts on vegetarianism?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is so much research in the US on vegetarianism. I have always been a vegetarian; I don’t know anything other than being a vegetarian. Some people say you must eat fish and meat for protein but if you have the proper balance of protein you are fine without it. If you don’t, you should eat some. I eat a little yogurt at least once a week. Vegetarianism is very essential for spiritual practice.Q:
Can you please talk about our karma governing our future?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, your karma forms your future. I have talked about all these things in the book ‘An intimate note to the sincere seeker’. You should read that.Q:
How to get rid of lust?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It has come from birth. If you keep thinking about it, it will become stronger.The same vasana is transformed into joy and love. When there is contentment and masti, the lust automatically fades away. When the sun is shining, you don’t need a torchlight.
Atma rati - atma me rati lag jaye, ishwar me man lag jaye. (Mind settles into consciousness).
Q:
Bali culture is connected to India, would you throw a little more light onto this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If go into the aboriginal culture all over the world you will find that they are all similar - in British Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, India etc. They all are similar to one another. They all honor the directions, the moon, the earth, the sun, the water, the mountains. They all honor creation. India and Bali are in Southeast Asia, and are of course connected. It’s good to find similarities, and celebrate differences.Q:
Does astrology and planets carry any importance? There are so many television channels which talk about stones and planetary effects. Should one believe in those?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Astrology has its importance. Astrology is a science but astrologers are not scientists. So any astrologer cannot be trusted like that. What is shown on television is very general and not specific to one person. Planets do have their effects but know that you have much greater power than that. ‘Om Namah Shiva’ – this mantra is like a shield and it takes care of all planetary effects.Q:
I am in love with a guy and I want to marry him. But my parents are against this. Whatever I chose I lose the people I love most. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Try to convince your parents or try to understand why they are opposing. If they are doing this because of caste system or any superstition then you talk to them and make them understand. But if they have some other concern then you should try to understand their point of view also. Sometimes you are blindfolded when you fall in love. You are driven away by feelings and you cannot see what others can.If you are not able to come to any conclusion then give time a chance. Have patience, relax and pray. Prayer has enormous power and it works.
Q:
Is physical distance a hindrance in feeling close to someone?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is no distance for the mind. When you connect with the feelings, all the distances vanish. If there are no feelings, then you do not feel the connectivity even if you are sitting next to the person. That is true for god, divine and all relations. When such a connection is established with the whole universe, you experience the Shiv tattva.Q:
How do you break an addiction?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
To begin, look at it in the short term. Say for the next one month I am not going to do it. What gets us over an addiction?Greed – you will get $10 million if you don’t smoke for one month. Greed will make you keep the vow.
Fear – fear keeps you out of addiction if you are afraid of sickness or death.
Love – if someone promises someone they love then they will not do it.
And of course, meditation.
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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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