Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Between karma and bhagya (good fortune or luck), which is more important?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you are in front of the television, do you listen to the voice first or watch the screen? They happen simultaneously, isn’t it? In the same way, both karma (action) and bhagya(good fortune) are important. When we perform appropriate actions, then we become bhagya or fortunate. When we have good fortune, then our actions are fruitful.Q:
What are effects of Past life karma on the present life? I feel I have done sins in past.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Don’t waste your energy thinking too much on past life karmas. Use your energy to come out of the present problems.‘Om Namah Shivaye’ mantra, pranayama, Satsang..– All these take care of your previous karmas. Surrender all your sins and move further in life.
Q:
When we sit for meditation sometimes we are disturbed by other people. If we are humble, then they take advantage of it. How do deal with this situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just leave it; you will see it will settle on its own. If it goes beyond a limit, then you can also roar. A lion simply sits, doesn’t roar all the time. Inside you must be pleasant, outside you can roar. To roar you need inner strength.Q:
What are those things a person needs to be committed to in order to grow as an individual?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
First there should be commitment to the greater good of the society. I don't have to say that you have to be committed to your own greater good. You already are. If at all you want to take a commitment, make a commitment for the larger benefit of mankind, that one commitment is good. And that too is already there. When we are free from stress, we are naturally committed to the betterment of the society. There is still more work to be done in societies where violence is handed over from one generation to the next. They especially need education about non-violence.Q:
What is the trademark of the ‘Art of Living’?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Smile! If somebody says he/she has done the course but is not smiling, don’t believe them! They have not done the course truly.Q:
Dear Guruji, we have come here to appreciate silence more and more. I love it here but there are times when I would rather be alone and stay in silence. When I go to office or any social place like that, do you think too much silence is a bad thing?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Balance! Balance in life. Anything too much is no good. Too much talking is no good; too much silence is not for you now.Q:
Will you please tell us about BT crops? Why is it advised not to consume BT crops?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
BT – Bio tech. Yes we should not use it. Because of BT cotton thousands of farmers committed suicide. Also the virus emitted by these seeds affect many other plants too. 10- 15 years ago leaves of the neem tree never used to get dry. But because of BT cotton even that has happened.It was also planned by some people to launch BT brinjal in India. But due to the collective voice raised against it, that issue has been subdued for now. Even France and America have banned those seeds. Research has shown that such seeds adversely affect the kidney, liver, heart, and cause a rise in cancer. But corruption was going to allow this to happen in India. Then they were planning to launch BT rice etc. That’s why it is so important that good people, saints and social workers come up, and people are made aware of all this.
Q:
What was your purpose in beginning this organization?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
To see a smile on every face. I couldn’t stand tears running down anyone’s face.Q:
Could you please tell us something about ego and surrender.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ego is something that restricts your blossoming. Ego is you not having enoughconfidence in yourself. Ego is not wanting to be a fool. One who doesn’t want to be a fool ends up being a fool. So you have no choice. You either have to accept that you are a fool and become wise or not accept that you are a fool and really become one. Egotism does not like that. It says I am not a fool. I am somebody. Trying to impress someone else and become a real fool. Got it? Self confidence is that which gives you comfort. At home feeling, simply a sense of naturalness with everybody. Sense of belongingness with everybody. And not minding being a …
Audience: Fool
Q:
How can Indian youth contribute to the world?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Human values. Indian youth can bring human values to the world. India has a very charming personality, and this should be projected properly.Sometimes, our culture is depicted so badly in the media. If we degrade ourselves, and make other people laugh, we are happy about it. This weak nature has to be removed. WE should decide what our values are. We should keep our self-respect. We should decide what we like, and what we don’t like. We should not depend on others to judge us.
Of course, it’s fine that people appreciate us. But just because someone appreciates us, we are happy. We should have more self respect, and we should believe in ourselves.
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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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