Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Even after doing the Art of Living course why do some people live in such hatred and ego? How to teach them the language of love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Bring them to satsang again and again. Sometimes, even after having good intentions in the mind, a person tends to fall because of the company (he keeps). This is called sanghdosh. People are good and wish to walk the right path, but due to bad company, are not able to imply their good thoughts. Thus, satsang is very effective and vital. Inspire others and bring them to satsang. Just like people push others to do wrong acts, similarly for good also we sometimes need to pull people.Q:
I grew up in a small town and have seen many ups and down in the life. But now when I am into a job, I see all this corruption. People demanding bribe, this and that. It pains in the heart. I don’t know how to go about it? Also I have heard from Swamiji that when we do meditation, the satva in the atmosphere raises, and that can result in the transformation of these negative tendencies in the society.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You are worried about all the corruption in the society! That is why I say we all have to stand up by principles. Our boys went to Hyderabad and they needed some license to start some project. They stood by their principles and they get their job accomplished without having to bribe anyone. Like them, you also stand by your principles. It could be little difficult in the beginning. That is why we have to inculcate spirituality in every aspect of society. Non-violence and integrity have to be inculcated. We have to fight against corruption.Q:
What is the difference between my will and God’s will?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When every will is His, every mind is His, then where is your existence? Everything is God’s will. The moment you differentiate between mine and His, there are two.When your mind is clear, then sit and think. Only when your mind is free from feverishness, can His will be done.
Q:
Please explain the meaning of seva (service).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
One is our job, the other is seva. Both are different. You do your job for livelihood. Seva means seva- Doing like Him. God has given you everything, whether you remember him or not. He wants nothing in return. Do work and be in the way that will make the other person happy. The reward of seva comes only when when you want nothing in return.Q:
How to know you have given 100 percent?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
100 percent - you will feel! You know! I will ask 10 people to feed you in kitchen. Will run away! You will know.Q:
Apart from the joy one gets in service, is there anything else also that one gets?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You get what you call good luck. Doing service increases your luck. But doing service in order to enhance luck will be cheating. You do service because you cannot live without that.Do whatever you can in your capacity.
Q:
Guruji, I often get confused. What should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
ConFused – Fusion with the consciousness and cosmos. Everytime you get confused, know that you are growing.Q:
Do you believe that this is the time and age for large-scale global transformation of human evolution?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Thirty years ago, there was so much prejudice towards spirituality and wisdom. People would want to keep it at an arm’s length and blindly believe that it is not for them. Today there is acceptance. People are willing to try and see that something benefits them and are less prejudiced. With this, more human values will surface. And don’t worry about 2012. The world will not collapse. I assure you that.Q:
What does a yagya consist of?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In any yagya, there is dhyan (meditation), daan (giving), gyan (knowledge) and gaan(music)Gaan nourishes the right brain. Gyan nourishes the left brain and dhyan nourishes both.
One grows due to yagya.
Q:
I have a habit of recalling the pleasant memories of life again and again, as it gives a glimpse of the same pleasure as I felt in the past. Is it something to be cautious of, can it hinder my growth?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It’s alright, don’t make an effort to sit and go on remembering the past. I think you have too much free time. Get busy and start working. There are so many things to do in the world. Where is the time to live in the past, recollect all the past. Right? The world is new every moment. Go with it. Don’t turn back and keep looking back. Move forward.
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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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