Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That is why. You’re hesitating to take responsibility – this is the problem. Just come out of procrastination. Take responsibility. Have courage, faith and self-confidence. Work will be done then.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, that is why when you are exhausted, sit and meditate. Do pranayama and meditation that will remove the exhaustion.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, just because the school environment is not good enough, to remain at home is no good. Then children will become dull. We have to improve the systems in schools and this work is happening. That is why we are opening so many schools; we have opened around a 100 schools here in India.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
How did you bring un-naturalness(asahajta), first tell me this? You were born natural. Naturalness has been with us since birth. Where did this asahajta come in, observe this and give it up! We feel at ease only when others praise us, approve of our work. Why do you wait for others’ approval, give yourself a pat on the back. I know it is a little difficult to pat oneself on the back. That is why we have you do the third stage of pranayaam!! But do not break the rules of sahajta. It is important to follow the rules and norms of society.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I would want to know how we can help. Probably we would like to train some youngsters who would like to volunteer and help prisoners get a peaceful, calm mind.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know, it’s like getting into a muddy pond and trying to jump out of it. The more you try to jump out of it you sink into it. So the best thing is just do your sadhana and worry about people around you. Do some service project and get into some service activity. Do your bhajans, singing, all this will take care of everything. Don’t focus your attention on the spirits at all now.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Give a pat on your back. Whenever you get confused, it means an old pattern is breaking, and something new is happening. Listen, you can’t be confused in everything. You know you have to have dinner – are you confused about that? You know when you have to come for satsang.Confusion is when you want more joy, and are not happy with what you have.
A bird in hand is worth two in a bush – be happy with what you have.
If confusion steps in a short while, it should be welcomed. But if it remains perpetually, take an attitude about it.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is very difficult. It is said ‘Ghar ki murgi dal barabar’. At home they already know you, even though you have become a teacher they won’t listen to you, you should not teach them. Take them to another teacher; they will listen to what another teacher says. If you teach them they will not receive it well, they will take it for granted. You should never teach your own family members. There are so many teachers. Take them to any teacher's class and you also learn with them.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Very naturally, and easily.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just move on, move forward. Don’t look back. Failure can only be in the past, never in the future. Again, it’s about understanding the event. If you see it from a broader perspective, you will see it better.