Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
What is the secret to your fashion statement?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In style, and fashion, no statement is required. No statement is made in fashion. Fashion is just appearance. But anything you do, do it with style!Q:
The world is not going your way.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I have patience and perseverance and I know it will come right.Q:
We get good ideas during meditation, but we can’t write them down. What should we do to remember them later?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You must accept that the idea is there, inside your mind. It will come up when you need it. Accept that the idea is in a safe locker inside your mind. You can take it when you need it.Q:
The atmosphere of the Ashram is very beautiful. It is easy to practise seva, satsang and sadhana here but difficult in the outside world. Will I receive more merit by applying knowledge in the outside world?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, it is alright. I also have a habit of teaching the Gita in the Warfield. Wherever there is war in the world, Gita is taught. Yes, it is easy to apply knowledge here. You begin from here then wherever you sit you can meditate and wherever you meditate such an atmosphere(like that of the Ashram) you will be able to create on your own.*The sacred thread ceremony
Q:
Some people have positive thoughts, while some have negative thoughts. How does one control this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
By keeping a stress-free mind. If you have a stress-free mind, your thoughts will be positive.Q:
Could you please explain why we pray to Shiva, even though Shiva is called the destructor?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Shiva is not just the destructor; Shiva means the transformer, the consciousness which is advaita, which is non-dual, the one consciousness, Mahadeva. The Shiva pooja- Rudrapooja is the most ancient yagya which unites all the five elements, through chanting and using the five elements. This ceremony is done to uplift the human consciousness.Q:
What do I do when there is duality while meditating and too many thoughts come?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Don’t try to see something in meditation. Just relax. If too many thoughts arise, give them all a hug. Duality is what? Good and bad right? Right and wrong? These are the conflicts.Keep in mind three laws while meditating – I am nothing , I need nothing, I am going to do nothing - akincan, achah, aprayatna.If you have these three principles, you will be able to meditate.Q:
I am a very happy woman and blessed with a lot of things, so why do I bother about being over weight?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know a man or woman cannot live without botheration. That is why I started the Art of Living, to get more botherations! So this is a good botheration, at least it will put a break on you not to take a second scoop of ice cream. You will not stretch your hand for the second piece of dessert, or second piece of apple pie. You will stop at half. It is good to have a little concern, otherwise when you grow older you may have to pay a lot of bills to the doctor. So it is better to keep a check on the weight unless you want the doctors to become rich. That is your choice!Q:
I am 23 years old. How do I know when should I listen to my heart, and head?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
For work, use your head; for seva, use your heart. For business, use your head and lock your heart at home!Q:
What should I do to bring peace on this planet?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Keeping this question with you will do much more to fuel your engine to move forward. Again and again you will think and plan and that will help you to move forward. There is a lot to be done. We can all do it together.I understand, in many countries there is continuous violence. 92 percent of thepopulation is depressed they say, in Palestine. Afghanistan has a similar situation. Pakistan now, Iraq, Yemen are in the same condition. There is a lot that needs to be done. When you see the magnitude, you think what to do really! But don’t lose heart. Keep doing!
