Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Doesn’t matter. Step by step, you will reach there someday. At least you are now aware that you doubt everybody. Doubt won’t stay for a longer period. And when doubt is not there, faith naturally happens. It will happen on its own.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Come on, nobody can hurt you, at the most they can blabber. When they blabber, they do it out of their ignorance. If you don’t want to get hurt, nobody can hurt you. You should realize you are strong and nobody can hurt you. It’s good to have some spicy crackers here and there. You should be a director, if you are a player in the play, you get stuck into it. You should just become a witness. Notice your mind when you’re upset. Something is happening inside the body.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

There is energy centre in every cell of the body. Heart, mind, everything is an energy centre. The whole consciousness is a manifestation of energy.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

No no, it only seems so. It’s not real. A person who seems successful and happy despite doing wrong actually is restless in the heart. He can’t sleep peacefully, can’t eat with joy and his fall will be greater than his rise. Have faith that if I am doing good, then good only will happen. If you think otherwise, it is an illusion. But being good doesn’t mean one should be stupid, use your intelligence. One’s heart should be clean.

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.