Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
What is the source of happiness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
What is the source of space? It is everywhere. Space is an element. Happiness has a source, it is our nature. When a baby has sorrow there is always a reason for sorrow. With that reason there is always a way to eliminate sorrow. But a baby is happy without reason. You can be happy without a particular reason. There is always a way to eliminate sadness. Bliss, joy, happiness is our nature when you have no reason to be unhappy. Unfortunately people always look for a reason to be unhappy.Q:
Does astrology and planets carry any importance? There are so many television channels which talk about stones and planetary effects. Should one believe in those?
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.Q:
I am in love with a guy and I want to marry him. But my parents are against this. Whatever I chose I lose the people I love most. What should I do?
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.
Q:
Can you please talk about our karma governing our future?
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.Q:
How to get rid of lust?
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).
Q:
Guruji, in life we see good people suffering a lot. It seems God is hard on the good people. Why?
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.Q:
I want to trust everybody but when I begin to do that something stops me. What should I do?
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.Q:
Which is the energy centre in our 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.Q:
Guruji, in your company we feel as if Vrindavan has been created here and now only. But when we move out in the world, entanglements cling on to us again. How to be free from that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Keep coming again and again. Have you noticed that the entanglements do not cling on to you with the same intensity as it used to be earlier? That grip is loosened. Gradually, when you become more centered, those worldly things do not distract you anymore.Q:
Is there life on other planets?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is plenty here. Let us care for them first. Not to worry about other planets now.
