Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
I have been listening to your talks and reading your knowledge sheets. Now I want to reach that level where I am able to live that knowledge, to be sensitive like you, being able to listen to the pain of plants also. I too want to reach that level.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ok, where there is thirst, water will also be made available. And if you have any conflicts in mind, don’t worry. Aren’t conflicts reducing in mind. This will continue to happen. Increase the level of Sattva in you & Conflicts won’t remain with you with time.Q:
How do we know that our past karmas have been burnt?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just assume it. Just like assuming, 'I am free' makes one free. Believing that past karma has been burnt makes it so.Q:
What is your wish regarding Sanskrit language?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I see beyond languages. Language, of course has its place but I am more concerned about the consciousness and the state of mind. How can we raise the level of consciousness in the world? Of course, Sanskrit is a great and a beautiful language. It is mother of many languages. Russian, German, English and other Indian languages, all have their roots in Sanskrit.Q:
Guruji what does Om Namah Shivaya mean? What is the difference between chanting and silent meditation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Om is the life force. Sound is energy. When the sound is made with all your heart, it has a very positive effect. Namah Shivaya includes the 5 elements – na – mah – shi – va – ya: Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Space. Chanting and silent meditation also have an impact.Q:
How do thoughts arise in the mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I leave that on you to wonder about. This is a secret, a top secret! Top secret cannot be said on the mike.Q:
Why is it so simple to be complicated?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you think it is so simple to be complicated, it is so complicated to be simple then! Then you can easily accept that life is a mixture of both complication and simplicity. And if you don’t want to do only simple things in your life all the time and want to do something complicated as well then, you do something which is so complicated it makes you so simple.Q:
What do you think of 2012?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Let me remind you of 1999. There was a hue and cry in North America. The world is going to shut down. There was going to be a big disaster. But nothing happened. I think it will be the same in 2012 as well. Business as usual. But people will be more creative. Children will be more spiritual. People will imbibe human values more. The amount of violence, the sense of aggression and violence will decrease. We will make more sustainable choices. Naturally we will become more spiritual. There will be less addiction and sickness.Q:
What is difference between accepting people as they are and labeling them as they are?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You tell me the answer. If you really want an answer then sit and think about it. If in your mind this question has arisen, the answer will also come. You have some notion of acceptance in your mind and some other notion of labeling. That’s why you are using two different words. You won’t ask the difference between ‘Kela’ (banana in Hindi) and ‘Banana’. When we ask the difference we already know what that difference is. You already know in your mind and a little introspection will give you the answer.Q:
Does God exist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Only God exists. But to realize that takes energy, time and commitment.Q:
Who are you and what is your mission?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I will give this question back to you. And that is my mission - to put this question back to you. Who are you? When you ask yourself who you are, the journey has begun. The spiritual journey just begins with these two questions. Asking others is futile. You ask yourself ‘ who am I?’ and ‘what do I want to do in my life?’.
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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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