Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
How do you know what level of spirituality you are at?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It depends on how often your buttons can be pushed. If you have no buttons to be pushed then you are very strong.Q:
Why do thoughts come and where do they originate from? Why do the thoughts rule us?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Where do the thoughts come from? From the mind, or the body? Close your eyes and think about it. That itself becomes a meditation. Then you will reach the point or space within you from where all the thoughts come. And that is fantastic.Q:
What is wrong and what is right?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Which gives you short term pleasure and long term misery is wrong and vice-versa.Q:
What do you consider success?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
A smile that nobody will take away from you - that is the greatest achievement.Q:
At my workplace, I have to listen to seniors who tell me to commit morally wrong acts. I am in a dilemma whether to follow them or not. If I follow them, I cheat myself. If I don’t, I am afraid of offending them.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You should work with skill and intelligence. You should pray: “Let this man not force me to do any such acts.” Then your prayer will be answered.Q:
Nowadays, youth marry without their parent's consent. They do this blindly, without thinking. Is this acceptable?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Your question already has the answer. Nobody will tell someone to do anything blindly or without thinking.As a parent, look at the matter from the children’s point of view. First, examine your reason for refusal. If the reason is good, then it's fine. But if you refuse because of differences in economic status or differences in caste, then it’s a different thing.
Parents can give guidance to children. Explain to them not to take a hasty step, acting on a whirlpool of emotions.
Q:
What is Paramatma? Who are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (Hindu Gods)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Just like a rainbow, where all the colors merge to form a single white light, the Paramatma (Supreme Consciousness) is white and all the forms of Gods are the various colors.This world is full of names and forms. Fruits, flowers all have a name and form. Our ancestors realized this, and said that there were 1008 names and forms, all belonging to the One who had no name.
Q:
What is right? A truth that brings tears or a lie that brings a smile?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is a saying:Satyam bruyaat, priyam bruyaat,
Na bruyaat satyam apriyam
Na priyam cha nanrutam bruyaat
‘Speak the truth, speak pleasantly,
do not speak unpleasant truths
nor speak pleasant lies.’
This is sanatana dharma . If someone is blind, don’t say “Hey blind fellow come here!” This is not pleasant, though it may be the truth. Don't say unpleasant truths and pleasant lies.
Q:
Today, the youth only think of themselves. Are family and society no longer important?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The parents must also be only thinking of themselves, that’s why the kids are the same. If parents think of others, then even the kids will think of others.This is Sanskaar (culture), which is passed down from parents to children.
Q:
Even after surrendering mistakes, why does the mind feel upset?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Because you did not surrender completely!Every moment, realize that there is a new person in you. Don’t think of the past.
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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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