Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
What is the purpose of life? Is it to serve?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The one who knows the purpose of life would not tell you. Someone who tells you the purpose of life doesn’t know it. This question is like a vehicle that moves us forward. It is something we should ask ourselves many times. It clears the path, the cobwebs in life. Don’t be in a hurry to answer this question.The source of the English word “service” is “seva,” i.e to be like him, nature, God. Service is when someone does everything without expecting something back. It is our very nature and basic instinct to serve. When your mind is stress-free, calm, collected, happy, what you do is service.
Q:
How do you find the ability to switch back into happiness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The ability to switch into happiness comes with practice. When you are thirsty, you need to drink. When you are unhappy, tired, lost and out of energy, you must do some breathing and meditation. Watch the emotion, leave it and observe. Look at the sky for a second. Observe the sensation. If you are tight in the throat, chest, somewhere, take a deep breath and relax.Q:
What are the end results of the economic situation? How do you think it will end?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is no end to it. These sorts of things go up and down. That is the way of the world. America is coming out of it.Sri Sri then invited the audience to visit India and participate in service projects.
Mahalo (a Hawaiian word meaning thanks)
Q:
How is our life a holy scripture?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
All scriptures connect you with the Universal Spirit. The scriptures give you comfort, like an air conditioner (AC). The combination of knowledge and meditation is AC for the mind - Absolute Comfort.Q:
How do we know what we have to do in life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
First, see what you should not do. The purpose of life is not to be miserable or to make others miserable. With this guideline, move on. Go by your gut feeling. Anything that gives you short term happiness and long term misery is not wise.Q:
I want to do so much but I feel burnt out. Please help.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
These feelings come up. Sometimes the mind says: ‘I want to run away from everything’. This is stress. Don’t take any decisions at times like this. First come back to the Self. Meditate.Q:
Whatever decisions we take, are your blessings always there?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In your profession and relationship, choice is yours and blessings are mine. The rest, I will have to think a little.Q:
I’m confused as to who I am, how can I be more and more natural? How can I be myself and develop a strong sense of self? Is it ok to be very different than other people?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Confusion is a very good temporary state. Do you know when do you get confused? When you grow! When a particular concept in your mind just falls apart, breaks apart. You thought you were somebody, and that concept breaks so then there is confusion. So, it is a sign of growth. Is it shocking? Good. If you want to know who you are, you are in the right place and it is all right to be confused. In fact, we are all different yet we try to imitate others. That is where there is a problem. Just recognize the difference and celebrate the differences. To be yourself, you are in the right place. It’s all right to be different, your difference need not conflict with that of other people. People who are rebellious want to be different to compete. You can be different. You could be different, you don’t need to exhibit yourself as different. Got it?Q:
In Yoga, we feel so much love and togetherness. How do we take it out into the world?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That thought I will leave with you. You find ways to do that.Q:
What is the goal of spirituality? I enjoy the path but do not know the goal.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The goal is to bring a smile on your face that doesn’t wither away.A smile that no one can take away.
A peace that simply expands and spreads to others.
A love that never diminishes or distorts.
That’s the power that you grow into.
It’s better that you don’t worry about the goal. You be in the moment, you will see you are on a conveyor belt or escalator. The steps take you where you have to go. You have to do nothing.