17 April 2015 - QA 9

Gurudev, does practicing spirituality in the workplace diminish dynamism and aspirations, and bring about complacency instead?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Absolutely not. Complacency is not spirituality in the real sense. Neither does peace mean a sense of complacency, nor can stress be a sign of creativity. If stress meant creativity, then Afghanistan should have been the most creative part of the world. Afghanistan has been under such stressful conditions since the past 25-30 years. I do not think anything creative has happened (due to the stressful conditions) in Afghanistan or Lebanon, or other troubled places in the world. The inner peace of spirituality does not support complacence. Inner peace supports dynamism. When you are happy, you only wish to do something more. When you are enthusiastic, you feel like doing something better.

What does Spirituality give you in life?
1. It develops your intuitive powers. Do you not need good intuition in doing any work? Yes!
2. It boosts your energy. Do you not need energy? Yes, you do!
3. It inspires you to do something. What is the point of having so much education and no inspiration? It is good for nothing. If you are a highly educated person but are not inspired to do something, then you are good for nothing. 4. Spirituality gives you confidence
If you do not want confidence, intelligence, intuition, inspiration, then you should stay away from spirituality.