Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
What should be done with people who talk very nicely but act in the exact opposite manner?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Anukampa, understand that they are doing it helplessly or in ignorance. And by behaving in this manner, they are inviting trouble for themselves.Q:
How to get joy in life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Forget about getting joy, it will come to you. You should just relax.Q:
To whom do I surrender?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
To the Divine who resides within everybody, to that Divine I surrender.Q:
In Sanskrit, each word has the meaning hidden in itself. So what is the meaning of Akshar?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Akshar means something that cannot be destroyed. Rice is also called Akshat because it cannot be destroyed. You eat rice and it transforms into the life energy and that leads to jeev (being) which again leads to life energy. It is always there in the body. That is why even a grain of rice is not destroyed.In physics it is said that an atom can never be destroyed. Our ancestors brought this truth to light millions of years ago. Then they said that not even a grain is destroyed. It may lose its form but is never destroyed. Shar means destruction. Akshar means that which cannot be destroyed. Like a seed we sow is never destroyed, it takes different forms and exists in space. Its vibrations are never destroyed.
Q:
What does it mean to live completely in the present moment?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Drop the wanting of this answer because the question is already in the past.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:
Please explain the meaning of seva (service).
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
One is our job, the other is seva. Both are different. You do your job for livelihood. Seva means seva- Doing like Him. God has given you everything, whether you remember him or not. He wants nothing in return. Do work and be in the way that will make the other person happy. The reward of seva comes only when when you want nothing in return.Q:
In India, Nepal, how do all these sages work together for a one world family?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Everybody’s intention is there to unite the world as a family. The goal is the same. The methods are different, areas are different.Q:
Sometimes people ask why you believe in Guru, and not just in God. My answer most of the times is Guru is my God. But is there any difference in God and Guru, please tell.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is fine. You don’t have to bother and justify so much to verify your statement. Just smile. There is no need to answer every question. You can say, ‘don’t you know that Soul, God, Guru –all are the same’. The whole universe is made up of one substance only. Like there is same electricity but flowing in different things-the bulb, the fan, the Air Conditioner etc. Likewise there may be different forms and norms, but we are made up of same thing (consciousness).Q:
Do you believe our world leaders can create peaceful and loving solutions to world problems or are they economically motivated by a select group of individuals?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I think you have given the answer in the question. Both question and answer together. I find there are many good world leaders who want to do something for our society but they feel constrained. They feel helpless. Many times they cannot do what they want to do because they are trapped in a system. The system doesn’t allow them to do what they want to do. And there are others for whom their position or party matters more than the welfare of the people. Their eyes are on the next coming election, the needs of their political party, their political agenda rather than the larger interest of the people in the long term. Even if they think of the bigger issues they are unable to take action as their political agenda stands in front of them.A ruler cannot become a reformer. Rulers do not work with reform. And those who work with reform cannot become rulers. They have different roles. Reformers and rulers should work together.
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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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