14 June 2014 - QA 5

Gurudev, is it good when young people leave everything and become full time Art Of Living teachers. Isn't that neglecting family responsibilities?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is case to case actually. If someone’s parents are into business, I do encourage the children to join the business, and take it further. But if some of them are doing small jobs and are not satisfied, and if they have the zeal and enthusiasm of doing something big, then I would tell them to travel around the world and teach, and gain a better personality. And all their needs will anyways be met.

I don't easily encourage people to become full time teachers. I usually tell them to get permission from their parents, and if the parents are okay, then it is fine.
Being a full time Art Of Living teacher is not a difficult thing. It is not about undergoing severe penance, or walking through forests, or shaving your head and eating only once a day.
Being an Art of Living teacher is a very respectable position. In fact, it is more respectable than many of the other professions that people take. Art Of Living teacher do good for the society, and for that they are definitely rewarded.