Join us at one of our local centers to learn more about the benefits gained from the Art of Living course and other courses offered in your area.
Learn More | Register Now
Art of Living centers around the world offer weekly drop-in group practice sessions open to all who have completed the Art of Living Course.
Find a follow-up near you
Ancient sacred texts presented in a simplified manner which can be applied to daily modern life in the form of commentaries offered by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
The Art of Living Teacher Training course provides you with an opportunity to grow stronger within and share Sri Sri Ravi's Shankar knowledge in society.
Q: Gurudev, in your book titled Living the Mystery of Life, you have said, 'Work in this world but do not allow it to enter your head.'
Can you please explain this once again. Is it the same thing as dispassion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is exactly what we did now in meditation.
When the eyes are open, we see the scenery, and when we close our eyes and our mind then there is another world. Did you notice this?
So meditation is the way.
There are two worlds, and
the truth is in between these
two worlds.
One is called Manorajyam –
the kingdom in one's own
mind. The other is the Samaaj
– the external world
environment. Between the Samajam and the Manorajyam
is the truth.
See, suppose you are sitting and thinking, ‘Oh, my daughter-in-law did this. My son did not respect me, etc.', you can sit and think about this the whole night, the whole of the next morning and the whole of the next day and it will all just bother you.
What I am saying is, whatever they did, let it be out there. When you close your eyes, you be in your space. Do not let the world outside bother you.
It is difficult, I know, it is not that easy. But that is the direction we must proceed in.
There are two worlds, and the truth is in between the two worlds. One is called Manorajyam – the kingdom in one's own mind. The other is the Samaaj – the external world environment. Between the Samajam and the Manorajyam is the truth.