Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
I learnt some techniques of meditation where I was told to concentrate on a point or imagine something. I have practiced that for a long time but to no avail. I feel something is missing. Can you please talk about that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Meditation is not concentrating on any point. It is neither about imagining anything. That involves effort and meditation is effortless. You don’t do meditation, but you let meditation happen.
Is meditation concentrating on tip of nose or centre of forehead?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Meditation is not concentration. Meditation is the simple art of doing absolutely nothing, not even thinking, so you don’t concentrate but you de-concentrate. If you are asked to concentrate on something, just a gentle attention works. Effortlessness is the key. Using the breath as a tool, bringing the mind to a standstill state is possible. You just let meditation happen effortlessly.
Which are the most important values which can transform this universe into a heaven?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Shift in our vision. This universe is already a heaven. What blocks us from perceiving it as heaven is our own mind. The mind clings on to the past or it wants perfection. It has its own ideas of perfection. This is about the universe. But if you ask me about improving the society, I think this is a question every human being should ask himself/herself. We need to have a violence-free and stress-free society. The way to such a society is Yoga, Meditation and Service.
The gentleman continues, “But I find 99.9 percent of people in the world are already good. But still that 0.1 percent dominates. Even if 10 percent people come together and say they don’t want violence and terrorism in society we can achieve this. How can this happen?”
What does a person with passion and aptitude, but very less investment does?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you have a passion and aptitude then a lot can be done with less investment too. Whatever your idea is, you need to talk to experts and have a practical implementation plan for it. - Contributed By Yes Plus Teachers
If one doesn’t want to do a full time job then what are the options available, as in business/franchise?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Take calculated risks. Experiment and be ready to fail. Don’t be scared of failure. You don’t do business because you don’t want to do a job. You do business because you have a great business idea and you have a passion to pursue it. - Contributed By Yes Plus Teachers
I would like to know about your views on this wonderful time on the planet when service is accelerated and technology is connecting the world, when we have the opportunity to make this world one world family, when teachings from the teachers like you are spreading all over the planet and we have a chance to evolve spiritually. At the same time, planet is facing dangers that the old ecological and political structures are not sustainable anymore. We are coming to a choice point where we are ending one paradigm and accelerating in a spiritual paradigm. Also so many souls are incarnated at this time. And wonderful events are happening like this to accelerate that. Would you please speak on that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I think I have said it all. All the lines between different disciplines are blurred now. I remember when I was in school there was a thick line of difference between physics and chemistry, and they were thought not to be connected. Today, whether it is astrophysics, physics, knowledge about the spirit or information technology, all have come together. Environment and spirituality are not two different things. Perhaps the ancient people of this country knew this. They worship the trees, mountains, rivers etc in nature. And it is true for all native civilizations in the world. They honored nature. They took care that they care for nature and progress and development was aligned with the sustainable conditions on planet Earth. The most needed thing today is – Globalizing wisdom. There are two types of calamities – one is natural calamities like earthquakes. And second is man - made calamities. Man - made calamities can be overcome by wisdom and a Cultural Revolution, and by spreading this knowledge of one world family. Natural calamities can be overcome by caring for the planet, planting more trees, preserving water, by spiritual energy and with the thought that you are one with the vishavatma(Universal soul).
Sometimes I think I live in a world surrounded by formalities and exchanging superficial words. But the question is I feel that there is more to it, life cannot be just being nice and living in this cordial way but there is more because I worry that when I die, I wouldn’t even remember where to start again?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Now I understand there is a longing, there is emptiness, and there is a craving for something higher. Right! And that gives that pain. So, that pain to attain something very fast is in a way good, but what is needed along with this is a little patience.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Well, when you feel tired of the run, then a quest for the higher growth rises. You are fortunate that you can see there is something more to all this.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You chop off some leaves and branches of plants. Don’t you prune rose plant? Does it die by pruning? It grows up. Same way nature brings all this from a bigger picture.
It is not always that ripe fruits fall from a coconut tree. Sometimes even small coconut drops off. Baby fishes are also swollen by big fishes in an ocean. So, these natural calamities are all part of the nature. If we exploit nature too much, more natural calamities occur. We are putting dynamites in the Earth. We are blasting it every day. Imbalance gets created and so Earth starts shaking. Sustainable development is what is needed today. We need to care for the planet.
Nature moves with the law. God means a rule, a law. Everything goes by that. This planet Earth has to be protected and cared for. One is natural calamity. Another is man-made calamity. Man-made calamities can always be avoided. People are not valuing human life for a little piece of gold. Human values need to be brought back into society.
As per research statistics, there is major portion of population which is depressed in the West. Comparatively, it is much less in the East. It is so pinching to see such a condition, in spite of having so many comforts and electronic lifestyle. What is the reason and under these circumstances, where are we heading to?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, and that is why we all have to work together. The planet is facing a kind of stagnation; and it is only through youth, the transformation will happen. An empowered youthful heart, free from alcohol, drugs and other addictions is the hope of the world.