7 October 2012 - QA 1

How do we balance our material and spiritual lives?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do you know how to ride a bicycle? How do you balance it? Balance your life in the same way. Take both of them together in life.

When the focus is too much on spirituality, I will say that you need to take care of the responsibilities at home. If you drown yourself in material activities and neglect your health, I will tell you not to get stuck in this mud and to start doing your spiritual practices.

When you watch television, can you say, ‘I will first see and then listen?’
Some people say, ‘I will finish all my worldly activities and then come to spirituality.’
I tell you, it never happens. Both should go together. Both are needed in life.
We need peace of mind, love and joy, and we also need to take care of our responsibilities in life.