Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Is world peace possible?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
World peace comes with individual peace. If individuals become peaceful, communities become peaceful. Then the leaders of the world will also become peaceful, and we can have world peace. When people have broad vision for the whole world, world peace is a possibility. We need to spiritualize the politics, socialize the business and secularize the religion.Q:
Do you know about vipasana meditation? What do you think about it? Is it compatible with sudrashan kriya?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, it is compatible. Vipasana is observing the sensation in the body - pleasant or unpleasant. That is good. But it takes a longer time to feel that sensation. You will find much easy with Sudarshan Kriya. Whatever meditation technique you are doing, you can go deep into it with Sudarshan Kriya.Q:
What to do with cancer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Continue doing pranayama, breathing exercises, meditation, vegetarian food and yoga.Q:
How much am I suppose to work?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Well, it is up to you.Q:
I feel very strong in your presence and it feels good. I am very grateful to have you in my life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Good good. Knowledge, meditation and relaxation will give you cool heart, and soothe your heart!Q:
How can I motivate myself?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Only three things can motivate you or inspire you - love, fear, greed! But I don’t agree with fear or greed, I believe in love!Q:
Why are there so many religions and communities? Why is the evil so strong?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Evil is not strong. You are giving it strength. It appears as if evil is strong, but it is not. The greatest power on the Earth is love. Love can melt any evil. It is due to lack of love and wisdom that evil exists. The moment love and wisdom comes into play, evil disappears. Like when the sun comes, the dew disappears. We have seen this. You know, when we give some wisdom and love to the extremists like terrorists, there was total change in those people. Some 300,000 prisoners, so called criminals, have done the ‘Art of living’ part 1 course, and their life has so much changed.Q:
Can you please tell how does one get rid of doubt?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know, doubt is always about something that is positive. You always doubt the honesty of a person, and never doubt the dishonesty of a person. When someone tells you, "I love you", you ask really? When someone tells you, “I hate you”, you never ask them really. Isn’t it? You are not sure about your happiness. When someone asks about our happiness, we say, "Well, I am not sure." But we are so sure of our depression. We never doubt our weakness, we always doubt our capabilities. If you observe, all good things like love, happiness, honesty, and sincerity are being doubted. So, any doubt must be good.Q:
Do I need a guru?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Do you need an answer? If you need an answer that means you need someone who have to give you the answer, and that anyone who gives the answer automatically becomes a Guru.Guru means the one who gives the answer. The English word guide comes from the original sanskrit word guru.
You need a guide for everything, for learning guitar, music, or any field you take. Similarly, Guru is one who can guide you into meditation, wisdom, and knowledge.
Q:
Guruji, how do I silence my mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The will to silence itself pays in many ways. Meditation and Sudarshan Kriya helps, too.