Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
(A member of the audience asked a question and it was inaudible)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Good question. See in this world highest yield of cotton was in this country. In the entire world India is the highest producer of wheat. Our country is the highest producer of milk in the entire world. We are much advanced in growing vegetables. Despite this in our country the farmers are not getting the proper value for their production. What is the reason for this? There is no proper distribution of produce. One can say that the reason for this is the Minister for Agriculture and Farming in the central Government. We are importing sugar at Rs.32 per kilo and exporting sugar at Rs.12 per kilo. This type of corruption is taking place in our country and we are sitting with closed eyes. Is it right you ask yourselves? This is not right. Is it not? That is why we want the Lokpal bill to come up. Even with that they have to do it properly for it to bring results. See if you continue to fight for this it will happen. Some positive results will come. Some time we'll succeed. We will get positive results. Winning and losing are a normal process. That is not a big deal.Q:
How to enhance the memory power in children?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
To increase the power of memory in children, do not allow them to watch television for a long time; not more than one hour a day. That is the first, secondly there are some special ayurvedic preparations which are prescribed for enhancing the memory this can be given to them. Then thirdly you must teach them pranayama, yogasanas and a little meditation.Q:
How to deal with religious fanaticism in our families and communities?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
This question does not have one answer. You have to ask this question repeatedly, and each time you will get a different answer for it which you must apply at that time. See, the answer to a question can be given correctly only once. This is not such a question, it is a journey. On the way, we can go forward and backward any number of times. How we can get rid of fanaticism, terrorism – we have to keep asking this question with an open mind and with a willingness to embrace every one, a sense of belongingness. Once there is a spiritual experience, no one can remain fanatical. The blind and ignorant are the only ones who can be fanatical. Conscious and wise men and women cannot be fanatical. Their minds are open, hearts melted, hands energized, with an enthusiasm to do seva.Q:
Guruji, on the spiritual path I feel I am very satisfied. Does my satisfaction mean that I have stopped growing, or is this not satisfaction?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, that is good. Satisfaction is needed but satisfaction should not make you sleepy, dull or take away your motivation. The best combination is having the dynamism and motivation to do, along with the inner satisfaction.Q:
They say the world will come to an end in 2012. What are your thoughts?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In 2012 everything will come to an end - only in movies. No, no, everything will go on as usual. People will become more spiritual, more humane, things will be better, don’t worry!Q:
Guruji, forgiving someone’s mistake is a noble thing. But is it okay for someone to commit the
same mistake again and again?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Twist their ears, and if the same mistake is repeated, give them a slap. Sama (equality), daan (concession), bheda (disagreement), dand (punishment) are the four types of solutions to consider if mistakes are repeated. If nothing works, then pray sincerely for wisdom to dawn on that person.Q:
Guruji, should we have some criteria or minimum qualifications set as a prerequisite in order to become an MP or an MLA? What are the qualities we should look for to elect our politicians?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
What are the qualifications to be a politician - this is the question. The ideal situation is when they don’t want anything for themselves but want to serve the people. The ideal situation is what – I am content, I have everything I need, now I want to serve the population, serve the people. This intention indicates that you are now capable or qualified to care for the society. This is the most ideal. The second is I will do my best in my capacity to represent people, take their voice and bring back what they want for themselves. Two things: you have to take their voice to the assembly and bring back to them what is needed by them.Q:
Guruji, so many people from around the world love you very much. What is the secret?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The secret is we are all humans. Won’t humans love humans? And when I go anywhere, I do not feel I am in a foreign land. All countries appear to be my very own and I feel a sense of belongingness with everyone.Q:
Guruji, when will inflation cease?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When corruption ends. Inflation is related to corruption. You would be surprised to know that we sell our sugar to the world for Rs.12 per kilo and in the domestic market for Rs.35 per kilo. Some employees of Air India came up to me in Frankfurt and shared that Air India used to operate a highly successful sector between Birmingham and New Delhi which was usually fully booked. This sector was responsible for bringing in considerable profits for Air India. But one day a minister came and terminated the flight services, why? So that he can allot this sector to another airline. The airline that was allotted this sector was unsuccessful in making this route profitable and went into a loss and now our national airline is also going into a loss. It is very unfortunate. Other countries are operating their flights within our country and turning in profits. Then why is our national airline incurring losses? We need to ask this question, don’t we? Our voices should be heard. This country has been ruined not because of bad people but because good people like us keep quiet.Q:
People raise children with the hope that in their old age, their children will support them. Is this not a selfish motive to bring children into this self-serving world?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, that is not necessarily true. Having children brings a certain joy to the parents. Also some people have children without any intention to have children! You cannot see this situation from such a narrow viewpoint. There is joy in having children. It is unfair to put everyone in the same category, that would be wrong. If anyone raises children in the hope of getting support in old age, that also would be a big mistake. There may be a few people who do like this, I don’t know. But most people want children for the joy and satisfaction of being parents. There are so many different kinds of people in this world, all are not the same.