Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Can the soul travel in time and space?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The soul can be compared to electro magnetic waves. The body is like the television itself and the soul is like the waves which are everywhere.n
Q:
Are bad thoughts harmful?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Only if you act on them. Bad thoughts, and good thoughts come and go. Don’t become attached to them. If you try, and resist bad thoughts they will persist. Just let them ben
Q:
Is it possible to breath in a different way without thinking about it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
We all have talents. We all have ten fingers but some can take a guitar and produce music and some can’t. But, everybody has abilities. If we learn about the different rhythms in our breath, we are able to have control in our lives. Take long deep breaths in and breathe out as slowly as possible. Deep inhalation and slow exhalation calms the mind. When one is working with a computer the eyes start worrying and it's good to do some eye exercises. This will build up the circulation. I just landed now from India after eighteen hours of flight. Do I look tired?Q:
What can we expect from the meetings you are having with Ministers?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I would want to know how we can help. Probably we would like to train some youngsters who would like to volunteer and help prisoners get a peaceful, calm mind.Q:
Can you tell us about the process to discover the techniques you teach?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
For me personally, it was with limited food and ten days of silence and going with fruit juice and cleansing the body but, it's not for everybody. One has to listen to their own body. What they feel is good for them. You don't need to do all that; you just need to learn a little bit about your breath. That is for everyone.Q:
Which limb of Asthanga yoga does Sudarshan Kriya belong to?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It does not belong to any particular limb of yoga, it is a culmination of all the paths.Everything comes together in the Sudarshan Kriya - meditation, yoga asanas and dharana.
Q:
Meditation gives me a high. If I discontinue for a few days and resume, I get a greater high. I fear that I will lose this high.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I think you have too much free time. If you’re engaging yourself in some creative activity, then where is the time to feel bad?Anand Yog means communion with the Divine, which brings bliss.
Anand Bhog is doing things for enjoyment. It is not the best.
If we worry about whether we are high or low, then we get trapped in a self-centred cycle which may lead to depression. Do some seva. Do your practice. There are so many people who need you. Do some job.
If there is nothing creative to do, then you will feel like this.
The world doesn’t care – it shouldn’t care.
You stand up, wake up and say: ‘My life is going to move with commitment, not with feelings.’
Feelings are unpredictable. You can predict that the pigeons in the hall (pointing to Vishalakshi Mantap) will remain there, but you cannot predict your mind.
Q:
Are the thoughts in the mind created within or come from outside?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You get more thoughts than me. Then you’re an expert at generating thoughts. You should know. Sit and find out.Q:
How much power is there in imagination?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Well, there is a story.Once, Mulla Nasruddin imagines that he is dead. He was so convinced that he is dead, that if someone asked him to sign a paper he would say: ‘How can a dead man sign a paper?’
If someone asked him a question, Mulla would say: ‘How can you ask a dead person a question?’
If someone called him on the phone, he would say: ‘Hello who’s this? Mulla Nasruddin is dead!’
This went on for months and years. His wife was fed up. She couldn’t live with him anymore.
On someone’s suggestion, she took him to a psychiatrist.
Mulla Nasruddin told the doctor: ‘All these people don’t believe that this (pointing to himself) is a dead body.’
The doctor asked Mulla Nasruddin: ‘What are the signs of a dead body? Blood is not there, the
heart doesn’t pound….’
Mulla Nasruddin: ‘Yes, you’re correct!
The doctor thought to himself: ‘I found a way to cure him.’
He took a pin and pricked Mulla Nasruddin. ‘Look, blood is here!’ the doctor told his patient. Mulla Nasruddin then said: ‘Ha, ha doctor. Today I discovered that even a corpse bleeds!’
Now you have a proof in me. Re-write your medical books!’
That could be the power of imagination!
Q:
Days just seem to be passing by. What is the purpose of life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That is a very important question. The question itself is a vehicle for you to move on in life.