Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
I am a college student. After following spiritual practices, all the excitement in me seems to have been spent. Now I am only calm. Am I making a mistake?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Absolutely not. Though you are calm, you are also enthusiastic, and happy. Isn’t it? Then it’s fine.Q:
Why don’t Muslims believe in yoga? How can we teach them the Art of living?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Sure, we should teach them yoga as well. We conduct programs in many Islamic countries, such as Iraq and Pakistan.There are even Hindu people who resist yoga and spiritual practices. There are temples that don’t allow yoga camps to be conducted.
So also in Islam. The few people who resist yoga change their perspective when they understand yoga. When people learn yoga, and understand the benefits, they won’t stop it.
This resistance is due to lack of knowledge and information.
Q:
What is knowledge for? To earn money or social good? What should we do if someone uses knowledge to earn more money?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That is wrong. If knowledge is used to earn money, it will give not benefits, either to the receiver or to the giver.Q:
What is mumukshtatvam?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Mumukshtatvam is asking God for mukti (freedom). When you tell God that you have done everything, met people, talked to people, eaten enough, gone to enough parties, and now you want to be free, that is mumukshtatvam.Q:
How and when will the worldwide terrorism end? How can we contribute?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Terrorism can only be ended by satsang. More and more people should do satsang and work together. Satsang can change the ones who are influenced by terrorism.Only strength cannot combat terrorism. Mindsets have to change. That is important. For that, all of you must come together as a unit and work.
Q:
How can one become strong without losing sensitivity?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That needs skill. And that skill comes to you by silence.Through silence, our internal abilities come forth. Everyone should meditate for some time regularly.
Q:
Have I found the Divine, or did the Divine find me?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Both are the same thing. Why do a post mortem?There are two types of followers: The first type is those who follow the shastras. They are like the baby monkey. The baby monkey plays for a while but clings onto the mother wherever she goes. The mother walks on; it is the kid's responsibility to come back to the mother.
The second type is the devotees: They are like the kitten. The mother carries the kitten around in its mouth. The kitten does not have to worry about where it is and how to move.
Whatever the type, it is enough that the mother and child are together. It is the security that is important.
Q:
Is it necessary to match horoscopes for a good marriage?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Check if the horoscopes are correct or not. Sometimes they are manipulated to suit someone’s needs. If you like someone in all other aspects, and everything seems okay, then it’s fine, you should go ahead and marry the person.Q:
How do we handle family members who are not on the spiritual path?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
With skill. Do more seva (service) and praise your family. If they are harsh on you, you should praise them all the more. Change the questions and distresses into wonder, and continue doing your work. Then they will come and tell you that you have changed their life.There is a saint from Karnataka who said, “Only with speech can there be laughter and mischief. Conflicts also arise because of speech. For the world, your speech is your wealth.”
That is why; one should learn how to talk.
Just like those who know what should be eaten at what time will never fall ill; those who know how to speak will never fight.
Q:
When love is our essence, why do we seek love from others?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Perhaps you don’t know that love is your essence – that’s why! If you knew, you wouldn’t ask.