Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Should we believe in superstition?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Once you know that it is superstition, then how can you believe it? If your brain and reasoning says it is illogical and not good, then what is the point of it? You should move away from it.Q:
What should be done to end the cycle of karmas?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
By seva, sadhana, and satsang.Q:
When we insult others, is it true that their karma decreases? What should we do if someone blames us for no reason?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If someone blames us without reason, what can we do? Try explaining to them, and then forget about it.Q:
You have told us that there is no heaven or hell. But in our ancient texts there are pictures of hell where people are suffering.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
True. Heaven or hell is the state of mind. If the mind is in difficulty then hell is right here. If Sanskaar is absent, then hell is right here.For a mukt (free) mind, there is always bliss, it is always heaven.
Q:
Can I carry this bliss with me forever?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Establish God in your body, and then you will experience Divinity. While doing Puja, (when you say keshavaya svaha etc... ) know that Keshav, Madhav (Forms of the Divine) are in the body – and that you accept this offering for them. Meditate, and sit quietly. You may offer flowers, if you have, but it is not necessary.It is important that the mind is clean, and calm, and completely immersed in the puja.
Q:
Do re-births happen?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, if you want them to. If you are free, if you have mukti, then you have the choice to come back or not; you are not forced to come back.Q:
I’m always worried about the future and afraid of the unknown.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Leave your fears behind here!Look at the past – you always had these fears, yet wasn’t life good?
Learn from the past, be in the present and hope for the future.
Q:
When we know that we are doing something wrong, we are unable to stop ourselves? What should we do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Feel the pinch of your wrong action – it will keep pinching you and one day, you will stop.When you feel sadness over your weaknesses, then you will be able to overcome them.
Q:
What is the significance of success in life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Success means strength, an unshakable smile that nobody can take away, and courage that does not diminish.Success does not mean having a big bank balance. There are some very rich people, who don’t have strength of character. They don’t have any sense of belongingness, of love
They are unable to appreciate the subtleness of life.
Consciousness blossoms without form and with relaxation.
Q:
What is trust?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Trust is like breath.Just like you can’t live without breath, you also cannot live without trust.
There are three types of trust:
Self – confidence
Faith in society
Faith in God
If any one trust is absent, then life is incomplete.