Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Out of two options available to do Seva or to be in Satsang with you, I chose Satsang but now my consciousness is pricking me. What should one chose?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you have a responsibility to do seva, then you come to satsang so that when you are tired of doing seva, you can energize yourself.Q:
They say cats are fiercer than tiger. I am relating this to women. Women nowadays are not open to accept men’s opinion. I am concerned about the male species.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You mean we should start men empowering seminar. (Laughter). Perhaps!!Q:
Guruji, how to handle the shattered mind of a person after the untimely death of a closed one?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
A shattered mind will give them strength because the departed soul will give power. You know, we should stop pitying people as well as ourselves. No self pity or pitying others should be there. You only have to know that nature gives you power. The Divine is with you and is giving you power to withstand pain.Q:
I feel more connected to people here in Art of Living but I feel a disconnect from people in my office or even at home. I feel weak that way.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Why do you think you are weak? Wake up and see you have all the strength. You should do the DSN (Divya Samaj ka Nirman- one of the Art of Living programs which helps an individual to move beyond one’s barriers and limitations.). There is no outside, no other at all. The Art of Living teaches you that the whole world is your family.The ashram is your home, of course people are rosy here but everywhere you can’t expect the same atmosphere. You may have to face hard criticism in the office. You have reach meditation to people. But what is the first principle of Art of Living? Accept people and situations as they are. If you don’t learn the very first principle, you can’t say you are doing the Art of Living.
Q:
Guruji, if souls are immortal does that mean there are finite number of souls on the planet?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Have you seen that signboard for advertisements? So many lights are there on it but not all are lit at one time. At some time some patterns of lights are there on board and at some other time some other patterns. Same is with the souls. It all depends on what souls are exhibited at one time.Q:
Out of meditation and prayer which is preferable?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Meditation is a better form of prayer. In prayer you are asking for something. Meditation is saying, ‘I am ready to listen’. Just imagine if somebody only keeps on asking and is not ready to listen to you. Don’t you get frustrated? In the same way, God also gets frustrated but when you sit for meditation, and ready to listen to him, He bestows all the favors to you.Q:
Guruji, if someone criticizes me and it is right, it is ok. But if it is not true, I am not able to handle that criticism and I lose my balance. Please guide.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Blame is what you call that criticism which you cannot accept. How do you deal with blame? With patience, it needs enormous patience and faith that truth will triumph always, things will get better.Q:
Women leadership in villages
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Women leadership in villages is a skill. The transformation won’t happen overnight. Gradually transformation will happen and it is important that you continue to work for that.Q:
Is there death to Atman?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you turn off Television do you see waves or not? You don’t see it but waves are still there. The same way life is always there. Jeeva atman is eternal. Whether seen or unseen, manifest or un-manifest is a different question.Q:
How does one get rid of guilt and repentance?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you come here you have entered a new life. That old person has died – it is a new life, new human being. You want to carry the burden of that old stone with you still? In ancient days there was a tradition. When someone came to the Guru, their name was changed reminding them that they now have a fresh new life.