Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Environment issue
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Environment is a really serious issue. You should all plant trees, use less refrigeration, and turn to vegetarianism. You know, scientists today say if the whole world stops butchering the entire green house effect issue will be resolved. One slaughter is equivalent to the cutting of 500 trees for it releases that much methane. The amount of feed used for one animal can be used to feed 400 people. GO VEG: Stay healthy and save the planet. It is as simple as that.Q:
How to enhance receptivity?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you are listening but the mind is still somewhere else then there is no receptivity.When your mind is clogged with too many ambitions, it does not listen properly if the subject is not linked with your ambition. Even if it is related, it goes on a day dreaming trip. It listens to one sentence and it goes on a trip. For e.g. if someone has an ambition to become a Chief Minister and he is told that you have all possibility of becoming a chief minister the mind immediately goes on a day dreaming trip. So simply listen, just listen.
Also if your mind is stuck with so many thoughts then also the perception is low.
Another reason for alertness of the mind to reduce is vata de-arrangement or kapha imbalance.
When the mind is bombarded with sensory stimuli then also it is not receptive. Have you observed after watching a three-hour movie if someone tells you something you say, ‘Tell me later on.’
To enhance receptivity what to do?
Silence, Pranayama, proper food, less ambitions in the mind will all help. If you like a topic/ subjects then you tend to be receptive towards it. Teenagers often face a difficult phase in life when they have to choose a subject - Math, Computer Engineering etc and if someone is good in all of these subjects then it creates even more trouble.
Q:
Who surrenders to whom in total surrender?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is you, yourself surrendering to yourself. Then you realize there is no other.Q:
Guruji, I dreamt about you and it felt as if you were really there. Were you really there in my dream?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
This could also be a dream. Are you sure this is not a dream? (laughter). Whenever something nice happens, it appears to be a dream.Q:
What are the three most important values?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You want to limit it to three?!A sense of belongingness with the whole world. You have to take this stand, feel that you are part of the whole world and all are part of you.
Commitment to whatever you take up, and an integrity inside of you which says you are going to see your commitments through.
The third value is living in the present moment, not holding onto the past and getting into trouble in your own mind. Do you know how many problems we can create for others when we hold onto the past?
Q:
What’s the role of pain and suffering in life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Pain is unavoidable, but suffering is optionalQ:
How to practice compassion and impartiality?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you are unbiased in your mind, compassion simply flows. When you have belongingness with everyone, irrespective of their class, economic background, intellect, if you can connect, then compassion flows.You could be anybody - Chinese, African - put yourself in different shoes, playing different roles, then suddenly you find that you are stuck as being somebody, and then you will see it is much more universal.
Q:
Can the common man attain spirituality?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Only the common man can attain spirituality! If someone thinks they are very special, they cannot!Q:
The decisions which world leaders make have a great impact on us while the work that we do on an individual basis impacts only other individuals...
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
First, you should not think that politicians are a special species, they are one among us. Many times, they feel helpless. They want to change the society, turn around the economy, but find themselves helpless. Any sane politician wants to have violence out of society, but they feel their hands are tied. It has to come from society. You may think the other is powerful, in fact it’s a collective effort of everyone that make the society move - and NGOs, religious leaders, faith-based organizations, play an important part in bringing inspiration, inner strength.The four pillars of society - politics, business, civil society and faith-based organizations - have to work in unison. The World Economic Forum has recognized the need for everyone to come together, so has the UN, and that is why they have made a caucus for religious leaders. A role has to be played by everyone, and we have to play in rhythm.
We need to spiritualize politics, to lessen corruption. We need to secularize religion, to lessen extremism and terrorism. Many think only they are going to heaven - I tell, you they make life for everyone a hell!
This is what spirituality is about - when you see the whole world as part of you, and you as part of everybody. There is that sense of sacrifice. Gandhi is a perfect example of being spiritual in politics. He was deeply spiritual, believed in truth and non-violence.
Finally, we need to socialize business, take up CSR (corporate social responsibility).
With these things, society will find a new level of understanding.
Q:
What is inspiration?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Inspiration is that which comes from within.