Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
We talk about serving humanity. As a human being I have limited knowledge and based on that I believe in a cause and work for that cause. But if later, down the line, I realize the cause was not worthy, then being a person with limited knowledge haven’t I made this world a worse place than it earlier was? Can we serve the humanity before having perfect knowledge?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you wait till you get perfect knowledge, it’s not going to happen. When you do service, you gain merit and that merit helps you to go deep into yourself. So service helps you gain merit, merit takes you deep into sadhna(self-effort and practices) and sadhna makes you come up and do more service. It is all cyclically connected. So it is not going to be complete if any one aspect is missing.Q:
What makes a child learn wrong language?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Every child is born innocent. But they learn abusive language from environment. Initially they only imitate their parents or people in their surroundings. But then it becomes a habit. Whatever you give comes back to you. That spoils your mind only.Q:
Is physical distance a hindrance in feeling close to someone?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is no distance for the mind. When you connect with the feelings, all the distances vanish. If there are no feelings, then you do not feel the connectivity even if you are sitting next to the person. That is true for god, divine and all relations. When such a connection is established with the whole universe, you experience the Shiv tattva.Q:
Is it possible to accept someone’s behavior in the future if you are not able to do it at present. If we don’t show anger then they will keep repeating their behavior, isn’t it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You show anger but you don’t have to become angry.Q:
What is the source of happiness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
What is the source of space? It is everywhere. Space is an element. Happiness has a source, it is our nature. When a baby has sorrow there is always a reason for sorrow. With that reason there is always a way to eliminate sorrow. But a baby is happy without reason. You can be happy without a particular reason. There is always a way to eliminate sadness. Bliss, joy, happiness is our nature when you have no reason to be unhappy. Unfortunately people always look for a reason to be unhappy.Q:
Share your thoughts on over-population.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In some parts of the world, there is over population and in some parts of the world this is dwindling. It is good to have family planning, definitely.Q:
What are your thoughts on vegetarianism?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is so much research in the US on vegetarianism. I have always been a vegetarian; I don’t know anything other than being a vegetarian. Some people say you must eat fish and meat for protein but if you have the proper balance of protein you are fine without it. If you don’t, you should eat some. I eat a little yogurt at least once a week. Vegetarianism is very essential for spiritual practice.Q:
How do you break an addiction?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
To begin, look at it in the short term. Say for the next one month I am not going to do it. What gets us over an addiction?Greed – you will get $10 million if you don’t smoke for one month. Greed will make you keep the vow.
Fear – fear keeps you out of addiction if you are afraid of sickness or death.
Love – if someone promises someone they love then they will not do it.
And of course, meditation.
Q:
How should a teacher be?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There are two types of teachers.The first kind includes those who believe in scolding and pointing out mistakes. This is a tamasic style. The second kind will tell you that you have all the positive qualities. Some people who are a little thick-skinned may need a little strictness.
Q:
Is homosexuality wrong?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is a tendency. It can change anytime. It happens to many people. You are a combination of your mother and father. Sometimes the feminine energy dominates, and at some other times masculine energy dominates. Don’t blame yourself. Raise above all this and see yourself in the light of wisdom. You are not a piece of flesh. You are that scintillating consciousness. Identity yourself with the spirit, which is beyond any gender. You will find such a relief!