Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Guruji, so if someone slaps us, should we offer the other cheek also for the slap?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If the person is sensitive, offer your other cheek, and he will not be able to do it. But if someone is insensitive like a buffalo, then you can give two three also!Q:
Guruji, the self control that I keep on myself gets broken sometimes. What to do in such case?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It does not matter if it happens sometimes. It is not happening always?Q:
In the ‘Art of living’, which yoga do we practice -hath yoga, raj yoga, karma yoga, or dhayan yoga?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The ‘Art of living’ has everything in it. All the yogas together form ‘Art of living’. There is Bhakti* yoga, Karma** yoga, Dhyan*** yoga, everything is there.Q:
Guruji, I feel like doing a lot of work but that falls outside my boundaries. Do I have to think and dream about it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, you must have a dream for it.Q:
What is the difference between Lord Shankar and Lord Krishna? Some worship Shiva while others worship Krishna?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There are different forms and names, but they all are same.Q:
What is more important, ones upbringing or one’s cast? People who believe in cast system and religion are against intercast marriages. So what matters most-the values of that human or the cast and religion of that human?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
One should see the humanity the most.Q:
Some volunteers from the ‘Art of living’ want to enter into politics with your blessings.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, it is alright, they should go into politics, clean up the politics like the ‘Art of Living’ volunteers cleaned up Yamuna!*Devotion
**Karma
***Meditation
Q:
What did Jesus mean by saying- ‘I am the bread that you eat.’
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I have spoken about it in the book- ‘Jesus - the embodiment of love’.Q:
Guruji, it is said ‘Advaita’ (Non Duality). Why it is not expressed as ‘only one’ but as ‘not two’?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Because you need two to count one.Q:
I can give my hundred percent, when it is to do service in the ‘Art of Living’, but when it comes to studies, I cannot do.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I know it is tough, but you have to do. The mind goes easily and naturally towards the things we like. If the things you like are juicy, there you don’t have to make efforts, it is natural. But when something which is not of your liking, is not juicy, it is dry and boring, but is good for you in the long run, then you have to put an effort and do it. There is no other option for it.