Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
How do we rise above our senses?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You were sitting in meditation now? Your eyes were closed? Did u have any wish except to listen to my voice? That means in a way ears were also closed. Mouth was also closed? You were not speaking anything? So all senses were shunned, and then only you were able to meditate. Meditation happened, yes?. When you sleep for 6-8 hours, you remain in your senses or in non-sense. Are you getting it? So rest. Be satisfied in the mind. Be happy. And when you are in that state of Divine love, nothing will bother. See, during exam time lust doesn’t bother you. When does it disturb you? When you have nothing to do, when you are sittingidle, isn’t that right?
Q:
How to make the most important decisions in life, decisions that change our entire life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
So far what are all the decisions you have made. Are you happy with all thesedecisions? (Response: Somewhat, and somewhat not). So life will continue like that, got it? Sometimes you made good decisions, and then you see the positive side. See everything has a positive side and everything has its lapses. So if you focus only on the lapses then every decision you make you will regret. But if you see the positive side then you will be happy and contented. And the more you are happy and contented more such things will happen in life. Got it?
Q:
I have been listening to your talks and reading your knowledge sheets. Now I want to reach that level where I am able to live that knowledge, to be sensitive like you, being able to listen to the pain of plants also. I too want to reach that level.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ok, where there is thirst, water will also be made available. And if you have any conflicts in mind, don’t worry. Aren’t conflicts reducing in mind. This will continue to happen. Increase the level of Sattva in you & Conflicts won’t remain with you with time.Q:
What do you mean by atheist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Atheist? You know it is very difficult to be an atheist. Because an atheist says ‘I don’t believe in anything’. If he really says I don’t believe in anything then he should not even believe in the words that he is saying. I say I should not believe in anything except myself. That’s what he should say. And ask him do you really believe in everything that you say? Then that means you are stagnant. You are not progressing. Because when you progress in your life everything changes. So it is extremely difficult to be an atheist. If you have to be anatheist you have to say I don’t believe in anything that means even that word that you say you don’t believe, you don’t believe in it also. Got it?
Q:
If a person has two spiritual Gurus, whom should one follow?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you are confused, why are you involving me in this confusion?! (Laughter). No matter what I say, your mind will still be in conflict. If I say follow the other Guru, you would say I have rejected you. If I say follow me, even then you would ask why have I asked you to leave the other. See one in all and all in one (applause). The Guru you had before has prepared you to be here. You decide. Are you satisfied being here? Are you centered? Are you established in your Self? Respect all paths but be committed to one path. That way you don’t get confused. You have come to this path, stick to it. Be playful, be happy; see if your smile increases. If it does not, even I will tell you to go somewhere else. (applause).Q:
How do I know I am progressing on the spiritual path?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Your doubt itself proves that you are progressing on the path. If there would have been no progress you would have said this with conviction- I have made no progress at all.Q:
Sometimes questions come in my mind and are answered when I sit in meditation. However, sometimes, I get no answers. Is that because there is no connection?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No connection?! You mean you don’t get the range? (Huge Laughter). It only happens sometimes, so it’s ok. Maybe it’s a difficult question and I don’t have an answer! Maybe that’s why the connection gets broken! (Big laughter)Q:
I can’t meditate, please advise.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you watch TV, you get into meditation – There is no such thing that mind cannot meditate. Wherever your mind goes, whatever it likes, there meditation occurs. You need to move from “word’ (shabdha) meditation to “wordless”(nishabhda) meditation. We separate life and knowledge, but walk in life knowing that knowledge is life, life is knowledge. Just as our relationships are manmade, join that relationship/connection with knowledge.Q My nature is happiness but am overcome with periods of sadness – how do I overcome these periods?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Offer them to the Divine. Do your practices and meditate. Sometimes waves of worry/sadness take over. Just know that it’s a temporary phase, it’s a passing cloud and it’ll disappear.
Q:
What is the difference between ego and self-respect?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
In ego you need someone else. In self-respect, others are not needed, and no one can take it away from you.Q:
What is the goal of our life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
This is a question you should ponder on. What is it that you want? It is a very important question. Ponder on the answer - what is it that I need? Then all that is important in your life will stand and the unimportant will fall. Then what you think is important, within that (category) you prioritize again and again and again. And when you ponder on that and when nothing remains then you are the goal. Till then its good to keep doing this.