Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
My friends expect me to drive them with my car, but then they drink. They look at me differently. I don’t understand why.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It’s very difficult to understand people’s minds. So, you better give up. They themselves don’t understand their mind, so how can you understand their mind? Do you understand your own mind?The most unreliable thing in your life is your own mind. One minute, it likes something, another minute it likes something else. So, your mind goes all over the place. So, you cannot rely on your own mind. Once you know this, you will laugh, you will smile. Never mind: why should I control someone else’s mind when my mind itself is not under my control? Isn’t it?
Our mind is a multi-channeled television. You know, there are so many channels: the horror channel, history channel, discovery channel, news channel and then there is a cartoon channel. All is happening!
A poet from Karnataka (a state in South India) wrote a very nice couplet about the mind. He said: The mind is like a forest, with so many animals in it. There are nightingales that sing very sweetly and there are crows, and there are tigers, lions and there are mosquitoes. The same way, your mind is a forest.
It’s amazing, just to watch what our mind says. Nobody’s mind is in their control, we shouldn’t expect everyone to behave like an enlightened person. Unfortunately, that is what we do. We want everyone to be perfect.
The world always considers you, sees you, much better than what you are. And even the people don’t see you the way you are, or the way you are not. Never mind, why do you have to bother about it?
Q:
It is said that sadhana and meditation influence the mind. Does the food also have an effect on the mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, food has an impact on the mind. It is said jaisa ann waisa mann, as is the food, so is the mind. Food influences your mind, thoughts and behaviour.Q:
Guruji, my brother started writing a book but has passed away 10 years ago. Please give me blessings to complete the book.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Guruji gave blessings and said every human being is a book in himself or herself- a novel. If they are on the spiritual path it’s a happy ending. If not, it’s a tragedy. In a library we get all books- the whole world is a library. Human race is part of this library. There is only one author for all these books and HE is flooding the market and there are no takers! Only a few, who are awake, see that these are all stories. A few Bhaktas(devotees) recognize this & rejoice. And you are one of those few. If you think you are not, become one right away. You have a lifelong membership for the library.Q:
What do you say to those who are suffering from hardships?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Hardship makes you deep, and strong. Sadness, and joy are complementary. Happiness causes expansion but misery brings a depth. Both are necessary.n
Q:
What is your suggestion for those who want to concur the world through a sharp intellect?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, you sharpen your intellect but don’t think that you can drink through the eyes. You can only see through the eyes. You cannot drink thought the nose or ears. Similarly, you can know of the Divine and satisfy your intellect. However, if understood through the intellect that there is no God, then you will not get the experience. Can you listen to music though the eyes?Like every sense organ has its own function, God can only be known through the heart. What is beyond intelligence is only Divine. However sharpen your intellect to become silent, sharp and talented.
Q:
Are the customs and rituals of religions conducive to spiritual growth or are they obstacles?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
A vehicle is kept to the left in India. In the United States of America, cars keep to the right. Customs and rituals are there to guide society, steering society from going right or left.They are made according to the time and the country. For instance, men wear unstitched clothes for a puja in South India. In North India, people wear coats. Perhaps, this is because the weather is cold there. When Muslim males go to Mecca for Haj, they have to wear unstitched clothes.
Yet, these customs and rituals are neither conducive nor act as obstacles on the path to God.
There are many customs when it comes to marriages. A coconut and a mirror are placed on a plate, when welcoming the in-laws in South India. It is as though to say: ‘Enter with a smile. See your face and feel complete. We are feeling complete here.’ When you see yourself in the mirror in the morning, you smile. You don’t frown when you see yourself.
People in Maharashtra welcome the in-laws with a betel nut and a gold coin on their head. This gesture says: ‘Your thoughts should shine like gold.’ This is an auspicious gesture.
There are other rituals in Bihar and Bengal. These customs from different parts of India should be studied thoroughly. Someone should take up this project.
In Kerala, a nirapara is kept at the entrance of a house to welcome people. It is a vessel filled with grains, flowers from the coconut tree and a diya (lamp). This custom signifies that the house which is being entered is full, there is happiness. It is a sign of prosperity.
Similarly, people gift each other chocolate eggs for Easter in Europe. It is a symbol of prosperity and progeny.
In India, people fast when going on a pilgrimage – say, to Shabri Mala, Vaishno Devi or Tirupati. Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia, fast too. They don’t eat vegetables or dairy products for some period of the year. These are rituals and customs. There must be some reason.
Q:
How to be an instrument of the grace of the Guru (Gurukripa)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
By being more grateful. The one who is always complaining gets a little away from the Grace. When we are grateful for whatever God has given us, then we never lack anything and the grace continues forever.Q:
Why don’t Muslims believe in yoga? How can we teach them the Art of living?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Sure, we should teach them yoga as well. We conduct programs in many Islamic countries, such as Iraq and Pakistan.There are even Hindu people who resist yoga and spiritual practices. There are temples that don’t allow yoga camps to be conducted.
So also in Islam. The few people who resist yoga change their perspective when they understand yoga. When people learn yoga, and understand the benefits, they won’t stop it.
This resistance is due to lack of knowledge and information.
Q:
It is said that everyone's future is already decided. It is planned by the Divine. If this is true, then what is the need of Karma(action)
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Everything is happening, your karma too is happening, what is the need of an answer. Suppose I don't give an answer. When you are hungry, what is the need of Karma, sit, let it happen. Everyday hunger comes up , so whats the point! Sit quietly. Can you? This is useless brooding. Man cannot live without work- either a good deed or misdeed. If God doesit, then God is suffering, where do you come in between?If God made you steal, then God came as police - what is the complaint? God told you to eat twenty rasgulla(a sweet), then God will have the pain and God will come as doctor.
Where are you different from God. The understanding that everything is God's is a very big thing. Then the mind silences and such nonsense questions don't arise. Till then, they will arise.
Q:
What do you think about the situation in Sri Lanka?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Peace has to come in Sri Lanka. Still it has some way to go. It will happen.A member of the audience stands up and shares an experience. “I did the Art of Living program in 1997 in Abu Dhabi. Since then my life has been full of joy. In 2002, I was detected with brain cancer. My sincere gratitude to Guruji. With his blessings, I have recovered. Doctors say I am a survivor hero. I have taken chemotherapy, radiotherapy and would like to tell all - do the Sudarshan Kriya, regularly and with enthusiasm. Do seva. "