Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Guruji, in Geeta what does Lord Krishna mean by the world as play of gunas?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If we start about Geeta, it will take a long time. So, not now. You read again. Sometimes you read and immediately understand it, and sometimes you read hundred times and then understand the same thing.Q:
Guruji, can you see the aura of other people?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Is this a big deal? You can also see.Q:
How does one handle fear of death?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you isolate and think only of yourself then you will have the fear of death. Once you are in service, there is no fear of death. Terrorists are committed to something so they are not afraid of life or death. If you want to do good for others, your commitment to it will take care of this fear.Q:
Please can you teach me how to be connected to the faith?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Trying to connect to the faith is trying to connect to the air around you. ‘I want to be connected to the air.’ My dear, you can’t be but! You are already connected. Relax.Why do you try to connect to air? Are you getting what I am saying? Doubt as much as you can. I would say, you should doubt as much as you can. A point comes when you no longer can doubt, the truth will stand up. Truth can never be destroyed by doubt. Do you understand what I am saying? Truth will stand. Doubt can cover it, delay it for some time, drag on for some time, but it can never destroy the truth.
Therefore, when people have doubts, I say, ‘doubt as much as you can. One day those doubts will fall off.’ If you are lucky, it will fall off immediately the way it comes. Unlucky ones hang on to it for a little longer time. That’s all. Unlucky ones will carry the garbage on their back for some long distance. Lucky ones know that they carry garbage and throw it right there. Two steps, and they drop their garbage. Otherwise one carries on the shoulder for a long distance.
Catch more from the same conversation in the next post..
Q:
Until 18 months ago I never believed in spirituality. Art of Living has changed my thinking and made an impact in my life. However there is something missing in my life and I don’t know what it is. The daily practices help keeping me smiling, but there is still unhappiness within me. Please tell me how to rejoice from within as well.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
A couple of advanced courses, (a couple of hollow and empty meditations). And listen to Ashtavakra Gita.Q:
What if we feel we have got more in life than we deserve and are afraid to lose it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Be grateful and prayerful. Know that whoever has given it to you cares for you and would not take it away. Do service. Put your attention on giving back to society. This is giving back to God. If negative thoughts, insecurities, doubts come into the mind, chant Om Namah Shivaya. This itself will put you on the right track. Take the past as destiny and the future as free will. What was meant to happen, happened. We tend to do the reverse. People who are foolish think the past is free will and the future is destiny. This only makes you miserable in the present.‘Om Namah Shivaya’ has been there for thousands of years. The five elements are represented there and each sound in the mantra corresponds to one of them. For instance, Om is the life force or divinity. Chanting energizes our psyche, our inner self. It is very powerful and we should chant this everyday. It will keep away depression. Just try this. You will see that whenever you are low, saying Om Namah Shivaya removes the negativity.
Q:
The knowledge in the Vedas contains the truth and laws of nature. Is modern science also apart of this body of knowledge?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes. Knowledge is infinite. Many scientists of modern age are the rishis (sages) of today. They explore the universe. All are to be honored, whether ancient or modern.Today’s quantum physics discoveries are startling. There is so much similarity to Vedic knowledge. For instance, darkmatter and String Theory are both present in the ancient knowledge. Dr.Hans-Peter Dürr, thephysicist has told me that whenever he is giving a lecture, he feels as if he is speaking on Vedanta. The whole universe is made up of one substance, and not two. This is Vedanta. Ancient rishis and modern physicists both say the same thing.
Q:
Why do we experience death and rebirth again and again? What does it do for us?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Well, Ground hug day!Q:
Guruji, I want to be free. How can I be?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
(laughs), Freedom? How will I become free? You have to assume that you are free. Bondage is assumed, so freedom should also be assumed. Bondage is in the mind.Today is a very special day. Every day is a special day, but today is ‘Shani pradosha’ i.e. Shivaratri on Saturday. Every month has one Shivaratri. On the 13th day after the full moon or two days before the new moon is Shivaratri. It is either on Monday or Saturday. If it falls on a Saturday, it is considered very auspicious. People chant and sing a lot of Shiva bhajans in the evening and meditate.
Q:
Can you tell me what is the right career for me?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I leave the choice to you and give my blessings.