22 Dec 2009
Bangalore ashram, Dec. 14,2009:
A lady shared a beautifulexperience today in satsang. She had lost her son at the age of 14 yrs in anaccident 10 months ago. Her son had done the ‘Art Excel course’ a few months beforehe passed away. The boy’s last words before he passed away were “don’t cry, nothingis going to happen to me Amma (mother), don’t cry”.
As the lady recounted her son’s last words, she said - “Thank you so muchGuruji, for giving these children such wonderful knowledge that makes them sostrong.”
As the lady recounted her son’s last words, she said - “Thank you so muchGuruji, for giving these children such wonderful knowledge that makes them sostrong.”
Guruji, I read somewhere that after death, if you end upin hell, then you are fried in a pan. I felt afraid after reading that. Pleaseexplain.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Don’t worry. When you are established inthe Self while you are here(in this planet), only then no fear is left. Thatwas a way adopted by our ancestors for making people follow the right path and dogood karma. It was said you will suffer a lot after death if you do wrong deedsto set people on the right path. If you follow the wrong path, then wrong karmawill follow.
To some extent, this karma can be changed. If you can’tchange karma at all, than there is no use in doing Sadhana. Do your Sadhana andmeditation.
How much freedom is to be given or restrictions are to beput on teenagers?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You have forgotten because you havecrossed that stage and you don’t remember what turmoil they are goingthrough. There are so many hormonalchanges taking place in their body. Shake hands with them and gently guide themthrough this.
Teenage feverishness is only for few years. Not onlyphysical but mental and emotional turbulence is so high in them. After the ageof three, children begin to experience all these emotions like jealousy,possessiveness and these continue till teenage. Some people don’t come out ofteenage at all. Mental turbulence is huge for them.
Teenage is a tough time. It needs great patience to dealwith teenage children. So with greatpatience, like a friend and philosopher, give them some space and at the sametime put your foot down and say ‘No’. Don’t be too loose at that time.
Guruji, what is the difference between devotion and love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Devotion is the zenith of Love. ‘Saa tvasmin panama prema rupa’ - Embodimentof supreme love for the divine is devotion. You can’t posses God. In routinelove affairs, you love someone and you expect the same in return. You can’tclaim a right on God. Love for that infinite consciousness is devotion.
Sage Narad says, ‘Yogachitta vritti nirodha’ meaning ‘Yoga means silencing the tendencies of yourmind.’ ‘Tadha drustu swarupe avastanam’which means ‘Yoga is the skill of being established in the Seer from the scene’- To go within and be established in the seer. With this notion, meditationstarts to happen. Then Samadhi follows. Your mind is totally calm. For a momentyou experience that complete nothingness, emptiness.
What is the meaning of ‘Pradakshina’ (circumambulation)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
‘Pradakshina’means going around. ‘Dakshina’ meansthat which is done with skill. The English word ‘dexterous’ has come from the Sanskritword ‘Daksha’. ‘Dexterous’ means skillful. ‘Pradakshina’ means ‘in a very special way, being skillful’, avery skillful movement, that which is gained with skill, merit which you havegained skillfully. ‘Pra’ is to goaround. ‘Pradakshina’ is qualifyingby going around skillfully.
There are three layers when you go inside a temple accordingto the temple architecture. The first layer is herbal gardens, full of treesand plants. The direction in which the tree is to be planted comes under templearchitecture. All plantations are done according to the directions and windflow. There are medicinal herbs, flowers and trees in this outer layer and whenyou pass through this layer, you breathe in those herbal fragrances that cure emotionaland physical problems, and body imbalances. It used to be around one kilometer longand while passing through it, your whole body circulation is improved. Essentialfragrances and oils needed by the body are absorbed especially those of the Ashvat (peepal) tree. It is the onlytree which emits oxygen all the 24 hours. All other trees emit oxygen half thetime and carbon dioxide rest of the time. The tree helps a person to overcomemany problems, especially infertility.
‘Pradakshina’ is not done for the sake of the divine or some otherpurpose but for health benefits.
Then there is a second circle in which statues of many menand women are kept. One was asked, in earlier days, to sit and meditate therefor a while.
This way first circle makes you physically fit, vatta-pitta-kapha balances happens by inhalingthe air. The second circle frees your mind from all fantasies. Then finally youmove on to central part - ‘sanctum sanctorum’ - where you sit with your eyesclosed and experience the nothingness.
I don’t know what is good for me and what is bad?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Drop that which gives you short termhappiness and long term suffering. Just keep this in the back of your mind.