Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
I made a mistake and apologised for it. Will my dear people forgive me?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, you are forgiven. You made a mistake, that’s ok. Done, finished! With every mistake you learn something and you move forward. But if you keep repeating the same mistake again and again, then you have to be a little more concerned.You can make new mistakes, not the same old ones. That won’t be forgiven. Once, twice, thrice … No fun in repeating the same old mistake!
Q:
I say very mean things to people, when I get angry. (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Nothing new, what’s new about it?)
I don’t mean anything. (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Nobody really means anything. Mother tells a kid, ‘Come on, get lost.’ She doesn’t really mean it.)
I don’t know whether I am forgiven for this?
I don’t mean anything. (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Nobody really means anything. Mother tells a kid, ‘Come on, get lost.’ She doesn’t really mean it.)
I don’t know whether I am forgiven for this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You are! You were never yourself when you are angry, when you were upset. Why do you have to worry? Whenever a mistake happens, it happens in an unconscious state. So become more conscious.Q:
This is my first part 2 course, and first time being in silence. What am I to find within? So far, I’ve found some empty space and sorrow.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When an instruction is given, at first you are unsure whether you are following it correctly. Even to find the tip of your nose can be hard, so when you are told to look within, you’re not sure what exactly to do.You will find that different types of thoughts and emotions come up, but over time you should find that your meditations improve. We have shoved lots of things under the carpet in our minds, and in the first meditations, while we are in silence, they all come out.
It is like the first time you do Kriya. You feel rebellious and think you are wasting your time. In the same way, you may think that why should I be in silence? Let me go out and have fun.
But remember, you are doing this in order to have real fun. When the system is cleansed, real fun happens.
Q:
Why do some cry when singing bhajans, while others are strong enough to sing or chant without crying?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is natural to cry when the heart opens and tears flow. You’ve seen the video about the chakras, haven’t you? Grief and gratitude are in the throat chakra. When love moves up, gratitude comes. But different people get it at different times. So don’t look around and compare yourself to others and think that something is wrong just because others are crying and you are not.Q:
Should my first responsibility be to the Guru or the mother and spouse? If a conflict arises, who should I choose?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The Guru is already happy. If you are happy, the Guru is happy.But there is a Sanskrit saying: Kashtasya Sukhasya Na Kopi Vaa (It is impossible to make someone else joyful).
How much can you prove to your wife that you love her? The more you do, the more suspicious she becomes. It is next to impossible to make someone else happy.
So, you must engage in a service project. Ten percent of your income must go to spiritual and social causes. If not, the money is said to be impure.
There was a wealthy industrialist in India. He didn’t believe in charity and said he would do it when he got older. He became bankrupt six months later,. Even the greatest fortunes can disappear. See companies like GM and Citibank.
What stays with us is our good heart.
Q:
I feel so fortunate to be listening to a modern-day Vivekananda. How does one know which specific field you are cut off for? Then we can be more effective.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, its true…. All those who want to do some service activity, want direction, come here. Let us make a team, take specific targets and do service. We have adopted 38 slums around Bangalore. There are many of you who can go and inspire them and help them.n
(Another visitor narrates his experience of hearing Art of Living bhajans when passing by a police station. Sri Sri says: “Even in prisons, inmates hear these bhajans all the time.”)
n
Q:
If we are spiritually connected to the Master, how does the physical presence affect us?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I have no idea!Q:
I have heard people talk about soul mates? Is it true? Are husband – wife truly soul mates?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Better be! Every husband and wife had better meet their souls. They meet everyone but not their souls. Realising the self is our first aim, our first duty. Ask the question: ‘Who am I?’Q:
I heard this statement in a religion that we have come on this planet earth so many times that the amount of our mothers' milk we have drunk is, as much as, water in the ocean. Is it not too much? Have we really come here that many times on this planet earth?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Never mind! Who keeps a count of how much you drink. There are better things to do. Every day you drink eight litres of water. The figure goes to 1,200 litres of water for a year. This is a conservative figure. If you’re forty years old – imagine how many gallons and gallons of water. And how many truckloads of food?This lifetime itself is a lot to count. Why bother about other lifetimes?
Q:
What is the dharma of marriage?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ask your spouse! They will give you long lectures on what your dharma is and what you should be doing. (Audience laughs)Our ancient people spoke about saptapadi – the seven steps one takes in life. The knowledge was so scientific even 1,000s of years ago.
A sense of commitment, co-operation, compassion, caring and less ego – these are the benefits that one finds.