Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
When we work in a team, should we invest our time in improving people or improving the results?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Both! A little here, and a little there.Q:
The person who invented the English alphabet made a mistake: they kept ‘I’ and ‘U’ apart!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
They tried to keep ‘I’ and ‘U’ far apart– but could not succeed. It’s only on paper. Actually, we are very close. Do you think anyone has the power to keep you and me away? Why do you give someone that power? No way!Q:
In a relationship, if one doesn’t keep their commitments, what should the other do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Forgive them! Forgive them once, twice, thrice, four times. Then bark. If that doesn’t work, walk out.Q:
Enlightened masters and astrologers often predict the future. Does it mean that the future is fixed already?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If nature were a dead phenomenon, you could predict it, the way a machine is always predictable. But it is alive, so you can’t predict its behavior.If a car is moving, you can predict where it is going (right, left, or straight). But can you predict the movements of a cat? Can we predict which way it will turn, and where it will sit? It is the same with the mind.
Nature is not dead, it is alive. Yet, enlightened people can predict, but only to some extent.
That is called “maya” and the world is called the “maya of the mayavi” – it is the will of God, will of nature. God is also mischievous: if we plan to do something He often plans to do something else.
Nature is a lively, dynamic existence: “sat chit anand”. Because it is pure consciousness, chaitanya, it cannot be predicted 100 percent.
Q:
When do we get Moksha?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Have you travelled by bus on a long journey? Have you then been required to answer nature’s call? Did the bus stop? When you got down and relieved yourself, how did it feel?If you sat down in the same position for a long time, then got up and walked, how did it feel?
When you feel you are free of shackles and barriers, and you feel light and happy, that is Moksha.
Even if someone abuses you, and you say, “You curse so well!” then that is Moksha.
Recognize the cause of the barrier – and be free from it.
Q:
When do we lack presence of mind, and when does the learning process stop?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The learning process stops because you watch too much television. This reduces brain activity.You should rest your mind from time to time, by closing our eyes.
Our mind is like a blackboard in a school. If the teachers don’t wipe it after using it, and other teachers keep on using the same blackboard, will it make sense to the students? Our mind is the same. We use it a hundred times but never clean it.
Pranayam, and meditation are useful for cleaning it. They will keep your mind fresh, and ready to learn.
Q:
What is the difference between aradhana (prayer), and sadhana (meditation)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
What is called sadhana for yogis is aradhana for devotees. The only difference is in the language usage.Q:
I’ve heard that hell is a place where people are burnt. Could you explain further?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Your own mind creates heaven, and hell. Don’t listen to preachers who tell you that you will be toasted, and fried. They are in total ignorance. They misquote the scriptures. There is no such hell. Don’t worry and be free!Q:
The days, I don’t do my spiritual practices, I ask God for forgiveness. Is it okay?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, yes. Do only as much as you can do. In the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: “Practice as much as possible, and if you can’t, then do my work. If you can’t do that, then feel that you are one with Me. Then drop the fruits of your actions, and relax.”Q:
What subjects is God testing us on? If we know, then we can study accordingly.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
God does not test, he takes interviews. (Applause). Not even an interview - interior view. All subjects are relevant. Hence keep meditating.I do not believe that God takes tests. Only an ignorant person tests. The One who knows, does not need to test. He knows the Past, Present and Future. People believe that God conducts tests so that they can get over it, it gives them courage.