Gift yourself a beautiful Sri Sri Calendar for February 2015! Available in 3 different sizes: http://aolu.co/SriSriCalendars
Saturday, 31 January 2015
.png)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015
Q: You have said that in spirituality, faith comes first and then the experience, whereas for people with a scientific temper, it is the exact opposite. This feels a bit contradictory and I did not get it. Can you please explain?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, I feel you got it wrong somewhere. It is the difference between the oriental and the occidental way of looking at things. In the orient, we always say that first the experience must happen, only then do you fully understand and grasp the concept. But in the occident, first you must believe and understand the concept, and then you get the experience. These are two different ways.
It is because the modus operandi is different in science and in spirituality in the occident that there are so many conflicts there. This is why when the Spanish Inquisition happened, so many scientists were killed and tortured. It was only because the modus operandi of the two differed so much.
In India, not one scientist was ever executed or prosecuted. Why so? It is because the modus operandi was the same for both religion and science. Here in India we say, 'Tattva Jnaana', which means, first understand the underlying fundamental principle. So we first understand the nature of the five elements, i.e., Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. After that we go on to understand the mind, the intellect, the memory, the ego and then finally we go towards understanding God.
Here we always say that one should experience first. You will understand this more when you read the Upanishads. The Upanishads take you step by step from one level to another. This is why science and spirituality were never in conflict in the East.
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Friday, 30 January 2015
QnA with Sri Sri
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015
Q: Is there only individual karma, or is there karma of a nation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are so many layers of karma. There is individual karma, family karma, community karma, nation karma, and also time karma. But all that can be changed.
When you sit and meditate, changes occur in so many ways. Don’t think that you are meditating just for yourself. When you do Kriya or meditation, you are not only making your karma positive, but you are also influencing the planet and you are also influencing the other subtler planes. When you do meditation, it has a very soothing and calming influence even on the people that are dead and gone.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015
Each one of us is like a flute. When we get rid of all negativity and become hollow and empty from within, then a divine harmony starts to play and resonate from our being. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Knowledge Sheet of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Blossoming In Life & Body – Mind Complex
 |
Your body is a precious gift to you by Mother Nature. Respect your body. Your body is capable of inviting God. Your body is a temple in which divinity can enter and reside. Therefore, keep it healthy, transform it and just light a lamp in it. That is enough for Divine to come and reside in it.
Body is Divine’s most precious abode.
What is there in your body? It is Divine’s altar. Spread the altar of smile and light the lamp of knowledge and invite “anandakanda”, the child of bliss in your body. If the son of Nanda has to come to you, light is necessary, the altar of smile is necessary.
Body is Divine’s most precious abode.
What is there in your body? It is Divine’s altar. Spread the altar of smile and light the lamp of knowledge and invite “anandakanda”, the child of bliss in your body. If the son of Nanda has to come to you, light is necessary, the altar of smile is necessary.
Guru Punch of the day
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Do not make an effort to impress others, or to express yourself. When you come from the Self, your expression is perfect and your impression lasts for ages. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Do not make an effort to impress others, or to express yourself. When you come from the Self, your expression is perfect and your impression lasts for ages. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Thursday, 29 January 2015
.png)
QnA with Sri Sri
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Q: How can I attain Moksha (salvation) and what does one get by meditation? All my friends ask me this same question many times.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Meditation makes your body stronger and brings vitality. It sharpens the intellect, and brings happiness to the mind. It helps improve and enhance your behaviour and the way you deal with the people around you. It eliminates stress. What else does one need? And apart from all these benefits, it helps you in realizing God. Meditation is the only way to realize and attain the divine.
There is a saying, “Nanya pantha vidyate ayanaya” (Verse from the Purusha Sukta, Rig Veda). It means: there is no other path to the realization of God other than meditation. Meditation alone can help one unite with God.
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Knowledge Sheet of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015
Journey from Intellect to Innocence
|
When the intellect matures, you become innocent. Also even when emotions take over, then also you will move into innocence.
Innocence is one aspect of your life and everybody has it. What comes in the way is the concepts in the intellect, such as judgements, or thinking that ‘I know it all’, or ‘I know it better’, etc. That is what blocks the intellect from maturing fully.
Meditation and pranayama help you to reverse the journey back from the intellect to your innocence. Also, when there are people who know much more than you and you feel, ‘Oh, I know very little’, then also innocence will simply come up in you.
When you make an assessment about yourself that is wrong, then that may cause you to feel out of touch with your innocence.
Innocence is one aspect of your life and everybody has it. What comes in the way is the concepts in the intellect, such as judgements, or thinking that ‘I know it all’, or ‘I know it better’, etc. That is what blocks the intellect from maturing fully.
Meditation and pranayama help you to reverse the journey back from the intellect to your innocence. Also, when there are people who know much more than you and you feel, ‘Oh, I know very little’, then also innocence will simply come up in you.
When you make an assessment about yourself that is wrong, then that may cause you to feel out of touch with your innocence.
LIVE Now: An evening of Satsang and Wisdom with @SriSri at @BangaloreAshram!
Join us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMseHhOYN4 …
Watch Now! Live Satsang with @SriSri from @BangaloreAshram. Watch: http://www.artofliving.org/webcast
Join us for an evening of #Knowledge & #Wisdom with @SriSri via LIVE Webcast today, 7 PM IST! http://www.artofliving.org/webcast
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
.png)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015
Q: How do people who do wrong things rise up in life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, when you see people who do wrong things rising up, you lose your courage, your conviction, your morality; you lose your ground and you feel broken. That’s when you need to remind yourself that they are only rising up to fall back down. Bad elements need a fall, that’s their final destination. But even to fall you need to rise a little higher, only then do you really get broken. So they raise to get a big fall. If you are convinced of this reality, then nothing whatsoever can touch you; no event can pull you down, no event can demoralize you, no nervous breakdown can happen, nor will you ever have heart breaks. Your morale becomes very strong with this conviction.
See, every event creates some knowledge and some emotions. Often events have some lessons to teach you, and also create along with it some emotion. But what do we normally do? We don’t learn from the events at all, but we carry forward the emotion. And the emotion keeps haunting us, like a scar or a craving.
When knowledge is not learnt, you are left with a bag of emotions. Be it positive or negative, it is going to bother you in the present and in the future.
The stronger the craving for a pleasurable experience, the more painful it will be in the present. This is because the pleasurable experience has created an intense craving in you which carries over to the present and keeps you in a bigger mess. Am I making the point clear? For example, if you have gone through a break-up which was intensely painful, that is because the pleasure in the relationship had been equally intense, which is why it was so painful. It is the craving (for that pleasurable experience) that made it so painful, leaving you in the present moment with only a bag of emotions.
Now what does a wise one do? He takes forward the lessons from the past and leaves behind the emotions in the past. If someone has cheated you, then learn the lesson from the experience. What did you do that someone could cheat you. How unintelligent were you that you allowed someone to cheat you. Just learn the lesson instead of carrying anger, frustration and hatred towards the other.
Most of us, instead of learning the lesson, we carry the emotions of the past. It is not an intelligent thing to do. The intelligent thing to do is to carry the lesson and drop the emotion so that you can keep your smile genuine, unblemished and untouched by the event. What do you say? You can keep your spirits high, come what may. Now! Now! (Snapping his fingers indicating ‘Be in the present moment’). Life is always a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant things; things which you like and things which you don’t like. Life is a mixture of this.
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015
Q: How is becoming a Guru as a career option?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is good but it is risky. The field is wide open for you. But, here you have to forget about yourself and think about the rest of the world.
http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015
Without faith, the vehicle of life cannot proceed. Faith is the petrol of the vehicle of life. Even the petrol called faith has started becoming too expensive. If you don’t let it become expensive, the vehicle of life will move further and reach its destination. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Knowledge Sheet of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
You are Privileged
|
Among all planets in the solar system, the earth is privileged to host life in its many forms, and among all the species, humans are most privileged for they can host the Knowledge. Among all the knowledgeable ones, you are most privileged, guess why!
Again and again you remember that you are peace, you are love, you are joy and that you are hosting the Creator. If you don't realize that you are the host, you live like a ghost.
The under-privileged are those who do not realize that they are privileged, and so they also host, but they host all the negativities.
Like the birds returning to their nests, again and again come back to your source; only there can you realize that you host the Creator.
Again and again you remember that you are peace, you are love, you are joy and that you are hosting the Creator. If you don't realize that you are the host, you live like a ghost.
The under-privileged are those who do not realize that they are privileged, and so they also host, but they host all the negativities.
Like the birds returning to their nests, again and again come back to your source; only there can you realize that you host the Creator.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
That state when you don’t want anything, then the blessings that flow out are bound to materialise. That is why you go to the elders and to the sages to seek blessings from them for they don’t want anything. ‘I don’t want anything for myself. May everyone be happy and well’. When people have this state of mind then their blessings will come true. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
.png)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
Q: I participate in the mass chanting programs you conduct. My friends ask me “Why are you chanting? What will happen with you sitting somewhere and chanting?”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, the scientists have been talking about the Butterfly Effect. When a butterfly flaps its wings in South America, it has an impact on the clouds that are hovering around China. With this being the case, we cannot think that if we sit and do some chanting, it will have no impact on the world consciousness. Every little thing has an impact on the universe because we are an integral part of this universe. There is one research that was done by a scientist from Japan and the result of the research is shared in our website as Video. Water is a composed of very tiny crystals. So we can see how different sounds affect the composition of these crystals in the said video.
As you can see from the video, chanting has a profound effect on the molecular structure of water, and our body is composed of 70% water. Using negative words and unpleasant sounds affects the molecular structure of water adversely.
If you have seen the video, chanting impacts water so positively. When we sit and chant these ancient mantras, the crystals of water take a perfect shape (implying harmony and peace). This perfection in the microcosm brings about perfection in the macrocosm, in our society and in the people around us.
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
Only one who is unhealthy and unhappy will not follow the rules and regulations and commit fraudulent activities. A person who is content from within will never think of creating trouble for someone else. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Knowledge Sheet of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
Steeped in Mystery is Devotion
|
One who is not amazed by the magnificence of this Creation, his eyes are not yet opened. Once your eyes are open, they close and this is called meditation. (Laughter)
Tell me, what in this Creation? Is not a mystery? Birth is a mystery; death is a mystery. If both birth and death are mysterious, then life is certainly a greater mystery. Isn't it?
Being completely immersed in the mystery of Life and this Creation is Samadhi. Your knowing or believing doesn't really matter to what Is. This Creation is an unfathomable secret, and its mysteries only deepen. Getting steeped in mystery is Devotion. The "Scene" is a mystery; the "Seer" is a mystery. Deepening the mystery of Creation is science. Deepening the mystery of the Self is spirituality. They are the two sides of the same coin. If neither Science nor Spirituality can create wonder and devotion in you, then you are in deep slumber.
Tell me, what in this Creation? Is not a mystery? Birth is a mystery; death is a mystery. If both birth and death are mysterious, then life is certainly a greater mystery. Isn't it?
Being completely immersed in the mystery of Life and this Creation is Samadhi. Your knowing or believing doesn't really matter to what Is. This Creation is an unfathomable secret, and its mysteries only deepen. Getting steeped in mystery is Devotion. The "Scene" is a mystery; the "Seer" is a mystery. Deepening the mystery of Creation is science. Deepening the mystery of the Self is spirituality. They are the two sides of the same coin. If neither Science nor Spirituality can create wonder and devotion in you, then you are in deep slumber.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
For anything to be successful, you require five elements. Hard work alone will not pay. There should be hard work, blessings, luck, the instrument to do work, and the right frame of mind. If you have all this with you, only then will you be able to do it. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Monday, 26 January 2015
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
Q: Recently in the city of Nashik, 5378 artistes gathered together to play the flute. When there is so much tension in the world, why have you asked so many people to come together and play the flute?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is an ancient saying in Sanskrit, which means that the sign of an intelligent person is that he spends his time in learning and mastering the arts, literature, and music, and in discussing knowledge. This has been the tradition in our country since many ages. In our country, we always had a very holistic and total view of life and did not see it as divided into separate and unrelated compartments or phases. We have always combined Gaan(music), Jnana (knowledge) and Dhyaan (meditation). This is what it means to be truly Indian. Today, it is from India that the world expects and looks up to for a message of peace and prosperity. Only Indians can convey this unique message of love and peace to the world.
You know, a flute can be used to play music and also to beat and chase someone away (laughter). Our life, our own body is like a flute. When we drop all negativity, cravings and aversions and become hollow and empty from within, then consciousness dawns and blossoms within us and we no longer need to be shown a stick (meaning: with the dawn of awareness one naturally walks the path of righteousness and does not need to be punished). If there is some mud or dirt stuck inside the flute, then it does not produce a melodious sound. In order to produce melodious notes, a flute has to be clean and pure from the inside just as it is clean and shiny from the outside. A flute has to be hollow and empty to be able to produce harmony.
You know, music is a very important aspect of our lives. Before we start speaking we start singing. Young children learn a language much later but start making musical sounds early on in their lives. And those sounds are musical because there is total harmony – harmony within and harmony all around us.
Today, when the world is going through depression, terrorism, fear and uncertainty, it is time that we wake up and awaken the humaneness that is deeply embedded in each one of us. It is time for us to encourage our children to learn music and spend time in doing service to the society, and to develop a scientific temper while also pursuing spiritual and dharmic knowledge.
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
Q: What should I do when I feel totally helpless?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you feel totally helpless just pray. Just know that there is this unseen force which is always guiding you to the right direction.
http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
It is time to grow up and appreciate the balanced diet (good events and bad events) that you have been provided in your life. Your plate is full of many varieties; just enjoy them. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015
Everything will remain here and you will have to go. All those you have known in the past have left this planet. Don’t you remember? So many of us have left and similarly we will also have to go. If you are able to conceive only this much of knowledge, contentment will dawn upon you. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Sunday, 25 January 2015
We are always looking for solutions from someone else. We forget that if we turn our mind inward, we… http://instagram.com/p/yTveqTmerM/
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015
Q: During Sadhana, Seva and Satsang, I am happy all the time, but when I start working my mind slips. I want to know the importance of work to grow in spiritual life.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Both are essential. We have to attend to both the body and mind.
http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015
Q: Sometimes there seems to be conflict between love for my own country and the idea of a One World Family. Can the smaller be dropped for a bigger cause?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I do not see any conflict between the two. One can have love for one's own country, and at the same time have love for humanity. You can do both.
It is just like how a family person serves his family, but at the time also comes out and serves the society. It is not that if you are into social service, you must neglect your family. That is not right. You have to do both, you have to attend to the family and also do your social service. Now, if a family member is upset for no reason, then what can you do. But from you side, you should make sure that you do not do anything to upset anyone.
In the same way, you can serve the country, and also be part of a One World Family.
Moreover, hating somebody is not patriotism. Patriotism does not mean that you are against the others. You are not against anybody, but at the same time you protect your country, and work towards its development. This is Dharma.
In Mahabharata also, Lord Krishna never advised the Pandavas to hate the enemy. He never spoke about hate. Lord Krishna said, 'Yudhyasva vigata-jvarah'. Fight without feverishness. If you fight with feverishness in your mind then you will be disturbed. Fight with a calm mind. That is why he said, 'Yogastha kuru karmani'. (Meaning: Be steady in yoga and do whatever you must do. Give up attachment, be indifferent to failure and success. This stability is Yoga). India has fostered such high ideals and have set an example for the rest of the world.
http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015
A thought is nothing but an impulse of energy and intelligence. If this energy that is getting created or generated from you is negative, then it will attract more negativity and negative thoughts. If you are in a positive place, then you will get more positive thoughts. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/
Knowledge Sheet of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015
Beyond an Event is Knowledge
|
Beyond a person is love.
Beyond an object is infinity.
Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event.
If you take one event and infer anything from one event - infer knowledge - it will be erroneous knowledge. Say Nancy gets angry and shouts at someone. You attribute anger to Nancy, but actually it was carried from someone else to her. Someone else got angry first and someone else and someone else and on and on like that.
When you go beyond an event, only then the truth dawns. One particular event gives you a false notion. So you have to consider the totality of events, the totality of all events infinitely. Beyond the event is Knowledge.
What do we call a person? A person is a body, a mind, a complex of behaviors which is changing. Love is unchanging. Beyond the person is love.
When you lose your personality, you become love. If you cannot lose yourself, you cannot find yourself. So, lose your personality; you'll find yourself!
Behind every object is infinity. An object is limited. Take an object and reduce, reduce, reduce, and you have an atom. An atom is infinity. Each atom contains infinite space. Beyond the object is infinity.
The object behind the object is infinity. The person behind the person is love.
Maya is getting caught up in the event, personality, object. Knowledge, love, Brahman is seeing beyond the event, personality, or object. See? Just a little shift.
Beyond an object is infinity.
Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event.
If you take one event and infer anything from one event - infer knowledge - it will be erroneous knowledge. Say Nancy gets angry and shouts at someone. You attribute anger to Nancy, but actually it was carried from someone else to her. Someone else got angry first and someone else and someone else and on and on like that.
When you go beyond an event, only then the truth dawns. One particular event gives you a false notion. So you have to consider the totality of events, the totality of all events infinitely. Beyond the event is Knowledge.
What do we call a person? A person is a body, a mind, a complex of behaviors which is changing. Love is unchanging. Beyond the person is love.
When you lose your personality, you become love. If you cannot lose yourself, you cannot find yourself. So, lose your personality; you'll find yourself!
Behind every object is infinity. An object is limited. Take an object and reduce, reduce, reduce, and you have an atom. An atom is infinity. Each atom contains infinite space. Beyond the object is infinity.
The object behind the object is infinity. The person behind the person is love.
Maya is getting caught up in the event, personality, object. Knowledge, love, Brahman is seeing beyond the event, personality, or object. See? Just a little shift.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)