Yoga Vashistha Begins today at 9 pm IST!

Jai Gurudev Dear Ones,

You are invited to be part of Yoga Vashistha series by Nakul Dhawan every Sunday 9 pm IST starting today (May 1) !

The first two sessions are open for all to watch on www.artofliving.org/webcast

If you are interested to continue to watch the entire series then please register on http://bit.ly/yogavashistha2016

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY

SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016

Q: I don't want to be part of any particular religion, but would rather have fun by taking a little bit from everywhere?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You may have fun, but don’t make fun of any religion, okay!

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI

SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016

Q: Could you tell us the exact location of the chakras? In meditation we are supposed to focus on them? I do not know where they are exactly.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is just to give you an idea but don’t try to pinpoint. The first chakra is at the base of the spine, at beginning of the anus and is called Muladhara. Just above that is the next chakra called Svadhishthana. The third chakra is just above the navel called Manipura. Above that is the Anahata chakra which is in the center of the chest. Then is the throat chakra called Visuddhia. Above that is the chakra in-between the eyebrows called Ajna. The last chakra is on top of the head called Sahasrara. So giving simple attention is all that we need to do.

There are methods which can give you a shock like experience. Do not go for that type of forceful awakening of the Kundalini because it involves risks and sometimes people go crazy. So in The Art of living we go for the most safest way and the best methods. Sometimes you may not get dramatic changes that the Kundalini experience would give to people, but do not be bothered about that because that can cause an imbalance in the system.

It is the forceful awakening of Kundalini that I would not recommend. There are many cases where people cannot lead a normal life. We have to live a normal life, right? We all need to lead a normal life and have a spiritual experience which I tell you is the best way to live!

Many of you must have experienced that after a while you feel happy all the time. And whatever you desire happens. You see, you intend and it happens! These are all effective awakenings. Come what may, nothing can take your happiness away. So do not be tempted by people saying, "Oh, I will give you this power and awaken your Kundalini suddenly". You should keep your distance. Physically, physiologically, mentally, emotionally, intellectually, from every angle this is the best way (The Art of Living). I have emphasized it again and again.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY

SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016

Life is much larger than birth & death, failure & success. You are the unblemished, pure eternal Self. Knowing this, you will walk like a King. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

The Art of Living Summer Internship Program http://aolu.co/1NcT5iV  #ArtofLiving

@SriSri Tweets

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Surrender vs Control

Forget about surrender! Just know that there is one power which is in control of everything. Seasons are not in your control; the earth moving around the sun and all the planets moving in their orbits are not in your control. Every element on this planet has its own laws within which it functions, all of which are not in your control.

There is a natural law, a power that is in total control of everything, which gives you some control to do certain things. It is like the pilot of the plane is controlling the plane, but inside the plane you can get up, use the washroom, sit or stand. There is little freedom for you too. Similarly, we have our responsibilities; we perform them to our optimum. We take responsibilities; do what we need to do knowing well that the plane is being steered by a good pilot.

Surrender is not an act. Actually the word surrender has lost all its meaning. Just be aware that there is a bigger mind, a bigger self, a bigger intelligence which is at work.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Culture is also one such gift of nature. Nature has provided us with multi-cultural things, whether it is food, music, language. Just imagine if all over the world, people spoke only one language, it would be so boring! - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri Tweets

QNA WITH SRI SRI

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Q: Have you seen anyone in The Art of Living get enlightenment?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, there are many who have this experience - they feel something and it starts happening. They have the ability to love everyone and be a nobody.

You don’t have to label yourself that 'I am enlightened, I am enlightened', not at all! If you want enlightenment, the first thing you need to remember is total detachment from all that you see, good or bad. Do you still want enlightenment? Are you ready for it? For enlightenment you need to have total detachment because it is your desire which is the only thing that blocks you from enlightenment. The moment you drop all that and say, "I want nothing and I am nothing", that moment you realize that all the forms and names are nothing, they are all like waves in the ocean; the wave is nothing but the ocean. This conviction is enlightenment. The sea is there, the sun is there, the moon is there and like that I too am here, that is it. Going beyond time is enlightenment. Not being constrained by space is enlightenment. Realizing you are love, everything else is love, that is enlightenment. Being so natural and feeling at home with everyone because there is no other, is enlightenment.

The first disciple of Lord Buddha said, "I will wait till the last person gets enlightened, I don’t want to have it now", because he knew he could have it any time. It is his compassion for everyone that he said, "I will see everyone through and only then I will have it". Have you heard about this? That is what Bodhisattva said, "I want to see everyone out of misery and then I will attain enlightenment".

That one desire that 'I want to help everybody' was stopping him from being enlightened. That is why it is said, "Buddha is okay but Bodhisattva is one step higher", because he has compassion to take care of everyone. That is what the teachers do, they don’t go looking whether they get enlightenment or not, they simply bring happiness in peoples' lives!

When all that you see in this world does not interest you, does not provoke you and does not disturb you then a totally different world opens up. It is very subtle! This universe has many layers - one inside the other, there are multiple layers in this universe. But our mind is stuck on one, that is why I said today that the mind should be free from getting stuck in one direction.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Q: Is it compulsory to light a lamp in the pooja room?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, it is not compulsory. It is your choice.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Remember, whatever is yours will always be yours. Compassion & love are your very nature; these will always remain in you. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Gurudev @SriSri at the Satsang organised in Latur. @ArtofLiving #SriSriInLatur

Truth Gives You Strength | The Art Of Living Global http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom-q-a-21-january-2016-qa-1

@SriSri Tweets

Truth Gives You Strength | The Art Of Living Global http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom-q-a-21-january-2016-qa-1

Gurudev @SriSri with members & volunteers of #ArtOfLiving in Latur now. #SriSriInLatur

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

Importance of Spiritual Practice

When prana level is low - you feel upset, angry, dejected and not so good. When prana level is even lower - you feel life is not worth living. When prana level is normal - you feel yourself, like a normal human being. When prana is a little higher than normal - you feel more creative, enthusiastic, and joyful. And if it is even higher, you realize something much deeper.

Sadhana, the spiritual practice, is meant to increase this prana level in you. If your prana level is constantly high - then you don’t need to do sadhana - that is what is enlightenment; your optimum prana.

I remember an elderly gentleman, some 40 years back, asked me, "Are you tired? You must be tired!" There was an 86 years old gentleman with me, he pounced on the person, suddenly saying, "Come on! A yogi will not get tired!" That is true! Tiredness is when our senses go outward; the moment the senses start turning inward, we are tapping into the eternal source of energy.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

The world should be diverse. Just imagine, if the world has only one type of vegetable, only carrots or only potatoes, you won’t even touch them! Nature loves diversity; it has manifested itself in diverse forms, which should be protected. The diversity in nature must be protected. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Truth Gives You Strength http://aolu.co/21iDeBI  #SriSri #Wisdom

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

Q: How to surrender and yet take full responsibility?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Forget about surrender! Just know that there is one power which is in control of everything.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

Q: Vedas are said to be of non-human origin. What does that mean?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Vedas are simply downloaded information. The Rishis went into deep meditation and what they saw and heard they started sharing. There is a beautiful story that I would like to share with you -- Vedavyasa went to the creator and asked him to please give him knowledge. The creator pointed to a shining mountain and said, "That is knowledge, whatever you can grab you can take". So what he could grab with his hands, that is what the Vedas are today.

More than one thousand saints went into deep meditation and whatever they cognized are the Vedas. Ayurveda has a similar story. There were 88,000 saints gathered in a place. They wanted to bring health to the society and so they all gathered to meditate. They needed someone to write down what they cognized and so one of the Rishis, Rishi Bharatwaja volunteered to not meditate and write down what the other saints downloaded while meditating. Today, it is a perfect science – which herb will affect what part of the body. It is a material medica of an entire species not just human beings. It is amazing. The more you go into it, the more you will find the knowledge amazing.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri Tweets

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

Each one of us is a source of energy, love & peace. If we tap into our inner Self & draw strength, we can face any challenge. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Gurudev @SriSri explains the meaning of Gayatri Mantra at @ArtofLiving Guwahati Ashram! http://snpy.tv/1QCEGqY 

Dont Worry And Be Happy | The Art Of Living Global http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom-q-a-17-february-2016-qa-7

Wisdom from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Devotee Becomes God http://wisdomfromsrisriravishankar.blogspot.com/2016/04/devotee-becomes-god.html?spref=tw

Wisdom from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Devotee Becomes God

Wisdom from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Devotee Becomes God: When a river meets the ocean, the river no longer remains a river. It becomes the ocean. A drop of the ocean is part of the ocean. In the ...

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

Tips For Husbands

First, never step on the emotions of a woman. Second, encourage womenfolk to step out of their routine and comfort zone. Third, encourage some creativity and some acts of kindness. Four, let them take some time off to be quiet, and observe nature.

We all take time off and go on vacation, but talking too much and talking all the time spoils the whole vacation. You come back tired, tanned and tired. Sometimes, one needs to take some time off to be quiet and spend a few moments in silence; meditate, and be with nature.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

Surrender has happened when you know that your life is insignificant in the span of time and space. When you know there are millions and millions of stars, how big the solar system is, where the Earth is – then what is one’s life? When you see this, surrender has happened. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Gurudev @SriSri just now before noon meditation session

QNA WITH SRI SRI

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

Q: When you tell me to smile, I am unable to smile when I have problems. How can you help me?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know what obscures your smile? It is your desire. You want something and you are holding onto that thinking, “I want this, I want this.” That is what is making you miserable. Just wake up and say, "I don’t care" for a minute. Drop the desire and say, "I don’t want this", the next second something comes up in you, and that is a smile. Just say “I don’t want this, I’ll get whatever I need. Even if I want to meet Gurudev, I don’t care, I don’t want to meet him!” If that is bothering you, kick that desire too! Then you will see that you are totally relaxed and in total peace. As I said, three things obscure our being:

1. The ego

2. Desires

3. The intellect

So freeze these things for a little while and then see how meditation happens. Even just this intention, “I want to freeze these three things”, immediately makes a difference.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

Q: Could you speak about how reality seems so real yet it is unreal?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Best example is your own dreams. When you are dreaming, it looks so real but when you wake up it is unreal. That’s it. So easy!

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/