Appreciation

When do you appreciate someone? When they do something that is unusual,not ordinary, and not their nature. Isn't it so?

For example, when a wicked person doesn't create a problem then you appreciate them. Or, when somebody you think is not good does a good act, then you appreciate them. Also, when a good person does something extraordinary, then you appreciate them. If a child made you a cup of tea, you would appreciate it, but if a mother made the same cup of tea, you would not likely appreciate it because it is a normal act for her. In the same way, you appreciate getting a ride from someone you don't know, but you don't necessarily appreciate it from a bus driver.

In all these cases, those acts are temporary, out of character, or not their nature. So when you appreciate someone for something, you imply that it is not the way they are usually.

Robin : What if a person wants to be appreciated?
Sri Sri : That means that it is not in their nature, and that is why they want to be appreciated. If it is not coming from their nature it is an imposed act. So when you appreciate someone you simply imply that it is not their nature, it is not the way they usually are. It is a rare act or quality. Appreciation implies a sense of separateness or distance, so watch out when you appreciate someone!

Antarnaad

'Antarnaad' - An enthralling symphony of 2000 Hindustani Classical Vocalists in the Divine presence of H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji.


Date: 12 Jan 2010
Time: 6 pm onwards
Location: SP college ground, Pune

Highlights:

2000 Hindustani Classical Vocalists to perform on one stage - First time in the history of music!


A platform to showcase Hindustani classical music.


Celebrities from the music fraternity like Pt. Rajan & Sajan Misra, Shankar Mahadevan, Chitra Roy
and other Celebrity Singers to perform together on one stage.



Event coordinated by Shri Shashi Vyas.



An event slated to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.



Meditation by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji.



Estimated audience of about 1 lakh.

Q & A

Q: How can you think big without being ambitious?



Sri Sri: Thoughts don't come with your permission. They just come and just go. But ambition is something, which stays in your mind for a longer time.



Q: What is witness consciousness? (Shakshi Bhav)

Sri Sri: Wait... (Looking for something on the seat). Wait... (Running his fingers through His hair). Wait..
(Crowd laughs) I did not ask you to laugh, I said just wait.

See what is happening to your mind? That is Shakshi Bhav...the witnessing consciousness. When you are listening without reacting, that is witness consciousness. For example if you are at the airport and there is a flight announcement for another flight. What do you do? Just witness without reacting. Right? Similarly you are at the railway platform with many other people whom you don't know. In a while some trains come and those people get into their respective trains and go. What do think you are doing at that moment? You are simply witnessing. Do you see what I am saying?

Q: What do you do when someone thinks you are dumb, because of your acceptance?

Sri Sri: (Wearing a pair of cute pink color large glares). To me the whole world is pink now!! (Laughter) Do you know what does pink symbolize? Pink is the loving, adorable and innocence. If someone feels you are dumb, you need to change your glass. (Sri Sri switches over to a blue pair of glares, which had a blinking blue light. The entire crowd bursts into laughter). Blue indicates vastness. The infinite. (Laughter)



Q: Change is inevitable, change is unavoidable, yet why is it so difficult to handle that change? Why is accepting the situation which is the result of the change alone becomes so difficult?



Sri Sri: Tell me what is the easiest thing to do for you? To accept or not accept. (Laughter!!) Is 'not accepting' easy for you? I don't think so. By 'not accepting' you loose your sleep!! The person who has triggered the event is sleeping well. But it is you who has lost sleep over the event by not accepting it. If you don't forgive you start suffering within yourself. Don't forgive anyone and see the suffering that is happening in you. Is suffering easy?!? No, its not easy. It affects your health. It affects your observation, expression and perception.



Q: There is so much fight between the people from various religions. The Shias are fighting the Sunnis. The Israelis are fighting the Iraqis. There is a war with Lebanon. How can we diminish this war between countries on the basis of religion?



Sri Sri: Only through Spirituality you can remove such differences. All you need to do is just educate, educate and educate them...

Next Is What ?

Q) When you experience total desirelessness, then how do you get the desire to act?


Sri Sri: You know we don’t act as the mind says, we act with commitment. Because mind says one day I don’t want to go to work. If you ask people who are working in offices, nobody’s mind wants them to go to office. If everyday is a Sunday, everybody will be very happy. If it’s a holiday, all the seven days, people would happily sit at home but life doesn’t work like that. So you have to commit and your life moves with commitment. Whether you like it or not you simply work.

RELIEF EFFORTS IN NORTH KARNATAKA

RELIEF EFFORTS IN NORTH KARNATAKA
Torrential rains over last one week have left over 200 people dead and rendered over 3,00,000 people homeless in the state. The floods have affected all 14 districts of state’s northern region.

According to official sources, over 26,000 houses have collapsed in North Karnataka. Most of the eleven districts in the region are inundated, as all the rivers are flowing above the danger mark. Road and rail transport services have also been disrupted.

Poojya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji has been actively monitoring the situation and had visited some of the worst affected areas. Art of Living has started relief work in few of the worst affected villages (Buradepad, Thalamari) of Raichur district. More teams are being deployed as we identify more villages for relief work. We are in the process of mobilizing the relief material and resources for managing this situation.

We need cash donations for buying essential materials and rebuilding the houses.

Please issue the cheques / DDs in the name of ‘VVKI – DHARMA STAMBA YOJANA’ and mail to VVKI – Divine Karnataka Project, #1431-A, Ground Floor, 39th Cross, 22nd Main, 4th T Block, Bangalore -560 041. Or directly transfer the funds to: VVKI – DHARMA STAMBA YOJANA, STATE BANK OF INDIA, A/C NO: 10386328062, (please send a mail to info@divinekarnatakaproject.org with the details of Transferred amount and Date. Also in the transaction remark please put ‘ flood relief KAR ‘). For any donation above Rs. 1000/- , 80G certificate will provided.

You can also donate the essential items. WE NEED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IMMEDIATELY:

Food Items:

Grains (Rice, maize), Dhal (Tuvar dhal, green gram), Biscuits, Tea Powder, Sugar, Milk Powder, Sooji (Upma Rava), MTR Ready to eat food packets etc.

Medicines:

Antibiotics, Electrol, Pain Killers, First Aid Kits, General medicines etc. Please ensure that the medicines are note expired and have the expiry date visible.

We request you to sort the materials and label the same (Rice in one packet, Sugar in packet etc). This will help us in reducing the processing time and minimize transportation costs.

Relief material can be sent to: VVKI – Divine Karnataka Project, #1431-A, Ground Floor, 39th Cross, 22nd Main, 4th T Block, Bangalore -560 041 OR please call 080-42173285, 9845589393, 9986487255 and our volunteers will pickup the material from your centers. For more info and status of relief work visit www.divinekarnatakaproject.org/v1/floodrelief.htm

For Divine Karnataka Project,

Nagaraj Gangolli

State Coordinator.

Bhajan Live

Q & A

Q: Destiny is decided at birth. Then why should we anything?



Sri Sri: To improve yourself is also a part of destiny. World is a combination of destiny and Karma. Some things can be changed, some things cannot be changed.


Q: You say, choice is yours, blessings are mine. Can I have both?


Sri Sri: A state of choicelessness is a blessing in life. If you get both you are very lucky.

Q: How to eliminate fear from our life and mind?
Sri Sri: Your love and service, ability to be friends with more people, deep meditation and prayer will eliminate fear. Fear is love upside down.

Q: Between childhood and adulthood, what transformed us?

Sri Sri: I also wonder. Tell me if you find an answer. Children as they grow are not taught to value some basic things in life like friendship, compassion, true love.

Q: I have a difficult experience with my father. How to let go?

Sri Sri: Don’t hold others responsible for you pain. See them as a postman only. Have compassion for them. Know that they are victims. Inside every culprit is a victim waiting to be healed. Talk to him as nothing has happened in the past. When you meet someone, uplift the whole atmosphere. Don’t demand explanations. Enthuse people, cheer them up. You want good company but you yourself are not a good company. You put down people. If we can be good then we can get peace inside.

Q: What is real and unreal in creation? What is its purpose?

Sri Sri: This is the ultimate question. Don’t be in a hurry to get an answer. Why are there so many types of plants, people, noses etc? Why we have 2 eyes, 2 ears etc and they do one job and we just have one mouth and it does 2 jobs, eating and talking. Wonder about all this and the creation.

Q: People blindly worship Guru? Is it ok? Shouldn't they just worship the divine?

Sri Sri: Why does somebody adore someone else? In college, rock starts, movie stars, sports players are adored. This adulation is part of human nature. Deep inside it is your ability to appreciate and honor good qualities. This adulation of Gurus has come down the ages. In the East, people took pride in their Gurus. There was a lot of respect but it’s missing in the students now. They throw tomatoes at their teachers. We have now gone to the other extreme.

When your life is full, you get a feeling of gratitude. You start with the Guru and end up adoring everything in life. Guru is just a beginning. In India there is festival in October when people worship everything from cars, scooters etc. Everything is venerated. Divine dwells in every particle. In East the traditions was that before cutting a tree, you have to plant 5 more. An innocent mind sees life everywhere. Life has to be honored, adored. If you cannot do this, then what else is left in life? It is so dry, just eat, drink and sleep. Whenever you praise, the praise goes to the divine. If you praise your Guru, the praise goes to the divine. When you praise someone, your own consciousness is expanding. So for your own sake, adore and venerate others.

Q: How to deal with when you love someone and you are not loved back?

Sri Sri: It’s a challenge. Your love is not dependent on their love. Love is not a business. I love you, as I have no choice but to love. Love is not an action but a state. Either you express love in its natural form or in it’s opposite forms like jealousy, greed and hatred.

Q: How can I have faith?

Sri Sri: Don’t struggle. Forget it. Do you have faith in the fact that you don’t have faith?

Q: Give me more grace?

Sri Sri: There is a story about grace. A couple of years ago at the immigration at the airport, they asked me 'Where do you come from?' I said 'I come from the clouds'. They said 'what do you do?' I said 'I bless people'. They were so surprised and smiled. I thought they were very serious at that time and wanted some humor.

Q: How to remain positive when you are surrounded by negativity?

Sri Sri: You should influence them. When you talk to someone, talk about knowledge. Everything is changing, body changes, environment changes, feelings, emotions, thoughts, and friends. Recognize this change. There is a reference point which is not changing. Step into that which doesn’t change.

Q: What is the significance of the feet of the master? Why do people touch your feet?

Sri Sri: I ask people not to touch my feet. Not to bend down, otherwise the blessings will go to the other person behind you. You should just fold your hands and bow down. Touching feet is a culture India, a way to show respect. When you bow down, the ego melts. I would prefer that you people don’t bend down and touch my feet.

Q: How can I resolve power struggle with my husband?

Sri Sri: With skill. One who has real power won’t exercise it. One who doesn’t have power tries to exercise it. There is a story about Mulah Nasserudin. He had a fight with his wife and he hid under the bed. Then the doorbell rang and his wife asked him to come out. He said, 'No I won’t come out, let them know who is the boss in the house'.

Q: Why are things which keep us from spirituality so intensely pleasurable? Is the divine perversely mischievous?

Sri Sri: If you don’t indulge in anything, it’s ok. But indulging makes you weak. Look at the people in the sex industry, they look so sad. Enlightenment is when you find all these things are petty. You are joy, you are love. Don't blame sex, food etc. Moderation is the law. With your own intensity you get feverish. There is a story about Shona (Buddha's disciple). He was a prince. He indulged in sex and he got so tired. He asked his girlfriend to remove her bangles as the sound was bothering him so much. He was so fragile that the bangles sound could disturb him. Then he met Buddha. Meeting Buddha made all other pleasures insignificant. He wanted to become like Buddha. So he became a monk. Nobody could believe it. He went into deep penance. Fasted and didn’t wear proper clothes.

After some months, someone told Buddha about him. Buddha went to him and told him: 'You've played the Veena. If the strings are too tight, then there is no music, similarly if the strings are too loose then also there is no music. Tuning is important. Same in life. You are going from one extreme to another. Be on the middle path.' So eat, sleep, have sex, meditate in moderation.

Q: About early death?

Sri Sri: Universe is mysterious, not every bud blooms and not every wave rises. You can only wonder about it. Don’t try to understand it.

Q: How to avoid entanglement in others’ drama?

Sri Sri: Be skillful in communicating. It’s alright to show that you are upset even if you are not. No one can understand your depth. You yourself cannot understand it. Our consciousness is infinite. Entire divinity is there inside you.

FORM AND FORMLESS, AND AGGRESSION AND INTUITION

A: Form and Formless

Life is a combination of form and formless.

Feelings have no form but their expressions have form.

The Self has no form but its abode has form.

Similarly, wisdom and grace have no form but are expressed through form.

Discarding the formless, you become inert, materialistic and paranoid.

Discarding the form, you become a lost ascetic, a space cadet or an emotional junk!

B: Aggression and Intuition

Aggression and assertiveness overshadow intuition.

Often, people who are sensitive tend to become aggressive in order to avoid being hurt.

In this process, they lose sight of the fine intuition.

Fine intuition needs sensitivity; sensitivity is often painful.

In order to avoid pain one becomes aggressive and assertive, and in turn loses one's intuitive ability.

Intuition is close to the truth.

To be truthful, you don't need to be aggressive and assertive!

Often, aggression and assertiveness thrive on the idea of truthfulness.


NEWS FLASH

Guruji delivered the keynote address at the World Presidents Organization (WPO), which was lauded by a standing ovation.

Over 3,000 people participated in the Shivratri celebrations at Rishikesh, where the all-night satsang and darshan line culminated in a live kriya at dawn.

Following Guruj's visit, 28 basic courses with nearly 8,500 participants have started this week in Ahmedabad.

Around 60 AOL teachers are in Rishikesh, planning strategies to develop various areas. Prison programs and 5H programs are in full swing all over India.

From Sri Sri

Q. If we must give our hundred percent to everything we do, is multi-tasking a good idea?

Sri Sri: Yes. You have to develop into a multifaceted person. To get there, you need focus. Give your hundred percent and grow into a multifaceted person. Give your hundred percent whether you eat, walk or meditate. You have so many capabilities. Do not under estimate your capacity. When you find yourself too spread, scattered, or stressed, then just stick to one task and expand your capabilities. If you are a good team player, then definitely you can do it.


Q. Could you please tell us what we could do to make you proud of us?

Sri Sri: I have already said it. All the five points that you learn in the Art of Living course. Know them from an existential level, from your heart and being, not just the head. Opposite values are complementary. Accept people and situations as they are. Do not be a foot ball of other people’s opinions. Give your hundred percent. Forgive and forget the past. (You can make me proud) by being useful to the society, by not wasting your time. Keep yourself busy.


Q. What is the way to let go off lokeshna (desire for praise of people), putreshna (desire for children) and vitteshna (greed and influence of money)?

Sri Sri: Bhakti (devotion) is an easy way to get rid of all these desires. In devotion, we are ready to die and nothing seems like a botheration. There is no question of lokeshna in a devotee as devotees are always crazy (in love). To a devotee, everyone will seem like his own child, so there is no putreshna.

Vitteshna also will be dropped as a devotee will have all the siddhis (powers) and will get whatever he wants as the Master of the world belongs to him.

There is no need to try and make an effort to get rid of these. It will happen naturally. Once you know that you have this eshna (desire), half of it drops there and the rest will go away when you surrender to the Divine.

Yet, if putreshna takes over you, just fulfill your duty for your children and be at peace. Don’t try to fight it.

Q. How to strengthen dispassion?

Sri Sri: Without dispassion, sadhana (spiritual practices) won’t work. When mind is caught up in entanglements then sadhana is not possible. Once dispassion is there, sadhana becomes very simple. Also with sadhana the mind is cleansed and dispassion arises.



Q. How to develop an interest in what we don’t like, for instance studies and pranayama?

Sri Sri: It is not necessary to do only what you like. Know it clearly that studies are for your good. Otherwise life won’t run! You do not brush your teeth every day with love. If you don’t like to brush and stop doing it, you will lose your teeth. You know that it is good for your health and it is vital to do it.

Similarly there are some things in life that we can’t do without - studying is one of them. Make a habit of reading a scripture first thing in the morning. Similarly do some pranayama for at least 10 minutes. Breath is anyways flowing. Direct it here and there. If it keeps diseases away, then why not do it?

Like you brush your teeth for dental hygiene, pranayamas maintain your mental hygiene!

And to have a sharp intellect you need to study, otherwise you will regret it later. You buy a dress from the shop and the time you bring it home, you dislike it. Buddhi Yoga (Intellect Yoga) is the best. Manmaani karna, following your feelings is inviting misery.

Q. How to bring naturalness with skillfulness. Isn’t a skillful person being unnatural?

Sri Sri: There is no clash between skillfulness and naturalness. You are worrying unnecessarily. Lord Krishna was sahaj (natural) and kushal (skillful). Do not confuse kuyukti (manipulation) with kushalta (skillfulness). Skillfulness goes with naturalness and not manipulation or betrayal.

Naturalness and simplicity do not imply being foolish or unskillful.

Believe that you are intelligent, skilful and natural.

Q. How to increase our competence to receive knowledge?

Sri Sri: Just have thirst, it comes naturally. There is no special competence required, a mere thirst is enough.


Q. How to recognize and let go of the doership we are holding on to?

Sri Sri: Doership leads to suffocation, misery and guilt. Know that when you are natural and in surrender, doership dissolves automatically. You surrender only that which has happened, which is past. Future is anyways out of your control.

We burden the mind with the memories of the past. Let go of the event which has gone and left its shadow, impression in the consciousness. What else can you surrender? Money, leaves, etc already belong to the Divine. Surrendering doership, ‘mine’, ‘me’ is surrender.

Q. Ashwathama (from the Mahabharata) is supposed to be immortal. Do you know about his whereabouts?

Sri Sri: All the beings are immortal. The term ‘immortal’ could be used in two senses. One, as being alive in memory. Like Rama, Krishna, Buddha are names, characters and impressions in your consciousness. Two, if you take it literally it means that the spirit can never die.

Kansa, Ravana, Krishna, Rama are all immortal in the form of Supreme Consciousness. When someone great dies, we say may they be immortal. Even when bodies die, their name is remembered for years. People are remembered for their bravery for centuries.


Q. How to decide the right time and place to start something?

Sri Sri: You have an intellect. Why don’t you use it? Use your viveka (discretion) and buddhi (intellect). Who answers you always? For how long can someone tell you what to do! If you have to take a very big decision, then you may go and consult someone senior. Otherwise take your own decisions – even if you make a mistake in the first few instances.


Q. Even in Indralok (heaven), apsaras (Celestial nymphs) like Menaka, Urvashi were used. The same thing continues even now on earth. Why is it so?

Sri Sri: Menaka and Urvashi were made to dance in the Indralok and stories like these are all just to tell you that whatever is there in the world, exists in heaven too. It is said there is sukh (joy) in heaven but not love. Don’t imagine heaven to be in some other place.

Dive in your consciousness which is an embodiment of bliss. The joy derived from the outside world is limited. To explain this, such stories were created.

In heaven too, there is attachment and complaints. Beings fall for each other and also fight. So there is not much difference between heaven and earth. Better make this earth a heaven and be free from it and dive in the blissful consciousness. This is the saar (essence) of sadhana.

Q. What is atma (soul) and paramatma(Supreme Self) ?

Sri Sri: First, understand atma. Beyond it, is paramatma. These are the two sides of the same coin. Atma means ‘I’. There are two kinds of ‘I’. One is the ego, which says I am something.

And the other I, the maipan (‘i’ness- awareness of existence) in us, is that from which we listen, understand and do nothing. That is atma. Once we experience it, we go beyond the first ‘I’.

We can see that my soul is in everyone. Then we say sohum- I am that. There is no difference between Him and me.

Q. I have to choose between my family and knowledge as they are not into knowledge. I feel suffocated and wish to leave my family. What to do?

Sri Sri: You are receiving knowledge so that you stay in the family and give them knowledge. Do it with skill. A doctor is required among patients only. Not all the patients are cured by the doctor, but still they don’t stop treating. Give them as much knowledge as you can with skill. Do not try to show off your wisdom to them. Educate them, advice them but don’t get carried away by the force of their ignorance. Hold on to satsang with one hand. Also, once someone gets the taste of satsang it is not easy to get rid of it.

You are very powerful. Pray and take up a sankalpa (intention) that your family gets interested in knowledge. It does make a difference. We are unaware of the power of the mind, the strength in sankalpa. That is why we remain miserable.

Q. Is there a way to understand the course of karma?

Sri Sri: Gehana Karmonogati - who knows the way of karma? It is so deep. Even great sages get confused over what is karma and what is to be done. It is never ending. Every action will have some flaw.

There is no one standard to measure it. Jains had put Krishna in hell because of his sins of creating many wars. Then they saw his good deeds and put him in heaven. Do karma according to the intellect. An action which inspires you with enthusiasm and energy, even if it has flaws is worth doing. Leaving your karma by sitting idle is inappropriate.

There is some flaw in the best of the action. For instance, a teacher earns his salary by teaching students. If children were born wise there would be no need for teachers.

A doctor’s job depends on someone’s illness. Lawyers would not be required if there were no quarrels. Their sukh (joy) depends on others’ fights. In every interaction, you will see some flaw. If you focus on the flaws everywhere, the world will not work.

Be gungrahi (imbibing virtues) - put your attention wherever there are positive qualities. The wise give inspiration to everyone for their work. There is no big or small work - every work is respectable.
(From the Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar)

Q and A

Q: When there is intolerance around you, how to retain equilibrium?
Sri Sri: See life from a broad picture. See intolerance as a lack of education. That is one thing. Second is patience and perseverance.

Q: Do you get stressed?
Sri Sri:: The product really works well! (laughs) Just last week I went to Kerala. They had organised 19 appointments in a day. I cancelled some of them before I went there. Yet, I ended up attending 22 appointments. I thought I would get irritated, but I surprised myself and didn’t. Each one of us has tremendous energy within us. One single cell can light up the entire city of Bangalore for 24 hours.

Q: Where does Obama get his inspiration from?
Sri Sri: Today, the global problem is terrorism through wrong ideology. I feel that we need to emphasise a broad spectrum of education for the future generation. If each child knows about other religions,it won’t think other religions will go to hell. Even in India, madrassas are getting CBSE status because of the vote bank. I’m not saying all madrassas are bad but there is an 80 percent chance of narrowing vision. We need to have a long term goal and long term vision in everything. An education which has science and spirituality - head and heart is the only solution.



Q: What inspired you?
Sri Sri: In school I used to say I have family everywhere, I am going to go everywhere. Sometimes you get that gut feeling or inner premonition. My mother was my inspiration. She was so alert, so awake. She never made a mistake, never said sorry in her life - can you imagine!! Another inspiration was my teacher, who was associated with Mahatma Gandhi for 40 years.



Q: How do I handle criticism?
Sri Sri: When someone criticises you, they are taking a risk. Who wants to take the risk of making enemies! When they are doing that, you appreciate them. Stand up to criticism. Also have the courage to criticise for their improvement. But if someone is criticising you out of jealousy, you smile, it is their problem.

Q: How do you ensure that conflicts, backbiting, politics doesn’t happen in your organisation?
Sri Sri: People are people wherever they are. I can count on my finger how many times I got angry - seven times maybe! If you fight, fight a new fight, don't fight the same fights! Intellectuals don't walk like sheep. They don't agree many times, they don't walk the same way. That is the fun. They should know how to de-stress themselves. Let out the steam, get into the team!!



Q: You emphasise education. Yet, most problems are caused by educated people.
Sri Sri: When I say education, I don't mean only a degree from college. Unfortunately, in recent times, pride has got attached to aggression. If you lose your equanimity or calmness, it means something wrong. This shift from pride getting attached from aggression to non-violence must happen.

Q: Do you have any goals?
Sri Sri: I just inspire people to set their own goals.

Q: What are the two-three mistakes the organization has made. How has it learnt?
Sri Sri: Our biggest blunder is our first principle: ‘Accept people as they are’. I cannot reject anyone! Drug addicts, fools, riffraffs everyone comes. We can’t reject anyone and we lose a lot of time!! We cannot discard even the incorrigible. Second is we don't have a hierarchy - it becomes difficult to manage and track! Everywhere, people are starting on their own. Now after 28 years, we are streamlining.
Everyone is a spokesperson - that becomes difficult to control. During our Silver Jubilee, we had such a hilarious time. The program was mesmerising, but behind the scenes, every department was in a mess.



Q: Are we getting too caught up in the negativity of today and forgetting the big picture that this will pass?
Sri Sri: There are natural calamities where we can wait and watch. But in manmade calamities, we can't afford to take that outlook. Change is not possible if you don't do that. For some things, we cannot be just fatalistic and say this will pass.

Q: How does one make a balance between the heart and mind?
Sri Sri: Yes. You do your business with your mind, and service with your heart. In both cases, there is a third component - intuition. Never be with in the business with heart. With family, be with the heart, don't use your mind there. Do both with the gut feeling!

What Sri Sri said today

What Sri Sri said today
'Don't fight with the negative emotions and don't befriend them either'
India (Art of Living International Center, Bangalore), September 2:



Q. I hold a high position of authority in my state and am well respected and known. When I go to another place, I sometimes find myself less important. I tend to question my identity. How to get over this?
Sri Sr: You should know how to wear a suit – and take it off too! Everyone is a king in their place. Know how to remain in a state of Akinchan - I am nobody. The whole life journey is from ‘I am somebody’ to ‘I am nobody’ and then to ‘I am everybody’. Usually the journey is from ‘I am something’ to ‘I am nothing’ to ‘I am something’ again! Sit in satsang and let your identity dissolve. Dissolving and losing the identity is Samadhi, is fun. You will realize that you are immortal.

Q. What is your vision for the Art of Living as an organization?
Sri Sri: Spirituality is the language of the New Age. You make your own vision. I would ask you to be a drishta (the one with the vision), you may make your own drishya (view). The Divine will give you sleep, you create your own dream.

Q. On a count of one to 100, if the stone is rated as zero and human beings as hundred, what is the level of the remaining beings?
Sri Sri: What is the need to give a rating? Everything belongs to One, is part of One. One has taken these infinite forms. Even in the zero and the hundred, there is everything. Even a stone will have jadta (low prana) and chaitanya (consciousness). Jad and chaitanya, both, are merged in Brahma (creation). They are one part of the Brahma. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagwad Geeta, “This maya is also from Me, the whole world is in Me, yet I am in none.” The philosophy in the Bhagwad Geeta may seem confusing. Without a true experience, the philosophy will seem like just principles. Go deep within yourself for the true experience of the Self.

Q. How can I remove negative emotions through knowledge? If I try to persist them, they will resist and if I don't, then they still remain.
Sri Sri: Don’t fight with the negative emotions and don’t befriend them either. With yukti (skill), breath and the correct perspective, all negativity can be removed. It is said in the Ashtavakra Geeta, through the right solution, overcome the mind with the right solution.

Q. In the family of Shiva, each vahaan (vehicle – usually an animal associated with a form of God) is the enemy of the other in the animal kingdom. There is a bull, a mouse, a peacock etc yet they live together in peace. How is it so?
Sri Sri: The peaceful, non dual self element that is Shiva brings together everyone and harmonize everything.

Q. What is the spirit of enquiry?
Sri Sri: This question that you have asked is the example of the spirit of enquiry. What you are asking, itself is the answer. It is similar to someone asking what is sound.

(From the Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar )

Achyutam Keshavam

Achyutam Keshavam Bhajan Song Lyrics n Video

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram Hindi Devotional Bhajans Video Songs in praise of Lord Vishnu. This is one of the popular Hindi Bhajan songs addressed to Maha Vishnu.

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan aate nahi
Bhakta Meera ke jaise bulate nahi,

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan khaate nahi,
Ber Shabri ke jaise khilate nahi, …

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan Sote nahi,
Maa Yashoda ke jaise sulate nahin,

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan naachte nahi,
Tum Gopi ke jaise nachaate nahin,

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
Naam Japate chalo kaam karte chalo
Har samay Krishna ka dhyaan karte chalo

Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
Yaad aayegi unko kabhi na kabhi
Krishan darshan to denge kabhi na kabhi ….. Achyutam Keshavam…

What Sri Sri said today

Q: How should parents balance between showing affection and being strict with children?

Sri Sri: How do you balance a bicycle?

When you want to ride a horse, if you leave the reins too loose, then you have no control. If you hold it too tight, the horse has no freedom to move ahead. We need to know when to rein in and when to let go. You can keep one aspect in mind: if one of you is showing anger, the other must be supportive. Both parents should not show anger at the same time.



Q: Between doing a job and serving selflessly, which is more important?

Sri Sri: You must keep a balance in life. Our jobs are meant to bring people/families together, a means of livelihood. Spirituality is our breath, is of utmost importance. Take these two aspects together. If you are free from family responsibilities, then you can focus on service. Till that time, you must take both together. There are some people who are free to serve humanity without concern for their livelihood. In that situation, do not crave for comforts. Be content and serve. Anyway, those who are completely devoted to serving society, their needs are fulfilled even as they arise.





Q: How to be free from fear?

Sri Sri: Have faith. Have faith in the presence of the Divine; that the Divine is your very own; that the Divine is in you. When you are established in this knowledge, you are free from fear.



Q: I have experienced love in so many different relationships, but nothing like the love I have experienced here during the course.

Sri Sri: All these other experiences of love have brought you here today.



Q: While doing seva, sometimes I get attached to name and fame. What should I do?

Sri Sri: When you are centered, established in the knowledge, when you meditate, this situation does not arise. When your attachment shifts from the work at hand to name and fame, it is time to go within.

Be ready to face any challenges that society throws at you. It is said that gold shines more brilliantly, the more it is beaten. When you squeeze sugarcane, it gives you sweetness. Sandalwood, when ground, gives fragrance. Stay in your nature even while under pressure. Every situation that comes to us is for our upliftment.



Q: How to develop mastery over hunger and sleep?

Sri Sri: Rise above them naturally; not by force. Hunger and sleep are the dharma of the body. Don’t enforce limitations upon yourself. Integrate knowledge into your life. Study the Bhagvad Gita.



Q: What is the difference between the Spiritual Master and the Divine?

Sri Sri: There is no difference between the Master, the Self and the Divine. The Master can be seen, that is all. The Master is not the individual, He is the light, the consciousness.



Q: What is the importance of a name?

Sri Sri: Well, you need something by which people can call you! One name is the name our parents gave to us at the time of birth. We are deeply connected to this name. To be completely free, the last attachment that we let go is that of our name. Connect and attach yourself to the name (the mantra that you receive from the Master). The mantra establishes you in the witness consciousness. Of the mantras, the highest is the 'ajapa jap', the mantra which resonates effortlessly and spontaneously in our consciousness. It is not a doing but a happening. That is So Ham. It resonates eternally. When we experience this with awareness, it becomes meditation.



(From the Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar)

What Sri Sri Said

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
‘The mind that has bowed down is called Naman’
What Sri Sri said today
‘The mind that has bowed down is called Naman’
India (Art of Living International Center, Bangalore), August 31:

Q. If our soul is all powerful then how is it that the mind gets distorted. Is the mind bigger than the soul?

Sri Sri: You put a black drape over your window and you ask if the drape is bigger than the Sun. You look at a wonderful scenery and a small dust particle enters your eye, distorts your vision and then you ask if the particle of dust is bigger than the entire scenery. This is delusion.
It seems as if the black drape over the window covers the Sun. You can remove it, as easily as you put it. It does not require lifetimes of penance and practices. All you need is a belief.
Just the faith that nothing can cover the Sun. This veil that is covering the mind, look at it as a game, open your eyes and see, you’ll realize that in reality neither the veil exists nor the mind. This is known as Naman (literally: no mind, also: bowing down)
The mind exists as long as bhav (emotion) is not awakened. As soon the bhav awakens, the mind starts to bow down, dissolve. The mind that has bowed down is called Naman.

Bow down and you’ll see that the mind is not far from the soul, is not different from the soul. It is not against the soul. When the mind becomes no mind (naman), that mind is the friend of the soul. The mind that remains stiff, seems like an enemy of the soul – yet it cannot be an enemy.

Mind does not wander

Saturday, August 29, 2009
'The mind does not wander, it is in search of more and more. This thirst for more will lead to the Supreme Self'
What Sri Sri said today:
'The mind does not wander, it is in search of more and more. This thirst for more will lead to the Supreme Self'

India (Art of Living International Center, Bangalore), August 28:

Q. I am beginning to experience the futility of existence. Why am I here? There is confusion, what should I do?
Sri Sri: Good Luck! It is good luck when the small identity dissolves and the bigger is attained. Everybody seeks pleasure for the mind (mann), but having a pleasant consciousness is something else! Every single part of the body is soaked in pleasantness. There is a difference between entertainment and enjoyment. Entertainment brings you short term happiness. Meditation penetrates the whole body in the form of vibrations.We assume that our likes and thought patterns, desires and frustrations are our identity. When that dissolves, one begins to wonder “who am I?”. This is OK, it is the first step. However, you need to establish yourself in Sadhana(spiritual practices) and the knowledge. Satsang is very important. All the scriptures also explain the importance of Satsang, otherwise the mind tends to wander and get lost in other things.

Q. I start my practises with enthusiasm but soon it dampens, something pulls me away. Why is it that even after knowing what is right one does not do it?
Sri Sri: Because of rajogun anger and desires increase. When craving increases, desires also increase. We progress two steps due to the sattva and then we fall back because of the imbalance in rajogun. So even while on the path, a person tends to wander or be distracted. Ahara Shuddho Sattva Shuddhi - In the initial stages, a sadhak (seeker) has to pay attention to the nature of food he consumes.

Also, it is important to have it at the right time. For the perfected Sage, there is no need for this. His consciousness is untouched. Food tends to influence the mind, body and the behaviour. Due to increase in rajogun irritation comes up and anger follows. When we are in Satsang, sattva increases.

Q. Under your guidance, there is no discrimination on the basis of religion, then why are there different religious symbols displayed here (in The Vishalakshi Mantap, meditation hall)?

Sri Sri: They are on the pillars and not in the mind and heart. If someone says he is a Hindu, Jain etc, we would tell them to hang it on the pillar and be free from within!

Q. During meditation my mind wanders a lot. When will it settle down?
Sri Sri: The mind does not wander, it is in search of more and more. This thirst for more will lead to the Supreme Self.
One glimpse of the self is enough to lead you back. At least you are aware that the mind wanders. This is a big thing. Sometimes people don’t even know this. Once you know this, it means it will come back.
Desires take you farther away from the Self. Small small desires can disturb your meditation. When you sit down to meditate, tell yourself that at this time “I want nothing”. The second is to tell yourself “I do nothing”. The third sutra (principle) is “I am nothing”. Do not think that you have to meditate, just sit and be hollow and empty. You do not have to make any kind of attempt. These three sutras are very important.


(From the Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar)


© The Art of Living Foundation

Where Is Sri Sri

In response to the ever increasing questions asked as to where is Sri Sri
I am attaching his schedule

As of now he is in America

(Hello !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is anyone going there as of nowwwwwwwww
watch ya !!!!!!!!!!
do bring in Bingo International
Kya hai naaa ki apna bingo vilayat mein bhi milta hai .........
dats y)

Anyways here goes the schedule

Banana Custard (I guess Saatwik)

Banana Custard is a very popular recipe. Learn how to make/prepare Banana Custerd by following this easy recipe.

Calories Per Serving: 210
Preparation Time: 10 Min
Cooking Time: 15-20 Min

Ingredients:

• 2 Ripe Banana
• 15 gms Custard Powder
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 150 ml Milk
• 1 tsp Almonds (chopped)
• 1 tsp Cashew Nuts (chopped)
• Few drops Vanilla Extract

How to make Banana Custard:
• Peel off bananas and cut into small cubes.
• Mix custard powder and sugar in little milk.
• Boil the remaining milk for 10 minutes.
• Pour the boiled milk into the above mixture.
• Bring the mixture to boil.
• Add banana cubes and vanilla extract.
• Garnish with chopped almonds and cashews
• Banana Custard is ready to serve.

What Guruji Said

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Guru Purnima Special
What Sri Sri said today: July 7
The Guru principle is so vital in life. The first guru is Dakshinamurthy, the embodiment of infinity woven so skillfully in the finite that the finite and infinite co-exist. There is an element of the guru in every human being. That wisdom in each one has to be invoked and awakened.
When this element is awakened, misery in life disappears. It is the medicine for misery; the wealth of all knowledge.
Gurave sarva lokanaam – the Divine Consciousness is the leading light of the whole world-of all the worlds.
Bishaje bhava roginaam – It is the medicine for the ills of society, of life, of misery. It removes all misery.
Nidhaya sarva vidyanaam Sri Dakshinamurthaye namaha – I take refuge in this Consciousness which is in my heart!
The word guru is used today to mean expertise – like an expert in business management. Guru means enormous, the biggest. Of course, expertise is a part of it. There is perfection in everything. There is that depth.
In our consciousness, wisdom comes to life when the guru tattva comes to life. When we have no desires of our own, then the guru tattva dawns in our life. Do you ever wish to do something for someone without expecting anything from them? Then you have played the role of the guru. The mother is the first guru. Then there are the teachers – the veena teacher and so on. The Satguru gives you knowledge of the truth, the ultimate reality, spiritual knowledge.
On Guru Purnima, one must reflect, “Where was I before I got this knowledge? Where am I now?” When you see the contrast of where you were without this knowledge, then gratitude wells up.
This full moon is also called Vyasa Purnima. Vyasa categorized the entire lore of wisdom into the 4 vedas, the Upanishads, the upavedas, the 27 smritis, 27 upasmritis – a huge lore of knowledge pertaining to every aspect of life from ayurveda to architecture to alchemy to medicine. This full moon is named after him.
This day we remember the contribution of all those who have been on this planet for the wellbeing of the human race. We remember what they have done. We see the contrast (brought about by spiritual knowledge) in our lives and feel grateful.
How fortunate you are to perceive the infinity within you - in this finite framework of the body-mind complex. The body and mind are finite but the expression of the spirit is infinity.
For the Seeker, the New Year is from Guru Purnima to Guru Purnima. When it is half way for the rest of the world, we celebrate one whole year on the spiritual path. One year towards the Divine manifestation in our life. One year towards feeling the oneness and seeing the world through the eyes of the guru. That is the guiding star for us. Let me do that which a guru, a wise person would have done in this situation. A wise person would never react. He would respond. You will learn by putting yourself in that position (of the guru or wise person) again and again - by attempting infinite patience, immense intelligence, complete compassion and unblemished joy.
Nobody knows when the tradition started. Billions of years before, on this earth, so many sages and rishis have been there and so many in the future too. We thank all those in the past, present and the future for the continuation of wisdom on this dear planet. Without wisdom it is not living, only existing. Life begins with wisdom.
This Guru Purnima think about all the blessings that you have received and feel grateful. Everyone sing and let go and be immersed in the inner bliss.
© The Art of Living Foundation

Welcome to My Blog

Jai Gurudev Allllllllll !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kaise ho sab
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mast rite
(wellll just imitating our guruji)

Folks this my blog wherein i will let you know as much as possible about AOL (from my side)
Keep reading !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!