tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20719556548974701292024-03-12T23:33:14.283-07:00CELEBRATING LIFE - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-JAI GURUDEV-Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-60335417232293008392013-02-27T23:26:00.000-08:002013-02-27T23:26:45.679-08:00STORY OF A MAN AND HIS FOUR WIVES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">There was a man with four wives. He loved his fourth wife the most and took</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">a great care of her and gave her the best. He also loved his third wife</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">and always wanted to show her off to his friends. However, he was always</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">had a fear that she might runaway with some other man. He loved his second</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">wife too. Whenever he faced some problems, he always turned to his second</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">wife and she would always help him out. He did not love his first wife</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">though she loved him deeply, was very loyal to him and took great care of</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">him. One day the man fell very ill and knew that he is going to die soon.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">He told himself, "I have four wives with me. I will take one of them along</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">with me when I die to keep company in my death."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Thus, he asked the fourth wife to die along with him and keep company. "No</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">way!" she replied and walked away without another word.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">He asked his third wife.She said "Life is so good over here. I'm going to</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">remarry when you die".</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">He then asked his second wife. She said "I'm Sorry. I can't help you this</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">time around. At the most I can only accompany you til your grave."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">By now his heart sank and turned cold.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">where you go." the man looked up and there was his first wife. She was so</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">skinny, almost like she suffered from mal nutrition. Greatly grieved, the</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">man said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!"</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Actually, we all have four wives in our lives.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">a. The fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when w die.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">b. The third wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">go to others.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">c. the second wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">up to the grave.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">d. the first wife is the our soul, neglected in our pursuit of material</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">wealth and pleasure. It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">we go.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">That is why we need to strengthen it NOW through our SADHANA, SEVA and</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">SATSANG rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament.</span></span></div>
Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-89919770058748983232013-02-23T23:17:00.000-08:002013-02-23T23:17:07.275-08:00With Whom Are You At Ease?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">With whom do you feel really comfortable and at ease?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">You feel comfortable with someone who does not question your love, someone who takes for granted that you love them. Isn't it?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">If someone doubts your love and you constantly have to prove it, this becomes a heavy load on your head.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">When someone doubts your love, they start questioning you and demanding explanations for all your actions.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">To explain everything you do is a burden. Your nature is to shed the burden, and so you don't feel comfortable.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">When you question the reason behind an action, you are asking for justice for yourself. You are creating a distance when you ask for justice. Your whole intention is to come close, but you are creating a distance.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">You are a witness to all your actions. You are as much a stranger to your own actions as you are to someone else's. You are the Eternal Witness.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">When someone asks for an explanation, they are speaking from doership and imposing that doership on you. This brings discomfort.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">If somebody is just there with you, like a part of you, they don't question you. They are like your arm. There is thorough understanding and questions don't arise.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Neither demand an explanation nor give an explanation.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">- </span><span class="il" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Sri</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="il" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Sri</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">|| Jai Guru Dev ||</span></span></div>
Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-69640448134280638572013-02-06T21:16:00.000-08:002013-02-23T23:19:26.356-08:00THERE ARE NO BAD PEOPLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Knowledge Sheet:</b><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> There are no bad people</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Azn8eCtuzp8/URM2q9LMgBI/AAAAAAAABAY/BVC-Hxfczqo/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Azn8eCtuzp8/URM2q9LMgBI/AAAAAAAABAY/BVC-Hxfczqo/s320/images+(1).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Divine can only be found in deep rest
(meditation).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Do you know what the obstacles to deep rest are?
It is the cravings and aversions in the mind.</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">If the mind is filled with cravings and
aversions, rest is not possible. And if there is no rest, the goal of Sadhana
(spiritual practices) cannot be achieved.</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">That is why we need to be free from the craving<span class="textexposedshow">s and aversions in our mind. So, how do we do that?</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">'I don’t need anything from anyone', this is what
we need to keep in our mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">When we don’t need anything from anyone, we will
not have cravings towards anybody. When there is no craving, there will be no
aversion.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Don’t think of anyone as a bad person. There is no
bad person in the world. If people do something bad, it is because of their
ignorance or lack of awareness, or because their mind has been hurt. So, don’t
have negative opinions about anybody.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: Gurudev, you just said that we should not consider
anyone as bad. If others treat us badly, how do we react to that?</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If others have a negative opinion about
you, it is their problem, not yours. From your side, do not consider anyone as
bad. By doing this, your mind will be clear and pleasant and your intellect
will be sharp. Otherwise, the people whom you consider as bad will begin to
haunt your mind like a ghost. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">When such thoughts get into your mind, you will not
be able to do something creative.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: If somebody has really done something wrong
towards us, what should we do?</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: When someone does something bad to you, think, why would they do it?
One reason could be that they are not healthy.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Do you see a fool or a mentally ill person as a
culprit? No! </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">If a mentally ill person says something bad to you,
do you take their words seriously? No. You just move on knowing that he is
mentally ill. So, when someone says something bad to you, think of it in the
same way. When a disturbed person says something bad, why should you feel
disturbed?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: In order to be peaceful, we have to learn not
to expect from others. But in day-to-day life, at the office or at home,
different people are supposed to do different things. If they don’t do it, then
problems arise. Everyone has to do his or her job. </b></span><b><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Please guide us on this.</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: If someone does not do the job that he or she is supposed to do, then
we need to tell them to do it. We need to exercise our authority there. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">If there are lazy people who don’t do their work,
we cannot sit quiet. We need to make them aware of their duty. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">If we have craving or aversion towards them then we
cannot bring awareness in them. It will only make us angry.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: What is the meaning of Cause and Effect?</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: Cause and Effect are called ‘Karana’ and ‘Karya’. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Cow is the cause, milk is the effect. If there is
milk, it is because of the cow. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The cause for the cow is grass. The cause for the
grass is the Earth. The cause for the Earth is the Sun. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Behind every happening, there is a cause. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Paramakarana, the cause of all causes is the
Divine. That is why, it is said, ‘Tasmai Namah Paramakarana Karanaya.’ </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The cause of all causes is Shiva.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: Gurudev, we say ‘Achamanyam Samarpayami’.
Water is known as ‘Apa’, so why do we call it as ‘Achamanyam’? </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What is the
significance of offering water?</span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, water is also known as
Achamanyam. This is a practice that has been going on since ages. Before
starting and ending anything, Achamanyam is offered. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">It is the process where we do Abhimantra (mantra
chanting on the water. You take a pot of water, place your hand on top and then
chant mantras. The mantras are supposed to be absorbed into the water) and then
offer it. It is not just plain drinking water. The water is charged through the
mantra vibrations.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Whenever a guest comes home, water is used to wash
their feet (padya). Then, water is given into their hands (arghya). After this,
they are given water to drink to quench their thirst (achamanyam). These three
practices were practiced in olden times.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">When someone comes to your house, don’t you ask,
‘What would you like to drink? Would you like some lemonade, milk, tea or
coffee?’ </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Don’t you give them some water to drink? </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">In the same way, in olden times, they used to have
the practice of Padya, Arghya and Achamanyam. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Padya means washing the feet of the guest at the
entrance of the house, so that the dirt on the feet does not enter the house.
Arghya is to wash their hands. Achamanyam is giving them water to drink,
indicating that the discussion can begin.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: What is the significance of ‘Panchamrita
(mixture of five foods used in Hindu worship) Abhisheka’? Why were only these
materials chosen?</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: These five are like nectar: Milk, Curd, Honey, Jaggery and Ghee.
Though jaggery needs to be used, sugar is being used instead of jaggery
nowadays.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Five Devatas (Deities) reside in them. Savitru
resides in Sugar, Vishwedeva in Honey, Surya in Ghee, Vayu in Curd, and Soma in
Milk. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">So, when you offer them as Abhisheka, the intention
is that – may the qualities of the Devas blossom in our life.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">We pray for peace in everybody’s mind. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let there be joy in everybody’s mind. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let there be strength, courage and longevity in
people’s lives. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let there be contentment and prosperity in people’s
lives. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let there be radiance in life. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let the winds and rivers flow in sweetly. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let our days and nights be sweet. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let every soil particle bring sweetness to
us. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let us get sweetness from the Akasha, Devatas and
Pitrus (departed ancestors). </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let our speech and thoughts be sweet.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let the society bring us sweetness. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let the Vanaspati (Lord of the forest) bring us
sweetness. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let the Sun bring sweetness to our lives. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let our whole life bring sweetness to other
people’s lives.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Let us bring sweetness to the collective
consciousness.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: Please tell us the way to attain never-ending
and unshakable devotion.</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: Assume that you have unshakable devotion. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Sage Narada says in the Bhakti Sutras that devotion
is not an object that can be obtained. If you drop all the doubts, devotion is
already there.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: If we study law, there is a guarantee of
becoming a lawyer. If we study engineering, there is a guarantee of becoming an
engineer if we put in our efforts. However, there is no guarantee of getting
liberation if we keep doing our Sadhana and keep walking this path.</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: It is definitely guaranteed. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Arjuna asks the same question in the Bhagavad Gita.
So, Lord Krishna replies, ‘Na hi kalyana-krt kascid durgatim tata gacchati’,
(Chapter 6, Verse 40). </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">For one who walks the spiritual path, you will only
move higher and higher.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: Many great saints, though they attained
enlightenment, did not give it directly to anybody. They just preached about
the steps to attain it. Why does God not give enlightenment directly to
everyone? Are samskaras (impressions) necessary for this? </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: Samskaras are necessary. If you are here, it means that somewhere you
had the interest and curiosity to come. Without that interest, how could you
come here? So, a little bit of samskaras are necessary. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">However, only samskaras are not enough. In life,
samskaras, opportunities and grace are all needed. Along with these,
self-effort is also required. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">If you want to come to the satsang but keep lying
in your bed, will it help? </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">So, self-effort, samskaras, opportunities and grace
are all needed.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><b>Q: Are there chances of epilepsy attacks even
for people who do Sadhana regularly?</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar: It depends on what the person eats, drinks and does the whole day. It
is possible if eating, drinking and living habits are not proper. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">If there is too much stress in the nervous system
then there are chances of such attacks. </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">If one lives a healthy life, it will not happen.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="textexposedshow" style="background-color: #eeeeee;">JAI GURUDEV!!</span></span></div>
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Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-39109805613763684432013-01-20T22:52:00.002-08:002013-02-23T23:19:56.905-08:00 Expansion of Consciousness is Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Consciousness moving on the surface of the body is stimuli, which cause</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">pleasure. When consciousness shrinks, then the sensation of pain and</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">suffering arises. Suffering is the shrinking or contraction of</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">consciousness.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">When consciousness moves through the body in limited channels, pleasure is</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">experienced. Repeated enjoyment of the stimuli causes inertia and dullness.</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Often cooks don't enjoy their own food. Listening to the same piece of</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">music loses the charm, people in the sex industry don't enjoy sex. If the</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">stimuli are observed, then consciousness expands and becomes peace. With</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">awareness the stimuli lose their significance; whether they exist or not</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">makes no difference. When the sun is there, then whether the candle is lit</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">or not makes no difference. To realise that all pleasures are just stimuli</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">and that you are more than the stimuli brings freedom.</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Pain is nothing but consciousness wanting to expand and to become free.</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Freedom basically is liberation from the craving of the stimuli. Pain is</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">not a permanent state. The natural tendency of consciousness is to expand,</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">to become bliss. Like the natural tendency of water is to flow downward,</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">and the natural tendency of air is not to be under pressure, the natural</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">tendency of consciousness is to expand and to be at peace. Like the person</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">who is an insomniac and has forgotten how to sleep, most of us have</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">forgotten to be at peace and in bliss.</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Question: What about the pleasure in Satsang?</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Answer: The pleasure of Satsang takes you towards expansion."</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">|| Jai Guru Dev ||</span></span></div>
Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-75840737092657607372011-06-15T10:21:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:21:34.466-07:00Consciousness is stronger than matter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q. The more and more my love blossoms for the Divine – the harder I find it to give away my pains and worries. How can we give garbage to the most precious ones?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Never mind. Divine will take it. He’ll snatch it from you if you don’t want to give it. As long as there is connection, there is attention - there is always give and take. You will always receive blessings. You will always receive bliss and unwanted things will just drop off.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And it is nice of you to think that way - it also shows the level of consciousness. In this level of consciousness, drop this identity of garbage as part of you or yours. You find something pricking the mind, just see it as garbage, not yours or someone else’s.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q. Dear Guruji, I’m feeling so lost in this world. You always say, ‘Life must be juicy’. But there is no juice anywhere. In every work, there seems to be complete emptiness. Don’t know what to do, where to go? Please guide.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>You are in the right place. Just be here. Is it not juicy here? Is it dry and empty? Of course, it’s hollow and empty when you sit and meditate. But now, you see it’s so celebratory and fun. No one can ever say its dry here.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Look at everyone and the smile on their face. Yes, when you want to take something from the world, the world will appear to be completely dull and lack. But when you want to contribute, the picture changes drastically!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q.Is peace a state of mind in which no desire or craving etc. arise at all or they arise and subside very fast. How to attain peace permanently?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>When you drop this wanting permanency, there will be peace.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q. The soul takes staying forever and takes birth till getting moksha. Then, who lives in hell?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Why do you want to explore hell now? I have never been there, so I can’t tell you what it is.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q. What is unconditional love and how can we love a person unconditionally, and when can we do that?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> When you don’t want anything in return, that is called unconditional love. Not even a thanks or a sense of gratitude or gratefulness. A lot of times people help others but these little expectations are there and that is what bugs them and pulls them down. That is also a condition.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Unconditional love comes naturally as your consciousness blossoms. You can’t force it on yourself or cultivate it. I don’t know how to cultivate it. It’s simply a phenomenon. When your consciousness expands, rises, then, what comes out of it is unconditional love. You say, I’m here for you and I want nothing from you. This comes to you and it has come to you with some people but with many others, you have some expectations.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q. Guruji, how do we handle situations where we feel we have been blamed unfairly?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>Just with a smile. In this world, there is place for ignorance also. If someone is blaming you, it is out of their ignorance. And if it is not ignorance, it is mal-intention or jealousy and I would club all these emotions as part of ignorance. So, the best is you move on and don’t get stuck because you have no way to control other’s opinion and you don’t need to - everyone can have their own opinion. The best formula is to educate and ignore. You have to; if someone says, you are a thief, you can’t say, let him have his opinion. You educate him. If they believe it or not it’s up to them. So, keep this as a formula in every relationship. Educate and ignore. If you just ignore in the beginning, you will only exhibit arrogance. Educate is also a little strong word. You can say inform and ignore, which is even better. In education, there is more effort. In anger, people say, I will teach him a lesson.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q. Sometimes the inability to plan in advance and the resulting chaos is passed on as divine chaos. How to tackle such chaotic people?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> The person who has created chaos wants a cover and in the cover, he will always say to save his face and position. He will bring up many justifications. So, you understand that position</div><div class="MsoNormal">- may be you’d be doing the same thing when you are in that position. Don’t depend on what people say. Most of our problems begin when we lock on to their words and not their feeling or where they stand. A mother says to the child, get lost and she doesn’t really mean it but the words that come are very powerful and if the children take on the words, then, the child gets into trauma unnecessarily. I would say you should see beyond words.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Your communication should be more than verbal – it should transcend the verbal communication. Even if someone says all nasty things to you, can you just be grounded and keep your mind at calm. Then, you have achieved something. You are able to connect to people beyond their words.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t expect that they should also connect. It’s always one way. I tell you communication is always one-sided. You have the skill, you can communicate and you can receive it in that sense. You do not worry about what their reactions are, what they blabber.</div><div class="MsoNormal">They usually say all these blame games are blabbering and you get caught up in this blame game. Someone blames, you get caught up in this blame game. You stand up and say - I have the master key and I know which button to press and how people will react and how things would change. You should have this confidence – the soul, the spirit in you is the master key. It can turn around the situation, the way you want it. You should have that faith. It may not happen five times but sixth time it will happen. It all depends on your conviction and persistence. And don’t bother about what they say. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q: Could you please explain how consciousness is stronger than matter?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>Well, in the pressure cooker, when you are cooking, when there is more pressure – how is it built up? Water vapor! And is that more powerful than water or not? So, subtler you go, the more powerful the things are. Now, this thing (Guruji shows the small silver cymbals in the hands) has silver molecules. When you break the silver molecules down, you get into atomic particles, and, when you break them you get sub-atomic molecules, which is minuter than the minutest. Are they not powerful? Which is powerful – this cymbal is powerful or the atom is powerful? Atom is powerful.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The subtler we go, it becomes more and more powerful. Though, everything is made up of consciousness. This entire universe is made up of consciousness, when you become subtler and subtler, they become more powerful.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today I was watching a research done with water in Japan by a gentleman. He kept a little water in a bottle and took a photograph. Later he has used the same water for prayer and then after prayer he has took a photograph. You can see the impact of prayer - the subtle thought vibration has gone into the water. It’s obviously visible.</div><div class="MsoNormal">He took a bottle of water and kept blaming it and then took a microscopic picture of it. With another bottle, he said some pleasing words and you can see the difference.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In India, this process is called <i>Abhimantra</i>. You take a pot of water, place your hand on top and then chant mantras. The mantras are supposed to be absorbed into the water. It is an old tradition in India. When you go to any holy man or saint, you take a pot of water and ask them to bless the water. Among the sindhi community, they do this a lot.</div><div class="MsoNormal">This <i>Abhimantra</i> - mantra chanting on the water - has a huge impact on the water, because 70% of our body is water. In the <i>Rudrabhisheka</i>, water is made to fall on a crystal lingam while a particular chanting is being done and then it flows down. That water is very charged and it helps to uplift the atmosphere.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now it is visible in the microscopic images, the changes that happen by these practices.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Similarly a gentleman from Russia came and conducted an experiment in <i>Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu</i> when they were doing the <i>Aarti</i>. He took the pictures and found that all the negative ions in the atmosphere suddenly disappeared; they turned into positive ions. It is the positive ions which bring changes. All these things are meant to create the positive ions; to bring the required changes. The same is the case with the use of fire. During fire ceremonies, when they put the mantra with the intention, there is a qualitative change that happens in the atmosphere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q: Dear Guruji, I believe in this: As we sow, so we reap. But many instances we see that a person is going through bad times, even if we don’t see any major fault done by him or her. Why it happens?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Karma! The ways of karma are unfathomable. Karma is like an ocean. This is not one lifetime. In many lifetimes, we have done so many actions and they all have repercussions. Which karma has sprouted from which seed and what fruit this karma will give is very difficult to pin point. That is why it is said<i>‘gahana karmanogati’</i> . Unfathomable are the ways of karma. Because it is not just one lifetime, many lifetimes, we have done many things and we don’t know which karma sprouts when. That’s why don't worry about the karma, just be active and follow your conscience.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Act with conscience!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q: How to take full responsibility for your actions without feeling doership?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>When you are taking responsibility, just take the responsibility. Doership means brooding over the consequences.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Whatever has happened, the moment you take responsibility, you are empowered. You come to the present. You have already accepted the consequences.</div><div class="MsoNormal">When you are in action, don’t get into this philosophy of doership or non-doership else the mind gets confused. When you act, you act hundred per cent. When you are acting hundred per cent, suddenly you will realize I am not doing, it is all happening. <i>Non- doership is an experience; it is not something you try to do or achieve.</i></div><div><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div><i><b>JAI GURUDEV!!!!!</b></i></div></div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-29683311172868664672011-03-29T03:47:00.000-07:002011-03-29T03:47:31.740-07:00BHAKTI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Bhakti</i> (Devotional Love) contains 4 letters : bha, ka,ta and i (pronounced ee). Bha means fulfillment and nourishment ; ka is a means of knowing ; ta means redeeming, saving, salvation (tarana) ; i (ee) is energy, shakti.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Bhakti</i> nourishes you. <i>Bhakti</i> is the right Knowledge, the means of knowing. When <i>Bhakti</i> is there, doubts don't come. <i>Bhakti </i>saves you. <i>Bhakti</i> gives you most energy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Bhakti</i> contains the seed of all these qualities. All the emotional upheavals one goes through are because one doesn't know <i>Bhakti.</i> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A river has two banks that allow water to flow in a particular direction. In a flood, water is scattered all over. When your emotions get flooded everywhere, your mind is in a mess. When all your intense feelings flow in one direction, that is most powerful ; that is <i>Bhakti.</i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A sign of intelligence is bhakti and surrender.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source : An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker</span></i></b></div></div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-38327503042819274622010-12-18T23:13:00.000-08:002010-12-18T23:13:07.308-08:00Divinity<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Q :</b> I am centered on the Divine, yet there is restlessness, though on the outside everything seems perfect.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sri Sri :</b> In every seeker's life there comes a time when the heart is at unease, and there is restlessness. In the West, it is known as the dark day of the soul. There comes a time when satvik shakti (positive energy) is less and rajogun and tamogun are high, that leads to the restlessness. There are three kinds of taap (penance) and one such taap is known as adhyatmic taap (spiritual misery). Yet it is for a short while. Therefore satsang is very important, especially when you dont feel like doing it. Once in twelve years a lack in spirituality comes up. There will arise a doubt on the self, the path and the Guru. This is what the Scriptures say. Therefore the Kumbh festival takes place once in twelve years and all the saints get together to clear all their sins. This tradition is very old. A place where seekers do satsang and where Vedas are recited - kalyuga never comes there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Q : </b>Why does the divine answer and reward some while prayers of others go unanswered?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sri Sri :</b> Well, I dont know why some prayers get answered and some are not. I have no idea. Perhaps it is good for you. Perhaps you may change your mind about what you want. People go to shopping, this often happens at least in India, and ask shopkeeper, "Can I come later and exchange it if I dont like it". They go home and dont like it and get it exchanged next day. Most unreliable thing you have is your own mind because you dont know what it likes and when it doesnt like that. That is why bringing mind to its source is so important. Its centeredness is the most important thing in spiritual evolution. Understanding what is transient and what is permanent, what brings you permanent joy and what causes temporary convenience and long term misery, what causes temporary discomfort and permanent joy, and what causes long term discomfort. That is what is called viveka, sense of discretion and wisdom.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sri Sri :</b> Lord Buddha said, “I went in meditation, I searched and searched and searched for the soul, I could not find it. So there is no soul, there is no atma.” That become anatmavad. He said everything is hollow and empty. There is no soul, there is no person, no entity. It is all nothing, everything is nothing. This is what Lord Buddha propounded. Then, after sometime Sri Adishankara came. He said Ok, You didn’t find anybody. Right? But who experienced that nothingness. Who experienced that there is no self? Who searched and found that there is no self? Someone must have searched; someone said there is no self. That is the self. That is how using the same logic of Buddha, Sri Adishankara brought back the Vedic wisdom back into India. From Kerela to Kashmir, from Gujrat to Orissa, he travelled to these areas and that became India. The Self is like the space. It is not an entity or an object. In fact, what lord Buddha said and what Adishankara said, there is not much difference, only one change, a flip in thinking - Buddha says it is all nothing, Adishankara says it is all fullness, everything is full, every single inch of space is filled with knowledge and information. He says this entire universe is consciousness and consciousness is true infinity, wisdom and information. That is why great scientists like Albert Einstein appreciated this so much. Einstein said reading Bhagwad Geeta transformed his whole life. What the scientists are saying today about the black hole, dark matter, dark energy, all has been said long time back. If you listen to a quantum physicist and also to Vedanta, you will feel they are talking the same thing.</span>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-21160345313963016382010-07-31T11:05:00.000-07:002010-07-31T11:05:31.849-07:00QUESTION AND ANSWERS REGARDING PROBLEMS...<div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: I am little nervous in front of you and my heart beat is also rising. While doing the course I heard that our existence is eternal. I want to know what is connection of this incarnation with the eternal presence?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>To know that everything is changing you need to have a reference point. That reference point is the unchanging in you. There is a non-changing, eternal element in you because of which you can experience change.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: I am coming from Tamil Nadu. I took the course. After the course, I underwent lots of struggles. The more I do my sadhana, lots of challenges, problems are coming. What to do?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> There is a saying in Tamil which means that ‘God created the tail of the goat according to its capacity’. Be bold and face the problems. Don’t worry, only that kind of problem will come in life which you can handle, which is within your capacity to handle. So handle it, go through it all boldly.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: I do seva for the society by organizing courses and I sometimes fail to do my home duties. In that case, my parents scold me saying, I am not taking care of home. Should I take care of the society or home? What to do?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>Your know, how to ride bicycle? How do you balance? Like that, you have to do both and balance the duties.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: I want to know the relationship between the conscious mind, sub-conscious mind and the infinite intelligence of the sub-conscious mind?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Yes! The sub-conscious mind has infinite intelligence. Whatever you put in the sub-conscious mind, it will manifest. If you put the thought that you are poor, that will start happening and if you put positive thoughts that everybody is good then that will start happening.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: In 2003, you came and started good work from the temple. All good work is happening till now. We request you to come again and bless the people.</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Yes, in Tamil Nadu, you have to do lots of work. There is a lot of problem regarding caste. You all have to do something, work for it.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: I am coming from Polachi. I was having a spinal cord problem before taking this course. I took the course and now I can sit and do all my work without anybody's help.</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> See, what doctors can’t do, pranayama does. It can do wonders <b>Q: After solving one problem, one more comes up. What should I do?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>Have the faith that you will be helped and your problem will get solved.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Guruji, I am physically handicapped. I was thinking, how can I contribute to society? Now I am working with the Divine Karnataka Project, presently, in the Sheshadripuram slum (in Bangalore). I am feeling very confident.</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> We have to work a lot in slums. We have to make them literate and we have to eradicate castism from slums. For that we all have to work together. In Bangalore alone there are 400 slums and Art of Living is working in 105 of those slums. People in slums are addicted to alcohol and we have to stop this. Those very places and countries have lost their culture where people were too much into alcohol. People in these areas earn good money but they spent more than half of that on alcohol. How can we stop them? By giving them an alternative source of intoxication, by bringing them to satsang and making them experience intoxication and the joy of meditation. Do you feel intoxication in meditation and satsang? (‘Yes’ from the audience) So, you feel change after doing all this. All DKP yuvacharyas (youth leaders) have to go to slums and work in these places. You may face some obstacles but walk ahead and keep working. A member of the audience shares an experience: “I did the basic course three months ago in Andhra Pradesh. The happiness I have experienced in the last three months, I didn’t experience in the last 26 years of my life. I am very thankful to you.”</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>-JAIGURUDEV-</b></div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-71651801219319126592010-07-25T23:44:00.000-07:002010-07-25T23:44:03.130-07:00Guru Purnima - SignificanceHindus attach paramount importance to spiritual gurus. Gurus are often equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the Immortal. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus.<br />
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<strong>What is Guru Purnima?</strong><br />
Guru Purnima is the day when Hindus gather to celebrate and to honor Vyasa, the original guru and traditional author of the Vedas, along with their own gurus, spiritual guides. The festival takes place on the full moon day of the Indian month of Ashad, corresponding to July-August of the Western calendar. The word purnima means "full-moon", hence the name Guru Purnima, "the full-moon day of the guru". For its connection with Vyasa, the event is also called Vyasa Purnima. <br />
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<strong>Significance of Guru Purnima:</strong><br />
On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'.<br />
This day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons.<br />
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Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day. The period 'Chaturmas' ("four months") begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.<br />
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It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and kept alive the lamp of Guru-Tattva. It is therefore not without reason that India, year after year, age after age, commemorates anew this ancient concept of the Guru, adores it and pays homage to it again and again, and thereby re-affirms its belief and allegiance to it. For, the true Indian knows that the Guru is the only guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experience the Consciousness of the Reality."<br />
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Mystics such as Kabir sing that he can even forsake God for Guru as Guru only showed the path to godliness. This is the ultimate relationship, an unparallel reltionship in human experience, between the master and disciple.<br />
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The disciple is ever grateful to his master, but Guru Poornima is the day that is celebrated as an expression of this gratitude.<br />
<br />
A guru is the one who liberates us and with whom we are in deep love, faith and reverence. A guru is a presence. Through him one gets the first glimpse of divinity. A guru creates, transforms and gives a new birth to a seeker so that with complete trust one can follow his guru while traveling through many unknown paths and doors and opening many unknown locks. A guru’s blessing is a vital phenomenon -Through him one starts coming up like a seed trying to sprout towards the sky.<br />
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<br />
<strong>HOW TO CELEBRATE:</strong><br />
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"The Guru's form should be meditated upon; the feet of the Guru should be worshipped; his words are to be treated as a sacred Mantra; his Grace ensures final liberation".<br />
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Dhyaana moolam guror murtih;<br />
Pooja moolam guror padam;<br />
Mantra moolam guror vakyam;<br />
Moksha moolam guror kripa<br />
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<strong>-JAIGURUDEV-</strong>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-87369123386423007322010-05-10T05:08:00.000-07:002010-05-10T05:08:14.545-07:00Question and Answers....here your go...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. I feel that prayers do not come from my heart. What to do to pray from the heart?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Nothing. Do not do anything about it, just be natural. You cannot force yourself to like anything or force love and devotion. The more effort you make, the longer it takes. Be clear about two things. First, never doubt someone’s love for you or your love for someone else. Second, don’t make an effort to love or insist that someone should love you. These are the impediments on the path of love.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. With regard to accepting people as they are, I find it very hard to accept the people who are insincere towards their work, especially those who report to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Very good. Don’t accept them as they are. Take strict action and handle them skillfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">People don’t change overnight, yet people do change. Nobody will remain the same as far as imperfections are concerned. Perfection remains the same. Truth is always one, lies can be many.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. How to decide that enough is enough? I have a child and want to go for a divorce.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Ask yourself, have you given 100 percent. If the mind says no, you have given your 80 percent or even 95 percent, then wait till you give your 100 percent. Even better, give your 101 percent for the sake of the children. A little sacrifice for the children will take you a long way<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Even after that if it does not work, then in a friendly manner tell your partner that your paths are different and it is better to part.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. What is the difference between idea and thought?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: First you tell me their meanings and I will tell you the difference. We attach meaning to words. You got it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. Please tell us more about dispassion on the spiritual path.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Dispassion is centeredness. Dispassion is not disappointment or having a long face. It is being satisfied looking for something higher.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. How to balance studies, work and seva?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: How do you balance a bicycle? Exactly the same way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. What is the purpose of life?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: It is a golden question. One who knows the answer will not tell you. Anybody who attempts to answer you, do not listen to him. This question can kindle the quest within you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. What is the place of spirituality in life?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: If you want to watch television what would you choose - to see or hear first? Both simultaneously. Similarly, the spiritual path brings energy, enthusiasm, creativity and calmness in your life. They are absolutely essential. That is like body and mind, both go together.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Life is a combination of ethereal and spiritual. Something not tangible and something very tangible, the body.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. In the present day, corporate world there is a pressure to commit fraudulent activities. How to handle these situations?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Skillfully. If your boss tells you to do fraud, avoid it skillfully. Finally, say that your consciousness does not allow you to commit fraud. If you do fraud then the boss will escape and you will be put behind bars. However hundred percent truth is also not workable, it is only an ideal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">There is an ancient Indian proverb that says that as much lies are allowed as there is salt in food. For example, if you want to sell your product, it may not be the best; still you can say that your product is the best. That much lies are permissible. Ancient people have said this, thousands of years back. It is fascinating how they handled the human mind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. Are our sins forgiven by God or does the Sudarshan Kriya clean them off?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Yes, all the past is washed off. Definitely if you do Sudarshan Kriya it releases all the past impressions and makes you fresh and lively.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. How would you describe the Art of Living organization? Is it philanthropic, spiritual or humanitarian?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: All in one. It is everything - philanthropy, social, and spiritual. We discuss knowledge, do service activities, sing together and do interfaith dialogue and feel that we are one world family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. When we have a guru, is there a need for astrology?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: Astrology is a science but astrologers are not so scientific.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. In the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Bhagwad Geeta</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">, there are two ways described for liberation. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Bhakti Marg</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">- the way of devotion and</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Gyan Marg</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">- the way of knowledge. Which one is better?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: They are not two different paths. Suppose, you like rice pudding. How do you like rice pudding without knowing what is rice pudding. The knowledge of it will kindle a liking for it. Love and knowledge go hand in hand. Once you know about something, you go and buy it. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Bhakti, Gyan </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Karma</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">are three legs of the same table.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Krishna tells Arjuna all those steps and finally says drop all and just relax. For you everything is done. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Shama jali hai tere liye tujhko kuch nahi karna hai, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">the lamp is lit for you, you don’t have to do anything.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Q. If we are all God, then why do we have so many Gods and Goddesses?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: The sun’s light is one, yet when it goes through a prism, seven colors come up. All gods and goddesses are part of one truth. One Supreme Self is referred to as Devi, Shiva, Ganesh, Kartikaya. Lord Krishna says </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">rudranam shankaraschasmi</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">, of rudras, I am Shankara. I am the moon, the sun, I am Shiva, I am the Ganges river, I am everything.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-67949677451604037392010-04-16T12:30:00.000-07:002010-04-16T12:30:04.591-07:00DIVINE LOVE!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: What is your wish regarding Sanskrit language?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: I see beyond languages. Language, of course has its place but I am more concerned about the consciousness and the state of mind. How can we raise the level of consciousness in the world? Of course, Sanskrit is a great and a beautiful language. It is mother of many languages. Russian, German, English and other Indian languages, all have their roots in Sanskrit.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: In Patanjali yogasutra you said ‘Knowledge of sleep leads to Samadhi. Please explain.</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: Yes, Samadhi can also be attained with the avlamban (need) of knowledge of sleep and dream.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: How can we know if our devotion has fully matured or not?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: Don’t worry about if your devotion is matured or not. Know that devotion is there. Never think that you don’t have devotion or you lack devotion.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: How does one balance between our heart and the brain when both say opposite things?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: If you are dealing in business, then follow your brain. And if it comes to home or relationship, then follow your heart.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Good and bad thoughts come and go in the mind. Do these form karma?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: No, when you are a witness (sakshi) to the thoughts coming and going, no karma is formed. When you feel sad thinking that your thought is bad, it is then when your mind gets affected.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Please talk about karma and karamfal (fruit of action).</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: You have asked this question – this is a karma. You are listening to my answer is also Karma. Life is karamfal only.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Guruji please tell us something about Vedic mathematics?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: We have Vedic mathematics department in the Ashram with several Vedic mathematics teachers in the department. There are some 16 – 17 formulas using which many mathematical problems can be solved. All lovers of mathematics should study that.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: What has more importance: moksha or Divine love in spirituality?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: Those who don’t bother about happiness achieve moksha and those who are not even bothered about moksha attain Divine love. We will have to move ahead in two steps.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Why is not every human being pure?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: Every human is pure but filled with dirt. Every human being is like a diamond. The fact that the diamond is in mud, does not make it mud. You simply have to pick it up and wash it. And it shines again. The shiny nature of diamond is always there but covered with mud and slush.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: How does one balance between professional life and spiritual life?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b>: You know how to ride bicycle or motor bike? How do you balance? You just do it.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>-JAIGURUDEV-</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-48652761080405484032010-04-05T23:06:00.000-07:002010-04-05T23:06:30.058-07:00SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hi Frnds...Jai Gurudev! Share your experiences of your first course in AOL...For example - how did u come to know about this course, who was your teacher and ofcourse how you felt during your first Kriya etc.... Sharing experiences is part of Seva :)....Dont miss this opportunity..Waiting for your replies. </span></span></h3>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-7312133101745072912010-04-03T01:38:00.000-07:002010-04-03T01:38:46.073-07:00Another set of questions answered by His Holiness<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji, when I get bad thoughts, I am able to subdue them through the intellect.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But is it possible not to have bad thoughts at all?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>This is the skill. How you manage bad thoughts. Lots of thoughts come if there are impurities in the body, if there is aavaran (artificiality) in the mind.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having too many thoughts indicates some weakness in the body. Consult an ayurveda physician and take herbs to cleanse the body. Through pranayam, the mind is purified. Through meditation, the consciousness gets purified. Sometimes the thoughts come because of the surroundings or company. Do not be afraid of bad thoughts. These thoughts are similar to the dark clouds that come and pass away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q:</strong> Could you please tell us something about prakriti and parmatma?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>There are two things – prakriti and parmatma. Prakriti moves according to rules. Parmatma is free. Human being is a combination of both. With the increase in the parmatma element, man experiences more freedom. An increased level of prakriti means one is no different from animals, birds or trees.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the human being there is a glimpse of the parmatma and there is prakriti also- it’s a precious combination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q:</strong> Guruji, these days when we are talking of saving the planet from pollution including our water bodies, is it wrong to throw the puja materials in the water?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>If you put natural things, then there is no pollution. They are bio degradable. If you put soap or plastic, it harms the water. Since centuries, in the forest so many leaves and fruits fall in water, but the water is not contaminated. But when we throw artificial things, the water gets contaminated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we put bowls made of leaves, and garlands made of real flowers into water, it doesn’t get polluted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is interesting , one who is familiar with the real stuff, to him even the fake thing seems real.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And to the one who is familiar with the fake thing, even the real appears as fake. This is maya. What is real and what is unreal has to be found out. Therefore you need an inward eye (antar drishti). This is possible through yoga and meditation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji, what’s the difference nihilism and advaita?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>One is nothing and the other is complete. Truth has two aspects - we keep saying it’s nothing and then experience the completeness. Therefore in Yoga Vashishta, Maharishi Vashishta says in beginning, that the consciousness is empty like the sky and full like an ocean. We start with saying, “I am nothing” and move to “I am in everything”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q. </strong>What is swadhyaya?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>Do either of the two things:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Become such a devotee like Yudhishthir, who gets Lord Krishna who is full of cleverness or else become clever, awaken that element in you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The world thinks you to be better than you actually are. The world thinks you to be less worse than what you actually are. If you think like this, then what you want, will happen. Whatever kind of sankalpa you release in the universe that kind of result will come to you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Realize this now or later after a decade. Once you realize it, you will bow down to this Universal Self. Otherwise you will blame the world and become sad making yourself blemished. Some people indulge in self pity, “I am very good but people do wrong with me.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Who says people did wrong? Who asks you to be stupid and be swept away in emotions? Some fall in love crazily, they talk so much and the other person doesn’t know how to handle it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wise know how to accept love and give. But everyone is not wise. We want everyone to behave like the wise but we behave like an ignorant.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">a look at yourself. This is swadhyaya study of oneself. Swa – means self, adhyaya – means study. Swadhyaya doesn’t mean turning pages of books.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q. </strong>Guruji whenever any problem comes, we keep aside all Gods and pray to one particular God. Don’t you think the other gods will become angry?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>There is a shloka - Sarve deva namaskara, keshavam pratigachchati.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like all the water ultimately goes to the ocean, whichever God or Goddess you pray to, it goes to the One only. Don’t worry God won’t be angry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q. </strong>Guruji I want to increase my faith…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong> Stop the struggle to strengthen the faith. Assume you have faith, if it shakes, pray to God to make it strong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji, in night we see stars, does it mean to see truth we have to live in darkness?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </strong>Is the sun, during daytime, not visible to you? Don’t you see the moon in the evening?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It’s only in the absence of the sun and the moon that the stars are visible. Then you run behind the stars. Only those who haven’t seen the sun and moon of their own Self run behind the stars.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Opposite values are complementary. If there is a question, there is an answer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji, some people have assumed that they are Radha, but there are so many Radhas, what to do?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>The real Radha doesn’t see anyone other than Krishna, how did you see other Radhas?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji, I have lot of weaknesses and I feel bad about them. When will I become like you?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>You have realized that you have weaknesses. That’s the first step. Now, do you want to remove the weakness or not? The very pinch of having the weaknesses will help you to come out of them. If you simply accept them and say I am an ordinary person only etc…. you will continue to have them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Someone is there to take away your weaknesses. Have this faith. Ok, you slipped once, twice, thrice, doesn’t matter, keep moving ahead. People say take vows never to commit them again. Breaking the vows makes it worse. Surrendering is better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Please explain the meaning of seva (service).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>One is our job, the other is seva. Both are different. You do your job for livelihood. Seva means seva- Doing like Him. God has given you everything, whether you remember him or not. He wants nothing in return. Do work and be in the way that will make the other person happy. The reward of seva comes only when when you want nothing in return.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji, in life we see good people suffering a lot. It seems God is hard on the good people. Why?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>No no, it only seems so. It’s not real. A person who seems successful and happy despite doing wrong actually is restless in the heart. He can’t sleep peacefully, can’t eat with joy and his fall will be greater than his rise. Have faith that if I am doing good, then good only will happen. If you think otherwise, it is an illusion. But being good doesn’t mean one should be stupid, use your intelligence. One’s heart should be clean.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Guruji many people don’t donate eyes thinking that they will be born blind in next life. Can you clarify?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>It is not true that if you donate eyes in this life, you will be born blind in next life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q.</strong> Dear Guruji, in my prayers I keep asking the Divine for my wishes to be fulfilled, is it selfish?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>No no, keep asking, if you don’t ask the Divine where else will you ask? But remember, you will only get when the time comes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q:</strong> When will matter be united with the spirit?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</strong>When were they separate? Who is listening to my answer? Is it matter or spirit? Matter listens or the spirit?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reply from audience - don’t know</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A dead body also has ears, the sound hits it. But does it hear? Who is listening?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When this small ‘I’ relaxes, it gets in touch with the Universal Spirit, and that is meditation.</div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-52967476778753659692010-04-01T03:08:00.000-07:002010-04-01T03:08:31.765-07:00FACE TO FACE INTERVIEW WITH SRI SRI ON 9X NEWS CHANNELHere is an interview with Sri Sri who answers various questions regarding spirituality, politics etc...Superb interview...<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WufA9bpuwrw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WufA9bpuwrw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-66379359311813649082010-04-01T02:50:00.000-07:002010-04-01T02:50:23.023-07:00WORDS OF WISDOM<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #940f04; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Even thorns can become flowers. Look into a child's eyes; all the love that you've given here today, give it to the country's children. Life can become like music. Live in harmony with each other (mil jul ke). We have to imagine & materialize a stress free society.<br />
India's ancient sciences must reach all homes all over the world, so take this sankalpa.<br />
<br />
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi said that when lots of people do satsang together, a new wave of awakening arises; taking this to others is our duty. We need a violence free society, a healthy body & a confusion free mind. So take a sankalpa. We have the same light within us. Learn to be peaceful for a while. Take a shubha-sankalpa today; it is necessary for this<br />
country & for the world. Only spirituality can save us now. Satva increase with dhyan & satsang. Be happy in the future, do seva, I am with you."<br />
<br />
• "Leave all your worries at the shivir. Our mind has a lot of power; we take a sankalpa & it materializes. When we are negative, we materialize negative things."<br />
<br />
• "3 things are important- Gyan (knowledge), Gaan (music) & Dhyan. Together, they make you a complete personality. Without either of these, you are incomplete."<br />
<br />
• "We misunderstand surrender. What is our own, that we will surrender? Nothing is ours."<br />
<br />
• "Youth should do the AOL Yes Plus Programme. There lives will not be the same after that."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u></u></span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><strong><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If You Are Loving…</span></span></span></u></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are loving, then you are welcomed everywhere in the world. If you can feel and be one with people anywhere you go, then people are ready to do anything for you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><strong><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One Whole</span></span></span></u></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The entire universe is one whole; and, when someone drops their holding onto limited boundaries, then what they gain is the entire universe.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><strong><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Small World</span></span></span></u></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your world is very small. Your world is bundle of your experiences. Have you observed this?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><strong><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Successful Failures</span></span></span></u></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When the big Mind wins over the small, even the failure of the small mind is a joy. It has always happened that way. Turn back and see---some of your failures have been very good. They have made you progress somewhere, made you stronger.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><strong><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Victory to the Big Mind</span></span></span></u></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The fight is always between the small, little mind and the big, universal Mind. That's why we say "Jai Guru Dev"---victory to the big Mind. It happens so many times that the small mind wins. Whenever the small mind wins, it is called "misery." The result is misery. Inside you are both the big Mind and the small mind.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-JAI GURUDEV-</span></span></b></span></div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-50386238468650106492010-03-21T03:37:00.000-07:002010-03-21T03:37:40.189-07:00How to deal with rude behaviour?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What do you do when someone behaves very rudely towards you?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<b><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Get upset</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">React rudely back</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Get frustrated</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Run away and avoid the person or situation</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Blame the person</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Preach to the person</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">None of these will in any way strengthen you.</span></li>
</ul></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Then what are the options? See rude behaviour in this light:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li>It indicates the intensity of their commitment</li>
<li>It indicates their stress and insensitivity</li>
<li>It projects the upbringing of the person</li>
<li>It shows a behavioural pattern</li>
<li>It shows lack of knowledge</li>
<li>It shows lack of observation of the mind and its sensations</li>
<li>It shows you behaviour to avoid</li>
<li>It is an opportunity for you to welcome and absorb the rudeness</li>
<li>It strengthens your mind</li>
<li>It reveals the love that you are as unconditional</li>
</ul><br />
The next time when someone is rude to you, just give back a broad smile. If you can digest their rudeness, nothing whatsoever can shake you.Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-25303080520012409002010-03-21T03:19:00.001-07:002010-03-21T03:19:54.921-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Guruji, I often see people bow down to you. Is doing all that necessary?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> No, no, not at all. These things are really insignificant. You know, these outer gestures are insignificant. Don’t give too much importance to them. All these gestures don’t matter. We all are connected from a deeper level, level of heart. That’s how we have met and we are all here.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Yesterday you talked about leela(game). One can comprehend it intellectually but how to make it an inner experience?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>You don’t have to make it an experience. You simply have to wake up and see life is a game. Wake up this moment when I am speaking. Whatever happened till now, is it not like a dream? You had dinner this evening, meditated in themorning, did yoga in morning and went to bed last night, and if you go to your own memory there were good events, bad events, you had profit, you had loss but right this moment it’s all gone.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">Wake up this moment and see from tomorrow to the next 10 years is also like a dream! When you realize this whole phenomenon that has happened in the past and future is all like a play, a game. You don’t have to think this is a concept and I have to experience it. My dear, memory is memory. Your thinking that you have to experience memory is a concept and your thinking that you don’t have it is again a concept. You simply have to realize right away it is a dream. This could be a dream. That very moment you feel a sense of relief. A soothing wave overtakes you. Don’t wait that someday you will experience it’s all a game.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">May be after you leave the body you will experience one day. Then also you will realize I could have done that much before.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: What is difference between dispassion and indifference?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Well, in indifference there is a sense of apathy, rejection and disappointment. In dispassion there is joy and enthusiasm.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Do we all have a purpose in life or we can all come and go when it is? If there is one purpose what is it?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> You know it’s best to take out paper and pen, and list out what is not the purpose of life. By negating it will be easier for you.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Is Guruji the best Guru? Is Art of Living the best spiritual path? People say it is the best. Isn’t it a seed of war, calling my belief to be the best? The symbols of other religions in Vishalakshi Mantap (meditation hall in the ashram) tell us that all other religions are also good</b>.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: </b>I leave it up to you. You discuss and decide. Go through all the confusion and come to your own conclusion. I never say it is the best and I also don’t say it is not the best. It is up to you.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">It will not be the truth to say it is not the best. And it sounds very funny for whenever someone says, ‘it is the best’, you have a sort of resistance for that. So sometimes some of these questions are best not answered. I am not here to clarify your doubts. I am here to create more doubts.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">Doubt is always about something which is positive. When somebody tells you ‘I love you’ and you say ‘really’. But do you say really when somebody says ‘I hate you’? You doubt your capabilities and you never doubt your weaknesses. You are so sure of your weaknesses. You doubt in the honesty of people and never in their dishonesty. Nature of doubt is such that it always clings to something which is positive. So if you have a doubt I will encourage you that this is very positive.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Guruji you said to be a perfectionist is cause of stress. Yet everything about you is so perfect. You are perfect, your actions are perfect, your words are perfect, your understanding of God is so perfect, this Ashram is perfect and so many other things. What is the difference between your perfect thinking or, mine or ours?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Just that you have to look yourself in the mirror. That’s it. You move from perfection to perfection. You move from one perfection to another higher perfection. That’s how you have to look at life. Otherwise you see this is not perfect , everything is imperfect, everything is hopeless. And we tend to get into negative framework. Isn’t it?</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: What is upanishad?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:</b> Sitting close by and listening is Upanishad. Upanishad is a collection of discourses of high knowledge, how it was transmitted from a Master to students. It is very interesting.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">In one of the Upanishads, it is beautifully said. Once a boy goes to his father who is also his Guru and asked what is God. Father replied, ‘Food is God’ for everything grows from food, everything is sustained by food and in the lack of it, everything dissolves and everything again becomes food. So the boy went and thought about it for several months, understood all about food and came back to his father, and again asked ‘What is God?’</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">The father, also his Guru, said, ‘Prana is God’. The boy went, thought and understood all about prana, how it is going in and out of the body, how many types of prana are there and read all experiments about prana.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">He again came back to his father and asked, ‘What is God?’ The father looked at child’s face, so glowing and so vibrant. Father said, 'Ok, the mind is Brahman, mind is God.' Like that, the boy went and thought till he finds the ultimate bliss. Neither the student complaint to the teacher that he was told, ‘Food is God, but it is not the ultimate, you told me the wrong thing'. He simply came and again asked the question. So this is ancient way of teaching step by step – food, then prana, then the mind, then the inner spirit, then the universal spirit, bliss.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">Bliss is Divinity, the space. You are like the space. Then he said, 'There is no difference between you, me and the infinite self. We all are one. The Self, Guru and the universal energy are not different. All are made up of one substance. Today if you talk to scientists who study string theory, who study quantum physics they will say the same thing that is said in the upanishads. In upanishads, it was said thousands of years ago, ‘God is not a person, sitting somewhere up in heaven but God is present everywhere. He is omnipresent and omnipotent, the energy of which you are also made up of, everything is made up of’.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>-JAIGURUDEV-</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-50989630352199106852010-03-21T03:17:00.000-07:002010-03-21T03:17:14.618-07:00Mantras are those sounds which you hear from deep within during meditation & the aim is to bring one back to the source<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Guruji, singing Shiva and Krishna songs in satsang make many people wonder. Although we imbibe so many good vibrations this still makes some people think that we are singing Hindu songs. Why do we sing songs of so many Gods? People from otherreligions get confused between the real meaning of satsang and the symbolic meaning behind mantras.</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri:</b> The sound of <b>‘Om namah shivaya’</b> includes all the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Hinduism is not a religion as such. People have beenchanting this for thousands of years. Mantras are those sounds which you hear from deep within during meditation and the aim is to bring one back to the source. During later days, people started putting faces and drawings to these mantras. Mantras have got certain vibrations/ energy. They are universal.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">Even in churches in Latin America ‘Marnah nath’ is used. Its translation in Latin and Sanskrit is so close. For ‘Lord’ the word in Latin is nath and also in Sanskrit the word nath is used to mean ‘Lord’. So the word marnah nath meaning ‘My lord’ which is used in Christianity is actually a Sanskrit word.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">Chanting in Sanskrit is beneficial because Sanskrit is the oldest language known to mankind. It has a deep impact on the consciousness. We welcome all songs – Japanese, Korean, Spanish. Any song you want to sing is welcome. We sing a lot of songs inSpanish and Portuguese in satsangs in South America. Of course, in India everybody easily connects with ancient mantras. Take any language you want but along with it take this also. How many of you feel singing and chanting these mantras creates some vibrations? (All raise hands in affirmation) It’s obvious. In Vedic chanting, many times you don’t know even the meaning but it has some effect.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;">In the morning we did Rudra Abhishek, this has been practiced for over thousands of years. We use crystal, milk, yoghurt and flowers etc. They all create a certain impact and send out positive vibrations.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: We are hearing so much about Shivratri. What is the importance of Shivratri?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri:</b> We are either in the sleeping, waking or dreaming state. Shiva is the fourth state of consciousness - the meditative state. On that particular day, just before the new moon arises people stay awake all night and celebrate. The belief is that whatever you wish for comes true. For the general public, the night of Shiva is the night of celebration.For the wise seekers who are on the spiritual path, every day and every night is a celebration.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: What is the rule to be reborn? Who maintains records of all human beings? Why don’t we remember anything about our non-physical form?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri: </b>It is not very difficult to know. You can do the eternity process and you could know.</div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Q: Guruji when will we witness something bigger than the Silver Jubilee Celebrations?</b></div><div style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sri Sri:</b> Should we do something bigger than Silver Jubilee? (A big yes from the audience) Yes, why not? Next year in 2011, the Art of Living will complete 30 years, 3 decades . Let’s see. We will plan something. You also plan. Let us make a pool of ideas.</div><b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f564d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><b><i>-JAIGURUDEV-</i></b></span>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-81286058592494884922010-03-16T00:10:00.000-07:002010-03-16T00:10:40.568-07:00Wish you all a HAPPY UGADI...<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I wish all my blogger friends a Happy Ugadi...Have a nice day...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tescwqfyO3g/S58uruXqRjI/AAAAAAAAAbY/jWkqTDys-nA/s1600-h/110640.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tescwqfyO3g/S58uruXqRjI/AAAAAAAAAbY/jWkqTDys-nA/s320/110640.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></div>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-60659891218226879322010-02-23T04:53:00.000-08:002010-02-23T05:00:41.974-08:00Best answers given by Bawa (Sr AOL teacher)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best answers given by Bawa (Sr AOL teacher)...which cleared all his doubts asked by one<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />of devotee...read till end<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Q. I no longer have the blind faith I used to have for Guruji. I have<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>many questions, which I asked my sister. She got fed up of me and asked<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>me to ask you. So I am doing it…<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />a. I feel Bangalore Ashram is fully like Hindu domain (with names of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>kutirs as kashyapa and so on, with constructions based on Hindu<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>mythology and astrology and astronomy, etc.). Even though I am a Hindu<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />(actually a brahmin), I somehow feel AOL is concentrating only on Hindus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>and not people of other religions. What is your take on this?<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />b. Bangalore ashram has been built very lavishly, where as, Mangalore<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>does not have an ashram yet. Only a center is present over there.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>Wouldn't it be better if Guruji expanded AOL only after the base is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>set?<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />c. Guruji actually travels in business class than in economy class (my<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>uncle who is a CEO travels by economy class). Wouldn't it be saving<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>of money if he travels by economic class?<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />d. How come Guruji has appointed more number of hindu teachers? Many<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>places do not have muslim/ christian teachers at all. How can you expect<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>all communities to join in satsangs where there is idol worship, etc.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />(in short following cultures and traditions of Hindus)?<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Please don't have any blind faith for anyone. Faith is never blind.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>Though the people who don't have faith are.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Go thru the doubts. Ask questions. Satisfy yourself. Then your faith<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>will be unswerving and you will be richer for that. I hope you<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>understand that it makes not an iota of difference to Guruji whether you<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>have faith in Him or not. Faith helps the seeker, the devotee. Not the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>Guru. If AOL is concentrating only on Hindus, then AOL would have been popular only in certain pockets in India.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Certainly AOL wouldn't have appealed to me personally, I am a Parsi.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>AOL is a worldwide phenomenon. We have courses happening in Saudi and in<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>Rome. AOL takes the essence of all traditions and makes it into a<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />practical and palatable application for modern day living. In India, our<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>ashram reflects the majority Indian culture and traditions.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />By the way, do you know that this "Hindu" organization has my<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>father, a 100% Zoroastrian Parsi as its chairman? That the chairman of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>the European Art of Living is a Roman Catholic, The Chairperson of Art<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />of Living in the Middle East is a Shia Muslim lady and that the chairman<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>of Art of Living US is a Jew?!<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Guruji supports the best practices not only of Hindutva, but of all<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>traditions and religions. And ruthlessly He lashes out at the irrational<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>aspects of the same.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Making an Ashram is not much of an issue. Maintaining it, and making it<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>self-reliant is a huge challenge. An ashram should not become a drain on<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>organizational resources; otherwise it becomes counter productive to<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />what it has been built for. If you can come up with a feasible, viable<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>business plan for an ashram in Mangalore or for that matter anywhere<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>else in the world, you can have meetings with the concerned people, like<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />the Apex bodies, etc and i am sure it can be enabled. Guruji is here on<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>the planet for only a limited period of time as are we all, and His<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>purpose is not real estate, but to spread the Knowledge of meditation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>and the Self to as many as possible. His base is planet Earth and as of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>now it is set.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Guruji travels by first class whenever possible, not business. He has<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>also traveled when required to by unreserved train. He has a physical<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>body, which for our own sake needs to be protected and taken care of as<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />much as possible. Have you seen His schedule? I have had the privilege<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>of traveling with Him many times, and after 15 days of it, needed 4-5<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>days to just recuperate. He does it 24/7 year in and year out. I defy<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />you or anyone else to move the way He does and work at the pace He has<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>set for Himself. 40 flights in 30 days, many of them long haul takes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>their toll on the body. Saving money like this is no savings at all.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Btw, how much of the money your uncle earns has he given to the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>betterment of society? How much of the time of his life does he spend for others?<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />And, finally if his business is doing well, why would he travel by<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>economy? When you can be comfortable and you choose to be uncomfortable,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>that's simply being a miser and not very intelligent. Of course if<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>his business is not working, and he is forced to travel by economy,that's another story… and if he really wants to "save"<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />money, maybe he should go by non air-conditioned bus. Or walk.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />In India, 80% of the population is still Hindu. So, we have many Hindu<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>teachers here. We also have Christian, Sikh, Muslim and Parsi teachers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>in India. In Poland you are not going to find ANY Hindu, Sikh, Muslim<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />and Parsi teachers, only Christian teachers coz there they are all<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>mostly Christians. To be a teacher, you don't need to be a follower<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>of any culture or tradition. You don't even need to have a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>graduation degree. You only need the ability to think about others,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>instead of yourself and have a want to teach this glorious Knowledge to<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />others, and yes, have the patience to answer nonsensical questions with<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>a smile, when asked by nincompoops.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Art of Living Satsangs are jam packed almost everywhere in the world.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>You have clearly not read Guruji's Knowledge books or listened to<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>many of His talks. He has at length explained the significance of<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Satsang, of idols and symbols, of singing and chanting. If you browse<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>some articles on this blog, you can read up about some of the fantastic<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>symbolism. Just for your information, Satsangs in Europe and the US do<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />have hymns in them too. Our Satsangs reflect the character of the place<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>we are in and introduce also a beautiful Indian flavour too, exposing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>people to the wealth of the culture and tradition of the oldest<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />civilization on the planet. Finally, if you have ever sat in on a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>Satsang with Vikram or Harshal you will be treated to world class<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>(devotional) music… from bhajans, to hymns, to possibly even an<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />aboriginal African prayer. Art of Living Satsangs attract the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>intelligent seeker from any tradition, faith, religious system or<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>belief. Even atheists. For people who have concepts of how<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>"spirituality", "meditation", or a "Guru" should<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>be, and are stuck in those concepts, possibly Art of Living may not<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>help. But if you are a sincere seeker and you really wish to explore the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>inner universe, then stuff like Mangalore not having an Ashram, Guruji<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>traveling by business class and idols in Satsangs will not bother you.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>It's easy to write nasty questions and sit around your computer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>waiting for answers. It's tough to get out there and actually make a<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />difference to society.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I invite you to become busy figuring out how you can make a difference<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>to this beautiful planet we live on, and what part you will be able to<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 8px;"> </span>play in this brilliant transformation that Art of Living and Guruji are<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />bringing about.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-JAI GURUDEV-</span></span></span>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-31241093383801327882010-02-14T01:13:00.000-08:002010-02-14T01:13:22.854-08:00Sri Sri - Valentines Day 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">The Times of India, 12th February, 2010<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />This Valentine’s Day, make the Divine your valentine. See the Divine in your valentine and make the divinity your valentine. Have the same love for everyone, with different flavours. You cannot behave the same way with everyone, but you can love all of them. Love transcends behaviour and etiquette.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Abiding in the Self, you become the valentine for the whole world. Spirit is the valentine of matter and matter is the valentine of the spirit. They are made for each other. If you hold on to matter and do not respect the spirit, then matter is not pleased. If you honour the spirit, then you will care for the world, and when you care for the world, it will take care of you.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Keep your heart in a safe place; it is too delicate. Events and small things make strong impressions on it. A precious stone needs a setting around it - gold or silver - to hold it; in the same way wisdom and knowledge are the settings that will hold your heart in the Divine. To keep your heart safe and your mind sane, you cannot find a better place than the Divine. Then the passing time and events will not be able to touch you; they will not create a scar.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Often, you do not know how to respond, or feel obliged and bound, when someone shows a lot of love. The ability to receive genuine love comes with the ability to give love. The more you are centred and know by experience that love is not an emotion; it is your very existence, the more you feel at home with any amount of love expressed in any manner.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />There are three kinds of love. The love that comes out of charm, that which comes out of comfort and divine love. The love that comes out of charm does not last long. It comes out of unfamiliarity or attraction. In this, you lose the attraction fast, and boredom sets in. This love may diminish and bring along with it a fear, uncertainty, insecurity and sadness.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The love that comes out of comfort and familiarity grows, but it has no thrill, no enthusiasm, joy, or fire to it. For example, you are more comfortable with an old friend who is a familiar person rather than with a new person. Divine love supersedes both the above. It has an ever present newness. The closer you go, more charm and depth come to it. There is never boredom and it keeps everyone on their toes.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Worldly love can be like an ocean, yet an ocean has a bottom. Divine love is like the sky which is limitless. From the bottom of the ocean, soar into the vast sky. Ancient love transcends all these relationships and is inclusive of all the relationships. Let love be. Don’t give it a name. When you give it a name, it becomes a relationship, and relationships restrict love.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Often, one experiences love at first sight. Then as time goes on, it decreases, decays, turns into hatred and disappears. Ancient love never decays. Although its mortality rate is high, love dies very young. After a few days, weeks, months, or years, it dies. In society, you say love is never a tree, it is a seasonal crop.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />When the same love becomes a tree with the manure of knowledge, it becomes ancient love that goes from lifetime to lifetime. That is our own consciousness. You are not limited to this present body, this present name, this present form and the present relationships around you. You may not know your past, your ancientness. But just know you are ancient, that is good enough.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Pain goes with love. Because you love someone, even a small action can hurt you. And in hurt, you feel very delicate, very deep. Love also creates the same sensation. Separation creates the same symptom. If you don’t love somebody, you will never feel hurt by them. Understand and accept this. Then that hurt will not turn into a sore feeling. Rather, that very hurt will take you deep into dispassion and meditation.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />When love glows, it becomes bliss; when it flows, it is compassion; when it blows, it is anger; when it ferments, it is jealousy. Let love be. Don’t give it a name!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><b>-JAI GURUDEV-</b></span>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-17004685724865631612010-02-13T23:30:00.001-08:002010-02-13T23:30:45.863-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: large;">'LOVE is seeing God in the person next to us, and meditation is seeing God within us.' - Sri Sri</span>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-11601390079864768332010-02-03T03:31:00.000-08:002010-02-03T03:31:00.915-08:00Be a GopalYou walk until you come to the ocean. You don’t walk or run in the ocean – you float and swim. Like this, once you come to the Master, seeking stops, blossoming begins. You seek until you come to the Master.<br />
Seeking is a desire. Desire is a thought. Thoughts are in the mind. The mind is in the Big Mind. The Big Mind in me is love. Emotions are ripples in love. Love is all Knowledge. Every atom of the Big Mind is crammed with Knowledge. Knowing this, you stop seeking.<br />
<br />
You are Knowledge. Every atom in you is shimmering with Knowledge. In Sanskrit, this is called go.<br />
<b>Go</b> has four meanings:<br />
* Knowledge<br />
* Movement<br />
* Achievement<br />
* Freedom or liberation<br />
<br />
<b>Pal</b> means friend or protector – one who takes care of you. Be a <b>Gopal (go-pal)</b>; be a friend in Knowledge.<br />
Often you become friends by:<br />
* Gossiping about negative things<br />
* Complaining<br />
* Similar cravings or aversions<br />
* Common enemies or common problems<br />
* Common goals or common addictions<br />
<br />
You become friends with someone because you have something in common. But coming together in<br />
Knowledge is rare.<br />
<br />
Be a friend in Knowledge. Uplift each other in Knowledge.<br />
<br />
All satsangees are Gopals – reminding each other of the Knowledge, coming together for Knowledge.<br />
That is Gopal.<br />
<br />
Be a protector of this Knowledge.<br />
<br />
<b>(An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker, Volume 1, Topic 14)</b>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-27479299195019440172010-02-03T03:24:00.000-08:002010-02-03T03:24:41.129-08:00A LIAR IS INNOCENT"Since June 1995, people around the world began to eagerly await for the weekly note of practical wisdom from Sri Sri. It started out as a simple exchange with people wherever Sri Sri was travelling.<br />
Sri Sri gave this knowledge sheet on September 6, 1995, Art of Living International Centre, India."<br />
<br />
A dear person, whom you trust, lies to you and you catch him. What do you feel?<br />
<br />
1. Sadness<br />
2. Anger<br />
3. Cheated<br />
4. Disappointment<br />
5. Compassion<br />
6. Let down<br />
7. Loss of respect<br />
8. Wonder<br />
9. Shock<br />
10. Embarrassment<br />
<br />
Recently when someone lied to me, I felt happy and more love, for they were not a good liar. Had he been a good liar, he would not have been caught. I thought, “He is so innocent that he could not even lie properly. He lied and got caught!” If he had not been caught, how would ever you know he was a liar? So... you can never know a good liar.<br />
The person you call a liar is not a good liar... and he is innocent. Isn’t he?<br />
And so... (laugh), you need not go through all the above listed mental gymnastics. Instead melt and<br />
dissolve in love.<br />
<b>(An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker, Volume 1, Topic 13)</b>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071955654897470129.post-51959869635515853542010-02-02T22:19:00.000-08:002010-02-02T23:18:13.925-08:00POWER OF MEDITATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tescwqfyO3g/S2kU8aImDKI/AAAAAAAAAUo/YnHaNOrHc8Q/s1600-h/Sri_Sri.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tescwqfyO3g/S2kU8aImDKI/AAAAAAAAAUo/YnHaNOrHc8Q/s400/Sri_Sri.gif" width="400" /></span></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 23px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 23px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What is Meditation?</span></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 23px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A mind that is in the present moment is meditation. A mind that is calm, without hesitation and anticipation is meditation. A mind that has become no mind, and has come back to its source is meditation. Meditation is diving deep within....at this moment. Bring the mind, which is all over the place, back to its source. In meditation - your mind is alert, and all other organs are in deep rest. Repose in the cool, calm, serene depth of your Being. It is not necessary for us to go to the Himalayas to meditate. Meditation is an inward journey.</span></span></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 23px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most of you think that mediatation is deep concentration. But no. Meditation is De-concentration - Letting Go. Letting go of the past anger and letting go of the desires and planning for the future. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tescwqfyO3g/S2kVHcFj10I/AAAAAAAAAU4/8fnzv2UQpDc/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tescwqfyO3g/S2kVHcFj10I/AAAAAAAAAU4/8fnzv2UQpDc/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are just 3 steps for meditation. They are:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Relax,</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Relax more, and</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Relax more and more.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes! Meditation is nothing but relaxation of mind and body.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><table class="contentpaneopen" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="contentheading" style="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom; width: 263px;" width="100%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meditation & The Body – For Better Health</span></span><br />
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</tbody></table><table class="contentpaneopen" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><div style="float: right; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">“Our body is a precious gift to us. So honour your body”</span></b></span></span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span> </span></em></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.powerofmeditation.org/images/stories/meditation-a-the-body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img alt="MOO7" border="0" height="250" src="http://www.powerofmeditation.org/images/stories/meditation-a-the-body.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="250" /></span></span></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have to keep our body sacred, as it is a mobile temple. The English word ‘nerve’ is derived from the Sanskrit word "nar". In a man’s nerves lives Narayana, the supreme Lord. Hence we have to keep our body sacred as God lives in the nerves of our body. Repeatedly uttering the word "OM" purifies the body.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meditation works by bringing an effect from the level of being to the mind. With the breath we bring this effect to the physical level as well.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There is something called body language. It shows what you are within you. If someone walks with stiff and elevated shoulders, body language shows that there is so much of ego and stiffness in that person. They twist their neck and walk in some particular manner. They are not comfortable with people. So, stiffer you are, stiffer the body, stiffer the mind. To loosen up your mind, to loosen up your ego, to expand yourself, you need to do certain asanas and meditate. You are not just the mind; you are not just the body. And in yoga, the body, breath and the mind are all united.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do pranayama and meditation. Your body will become strong and Intelligence sharp. Make wishes and pray, everything will happen. In meditation you realise that you are not just the body, but you are more than the body.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">“</span></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">In meditation, healing can happen. When the mind is calm, alert and totally contented, then it is like a laser beam – it is very powerful and healing can happen.”</span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> - Sri Sri Ravishankar</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><b>For more details on Meditation, visit - <a href="http://www.powerofmeditation.org/">www.powerofmeditation.org</a></b></i> </span></span></span></span><br />
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</tbody></table>Aparna Vijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865841460551477735noreply@blogger.com0