Happy Dussera!

Happy Dussera to all!
H.H. Sri Sri Ravishankar's discourse on Navratri and Vijayadashmi

Here is a very special discourse (not verbatim)... enjoy ! 23rd.Oct.2004 - Vijaya Dashmi - Dussera

Q. Was this Navratri different?
A. Every day is different. Every moment is different... like every person is unique.


Q. Should reservation be there?
A. Reservation should not be there. All are equal.

Q. Whats the difference between truth and faith?
A. What you don't know as truth, but believe in it, is truth. If faith is not there then truth is not there. And its truth which creates faith. When mind is at peace then truth and faith both are there. When mind is feverish then problem occurs.


Q. During Chandi Homa why the coconuts were broken when the kalash was been taken?
A. In your house when you use a phone there is a transformer which converts the incoming high energy to low energy. Like that, energy in kalash is so much that you have to break a coconut to control it a bit.


Q. Guruji, we should follow our instinct or others advise?
A. Sometimes instincts, sometimes advise. When you are thirsty and want to drink water, and if somebody says don't drink water, then follow your instincts. If you are feeling sleepy and somebody says you don't sleep, then you follow your instincts. But if somebody says don't drink and drive, then you listen to their advise. Similarly, if you are driving and feeling sleepy then listen to the advise and not sleep.
In your life you have to take advise and opinions from people. Be an open book and not a closed mind.


Q. Guruji, whats your view about conversion?
A. Conversion from hardness to softness, rudeness to caring, selfishness to seva, is required! From small guage to broad guage and not narrow. This is necessary.


Q. Why are there so many mysteries in this world?
A. For you to wonder. Thats why this world is wonderfull, full of wonders.


Q. Why do people fear death?
A. They don't know what is love. Love becomes fear in them. Not everybody fears death - terrorists, suicide bombers don't fear death. Only selfish people fear death. People on path of service don't fear death. And, a little fear doesn't matter.


Q. Why knowingly we do something wrong? And, regret later.
A. You knowingly do something wrong because you get joy in it. You regret later because your consciousness doesn't like that act of yours.


Q. How was your Pakistan visit?
A. Very good. In Pakistan this knowledge is so much needed. After 55 years somebody made a spiritual visit there. They said, for the first time they felt that India has embraced them. Their text books don't talk about Buddha, Mahavir, Guru Nanak Dev. Many don't know who was Krishna. There are only a couple of lines about Mahatma Gandhi saying that he and Jinnah brought Pakistan. They don't know about Chandragupta and Ashoka, the famous Indian kings. They are good people. Some of them came here recently and participated in Advanced Meditation course. They really cried when satsangees said "we love you all!"


Q. Do you believe in aliens?
A. Believe? I am one.


Q. Guruji, whats the meaning of Navratri?
A. Ratri, "ra" means giving solace. Solace from 3 types of problems, that "tri" - physical, ethereal and causal. Ratri relieves you and puts you to sleep. No animal needs to worry at night. Whether happy or unhappy everybody goes to sleep. In sanskrit, words are connected to the meaning. This leaf (tied on the stage) is "parna". It absorbs sun rays and
photosynthesis happens. Similarly there is "aparna". That which doesn't absorb but radiates - like mirror. This white cloth (pointing his white robes) is "aparna". White color doesn't absorb, it reflects. Similarly green is "parna" as it absorbs.


Navratri has two meanings - New Night and Nine nights. It takes 9 months for a child to be born. Child rests in the womb during this period. Similarly in Navratri you get back to the self - self referral. Dip into yourself and then you come out with more creativity and be victorious. Negative forces - craving and aversion get relief from all these. Go to the source of energy.


Craving and Aversion are two asuras (demons) like "Madhu" and "Ketav". Then is "Raktabijasur", that which is in your genes. "Rakta" means blood, "bija" means seed. Raktabijasur is like gene in the blood. Sometimes your behavior is not in your control - its in your genes, Raktabijasur. Medication and meditation are required to tackle Raktabijasur. When such energy comes to you transformation happens, the genes change.


Then is "Mahishasura" - dullness. Dullness like buffalo. You need "shakti" (energy) to deal with this. When shakti comes inertia is lifted out. "Shumbh" "Nishumbha" - doubting on everything. "Shumbh" means doubting oneself and "Nishumbh" means doubting others. Doubting at every step. These days people are so busy. Mind is so clogged, so occupied, no time to think of oneself. If someone insults you don't think it as intentional.
"Chanda" and "Munda". Chanda means opposite head. Chanda will oppose anything you say. One who cannot agree with anything. "Munda" does not have a head at all. Whatever you tell them, it will all go in air. Then is "Dhumralochana", "Dhumra" means smoke and "lochana" means eyes - smoky eyes. They see everything hazy.
All this is due to lack of Shakti. When you are full of energy and enthusiasm none of these rakshasas (demons) can come in you.


Q. If these Rakshasas were killed then why do they still exist.
A. Creation happens everyday. Its happening in every atom in space. As a child you were Chandi. Chandi means stubborn. Stubborn without any reason.
They are all part of one divinity. All play and display of one consciousness. You would say if devi is so powerfull then why would she come with weapons to fight with rakshasas, why doesn't she kill them just like that. Its all to make it more playful. Through these weapons even these asuras become purified. Its all one consciousness that plays these roles and comes back.
Creation happens everyday and destruction happens everyday. Its not a one time activity. Its a cyclic phenomenon that makes the whole world so interesting.
Everything is cyclic and not linear - this is India's biggest contribution to the world. Truth is spherical. Time is spherical.


Q. We go deep in ourself when we are in sorrow. Isn't there the other way of going deep?
A. If sorrow takes you deep inside then you have not really gone deep inside. There is no sorrow in the deepest - the core. Wake up in knowledge and you will not find any sorrow. Whatever sorrow is there its because of foolishness. When you look with a broad vision there is no sorrow. There are two ways to get rid of sorrow. Either you kill the sorrow with knowledge or you go through it. In latter you cry and after sometime you will calm down.

Sri Sri Ravishankar: Power of your Vote

India's problems are complex. And unfortunately these are compounded by vote-bank politics. Instead of uniting the different sections of society, many politicians divide it to keep their vote banks intact. If people are united, politicians won't be able to get votes through divisive politics.In such a situation, the only way for them to win votes would be through good performance.

As citizens, we must protect our country from those who manipulate issues for their personal gains and who lead by playing vote-bank politics. Those with vested interests support insensible decisions and oppose sensible ones. We have to steer clear of such leaders. We must encourage broad-minded politicians and leaders to come forward and take charge, and to educate and uplift the society - spiritually, morally and socially.

We need leaders who are satya-darshi (truthful), sam-darshi (equanimous), priya-darshi (pleasant), paar-darshi (transparent) and door-darshi (visionary). So, before we elect our leaders, we should examine their qualifications.

We must elect leaders who will do away with policies based on caste, creed, religion and region; who will ensure that every child gets a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional education.

We need leadership with a mission and a vision, leadership with a spirit of sacrifice, compassion and commitment. We must choose leaders who have a long-term vision and short-term plans to achieve it. They should have great personal integrity, and place the country before themselves.

Unfortunately, most of our politicians lack a sense of sacrifice and inclusiveness. Irrespective of the party they belong to, people perceive politicians as insincere. Today, people are fed up of them. This is when apathy sets in among people. They dismiss politics as a whole and withdraw from their basic duty of voting.

Our votes are an important tool to bring about a change in the system; they give us an opportunity to raise our voice against injustice. But many of us have developed a chalta hai attitude, because we fail to see the power of our votes. This attitude is dangerous for the country. By not voting we are encouraging the status quo. Each one of us must not only vote but also encourage others around us to vote.
When good, intelligent and well-educated people don't vote, they play into the hands of politicians, who use money and vote bank politics to seize power.

People should not lose hope. Good politicians exist. And they must be given a chance to do the best they can for the country, for its people.

We have seen the shortcomings of capitalism, communism and socialism. Now is the time for humanism and spiritualism. Politics without humanism and spiritualism is bound to be dirty. Many people believe that spiritualism is not for this world, that it is not a practical tool to bring about societal transformation. But that's a misconception. Mahatma Gandhi was spiritual. He conducted satsangs every day and played an important role in bringing freedom for our country.That is why today we need leaders who have a spirit of sacrifice, and who are spiritual in their outlook, to enter politics.

 Sri Sri Ravishankar and SIMI's talk at KERALA
This happened in Kerela.

Sri Sri gave an audience to the SIMI (Student Islamic Movement of
India) leaders. Four leaders from SIMI came to meet Sri Sri at the residence
of one of the organizers. Following their entry, an air of tension enveloped
the hall where hundreds were waiting to meet with Sri Sri. Naseeb, one of
the devotees, guided them to the room where Sri Sri was sitting with a few
of us. They (the SIMI leaders), were dashing youths in their mid 20's. One
of them was carrying the holy Koran. They were little stern and stiff. Their
eyes were fixed and seemed to reflect an inner fire. They looked prepared to
repulse anything that Sri Sri would tell them and most unlikely to listen to
reason.

Sri Sri was His usual smiling self.

The stage was set. It had all the signs of a classic confrontation. On one
side were the brash youth - intemperate, impatient, driven by ideology and
out to prove their superiority. On the other was a youthful, realized sage,
unperturbed, offering sane explanations that echoed an uncommon depth and
breadth of understanding. Those of us in the room, were eager to see how Sri
Sri would deal with these firebrands. Sri Sri embraced them and offered them
chairs to sit. There was not an iota of difference in His attitude. Any
casual onlooker could be forgiven for thinking that Sri Sri considered these
gentlemen as amongst His most ardent devotees. Perhaps the only difference
that we could see was that they were seated on chairs while the rest of us
were on the floor! For us, it was yet another opportunity to witness the
unconditional love that Sri Sri exemplifies.

The leader of the group spoke first. He asked

SIMI: You had wanted to meet with us.

SRI SRI: Yes. I wanted to understand why your organization was opposed to
the Anandotsavam.

SIMI: We thought that holding an Anandotsavam (celebration) on December 6th
was a deliberate move to insult our religious sentiments. Do you know about
our religion?. Do you believe in the Koran at all?

SRI SRI: Yes of course.

SIMI: (Not expecting this answer, pointing to the Koran, they shot the next
question) We believe that Koran is the only knowledge. What about you?

SRI SRI: This is one amongst the various knowledge revealed to man from time
to time.

SIMI: But God has said this is the only knowledge. The way of the Koran is
the only way. There is no other way.

SRI SRI: This message can be found in scriptures of all religions. In the
Vedas it is said "Naanyah Panthaah Ayanaaya Vidyate" meaning "There is no
other way but the way of Truth!" The same is said in the Bible, Jesus says,
"To go to my father, you have to go through me. I am the only way".

SIMI: But our scripture says worshipping any form or idol is evil, it is
blasphemy.

SRI SRI: What is Good and Evil after all? It is relative. Relative existence
is not the complete picture For example: Milk is good, but too much milk can
kill you. Poison is harmful, but a drop of poison can save your life. Most
lifesaving medicines have poison written on them! These are neither
absolutely good nor bad they are just there. Truth transcends duality, and
God is the Absolute and only Truth. So, where is the place for evil?

SIMI: Yet you Hindus worship many Gods, whereas our ideal is there is only
one God and His message is what is required to go to heaven.

SRI SRI: There is only one god in many forms.

SIMI: (Restless and unwilling to listen to any explanation, they interrupted
Sri Sri.) But the Koran says you should only worship Allah who is formless
whereas the Hindus worship idols which are only stones.

SRI SRI: At this, Sri Sri suddenly asked them: Do you honour the Koran?

SIMI: (They seemed a little taken aback at this question from Sri Sri and
with a righteous air answered). Yes, it is God's word!

SRI SRI: Do you honor the Mecca?

SIMI: Yes, of course! That is our sacred place.

SRI SRI: So also, Hindu's honour God's creation as God. Just like sound
(Koran), the crescent moon, Kaaba and the month of Ramadan are sacred for
you, Hindus consider the River Ganges, the Himalayas, Saints as sacred. See,
a picture of your daughter is not your daughter, but you still adore the
daughter's picture. When you see the picture aren't you reminded of your
daughter?
(They nodded a yes)

SRI SRI: So also, a symbol is not God but is honoured as God. This sense of
honouring and sacredness makes you awake and alive. That is why the ancient
Rishis said to feel the entire creation and your whole life as sacred. They
considered God as omnipresent, as inseparable from His creation; like the
dance and the dancer.

Sri Sri elaborated further - Spirit loves diversity. Is there only one type
of vegetable or fruit? God created many type of fruits and vegetables. There
is not just one type of tree, not just one type of snake, cloud,
mosquito..Even you change your dress for different occasions. So how could
this consciousness that manifested this whole creation be monotonous? There
is only one God in many forms. Only one God is advocated. When you accept
the variety of Divinity, you cease to be a fanatic and fundamentalist. A
pregnant silence filled the room as they looked at each other expecting the
other to speak. Then as a face saving measure, the SIMI leader replied, "I
will need to go and consult my higher scholars." With a compassionate
ex-pression on His face, Sri Sri said: Never mind, (with a wave of His hand)
forget about religion. We are all human beings. Let us have a peaceful
society. Let us focus on development.

SIMI: No No No! What are you saying? You are talking about this world. What
we do here is immaterial. The Koran tells us that what matters is what you
get in eternal life and not to worry about material life. By doing service
to the society you will simply remain here. You have to obey Allah. Allah is
the only God and Mohammed is the last prophet.

SRI SRI: At this Sri Sri stopped them and after a pause asked them: Do you
think the Sikh Gurus are not prophets. Isn't Mirabai a prophet? What about
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
Once again, there was silence. Their ex-pressions had changed. The rigidity
had weakened and in its place was some confusion/uncertainty. Sri Sri seemed
totally at ease unmindful of the challenges posed at Him.

SIMI: No! You can go to heaven only if you believe in Allah and the Koran.

SRI SRI: No my dear - there was Buddha, Mahavira, Nanak, Jesus, Shankara. Do
you think they are not in heaven? If not, then I would rather be with them!

SIMI: You are such a nice person, but we pity you because you cannot get the
truth. You can't go to Allah. You can't be rewarded by Allah. God will never
show mercy on you.

SRI SRI: Never mind. (with a mischievous smile ) I will be with these people
(Shankara, Jesus, etc.)
(Even as we were admiring Sri Sri's patience and objectivity, we were
concerned at the wrong indoctrination that these youths had been subjected
to. We also observed a few others who were in the room were getting a little
restive, possibly wondering why Sri Sri was spending so much time with these
people who were obviously not at all receptive and that too when hundreds
were waiting outside just for a glimpse of Sri Sri.)

SIMI: Do you know, that over 1400 years ago, in the middle of the desert,
God revealed the secrets of creation. Even when there was no science, God
said that the Atom is the smallest particle!

SRI SRI smiled and said: Yes, the same is there in the shaastras too which
were known more than 10,000 years ago. In the shaastras it is said that the
Earth is over 19 billion years old! Truth is beyond time and space. It is
not confined to one time or one place One needs to have a scientific
spirituality.

As if to conclude the conversation Sri Sri gave them Ladoo as prasad. By now
there were traces of a smile on their faces. When they were about to leave
He gave them a hug. They definitely seemed to be less stern than earlier.
Could their attitude have changed? We wondered whether this ('changed
attitude') would persist or would they go back to their old fanatic ways.
But one thing was for sure, Sri Sri had made an impression that they would
not forget!
Later, while Sri Sri was having His lunch, someone asked Him, "Why is that
Islam is producing so many terrorists all over the world? No other religion
has given rise to so many terrorists in the world. What is the reason?"
SRI SRI: Look at the commitment and the fire in them. Take the good from
them and learn what you should not be doing. Don't label them as bad people.
They have not been imparted the knowledge of Vedanta. (Then as He was adding
ghee to the chili powder) He smiled and said "In this creation, there is a
place for everything."
Excerpted from an article written by Swami Sadhyojata and Harish Ramachandran

Ganesh Festival in Mumbai

Ganesh immersion in Arabian sea at Girgaon Chowpatty beach, Marine Drive, Mumbai.





This was the first movie from my Sony handycam. Its a cool model with 40x optical zoom! (digital zoom is 2000x). It has a cool 30 GB hard disk, so no hassles of video cassette or DVD! I posted this video originally at my other blog

Happy Guru Purnima

Today is Guru Purnima.Wish you all a wonderful Guru Purnima.
See my earlier article on Guru Purnima.
Also see Guru Purnima at about.com

Happy Guru Purnima





Today is Guru Purnima.Wish you all a wonderful Guru Purnima.

See my earlier article on Guru Purnima.

Also see Guru Purnima at about.com.

Happy Ram Navami

Happy Ram Navmi!

Happy Ram Navmi to all!
Check out my previous post on my Art of Living blog on Ram Navmi
Also check out my post who are you ? - 2.



Check out my latest on my other blog too.

Best v/s worst paradox!

Life is full of contradictions and ironies. Truth is always self-contradictory! I am the best and worst.. I am the most intelligent and most foolish at the same time! I am good and bad at the same time! I am a multi-dimensional guy but think linearly some times.. I am the best and worst.. I am full as well as empty at the same time. I am "everybody" and "nobody" at the same time! [1] I am vast like sky and deep like sea at the same time! I am the best and worst.. I am the most perfect and a crackpot at the same time! I am a dreamer as well as realist. I am the world"s best Dal maker, yet worst cook [2] I am the best and worst.. I am ignorant, yet most knowledgeable! I am rich, yet the poor!! I am a well-educated man and illiterate simultaneously! I am the best and worst.. I am a good mathematician, still bad at calculations! [3] I am an innovator but don"t know what to do at times! I solve everybody"s problems but still I have some problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am the best and worst.. There is no impossibility for me, still I can"t do some simplest! tasks! George Bush is a stupid guy, yet he did some smart things! Her "letting go" is her biggest strengh as well as her worst weakness many a times! I am the best and worst.. Einstein: Most ever intelligent in the mankind history. But he was a slow thinker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isaac Newton: Was the GREATEST ever scientist, but he did stupid things. [4] Osama Bin Laden is the cruelest guy, yet he is kind [to his family and team-members (terrorists!)] I am the best and worst.. I see/touch matter ONLY but I know I have a mind! [5] I am a physicist and spiritualist! [6] Light is waves yet it is particles (photons)! [7] I am the best and worst.. History"s best computer science innovators/pioneers were NOT computer scientists, but they ARE physicists & mathematicians. [8] What you see is NOT truth; Truth is beyond our knowledge/common sense. [9] You practically "see" a mirage which never exists! I am the best and worst.. Light travels in straight-lines ONLY, yet it BENDS too!! I can"t "see" "myself" but I know I exist! I will die in a few decades, still I am ETERNAL; I know I will never ever die! nor was I ever born!! Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya.. Too much to digest?? Just take a cold water shower :) My other blog: Krish Wonders Blog! 1 Watch Matrix movie or read Yoga Vasishta/Bhagavadgita to understand this! 2 Dal is the only thing I can cook! But my Dal tadka has a huuuuge fan following!! 3 I am slow at adding three 2-digit numbers! Solving a multivariable partial differential equation of 20th order is much easier!! 4 Newton made one big hole (in his door) for his large (pet) cat (to enter) and another small hole for his kitten. Eventually both the cats ended up using the big hole only! 5 And I have never "seen" your mind; BUT I KNOW for SURE... You HAVE a mind!!!! 6 A physicist is concerned with physical, "material"/"tangible"/"visible" matter and measurable energy. A spiritualist is concerned with mind and consciousness (spirit). By the way, mind and matter complement each other! there is no contradiction, they are different sides of the same coin!! 7 Same with matter - Schrodinger Equation 8 Pioneers in Artificial Intelligence, parallel processing etc etc were physicists; Internet was invented at CERN labs, its not Yahoo, Microsoft or Apple.... 9 It is technically/scientifically/theoretically&practically POSSIBLE to travel into 1000 years future within just a few minutes!

Happy Maha Shiva Ratri

Happy Mahashivratri to all

Shiva, the Peace within You

Ratri or night is that which gives comfort to the mind, body & soul.
Shivaratri is that which brings a deep sense of serenity & benevolence.
Any meditation you do on this day has a manifold effect, 100 times more
of an effect, for this is the day when spirit touches the earth.




Your Nature is Shiva

Peace is your nature, yet you remain restless.
Freedom is your nature, yet you remain in bondage.
Happiness is your nature, yet you become miserable for some reason or
another.
Contentment is your nature, yet you continue to reel in desires.
Benevolence is your nature, yet you don"t reach out.
Going towards your nature is Sadhana.
Sadhana is becoming what you truly Are!

Your true nature is Shiva.
And Shiva is peace, infinity, beauty and the non-dual One.
Ratri means "to take refuge." Shivaratri is taking refuge in Shiva.

- Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder, Art of Living

Also check out my latest on my other blog http://blog.krishna-reddy.com/

Divine Valentine!

Happy Valentines Day to all Krishna, the Eternal Celebration ABIDING IN THE SELF     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. They uphold each other. If you hold onto matter and do not respect the spirit, then matter is not pleased. If you honor the spirit then you will care for the world, and when you care for the world, it will take care of you.     I am the Valentine of the whole world and I reside in every heart. If you are my Valentine, you will see me everywhere. Have the same love for everyone, with different flavors. You cannot behave the same way with everyone, but you can love all of them the same. Love transcends behavior and etiquette. BE LOVED    You don’t need to worry to maintain knowledge. When knowledge is lodged in you as wisdom, it will never leave you. Wisdom lodges itself in your heart. Make the Divine your Valentine (your sweet Beloved). This is the last thing to do and the first thing to do.     Keep your heart in a safe place; it is too delicate. Events, small things make strong impressions on it. And you cannot find a better place than the Divine to keep your heart safe and your mind sane. When you keep your heart in the Divine, the moving time, the passing events, will not be able to touch it, will not create a scar. A precious stone needs a setting around it, gold or silver, to hold it and to wear it; so wisdom and knowledge are that setting around the heart which will hold it in the Divine.    See the Divine in your Valentine and make the Divinity your Valentine (your sweet beloved). Just BE... and know that you are LOVED...That is BELOVED.    Wisdom is to consider the earth as your Valentine. Whether it shakes or breaks, it is dear to you. You always see good coming from it. - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living founder Radha Krishna, the Eternal, Divine Love Check out my To my Valentine poem on my other blog too...

Who are You - 2!!

Wish you all a very Happy Sri Ram Navami!!
Check out my previous article (Who is God?) on Ram Navmi
I hope this serves as a sequel to my previous post Who Are You?
Also see my post on a similar topic Krishna
Thank You all for your overwhelming response for my post "Who are You?"

Happy Diwali!

DIWALI

Time and space are infinite. Grains of sand are countless. Atoms in the universe are innumerable. So also the stars, the galaxies. The same is with the life on this planet. Neither is there a beginning nor is there an end, because it is all spherical. A sphere has neither a beginning nor an end, nor a goal, nor a direction. Truth has no direction, no goal. Truth itself is the goal and truth is infinite.

Feeling or experiencing the infinity within this finite body, living the timelessness within the time span of life, uncovering the bliss within the misery. This is what you are here for. Today is Diwali - the Festival of Lights. The streets and buildings are lit up with colorful lights. The four aspects of Diwali:

1. The lights: Symbolic of spreading the Knowledge.

2. Fire crackers: When the explosion happens outside, the explosion inside is diffused.

3. Gift exchange and distribution of sweets: Sweets dispel the bitterness and renew the friendship.

4. Feeling abundance: Brings awareness and gratefulness for what one has.

When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration, and in celebration you may lose focus or awareness. The ancient rishis knew this so to maintain awareness in the midst of gaiety of celebration, they brought sacredness and puja to every celebration.

Celebrate the Knowledge and feel the abundance, for "those who have will be given more"!
- H H Sri Sri Ravishankar

Krishna Janmashtami

---

Wish you all a wonderful Sri Krishna Janmashtami!
Do you know what is Krishna?
Krishna is the consciousness, the field of all the wonderful possibilities!
And it is your very nature!
You are made up of the same consciousness.
You know this secret?
Consciousness, God, Life, You - all are synonymous!
This is the truth although it takes a calm mind to realize this simple, yet profound truth.
Here bookish knowledge or something that you have heard will not help.
You have to explore and experience it practically through meditation and an enlightened Masters"s guidance.
See my previous blog "Who are you?" and take the challenge.

Check out my To my Valentine poem on my other blog too...

Also Check out my Divine Valentine post on my Art of Living Blog

Enjoy the following article on Krishna by H H Sri Sri Ravishankar.

BIRTH OF THE CENTER OF ATTRACTION

 Krishna means the most attractive . . . It is the divinity that is the most attractive; the energy that pulls everything to it. Krishna is the formless center which is everywhere. Any attraction from anywhere is coming only from Krishna. Often people fail to see the spirit behind the attraction and merely hold on to the outer shell. And the moment you try to possess the shell, you will see Krishna has played a trick and you will be left with an empty shell in your hands and tears in your eyes.

 Be clever like Radha -- don"t be tricked by Krishna. Krishna could not escape from Radha, for her whole world was filled with Krishna. If you can see that wherever there is an attraction, there is Krishna; then you are Radha, you are in your center.

 The mind moves towards beauty, joy and truth. Krishna tells Arjuna, "I am the beauty in the Beautiful, the strength in the Strong, the wisdom in the Wise." In this way he arrests the mind from moving away from him.

Happy Independence Day!

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without
which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made."
- Albert Einstein

Wish you a happy independence day!
I think we should introspect on what we have given back to mother India.
Its high time we all think and act, "How can I make a difference? How can I contribute towards enriching my country?".

An interesting article on India by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar

Also check out my previous blogs:

Pakistanis and Indians together? - Shift in the world consciousness: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Mathematics, Science and Spirituality

Check out Francois Gautier's article: The truth about India's Independence

Who are YOU???

Dear friends, Have you ever wondered - Who You are? I invite all you iLanders - the great thinkers! - to join the discussion on this interesting topic!! Just look at Your Self and ask this simple question "Who am I?" Your answers also will be very interesting! And you will be simply amazed!! There will be a big surprise for those who get the right answer for this question! So just take time for yourself, and ponder who you are!! And share your insights/experiences. Whhhhatever comes to your mind! just jot it down as a comment here. More later! Best wishes for now..  Krishna   22-July-2006 Email: krishnar[at]rediffmail.com I want genuine answers only - from your personal experience! Tell me what you feel, rather than what you have read or heard!!   24-July-2006. Well , it was a wonderful response! But the Many more questions too! Each of your answers is correct. But the truth is much much more than all these answers put together!! So keep pondering over this question. Every time you ask this question, it will open up a new dimension within you. You will reach greater depths. In fact this is the most basic, yet most profound and challenging question in your life! Watch out this space for answers of some of your queries. 26-July-2006.

Happy Guru Poornima!

Wish you all a very happy Guru Purnima.

Pearls of Knowledge on Guru purnima.
Extract from the talks of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar and a few question and answers...

Guru purnima is the day to feel grateful for the great knowledge you have received from your master. It is time to review how much knowledge you could ingrain in your life in past one year. This may bring about a realization  for scope of improvement which in turn will bring humility in you. Be grateful  for the way this knowledge has transformed you. Just think how you could have  been without this. There is a definite change inside you. If you cannot see any change, then you haven't had a good look in yourself. Gratitude and humility together blossom a genuine prayer inside you!

Guru is a tatva - an element, a quality; inside you. It is not limited to a body  or a form.

Life is an ocean of love. Flow the lamp of knowledge in it. Even let the knowledge be flown away in the ocean of love. The ego that comes out of  truth and knowledge is dangerous. Sense of righteousness makes you hard. So in the  wave of devotion and love; you even let the knowledge get washed out.

Q. What is the story behind Gurupurnima?
A. Acharya (teacher) gives knowledge and Guru gives height of awareness and makes you alive. Acharya gives information, Guru gives intelligence, an awakened intelligence. Mind is connected with moon. Full moon is completion, the pinnacle. On Gurupurnima the devotee wakes up in full gratitude. Devotee becomes  like an ocean moving in itself. It's the time to come in fullness. It's a time to celebrate. It's also called "Vyasa Purnima". Vyasa had given knowledge on each and every subject.
So in Gurupunima you remember all guru's of the past. It is the day when devotee arises in full gratitude, they turn back and see how they changed and developed in the last 1 year. They assess what lessons they have learned and how they are growing in knowledge. It's reviewing yourself in knowledge.  Mind needs to be reminded again and again, so we review it.
 

Q. People blindly worship a Guru?  Is it ok?  Shouldn't they just worship the divine? A. Why does somebody adore someone else?

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

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

Q. I feel like I want to be close to you and I don't know how. I love you.
A. It is good, heart breaks and love flows.  In the world out there heart breaks and misery comes, but here when heart breaks, love flows and life blossoms. Good.  Just assume you are already close to me and when you are smiling, when you do service, when you are in knowledge - you are so much close to me.  And see more and more people get the benefit of this knowledge what you are having.  Just turn back and see your life, how much it has changed as you did the practices, the meditations, your kriya and relate to yourself the person who was there before doing the kriya.  What a big difference. Isn't it?  How many of you feel you are not the same person. Almost everybody isn't it, so that benefit, that opening, we need to bring in others life as well, we need to do that.
 

Q.How to find a guru or choose a guru?
A.Guru is too big for you to make.  If you make Guru you are bigger than the Guru.  Guru comes in your life in spite of your refusing or rebelliousness.  Don't struggle to make a Guru.  Just relax.  Life keeps changing.  Wake up and see.  Feel grateful.  Give all your garbage to the Guru.  Guru makes gold out of garbage.  Guru makes a fool intelligent.  It is easy to make that change because everyone is made up of that one thing.

Q. How to become a sincere devotee?
A. Just you have to assume that you are really sincere devotee. You give grade to yourself. I am number 1 devotee. Nobody's like me. But don't think so and so is number 1 devotee and I'm number 2. Each one of us should say I'm number 1 devotee. Nobody's like me. Then that is how the devotion grows. If you think you are number 2, number 3, number 10, then that much, you will be away from the knowledge. You know this problem is there with many - that after basic course, you continue for sometime then you drop. Then afterwards it becomes very difficult. If you do an advanced course, it will bring you back in the knowledge.

Q. Guruji, you are the best.
A. Only best can recognize the best.

Q. A devotee is very happy on getting a Guru, does the Guru feel the same happiness in getting a devotee?
A. Seeing your happiness he gets happiness.

Q. I want a Guru mantra from you.
A. That is there. Sudarshan kriya is there.

Q. Guruji, show me the path.

A. Why? Why shall I show you the path? I'm not so irresponsible. I'll  take you to your goal. It's my habit. It's the age of aero planes and you are talking in terms of bullock carts. You have sat in plane and your flight has taken off. Now, this plane will take you to your destination, you don't need to ask for the path.
 

Q. What quality should an ideal disciple have? Do you differentiate
between disciples?
A. Don't worry so much, just be like a child, and take life with ease. Yes, I differentiate between disciples and you are very special. Each one of you is unique and each one is special, so everyone is different.
 

Q. You are so wonderful, when can I become like you?
A. First stop attempting to become like me. Second know that I'm you.

Read an interesting article on Guru Poornima: http://www.indiayogi.com/content/full_moon_festival/guru_purnima.asp

Pakistanis and Indians together?

Pakistanis and Indians together? - Shift in the world consciousness: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Here is an excerpt from my friend Vijay Simha's interview with His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar shortly after Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Bangalore. He is an Associate Editor with Sunday Indian (Then he was with Tehelka.) http://www.artofliving.org/silverjubilee/interview.htm Q: Coming back to the Silver Jubilee, I've not seen Chinese and Taiwanese dancing together ever before. Yes. And Pakistanis and Indians. Q: So is this the beginning of a shift in world consciousness? Definitely. (Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebrations were truely a One World Family Reunion. Blessed are those who were privileged to witness this historic event!) Above photos anticlockwise from top: 1) Guruji and Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam on the stage on the last day of the Art of Living Silver Jubilee. 2) Enthusiastic Pakistani devotees waving their flags on the stage! 3) Jubilant crowd with their flags. Watch out this space! I will upload many more of Art of Living Silver Jubilee Photos here. Check the following link for more pictures: http://www.artoflivingsfba.org/sjphotoessay/sjphotoessay.html