Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Q: If a person thinks he is good for nothing in whatever he does, how should he move ahead in life?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Just be here for a little while and know that God doesn’t create garbage.Everyone who is created on this planet is good for something.

Q: Scientifically, Has it been seen? Can we write it in medical journals?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yeah! It has already been published by NIMHANS (National Institute of
Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) and IAMS, they have published a paper on it.

Q: How can I reach my full potential? I have so many thoughts on business, seva, relationships. How do I know which one to pursue? Is it important to try to find my purpose in life?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes, yes, yes! You can do that very comfortably (laughter from audience).

Q: Does one have to become a teacher to progress on the spiritual path? Knowledge, experience or faith, which comes first?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

See, from a little experience knowledge develops, and then faith happens. They are all intertwined. In The Art of Living, we say first experience and then you go up, step by step. It’s good to become a teacher because then you can teach others and there is so much joy. But don’t think you must become a teacher. You still hold the same status whether you are a teacher or not. Don’t think that you are more evolved because you are a teacher.

Q: I feel that India’s socio-economic problems are a lot based on over population, do you agree?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

No, no. India’s problems are not based on over population, they are based on corruption. The problem is because of corruption. Population was thought to be a curse till a few years ago but today it’s the population that is the basis for improving the economy. Population means big market, why would other countries look at India? Because it’s a huge market.

Q: If everything is as God wants it and if everything is written then why do we need to put effort for anything?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Even that is written. Your asking this question is written too, got it? But me giving an answer for it is not written!
Come on! Animals are governed by instincts. They have no choice, they are programmed. But the human system is programmed with a possibility of either / or. Human system has the choice also programmed. But animals have no program of choice. Do you get what I am saying? In the program it is fixed that human beings can have the choice. Intellect is present in the human system which can make the choices. That means there is freedom also. Got it?

Q: Guruji, why is singing an important part of thecourses? What’s the spiritual significance of singing?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Youknow, knowledge and logic, and music are formed in two different parts of ourbrain and they’re both essential. That brings a balance in the system. Music isessential.

Q: Guruji, does choosing a Guru means one can’t follow theteachings of other masters? Can one have more than one Guru?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Oh! It’s so hard to manage one Guru,how can you…! (laughs) It’s not easy. Respect everybody but follow one path.Honor everyone and you will see, all the masters have said the same thing.There is only one truth, so, they have said the same thing, but the methods aredifferent as per the needs of the time.

You don’t have conflict when you are on this path. Whicheverpath you were there, they have blessed you and that’s how you have come here.You have served those paths, those teachers, those masters and their blessinghas brought you here, with this conviction you move forward. Ok?

It’s just that if you keep trying everything, you get soconfused! So, I would say, see one in all and all in one as a principle.

Honor everyone and follow one path.

Q: Dear Guruji, I notice that during meditation my mind wanders a lot and many irrelevant and absurd thoughts come and go. What do I do?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

If thoughts are coming, never mind, you know. When you realize, you again come back, observe the breath and just sit, that’s it. Some irrelevant, absurd thoughts come and go, it’s all part of stress release, hmm? You may get some brilliant thoughts or some very bad thoughts, don’t judge at that time, we don’t need to get excited, just relax. After meditation if you have some brilliant thoughts you may write it down, you may get some poems, some ideas, creativity may come. That’s all fine, ok? So, just relax, hmm? Some people get ideas, some people can see some visions, some colors, some experience: some may smell some fragrance, or feel something – any of the 5 senses, I would say even the sixth sense, can just get activated during meditation, and it’s good. With all the hollow and empty meditation what’s happening is that the nervous system is getting clearer, purer and so it’s reflecting the inner realm, hmm?

Q: I have gone through several relationships. I now feel detached from all relationships, but then I feel selfish. What should I do?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Love can resolve all relationships. See, it does not matter that people think you are a donkey. It does not matter! Just don’t kick them and prove them right! From your side, be pleasant. Expecting nothing from anyone is the way to be happy. When we start expecting, we become miserable.

When you are sad or miserable, have the strength to sacrifice the cause of sadness. All you can pray is, “When I am happy, let me do seva; when I am sad, let me have the strength to renounce.”

A lady once asked, “Why did God make this place so sad?” So that you can turn to Him. Even though the world is so sad, you still cannot drop it! Can you imagine what would happen if it was all good? You have to turn to the Creator through the creation, recognize the Creator inside the creation. It’s like a hologram.

During moments of misery, we need the strength of sacrifice. During moments of happiness, we need to share our happiness.