Wishing you all a Happy New Year !
listen to Guru ji's msg for 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP25u1nuMyQ
The Art of living is to gain this ability in life-it's very simple, just a skill-the ability to free your mind of the past, to free your mind of the future fears, and to be able to play with every situation that is in front of you, to be able to take every situation that is in front of you. -- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Guruji's New Year Message for 2010
Guruji's New Year Message for 2010
Every excuse to celebrate is good. there are two aspects of true celebration. one is celebration as thanksgiving, as an expression of gratitude for the divine. the second celebration is to move forward by dropping the past, knowing that life is eternal. welcome the new year with either or both of these true celebrations.
Like the christmas tree, life is evergreen. no storm or snow can weather away its leaves. similarly, our spirit is eternal and though time and some adversities may try to cloud the spirit, it still moves forward through personal or social grief and emerges powerful.
The nature of spirit is celebration. celebration is the best medicine to help you move forward in life - it gets you out of the gloom after a crisis. in celebration, don't just concentrate on having parties. when celebration has a tinge of sacredness and prayer, it gains depth and dignity. then, that type of a celebration is service, it is sacred. it is not just entertainment for the mind or excitement for the body, but nourishment for the soul. in such celebration, guilt will come nowhere near you.
Instead of beginning the new year with an intoxicant, if it can begin with an act of kindness, a moment of reflection and even a second of introspection, we can call ourselves far more civilised. your guilt for celebration is only if your celebration is for your own pleasure. if celebration is aimed at uplifting and uniting the hearts and minds of people around you, if it is to help them to let go of the traumatic past and kindle a ray of hope for the future, if your celebration is aimed at uplifting society, then that type of celebration is service, it is sacred. don't feel stingy. share what you have with others. turn your celebration into a sacred offering for society rather than make it a self-centred pleasure-seeking one.
To celebrate life, you don't have to spend a lot of money. celebration comes from enthusiasm and joy, celebration is an attitude and that does not need resources. when things are depressing, celebration is needed even more. a visit to the slums makes you realise that one can celebrate even during tough times. look at those people. they still celebrate.
Let time celebrate your presence. when you let time celebrate you, you are a witness amid celebration. welcome the year 2010 with a genuine smile from within. that smile comes when you know for sure that you are loved. if you don't know you are loved by the divine, you will not be able to celebrate life. you will live in insecurity. with insecurity comes greed. with greed comes selfishness. and with that comes anger. with anger comes lust. and with that comes sadness and misery, one behind the other, like a chain. \
In the past year, check how many days you were entangled in maya? turn back and remember the whole year. when you do this, do not reject anything. let your attention be on the self. this is a delicate balance. this is yoga. this balance is spirituality. spirituality is a harmonious blend of outer silence and inner celebration, and also inner silence and outer celebration! celebration that comes out of silence is real celebration.
The year gone by has taught us many lessons: what we should be doing and what we should not be doing. every pain that we went through in 2009 brought us some depth, and the joy and pleasure gave us a new vision of life and hope for the future. difficulties give you depth and joy gives you width. one thing you must know is that life will always be better. it moves in the direction of the best. on the way you may find some rough roads, but it's for the better. reconcile with the past and move on to the future with enthusiasm.
The wise will see their past as destiny and the future as free will, and be happy in the present. the unwise regret the past and think the future is destined, and become miserable in the present. in 2010, you have the choice of being one of the two.
This new year, let there be sunshine - both in our lives and in society. let us all have the determination to create a violence-free, stress-free society. may your life be filled with peace, joy and true celebration. happy new year!
-- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sri Sri on responsibility
Bangalore ashram, March 29 (Sunday), 5:30 pm:
Sri Sri spoke in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil and English on the request of the 5,000-strong, diverse audience that had gathered at the amphitheatre for satsang this evening. Politics, the upcoming elections in India, a solution to terrorism, the role of youth and the importance of spirituality …. this evening’s conversation covered a wide-range of topics.
On the many questions on politics and the upcoming elections in India, Sri Sri said: Vote for change. Be duty-0riented. Jana seve, janardhan seve – service to mankind is service to God.
Go around villages and tell people to bring a change.
When hearts are united, then whatever one talks, it is music. That’s why when lovers repeat the same thing ten times, one likes to hear it. That is because our relationship is from our hearts.
If the mind is not sweet, then the best of speeches can make one restless. If the mind is sweet, then the world is sweet.
There are three things to keep in mind:
1. We have to do something for society.
2. We have to spread the knowledge that we have received in our lives.
3. How many of our acts have pleased others? How many have pleased us?
If we only do things that please us, then others will be unhappy. And if we only act for the happiness of others, then we will be unhappy. We have to be attentive to this balance.
Our country is burning from all four sides. There are caste and religious divides. Our neighboring countries are burning too. We have to save society.
Wake up, the youth of the country, - wake up.
We have to awaken self-respect. When you respect yourself first, then you can respect others.
If you have self-esteem, then you can do that – if you don’t then you are walking around without a spine. Sadhana awakens your self-esteem. With meditation, emotions like violence cannot arise in you.
There is so much violence in our neighbouring countries. Last year, 400 bomb blasts went off together in Bangladesh. There were ten terror attacks in our country last year. America had one 9/11. In this country, every month has seen a date with terror.
Terrorism cannot be cut off unless spiritual knowledge is given. It is only spiritual knowledge that can cut off a narrow mentality. Without realising this fact, even if we pump millions into Pakistan to end terror, these attempts won’t be successful.
Only money will not make the change: the mindset has to be changed. We all have to strive for a spiritual education. Spread the message of non-violence, love and compassion. Then this attitude of violence, dominance and hatred will go.
We need religious education but not unscientific education. Take only that which is scientific. A broad-based, spiritual education is essential. We need religious education but fanaticism is no good. This continent is passing through a tough time but it will change.
There are three things that we must do:
1. Everyone must meditate for some time everyday
2. Do service to society
3. Vote and encourage others to vote
(A person from the audience stands up and asks a question.)
Q. I feel so fortunate to be listening to a modern-day Vivekananda. How does one know which specific field you are cut off for? Then we can be more effective.A.: Yes, its true…. All those who want to do some service activity, want direction, come here. Let us make a team, take specific targets and do service. We have adopted 38 slums around Bangalore. There are many of you who can go and inspire them and help them.
(Another visitor narrates his experience of hearing Art of Living bhajans when passing by a police station. Sri Sri says: “Even in prisons, inmates hear these bhajans all the time.”)
Q. When will all national boundaries dissolve?A: When everyone starts to do the Sudarshan Kriya. (audience laughs and claps)
Sri Sri spoke in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil and English on the request of the 5,000-strong, diverse audience that had gathered at the amphitheatre for satsang this evening. Politics, the upcoming elections in India, a solution to terrorism, the role of youth and the importance of spirituality …. this evening’s conversation covered a wide-range of topics.
On the many questions on politics and the upcoming elections in India, Sri Sri said: Vote for change. Be duty-0riented. Jana seve, janardhan seve – service to mankind is service to God.
Go around villages and tell people to bring a change.
When hearts are united, then whatever one talks, it is music. That’s why when lovers repeat the same thing ten times, one likes to hear it. That is because our relationship is from our hearts.
If the mind is not sweet, then the best of speeches can make one restless. If the mind is sweet, then the world is sweet.
There are three things to keep in mind:
1. We have to do something for society.
2. We have to spread the knowledge that we have received in our lives.
3. How many of our acts have pleased others? How many have pleased us?
If we only do things that please us, then others will be unhappy. And if we only act for the happiness of others, then we will be unhappy. We have to be attentive to this balance.
Our country is burning from all four sides. There are caste and religious divides. Our neighboring countries are burning too. We have to save society.
Wake up, the youth of the country, - wake up.
We have to awaken self-respect. When you respect yourself first, then you can respect others.
If you have self-esteem, then you can do that – if you don’t then you are walking around without a spine. Sadhana awakens your self-esteem. With meditation, emotions like violence cannot arise in you.
There is so much violence in our neighbouring countries. Last year, 400 bomb blasts went off together in Bangladesh. There were ten terror attacks in our country last year. America had one 9/11. In this country, every month has seen a date with terror.
Terrorism cannot be cut off unless spiritual knowledge is given. It is only spiritual knowledge that can cut off a narrow mentality. Without realising this fact, even if we pump millions into Pakistan to end terror, these attempts won’t be successful.
Only money will not make the change: the mindset has to be changed. We all have to strive for a spiritual education. Spread the message of non-violence, love and compassion. Then this attitude of violence, dominance and hatred will go.
We need religious education but not unscientific education. Take only that which is scientific. A broad-based, spiritual education is essential. We need religious education but fanaticism is no good. This continent is passing through a tough time but it will change.
There are three things that we must do:
1. Everyone must meditate for some time everyday
2. Do service to society
3. Vote and encourage others to vote
(A person from the audience stands up and asks a question.)
Q. I feel so fortunate to be listening to a modern-day Vivekananda. How does one know which specific field you are cut off for? Then we can be more effective.A.: Yes, its true…. All those who want to do some service activity, want direction, come here. Let us make a team, take specific targets and do service. We have adopted 38 slums around Bangalore. There are many of you who can go and inspire them and help them.
(Another visitor narrates his experience of hearing Art of Living bhajans when passing by a police station. Sri Sri says: “Even in prisons, inmates hear these bhajans all the time.”)
Q. When will all national boundaries dissolve?A: When everyone starts to do the Sudarshan Kriya. (audience laughs and claps)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
TO SAY SORRY IS A GOOD MISTAKE? - Sri Sri
Often, in establishing your righteousness, you are insensitive to others feelings. When someone is hurt, arguing with them and establishing your righteousness will be in vain. By saying a simple "Sorry", you can uplift the other and take away the bitterness. In many situations saying "Sorry" is better than establishing your righteousness. It can avert much unpleasantness.
This one word of five letters, when said sincerely can remove anger, guilt, hatred and distance.
Many people feel pride in hearing "Sorry" from others. This boosts their ego.
But when you say "Sorry" to a wise man, it evokes compassion at your ignorance. However, when you say "Sorry" to your Guru, He will get angry and say, "Go! Listen to Ashtavakra!" (Laughter) For your saying "Sorry" indicates doership. You feel that YOU have MADE a mistake.
A mistake is part of an unconscious mind. An unconscious mind cannot do right. A conscious mind can do no wrong. The mind which makes the mistake and the mind which realizes the mistake - saying "Sorry" - are entirely different, aren´t they? The mind which says "Sorry" cannot be an unconscious mind. Therefore, saying "Sorry" sincerely is a BIG MISTAKE!!!
Did you get it or are you confused? If you didn't get it, don't feel sorry or you can feel sorry!! (Laughter)
How strange - truth is paradoxical!
This one word of five letters, when said sincerely can remove anger, guilt, hatred and distance.
Many people feel pride in hearing "Sorry" from others. This boosts their ego.
But when you say "Sorry" to a wise man, it evokes compassion at your ignorance. However, when you say "Sorry" to your Guru, He will get angry and say, "Go! Listen to Ashtavakra!" (Laughter) For your saying "Sorry" indicates doership. You feel that YOU have MADE a mistake.
A mistake is part of an unconscious mind. An unconscious mind cannot do right. A conscious mind can do no wrong. The mind which makes the mistake and the mind which realizes the mistake - saying "Sorry" - are entirely different, aren´t they? The mind which says "Sorry" cannot be an unconscious mind. Therefore, saying "Sorry" sincerely is a BIG MISTAKE!!!
Did you get it or are you confused? If you didn't get it, don't feel sorry or you can feel sorry!! (Laughter)
How strange - truth is paradoxical!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wealth of Knowledge
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Balance in Life - His Holiness SRI SRI Ravi Shankar
Life is utterly simple and yet most complex. You have to simultaneously attend to both facets of life. When life appears most complex, turn to simplicity. Simplicity brings peace. When you are peaceful attend to the complexity within you. That will make you more skillful.
If you are only with simplicity, it makes you lazy and dull. Being only with complexity makes you angry and frustrated. The intelligent ones balance them and rejoice in both. If you look only to simplicity, growth is not there. If you look only at the complexity, then there is no life at all. All that you need is a skillful balance. If you recognize both the simplicity and the complexity of life, you will be skillfully peaceful.
Colors are the complexity of life. White is the simplicity. When your heart is pure, your life becomes colorful.
If you are only with simplicity, it makes you lazy and dull. Being only with complexity makes you angry and frustrated. The intelligent ones balance them and rejoice in both. If you look only to simplicity, growth is not there. If you look only at the complexity, then there is no life at all. All that you need is a skillful balance. If you recognize both the simplicity and the complexity of life, you will be skillfully peaceful.
Colors are the complexity of life. White is the simplicity. When your heart is pure, your life becomes colorful.
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