Some Q & A's with the Master

Some Q & A's with the Master
Contribution by Shaparak
Q: Guruji, what steps can one take to let go of a relationship headache?

A: There are no steps, one should just let go. As in the vedas, when someone dies, they are cremated and onlyashes are left. When you put the ashes in the river, you don't even look at where they are going, you just turnback, you go away from the past. Why hang on to something that has gone? Life is too short to worry about whathas happened in the past.

Q: When I am sad, I don't do spiritual practices, there is a resistance. Why is this? Please help me.

A: Why do you want to understand? That's how it is. If you observe your breath, deep within, a desire forpleasure and happiness is engraved there. Everything you do is because you want some joy. There are twoways to get rid of this. The first way, the Buddhist way, is to know that this wanting for joy is the cause ofproblems. The other way, the Vedic way, is to know, 'I want greater happiness than this… the ultimatehappiness.' Both are the same.


Q: Can you be peaceful and, at the same time, have a career in the armed forces?

A: Why not? You can retire fast in the armed forces, have a greater pension and a happy life. Anyway, now therearen't any wars, apart from Iraq. It's not like Vietnam. You know, 43 Iraqis came to the Bangalore Ashram, somewere doctors and engineers, and they took the courses... now they will go back to Iraq to bring peace throughthe Art of Living courses. It's good news.


Q: How can one deal with anger?

A: I have a technique for you. Whenever you get angry, sing. If you get angry at your husband or wife, scoldthem by singing. See if you can do it. Anger comes when you go out of a certain rhythm. Music is bringing thatrhythm back. The antidote for anger is music, exercise and martial arts such as karate. You know, martial artsshould be practiced without anger. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, "Fight, but not with angeror hatred." Anger does not take permission before coming. Don't regret anger. It is alright to show anger withchildren if required. If you don't get angry, they become so weak in the world. They cannot take criticism. Youshould know the limitation though. You know how much salt should be put in the food. Your finger will tell youhow cold or warm the food is. As parents, don't feel guilty for scolding your children. Thinking that way, youbecome stressed and prepare yourself to get even more upset or angry.

Q: As the saying goes, charity begins in the home. How can we do seva outside when we are needed at home?

A: You need to balance. If you say, 'I'll do all my home work before I do seva', then seva will never happen. Thisis because so many things keep coming for home, it doesn't stop. You cannot neglect your home, but at homeit's called duty, not seva. Outside, it is called seva.

Q: I feel I'm losing control of my life.

A: When were you in control of your life? If you ever thought you were in control of your life, then I'm sorry foryour ignorance. What are you going to lose? Do you have any control over your thoughts? They come like astream. After pranayam and meditation, you become aware of your thoughts. Now you know what's happening,then you start questioning. So now you are getting control, you are becoming aware of your thoughts. When weconducted courses in prison, prisoners remarked that they could watch their thoughts. They regret that had theylearnt this before, they would not be there in prison. Don't worry, you are not losing control. These are themoments when you realize nothing is in your hands. Pray. Prayer will make your desire strong. It will fructify.

Q: Is it possible for me to observe joy and sadness, envy and praise etc. at the same time?

A: Emotions are not very clear. Sometimes you are happy with something, and unhappy with something else.Sometimes, when you change a place, you are happy about moving to the new place but sad about leaving theold place. I've seen conflicting emotions of envy and praise, even between father and son or husband and wife.Energy moves, it's a flow of energy. There's no demarcation.