Monday, May 26, 2008

be happy all the time.


Have you ever met
anyone who does not want happiness?We all desire various things
depending on our tastes and needs,bot one thing we all crave for is
happiness.It is a ceaseless quest.

It is easy to be happy .Most
will dispute these six words.The secret is that  it is we who
decide whether to be happy or not.We choose happiness .We make it
happen.

We waste alot of time searching for happiness when it is
actually all around us.It is just that we choose to ignore it;or that we
have taken many things for granted.How may of us,for instance ,think of
how blessed we are to have steady jobs as we travel to our workplaces?Do
we ever think of the thousands of others who are equally talented who do
not get the opportunity to prove themselves ?When we value what we have,
we experience happiness .

It is very important to count our
blessings .Every day . But since we have it ,we do not even notice it
.How many of us thank ourselves for having normal children?But unless we
have a handicapped child ,we do not realise that it's a blessing.We must
consciously appreciate what we have.

It is equally vital to
figure out what is it that makes us unhappy. Is it relationships,anger,
health,work ,or greed for material things? Once we identify the demon,we
can work on it and eliminate.

One major thorn that creates
unhappiness is greed. There's just no end to it. Instead of valuing what
we have,we yearn for more.Then we fall into a dark bottomless pit and
keep falling for the rest of our lives.

Sharing introduces you to
happiness .It is inexplicable joy.Sharing pain even reduces it's
intensity .That's why ,when grief is shared ,one feels so unburdened .If
you are free, volunteer for some social work .Doing something that helps
others always brings happiness .Reach out to people, Good healthy
relationships nurture you from within . Happiness is contagious .See how
you and your sense of joy magnetise people around you .

Try to live according to your design. When we live according to the dictates of
others,corrosion in the heart starts .To draw your game plan of life,you
need to have a healthy sense of self esteem .Only then can others
respect you .You can give up your ego only if you have a healthy one
.Accept yourself with all your faults.Listen to your inner
voice.

To change your sense of happiness, it may be a good idea
to change your expectations .Be realistic .It is good to want to touch
the stars, but goals must be achievable.

Be engrossed in what you
do .Work is a guaranteed path to happiness. But you got to love what you
do .Those who enjoy their work are happier souls as they are having fun
.Research has shown that happy people are healthier and fall ill much
lesser than those who are unhappy and wait for a lottery. Wealth does
not guarantee happiness. But the way you live and think does.


 
more at : http://gurujiskripa.blogspot.com

knowledeg sheets- Who wakes up first? //Beyond the Rational Mind

Knowledge Sheet 156 - Who wakes up First?
May 28, 1998
Bangalore Ashram, India
Who Wakes Up First? You Or God?

You wake up first. God is still asleep. When you wake up first, you experience pain and pleasure. You become aware of the shortcomings of the world and its beauty. Then you cry for help and seek the ultimate and then you wake up God. And when God is awakened in you, there is no "two."

When both God and you are asleep, there is inertia. When the "I" is asleep, there is no experience.

God is in you in seed form. When he wakes up, you cease to exist. God is asleep in every particle in this universe. It's you who wakes up first and then you awaken God. And when God wakes up, neither you nor the world remain.

The rishis made a mockery. They created a practice of awakening God every morning. They call it Suprabhatam service. Many find this ridiculous because they don't understand the depth of it. Only awakened God can see that God is asleep everywhere. [Laughter.]

Brinda: Why should we wake up?

Sri Sri: Because you are not asleep. If you were asleep, how can you ask the question?

Bill: Once you are awake, can you go back to sleep?

Sri Sri: If you have not had tea, of course.

Bill: Who wakes us up?

Sri Sri: You figure that out.
get more at http://gurujiskripa.blogspot.com
Jai Gurudev
 
Knowledge Sheet 157 - Beyond the Rational Mind: Breaking the Barrier
May 28, 1998
New York City, NY, USA

We usually do only that which is purposeful, useful, and rational. everything you see, you see through the rational mind. But an intuition, a discovery, new knowledge goes beyond the rational mind. Truth is beyond the rational mind.

The rational mind is like a railroad track that is fixed in grooves. A plane has no tracks. It can fly anywhere. A balloon can float anywhere.

Some people step out of the rational mind in order to rebel against society. They want to break social law but for the ego's sake. They do it out of anger, hatred, rebelliousness, and wanting attention. This is not stepping out of the rational mind (though they think it is).

We step out of the rational mind when we do something that has no purpose. Accepting that, as an act, makes it a game. Life becomes lighter. If you are stuck with only rational acts, life becomes a burden. Suppose you play a game without a thought to winning or losing, just act irrationally. Making an act without any purpose attached to it - it is freedom - like a dance.

So just step out of the rational mind and you will find a greater freedom, an unfathomable depth, and you willl come face to face with reality. Reality transcends logic and the rational mind. Until you transcend the rational mind you will not get access to creativity and the infinite.

But if you do an irrational act in order to find freedom, then it already has a purpose and a meaning. It is no longer irrational. This knowledge sheet has already spoiled it's own possibility.

Break the barrier of the rational mind and then find freedom for yourself.

Get more at http://gurujiskripa.blogspot.com
Jai Gurudev

Sunday, May 25, 2008

170 wonderful Quotes from the master + on Faith

170 Quotes from the master.... Master is the Door.

"An uncommitted mind feels no direction." :H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Compassion creates cooperation. Company creates competition. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"People who are willing to serve will have good times even in the bad times." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"People usually blame the bad time and just wait for the good time. Even if an astrologer says that you are in a hopeless time, you can still make it a good time!" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"I don't think there is any love affair without war. Everyone who falls in love has to go through some fight." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Shame accompanies arrogance. Shyness accompanies Love." "Retain your shyness and drop your shame." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Wake up and see that everyone loves you. If you ever feel lonely and feel that no one loves and cares for you - remember me. Know that there is one person in this universe who will always love you, always stand by you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Discipline protects freedom. They go hand in hand.. .. Freedom without discipline is like a country without defence." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Life is too short to keep solving problem one after the another I tell you. Just wake up and walk ahead, problems will get solved by themselves. You are not alone my dear! Wake up. You are not alone. All problems are getting solved." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Suppose a set of gifts are bought and given to everyone and they all say, 'Oh, what a beautiful gift,' and they are holding the wrapping papers, but not going past the wrapping paper. The secret is, that all the charm and joy you see in the world is just a wrapping paper, colourful and beautiful, with all glittery designs, but inside you is the real gift, the divinity itself." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Being more aware in life and laughing every moment, we pass through this world. That is growth, that is blossoming in our personality. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"I have never seen your Face But, I have fallen in love with you I have not heard your name But, My hearts Beats your Name I have never touched you But you are in every cell of my being I have never met you But you R ME When I dissolve you EXIT All I Want To Know Is to dissolve All I Want To Be IS ONE." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Silence is the seed of creation.., The purpose of words is to create silence.., True laughter and celebration are born out of deep silence! Inevitably one experiences profound silence in the presence of the master! Questions disappear! Worries, anxieties and desires vanish.., ONE IS LEFT SPEECHLESS!" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Your worries, your feelings, your thoughts arise in your own mind. You are totally responsible for all your feelings-how you feel, what you think, what you do- all that. You are responsible. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"...Your head will be in
the mud in a few years; in
the meantime, don't put
mud in your head while you
are still alive! See through
the eyes of the Master and
you will see the whole
world as divine."
"Your mind is tired, is burned down through its galloping on desire after desire---it' s so tired! Just turn back and see all the desires you have achieved. Have they given you rest? No. They've only created a few more desires in you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"That which gives you long-term joy and short tem misery is the right action. But that which gets you some short-term joy but a long-term misery follows. That action is not the right action. It's intelligent to avoid long-term misery at the cost of short-term pain." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Forgetfulness of the Divine is misery. Forgetfulness of the trivial is Ecstasy." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"You have nothing to lose. All that you can lose is your tension and your worry, your little-mindedness, fear, and anxiety. And fear and anxiety, tension and worry in the small, little mind will keep the mind from being free, will keep the mind from experiencing its infinite potential, will keep the mind from becoming more powerful on this planet." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The mind sees through its own eye. You can trust anything in the world except your doubting mind. It will doubt you. When such a thing comes, dropping that is called surrender, dropping the judgements." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"There is one thing that is ever fresh and new. That is love. Any technique you do, do it with love. Even if you simply hold a stick, love the stick in front of you. It is your breath. Love is very essential." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Creation is all anxious to fulfil your desire when you become hollow and empty." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The Divine has come to you in love through so many forms: mother, father, wife, husband, children and friends. The same love comes to you in the form of the Master to elevate you to the level of divine love, which is also your own nature." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.
Jai Guru Dev dear. How r u?
"Make your whole life a game! There is no purpose; there is no aim -Nothing! Just take it lightly, easily. Play the Game! That is worship, that is Celebration! " -H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Worry is enemy of love. You can not be in love and be worried at the same time. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When you own something big, then your consciousness also expands, and when you own something small, then small negative emotions, such as anger and greed, start to rise." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"D i s p a s s i o n is the state of Being and G l o r y is the happening around it." -H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"ek vyakti krodh me chilla raha hai to woh bimar hai, karuna hi uske liye dava hai. baato se nahi samjha payenge usko. pran shakti urja ko badhao to ye sab manasik bimariya hat jati hai." - Poojya Gurudev.

"If you can't see the Divine in me, then open your eyes! If you can see the Divine in me, then you are a part of me; you cannot be away from me. If you feel a part of me, you will see the Divine in yourself. And when you see the Divine in yourself, you'll see the Divine in everyone." H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The purpose of sorrow is to bring you back to the Self, which is all joy. But this realization is possible only through Knowledge-awareness . Knowledge leads sorrow towards the Self. Without Knowledge, the sorrow does not get completed & instead multiplies. Knowledge completes sorrow." - Poojya Gurudev.

"Suffering is a product of limited knowledge." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you want to grow in Divine Love, you have got to drop the pride and all of the artificial wall we build between ourselves and others. In the "wall" we keep judging others, and we think others are judging us." H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When something bothers you too much in the mind, you want to talk. This is in between. I tell you, when something bothers you in the mind, get into action---work. You will see that gives a bigger relief." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When every action of yours is preceded by witnessing, then every move you make in this sansara becomes perfect and significant. " -H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Choice less awareness is the only joyful state, a peaceful state, a state without confusion." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"From the object move on to the Centre, move on to the Experiencer of pleasure. This is the way to have a continued experience, continued joy in life." H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When there is a total sense of belongingness, real play happens. Winning or losing is irrelevant." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Khud ki ninda band karna adhyatmic jeevan ki pehli sidhi hai." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The mind has two abilities - one is to focus, the other is to expand and relax. When you put a thread through a needle, the mind is focusing. When you are looking at the empty sky, the mind is expanding. This ability to focus and expand should come simultaneously in the consciousness. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When we express love too much, then also it disappears, dies out. It's like when you keep the seed on the surface of the soil, not a little deep inside, it doesn't grow." H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Look into the motives behind your actions. Often you don't go for things you really want. You go to things because others would want you to or because of what others would say, think, or do about it." H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

" You reject something, but if you reject it without anger it is not bondage; if you reject something with anger, then that is bondage. You receive some, and when you receive: "Oh, oh, oh!" you are excited about it, then that is bondage. Whatever is done with anger or excitement makes a strong impression in the mind and that becomes bondage." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"You complete this existence. You being here on this planet, at this time brings the time into fullness." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Ordinary people just look at the behaviour; the intelligent one looks beyond behaviour and is amazed by the play of consciousness (Brahman)." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The mere presence of the sun brings all the activity in the world. In the same way, your mere presence is a service, is the goal. There is no gain, no loss, no purpose, no defeat." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Nature is limitless. Always expand your consciousness, you are born a king, do not be a beggar and shrink your consciousness. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"In the modern world, spiritualism cannot survive without materialism and the materialism cannot survive without spiritualism. Only a harmony needs to be created between the two, which is quite possible and practicable. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"See, the wick (of a candle)is dark & ugly, but the glow is beautiful. So are you. The wick is the body & you are the glow.. ..The body is nothing but a handful of ashes, would-be ashes. You will see, when you shift from the wick to the glow, your mind becomes stable-Bheda. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji.

"If you really love something, you want to know more about it. Wanting knowledge of that which you love is very natural. And when you get total knowledge of it, you will certainly love it." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Love makes your practice fresh & new. It is love which nourishes, pushes forward your technique, your progress, your growth." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When your mind wanders around, allow it to go. Don't try to hold it back. Don't try to force it. Where it goes, let it go. Follow it and bring it back. This is Dana, forgiving." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Truth transcends duality, and God is the absolute and only truth. In the same way, no matter what is happening in your mind, you are God." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Do not take life seriously or you are bound to be disturbed. To maintain equanimity- take it as a game and not seriously." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Every storm that has come into your life has widened your horizon, has made you deep and more powerful. Every storm has destroyed some smallness in you, something in you that has been very small." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"You are like a free bird. You are fully open. Feel that you are flying like a bird. Learn to fly. This is some thing which you have to experience within yourself. There is nothing else. If you consider yourself as bonded, you will remain bound here." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Tomorrow is another day another morning, afternoon, evening, midnight & then tomorrow's gone. Some days you have highs, some days you have lows. But where are they all? All gone! Till this moment, all is gone. Right now, right now, right now. This is awareness; this is knowledge." - Poojya Gurudev.

"The only true security that can be found in this world is in the very process of giving love." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Demand for rights is ignorance, agony. Knowing no one can take away your rights is freedom. Giving away your rights is love, wisdom." - Poojya Gurudev.

"Depression and low feelings cannot touch you. They can do nothing to you. However chi ti clouds are, they cannot overshadow the sun. It could be the darkest day, but still it will remain day, and those clouds can never make it night." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"An educated person has concepts as solid as earth, ready to receive information from all sources like the air around us, with an attitude like that of water, that takes the shape of the container it is poured in and is enthused by the fire of imagination and at the same time has freedom in the mind like space that is all pervading." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you manipulate words, it is a lie; If you play on words, it is a joke; If you rely on words, it is ignorance; If you transcend words, it is WISDOM." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Dialogue always brings the way." Rishi Vidhyadhar ji.

"If a person is yelling in anger, then he is sick, compassion is the only medicine for him. You can not make him understand with words. If you grow life force energy then all these mental illnesses will go away." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"More will be given to you only if you utilise properly what you already have! This is a law in nature." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When you move in the world, recognize the Divinity in things around you, in people around you. Listen with your heart. When you listen, listen to something more. Not just to the sound, but to the silence, too." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Reactions do not take you any further in life, and if we're just reacting and reacting, then we are back to an animalistic life. Animals simply react. In fact, they don't even hold grudges. You do not need to hold on to a grudge. You do not need to react. You can simply be compassionate. This is reality. This is truth."- H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Never mind any words from anybody. If you could just do that, then you have won the world." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Only in two states the boredom does not occur: in a state of total inertia or in a state of Divine Consciousness. If you are bored, it indicates you are evolving. Boredom moves you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"For every step, the previous phase has to be dissolved. One phase dissolves to give space for another, and it is always evolutionary. So there is no reverting back, no reversing--- it is evolutionary. It can stop for a while, but then it continues." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"One should always admit his ignorance. Once you do that, your urge for knowledge remains uninhibited. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Conflict is the nature of the world; comfort is the nature of the self. Amidst the conflict seek comfort." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Through this boat of knowledge, cross over to the other shore, where you belong, from where you have come. Your abode is there. Its waiting. And the father, the mother, and the beloved are waiting right there foryouwith open arms." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Just as a lit candle can light another candle, only one who has can give. One who is free can free you, one who is love can kindle love." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"What are you afraid of? What do you think you will lose? Just wake up and see you have nothing to lose in the first place! And, even if you think you have something, how long can you hold on to it ?!" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you don't realize you are blessed, then the doership begins. If you want to make a difference in your life, feel you are blessed." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"This entire creation is a story. Its one light & one Being, one Divinity becoming a billion sparks and playing in a billion parts.Such a huge Drama!" - Guruji.

"In most of our problems, the main problem is that we fight with our mind." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"A commitment can only be felt when it oversteps convenience. That which is convenient, you do not call commitment. If you just go on your convenience, your commitment falls apart causing more inconvenience! " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Wisdom is de-linking the event from the emotion, and de-linking the emotion from the sensation. Ignorance is linking some sensation or some emotional feeling that you have back again to an event." - H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Rishi means whose words are followed by the meaning. The meaning directly gets translated in to heart. Say peace and the word peace carries peace behind it. You hear the word peace and then you are peaceful immediately. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Just complaining without looking for a solution is irresponsibility. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Learn to get in touch with silence within yourself, and know that everything in this life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from..!" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Do not depend on arguments. Mystery is beyond argument, and miracle is beyond argument. And love is a miracle in life. Enlightenment is a miracle in life. Joy is a miracle in life." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The purpose of every practice -- spiritual practice, meditation, breathing techniques, and kriya, all this -- is to uncover something that blocks the expression of Divine Love." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Everyone loves in this world. Everything loves. But that love doesn't stay too long as love. It immediately becomes hatred, almost immediately. But yoga is that skill, that preservative, that maintains that love as love throughout." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"You don't have to worry; your life is not a big burden, a big responsibility for the Divine. It can take care of you very well.... ..Be filled with love, be filled with gratitude, get rid of the fear in you by being in love." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Thoughts simply arise but it is your choice who has to act or not act, according to impulse or logic." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"This present moment has mind of its own. The existence has a mind of its own. And it knows and its running the show." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Legendary is the love that withstands rejection. It will be free of anger and ego. Legendary is the commitment that withstands humiliation. It will be one-pointed and will reach the goal. Legendary is the wisdom that withstands turbulence. It will be integrated into life. Legendary is the faith that withstands a million chances of doubt. It will bring perfection- siddhis." -H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Do some asanas and yoga along with pranayama and Sudarshan Kriya. This will keep your mind in place and spirit uplifted throughout the day." - Poojya Gurudev.

"Spiritual Blossoming means expanding in all dimensions. Being happy, at ease with yourself & with everybody around you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"An identity is related to an action. Denial of identity will dump you in inaction, lethargy and sloth & hence Krishna reminds Arjuna of his kshatriya identity even while giving Brahma gyana to remind him of his duties and responsibilities. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Want, or desire, arises when you are not happy. Have you seen this? When you are very happy then there is contentment. Contentment means no want." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Being together is the foundation of knowledge. That is where you can begin on the steps of wisdom." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"There is no experience that equals the ecstasy of prayer. So a devotee takes every opportunity to pray & to dance for God to dawn. That is evolution!" Sri Sri.
"The heart always long for the old. The mind always long for the new. Life is an combination of both." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Even an illiterate, through faith, attains deep Knowledge." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Acceptance brings sincerity. Don't label yourself. You don't know who you are. Simply accept that you don't know how great you are or how stupid you are." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Emptiness is the doorway between material and spiritual worlds. It is where you come to understand the nature of the spirit. If you do not know emptiness, you can not know the joy of the being. The knack of experiencing being causes emptiness. From the emptiness begins the fullness." - Poojya Gurudev.

"In the world & in time there is always room for improvement. You can improve your time & your nature. Only the Being is perfect all the time. Take refuge in the Being & become incorrigible. "I am" incorrigible. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Don't make an effort to impress others, or to express yourself. When you come from the Self, your expression is perfect & your impression lasts for ages." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"In the presence of pure bliss, joy; all complaints vanish and life appears like a play." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Drop all your hates now. You are stuck with your hates. This is a place to be in love and joy. Drop all your hatreds." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Acceptance brings sincerity. Don't label yourself. You don't know who you are. Simply accept that you don't know how great you are or how stupid you are."- H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you can see that wherever there is an attraction, there is Krishna; then you are Radha, you are in your centre." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you are unable to meditate because your mind is chattering too much, just feel that you are little stupid & then you will be able to sink deep into meditation." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Expressing God is conscious action." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Sukha, dukha, logic and feverishness these four reins pull you backwards." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you do anything patiently, you do not waste that time. But if you do things with restless mind or body, you waste the time." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji.

"When you realise your unboundedness then no action is an achievement. " - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"As we attach events & emotions to individuals, the cycle continues. You will be never free from that. So first detach the event & emotion from that person, space & time. This is called Astrology." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Effect of asana is clearing out all conflicts, duality. The seed of negativity & the tendency for conflict in you can only be annihilated by Sadhana." Sri Sri.
"Abundance is a state of consciousness. It is when you feel; you have plenty, when you have enough." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The easy way to silence the thoughts is to arouse the feelings. For through feelings only peace, joy & love dawn. And they are all your very nature." -Gurudev.

"Your own judgements bring the barrier, separate you, makes you behave so funny. When you are judging, you are judging your own self, but you are super-imposing it on this, or this, or this, or this." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Longing gives you the power to bless. Bless the entire creation. For, the longing in you is God." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When you gain respect, you often do it at the cost of your freedom. Wisdom is to put the freedom first and not bother about respect." - Poojya Gurudev.

"Intense Love Wants Expression." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"God expects only one thing from you, "your unshakeable faith" If your faith shakes very quickly, if it keeps shaking too often, or if you realise that you do not have any faith at all when difficulty strikes, then it is akin to being like the husk. Look into your life; are you mere husk or grain?" - Gurudev.

"All your gains can only be smaller than you. Taking pride in any gains is belittling yourself." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Steadiness is dignity. Steadiness is strength and steadiness is dispassion." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Have proper food, do proper exercises, involve in good activities, have good tendencies. Then, your body will be well balanced and in a cool and pleasant state of mind." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"One who is awakened and brings knowledge and experience to the people is a Guru." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Know the non-existence of past events right now and accept them." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Life evaporates in desire, but if life could be condensed, it becomes solidified love. This condensed life is awareness." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Be thankful that you have been bestowed with the qualities that you have because it is not your own making. And these qualities depend on the part you have been given to play. When you understand this basic truth, then your inner perfection becomes stable." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The world is full of differences and arguments are inevitable. With forbearance or patience and wisdom, skilfully make your way up." - Poojya Gurudev.

"Often one confuses ego with self esteem. Ego needs the other for comparison, self esteem is just confidence in oneself." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Anytime you are confused, your mind is in conflict, do asana, sit in asana. You will see, right away clarity comes." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Success means crossing a limit. To cross a limit you need to assume that you have a limit. Assuming a limit is underestimating yourself. If you have no boundaries then where is your success?" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The Guru makes the abstract more real and what you thought as solid appears more unreal. Sensitivity and subtlety dawns. Perception of love, not as emotion, but as the substratum of existence becomes evident." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you do pranayama faithfully then you get the Knowledge of the prana; if your do your meditation faithfully, the Knowledge of consciousness follows. Even an illiterate, through faith, attains deep Knowledge." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When you make Service your sole purpose in life, it eliminates fear, focuses your mind and gives you meaning." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"It is possible only in this human body to comprehend, to uphold, and having had a human life and having known this path, if you still do not realize this - you are at the greatest loss." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you find fools around you, they are going to make you wiser. The number of fools around you indicates the strength of your centeredness. Don't try to get rid of them!" - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Happiness springs forth from faith. Happiness is forgetting the body consciousness. Pain or sorrow is holding on to the body consciousness. " - Poojya Gurudev.

"Do not let politics sway you away from the path. If you are afraid of politics you cannot be successful in the spiritual realm. You have to cross the barricade of politics. It is a test of your strength, your commitment and your focus." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Death is what? Dropping the past. Die every moment and you are born every moment." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you get attached to your virtues, you look down upon everybody else and they (the virtues) start diminishing. Non- attachment to virtues brings the highest self respect." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The mind is kept alive by cravings and aversions - shoulds or should nots and wants. Only when the mind dies does the bliss dawn." - Poojya Gurudev.

"Fear of death preserves life. Fear of wrong maintains right. Fear of sickness encourages hygiene. Fear of misery makes you righteous." -- H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The less you are attached to your virtues, the more self respect you have." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Ego simply means lack of respect to the Self." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When we transcend our feelings, we become still. Stillness is at the peak of any experience." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Whenever you seem to understand a situation and you label it "This is how it is", that is the beginning of your problem." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When desire dominates, Self-awareness will be at its lowest and stress and sorrow result." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When you are totally established, you find the fools come up with wisdom. They are your own reflection, there is no other. Fools offer you frustration & wisdom." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Samadhi is the state of mind where you are sensitive to others feelings too. When you become sensitive to the world, nature becomes sensitive to you and listens to you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"To the question "Who am I?" the only relevant answer is silence. You need to discard all answers in words, including "I am Nothing" or "I am the Cosmic Self" or "I am the Self" - and just stick to the question "Who am I?". All other answers are just thoughts. Thoughts can never be complete. Only Silence is complete." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Seva is just an expression for our inner love." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"When there is genuine love, respect simply follows you." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Three things are important- Gyan, Gaan & Dhyan. Together, they make you a complete personality. Without either of these, you are incomplete." - Poojya Gurudev.

"To be afraid of the wicked, is a sign of bad regime and to be afraid to do bad is a sign of good regime." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"If you have no boundaries then where is your success? If you have limitless access then there is no success." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"All problems arise from knowing, not "not knowing." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"The events come & go, they perish like flowers. But every event & every person contains some honey. Like a bee, just take the honey out of every event & every moment & move on." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"There is nothing to gain if you have only come to give and serve." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Fear wakes one up from the slumber. Otherwise, one is doing the same thing, repeating the same thing & not open to knowledge." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Usually we think we should have resource & then we will commit. Greater the commitment you take, greater the resources will come to you automatically. You don't have to sit & worry how you will get resources. When you have the intention to do something, resources simply flow when it is needed & how much it is needed." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Loving without condition, talking without intention, giving without reason and caring without expectation is what we can learn from Poojya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.
"
"Be dispassionate and centred. Memories of Self are gained by service to the noble." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Performing an act without any purpose attached to it is freedom, like dance." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"Respect for the self is faith and faith is being open." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

"...Loving without condition, talking without intention, giving without reason and caring without expectation is what I've learned from Poojya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.
. Though people accuse me, insult me, talk wrong about me that is their karma. I won't leave my karma for anybody else's karma..." Rishiji.

"You are knowledge. Every atom in you is shimmering with knowledge. Often you become friends by: gossiping, complaining etc. Coming together in knowledge is rare. Be a friend in knowledge. Uplift each other in knowledge." - H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.
 


 
On Faith
 
If you think your faith in God does God a favor, you are mistaken. Your faith in God or your guru does nothing for God or guru. Faith is your wealth.
 
Faith gives you strength instantly. Faith brings you stability, centeredness, calmness and love. Faith is your blessing. But here is a paradox: If you lack faith, you have to pray for faith. Yet to pray, you need faith.
 
People put their faith in the world, but the whole world is just a soap bubble. People have faith in themselves, but they do not know who they are. People think they have faith in God, but they do not really know who God is.
 
There are three types of faith:
1. Faith in yourself – Without faith in yourself, you think, "I cannot do this. This is not for me. I will never find freedom in this life."

2. Faith in the world – You must have faith in the world or you cannot move an inch. You deposit money in the bank with the faith it will be returned. If you doubt everything, nothing will work for you.

3. Faith in the Divine – Have faith in the Divine and you will evolve.
 
All these faiths are connected. You must have all three for each to be strong. If you start doubting one, you will begin to doubt everything.
 
Atheists seem to have faith in themselves and faith in the world but not in God. Yet they do not actually have complete faith in themselves. And their faith in the world cannot be constant because the world is always changing. Lack of faith in God, the world or yourself brings fear.
 
Having faith in the world without having faith in God does not bring complete peace. If you have faith and love, you automatically have peace and freedom. People who are extremely disturbed should have faith in God to help them with their problems.
 
There is a difference between faith and confidence. Faith is the beginning. Confidence is the result. Faith in yourself brings freedom. Faith in the world brings you peace of mind. Faith in God evokes love in you.




"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
 
P  Please consider the environment before printing this email. 

Friday, May 16, 2008

Gurujis Birthday videos / Knowledge Sutras / POWER OF LOVE

 
Watch Guruji's birthday celebrations in Argentina.


http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=l5SgqV8PcTc

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=vTtwSntYLrI
 
 


 
knowledge sutras :)
 
Illusions

You build a world in your mind only through your intentions, your own thought processes. You go on building a castle: what the other person is thinking about you---they may not even think about you anything. You may simply not exist in other person's consciousness, for they are worried about themselves. But you build a big castle about what they are thinking about you in your mind.

Bad and Worse

Where is the choice? The choice is only between the bad and the worse. When you realize this you'll drop both those conflicting thoughts and relax---the awareness becomes choiceless. Choiceless-ness leads to confusionless state of mind. Choiceless awareness is the only joyful state, a peaceful state, a state without confusion.

The Problem with Choices

The moment there is choice it drops you off of joy, it drops you off of peace.

Anything but the Present

Man finds comfort in the past or in the future, never looks into the present. It has been an old habit, very old habit, of the human mind. Either it glorifies the past and relishes itself in the memory of past, or it builds castles in dreams, in clouds, for the future.



 
POWER OF LOVE
 
A long time ago in China , a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all.

Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law' s habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.


Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting.

But what made the situation even worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband! d great distress.


Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-! law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it! Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs.

She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.


Mr. Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, "Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you."

Li-Li said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do."Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving.


Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspect you, when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. "Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen." Li-Li was so happy.

She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law.


Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper!r, obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother.


After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with.


The mother-in-law' s attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in- law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter.

Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening. One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law. She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her."


Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her."


HAVE YOU REALIZED that how you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "The person who loves others will also be loved in return." God might be trying to work in another person's life through you. Send this to your friends and spread the POWER OF LOVE.
 



"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
 
P  Please consider the environment before printing this email. 


Thursday, May 15, 2008

Clip of Gurudev's Bday Virgina 2008

and more:
 
 
Always Love, Jai Gurudev,
 
Anjana




"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
 
P  Please consider the environment before printing this email. 

Friday, May 09, 2008

Gurudev Answer 4 may 2008- Negative writings in the blogosphere

This is why I love HIM!

There are few blogs and postings criticizing Guruji and the work the Art of Living does and I have experienced it personally too when when people come and talk negative and I have always smiled and let it pass because as Guruji says "The purpose of words is to create silence". Today's post in Bawa's blog is about a Q&A session with Guruji recently in Germany, where Guruji was asked about the negative writings in the blogosphere. Here is the complete transcript:
 
There are various online blogs and forums where some (misguided?) people post defamatory and inflammatory things about Guruji… He was asked about this in a recent Satsang, someone who happened to be there wrote an account… Here it is:
 
In a satsang at the Art of Living centre in Germany last night, someone asked Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: "Guruji, I have observed that Guruphiliac seems to follow your every move and then write negative things about you. Why are they doing this?"
 
This is the gist of what Guruji said: I have inherited an ancient lineage and my job is to further its cause. Neither by thought, nor through word, nor by deed, have I ever done any harm to anyone, nor will I ever do so in the future; it is simply not in my nature. Nobody can expose me because there is nothing to expose: I stand tall, clean and naked in front of the whole world.

I do whatever maximum good I can, and I inspire others to do so. These people who keep writing about me simply cannot leave me alone - they must be in deep love with me! (laughter) When they keep comparing me with other people all the time, I must have made a very deep impression on them. I cannot help it if they can't get over me - that's the way I am! If I am that bad and fake, they should simply be able to ignore me and move onto the truth –why are they are holding onto me, again and again?

 
If they are trying to teach me a lesson, if their intention is to correct me, then I'm sorry, I am incorrigible! (laughter)
 
If their idea is to stop people from coming to me, and if people do stop coming just by reading these blogs, then I really thank them; it is good for me, it reduces my responsibility! If they think I am doing this for publicity, they are unaware of the disadvantages of popularity. I pity them.
 
Celebrities enjoy only popularity, but spiritual leaders have a huge responsibility with that popularity. People do not go to celebrities for guidance and blessings, but with spiritual leaders they do.
 
If they think I have no right to exist on this planet, then they can crucify me; I am afraid neither of death nor of being defamed. I am not afraid, because nothing can destroy me. We do charity with the hard earned money from our courses. We are, of course, rich with people and with good character, and I am ready to share this wealth with anyone.

Lest they understand that their hatred is nothing but love standing upside down.
 
 
 
Rajesh

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Daily Sutra-Gurudev Q and A 4May2008



GURUJI Satsang Q&A in Bangalore Ashram on May 4th 2008
Few of the questions that were asked:
 
Q: I am married. I do everything to please my wife...and also praise that you
are the QUEEN of my life. But still we go through fights. How much should I
surrender? My wife fights that she will go to her parents house.
Guruji: This is a very complex situation (laughter). You are ready to do
everything, but still your wife wants to go her mother's house. Well every lady
loves mother's place and would like to spend as much time there. How many agree
(all ladies lifted their hands up :) So, dont worry much. Also ladies, you form
a club...and help out some needy husbands like this to provide a solution :)
 
Q: My 5yr old is mischievous and restless, and sometimes I lose patience...and
get angry. Even though I am aware of all the knowledge points...at that moment
they dont seem to help :) Also, I see that he gets involved a lot in watching
TV. What to do?
Guruji: What can you expect from a 5 year old. They are mischievous...and LET
them be mischievous :) Yes! important to not let the kid watch TV for more than
1 hour. Else, they will develop Attention Deficit.
 
Q: What is absolute truth? Every person might have an understanding about
Truth...and their own justification. So, its all relative right? How do I know
what is the Real truth ?
Guruji: You know that you are standing right? Even if the whole world says you
are NOT standing...you say "YES! I AM STANDING" How do you say that?? Because
you KNOW ! That is Absolute truth. (eruption of claps)
If you agree to someone else's opinion....then it is Relative truth.
If you are sure about your opinion...then it is Absolute truth (claps)
 
Q: From past 4 days I have been meaning to ask this: In the course they say
BECOME A LION. All my family members are doing the course...and if all of them
become Lion...it will be a problem right. How do I handle this problem?
(laughter)
Guruji: So, are you saying that you want to be a mouse instead ;) (laughter).
Well its your choice. Have you heard of LIONS CLUB (this is very common club in
India)...everyone is a LION there. Make your family a Lions Club :))
 
Q: (was asked in Telugu) Ladies are not able to rise in power because of lack
of political connections.
Guruji: Why? The whole India is being ruled by a Lady (indirectly :) And there
are so many ladies who are in POWER right now. They are chief ministers etc.,
And also do you think males donot have any problem? Ask them...they will say
that "My own wife doesnt listen to me" (laughter)
 
Q: Whenever I fight with my husband...I say that I am going to Ashram. It is
becoming more common these days. Will this be a problem later on? Will my
husband ask me to stay here ONLY :) (laughter)
Guruji: Dont worry. Nothing like that will happen. After a while, he will say
that he will join you to the Ashram :) (laughter)
He mentioned 3-4 times to read "Celebrating the Silence" for many questions
asked !
 
He will be leaving to Washington DC today, I believe.
So, this was the last Satsang with HIM during my visit to India this time.
We all danced to our hearts content at the end of the Satsang !!!!
Love and Jai Guru Dev!
Prasad
--
"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
**** www.artoflivingprojects.org ****



--
- Anjana Bhagole
  a.bhagole@gmail.com
  +31-0641851810



The sign of life is enthusiasm. The sign of success is smile and joy

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Founder of the "Art of Living Foundation"
www.aofl.nl
www.artofliving.org
www.iahv.org

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Gurudev's talk 2nd May 2008 and another good talk


Guruji's talk on 2nd May 2008

*2nd May 2008*

*Bangalore** Ashram*

The thought that came to me after the last nights Satsang with Guruji, was
that, my whole life should go in thanks giving. All I should be doing in
this life is, shut my eyes and be grateful to what I have got after the
Master has touched my life. Mind blowing question and answer session with
Gurudev is as follows.

*Question:* Guruji, all the thoughts that cross our minds, good or bad are
because of our past life karmas. Things happen in our life are due to karma
in our life. What is the fastest way of washing away our karma and be free?

*Guruji:* Knowledge. Knowledge is the only way. Knowledge is who you are.
Knowledge that makes you understand that 'am not the doer, things are
happening. It's not that knowledge which you studying the books. What is
karma? You know karma is the inherent tendencies. And when you are aware of
it, it changes. Suppose you get irritated. Now if there is the awareness in
the mind, then you are able to drop it. You know you think, 'o o am getting
irritated, my mind it getting irritated'. That's how you can wash away
karma.

*Question:* Guruji in one of your books you said, that 'faith' giving a
chance to the divine to work. But in most situations our mind cannot rest,
it starts working. What should we do?

*Guruji:* Don't worry about it. Just move on. Look ahead of you. Don't keep
thinking oh I don't have faith. Like you know when you are driving a car,
you just move on, right? You don't look back all the times. If you do look
back all the times, you know what is going to happen! You may crash into
something. Yes you look in to the looking glass to get a rear view, but
that's just once a way. That helps you to avoid accidents! Yeh so just move
on…

*Questions:* Guruji, am a teacher and I teach in a high school. Because of
some management rules and regulations, sometimes I was bound to give grace
marks. This brings guilt in me. I feel am I doing justice to my by promoting
undeserving students. On the other hand I am often told that I should not be
detaining students because by doing this I jeopardize loose a lot in this
process. I am in a dilemma due to this. Please advice.

*Guruji:* (Laughter!!! ) First of all, your education system is faulty.
Secondly your examination system is faulty. Sometimes there are many
students who really do well, they know the matter well, but are not able to
put it across during the examination. Yet there are some students who really
has no interest and does not do well at the examination as well. You know
you should go by your intuition. And sometimes if the student is getting
marks closer to the pass marks, just for one or two numbers, I think you can
give them grace. Again, use your intuition. If you feel that the student has
tried and knows the subject, and just needs a little push, you can give
grace marks. And finally let the luck of the person thank you.

*Question:* Guruji we get stuck in relationships and get entangled, which in
turn gives us a lot of misery. How to retain compassion and avoid
entanglement?

*Guruji:* By knowledge and by surrender. In relationships often you get
entangled and it clutches you. You must know that everything is changing,
and also surrender to the divine. Also by offering some gift to the person,
giving some gifts to the person who you feel you are entangled with, you can
come out of entanglement.

*Question:* Guruji, Janaka got direct knowledge from Astavakra and got
enlightened, Sri Rama got direct knowledge from Rishi Vashistha, directly
and got enlightened, again Arjuna got direct knowledge from Sri Krishna and
got enlightened. When shall I get direct knowledge from you Gurudev?

*Guruji:* I am giving direct knowledge only. Do you think it is indirect?
(laughter!!) Yeh Janaka got knowledge from Astavakra. He said "aho". You
have to get into the space of gratefulness. You must say, "Aho", which means
wow! You need to get into the space of wonder, 'Aho', 'Wow'!!!

*Question:* Guruji, my heart longs to do seva. But when I get into doing
seva, there arises a lot of conflict, which leaves me with some bitter
feelings after that. Seva is not making me contended and on the contrary
leaving me with bitterness, in that case what should I do?

*Guruji:* There is conflict with the nature itself. The five elements in the
nature are in conflict with each other. What are the five elements? Earth,
Water, Air, Fire and space. So, fire is in conflict with air. Fire is in
conflict with water aswell. Again earth is in conflict with water. It tries
to absorb water. Similarly water is in conflict with earth. It tries to
engulf earth! All the four elements are in conflict with each other. Only
space is not in conflict with anything. You know in Sanskrit it is called
'Prapancha'. 'Pancha' is five, 'pra' means exists together, that which
coexist in a special manner. Therefore the five elements coexist in a
special manner and that combines the world. How beautiful!! Is n't it? All
our words are functional. You know English is derived from Sanskrit,
originated from sanskrit. There are several words in English which sound
similar to Sanskrit.**

* *

*Question:* Guruji, Chanakya said that our country is not harmed by any
external enemies. There are internal people who are causing damage to our
country. How far is that true? Please comment.

*Guruji:* When Chanakya said this, it was a different time. Political
conditions were different, people were different, in that context he must
have said it. We should not misquote and apply it in different context.
Chanakya would have said that because you know most of the times, good
people in our society don't want to get into politics. They want to be free
from politics. Like here there are so many of us do not go to vote. How many
of us do not vote raise your hands? See there are so many! That's why
Chanakya must have said such a thing, that good people are not taking
responsibility, they are spoiling the country. People were good yet they
never went for any seva. That's why Chanakya must have said such a thing.
You know most of the times you get spoiled by your friends. Supposed you get
influenced by your friend, be aware. They act very devoted to you, and you
get carried away by their devotion, but actually they have a mission which
they want to accomplish. They keep telling to "oh this is not ok, that is
not ok"!! There are so many families in this country which got split up
because of this. Industrialists, big industrialists! At one time they had
everything; they had towns built on their names. Name a product and they
were into manufacturing that!! Now, I don't want to take names, but I think
you all know. Because of some petty manager, they started doubting each
other. Brother, starting doubting the other brother. This manager, who was a
dear friend, spoiled the head of the brothers and filled in negativity in
each others mind!! You don't need anyone from outside to spoil you, no
enemies can do that. Your own inside people who you trust like friend, are
doing it to you. That's why Chanakya must have said that. Now as a result of
this internal conflict what happened? Our own country was affected. When two
brothers fought the country was affected!

*Question:* Guruji, sometimes there are some political leaders who are doing
good work for the society, but the party which he belongs to is not doing a
good work as a whole. In that case, what should we do?

Guruji: (Laughter!!) At a local level you should vote for the person. But in
the bigger level it is good to see the policies. There are some politicians
and political parties who are there in the post from so many years. Give
them a break. Make a choice for your nation. I think you should not vote
them every time. Let it be alternatively. Once let it be this one, and the
other time let it be the other one. I would say that is a good choice.

Question: Guruji, in business we have to think of making profit. Then
compassion takes a back seat. How should we balance in that case?

Guruji: Yeh, in business you should only think of business. Do it 100%. And
when you make profit, from that do compassion 100%.

Question: Guruji, when we meet someone for the first time, we form certain
likes and dislikes, which stays back for a long time. What should we do?

*Guruji:* I want you to go beyond your likes and dislikes. Shun the
prejudice. Don't get stuck up. Look around you everything is changing. You
know prejudice is the worst enemy of wisdom!!

*Question:* Guruji telling lies is not the right thing to do, yet at times
we have to tell lies because that makes work move easily. What should we do
in that case?

*Guruji:* Well if it pricks, then you may avoid. Sometimes truth can be
harsh! Like if you tell a blind man that you are blind, that's a truth and
yet it is hurting someone. Sometimes a doctor knows that a patient is going
to die, yet he never says, 'oh you will die'!! Such truth can be a sin. Do
you see this? A wise knows it all, but wouldn't say. Truth is the state of
mind at that point of time. The feelings attached to it, at that point of
time is important.

*Question:* I have a lot of enthusiasm within me yet at times I get in this
deep state of inertia. How do I overcome this?

*Guruji:* There are three reasons what can motivate to come out of your
inertia. One is when you are in *love*. Procrastination can be handled, when
you are in love with the work or the output of the work. Second thing is
when you are *greed*y. Like if someone tells you do your Kriya for 40 days
or 45 days and you will get 1 crore of Rupees. I tell you you will do it for
five days more. Two days in the beginning and two days at the end. You don't
want to take a chance!! Then in that case you may say , 'why 45? Am ready to
do 60 days!!' (laughter!!) . The last reason why you could be out of inertia
is *fear*. If someone tells you, oh if you don't do this you may get a heart
attack! Then you will do it religiously! So there are three things that can
keep you on your toes.

*Question:* Guruji, in one of your meditation programs this morning, it was
told, 'watch and let go'. But in practical life we cannot afford to watch
situations and let go of it without taking any measures towards it. How
would you interpret this?

*Guruji:* No its not like that. Art of Living is taking so many challenges
all over the world. We have accepted that fact that there are climatic
changes that is taking place worldwide. And therefore the immediate
initiative that we have taken is to plant trees. You know we have taken a
sankalpa to plant 10 million trees on the 15th of August.

You know a few days back our teacher went to place in Kerala state our
teacher went to conduct AOL program. There was this DYFI one of the
communist wing, who never allowed them to conduct the program!! It is so
ridiculous!! They came there and started to flex their muscles like the
gundas! Now our teachers are genuinely good people, they don't want to enter
in fist fight and violence. They just cancelled the course. It is
outrageous! We had to inform the participants that if they want they can
come to the next district to take up the course. So we organized the buses
to take them there. The leaders of the DYFI have nothing to say on this! Few
people want to get together and do some yoga and pranayam, these people have
problems with that also!! You know 216 districts of this country are
affected by the naxalites. These are the people who don't believe in
anything other than violence! They don't know what they want! They are
against everything! The kind of harm that they are causing to this country
is immeasurable. The only way to get them out of this kind of a mind frame
is spirituality. They should know what devotion is. Somewhere there will be
a soft corner created in their heart. There will be harmony, belongingness.
Like it had happened during the times of Mahatma Gandhi, during the times of
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Meera Bai. A wave of devotion has to be created.
We want a violent free world and a stress free society. We want a world
where people help each other, honor each other. You know I went to Iraq and
the minister there told me that, "Guruji, we have the money to buy anything
in this world, but we are not able to put our hearts together". He said,
"Only you are able to connect everyone with each other. There are a few
people who have already done the AOL program, and the kind of change that we
see in them is amazing! They have such a heart felt smile all the times.
They have such a readiness to face any challenges with a smile.

*Question:* Guruji, the inner world is so beautiful. It is peaceful, calm
and desire less. But the outer world is just the opposite. How does one
retain the inner peace and yet participate in the outer world?

*Guruji:* That means you have not gone inside much. The outer world is as
beautiful as the inner world. It is not against each other. It is one. You
must honor both. Honor both the inner and the outer world!!!

==========================================================================================
 
Q: Have you ever felt insecure about your looks? How does one overcome that? How do I feel better about myself?

Sri Sri: Are you aware about the story about Ashtavakra - the powerful saint who was deformed in 8 places. When he entered the court of King Janaka all the King's men laughed at him. Ashtavakra said 'I thought King Janaka has surrounded himself with wise men but they are all fools!" When someone is in love with only your looks, what will happen in a few years when the body changes? They are not in love with you they are in love with your looks. They should see the soul connection, honour you for what you are, your qualities...

Q: Do you ever cry?

Sri Sri: My heart cries when I think of young minds that are lost...My heart cries when I think of Virginia Tech. When you are lonely, I feel that. This is such a precious knowledge... it should reach all the young people, all
the schools and colleges...don' t you think so?

Q: I am a Marketing consultant. Often I am struck the desire to do intense service (Seva), and my passion, which is marketing. What do I do?

Sri Sri: You are making me a Marketing consultant (laughter!!) . You know there is a proverb in China. If you are confused, just take a pillow o sleep. And while you are sleeping, things will happen on its own!! (Laughter!!) In life you will never have to face a situation where you have to make a choice between the bad and the good. The choice is always between the bad and the worse, good and the better, the better and the best. Do you see what I am saying.

Q: The mirage is unreal. It disappears on getting close to it. On the other hand the Maya is unreal but do not disappear on getting close to it. It becomes more and more real with the touch and feel. Why is that so?

Sri Sri: Lets understand first what is Maya? That which is measurable is Maya. For example, light can be
measured, air and sound. Everything that we can measure is Maya. On the other hand you cannot say Oh!
I have I kg of love for him or you cannot say I have 5 liters of compassion for him!! (Laughter!!) ...because
it cannot be measured. So Love, Joy, Peace, Compassion cannot be termed as Maya.

Q: What are the realms of existence?

Sri Sri: Oh, there are so many types of existence. (other than human form). There are 5 types � Yakshas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Devas (Angels) and Siddhas - Perfected human beings, prophets.

Gandharvas are associated with musicians and singers. The lives of musicians may not be happy but they bring happiness to many around them - this is a sign of a Gandharva being associated with them. It is like Neon signboards. They show different words at different times. At a time, certain bulbs lit up and show words like 'Colgate', next instance, some different words glow and would show 'Coca Cola' or 'Pepsi'. However the bulbs whether lit or not, are present at all the times on the sign-board. Other realms of existence are just like that.

Q: (From a kid) I have only 3 questions for you. 1. Have you ever seen Krishna? 2. How do you see Krishna? 3. What does it mean, the name Krishna?

Sri Sri: Yes, I have seen Krishna because I am God and THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE...God is love. Krishna has a root in the sanskrit - Akarshan, which means that which pulls you the most. the strongest attraction that pulls you is LOVE isn't it? It is love that attracts everything. Everything is made up of that love... if the earth didn't love you, you would be floating, your feet wouldn't be on the ground.

Q: What is the story behind Gurupurnima?

Sri Sri: 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 on Gurupunima you remember all Gurus 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 one 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?

Sri Sri: Why does somebody adore someone else? 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: What do we do with people who are always complaining and being negative?

Sri Sri: First thing to do is drop the "ALWAYS". Don't generalise and eternalise.. .we do this. When you miss the exit you say oh I ALWAYS do this, I ALWAYS miss the exit. Do you always mix the exit?? Is it possible?? Stop generalising and eternalising the problem. And then, see... if someone is so negative, is your positivity so weak that it cannot withstand a little negativity?? ?

Q: If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?

Sri Sri: If there was no suffering, to whom will you show your compassion? If everyone is contented, who will you console? In some parts of India where there is so much illiteracy, people go to see movies and they throw tomatoes and even shoes at the screen when the villain does something to the hero. You know it's like saying a director is unjust for making such bad things happen to the hero. If someone said that oh it is such an injustice, you would say but it's NOT REAL!!! See, it is not real....it is all a game...

Q: Is there are predestined time of death or can we influence it?

Sri Sri: See, on the motorway, there are many exits points... you can miss some or you can take some exit... in the end, you will have to take an exit for sure...

Q: You tell us not to have ambition, to be centered and then you tell the young ones to dream. It's such a contradiction. ... I am now 30 years old, am I too old to dream, have ambition?

Sri Sri: Look, I will say many things which are completely inconsistent and contradictory. It is then for you to sort it out! [Laughter] To the older ones who get so stuck, I say be content...get out of the mind. But to the young ones, to YES!+, I say DREAM, DREAM, AND DREAM!

Q: What's the difference between sleep, death and meditation? In all 3 we lose our awareness... .

Sri Sri: Now, how do you know about death???!! You have not experienced it so let's talk only about what you know! [laughter] No no, in death you don't lose all awareness. Only two senses go - touch and taste... the soul remains as a pitra soul for some time, attached to the family. One day in the life of a pitra soul is 1 year of a human being's life... The soul has a few years rest before it comes back...

Q: What happens after death?

Sri Sri: There should be some surprises. You know you are all so cynical, science makes you so cynical... whatever happens you say oh I know that, I know this... I know it. So because you are so cynical, nature has left some SURPRISE...

Q: What quality should an ideal disciple have? Do you differentiate between disciples?

Sri Sri: Dont 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: Please show me the path.

Sri Sri: Why? Why shall I show you the path? I am 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: A devotee is very happy on getting a Guru, does the Guru feel the same happiness in getting a devotee?

Sri Sri: Seeing your happiness he gets happiness.

Q: How to become a sincere devotee?

Sri Sri: Just you have to assume that you are really sincere devotee. You give grade to yourself. I am number 1 devotee. Nobody is like me. But don't think so and so is number 1 devotee and I am number 2. Each one of us should say I am number 1 devotee. Nobody is 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: How to find a Guru or choose a Guru?

Sri Sri: �Guru& #65533; is too big for you to make. If you make �Guru& #65533; you are bigger than the �Guru& #65533;. �Guru& #65533; comes in your life in spite of your refusing or rebelliousness. Don't struggle to make a �Guru& #65533;. Just relax. Life keeps changing. Wake up and see. Feel grateful. Give all your garbage to the �Guru& #65533;. �Guru& #65533; makes gold out of garbage. �Guru& #65533; makes a fool intelligent. It is easy to make that change because everyone is made up of
that one thing.
 

--
- Anjana Bhagole
  a.bhagole@gmail.com
  +31-641851810



The sign of life is enthusiasm. The sign of success is smile and joy

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Founder of the "Art of Living Foundation"
www.aofl.nl
www.artofliving.org
www.iahv.org

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

100 quotes from 'THE SECRET'

100 Quotes from "The Secret"

 

1. We all work with one infinite power

2. The Secret is the Law of Attraction (LOA)

3. Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting

4. We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think

5. Every thought has a frequency. Thoughts send out a magnetic energy

6. People think about what they don't want and attract more of the same

7. Thought = creation. If these thoughts are attached to powerful emotions (good or bad) that speeds the creation

8. You attract your dominant thoughts

9. Those who speak most of illness have illness, those who speak most of prosperity have it..etc..

10. It's not "wishful" thinking.

11. You can't have a universe without the mind entering into it

12. Choose your thoughts carefully .. you are a masterpiece of your life

13. It's OK that thoughts don't manifest into reality immediately (if we saw a picture of an elephant and it instantly appeared, that would be too soon)

14. EVERYTHING in your life you have attracted .. accept that fact .. it's true.

15. Your thoughts cause your feelings

16. We don't need to complicate all the "reasons" behind our emotions. It's much simpler than that. Two categories .. good feelings, bad feelings.

17. Thoughts that bring about good feelings mean you are on the right track. Thoughts that bring about bad feelings means you are not on the right track.

18. Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming

19. You get exactly what you are FEELING

20. Happy feelings will attract more happy circumstances

21. You can begin feeling whatever you want (even if it's not there).. the universe will correspond to the nature of your song

22. What you focus on with your thought and feeling is what you attract into your experience

23. What you think and what you feel and what actually manifests is ALWAYS a match - no exception

24. Shift your awareness

25. "You create your own universe as you go along" Winston Churchill

26. It's important to feel good ( ( ( (((good))) ) ) )

27. You can change your emotion immediately .. by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience

28. When you get the hang of this, before you know it you will KNOW you are the creator

29. Life can and should be phenomenal .. and it will be when you consciously apply the Law of Attraction

30. Universe will re-arrange itself accordingly

31. Start by using this sentence for all of your wants: "I'm so happy and grateful now that.... "

32. You don't need to know HOW the universe is going to rearrange itself

33. LOA is simply figuring out for yourself what will generate the positive feelings of having it NOW

34. You might get an inspired thought or idea to help you move towards what you want faster

35. The universe likes SPEED. Don't delay, don't second-guess, don't doubt..

36. When the opportunity or impulse is there .. ACT

37. You will attract everything you require - money, people, connections.. PAY ATTENTION to what's being set in front of you

38. You can start with nothing .. and out of nothing or no way - a WAY will be provided.

39. HOW LONG??? No rules on time .. the more aligned you are with positive feelings the quicker things happen

40. Size is nothing to the universe (unlimited abundance if that's what you wish) We make the rules on size and time

41. No rules according to the universe .. you provide the feelings of having it now and the universe will respond

42. Most people offer the majority of their thought in response to what they are observing (bills in the mail, being late, having bad luck...etc..)

43. You have to find a different approach to what is through a different vantage point

44. "All that we are is a result of what we have thought" - Buddha

45. What can you do right now to turn your life around?? Gratitude

46. Gratitude will bring more into our lives immediately

47. What we think about and THANK about is what we bring about

48. What are the things you are grateful for?? Feel the gratitude.. focus on what you have right now that you are grateful for

49. Play the picture in your mind - focus on the end result

50. VISUALIZE!!! Rehearse your future

51. VISUALIZE!!! See it, feel it! This is where action begins

52. Feel the joy .. feel the happiness)

53. An affirmative thought is 100 times more powerful than a negative one

54. "What this power is, I cannot say. All I know is that it exists." Alexander Graham Bell

55. Our job is not to worry about the "How". The "How" will show up out of the commitment and belief in the "what"

56. The Hows are the domain of the universe. It always knows the quickest, fastest, most harmonious way between you and your dream

57. If you turn it over to the universe, you will be surprised and dazzled by what is delivered .. this is where magic and miracles happen

58. Turn it over to the universe daily.. but it should never be a chore.

59. Feel exhilarated by the whole process .. high, happy, in tune

60. The only difference between people who are really living this way is they have habituated ways of being.

61. They remember to do it all the time

62. Create a Vision Board .. pictures of what you want to attract .. every day look at it and get into the feeling state of already having acquired these wants

63. "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." Albert Einstein

64. Decide what you want .. believe you can have it, believe you deserve it, believe it's possible for you

65. Close your eyes and visualize having what you already want - and the feeling of having it already.

66. Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.

67. "Whatever the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve" W. Clement Stone

68. Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind.

69. When you have an inspired thought, you must trust it and act on it.

70. How can you become more prosperous?? INTEND IT!!

71. 'Checks are coming in the mail regularly'... or change your bank statement to whatever balance you want in there... and get behind the feeling of having it.

72. Life is meant to be abundant in ALL areas...

73. Go for the sense of inner joy and peace then all outside things appear

74. We are the creators of our universe

75. Relationships: Treat yourself the way you want to be treated by others .. love yourself and you will be loved

76. Healthy respect for yourself

77. For those you work with or interact with regularly .. get a notebook and write down positive aspects of each of those people.

78. Write down the things you like most about them (don't expect change from them). Law of attraction will not put you in the same space together if you frequencies don't match

79. When you realize your potential to feel good, you will ask no one to be different in order for you to feel good.

80. You will free yourself from the cumbersome impossibilities of needing to control the world, your friends, your mate, your children....

81. You are the only one that creates your reality

82. No one else can think or feel for you .. its YOU .. ONLY YOU.

83. Health: thank the universe for your own healing. Laugh, stress free happiness will keep you healthy.

84. Immune system will heal itself

85. Parts of our bodies are replace every day, every week..etc... Within a few years we have a brand new body

86. See yourself living in a new body. Hopeful = recovery. Happy = happier biochemistry. Stress degrades the bod.

87. Remove stress from the body and the body regenerates itself. You can heal yourself

88. Learn to become still .. and take your attention away from what you don't want, and place your attention on what you wish to experience

89. When the voice and vision on the inside become more profound and clear than the opinions on the outside, then you have mastered your life

90. You are not here to try to get the world to be just as you want it. You are here to create the world around you that you choose.

91. And allow the world as others choose to see it, exist as well

92. People think that if everyone knows the power of the LOA there won't be enough to go around .. This is a lie that's been ingrained in us and makes so many greedy.

93. The truth is there is more than enough love, creative ideas, power, joy, happiness to go around.

94. All of this abundance begins to shine through a mind that is aware of it's own infinite nature. There's enough for everyone. See it. Believe it. it will show up for you.

95. So let the variety of your reality thrill you as you choose all the things you want.. get behind the good feelings of all your wants.

96. Write your script. When you see things you don't want, don't think about them, write about them, talk about them, push against them, or join groups that focus on the don't wants... remove your attention from don't wants.. and place them on do wants

97. We are mass energy. Everything is energy. EVERYTHING.

98. Don't define yourself by your body .. it's the infinite being that's connected to everything in the universe.

99. One energy field. Our bodies have distracted us from our energy. We are the infinite field of   unfolding possibilities. The creative force.

100. Are your thoughts worthy of you? If not - NOW is the time to change them. You can begin right were you are right now. Nothing matters but this moment and what you are focusing your attention on.

 



"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.
 
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