Gurujis knowledge 25th and 26th december 07 (Q & A's )

25th december '07  knowledge
 

 

Sri Sri) How are you all? Hmmmmm...?

(plays with a very life like cat-doll for about 10 minutes amidst lots of laughter). this looks so real.

 

 

Q) Guruji why do you grow a beard. if this is a practice why did swami vivekananda be clean shaven

 

Sri Sri) see there are only two options. one is either you grow everything or you remove everything

i said ok lets grow everything. anyway it keeps falling on its own. why bother. anyway i'm so busy with so many other things

 

 

Q) how do i increase the fighting spirit and determination in my life

 

Sri Sri) Just get married

 

Q) I am obsessed by sex. what do to and how to get rid of my obsession. in fact i have spoilt my health with this.

 

Sri Sri) i think you are too free. you have too much free time.

get busy. when you are so busy you get so tired you come and drop dead in your bed

when we are lazy with mothing much to do with no aim in life then this obsession is quite natural. nothing to do. you just think of sex.

 

when you are thinking, doing some work, something meaningful then all this obsesion falls. eat moderate food, do everything in moderation. eat less. eat in moderation. and then get after work.

 

dont fight with sex, sex is a natural thing in life. but obsession is because the mind has nothing to cling onto. If you are creative...with lack of creativity the mind goes in different directions

 

so get busy. think big. If nothing helps old age will help.

 

if you really want to get of any obsession whether food or sex any other you feel you are into and it is bothering you in your life you can definitely overcome it. if it is a real pinch.... not a superficial idea or just an intellectual concept

 

but a real pinch will get you out of it... ok? if you are really sorry about your obsession, you have already taken the first step to come out of it.

 

 

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Gurujis knowledge 26th december

 

Question: here there are some people here with face of arrogance and in vedic (flush?),  How can i see the divine in them. i try this is so difficult. what         can i do

 

Sri Sri ) If you are a movie director.... just imagine you are a movie director. In a movie there are all different characters. there is a hero there is a villain there are the assisstants there is heroines

whatever roles. you dont hate the villain. a villain is as important to you as the hero when you are taking a movie. isn't it. in fact the villain gets more money than the hero. because they have to play all these tough roles tough expressions

 

So a movie director does not hate the villain and fall in love with the hero or the heroine. he just treats them all the same. it is different.

 

he just treats them all like partipants. same way, some people with ego, some people without ego, some people like vegetables, some people who are stiff. enjoy all these flavours. they all add charm to the world. colour to the world. they all bring contrast to each other. suppose there is nobody with arrogance or stiffness how would you even value those people who are humble. who have humility.  people with humility are glorified by those who are arrogant.

 

in fact arrogant people bring to your notice how much foolish they are. they exhibit foolishness and exhibition of foolishness is essential in order to recognise the wisdom. in order to honour humility.

 

dont make an effort to see the divinity in someone.

divine contains all the qualities. you have a concept of divinity in your mind as someone gentle and nice and then someone is not gentle you dont see them as divine,

 

divinity consist of all the opposites because divinity is totality. so see the whole world as a play, as a drama then you will be able to give a big laugh.

 

 

Q) Guruji tell me what do do with my ego. it is disturbing me so much in my life.

 

Sri Sri) Just give a big hug to your ego. let it be there. why do you worry about the ego. why do you want to get rid of it. first lesson in art of living is accepting. whatever you dont accept will be on your neck. will be bothering you.

 

accept and it will stop bothering you. wake up and look at the whole universe. wake upto the fact that time is enormous. time is infinite. and see that in contrast with your life. these 60-70-80 years of your life is so insignificant in this vast ocean of time. then what is ego. where is ego? You are nothing. you are nobody, you are so insignificant in this planet. the planet will go on. 6 billion / 6 and a half billion people like ants dying and again being born. So what! Who cares whether you live or die. it's all finished.

 

anyway it's going to be finished in a few years. now the environmentalists are even warning you. the word will end in 2012 or 2013. another five years to the planet. scientists are saying water is going to go up, sea level is going to raise. many countries in the world are in danger. where is your ego? what is your ego? wake up and see this whole existence. if you cant if you are little sleepy, drowsy then just make friends with your ego. keep it. Oh i want to have a big one. let it be there. grow your ego as much as you want. dont fight it. when you wake up and see it dissolves. if you dont want to wake up sleep with your ego. keep it hold it tightly.there is no problem

 

in between when you feel you have a ego and want to get rid of it that's when all the problems come. just be natural. being natural is the  antidote for ego. or agree to be foolish.

 

why cant you be foolish. you're anyway foolish. when you are not conscious then somebody anyway call you foolish. Because if there are some people who are more intellignet than you. in their eyes you are anyway foolish. If you consciously agree to be a fool this trouble of yours will

 

I think it's an important role that everyone should play in their life. Act being foolish for some time. then you will not be afraid of someone calling you a fool. biggest armour for ego is it doesn't want to be called a fool by anybody. So if in your eyes you are a fool the ego has evaporated. that's it. or it has expanded. limitless.  

 

i think that's the best thing. In your own eyes....you know in your heart that you are a fool, but you dont accept. you dont agree with it. you dont wnt to exhibit, show that you are foolish. One day act being a thorough fool. you will see you are free from this ego troubling you day and night. Be a buffoon. Just for a day. and then you will be so natural. no point in being a buffooon in closed doors. out in the streets. there should be hundreds of people seeing you being a buffoon. and call Hey fool. be a laughing stock of people even for a day you will find yourself at peace. 

 

Q) Dear Gururji how to protect myself against negative emotions of other people. I'm very sensitive and quickly overwhelmed by negative emotions of other people.

 

Sri Sri) Know you are such a positive person that any negative emotion comes you turn it into a positive. dont be afraid. dont be scared of others negative emotion. you dont know. it can come to you anytime. waking, dreaming or sleeping.  but it doesn't affect you when you are sleeping. does it? because you dont know. when you are sleeping any negative emotions from anywhere in the world can pass through you.

 

No I tell you, you have the ability to tranform negativity into positive. you are much more than negative and positive emotions. nothing can touch you. a cloud cannot do anything to a rock. be like a rock. emotions are like clouds they come and carress the stone and move away. no rock on top of a mountain is scared of a cloud saying Oh dark clouds are coming. Or white clouds - O I love them!  Be solid. you are radiating sun. you radiate energy. the negativities are like clouds clouds. observe it. know it. someone is angry and they pass by, their anger catches onto your mind. you feel that anger welling up inside watch it as a cloud. laugh at it. or take a deep breath and say Hmmmm

 

but dont keep doing it all day. O negative energy is coming I am going to say Hmmm. they will send you to a mental hospital. Looks at anybody and says Hmmmm

 

you observe. watch. you will see emotions come for a second and vanish. when they seem to grip you take a couple of deep breaths and sometimes make Hmm noise you will see it has transformed, vanished. dont be scared of others negativities

 

 

 

Q) How can i know when my action is right? maybe it is better to wait and let things happen in their own time?

 

Sri Sri) you have a question. you have the answer. how do you know when action is right. wait for its result. some results will show immediately. some will results will come in it's own time. what all you need to see is is whether your intention correct. if your intention is right, action will always be directed.(.. )

 

But if in the intention there is something wrong, even though the action seems to be good at face value it is not going to

yield  

 

 

 

Q) Dear Guruji many people cant do Part 2 or 3 in my country because it is so expensive. In the future will only rich peoe be able to do these courses?

 

Sri Sri) No No we always have provision for people who cannot afford. if they really cannot afford you simply have to talk to the  teacher. there is always room for this.

 

Q) advaita and bhakti we need booth in daily life.  how can we effectively incorporate this in daily life even though they seem contradictory.

 

Sri Sri) Life is full of contradictions. sometimes you eat cold ice cream. sometime you want hot tea. If you ask me how can i eat cold ice cream and hot tea. both are a part of life. you want both. sometime this. sometime that.

 

 

in the same way it happens in your life naturally. and that;s how it is in nature. on the atomic level there is only one thing - the  whole universe in  made up of one substance. but on the molecular level they are different there is duality.  

 

molecules is a reality.  the diversity is a reality. and when you go further deep into diversity you find the uniformity. there is union the oneness of atoms. that is also reality. the oneness of sub-atomic particles is a reality and diversity of  molecular structure is also a reality. they coexist at the same place at the same time.

 

in the same way bhakthi and love and devotion can co-exist with awareness. it is all one

 

Bhakthi is the nature of one's being. it is a pinnacle of emotion and the nature of one self. so that doesn't vanish.

though it is experienced in duality more vividly. as reality it dos not contradict the oneness or advaita

 

 

Q) How can i get courage to reach my goal

 

Sri Sri) first of all you think you dont have courage. you simply have to know you dont know what you have. 

if you think you dont have your trying to have it is not going to work.

 

next thing know you know you have it. you have the courage. even then you cant do it. you have fear.

know you are not alone. the divine is with you. a greater force is your great strength. Ok?

 

 

Q) If everything is changing what is it that which is untouched, permanent?

 

Sri Sri) Everything is impermanent. this is what is now..  and only than you can know. and it is easy to know. and it is easy to see that things are impermanent. so when this understanding becomes clear then you see the reference point by which you see change

 

there has to be a reference point which is not changing order to kow everything is changing. if everything is changing there is no way to know unless there is someting that doesnot change . when you know everything is changing, and then turn inward you will see that there is something so unique so beautiful that does not change. it is an indirect experience. Adi Shankara the exponent of Advaita philosophy called it aparokshanubhuthi

 

indirect experience. paroksha means indirect. anubhoothi -  the non indirect experience. you cant directly experience and not indirectly. it is neither this nor that, you can neither catch it nor miss it. nobody can miss it. yet nobody can catch it. and that is the real mystery and that is what life is all about.

 

nobody can say that i have never slept in my life. yet no one can say i know sleep. it is in your experience yet you do not know it. that one thing is sleep. and that one thing which causes the sleep, which is in sleep and which enables you to wake up from sleep is the self. that is even more a mystery. without which you cant exist. there is no existence at all and yet it is not felt or known.

 

.....through knowledge through grace that is self knowledge. more tomorrow on that.

 

Q) thank you Guruji. i saw you getting out of the car smiling today. At that moment I felt love for life and you. what to do to feel like that all the time?

 

Treasure those moments in your heart. dont crave for them. craving will be an impediment. but treasuring those memories will be of real......

In life you get few moments where the spark gets ignited, where the fountain bursts open.

that initial moment when the fountain bursts open is so important so beautiful. if fountain is running for several hours you dont pay attention.

same way moment you jump into hot tub the first moment is really the thrill. if you are remaining for 5 10 minutes you dont feel it any more.

 

but those initial moments of contrast are so valuable. those moments are to be treasured.

 

 

Q) what happens when pople die. where do we go after that?

Sri Sri) we will take up this tomorrow.

 

Anyone's birthday today...?

KS- 138 False Security

Knowledge Sheet 138 - False Security Jan 28, 1998 Santa Monica, California, USA False securities do not allow your faith to grow. When you have dropped your securities, then your faith grows. When you buffer your life with securities, you keep the faith away. It is the faith that brings perfection in you. Faith is the greatest security. If you have all the material securities and not have faith, you will still reel in fear. You have to let go of all possessions in the mind. False security is keeping things where they don't belong. It is an illusion of security because of having a job, a house, friends. Keep the house where it belongs, not in the mind. Keep the money in the bank or in the pocket, not in the mind. Keep friends and family where they belong, not in the mind. The Divine is your only security. Faith is realizing that you always get what you need. Faith is giving the Divine a chance to act. Your body belongs to the world. Your spirit belongs to the Divine.

Jai Gurudev

__._,_.___

 

Kindness pays

KINDNESS Pays !

 One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his

 way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was

 hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However,

 he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead

 of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry

 so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then

 asked, "How  much do I owe you?"

 

 "You don't owe me anything," she replied "Mother has taught us never

 to accept payment for a kindness." He said... "Then I thank you from

 my heart."

 

 As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt; stronger

 physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been

 ready to give up and quit.

 

 Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors

 were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called

 in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called

 in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came

 from, a strange light filled his eyes.

 

 Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her

 room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He

 recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room

 determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave

 special attention to the case.

 

 After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the

 business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked

 at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her

 room.

 

 She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her

 life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught ;

 her attention on the side as She read these words.....

 

 "Paid in full with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

 

 Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,

 GOD, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."

 

Q & A's : Gurujis knowledge of 3rd jan 2008

Guruji's Knowledge - 3rd January 2008

Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:33 am (PST)

*3rd January 2008*
*Bangalore Ashram*

Guruji: Shoot brilliant questions and take only one liners! (laughter)

Q1: Where do thoughts come from?
Because this question came in your mind, give a pat on your back, know that
you are fortunate. When you enquire where the thoughts come from you become
meditative.

Q2: How do you increase the love?
No Chance, it is full already.

Q3: What is creativity and how to increase it?
Doing something new in everything is creative. I want to be creative, this
very thought will make you creative.

Q4. Guruji I cannot balance seva, family job in my life, can you help?
So you want balance it, is that the question? Just do it. You know how to
ride a bicycle? When you practice, you master, same way you do this also.

Q5. Are there higher energies?
Yes, its there. There is some energy that is governing us. We don't know if
they have any form or name. You know Shiva, means that cannot be expressed.
That which is transcendental. How to express? There is no one like Shiva
sitting there somewhere with eyes closed. It is a tatva and there is a snake
around its neck. Do you know what the snake stands for? Alertness. Its all
depicted in a form.

Q6: Is euthanasia allowed?
Yes it is

Q7: You are so beautiful, that we cant express it!
Hindi: Mein lajawab hun, tum besawal hoo

Q8: So many things are bothering me, cant take a decision. My parents want
something and I want something else.
What is the question, you cant take a decision is that the question? You
have a decision and your parents have another decision. Now I cant take a
decision for you (laugh) then it will be no longer your decision it will be
my decision. That's trouble. Then its my decision vs your parents. What
gives you long term happiness and short term misery is good for you, and
that which gives you short term happiness and long term misery is not good
for you. If your parents see that then you go ahead with that. But if your
gut tells you something else, then you decide with that gut….but if you are
still confused, take a pillow and go to bed….(laughter)

Q9. Do I have enough blessings from you to sustain my whole life
I have already given a blank cheque of blessing to everyone But use it
judiciously. Someone waiting for an auto prays at midnight….Guruji please
send an auto….laughter.
From auto to atmagyan all the blessings are already given. When one desire
is fulfilled, 100 more desires come up. It is only wise to ask for the
highest. You should ask for happiness for all.

Q10: Guruji I have this burning desire to be one with you and that you are
sitting there and I am here, I cant take this separation. I cannot express
in words what is happening to me. I am jealous of Bawa and Dinesh that they
are so close to you. Guruji what can I do to be so close to you. I want to
hug you Guruji.
Its good to have this burning desire, this love is like that, it cannot be
satisfied. The more you get it, it only increases the longing.

Q11: what is the difference between smile and laughter?
You do all the thesis and let me know, so that when another person asks me
this question, I can let them know (laughter)

Q12: Guruji there is so much of problems in this world, like WTO, Bhutto
assignation, you know it all, then why do you it to happen, why cant you
stop it before it happens?
That is why I have created the Art Excel course, the Art of Living course.
You know lack of love makes people commit crime.

Q13: I love you the most, who do you love?
All of you

Q14: Between husband and wife, one is spiritual and one is not, how do you
balance?
Think of all the tricks and tell me which one works so that I can tell
everyone.

Q15: My family is in a debt of Rs 15,00,000/- I don't feel like working and
my mind wants to do seva, what do I do?
No No, if family is in trouble, you must help your family. You must do both,
help them and do seva too. So much employment is available in India, so many
industrialists are coming up and for good people. Lots of opportunities are
available, we have HR department at the ashram, you can make your name to
the HR department.
(*humanresources@ artofliving. org*<http://us.f524. mail.yahoo. com/ym/Compose? To=humanresource s@artofliving. org>
)

Q16: Guruji, out of all the people in the world, why only a few follow
spirituality?
Lord Krishna said that out of all the people 1000 people think of me and out
of the 1000 people only one reaches out to me. See for example in your class
how many students are there? 400? And out of th 400 how many are here? Only
you!

Q17: Why do we need love from everyone, and when we don't get it why do we
get depressed?
Are you depressed now? No. In the process of demanding love, we get
depressed. Live like a big zero. But walk on the right side of the number,
because the numbers are not coming on that side (Laughter)
Q18: Why do we experience bondage in love?
Because love binds you and love binds you from progressing.

Q19: Guruji, is hanging until death the right thing?
No No, it is not the right thing

Q20: Why is there so much poverty in India?
There is so much poverty in India, because of the several attacks India has
faced. The country has been exploited all the times

Q21 Guruji, why don't you become the Prime Minister of this country?
Why do you want to degrade me? (Laughter) I belong to the whole world. Why
are you demoting me to one country?

Q22: Guruji, what is the responsibility of a titcher (teacher)
Titcher (laughter) should not do Kachhar Pachhar (meaning: mess) The
responsibility of a teacher is to spread the knowledge.

Smita,
Bangalore Ashram

22 REASONS TO GO VEGETARIAN - suggestion for immediate implementation

22 REASONS TO GO VEGETARIAN - suggestion for immediate implementation

Vegetarian food is easy to digest

Consider making this healthy choice as one of your new year's
resolutions. ..

Stacks of studies confirm that a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables
and grains is your best bet for living a longer, healthier and more
enjoyable life. There are literally hundreds of great reasons to
switch to a
plant-based diet; here are 22 of the best:

1 You'll live a lot longer.

Vegetarians live about seven years longer, and vegans (who eat no animal
products) about 15 years longer than meat eaters, according to a study
from
Loma Linda University. These findings are backed up by the China Health
Project (the largest population study on diet and health to date), which
found that Chinese people who eat the least amount of fat and animal
products have the lowest risks of cancer, heart attack and other chronic
degenerative diseases.

2 You'll save your heart.

Cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer in the United
States,
and the standard American diet (SAD) that's laden with saturated fat and
cholesterol from meat and dairy is largely to blame. Plus, produce
contains
no saturated fat or cholesterol. Incidentally, cholesterol levels for
vegetarians are 14 percent lower than meat eaters.

3 You can put more money in your mutual fund.

Replacing meat, chicken and fish with vegetables and fruits is
estimated to
cut food bills.

4 You'll reduce your risk of cancer.

Studies done at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg
suggest that
this is because vegetarians' immune systems are more effective in killing
off tumour cells than meat eaters'. Studies have also found a plantbased
diet helps protect against prostate, colon and skin cancers.

5 You'll add color to your plate.

Meat, chicken and fish tend to come in boring shades of brown and
beige, but
fruits and vegetables come in all colours of the rainbow. Diseasefighting
phytochemicals are responsible for giving produce their rich, varied hues.
So cooking by colour is a good way to ensure you re eating a variety of
naturally occurring substances that boost immunity and prevent a range of
illnesses.

6 You'll fit into your old jeans.

On average, vegetarians are slimmer than meat eaters, and when we diet, we
keep the weight off up to seven years longer. That's because diets
that are
higher in vegetable proteins are much lower in fat and calories than the
SAD. Vegetarians are also less likely to fall victim to weight-related
disorders like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

7 You'll give your body a spring cleaning.

Giving up meat helps purge the body of toxins (pesticides, environmental
pollutants, preservatives) that overload our systems and cause
illness. When
people begin formal detoxification programs, their first step is to
replace
meats and dairy products with fruits and vegetables and juices.

8 You'll make a strong political statement.

It's a wonderful thing to be able to finish a delicious meal, knowing that
no beings have suffered to make it..

9 Your meals will taste delicious.

Vegetables are endlessly interesting to cook and a joy to eat. It's an
ever-changing parade of flavours and colors and textures and tastes.

10 You'll help reduce waste and air pollution.

Livestock farms creates phenomenal amounts of waste. The tons of manure, a
substance that's rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
a top
pollutants. And that's not even counting the methane gas released by
goats,
pigs and poultry (which contributes to the greenhouse effect); the ammonia
gases from urine; poison gases that emanate from manure lagoons; toxic
chemicals from pesticides; and exhaust from farm equipment used to raise
feed for animals.

1 / 2

11 Your bones will last longer.

The average bone loss for a vegetarian woman at age 65 is 18 percent; for
non-vegetarian women, it's double that. Researchers attribute this to the
consumption of excess protein. Excess protein interferes with the
absorption
and retention of calcium and actually prompts the body to excrete calcium,
laying the ground for the brittle bone disease osteoporosis. Animal
proteins, including milk, make the blood acidic, and to balance that
condition, the body pulls calcium from bones. So rather than rely on milk
for calcium, vegetarians turn to dark green leafy vegetables, such as
broccoli and legumes, which, calorie for calorie, are superior sources.

12 You'll help reduce famine.

It takes 15 pounds of feed to get one pound of meat. But if the grain were
given directly to people, there'd be enough food to feed the entire
planet.
In addition, using land for animal agriculture is inefficient in terms of
maximizing food production. According to the journal Soil and Water, one
acre of land could produce 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, 40,000 pounds of
potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots or just 250 pounds of beef.

13 You'll avoid toxic chemicals.

The EPA estimates that nearly 95 per cent of pesticide residue in our diet
comes from meat, fish and dairy products. Fish, in particular, contain
carcinogens (PCBs, DDT) and heavy metals (mercury, arsenic; lead, cadmium)
that cannot be removed through cooking or freezing. Meat and dairy
products
are also laced with steroids and hormones.

14 You'll protect yourself from foodborne illnesses.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest in the US,
which
has stringent food standards, 25 per cent of all chicken sold in the
United
States carries salmonella bacteria and, the CDC estimates, 70 percent
to 90
percent of chickens contain the bacteria campy-lobacter (some strains of
which are antibiotic-resistan t), approximately 5 percent of cows
carry the
lethal strain of E. coli O157:H7 (which causes virulent diseases and
death),
and 30 percent of pigs slaughtered each year for food are infected with
toxoplasmosis (caused by parasites).

15 You may get rid of your back problems.

Back pain appears to begin, not in the back, but in the arteries. The
degeneration of discs, for instance, which leads to nerves being pinched,
starts with the arteries leading to the back. Eating a plant-based diet
keeps these arteries clear of cholesterol- causing blockages to help
maintain a healthy back.

16 You'll be more 'regular.'

Eating a lot of vegetables necessarily means consuming fiber, which pushes
waste out of the body. Meat contains no fibre. Studies done at Harvard and
Brigham Women's Hospital found that people who ate a high-fiber diet had a
42 percent lower risk of diverticulitis. People who eat lower on the food
chain also tend to have fewer incidences of constipation, hemorrhoids and
spastic colon.

17 You'll cool those hot flashes.

Plants, grains and legumes contain phytoestrogens that are believed to
balance fluctuating hormones, so vegetarian women tend to go through
menopause with fewer complaints of sleep problems, hot flashes, fatigue,
mood swings, weight gain, depression and a diminished sex drive.

18 You'll help to bring down the national debt.

We spend large amounts annually to treat the heart disease, cancer,
obesity,
and food poisoning that are byproducts of a diet heavy on animal products.

19 You'll preserve our fish population.

Because of our voracious appetite for fish, 39 per cent of the oceans'
fish
species are overharvested, and the Food & Agriculture Organization reports
that 11 of 15 of the world's major fishing grounds have become depleted.

20 You'll help protect the purity of water.

It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of mutton, but
just 25
gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat. Not only is this
wasteful, but
it contributes to rampant water pollution.

21 You'll provide a great role model for your kids.

If you set a good example and feed your children good food, chances are
they'll live a longer and healthier life. You're also providing a
market for
vegetarian products and making it more likely that they'll be
available for
the children.

22 Going vegetarian is easy!

Vegetarian cooking has never been so simple. We live in a country that has
been vegetarian by default. Our traditional dishes are loaded with the
goodness of vegetarian food. Switching over it very simple indeed.
Jai Gurudev !!!

2 / 2

Source : Bombay Times, The Times of India dt. 4/1/2008

WHO ARE YOU? BRAHMA, VISHNU, MAHESH OR GURU?

WHO ARE YOU? BRAHMA, VISHNU, MAHESH OR GURU?

There are three forces: Brahma shakti, Vishnu shakti, and Shiva
shakti. You may have one of these predominant. Brahma shakti is the
force to create something new. Vishnu shakti is maintenance and Shiva
shakti is bringing in transformation, filling in life, or destroying.

Some of you have Brahma shakti. You may create well, but you may not
be able to maintain. For example, you may make friends very fast, but
it does not last long.

There are others who cannot create but are good at maintaining. For
example, people have long lasting friendships but cannot make any new
friends. In such cases, Vishnu shakti is dominant.

And then there are others who have more of Shiva shakti. They bring
in new life or transformation or they can destroy the whole set up.

In Guru shakti, all three shaktis have blossomed fully.

So each of you first identify which shakti you have more of and
aspire for Guru shakti. Guru makes a group but a group cannot make a Guru.

Jai Gurudev

*Quotations from talks and writings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar*

*Quotations from talks and writings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar*

7/01/04: A servant is the Master. One who is a servant can only be a Master. And the Master is the servant. There is no difference.

7/02/04: A devotee is not there even for wisdom. He simply is in love. He has fallen in deep love with the master, with the infinity, with God. He
doesn't care whether he gets enlightened or not.

7/03/04: Devotion is very beautiful. A student comes to a master, a teacher, a guru, with tears in his eyes, there is so much problems. And when
he leaves he carries the same tears, but the quality of the tear is different; it's of gratitude. Still tears flow, but they are of gratitude, of love.

7/04/04: A devotee will never fall. He cannot fall. There is no chance for it.

7/05/04: Worry is a product of loving something that is not permanent, that is not eternal.

*-- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar*

 

happy new year 2008- IF + Neither Accept People As They Are Nor Tolerate Them

happy new year 2008- IF

Hi friends,
Wish you a Happy new year 2008 to you and your family members
On this occasion when we are embarking towards a new year , I would like to forward few lines of the beautiful poem IF by Rudyard Kipling. The poem has been written almost a century ago. But the message is as fresh and contextual as it was then .

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling

Thanks
Vijay Dwivedi

 

 

 

 

========================

 

 

 

Knowledge Sheet 137 - Neither Accept People As They Are Nor Tolerate Them Jan 21, 1998 Williams Island, Florida, USA Many people think tolerance is a virtue. Tolerance is a negative term. If you like something you don't have to tolerate. Tolerance indicates a deep sense of dislike, which can at any time turn into hatred. It indicates a sense of separateness . . small mindedness . . limitation of consciousness. When you are tolerating, it is a temporary state. Tolerance is a potential volcano. If you are tolerating it means you are holding on. Acceptance is also negative. You accept that which is not lovable. Question: Don't you need a sense of self-assurance to then go and love people? This is our company. The Self-Assurance Company. It is only the Self that is always assuring. Nothing else. Tolerance and acceptance come with judgment and separation. These words which are used, tolerance and acceptance are thought to be positive. I say they are not. Question: But aren't we supposed to accept people as they are? If you don't love them, then you have to accept them. DON'T ACCEPT PEOPLE AS THEY ARE. JUST LOVE THEM AS THEY ARE.

Jai Gurudev

__._,_.___

 

==================

 

 

 

 

 

Gurujis knowledge 24th Dec + observe negative thoughts

 
Wishing everyone a Happy 2008 ( hope the year of the Rat brings you lots of peace, harmony and goodwill )
 
You can read all the knowledge below on http://gurujiskripa.blogspot.com also. Previous emails of mine are all posted on the site.
 
Guruji had recently advised (in delhi) to read the Bhagvad Gita. I have it in PDF format in English and Hindi. People interested can write to me on rges@hotmail.com and i will send the file to you.
 
At the same time you can also join The Art of Living Facebook group also. There are regular news posts of Art of living activities and you can share contacts, info of your chapter with other Art of Living members.
 
To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=617780872&k=5VG2P4URQ4TAYGAIUCYZ
Everyone can join Facebook. To register, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=617780872&k=5VG2P4URQ4TAYGAIUCYZ&r
 
Pass the message to all and lets have a wonderful start of the new year.

Jai Gurudev,
Rajesh (Moscow, Russian Federation)
 
 
===================================
*24th December 2007***
**
*Bangalore** Ashram*

Guruji conducted moonlight meditation… followed by the question and answer
session.

*Question:* Guruji logically there is no reason to be happy. But happy state
of mind doesn't follow any logic. Is happiness related to logic?

*Guruji:* (laughter) The whole exercise in life is to balance the head and
the heart. When you are too much into head, u should just let go, and relax,
sing and dance. You know your sleep is a gift to you. Do you know that?
During sleep the mind gets so much of rest! But meditation is the ultimate
rest to your mind.

*Question:* Guruji, life was becoming weaker and weaker everyday. Then one
day you came. You charged up with so much of love and blessings. What is the
guarantee that it is going to stay for ever?

*Guruji:* (laughter) It's a life time guarantee. For many life times. Here u
know, the charge never finishes. Its not a disposable cell, what u call
it?!!? The sun the moon the starts don't finish. Do they finish? When Lord
Krishna said, "I am the sun the moon, the light in the sun… ", people did
not understand! The mind is like the rays of the moon. The whole world is
made up of one energy. I recently heard something; someone was telling that
Einstein had said that, "If u have not studied physics u loose out
something, but if you have not studied spirituality you loose out on
everything". I totally agree with that. Many are surprised to hear that, but
I was not!

*Question:* Guruji, often I don't realize how seva is happening and
sometimes I think I am doing it. Who is it actually who does?

*Guruji:* Who is the one who is observing? When you focus on that you will
know that, First the eyes are seeing, then the mind, then the intellect, go
on with this … and you will see that there is nothing! That's why Lord
Buddha said "Anaatma". He said, "I could not find the self anywhere, though
I searched and searched". Then Lord Shankaracharya came and said, "Its all
Maya" temporary". Then he said, "Who is the one who could not find? That is
the one"!! He totally turned around the whole picture to a new dimension
with a new sentence! You are the one and you are never away from the self!
That's why we do, "I am".. Have you done the "I am"process today? Advance
course…
During the process you must had several pleasant and unpleasant experience.
Its ok.. huh…they come and go, what remains is the self.

*Question:* Guruji how can I eliminate conflict with my wife. I want to make
her happy at the same time cannot agree to everything she says. Can you
help?

*Guruji: *Why do you want a bland life? (laughter) Life should be spicy,
interesting. Its absolutely ok to fight! You just tell yourself, today let
her scream, I am not going to get angry on her!! You stand like a rock and
keep smiling!! See how things turn around! Just one day you do that, and you
will see you are so potent to end a conflict or may be begin a new one!!
(laughter)!!

*Question:* Guruji why are there so many spiritual institutions? Do we need
so many? Why cannot people follow one institution?

*Guruji:* No come on… You never ask why are there so many cinema halls? You
never ask why are there so many shops, so many restaurants, so many
parties?!!? Why do we wear so many different types of cloths!??!?! This
question is not relevant at all. There are so many avenues to bring the
knowledge. So many different methods to are there to get to the knowledge.
Only the Zihadis say such things. We want only one thing! Only one way! Well
things may not be the way you want it, but let me tell you they all have
their own importance. Rigveda said something beautiful. It said for those
who don't believe in him, he is there for them also!! Swami Vivekananda
came, he found an institution. Then Rishi Aurobindo came he formed another
institution…. We have take up a different way through yoga and
meditation…There is no conflict with one another! There is one common thing
I think in all and that is meditation.

*Question:* Guruji I got your blessings today, how long will the blessings
last?

*Guruji:* (Laughter) depends on what you are going to use it for. I am ready
to give you a blank cheque. But what will you use it for!??!

*Question:* Guruji give me bhahma gyan?

*Guruji:* I am ready to give you and that's what is what you are doing here.
Relax and let go. Become hollow and empty. And only when you are hollow and
empty you are ready to take it.

*Question:* How different are you from mother and father?

*Guruji:* I don't want to get into this conflict. How different am I or how
similar am I! You find out all that! Some people find both… so you figure
that out.

*Question: *Guruji what is the best way to serve the society as a future
doctor?

*Guruji:* You know you should keep this question. This is a very good
question. How best can I contribute to my society!! But don't try to do
something which is not required! (Laughter!!) Have you heard the story of
the scout boys? I think I have told it to you before. Ok…ok I'll repeat!
There were three scout boys. One day they were given a task to do some
service. So they went on the road and were wondering what seva to do?!?!
Meantime one of them saw a old lady who was standing across the road. The
scout boy came upto her ands asked "Would you like to cross the road?" The
old lady said, "No thank you". The scout boy insisted her that she should
cross the road! Finally he forced her to cross the road. Meantime the other
boy who saw that came running and said, "I am going to drop her back from
where she came"> which means the other side of the road. So he forced the
old lady to cross the road again. The third boy came running and said "Well
I cannot loose out of seva". So he got the old lady to cross the road
again!!! (Laughter!!) We have to bring people to knowledge and spirituality
and meditation.

*Question:* Is there a way to handle success without conflict?

*Guruji:* Yes… yes. You can handle success without any conflict. Because the
concept of conflict is there in your own mind. If your mind is free there is
no conflict at all!! That's why in Narada Bhakti Sutra it is said,
"aatmarata virodhite"… Rejoice in the self without conflict, and that's is
real devotion.

In Service,

*Smita Roy (From Ashram)*

 

Observe negative thoughts

Observe negative thoughts
Sri Sri Ravishankar

There is a lot of talk about positive thinking. Positive thinking means - you get a negative thought and you try to think positive.

A thought has already come in us, whether positive or negative. You just observe it. It is already gone. But positive thinking means bringing back that which has
gone. We catch hold of a thought and go on like that. To erase the negative thought, we try to force a positive thought on it. But negative thoughts simply
don't go away. They go somewhere deep inside. They remain there. The more you try to force the positive thought, the more, somewhere deep inside, the negative
thought is growing. A slight fear is happening, you are hitting a duality, a conflict. Observing thoughts as thoughts, emotions as emotions, opens us to our
true Self, the godliness within us.

Do you mean just the observing from some centre is enough, rather than trying to change it?

Yes. The very observation changes it. When you observe, all that is negative falls away. And the nature of positive emotions is - they grow. If you observe when you are angry, the anger will fall away. And if you observe if there is love, love grows. And the attempt to erase simply strengthens the negative? Is that what you are saying? Just observing and letting go is the simplest? That is the best and the only way. Observe. Observe that thoughts come and they pass. A negative thought
comes because of stress. If you are put under great stress, on that day, or the next day, you will get negative thoughts and become frustrated. All negative
thoughts come out of your frustration. Instead of trying to do something with those thoughts that have already arisen, which are of no use, attend to the source from which they bubble up. If the source is clean, only positive thoughts come. And if negative thoughts come, you observe, so what! They come and they vanish in no time.

GENEROSTIY IS QUALITY OF SPIRIT / 3 TYPES OF LOVE

GENEROSITY IS THE QUALITY OF THE SPIRIT

GENEROSITY IS THE QUALITY OF THE SPIRIT

When You Feel Stuck In Life And Not Growing, Bombarded By Desires,
When There Is Dryness, Lack Of enthusiasm, no juice, what do you do?
Here is the solution.... FEEL GENEROUS.... right away, not tomorrow.
Either a princess or a pauper can feel generous. Generosity is the
quality of the spirit. When you feel generous your life becomes
abundant, full of compassion and love.

Question: Is generosity the same as being grateful?

Answer: No. Gratefulness always has self concern. You are grateful
because you have something or you get something. Generosity is an
expression independent of external circumstances. No one can make you
feel generous. That is something that you have to do yourself.
Essentially, generosity is not an act. It is a state of
consciousness, but it cannot but find its expression in an act.

Question: What about passion?

Answer: Passion indicates scarcity. Dispassion is abundance.
Dispassion without generosity makes you self-centered, causes more
dryness.

You dont´ have to think about what you have done in the past. That
only brings doership.

Just feel generous.

Jai Gurudev...!

THREE KINDS OF LOVE

THREE KINDS OF LOVE

There are three kinds of Love. The Love that comes out of Charm, that
which comes out of comfort, and the Divine Love. Do you see what I am
saying?

The love that comes out of charm does not last long. It comes out of
unfamiliarity or out of attraction. In this you lose the attraction
fast, and boredom sets in, like most love marriages. This love may
diminish and bring along with it fear, uncertainty, insecurity, and
sadness.

The Love that comes out of comfort and familiarity grows. But this
Love has no thrill, no enthusiasm, joy, or fire to it. For example,
you are more comfortable with an old friend who is a familiar person,
rather than with a new person.

The Divine Love supersedes both the above. The Divine Love has ever
newness. The closer you go; there is more charm and depth. The Divine
Love has comfort, enthusiasm, and familiarity. There is never boredom
and it keeps everyone on their toes.

Worldly love can be like an ocean, yet an ocean has a bottom. The
Divine Love is like the sky which is limitless, infinite. From the
bottom of the Ocean, soar into the vast sky.

Jai Gurudev...!

yes+ course in presence of Guruji in Germany

Dear ones, 
 
Can we give some real last, last, last-minute push to this? It's a real wonderful initiative! Guruji is inviting all Youngster to the Ashram!
 
With much love
Jgd
Christoph 


 
Invitation to a special edition of Yes!+ course with Atika in the presence of Guruji...  

26.12. - 30. 12. 2007 in Bad Antogast 

(aged between 18 – 35) 

  
At the beginning of this month, the CCS World Youth Forum in Brussels has taken place. 
 
We (50 participants from more than 20 countries) got to present our views on leadership and ethics in business to a large audience of hundreds of top business leaders and academia during the CCS symposium in the European Parliament. 
 
Part of the program was the Yes+ workshop, which gave us insightful knowledge about leadership, our own mind, and about managing (stressful) everyday situations. We also learned some special breathing techniques that greatly improve concentration and reduce stress, as well as energize your body and mind. 
 
But besides all those useful things we learned, we had the best time ever! Therefore, we are putting our efforts into organizing another Yes+! workshop in a beautiful place in the Black Forest in Germany. 
 
We want you to be there too, the more people, the more fun! Just come and experience this wonderful course, we ensure you that we are going to have great time. 
 
All the best,
The participants of the CCS World Youth Forum 2007
  
Some of our experiences:


"After this program if feel so strong and enthusiastic about facing the challenges of live...and everything in my life became so much easier and more enjoyable." Martin 


"This program gave me so much energy, that now I do 2 times more work then before and the experience of this program itself was just great fun." Sebastiaan 


"I learned to enjoy every moment of my life much more fully and to live without regrets, by giving my 100% into it everything I do." Alia 

NEW !!! Questions & Answers with Guruji.......

Questions & Answers with Guruji.......

Questions & Answers with Guruji……

Q: When does a child have the first thought?

A: A child first has feelings. In the first week or within the first month the child has feelings. And it starts to recognize things in the first six months but cannot put a name to them. Also a child has memories of past lives upto the first three years. Sometimes the child will also say something and the parents will just disregard it but if they listen carefully the
child may say things about the memories of the past lives. But only upto three, four years old.

Q: What is the origin of thought?
A: What is the origin of this question? (laughter) Just sit for a while and ask yourself that - then you'll see that this thought also comes from that quiet space.

Q: What is the connection between suicide and rebirth? What happens to the people who commit suicide?
A: Their souls wander for a while and then they are re-born.
Q: That's it?
A: (Laughs) That's it? Suicide is like when you're feeling very cold and you take your jacket off. How are you going to feel then? It does not make sense.

Q: I've been fighting all my life - with my mother, with situations etc. How do I get out?
A: First of all ask yourself have you been fighting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year? Hmm? Is that possible? You know we tend to generalize and eternalize our problems. And so the problems continue. We say everyone in Bangalore is sick. How can that be! Just we happen to know 5 or 10 people are sick and we think everyone in Bangalore is sick. Remember you the center of your consciousness - you can change things.

Just put this thought in your head when you wake up in the morning that today my mother is going to be happy. Maybe the first day it won't work, the second day it won't work but the third day you will see your mother is happy.

Q: My boss told me that if all the CEOs and MDs had done the Art of Living course - they would only be doing positive thinking and they would not have been able to make much progress.
A: Just ask your boss - that if lot of stress and negative emotions causes
creativity and progress - why do you not see it in Afghanistan and Lebanon - where the situation has been so stressful for so long. Do you see any great creativity coming out of these places? Just ask him that.
This is a wrong notion that creativity comes out of stress and negativity.

Q: (Something about dowry and violence related to dowry)

A: The people who commit violence for dowry are doing wrong but it will not help just to condemn such people or just punish them severely. They have to be cured - some understanding of the problem has to be there.
That's why in the olden days each village/town had a purohit. He kept an eye on the people in the town and if he saw some tendencies - he could take action to correct it at an early stage not let it get to the violence. Puro-Hit - Pur means city - `hit' means welfare - the one who cares about the welfare of the city. That tradition needs to be revived where there is someone wise in the town, who is immersed in knowledge and meditation and can attend to these matters.

Q: What is the connection between karma and free will?
A: They are mixed like fat in milk. If you remove the cream from milk - there is still some fat in the milk, so there is still some karma in the free will. If you make milk into curds also there is still some fat in it - only when you churn it and make buttermilk then the fat is taken out - so if you take all karma out - if you are free from karma then there is free will - then the actions can be without karma - that is an enlightened soul.

Q: Something about doing service when you don't feel like it.
A: Yes, you should still do it. Don't think that I am not being true to myself - I don't really feel like doing this seva but I am doing it. It's okay. Sometimes you will not feel like it but still do the seva.

Q: How to develop the ability to work hard?
A: Don't work hard, work smart!

Q: How to work smart?
A: (Laughs) Smart does not mean tigdambaazi (being cunning) Don't get mistaken about that. I'm not saying be cunning. But it is not great achievement to work very hard for a small task. If someone says they have worked very hard then I ask - why you don't have intelligence? (laughs) when you are completely relaxed, the action that
springs from that is intelligent action - when you can do little but achieve a lot that is smart work.

Mind space - Sri Sri

MIND SPACE...... see what Guruji says..

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 – all the confusion is between this focus and
expansion.

Continue doing whatever you are doing. Be at peace in your mind. Let
go of everything. Put away all your worries; they are nothing. When you
let go, you will realize you are peace. What is stopping you from
knowing that you are at peace? You are not letting go; so let go. You
know when you watch the sky and move at the same time, it appears as
though the sun is moving. It looks as if the moon is moving, but
actually it's the clouds that move. Have you experienced this
illusion?

You are the background of all the phenomena, like a movie screen.
Whatever happens on it, the screen is untouched in the background. So
you are the background on which different phenomena move – they
happen and vanish!

Tomorrow is another day – another morning, afternoon, evening,
midnight, and 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.

What's happening now? There is some `yes' and `no'
going on is your mind, with awareness of thought like, "Oh! I feel
good!" and other such things, you are lifted to a completely
different level of existence. Much higher than thinking, "Oh! So
and so said this, so and so said that". "That person is jealous
of me" – all garbage. The whole game is happening inside you.
In that space, time rolls.

The mind is part of Time; a reflection of Time. One is born out of the
other. That's why, when you are happy, time moves quickly. If you
don't know how time passes, then you are happy. Somebody is in the
hospital; then even half an hour seems so long. You are waiting for a
train, or there is delay in your flight. You are all alone and you have
read the entire newspaper and still you don't feel time passing.

You can see this on the railway platforms in India. People lean over to
see whether the train is moving. I once saw an old lady doing this and
told her, "Mother, the train is very big! If it moves you can't
miss it; but if you lean over, you will fall down. Sit in the train and
relax. It makes a big sound, it's not an ant."

I remember an incident in school. A classmate had difficulty in walking
and I would accompany him home. His house was situated before mine.
About a hundred feet away from his house, he would run. I would say,
"You will fall down, don't run," but he would not listen.
He would eventually fall on his doorstep. There was no use in my going
with him all the way. Time appears to be very long when the house is so
near. It would hardly have taken him three or four minutes more if he
walked normally. Time appears to be very long when the mind is not
here.

~~~ Sri Sri

Jai Gurudev

pass this message.

!! JAI GURUDEV !!

The Art of living Foundation cordially invite you to a talk on Health through Breath on 6th January 2008 From 5.00pm to 7pm by Dr. V . Kochupillai, Retired Chief Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital & Professor & Head of Department of Medical oncology AIIMS New Delhi at Kalida Marriage Hall Mulund(W).

Dr. V. Kochupillai will discuss various effects Sudarshan Kriya - a unique breathing Process taught at the Art of Living workshops on:-

1) Brain functions & physiological parameters.

2) Effect on stress & depression

3) Effect on Ageing

4) Effect on immune system

5) Effect in post traumatic stress disorders

A little more about the speaker ….

Dr . v. Kochupillai has over 30 years of teaching & research experiences .she has Published more than 170 research papers & is a winner of several national & International awards One of her key areas of interest has been the effect of yogic Breathing practices on health .she has initiated &co-ordinated various pathbreathing Research projects on the effect of 'Sudarshan Kriya' on health .she has also organize World conferences on scientific aspects of deep breathing exercises, consciosness & spirituality.

Please forward this info to all AOL teachers, voluteers and make sure to have maximum no of Doctors attending this session. This session is open for every one.


For Further Detail
Contact Nisha Barve 9819386466

Knowledge Sheet 134

Knowledge Sheet 134 - A Wise Man Is Happy Even In Bad Times
And
The Stupid One Is Unhappy Even In Good Times
Dec 31, 1997
German Akademie Bad Antogast, Germany

People who are willing to serve will have good times even in the bad times. when there are problems such as famine or war-torn countries, the Red Cross people will be fine as they are serving. The more relief they bring, the happier they feel. And people who are selfish and who just want to enjoy themselves will be miserable even in good times. Often the organizers of a party do not enjoy the party because some little thing is missing, they forgot to invite somebody, somebody did not come or some little thing went wrong.

A wise one is happy even in bad times. And the stupid one is unhappy even in good times.

You make the time good or bad. People usually blame the bad time and wait for the good time. Even if an astrologer says that you have a hopeless time, you can make it a good time!

Like weather, time has its own impact on you. But your Satsangs and Sadhana are your shield, your protection! So realize that you are more than time and that you can move the time by your connection to the Divine.

Don't feel shy to speak about human and spiritual values. Time has come now to call the whole world!

THE ALL is calling,

The Ball is rolling!

Time is milling,

The Soul is willing...

Riddle : The next year is three times the same and yet only one. What is it? Figure that out.

BE EVER NEW, HAPPY YOU !!!!
Jai Gurudev

Sacred space - cyber wisdom

Looking Within by 'SRI SRI'

Looking Within by SRI SRI

When someone is anxious, they are unaware of time. They are not
aware of the moment that is passing. This is because their focus is
on the event, on the happening, rather than on the moment. When
someone is waiting for a train to arrive, they wait and wait and
wait. Next time, try and be aware of the moment.

When the mind is lost in the moment, then that is yoga. When you
wait for nothing, yet you wait. It adds a different quality to the
conscious mind. This aspect sharpens the mind, the intellect and the
heart. This is the yoga of action.

This is the next sutra in Patanjali's second chapter known as
Sadhana Pada. Sadhana pada is a `practice on the path'. Tapaha
swadhyayeshwarapran idhanani kriyayogaha is the sutra and it
means "Endurance, self-study, devotion to the divine constitutes the
yoga of action."

Kriya yoga is the yoga of action. Action is a part of creation.
There is activity in everything in creation. Right from a little
atom, to the sun, to the moon, and stars, there is activity. There
is nothing that is stable or static in this world. Everything is
busy, active. The Brahman, the infinity, is filled with infinite
activity. There is absolutely no silence at all!

Even in sleep there is activity. You think you are sleeping, but in
sleep, there appears to be more activity. The body grows more in
sleep than when you are awake. Do you know that? In the child, every
cell is multiplying as he sleeps. That is why a growing child sleeps
longer. The young sleep longer than the elderly because there is a
lot of activity, mostly metabolic, going on in the body. The body is
built when you are young. If you deprive somebody of sleep, their
growth is stunted.

Even in silence, there is activity. At the same time, in every
activity there is a corner which is silent. Krishna tells
Arjuna, "Arjuna, do you know who is really intelligent and clever?
One, who sees silence in activity and activity in silence. That is a
truly intelligent person."

Now, how does one see silence in activity and activity in silence?
It needs sharpness of awareness, alertness of the mind and keenness
of the senses. That keenness can come when there is skill in your
activity. That skill in activity is Kriya yoga or the yoga of
action.

What is Kriya Yoga? It comprises of three parts. First, there is
Tapas, which means endurance or acceptance. Say for example, you are
traveling in a plane on a long distance flight. You have been
sitting for long and you find your legs are getting numb. You are
tired, yet you keep sitting. You feel heavy, yet you keep sitting.
You cannot say. "Oh! I cannot sit any longer; I am going to get out
of the plane." No way! If the plane is delayed or held up in the
air, you still have to sit there. There is no choice. Now, if you
had a choice, you would not sit for eight hours like that in one
place. But in a plane you sit, accepting it, willingly, without
grumbling. That is tapas! In the same way, if you are hungry, you
say, "No, I am fasting. I want to have a cleansing diet. I want to
cleanse my body. So I am just going to fast on juice or water." You
decide on your own to do some action, which is not usual. and you do
it, without grumbling. Tapas is really experiencing the opposite
values without grumbling.

You know that it is beneficial and the result of this action is very
good, and therefore you go ahead with it however difficult it is.
People go to the gymnasium. It is difficult and gives no pleasure
yet one does it. Why? They know that it is good for their system.
This endurance is called tapas.

Second is Swadhyaya or self-study or introspection. This means
observing your own thoughts and emotions. Where do these emotions
come from? Where do the thoughts come from? What is happening inside
you? Studying yourself is swadhyaya.

Third is Eashwara pranidhana, which means devotion to the divine or
love for the divine.

These three things make up Kriya Yoga.
~ SRI SRI

Q and A Part 2 Nov 23-25 (GURUJI)

Subject: Q and A Part 2 Nov 23-25

(On the previous day Guruji had asked for 'intelligent' questions)
Q: Guruji when we see you we get very feverish. Please don't call this an
unintelligent question.
A: That is not even a question, is it? It's a statement! Yes, it is apparent
(laughing) that there is feverishness. I have come to accept it now.
And people don't realize that when you bend down to touch my feet - the person
behind thinks there is no one in front and bends down also and soon we have a
pile of people (laughter) Sometimes when I am walking very fast and devotees
are trying to touch my feet - it gets very tricky - a few times I have escaped
tripping. It's been very close.

Q: Something about thoughts during meditation
A: Don't be dissappointed if you have thoughts during meditation. Just embrace
the thoughts - don't resist them. Don't feel 'Oh I didn't meditate well today'
- just embrace the thoughts. Accept them.

Q: All that you have achieved - do you look at it as your achievement, a gift
of God, part of nature?
A: I would say - it is a gift of God. Everyone has a role to play, that's all.
Everything in this universe has a role to play - that is actually the essence
of advaita. There is One Consciousness and everything in it is part of That.
See, to make something important you need many things that are unimportant. So
you can say that the unimportant things are important to make the important
things important! Got it? (laughter)

Q: What do you find challenging or something that you don't like?
A: When people who are not intelligent but think they are intelligent ask
questions that they think are intelligent but are not really intelligent.
Unfortunately in today's world such people have a lot of influence - it's sad.

Q: Have you ever committed a mistake?
A: (Smiles) Have I ever committed a mistake? (Chuckles) Sometimes I wonder why
I started all this (puts head back and laughs)

Q: How come some negative actions have a positive result
A: Yes, it is possible. Each negative action can have some positive associated
with it - depending on the way you look at it. Karma is not knowable - in the
Geeta Krishna tells Arjuna this - that Karma is so deep that it cannot be known
- see if you plant a coconut tree - it may take fruit in three years - with
mango trees - it can be a different number of years - if you plant moon - it
will sprout overnight and if you put your hand in the fire - when you will feel
the pain - immediately, no? So karma can be immediate or take some time - it is
very deep and it is unknowable.

Q: What was before the Big Bang?
A: Read this book called "The Parallel Universe" by Michael Kokoc. He talks
about the dark energy - e.g. look at the two stars in the sky - they are
separated by space - so he says that there is a great energy that is keeping
the two stars apart. This is dark energy - and we are aware of only 0.03
percent of the actual universe. It's there in his book - read it. I have only
read 3-4 pages (laughs) but you can read more...

Q: Guruji, I have dreams that come true at times. A few days ago I dreamt that
my mom had died and when I called home - I found that my pet had died. This
disturbs me a lot. What should I do?
A: See, dreams are a mix of our fears, desires, some events or impressions of
the past, some premonitions of the future - so don't be too involved in them.
Just move on.

Q: Guruji, People are very worried at my home that something is wrong. They
asked me to consult you.
A: Haan, don't worry. Just ask the people in the house to change Om Namah
Shivaya - don't worry. Ok?

Q: What is Maya? What is reality?
A: Anything that can be measured is Maya. So whatever you see can be measured,
right? You can say two kilo grams of rice, one litre of water and so on. But
can you measure love? Can you say two units of love? Three pounds of Truth? No?


Q: (the following day there is a follow-up) But even negative emotions cannot
be measured - like misery, frustration.
A: Haan. Yes. But if you look at it. Darkness cannot be measured but darkness
is just the absence of light. Unhappiness is not truth. Your true nature is
love, joy, bliss. That's why I say "fake it till you make it" - it's not wrong
to say that. Because you are faking it right now. Your true nature IS joy, is
bliss. Your problems are not true, your misery is not your true nature - so in
fact when you are sad you are faking it!

Q: We are with you in 2007? Where will you be in 2107? I want to play with you
even then.
A: You are asking in front of all these people. Everyone may get the same idea
(laughs) Where will I be in 2107? I am not so foolish as to make plans for 2107
now. All my plans are made done spontaneously in the present moment.

Q: I am confused? Should I pray to God for what I want or let God decide what
is good for me? What is the right thing?
A: No, it's fine to pray for what you want but also say that if there is
something better than this for me, please let me have that. (laughter) You can
do both!

 

Big Mind - Jai Gurudev + The only thing you must remember

BIG MIND......JAI GURUDEV

BIG MIND

You know there is a Big Mind and a small mind. Sometimes the Big Mind
wins over the small mind and sometimes it is the other way around.

When the small mind wins over, it is misery and when the Big Mind
wins, it is joy.

Small mind promises joy and leaves your hand empty. Big Mind may
bring resistance in the beginning but fills you with joy.

The word Guru means great. Jaya means victory. Deva means one who is
fun-loving, playful, light. One who is playful is often not dignified
and when one is dignified, he is often not playful.

Jai Guru Dev is victory to the Big Mind in you that is both dignified
and playful. That is what Jai Guru Dev means: "Victory to the
Greatness in you."

You do not say victory or hail to the Master as he has won over
already. You say victory to your own Self, your own Mind, which is
being veiled by the small mind.

Jai Guru Dev

THE ONLY THING YOU MUST REMEMBER.............

The only thing you must remember is

how fortunate you are.

When you forget this you become sad. Sorrow indicates

(I) your negative qualities, and
(ii) your attachment to your positive qualities.

When you think you are too good, you blame the world; then you become
sad. The purpose of sorrow is to bring you back to the self. And self
is all Joy. But this is possible only through Knowledge -- awareness.

Knowledge or awareness leads sorrow towards the self. With lack of
Knowledge, the same sorrow multiplies and does not get completed.
Knowledge completes sorrow.

With the power of Knowledge you transcend sorrow. In this path you
have everything. We have this beautiful Knowledge which has all the
flavors in it -- wisdom, laughter, seva, silence, singing, dancing,
humor, celebration, yagyas, caring, complaints, problems,
complications, and chaos to add color.

Life is so colorful!

Jai Guru Dev