What is the most beautiful thing in this world?

Sri Sri: It is that you recognize that, 'this is beautiful'. Only a beautiful person can recognize the beauty in everything. So therefore, if you say to someone, "you are stupid" with your one finger pointing towards  him, just know that three other fingers are pointing towards you!! Similarly if you say someone, "you are beautiful" then just know that three fingers are pointing at you saying, "you are beautiful".

See your whole past as a dream & move on to the future

Bangalore ashram, Nov. 27:

Q. This is my 10th Advance course. But I am not able to get rid of my fear. I don’t know what to do?

Sri Sri: Yogasana, do more yogasanas (practice of yoga postures). Yogasanas stretch your nervous system. The endocrine system gets strengthened.

Q. You tell us to accept people as they are. I accept people as they are but I get frustrated and irritated. Please tell some recipe for acceptance without getting irritated.

Sri Sri: When you feel anger inside, do you notice the sensation? Forget about the other person. It is the sensation which is giving you trouble. When you focus on the sensation, it gets dissolved. Why should you spoil your own nervous system? Why should you spoil your own beautiful body because someone said something. You know, 72 muscles are strained when you frown. Your body becomes a wreck.

Q. I get caught up in my problems. How do I come out of this?

Sri Sri: When you think your problem is big you are not looking at others’ problems. When you compare your problems with others, your problem starts looking small.

Q. What is the difference between being detached or in denial?

Sri Sri: Whenever you get so confused analyzing your own feelings, I tell you, just drop it. Many times you go to get counseling and you get even more confused. The counselor tells you, “Oh, in your childhood your mother didn’t take you to the fair so you are feeling that anger.” I would tell you, see your whole past as a dream and move on to the future.

Something pleasant happened. Something unpleasant happened. By picking your memory, you spoil your present moment as well. All the past is nothing but a memory. Some of its impact may continue but the event is not there. Wake up. Shake up.

You see these dogs, puppies and cats - how they shake themselves when they get dirty? They shake and move on. We should save our mind.

Q. Is it right if one’s parents do not appreciate the virtues of a child but compares demerits of the child with the good qualities of other children?

Sri Sri: Once in a while it is ok. When the intention is that their child should learn, then it’s ok. But if it happens every time, then it is not ok.

Q. Can grace change destiny?

Sri Sri: Yes, only then is it grace.

Q. Guruji, I have anger and arrogance in me. In anger, I lose awareness. Please tell me some remedy.

Sri Sri: When you are angry at yourself, you get angry with others also.

When you are angry at others you get angry at yourself for getting angry.

This is like a pendulum. We have to stop this.

It’s ok if you get angry. Don’t get angry because you got angry. Sometimes you feel good, sometimes you feel bad. Life is like a jungle. Thorns are also there, flowers are also there, fruits, peacocks, deer, lions, tigers everything is there. Have a holistic approach.

Just be natural, easy and relax. Take things as they come and move forward. Don’t get stuck in a place. The mind plays so many tricks to keep you miserable. Sing, meditate, serve. Be part of service. We have to save our mind.

Q. Why does a simple situation look complicated later on?

Sri Sri: So what? Later, a complicated situation will start looking simplified. Every complication is a test of your skill. When you simplify the situation and get caught in doer-ship, you find it gets complicated again so that your arrogance is checked. When you feel that whatever happens is the will of the Divine, you are free from arrogance.

Q. Craving and ego are troubling me. What to do?

Sri Sri: Be natural. Take things as they come.

Q. Why do I fight with my wife though I love her?

Sri Sri: When someone asked Mullah Naseeruddin why he fought with his wife so much, he replied, “Because I love her so much. I fight with someone and love someone else? That is not done! I do everything with one person.” Fights are also a part of life.

When you focus on each other too much, then fights happen. If you both have a common goal, to serve, to uplift the society, then fights don’t happen and love blossoms and there is plenty of work for every couple.

In the Indian marriage tradition, there is a ceremony called the saptapadi, the seven steps, which the couple has to take together. One of these steps (signifying vows) is that the couple work together for the upliftment of society.

Q. Guruji, I don’t write letters to you for I have full faith you would solve my problems anyway. Many people asked me to write a letter to you. But I still didn’t write letter to you. When I came here for the advance course many people were writing down their botherations in letters. Please tell me, should I write or not?

Sri Sri: You move according to your way and let others move in their own way. It is not necessary that all paths should be the same.

Q. How to overcome low self-esteem?

Sri Sri: Go and work in villages and slums, you will get your self-esteem back. Go and work for a week, ten days or even on a weekend. Teach some lessons to the children there and see how your self-esteem will come up.

Do something useful to everybody & if you do that, then everything else is taken care of

Chennai, Nov. 26: The Mahasatsang had the characteristic elements of an Art of Living celebration: Gaan (music), Gyaan (knowledge) and Dhyaan (meditation). A team of highly talented musicians played a series of fusion pieces integrating Western rock and Indian classical music, after which Sri Sri spoke and guided everyone into meditation.

“The 3Ms are very important for any occasion - Music, Meditation & Meals

“Truth is that which you cannot avoid nor confront

Love is that which you cannot hide nor express totally

Beauty is that which you cannot possess nor reject.”

Sri Sri then led the thousands, who had gathered for the Mahasatsang, into a meditation.

Later, there was a series of questions from the audience:

Q. Where is the mind and where is it in the body?

Sri Sri: Who or what is asking this question and what is going to listen to the answer. Intellect is that which registers the answer yet it is the mind which is looking for the answer.

Q. How to conquer the five senses? Can you explain in one sentence?

Sri Sri: When you have sunlight and a candle, then the candle becomes insignificant. Likewise, other things become insignificant.

Q. When do we know that we are made up of love?

Sri Sri: Love cannot be known or understood. It can be felt only. The child doesn’t ask his mother – ‘What is your qualification, what do you do? Who are your friends? Tell me, then I'll love you’. Just like our body is made up of carbohydrates and amino acids, we are made up of this substance called love. Anger, greed, jealousy are all just distortions of love.

Q. How to control terrorism?

Sri Sri: The whole world and all religions are debating on terrorism and how to control it. I tell you - Indian spirituality and spiritual knowledge have the power to reduce terrorism and fanaticism.

Q. Is astrology a science?

Sri Sri: Yes, definitely astrology is a science yet that doesn’t mean all astrologers are scientists. (Laughs)

Q. Allopathy has no cure for cancer or tuberculosis. Can Ayurveda or Siddha cure them?

Sri Sri: Most definitely. You know, the Siddha system is only available in Tamil Nadu. Ayurveda is available all over India.

Q. Will the world be destroyed in 2012? Is that true?

Sri Sri: People used to say this in 1999 - that world will be destroyed before the Millennium. In fact, in Canada people stocked up six months worth of groceries (laughs).

There will be a positive spiritual shift that will happen. You know, people are meditating in Terra Del Fiago (near South Pole) and in Norway (near North Pole) and chanting Om Nama Shivaya, becoming vegetarians and taking up Indian traditions.

Q. Guruji, we have two requests for you. Why don’t you come more often to Chennai and start an ashram here?

Sri Sri: Tomorrow we are going to get a meditation hall started here. You all should come here and meditate.

Q. Why don’t we start an exclusive Art of living TV channel to spread the knowledge of the Art of living?

Sri Sri: Why should it be restricted only to one channel? It should be on all channels (laughs). However if you want to start one, you have my encouragement. The channel should not just be meditation or music alone. It should be spiritual knowledge with knowledge on what’s happening in world.

One final thing – Whenever you have any worries, you can just post or courier them to me. Do something useful to everybody and if you do that, then everything else is taken care of.

Love is that which cannot be expressed or hidden fully

“If you keep trying to express it, then it will become just a sound and the feelings are lost. Saying “I love you” everyday and every time, it eventually turns into, “I can’t stand you!” Too much expression spoils things. If you don’t express at all, that is also not good. There needs to be moderation. Just like a seed – it does not germinate if you scatter it on the surface nor if you bury it too deep. It needs to be sown at just the right depth. In the same way, moderation is necessary.

Q. What is the importance of lemon in aura cleansing?

Sri Sri: Have you see lemon juice under the microscope? It looks like the rays of the sun. When you see vitamin C under the microscope, it looks like a sunflower. Some substances like salt, lemon, chilies etc, have the potential to remove negativity. In the west, bathing in the ocean for rejuvenation and improving health is popular. The burdens, the worries in the mind, harmful influences are reduced in this way. Faith also works here. Even when you take regular medicines, if you don’t have faith in the doctor or the medication, it may not help you at all.

Q. How does one achieve strength (Shakti) and devotion (Bhakti)?

Sri Sri: With rest - you achieve devotion. When you put in effort along with rest you get power or strength. Effort and prayer, both, go together. Either is incomplete without the other. For completion of any task both are required.

Normally women only pray and men only put in effort but both should do both.

Q. I don’t know whether I should give importance to family or to my career.

Sri Sri: You have to look out for your career. Your parents will be happy when you have a career. If you have no job and you sit at home, will they be happy? No! Then they (family and career) have both come together.

Q.I have never been successful in life. I consider myself to be a load on my parents’ shoulders.

Sri Sri: Drop your laziness and don’t be too choosy. Whatever work you get, take it up and do it. Do not think it is beneath your dignity. Do not think you are not successful. Every work is attached with honor and dignity.

Q. Guruji, there is lot of confusion in family because one member follows Art of living and another member follows some other spiritual path, pranic healing.

Sri Sri: Both just stick to your own path.

Q. During meditation, the mind wanders to so many places. Once you said, “Let the mind go wherever it wants to”. Does that mean me and my mind are two different entities? If yes, then what is the mind and who am I?

Sri Sri: When you try to keep hold of your mind, it runs here and there. When you become aware of the wandering mind, then you realize you are bigger than the mind. When you find you are not this mind, not this body, not anything else, whatever remains is the Self. Knowing your Self, recognize the Supreme Self. Then you find you are everything. You are the mind, the thoughts, you are the whole world. But that happens at the second level. When you know your Self, you know the Divine. Sarvam Kalvidam Brahma – Everything is One Divinity. Knowing this, become established in this knowledge.

Q. Guruji, you once said desires come and go. Those which need to be fulfilled stay and others simply vanish. But what about those desires which stay and are not fulfilled?

Sri Sri: Have patience & perseverance.

Q. Why am I so crazy to be here!!

Sri Sri: Because I am also like that. Only a rich can make others also rich. Only a liberated one can bring freedom to others. Only a devotee can evoke devotion in others. A person in love with the Divine makes others also like that. Whatever is there within you that is what others receive and that is what you perceive in others.

Q. What is a soul mate?

Sri Sri: First you meet your soul, then you can find out about soul mate.

Music and harmony cleanses the emotions, enriches the heart

Bangalore ashram, Nov. 17, 2009:

Everyday you should meditate. You brush your teeth, you have a bath to keep your body clean. Similarly, you should listen to a little bit of knowledge and meditate. Cleansing of the intellect happens through knowledge - that knowledge which tells you that everything is impermanent. Music and harmony cleanses the emotions and enriches the heart. By giving, the heart becomes pure. With knowledge and meditation, everything becomes pure.

Q. Guruji, when someone dies why do we say Ram naam satya hai {Ram (the divinity within) is the truth}?

Sri Sri: When someone dies you realize that this is the truth. One day everyone is going to die. When you are alive you don’t realize the truth. You are caught up in unwanted things.

Truth is something which you cannot avoid.

Beauty is something which cannot be renounced.

Love is something which cannot be expressed.

These three things are more than enough to remember. It enough to digest.

Q. What does a yagya consist of?

Sri Sri: In any yagya, there is dhyan (meditation), daan (giving), gyan (knowledge) and gaan(music)

Gaan nourishes the right brain. Gyan nourishes the left brain and dhyan nourishes both.

One grows due to yagya.

Q. Guruji what qualities should we look for when we choose our life partner?

Sri Sri: Well, (smiling) I don’t have the experience! Ask those who have the experience. And you can take more help from the matrimony department!

You know why they say that marriages are made in heaven? It is because the choice is already made for you. You just have to take it and move on. You are free from choices. Move on with what you have on your plate.

You know the best thing is that you don’t focus on the drawbacks. Focus on the positive. In a relationship if both the people have their focus on spirituality then they will move ahead together like parallel lines move, without clashing, to infinity. The moment they will shift their focus and focus on each other, there will be clashes. So it is very important that both are on the spiritual path.

Q. Guruji, how was the Vishalakshi Mantap (the five-tiered, lotus-shaped meditation hall in the Bangalore ashram) made?

Sri Sri: Manuji (a devotee) said, "Guruji, we must have a hall where people can meditate. So I made a drawing and it was made. Earlier, there was no hall. The Ashtavakra talk (Sri Sri’s commentary on the Ashtavakra Geeta) happened under a thatched roof, where rain water would be leaking.

Yet when we inaugurated the Vishalakshi Mantap, the hall was already too small! So many people had come. You know when people meditate together then the energy radiates in the world.

Q. Guruji, what is the secret of this place?

Sri Sri (smiling): The secret is here (pointing to his heart).

Forbes India magazine Top 100 richest list inaugural

Bangalore, 20th November, 2009

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar answers questions on the way beyond wealth

When every breath of your body is focussed on creating wealth it takes an infinity to realise the expanse of the breath itself. Journeys across such an abstract expanse need a guide whose spiritual GPS is never offline. But then Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a man of God like no other. His powerful innovation of Sudarshan Kriya from the ancient system of Pranayam has calmed many a burdened mind. It is hard to combine the commanding heights of spirituality with the mundane lowlands of everyday practical living the way Sri Sri has managed to do. So when a club of extremely wealthy men of practical world need to understand how to go beyond all the wealth, Sri Sri was the obvious choice.

We seemed to have hit the hot button because questions from men of Mammon flowed freely. To make sure the answers had depth, we picked four questions that seemed to be the most fundamental and intricate. But that was till Sri Sri answered them; after that they were blindingly obvious.
Harish Mariwala, Chairman & MD, Marico Industries: We are realising more and more that society has a significant stake and role to play in the growth of every individual and organisation. It then follows that some part of the wealth built by the individual or organisation owes its origin to society. In a steady state scenario, this issue may not be difficult to sort out - one could follow the Islamic Zakat approach and give a fixed percentage to charity or to society. But when it comes to estate planning or leaving behind a legacy through a will, there would arise a question, where your guidance and views will be enlightening. What proportion of a rich person’s wealth should one bequeath to society?

Sri Sri: The Dharmashastras advise a man to divide wealth in five portions:

    - One portion is used for spiritual and religious purposes

    - One portion for charity and society

    - One portion for the growth of the wealth

    - One portion for oneself and one’s own comforts

    - One portion for one’s family

The most intelligent thing would be to undertake all the charitable works during one’s lifetime itself. However, when you write a will with the wealth that is left to you, definitely give a substantial portion for charitable work.

Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman & MD, Videocon: What is the best contribution one can make to a better society? Make billions, spend billions, or give away billions?

Sri Sri: The best way is to do both. To make billions, spend a little less, save the rest and give away!

Twenty percent of your earnings should be earmarked for charity. However, charity should be self-sustainable. That is, it should create more wealth rather than perpetuating the cycle of poverty and dependence. In this sense, the best form of charity would be providing quality education for children and more importantly, building a good character in them.

Venugopal Dhoot: In the 11th chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna said, “Win the war with enemies and enjoy a prosperous empire.” How can a businessman be altruistic and yet follow this piece of advice? Is there a way to resolve this riddle?

Sri Sri: Krishna’s advice was not for a recluse but addressed to a prince. The Gita should not be dismissed as a text for people who are not in the world. In fact, the Gita is of no use for people who are retiring from the world. The entire Bhagwad Gita is focussed on the prince who had to shoulder a huge responsibility, encounter complex situations and solve complicated human relations to make the country productive. Any business empire has to perform all these functions. They have to manage human resources; resolve conflicts.

One cannot be emotional and say “I don't want to compete with anybody. The world of business is always a struggle- a fight. Your weapons are speculation, bidding, negotiation, branding, marketing, pricing, innovation etc. These are the weapons for you to fight the business wars and you should fight it to your complete satisfaction. If it does not turn out to be viable, naturally you lose your fight. (Non-viability, heavy competition, lack of HR, labour problems).You can’t do business with a charitable mindset. Charity and business should be kept separate altogether. However, when it comes to enjoying the fruits of your business, you should have a charitable mind. You must keep aside a portion for charity.

Analjit Singh, Chairman & MD, Max India: If one has faith and believes God exists, how important is it to pray, meditate etc?

Sri Sri: Prayer is asking God what you want for yourself or thanking Him for what you have received. Meditation is listening to God’s will. If you believe in God, then you will definitely want to connect and communicate with Him. The way to communicate with Him is through prayer and meditation.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Partner, RaRe Enterprises: My principles in life are as follows

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  All spirituality lies in our deeds and empathy towards others
  
  
  
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  All deeds should be with practical integrity and means should be more important than the ends.
  
  
  
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  More than anything else in life, I work for a sense of achievement, which I judge and am not bothered about what others think.
  
  
  
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  I have far lesser wealth than people think but far more than I need. Wealth also has a purpose in life.
  
  
  
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  I realise that all things in life including wealthy, success and beauty are transient and temporary.
  
  
  
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  Therefore I never take them for granted nor am I overwhelmed or over-influenced by them.
  
  
  
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  The divine is the giver of all wealth, and along with the wealth, has cast upon us a responsibility that as far as possible must be used for a good purpose.
  
  
  
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  I would seek your divine views and thoughts on my beliefs and principles of life.
  
  
  

Sri Sri: What you have mentioned are some moral and ethical values. Spirituality is recognising that you are a part of the universal spirit and that there is no ‘Other”. Spirituality is recognising the truth that a divine power is managing the creation and your own life. No doubt integrity, charity, compassion etc. are all virtues which are essential by-products of spirituality. How calm and dynamic you are at the same time, how compassionate and shrewd you are at the same time indicates the depths of your spirituality.

What is the solution to life's problems?

Sri Sri: If you are learning to ride a bicycle, it seems so difficult but over a period of time, if you practice it , it becomes easy. The same thing with cooking, or driving a car. Anything appears to be difficult because it is the beginning but dont give up!...first take a position that it is possible, then being in knowledge often, that is what is satsang. Then you cannot be shaken and if your behavior is in a decent manner, you cannot get upset. It is just a matter of training yourselves.

What to do if someone is jealous of you?

Sri Sri: Nothing(laughter). When you are unable to control your own mind then why should you want to manage someone else's mind! Jealousy towards someone else can happen because of 4 reasons someone else's money, fame, partner or somebody's wisdom/enlightenment( He said 'this jealousy is good to have ,perhaps.

Any of these jealousies is not worth it as the grass is always greener on the other side .people who are famous are never at peace,surrounded by security and of course insecure about how long fame will stay;that soon someone else may come who can become more famous .and anyways, one day they will all die ..billions have come to this earth ..and billions will come .and

die. You need to broaden your horizon whenever such negative emotions arise think of how huge this universe .millions of galaxies .among them in a galaxy is the solar system, and within it in a tiny planet called earth, we reside in a corner. If you look at how insignificant your presence is in this universe, then all negativity would drop. If you keep thinking about the vastness of the universe, expansion happens.

You become the seed you sow, if you keep thinking, 'I'm a sinner, I'm a sinner' then that is the seed you sow. Look at life as a dream know that everything is dying every moment.He asked everyone to read 'Celebrating Silence' where He has written at length about how to deal with negative emotions.

For harmonious sustainable growth of a society, all different sections of society will have to work in rhythm, in harmony

(Sri Sri’s addressed an august gathering on November 18, 2009 on the occasion of the Minister-President of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, (Germany) Mr. Gunther H Oettinger visiting the Art of Living International Center, Bangalore. He was accompanied by a government delegation comprising the Ministers of the State for Finance, Economics and other parliament members. The Honorable Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Karnataka, Mr. Murugesh Rudrappa Nirani and President of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Crasta were also present.)

Welcome to you all. It is wonderful to have you all from Germany - from the German home to the Indian home. You have a home here. You are most welcome to this country. Feel at home.

Our ancient philosophy in this country has been that of a one world family. We are part of one family, one big family where human values have to reign the most. Human Values are needed in business, in politics, in social life. In any field that you take, if there are human values, if there is a uniting force, if there is harmony, only then can society survive. It took 10 years for communism to crumble. It took less than 10 months for capitalism to crumble down. No “ism” will sustain if humanism is lacking. Greed of a few people caused the financial disaster that the world is facing today.

It was an old paradigm that we were working in different compartments. The social sector was separate, politics was separate, business was separate, religious and spiritual sectors were separate. For harmonious sustainable growth of a society, all different sections of society will have to work in rhythm, in harmony, in cooperation. The ethical and moral values are the backbone of business. And business is the way to sustain the planet, free it from poverty and build confidence in society. I’m happy that the Indian and German business delegations are here. I would like you to talk and develop this ancient tradition we have been having between Germany, Europe and India.

We all are part of one family. A disease-free body, a violence- free society and a happy mind is a birth right of every individual, every human being and every society. Let us all work together to achieve a happy society. Thank you very much.

The form and name are not the truth, the Tattva is the truth

Bangalore ashram, Nov. 15, 2009:

Q. Guruji, why is it that sometimes you answer certain questions and sometimes you don’t?

Sri Sri: There is a right time and place for every answer. If questions are asked at the wrong time, then silence is the answer.

Q. What kind of siddhis (powers) are required to be able to know what is happening in other places?

Sri Sri: An ordinary person through spirituality can know what is happening all over. Mansik shakti (strength of mind) is enough. When you put your attention somewhere, you can know what is happening there. Practice and you will see it is easy.

Q. When we sit for meditation sometimes we are disturbed by other people. If we are humble, then they take advantage of it. How do deal with this situation?

Sri Sri: Just leave it; you will see it will settle on its own. If it goes beyond a limit, then you can also roar. A lion simply sits, doesn’t roar all the time. Inside you must be pleasant, outside you can roar. To roar you need inner strength.

Q. How do you recognize that somebody is your real guru and for you? How do you know if someone is a true disciple?

Sri Sri: I don’t test anybody nor do I let anyone test me. If anyone will ask me, I will say, “No!” and move on! Divine really doesn’t test anybody. We think we are very good people and when difficulties arise we assume that the Divine is testing us. We don’t get into trouble because of our goodness: it is because of our foolishness. Some things are your karma. Some difficulties teach you lessons. Look back and see all those problems you have come out of. You will see that you have become stronger. This is what you should recognize.

Q. What is a sign of the dawning of wisdom?

Sri Sri: Prasanna chitta (pleasant state of mind) is a sign. Friendliness, foresight, intuition, a mind in the present moment – these are signs of wisdom.

Q. What is the truth behind this Universe? Is everything an illusion?

Sri Sri: This universe has come from one unchanging principle. Vedanta also says the same. Everything you see in creation is Maya- like dolls in a laser show, what you see is not the truth. The wave is not the truth, the water is the truth. The form and name are not the truth, the Tattva (the principle) is the truth. The pot is not true but the mud is the truth.

The same brahma tattva (Infinite, Supreme, eternal principle) is the tree, grass, stone and everything else in creation. Brahmatatvamasi bhavayatmane - All has come from that Brahman. This is the ultimate truth. Knowledge of the truth, that this creation has come from Brahman, comes through meditation - Sarvam kalvidam Brahma.

Q. How can one attain Siddhis (power)? How does it affect a person to strive for Siddhis?

Sri Sri: A Sadhak or seeker will get many Siddhis on the path. However if you misuse them or start running behind them, you will be lost. Only when you are established, you can receive the true knowledge. One who knows never loses his equanimity.

The tradition of the Masters (parampara) is very important. If anyone moves away from the parampara, it may seem good for some time, but then it brings lot of misery. A sadhak should toe the line of the parampara. The sign of a devotee and seeker is to pick up the best and not try to find all the negative things about others. But if someone cheats, misuses the powers, they undergo the consequences. This should not deter from the path. You move on the path of knowledge.

Q. What is the ultimate goal of meditation?

Sri Sri: A pleasant equanimous state of mind. A blissful life without sorrow.