Tue, 24/06/2014 United States
How can we alleviate the negative consequences of materialism in each of our lives, and how can we teach that in our free societies?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
As I said, consumerism is a problem. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong to exploit people and the planet. That is what is happening.
In many places, people are trying to become rich while undermining the environment, undermining the laws of the nation. This is where the problem arises.
In many places, people are trying to become rich while undermining the environment, undermining the laws of the nation. This is where the problem arises.
Corporate Social Responsibility is something that every Corporate should undertake. Do something for those around you; for society.
Now in India they have made it a law that every company must invest at least 3% of their profit in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). That sense of giving back to society has now been made a law.
Creation of wealth should always go hand in hand with its distribution also. You create and you give. Not keep it all for yourself. That’s where the problem arises.
Now in India they have made it a law that every company must invest at least 3% of their profit in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). That sense of giving back to society has now been made a law.
Creation of wealth should always go hand in hand with its distribution also. You create and you give. Not keep it all for yourself. That’s where the problem arises.
Is it your view that being rich brings a particular sense of moral responsibilities to a person?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, of course!
Your Art of Living center in Pakistan was recently burned to the ground. Thank God nobody was hurt. Would you tell us the story of the strange premonition you had before you lost your Art of Living center in Pakistan.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
A couple of days before the incident, we were supposed to have a Silent Retreat (Advance Course) in that place, and then we had shifted the venue to another place. There were 60 members who were going to be in the silence over that weekend.
Usually our centers are buzzing with activity. About a 100-150 people come there and they practice meditation. By God’s grace, or some good luck, we shifted the venue that particular weekend. It is then when they came and burned our center and sent threat letters to many of our teachers.
This is sheer lack of understanding and ignorance. 'My way is the only way' sort of mindset has created so much problem in the world today. Not just in Pakistan, but all over. Fundamentalists, fantasist, terrorists are nurtured with this philosophy.
Usually our centers are buzzing with activity. About a 100-150 people come there and they practice meditation. By God’s grace, or some good luck, we shifted the venue that particular weekend. It is then when they came and burned our center and sent threat letters to many of our teachers.
This is sheer lack of understanding and ignorance. 'My way is the only way' sort of mindset has created so much problem in the world today. Not just in Pakistan, but all over. Fundamentalists, fantasist, terrorists are nurtured with this philosophy.
I feel it’s absolutely essential today, to give that multi-faith and multi-cultural education right from a young age, so that a child doesn’t grow up thinking 'Only I go to heaven and I have the right version of God, while others don’t'.
If they think, 'Only I go to heaven and everybody else goes to hell', they create hell for everyone else.
A broad understanding about religion must be imparted to everyone. The UNESCO should put this as a requirement all over the world. A multi-religious or a multi-cultural education a must for children all over the world.
If they think, 'Only I go to heaven and everybody else goes to hell', they create hell for everyone else.
A broad understanding about religion must be imparted to everyone. The UNESCO should put this as a requirement all over the world. A multi-religious or a multi-cultural education a must for children all over the world.
When it comes to terrorism and the threats that are given to people who are trying to live in peace, what’s your view on military intervention?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I think military intervention should be the last option. Before that there should be enough diplomatic interaction. Trust building, communication building efforts should be made.
I would say that track II diplomacy (non-governmental, informal and unofficial contacts and activities between private citizens or groups of individuals) should be engaged much more vigorously than it has been in the past. Business men can make a good bridge between different communities. They can play a very big role. They should put in their efforts, and then if nothing succeeds, the last option should be the military one.
I would say that track II diplomacy (non-governmental, informal and unofficial contacts and activities between private citizens or groups of individuals) should be engaged much more vigorously than it has been in the past. Business men can make a good bridge between different communities. They can play a very big role. They should put in their efforts, and then if nothing succeeds, the last option should be the military one.
But you don’t rule it out. Is that correct?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That option should be the last option, though it’s not my preferred option. You don’t want innocent lives to be lost.
Our friends in Europe are trying to get rid of religion entirely. What’s your view on that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Religion has its own place, but I feel that spirituality is something that rises above religion and unites people’s hearts and minds. religion has got spiritual values in it. This is what needs to be highlighted much more than the practices that the different sects practice.
I would say we need to have unity in diversity, at the same time, enrich the diversity because that is the beauty of our planet. We are so different, and there are different rituals and different practices, none of it should be lost. Everything has its own value.
There is a unifying force in all religions, and that is of the values of compassion, love, and togetherness. These values need to take the front seat.
I would say we need to have unity in diversity, at the same time, enrich the diversity because that is the beauty of our planet. We are so different, and there are different rituals and different practices, none of it should be lost. Everything has its own value.
There is a unifying force in all religions, and that is of the values of compassion, love, and togetherness. These values need to take the front seat.
There are skeptics who think that India is slowly coming down because of its messy democracy. What are your views?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Corruption and the number game is a big problem in India.
India has such a large population and there are many issues in the country. The number game has been a very big issue in the past decade. Though there are good leaders in the government who want to take good steps of economic reforms, they’ve always been pulled down by regional parties, or allies who don’t see eye to eye with each other.
Fortunately, this time they have got a clear mandate, so it is not a coalition government of different parties. This can be advantageous for faster progress.
India has such a large population and there are many issues in the country. The number game has been a very big issue in the past decade. Though there are good leaders in the government who want to take good steps of economic reforms, they’ve always been pulled down by regional parties, or allies who don’t see eye to eye with each other.
Fortunately, this time they have got a clear mandate, so it is not a coalition government of different parties. This can be advantageous for faster progress.
One thing is for sure, we would prefer to be a democracy even if it means that progress is slower, than a dictatorship where progress could be faster.
Different voices can be heard in a democracy, but in a dictatorship there is no chance. We would not want a dictatorship at all.
Different voices can be heard in a democracy, but in a dictatorship there is no chance. We would not want a dictatorship at all.
How do you deal with the problems of terrorism and religious extremism that we see increasing around the world today?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
This is a big problem. As I said, the reason is the lack of understanding, the lack of a sense of belongingness, the lack of trust between people and between communities, and also probably the misinterpretation of scriptures.
I feel that every child should know a little bit about all the world religions, and start respecting them all. Then they can grow up with a broad mindset and terrorism can be nipped at the bud.
I feel spirituality has a big role to play here. It unites people of all the different religions, and sects within a religion to come to an understanding that we are all part of one universal human family.
It is the sense of identity (towards only one particular religion or culture) which creates this sort of tension between people. One feels that I belong to a particular sect and now I am ready to sacrifice my life in order to hold on to that identity.
But if we get a bigger identity, i.e., I am part of the human society; if we hold on to that bigger identity, then the violence, the suicidal bombings that are happening around the world, and terrorism is stopped right away.
I feel that every child should know a little bit about all the world religions, and start respecting them all. Then they can grow up with a broad mindset and terrorism can be nipped at the bud.
I feel spirituality has a big role to play here. It unites people of all the different religions, and sects within a religion to come to an understanding that we are all part of one universal human family.
It is the sense of identity (towards only one particular religion or culture) which creates this sort of tension between people. One feels that I belong to a particular sect and now I am ready to sacrifice my life in order to hold on to that identity.
But if we get a bigger identity, i.e., I am part of the human society; if we hold on to that bigger identity, then the violence, the suicidal bombings that are happening around the world, and terrorism is stopped right away.
Again, scientific education combined with spiritual education is necessary. Perhaps UNESCO should take this to every country in the world. The UN can say that this is mandatory in the world. Like we had vaccinations mandatory all over the world. This could be vaccination against terrorism.
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