Sat, 05/23/2015 Bangalore, India
Gurudev, if someone is miserable due to their own karma despite doing sadhana, seva and satsang, then what can they do in such a situation?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See, misery never exists without a reason. So just surrender the reason behind your misery to the Divine. Whatever it is that is making you suffer and miserable, just offer it to your Guru, or to the Divine or to someone you love very dearly. That’s it. Do not keep holding on to it so tightly. Just surrender.
Gurudev, we have heard about Samudrik Lakshana (the science of Face reading). What is that?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Samudrik Lakshana is the ability to tell about a person’s behaviour and his state of mind by looking at his face, his facial structure, etc. It is a branch of science and is a part ofJyotish (Indian Astrology).
Gurudev, if we get negative thoughts by seeing or thinking about someone, then what should we do? Our ancestors have said that it is a sin to even think negative thoughts. Is this correct or wrong?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See, it is alright. Thoughts simply come to you. They do not take your permission to appear, it just comes. So how can you hold yourself responsible for your thoughts? Just do not encourage negative thoughts. When you do not encourage or engage with negative thoughts, then you need not blame yourself. Let thoughts come and go. Do not go into guilt and self-pity because of negative thoughts.Gurudev, science goes by logic whereas spirituality works on faith. Then why are there rituals for Puja and Karma-kaand (rituals for worship) in between the two?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See, there is a place for Puja and Karma-kaand also. You do not need to think too deeply about it. By doing Puja and Karma-kaand the environment becomes sacred and fragrant.
See, you can have a marriage in a Registrar’s office also, isn’t it so? But how do you feel when you have the marriage at home by creating an environment of celebration with family and friends? There is a difference between the two, isn’t it so? So when you have a marriage by following the norms and rituals then it is definitely connected with Puja and Karma-kaand also. You can also get married simply by going to an office and signing a few papers as well, but there is no juice and fun in that approach. So it is good to follow a little bit of Puja and Karma-kaand rituals as what has been prescribed. It is not necessary to get too much into it.
See, you can have a marriage in a Registrar’s office also, isn’t it so? But how do you feel when you have the marriage at home by creating an environment of celebration with family and friends? There is a difference between the two, isn’t it so? So when you have a marriage by following the norms and rituals then it is definitely connected with Puja and Karma-kaand also. You can also get married simply by going to an office and signing a few papers as well, but there is no juice and fun in that approach. So it is good to follow a little bit of Puja and Karma-kaand rituals as what has been prescribed. It is not necessary to get too much into it.
Gurudev, in Maharashtra we are all familiar with the greatness of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram. But people outside Maharashtra do not know them too well. Please speak a little about them.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, this is true. In our country, there have been many saints in different states and provinces. But people from one state do not know much about the saints from another state. This is because we have not incorporated their life stories in our education system. It is very necessary to include this.
Gurudev, in my business many times I have to take the help of bribe and corruption even thought I do not want to, because without this many times things do not move ahead. How can I overcome this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I believe that it is very difficult for one person alone to fight against corruption. That is why it is very important to do it in a group. Then things will happen. You must have noticed that there is a group or committee for businessmen in every town and city. Similarly there are labor unions also everywhere to protect the rights of the labor. When you come together as a committed group, then you can strongly fight against corruption. Gather a group of 60-100 individuals who are ready and committed to fighting against corruption. Once such a group is formed, they can create pressure to stop corrupt officials and practices in the administration. Suppose someone asks you for bribe for something, you can quietly go and tell these people. This group can then go and force that corrupt official to get your work done without bribe. They will simply walk up to that official and ask him to get the job done without any bribe. They will stage peaceful protests to bring an end to such things.
People in Maharashtra have actually implemented this. In the town of Ahmednagar, it so happened that a certain road had not been constructed. It was written off as completed only on paper. Some 50-100 youth from the Art of Living went together to the Mayor’s office and asked her, “Madam, please tell us when this road will get constructed. We will not leave until you give us a definite answer, and we will also not let you leave the office premises”.
These youth just sat there smiling in the office of the Mayor. The lady got scared seeing this. She had no choice but to get the road constructed immediately. In 24 hours the road was constructed! So in this way, you need to form active groups everywhere to create pressure on the local administration and government officials to refrain from corrupt practices. Only by creating such pressure groups can we all fight against corruption in the society.
These youth just sat there smiling in the office of the Mayor. The lady got scared seeing this. She had no choice but to get the road constructed immediately. In 24 hours the road was constructed! So in this way, you need to form active groups everywhere to create pressure on the local administration and government officials to refrain from corrupt practices. Only by creating such pressure groups can we all fight against corruption in the society.
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