From Sri Sri

When there is a wound deep inside a person, he will try to share that with other people. What else can he do? You just recognize: "Oh, he needs compassion." Compassion is the only medicine. Unconditional love is the only treatment.

Daily Sutra break... Doing the Practice

Just like you learn to speak a language. Just like you learn to punch on the computer. Just like you learn to drive a car or a plane, you have to learn to drive back to the Self. This is the sadhana, this is the practice something that comes to you not just by nature, but by your effort.

- courtesy AOL daily sutra digest

Gurusutra

"Love is the ultimate flowering. It's a gift to you, it's happening..spontaneous..."

Why are we on earth??

Q: Why are we here back on earth if we have to eat, breathe, sleep? What is the purpose of life?

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: What is the purpose of life? Make a list. Your purpose is not to eat, breathe, sleep. (laughter) Your purpose is not to watch TV, die, fight. Your purpose is not to be selfish. If you go by elimination, you will find the purpose.

17th June 2007 Sunday Bangalore Ashram

[Someone stood up from the crowd to ask Guruji a question.]Guruji to that person: Use the mike, so that everyone can hear thequestion. Is it not working? No.. no you have to switch it on.Switch it on first (Laughter)!!
See in our life also God has given us all the equipments,instruments, tools in our hand, and we do not know to use it!! Allyou have to do is just switch it on! Even that you are not able todo!! All available at your service, just switch it on!!!

Q: Guruji some people talk so well in front of us but they just talkopposite behind us. They get cynical and talk completely different.How to deal with such people? G: If they are good to you even at your back, then you may tend to getentangle. They are actually doing good to us. They are saving usfrom entanglement. Do you see what I am saying? Such people withoutconscious effort are actually saving us from entanglement. Youshould actually thank them. (Turning to the person) Do you have anytrouble now? All the troubles are gone right? (Laughter!!)

Q: Guruji, How do we have good dreams? Has bad dreams got anythingto do with Karma? G: Throughout the day whatever we do, they make an impression in ourminds. This impression sometimes manifest as dreams.
This may have something to do with Karma. Now let us see it in thisway. When you go to see a movie, there is a box which is holding thereel, the entire film, right? But can you see the film in them? No.You cannot. So you need a projector. But still can you see the film?No. Still you cannot see the film unless you have a screen! So theseed is the box, which contained the film. And what you see is whatit appears on the screen only.

Q: Guruji, what is the meaning of Madhukari? G: You know during the time of Buddha, the disciples used to go outand beg. Then households used to eagerly wait of those Bhikshus(Disciples) to come to their house, so that they can give some foodto them. From the deepest core of your heart when you offer someonefood, that becomes food. Madhu means honey, if you look at a honeybee, if you see it doesn't sit on one flower and collect the honey.It sits on many flowers and collects honey. So the word comes fromthat concept. In the ancient times there were Gurukuls. There usedto be 100 students. These 100 students used to go to 1000 houses andask for food. They used to collect the food and bring it to theteacher. The teacher used to give them rice, etc. That used to tastelike honey! Means very tasty!!
Those days, we had Nalanda University where 1000's of students usedto study at a time. That was the biggest university. The farmersused to give 10% - 20% of their crops to the students. Like thatvegetable etc.. everything was sourced out of the neighboringvillages! Those days they did not have mike anything. I wonder howthey used to conduct sessions!?!? ?! They used to scream, or what!??!

Q: Guruji what is Shanti(peace) ? G: We must make you sit in a closed small room and play loudspeaker 24hrs. And not some good music, some heavy music. Then after 24 hrs,when we switch it off you will come to know what is Shanti.(Laughter!!)

Q: Guruji how important is it to have a desire? Can a desire turnharmful for us? How to perform in our day-to-day life without havinga desire in our minds? G: When a desire becomes intense it can turn into craving. And cravingis only a distortion that takes you away from your self. Becomeaware huh very important!!!

Q: Guruji, lots of people have cheated me!! I kept trusting one orthe other and they kept looting me. Some turned me financiallybankrupt, some turned me emotionally ruined! One day I aspire to beon a seat like yours. Where every one will look in sheer admirationof my success. Can it be possible? G: Sure, it has already started! That you spoke about it, the seedsare already sown. Do meditation. Do Pranayama, do seva... and youwill find the changes soon.

Q: Guruji, the number of temples and mosques and churches areincreasing everyday. We did not have so many 20 years back. Withthat number of Gurus, Spiritual reformers have also increased. Stillthere is so much of corruption! Adharma! Can you explain why? G: There were not many hospitals some 20 years back because there werenot many diseased. But can you say the disease came because of thehospitals?!! ? No. You cannot. The number of sick people haveincreased, the number of hospitals have increased likewise. You knowsome 50-60 years back there used to be only one doctor in a hugearea!! Because they had to literally wait the whole day for onepatient!

Our food habits have changed. Our lifestyles have undergone drasticchange. Global warming is happening. You know the 'Green Peace' teamhas made a lovely film on conservation of the nature. Will all watchthat after Satsang. People are cutting trees from everywhere tocreate houses. They are consuming antibiotics for petty healthproblems. We need to go back to the nature. Use natural remedies.You know farmers are committing suicide. This is because of thepesticides they have used and the chemicals they have used to getmore yield in the past. They are paying for it now!!

G: You know some time back a reporter or may be a journalist came tome and as usual, you now in their style of asking, asked me "Gurujiwhy is breath so important?" I was so surprised! I said, It isimportant because, if it is not there you will die. (Laughter!!! )Just see how the pattern in the mind can make you a fool. Thesepeople are so used to asking the question in that stereotype manner,that sometimes they do not know what they are asking!! (Laughter!!! )

Guruji Satsang Knowledge - Saturday 16th June 2007

Gurudev speaks:Driti - Driti means, one who is in total control of the body, of thesenses, and of the mind. In Sanskrit it is said that 'Sadhu Sudurlabha', which means, to find that kind of a person is verydifficult. You may find God but to find a person like that is verydifficult. Su durlabha, means very difficult. But truth iscontradictory. So Krishna says, 'Vasudeva sarvatra iti', whichmeans Vasudeva (Krishna) is everywhere!! (Laughter)'Vasudeva Sarvatra iti' - Divinity is everywhere. In everything andin everyone!! Then how can you say, Sadhu Sudurlabha? How can yousay it is difficult to find such a man?If everything is God, then it is not difficult to see God. The onewho recognizes the divinity in everything and everybody isenlightened!!What we need to do is Manthan, introspection. Think what have yougot. Think what you have not got. This helps in purification ofintellect! And by frequent introspection, you will remember Whoyou are!! Its like you know it all, you know what it is, but cannotsee that all the time. There is a mirror in your hand, but it isdusty! Lots of dust has accumulated on it! We need to clean off thedust. And what are these dusts called? Craving, aversion... whichleads to lack of enthusiasm. Whenever you are in such a 'sthiti',state of lack of enthusiasm just see the state of your mind. Seewhat is happening inside you? Pay attention to the state of mind.You may have trillions of things that are going wrong in your life.So what?!?!? If you keep cribbing and complaining see what is thestate of your mind? You feel drained! Completely lack of enthusiasm,and dull! Sit for one hour and talk bad about someone, say all thenegative things that you want to, this one is bad that one is bad,this one is politicking, that one is... What is happening to you!?!?What is it that you want? Is there any guarantee that after havinggot all that you want, you will be free from any desire all yourlife?Blow it out!! 'Vasudeva Sarvatra iti', everything is Vasudeva. Whohas to take responsibility of such a state of mind? You. It is youalone who has to take responsibility for such a state of mind. Itell you it is not worth. Enthusiastic mind that is all is worth!!

Guruji's message on 10th June 2007 - 4 types of problems

Dear friends,
On Sunday 10th June 2007, the last day of the Women’s conference, I
was fortunate to attend the Satsang with Guruji. After the initial
set of songs Guruji spoke about problems in ours life. He said there
are four different varieties of problems which everybody has to deal
with in one’s life and they can be categorized in separate baskets.
They are
Type 1 - Finance related problems: These problems include all the
aspects related to the material world e.g. one's home, education,
job, vehicle etc. It includes all the things, where money becomes
an important aspect. These can be put in one basket. In one's
life one goes on filling this basket of problems and it is
overflowing in majority of the cases.
Type 2 - Health related problems: The second type of problem one
deals with is related to health. Everyone has faced one or the
other health problem in one's life. These can be put in the
second basket and this basket overflows as well.
Type 3 - Relationship related problems: The third type of problem
includes relationships; for eg. what people think about me; I had
to say this, but I have not said; I should have given him a good
reply; these are the problems related to relationships with our
family members, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and people
whom we do not know also. These can be put in the third basket
and this too overflows all the time.
Type 4 - Society related problems: The Fourth type of problem is
in the category of bigger problems related to society, country,
the world eg. pollutions-related issues, Global warming, Female
Foeticide, environmental and ecological problems, corruption etc.
These are in general, problems of our local and global society as
a whole. In some or the other way these problems also worries
human beings. These big problems can be put in the fourth basket.

Guruji said, often the first three baskets are full and we keep on
filling them. However the fourth basket which is the basket of
bigger problems is filled seldom or remains empty for most of time.
We never bother to fill it at all as our mind is already preoccupied
with the first three baskets of problems. He said, now is the time
to think of filling this fourth basket. He said, you start filling
the fourth basket and work for the society, I shall take care of
your other three remaining baskets - It was a promise by HIM...

The moment he said that, it was like an atomic explosion in my
mind... I was thinking about changing a job, contemplating on how I
can make more money etc. in the last 2-3 months. I was worried about
my career as well. When Guruji explained about these four types of
problems, I thought this is what Gurudev wants us to do. He knows
that our first three baskets are filled with sundry problems which
are not worth to be worried about. Anyway those shall be taken care
of. The fourth basket is the important one.... And everybody should
work together to solve the various issues our Local and Global
Society afaces...

He gave us some immediate actions to be implemented. They are
Planting trees: To save the planet earth from greenhouse emissions,
he asked everybody to plant at least 1000 trees.
Organic farming: He asked everybody to use organic products. Stop
using products where a lot of non-organic fertilizers and
pesticides are used.
Female Feticide: He said we all should work together to eliminate
Female Foeticide. Equal importance to the birth of Girl or a Boy
baby.
Girl Education: We should educate girls and should not stop their
education in between.
Knowledge: He said everybody of us should learn to be in knowledge,
read Yoga Vashishtha and listen to Ashtavakra Geeta.

Dear Selfs,
We have a big task ahead to do. Following are some actions which we
can easily take without any extra effort. However this will affect
our lives deeply in years to come.
Action 1 - Planting Trees: We can start planting and taking care
of trees in our area. If each one of us decides to plant at least
10 trees and take care of them in the coming six months it will
be a great SEVA towards our Mother EARTH. The best way to do that
is plant the Laxmi Taru seeds in your area by taking permission
from appropriate authorities.
Action 2 - Reduce Plastic usage: We all can pledge to use minimum
amount of plastic. Use plastic only when it's unavoidable. In
ashram we use plastic only when it's needed. The juice served in
ashram is in a paper glass. Use of jute bags is promoted by sale
of jute bags. We too can follow the same. Use paper plates and
cups in any function instead of plastic ones. Always carry a
cloth bag whenever you go out for shopping. Do not use the
polythene bags to carry vegetables. Our one act of conscience can
save our planet from further destruction through plastic.

There are many more things that we can do to save our immediate
society and our global society. These were two small items with
which we can start our work. For Organic farming, Female foeticide
and Girl education we can work with the Ashram people to spread the
message.

6th June2007 Bangalore Ashram

Q: Guruji, there is celebration in your presence. How to keep up the
same celebrative mindset in your physical absence?
G: To keep up with the same celebrative mindset you need to inculcate
certain disciplines. Follow certain things. They are
a) Not talk too much. Talking too much makes a person tired. Then
while you are conversing a lot of 'buts' and 'ifs' will arise.
This may lead to an unnecessary argument and then end up in an
unnecessary bitterness!! So it is better to talk less.
b) Then second thing is often you make a plan and talk on the
plan too much. There is no need to think over and over again
on the plan and explain to someone about it.
c) The third thing is if you are not able to enthuse people, at
least don't loose your enthusiasm.
d) Then the fourth thing is, do not engage yourself in eating or
sleeping too much. Or even watching TV, or reading books.
These in turn can reduce your enthusiasm.
The best thing would be is to be with your self. Listen to music.
Exercise and do some yoga. That way you will be able to retain your
enthusiasm.

Q: Guruji, it is said that "Moksha mulam Gurur Kripa". By the grace
of the Guru is it possible to have everyone in this planet free?
G: Don't start thinking about every person. Everyone will get freedom
at their own time. Better you focus on yourself. If you keep the
desire to be free (liberated), surely you will be free... depends
how intense your desire has been!

Q: Guruji they say that the path of spirituality is the part for
people with Valour. What should one do to attain valor?
G: Every individual in this creation is spiritual. Some are aware and
some are not aware. We need to be simple. Natural. Just be natural.
Do not hurt anyone. Do your seva, sadhana and automatically
everything will just fall in place.

Q: How does God see the world?
G: God cannot see two. For God there is no you and I. He can only see
himself in everything and everyone!!

Q: Guruji, can Moksha be achieved by following the path of Karma Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga or Gyana Yoga?
G: First you should desire for Moksha, and then you drop it!

Q: Why did Buddha leave home to attain self-knowledge?
G: He was not Buddha when he left home. He was only Siddhartha at that
time. When He became Buddha he came back. After enlightenment he
came back home. Buddha saw some dead bodies some diseased people
and certain questions came to his mind. He wanted to seek the
answers for those questions. He thought that he may not get the
answers of those questions if he is at home. After few years he got
the answers and came back home. He made his son a sanyasi, he took
his aunt, and his wife as a sanyasi. The whole family joined him!!
People who have read the life story will surely know this.

Q: Guruji, how to fight ignorance with knowledge?
G: You cannot fight ignorance with knowledge. Because light cannot
fight darkness. That kind of fight is useless!! Because where there
is light, there cannot be any darkness. Immediately when light
comes darkness vanishes. Then how do you fight? To fight you need
equals! Tell me is darkness equal to light? No. Nobody can fight
with ones own shadow. It is foolishness. Same way ignorance and
knowledge can never meet. To fight you at least need to meet right?
They never meet. When they meet the existence of darkness
disappears. It is gone, finished. Do you see what I am saying? Just
wake up and understand!! What you see is precious. Human life is
very precious!! Consider everybody a part of you. Never mind if
they don't consider. You consider them a part of you.

Q: Guruji, is everyone going to reach the destination at the end?
G: Yeah, tossing turning shaking moving ultimately everyone is going
to reach (laughter). Its like you are in a compartment of a train.
You think you are moving too much, up and down... to and fro. But
the train is ultimately taking you to its destination. You can
jump, do shirshaasana, lie down, stand... do what ever! (Laughter).
Ultimately you are going to reach!!

That's why in Sanskrit it is called 'Madhukari Vidya'. It is such
a path. That's why they say, Salutations to the path. Salutations
to the traveler.
Buddham sharanam Gacchami – Salutations to Buddha
Sangam saraman gacchami - Salutations to the sangha.
Margam Sharanam gacchami – Salutations to the path.

Q: Guruji in certain temples chanting is done just for the heck of it.
Its not done from the heart. In such a case will it have good
effect on impact?
G: No. It may not have a good impact. If chanting is done with the
meaning and as well as the bhava (feelings), then there will be a
very good impact. Like during Navratri. How many have you have felt
the energy during the Navratri puja? Because all the priests who
chant knows what they are chanting.

Q: Guruji what is action and what is inaction? How do we understand
and differentiate?
G: The wise is one who sees action in inaction and inaction in action.
When you observe your heart beat, your breathing, what's happening
in your head etc. You see that you are not doing anything!
Everything is happening!! That is action in inaction.

Ask any convict, what did you do? They will never say, I have done.
Something inside them made it happen for them. They will say, I
have not done anything. Similarly ask any successful man, how did
you do? He will say, I have not done anything.

When you sit and observe, your heart is beating, you are breathing
... then something inside you settles down. As something settles
inside you start relaxing deep. When you relax deep then that gives
rise to the intelligence. When your intelligence sharpens then you
become dynamic, as you become dynamic, skills come to you. This all
happens when you are not in a hurry. When you are in a hurry you
cannot come out with anything beautiful, anything creative.

When you do a big project, after completion you often feel you have
not done it. How many of you felt that you have not done it, it
just happened? Raise your hands.

So that is seeing inaction in action.

10th June 2007 Bangalore Ashram

G: How are you all? Yes you should be good. Problems? What problems?
Listen listen.. let me tell you all your problems classified
together can be put together into four baskets. Tell me what are
your problems? Job, boss..(laughter), Promotion... ok Career...
What else?

Ok so lets put all these problems in one basket. In this basket we
have all your career related problems including jobs, promotions,
change in job etc. in one basket.

Ok what else? Health. The worries related to your health. Oh! This
is happening to me that is happening to me. What will I do!?!? Lets
put all your health-related issues in one basket. All youir
unnecessary fear, lets put them all in one basket.

Then what else? Relationship!! Yes! Your huge portion of worries
are related to your relationships. Either it's the mother-in-law,
or daughter-in-law... its husband, or marriage in case of the
unmarried ones! Isn't it? You know 60% - 70% of your thoughts are
occupied about the relationship issues. About your friends,
parents, in-laws, siblings, spouse... And by thinking thinking
about something so much you get tired!! And when you talk to
someone, you talk about nothing but your problems!!

But there is one more basket. The spiritual worries. This basket is
never full! This should contain worries like, Oh! What will happen
to the country after one year? What will I do to reduce pollution
for my city? Issues like politicians, racisms, and pollution...

Not many people seem to be having these worries! (Laughter). The
basket remains pretty empty!! These are Spiritual worries. When
this basket starts filling up, just know that the other worries in
those other basket are reducing.

Or lets put it in this way. When you start worrying about issues in
the last basket, then I'll take care of all your worries in the
first three baskets!

In our life we should have big goals. Like this year this will have
1000 tree plantations by every individual present here. How many of
you will do this, raise your hands, let me see? You know Bangalore
traffic is getting too much. To come from places like Vijaynagara
and Yelahanka you need almost two hrs!!! Do you see what I am
saying? If you want to make this city a better place to live in,
then just know that we have to work together in groups and also as
individuals and take responsibility to resolve these issues. Every
one should start planting trees.

Go to all the shops around and tell them not to use chemical stuff.
Yeah, Chemical free soaps. They should just stop it! Tell them it
hampers the skin. It is dangerous.

And the second thing I would like you all to do is vegetation in
your compound. No matter how less is the place available with you,
do some kind of vegetation. That keeps your mind also very healthy.
Multiple benefits!!

Then respecting the girl child. Education of the girl child. Equal
importance to the girl of the house like that to the boy. Please do
not have these concepts in your head that only having a boy baby is
a matter of prestige and a matter of importance. Don't worry about
the last rites!! A girl and a boy are the same and they should
enjoy equal rights in the family as well as society. Last night
have you seen that 'Ardhanareshweri' dance performance? So
beautiful isn't it? The consciousness is half man and half women.
The half of it is Shiva and the rest half is Shakti. One is
incomplete without the other. Man is incomplete without the women
and so is a woman incomplete without the man. So never have this
thought that, Oh! I get Moksha (liberation) only if I have a boy
in my house. No. It's not like that at all.

So what are the things you should focus on?
1. Plantations of trees. Get together in groups and plant trees.
2. Usage of chemical free stuff, products in our regular life.
3. Equal importance to a girl child.
4. Work together to reduce pollution.

Pollution is becoming such a massive issue!! People are getting
various diseases due to pollution. We never heard of such diseases
before! We have to look into these things. Each time I leave from
this any place there are thirty-fourty cars following me all the
time!! I tell you it is such a waste of petrol! Its not required.
I am at the Satsang, you are seeing me why do you need to see me
for just few seconds and come all the way to the Airport. I keep
traveling so frequently!! We do our Satsang. We enjoy at the
satsang, have fun, as always!! (laughter) You know recently I went
to Bombay. I never told anybody where I was going what time etc.
But there were 1000 people at the airport. I was amazed! I asked
someone, "How did you know that I was coming, because I haven't
told anyone"? She said, "Oh! Guruji I dreamt that you are coming
and just called up a few people and took a chance, and you came!!
(Laughter)!!!

What a good networking you have!!! This is Internet! (Laughter)!!

You know we should not use vehicle unnecessary. We should try and
do more and more of car-pooling. If you are coming from one place,
make sure you have your car full with other people from the same
place. Do you understand what I am saying? Very important to be
sensitive towards the environment.

You know our consciousness is like that of water, only moves down.
Till it finds the lowest place it keeps moving. That shows how
humble we can be. It is also like the fire.

What ever happens its flame only go up! We need to kindle the fire
within us. Spiritual fire brings coolness within, brings enthusiasm
and uplifts energy.

There are two things:
Atmouddhara – means, the development of the self.
Samajauddhara – means, the development of the society.
That much for today!!!(Laughter)!!

Knowledge session of June 15th

Q: Guruji you said that we should think of ourselves as the non-doer.
Doesn't that get in us a lack for taking responsibility?
G: Truth is contradictory. And wise is one who manages this
contradiction. At times you have to feel totally responsible. And
yet at times you have to wake up and see that you are not the doer!
Tell me if you are not doing anything at all, then how do you even
realize that you are not the doer?!!? Do you see what I am saying?
If you are not doing any action at all then you don't even realize
that. That's why in the Upanishads there is this story; on a tree
there were two birds. One bird does and the other watches. The body
is like the tree. Someone who is doing. Its capacity is limited. It
can be referred to as the Jivatma. The other is the one who is
watching, is the witness, and is magnanimous, and can be referred
to as the Paramatma.

That's why in the bible Jesus said the both. At one time he said,
"Me and my father are one". Which means he was referring to the one
who was witnessing. And yet at another time he said, "Oh! God you
have forsaken me". That is the time probably he was referring to
the one who is doing.

You know Sawmi Yogananda has come to meet us from up north of
India. He is 97 years old. He does not eat anything other than the
fruits. And he drinks water. And yet he is so strong!! He does such
amazing yoga! He was traveling by train and in the train he never
had anything. Neither he ate anything nor he drank anything. But he
is so strong that if he pushes you, you will fall somewhere far
away!! (Laughter!!)

We are also very fortunate to have Swami Pragyananda, he is also
75 years old. He has Mastered the Upanishads and the Vedas like
anything!

Q: Guruji sometimes I got angry on you and I scolded you in my mind.
I kept scolding you so much. But now I am feeling so bad about it.
You are bringing joy and happiness to every individual every moment
and I was scolding you!! Gurudev, I am feeling very uneasy about
the whole thing. I deserve some punishment. Please punish me.
G: Come on.. Its nice to play a game like this (laughter!!) Lets play
it!! I tell you we did it at the best place. If you had done that
at some other place in front of some other people then I could have
been in a problem!! But this place is totally safe for such games.
It is totally acceptable (laughter!!)

Q: Guruji, I think I am not totally devoted to you. How do you define
devotion?
G: I told you don't try to do anything. Be hollow and empty! Pinnacle
of love is called devotion. But any way who cares!??! I don't care
whether you are devoted to me or not (laughter!!) If you are
talking about devoted to me and I am the one who don't care, than
you can relax. I don't care!! Why do you worry?!?!

Q: Guruji, I had a very unfortunate past. Its regarding my parents.
I could not accept them. I have come to you now. I have accepted
you completely in my life. Can you also accept me?
G: Water has passed under the bridge long ago. That is why ancient
Masters used to give the disciples a new name as soon as they took
admission in their schools. This is just to make them feel new and
to make them get rid of their past baggage. When a daughter-in-law
comes home for the first time after marriage, usually the in-laws
give her a new name. This is just to make her feel rid of the old.
All new, all fresh. Even at Vanaprastha, people are given new name.
Also during Sanyasa, individuals are given new name. This is just
to make you aware that life is changing. Just be with the flow. If
you go on thinking all your life, 'oh my father did like this and
my mother did like this'.. .. Whatever they have done to you, it
must have been some karma of them or some karma of yours!! It could
be both. You have to move on... Wake up and see. It's all new! It's
a new life... New day... And a new moment!!! Just move on!!! Why do
you need to talk about the wretched past again and again?!?! Just
move on....Oh! this guy said this that guy said that" They have
said it and gone!! And you are the one who is digging in the hole,
which is not there!!! That's why it is called Maya! Yeh! But if
you learn some new lesson out of it then its ok.

Q: Guruji, I am a muslim girl. I have done the AOL courses, but I
am not too sure whether I have a place in your heart. Have you
accepted me?
G: You are already mine! I consider every single person in this planet
as mine. Its just that you are realizing it now and I know it from
long time!!(Laughter!!) Each one of us are born in a different
situation, religion, belief, country. And there is a purpose of it
all. It is all preplanned. You have to serve the people around you.
We are all a spark of the same divinity. We are at home and you are
welcome to that home. Don't think some day you will do it. Do it
now.

I need many Muslim teachers to go around the world and spread the
knowledge. Muslim men will like to learn from muslim men and muslim
women will like to learn from muslim women. It is unfortunate that
the world has created such boxes of religion and we have to live in
such boxes. Though we know we are one. We have to help them wiping
their tears. And bringing joy in their lives.

Q: Guruji, how can I be mature and yet child-like? What is being
mature?
G: Being mature and yet being child-like may appear to be
contradictory but actually they are complementary. Maturity should
not bring stiffness in you. If it brings stiffness then it does not
serve the purpose. Whenever someone matures they realize they know
very little! Its like from an ignorant 'I don't know' to an
enlightened 'I don't know'!!!

An angry person also can say 'I don't know!! (Laughter!!) And a
person with real can also say, "I don't know"!!! Like from a ugly
'I don't know' to a beautiful 'I don't know'!! Life is a journey!!

Q: Guruji, what is the secret of your smile?
G: It is so open. It is AOL!!!!!

Q: Guruji, in this world there are some people who put in very little
of effort but get a lot of fruit from it. Yet there are some people
who does so much of hard work and yet do not get result up to the
level. Why is this, Guruji? Can you please explain?
G: There are five steps in this.
1. The work (karan).
2. The one who does (karta)
3. Adhisthata
4. Adristha (Luck)
5. Capacity to do (?!?!)

For example you are cooking. Then you have to have a fair idea of
what to cook. Then you need to know how much to cook. You need to
know where to get the vegetables from. You need to know what kind
of vessels you can cook in.

For example: you cannot cook dal and vegetables in a tava!??! You
need specific vessels for that. So like that.

Often people say, I am good but why?!?! I tell you need to be good
but at the same time you need not be a fool!!! But don't think that
clever people only win. I have seen many clever people make many
plans but none of their plans are successful!! And don't think
people who are successful are not spiritual. May be not in this
life but in their previous lives, they must have done something.

Once in Buddha's satsang came a person. No no, one day a bikshu
(disciple of the Buddha) went to beg alms at a rich mans house. The
rich man was very rude and never gave anything to anybody. The
daughter-in-law of the house came out and said the Buddha, that
whatever my father-in-law has is old (Basi). Its all from the past
deeds. Because he has done nothing in this life time to have
whatever he has. He is just withdrawing the balances of the past.
But very soon the balances get over and you turn to a pauper in no
time!!

You know there are some people who has a very big house, beautiful
bed.. everything but cannot sleep! How do you call them happy
people? Go to see all that is a show. I tell you its only an
illusion that bad people are happy. It only seems like that. One
who is not doing Sadhna, Seva, Satsang for them its just of the
past.

But you. Today whatever you are having is fresh. Hot from the oven.
But sometimes trying to have it you might burn your tongue
(Laughter!!)

Q: Guruji, speaking truth is getting me to one problem or the other in
my life. What should I do?
G: Anger with truth covers the power of discrimination. Truth should
be with non-violence. With no anger. Otherwise your discrimination
gets clouded. Truth is just not what you speak. It is your
consciousness. You should be like the fire that brings coolness
around you. And what are you looking for examples? It's right here,
in front of you. Not just one three. (Pointing to himself and the
other two Swamis on the dais)

Even if you are getting into trouble now, but finally you will get
the benefit.

Q: Guruji, you are Krishna for sure. How can I become Uddhava?
G: (Laughter)!!! Smile and be happy. Be whatever you want.

Q: Guruji, what is Karmakand?
G: You know recently in Madras they found out that in a Ganesh temple,
where they were chanting and burning the karpura, a lot of positive
were formed. With the vibrations of the chanting and the flame of
the Karpura, all the positive ions were around. Around the Mangala
aarti. Another experiment made somewhere with two bottles of water,
to one the scientist said all good things, Oh! You are so good, you
are so beautiful, I like you sooo much! While to the other, the
scientist said, you are hopeless, I'll harm you.. etc. And later it
was seen, it was found that the crystal formation in the water to
which sweet words were spoken are so beautiful, while the crystal
formation in the water to which harsh words were spoken were so
ugly, distorted! It is so distinctively different. That's why you
know mantras are chanted to the water and sprinkled on people. So
that good vibrations go in it. They invoke the satvik Shakti and
then sprinkle them on everybody. The water gets charged up and
positivity comes in you.

Q: Guruji, how much should I meditate to get Shiva?
G: As many leaves are there in the all the trees of this compound
(Laughter!!).

Q: Guruji, you have given me so much!! What can I give you as Guru
Dakshina?
G: Against such knowledge, you will not be able to give me anything.
If you really want to give me anything, give me your worries, your
pain, leave it for me here as your Dakshina. And the other thing
that you can do is seva. Spread smile to everyone you come across.
But even that wont make 1/10 of what I have given you. And
surrender every good thing that you do, know that you are offering
a guru dakshina. You know we have so many projects. School project,
rural projects.... People are waiting for you all over the world.
Serve them.

Q: Guruji, I am not unhappy in my life. But I am looking for something
from life. What should I do?
G: Look out for the one who is looking for that something. First you
find that then the rest I'll tell you (Laughter!!)

Q: How did lust come to existence, if there was nothing before the
first human birth?
G: For this I need to ask you one question. Did the seed come first or
the tree came first? (Laughter!!) Or did the egg come first or the
hen came first? There are certain questions, which can be answered
only by a question.

Q: Guruji, I don't want to do my Sadhna, Seva, or Satsang, is there a
scope for me to become a teacher still?
G: Ask the other teachers how did they make it? (Laughter)!! There are
some spoons, which has the ability to feed but cannot enjoy the
taste of food. So you will be one of those. You will spread the
beautiful knowledge without having tasted it yourself!!!

But one thing, don't start thinking, 'oh! I cannot do this, I
cannot do that'!! Don't label yourself. Stand up!! Do it for 10
days. Then stretch it till 40 days. Tell me how did you learn
cycling? You did not know. But you tried and tried. You never gave
up. Right? Similarly, you start from now. And any ways we have a
15 days residential program TTC. We'll make sure that you do it
there!! (Laughter!!) All your stomach will reduce. You will glow!!
(Laughter!!)

Maharajji says, (In Hindi) "Jaab peir garam, pet naram aur dimag ho
thanda, taab Vaidya, hakim, doctor mile to maro usce danda". When
your feet is warm and your stomach is soft and your head is cool
then you can beat up a doctor with a stick (laughter!!). But I did
not say this. Maharaji said this (Laughter!!)

But there are many Ayurveda students here. But in the Ayurveda it
is also mentioned that medicine is narayana. May be it meant that
you can even have water as you medicine and by the grace of
Narayana, you will be fine (Laughter!!!)

Q: Guruji how do we know that our experiences are authentic? And how
do we know that we are progressing on the spiritual path?
G: You know doubt always come on that which is true. You never doubt
depression. You doubt love, whereas you never doubt anger!
Therefore if you are having a doubt on your experiences just know
that they are all authentic (Laughter!!).

And how to gauge whether you are progressing on the spiritual path
or not; see if you have become more compassionate. See if you feel
more relaxed and free now. Do you feel free or not? Just see within
yourself. See how much does the entire happening around you bother
you. Do they bother you like before or not? Does the external
events bother you still? Even if they bother you see how much time
does it stay for. See how fast you are catching up with your self!
You should not think that, oh! I should never get upset!

See how fast you are coming back to your self! A few minutes of
distraction and then you are back. Don't Judge yourself. There is
no need to judge yourself. Can you become a student and an examiner
at the same time? No. Certainly not! You are learning now so leave
the evaluation work to some one else!! Let Him decide, let Him
evaluate!! (Laughter)!!

Q: Guruji, I have been practicing in the Spiritual path for quite
sometime, but I still find that I am not able to become
dispassionate. To bring about dispassion in me what should I do?
G: Don't get caught up in words. These are just all words. I tell you
if you are centered, dispassion comes to you automatically. Just be
centered. Do your seva, satsang, and sadhana and you will see rest
everything is just falling in place for you.

Q: Guruji what is the difference between the mind and the soul? And
how is it connected to each other?
G: The mind is like the wave and the Soul is like the ocean. And the
connection between the two is that the mind cannot be without the
soul, but the soul can exist without the mind. So in meditation you
drop the mind, you become one with the totality that is the ocean.
Therefore there are both existing together, the mind as well as the
soul, like the wave as well as the ocean.

Q: Guruji, in my meditation often I feel like doing some harm to the
Gods. My mind feels like doing something against them. How do I get
rid of such feelings? What should I do?
G: You know if it is so compulsive, so obsessive you do it. Just go
ahead and do it. But that way you are going to hurt yourself! Hurt
your hand! God is not in the statue or the idol in front of you,
God is in your heart. We invoke God and bring it to the statue for
some moments only and again we place it back in our hearts. Like
the Ganapati idol, we put it in the water. First we invoke the God
in the idol, play with that for some time and after all that tell
him to come back to us and reside back in our heart!!

But yes. If such a feeling persists, just observe the sensation.
See what is happening within you. You know these types of violent
tendencies also come because of the food you eat. All these are the
Rajasic tendencies that come from food. Focus on you diet. Be aware
of what you eat. Stay away from Rajasic food for sometime. Food
does matter a lot. Listen to Narada Bhakti Sutra. Rejoice in the
self... Be contented.

Q: Guruji after having tried all means, certain worries keep coming to
me. I am not able to surrender those. What should I do?
G: Why do you need to surrender? I tell you don't surrender, this
surrender is an illusion. What do you want to surrender? Anyway
everything belongs to God. What is it that is yours and you want to
surrender!??!? It is just a concept, I want to surrender this, I
want to surrender that. This is like trying to catch a cat in a
dark room, which is not there (Laughter!!) Just relax. God did not
want us to surrender. What to surrender? Don't worry; just know
that you are nothing. The path of knowledge is easy for those who
where in the head. If you think you are something wakeup and see,
what are you?!?!?! You are carbohydrate, amino acids, fats, every
cell of your body has been existing millions of years ago and is
also existing now and you call yourself Radha, Sita, Rama, tomorrow
again this form will go and new form will come where will you go.
Walk like being a big zero, but always be on the right side of the
number. (Laughter!!!!)

I am nobody, I am nothing. These two 'dharanas' intensions, is an
antidote to ignorance, wakeup and see!!! And the job is done!

Q: Guruji, they say that there are two kinds of people. The first,
are the kind of people who ask question out of ignorance. And the
second are the people who don't ask questions out of ignorance.
What would be my category?
G: (Laughter!!) At least this you have realized!!! See how wise you
are!!! Only a wise can understand such things!! So you are
certainly not a fool. You are wise.

Q: Guruji, after having tried various means I am not able to come
out of entanglement. What do I do, Please help?
G: It maybe some Karma from the last birth or some samskaras. Do seva.
Maharajji was saying that Seva would definitely remove karma of
entanglement. If seva cannot remove then knowledge will remove
entanglement. If knowledge cannot remove, then Bhakti (devotion)
can surely remove entanglement. Even if Bhakti is not able to
remove entanglement then leave it to time. With time entanglement
will surely dissolve. But don't just leave it to time without
trying all the other means (laughter!!). Do seva be in knowledge,
have Bhakti and even after that, if you are not able to get rid of
your entanglement, then you just leave it on time.

Q: Guruji, how to always keep up with enthusiasm and joy?
G: Leave always. If you think of always, then craving comes. If it is
always there then you would not even know that it was ever there!!
Like you take a dip in a river, you feel cold and when you come out
you feel warm, and again do dip in water, you feel cold, and so you
experience cold because you experience the warmth.

Leave it to the divine. Our nature is joy and enthusiasm. However
sometimes it gets clouded but it can never go. Our consciousness is
'nitya-nutan' (Ever fresh) this is with us forever.

Q: Guruji, they say that if you are with Narayana then Laxmi follows.
So should we not follow Lakshmi?
G: Some people don't understand this. I would say pray to Lakshmi. If
you don't pray to either but just do some show off with some
rituals, then that is of no use. Then you land up being nowhere!!
I would say, do 'upasana' (prayer). If you do upasana, then how do
you get corrupt and dishonest? Don't blame wealth, pray to wealth.
In Sanskrit it is said everything is wealth. That doesn't mean only
the note of money.

Health is wealth, Victory is wealth, Courage is wealth, you know
the Ashta Lakshmi do Upasana and you will get the benifit. Just to
fulfill our financial desires, you run behind Lakshmi. Use skill;
pray with devotion, Lakshmi will come. It will never come with
foolishness.

Q: Guruji, why do we want to spend time more with the person we are
in love with?
G: It would be unusual if you don't want to spend time with the one
you are in love with (laughter)!! Similarly when you love yourself,
you spend time with yourself. When you do that, it becomes
meditation. Then it is wonderful. We like everything else, but
ourself. The one who is resting inside, love that, know that!! Some
people say Oh! I am bored with myself, cannot spend two hours
alone. If you are bored with your self, how much boring will you be
to others!! If you are not able to spend time with yourself, how
will you manage to spend time with others? If you get to spend time
with yourself, then I tell you are lucky. You will be contended.
When this feeling comes, then no power in the world can make you
shake and cry. Then Bhakti comes, mukti comes and then moksha
happens. Two hours you cant spend alone!! You start sending sms to
your friends; you start calling them, talking, restless. Know
yourself by yourself. Khudi khud mein khud ko pao...

Q: Guruji, my mind wonders everywhere how do I meditate?
G: Take a stick and start chasing your mind. See where it goes. If it
goes to Goa chase it to Goa, if it is going to Bhavnagar, chase it
there, if it is going to Bhelpuri, chase it to Bhelpuri, if it is
going to Baghdad, chase it to Bhagdad... Chase, keep chasing and
you see your mind is so tired that it will come and fall at your
feet. That's why Maharshi Patanjali says meditate on everything,
meditate on elements, on Rishis, who are out of craving, even if
you meditate on Rishis who are out of craving, you get into
meditation. And when you sit for satsang, you get into meditation.
But sometimes if you sit for satsang, and you are not there 100%,
you count the ceiling, you look here and there. You have to bring
interest yourself. You have to bring the juice (ras/nectar)
yourself. It is already there, you have to see the one behind. The
one who put the juice. Don't think I have to do, I tell you need
not do anything its all burning for you, you don't have to light it
at all. When you are in Ganga, you don't need a shower, when you
are taking a dip in the Ganges, why do you need to have a tap and a
shower? Become effortless. Just know that I am nothing and I don't
want anything. But don't start thinking about it continuously, this
is also a Maya. That's why Adi Shankaracharya says it is foolish to
even think that I am Zero.

Q: Guruji, I enjoyed my silence, I really found peace. So if I become
dumb, will I get moksha?
G: (Laughter!!!) Oh! God, if you find something good you will go on
doing it!??!?! There are so many dumb people in the world, is
everybody enlightened. Extremity is a problem in our country. There
are some people who keep silence for 12 years. And after that their
voice box don't function, looks like almost rusted. They cannot
speak God has given an instrument, use it. Otherwise it would get
rusted. But don't speak too much, and don't speak less as well. If
your words are able to bring happiness, solace, definitely you
should speak. Silence is also important. At least two to three
times a year. Silence helps us to become more competent, become
more courageous and efficient. So do both, keep silence and also
speak. If you speak for 24 hours, then you loose your creativity.