Q&A Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 3rd October 2008 Bangalore Ashram

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q6: Is euthanasia allowed?
Yes it is

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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