A new series of universal knowledge

Just browse through "your" topic...you will find something that clicks :-)
Knowledge from the Source

What Sri Sri Said July 4th 2002 Austin USA Public Talk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbSfXjBS8Rw

Sri Sri Conducts a Meditation - June 28th 2002 Chicago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w86_4zTTvXQ

What Sri Sri Said June 28th 2002 Chicago, USA Public Talk, Q+A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u155UokpJXU

What Sri Sri Said July 19th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang - The Significance of Yagyas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C50G8jJ_Tzo

What Sri Sri Said July 19th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang and Knowledge - Desires and Shraddaa(Faith)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huMtBg-DaE4

What Sri Sri Said Jan 15th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang Q and A and Birthdays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNnhWcymJiE

What Sri Sri Said Jan 15th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang - Speaks on Overcoming a Broken Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16LuXJ2ucDE

Sri Sri Sings a Bhajan Jan 15th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_QG6-609VM

What Sri Sri Said Jan 15th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang - Dealing with negative Emotion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPzs17OBE3c

What Sri Sri Said January 7th 2001 Canada Eve Satsang Q & As

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrhKr1-g3SA

What Sri Sri Said Jan 4th, 2001 Canada Q and A - Speaks on Same Sex Attraction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EektMq5mVwU

What Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Said Jan 4th 2001 Canada Q and A: Sex & Spirituality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYanZqJ9zg0

What Sri Sri Said Jan 4th, 2001 - Speaks on Dealing With Loss of a Loved One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlSoCgxhcv4

What Sri Sri Said Jan 4th 2001- Canada Q and A Sessions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaoeLWOiJnA


Love,
Gaurav

Dont Postpone Your Happiness

Deccan Herald, 22nd March, 2010

H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Don’t postpone your happiness

Every living creature wants to be happy. Whether it is money, power, or sex, you get into it for the sake of happiness.

To be happy, we seek something. But despite getting it, we are not happy. A school-going boy may think that if he goes to college, he will be more independent, free and therefore happy.

If you ask a college-going boy whether he is happy, he feels that if he gets a job, he will be happy. Talk to somebody who is settled in their job or business, and you will see he is waiting to get a perfect soul mate, to be happy. He gets a soul mate, but he now wants to have kids to be happy. Ask those who have children if they are happy. How can they relax until the children have grown up and have had a good education and are on their own? Ask those who are retired, and done with all their responsibilities; are they happy? They long for the days when they were younger.

There are two ways of looking at life. One is thinking that, “Ill be happy after achieving a certain objective.” The second is saying that “I am happy come what may!” Which one do you want to live? All of one’s life is spent in preparing to be happy someday in the future. It’s like making a bed all night, but having no time to sleep.

How many minutes, hours and days have you spent your life being really happy from within? Those are the only moments you have really lived life. Those were perhaps the days when you were a small kid, completely blissful and happy or a few moments when you were surfing, swimming or sailing or on a mountain top, living in the present and enjoying it.

Happiness is living in the moment with joy, alertness, awareness and compassion. It is being free from within, feeling at home with everybody, without barriers.

Life is 80 per cent joy and 20 per cent misery. But we hold on to the 20 per cent and make it 200 per cent! It is not a conscious act, it just happens. Don’t judge and don’t worry about what others think of you. Whatever they think, is not permanent. Your own opinion about things and people keeps changing.

So why worry about what others think about you. To find harmony, it is not as if you have to physically seek it somewhere for years and practice. At some level, to some degree, everybody is meditating without being aware of it. There are moments when your body, mind and breath are all in harmony.

These are moments when you were surfing, swimming or sailing or are on a mountain top, living in the present and enjoying it. When your mind is in the present that’s when you achieve yoga. The art of living lies in the present moment. Happiness is a factor that we have to consciously pursue.

"Jai Gurudeva"

(Maintain the INNOCENCE of a DEVA and Cultivate the INTELLIGENCE of a GURU)

The harmony of Religion, Spirituality and Politics

The role of religion is to make one righteous and loving And politics means caring for people and their welfare. When religion and politics don't coexist then you have corrupt politicians and pseudo-religious leaders.

A religious man who is righteous and loving will definitely care for the welfare of the whole population and hence becomes a true politician. And a true politician can only be righteous and loving. He cannot be anything but religious. All the Avatars and prophets have been caring for people and so were in politics. You can find many examples to this effect.

When religions restrict the freedom to worship and restrict modes of worship they become unsuitable for creating a harmonious society. When religion becomes all encompassing and gives full freedom to pray and worship in any manner -- that religion will bring righteousness and peace in people and will be suitable for any society.

People think politics and religion have to be kept separate because many religions did not give freedom to worship and did not care for all people equally. History has shown that religion has created conflict. But irreligious societies (e.g. communism) have created chaos and corruption.

Today both religion and politics need reform. Religion has to become broader and more spiritual to allow freedom of worship and broader to encompass all the wisdom in the world. And politicians have to become more righteous and spiritual.

- Sri Sri

Brilliant Answer from the Source!

Feb, 2010, Bangalore International Centre, The Art Of Living International Foundation




Q: Guruji, I think life is miserable. What should I do?


Sri Sri: 


You think life is miserable because you are hanging onto desires of the past, impossibles of the past, you are not accepting the present, you are not moving ahead or you are hoping for something too much. Correct? Be practical. Life is a mixture of problems and pleasure. What does your mind do? It messes up the problems and blows it out of proportion and makes oneself miserable. So who is responsible for your misery? Yourself. 
So when is the program? When is the program not to be miserable? (Laughter) Now, right now have you gotten over your misery right now? (A dim ‘yes’ from the audience) The ‘Yes!’ should be louder (A strong ‘Yes’ this time). That is it. You know, if the room is dark for 20 years, it doesn’t take another 20 years to bring light in. it just needs one connection, one switch on and the whole darkness goes away. Your life may have been miserable in the past, but wake up and see, so what? Problems come and go in everybody’s life. 
Look at your past, problems came and they have all vanished. Right? We forcefully make the problem stay, just wake up and see, where is the problem? The problem is not there. You can have some physical problem in the body sometimes, some pain here and there but is there anyone who has never suffered physical illness? Everybody has some physical problem at some point in their lives and when you violate laws of nature, pain comes, suffering comes. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

The MEANING of SWASTIK Symbol

SRI SRI: 

"Swastik is a symbol and they are the people who make something out of the symbol.For eg, the `Do Not Enter´ symbol is only recognized in USA and Europe. It is not known in India and hence it has no significance.

 
The Swastika represents the 4 time zones, also represents the 4 stages in life - in 100 years, first 25 years is for studying (studenthood) , next 25 years is the life of a householder, next 25 years is the time to do service for society, last 25 years is the time for being a recluse - completely detached from everything. There are several such 4s like the 4 Vedas etc. The ancient symbol of Swatika was in the clockwise direction and signified the cyclical nature of time. Hitler changed it make it go in the other direction and preverted the meaning"

Beautiful! :-)

Beautiful reality check

This thing just came in this morning: :-)

In true love there is no heartbreak.
A broken heart means broken demands, broken expectations, broken hopes.
How can love break?
Love cannot break!

~Sri Sri

True, isnt it?

Legendary Love

Legendary is the love that withstands rejection. It will be free of anger and ego.


Legendary is the commitment that withstands humiliation. It will be one-pointed and will reach its goal.


Legendary is the wisdom that withstands turbulence. It will be integrated into life.


Legendary is the faith that withstands a million chances of doubt. It will bring perfection-- siddhis.


Legendary are the events that withstand time. They will become morals for the millions.

-Montreal Ashram, Quebec, Canada, July 5, 2000

MIND MATTERS!

There are two types of mind .

One is an open mind; 

another is a closed mind. 

A closed mind is that which says, "This is how it is'', "I know it. That is it''. It gets hardened.
An open mind is, "Oh, may be! Perhaps! I do not know!'' Limited knowledge and conformity to it makes a mind very hard.

Whenever you seem to understand a situation and label it - "This is how it is'', that is the beginning of your problem.

All problems always arise from knowing, not 'not knowing'! If you do not know, your mind is open, and you say, "Oh! May be! Perhaps something I don't know.'' You do not label something you do not know. Whenever you think injustice has been done to you, whenever you think you are a victim, whenever you think something bad has happened to you, all this falls in the category of 'I know it, this is how things are'.

Suffering is a product of limited knowledge. 
A question is a sign of limited knowledge.

But when there is amazement, patience, joy, waiting, you are in a state of `I don't know, may be, something, Oh, what is it? I don't know.' Something you cannot pinpoint. The whole life is a shift from the limited 'I know', to all possibilities. You think you know the world and this is it. That is the biggest problem. This is not just one world, there are many layers in this world.

When you are upset, you are not just upset for no reason. There is some string that is being pulled. When your mind is open to all possibilities, an event happens and there could be many possibilities for that event to be that way, not just in the gross but some other reason in the subtle as well.

Suppose you enter your room and find that someone at home has made a big mess in your room. You are irritated. Now you attach that cause for your anger to just that person who is there. But there is something more happening in the subtle. At that moment something else is in the air but you could only see that person creating a mess around and you attribute all the anger to that person.

This is what limited knowledge does. Even after experiencing that you don't see something beyond. This is the most amazing thing. There is a proverb in India that says: you fell in the well in the daytime, which you could see in the night. You fell in the pit in the daytime, which you could see in the night. You saw the pit in the night, you were careful, you avoided and walked, but in the daytime you fell in the same pit. This means what? That your eyes are not open, you are not sensitive enough to see and recognise what is going on.

As we attach the events and emotions to individuals, the cycle continues. You will never be free from that. So first detach an event and emotion from that person, space and time. This is called Astrology. It is the knowledge of oneness of the universe.

If a pin is pricked into your hand, your entire body knows it, feels it. So every cell is connected with the whole of you. In the same way every body is connected to the entire creation, to everybody, as there is only one life at a very subtle level, though it appears to be many in the gross.

If you go deeper and deeper, it is one existence, one divine. So the wise person never labels individuals; infact, in a wise person, all individual existence ceases. That is why one should not see any intention behind the other's mistakes or attribute mistakes to somebody and grudge over them because one thoroughly knows and understands that it is nobody's business, nobody's mistakes.

The mind drops cravings and aversions and becomes free. This is one way of saying. Another way of saying is that the mind ceases to exist. So when the mind goes away, only the self remains.

~ Sri Sri

meaning of 'satsang'

Normally in the wold people with similar tendencies group together- intelligent people get together, fools get together, happy people get together, ambitious people get together and disgusted people also get together to celebrate their problems. Disgruntled people get together, they complain and pull each other down.

Frustrated people can not be with some one happy because the other is not dancing to their tunes.You only feel comfortable when the other one is in tune with you.
Intelligent peopledo not feel at home with foolish people.
Foolish people feel intelligent ones are not humane.

People with wisdom feel at home with the disgruntled as well as the happy, foolish and intelligent.

Similarly, people with all these tendecies feel at home. Just turn around and look at what goes on in your group....are u grateful, or gumbling? Take responsibility to uplift the people around u.

That is satsang...not just singing and leaving.

THE WISE PERSON IS LIKE THE SKY WHERE ALL BIRDS FLY...

-SRI SRI

GURU means. . .

Who is a GURU ?
One who is an expert. . .one who acomodates everyone without judgements. . .towards knowledge.


What is the significance of a Guru?

When I express my understanding of the concept called GURU, I'll understand you shall also read my thoughts keeping all preconceived notions aside and with an open mind. . . .

A GURU is one in whom innocence and intelligence have blossomed together

A GURU is a mirror...GURU shows us what we really are, but a GURU doesnt judge. . .GURU makes us realise how far or how distorted (angered or depressed or tossed by waves of feverish desires easily) we have come from our true self (which is innocence, intelligence and love in harmony)...and with this realisation...dawns an awareness that we can become better, there is space for improvement, there is a need for unlearning, there is less time and more to do, and that we blossom in KNOWLEDGE. . .in spiritual knowledge. . .which is just as important as scientific knowledge (and complementary too). . .

GURU's love is like the cocoon in which washes away action-reaction karmas and protects the one who surrenders. . ."the innocence remains untouched, and the intelligence grows". . .and the GURU tattva dawns in him too...because where innocence and intelligence walk hand-in-hand, the Universe responds accordingly with knowledge and love.

Here dawns a thirst for knowledge and a thirst to take more responsibilites in life. The greater the repsonsibilities, the more freedom one experiences. Life becomes an expression of multi-dimensional fullness. . .enthusiasm. .and bliss. This bliss is 10000 times more than that through a pizza or sex or whichever other short sighted, short term means of bliss one searches in vain for. This is called samadhi.

The desires no longer manipulate the mind. . .the feverishness thins away, and every action is done with awareness. . .with wakefulness.
So says Sri Sri, "Strength is wakefulness, and in wakefulness there is no desire. Remember this. "

Here starts an experience of true freedom. . .freedom from instant gratification of senses, freedom from fear and guilt, freedom from stress and freedom from struggling for happiness, freedom from trying to please everyone. . .everything becomes effortless, every action arises out of an intention, not a desire. . .and an intention (sankalpa) is stronger than a feeble desire. We live 100% . . .without regrets. . .and this affects everyone around us. . .because happiness and love spread like fire. . .
this doesnt mean that one drops all in life...this means that one enjoys everything life offers more fully, more meaningfully, one experiences every moment 100% ...but with awareness...and then small events in life stop bothering one, because one is aware of a bigger existence that is bigger than small events that bring small joy or sadness.


The Universal understandfing of Guru is one who is mysterious and knowledgable...wise and benign. . .and mischievious and playful...full of innocence at the same time. . .this has deep significance.

So why dont we all stop greeting each other in terms of 'How are you?' which is superficial and sounds like a complement than a question really (hehehehe) and start greeting as "Jai Gurudev" ..Jai meaning Victory and Gurudev means the Divinity inside you, the Guru inside you, the wisdom and innocence inside us. . .

thus JAI GURUDEV means May the Divinity inside you shine forth . . .wouldnt you want that for every individual around you. . .every person you meet ? :-)

Life is utterly simple and yet most complex. You have to simultaneously attend to both facets of life. When life appears most complex, turn to the simplicity. Simplicity brings peace. When you are peaceful attend to the complexity within you. That will make you more skillful.

"Beyond an event is Knowledge.

Beyond a person is love.

Beyond an object is infinity.

Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event."- Sri Sri

In SURRENDER, THE HEAD BENDS AND MEETS THE HEART.

In SURRENDER, THE HEAD BENDS AND MEETS THE HEART.

A head that does not bend has no value. The head that is stiff will
have to bend sometime, either in surrender or in shame. And the head
that bends in surrender will never have to bend in shame.

Shame accompanies arrogance. Shame is inflicted by society and is
acquired.

Shyness accompanies love. See how children are endowed with shyness; it
is natural to them.

Shame brings guilt;

Shyness adds to your beauty.

Retain your shyness and surrender your shame

JGD

"Charity cannot happen from an empty bowl"- Sri Sri

Weekly Knowledge New York City 02 Feb 2002 USA

Business and SpiritualityOften business is looked down upon by spiritualists and spirituality is put off as non-practical by businessmen. Spirituality is the heart, business is the legs, and that is what the ancient people conceived. An individual or a society is incomplete without both these aspects. Business brings material comfort and spirituality brings mental and emotional comfort. Spirituality brings ethics and fair practice to business. In the body/mind complex depriving any one comfort means depriving both the comforts.
You cannot talk spirituality to the poorest of the poor people without taking care of their basic needs. They need to be supported materially.
There is no spirituality in the world that is devoid of service and service cannot happen if material needs are ignored.
Service cannot happen only through the lips. For service to move you need legs. Every system has its flaws. As capitalism exploits the poor, socialism dampens individual creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Spirituality is the bridge between socialism and capitalism. Spirituality gives the heart to serve to the capitalists and the spirit to innovate to the socialist.~Jai Gurudev

RELIGION, STRENGTH, COMMITMENT

Q. Most problems that exist today are in the name of religion. What's the future?

Sri Sri: The problem in religion is when the diehards say,"Oh! I cant say 'Allah' or 'Shiva' or 'Jesus'." Is your religion so weak that you will lose it just by saying "Om"? Or if you say "Allah", it wont take your religion away. i guarantee you no Go d will get angry with you.You accept technology and food from everywhere, isn't it? But when it comes to wisdom and singing, people seem to cringe. We have to break these barriers.


Sri Sri on strength and commitment:

"...When you want to do something, look at your own strength. Your weakness is that you start looking at others' strengths! When you are running, you can only look at the track below, not at who is next to you! Like a horse with blinders, look at your path only! Let anybody else do whathe or she wants to.
Also any job that you do, should be done with commitment.Otherwise, you will do th ejob when you enjoy it and stop doing it when you dont."


"You are only requuired to do what you want to do. You simply have to know that and you will get the strength.

Know that your life is more than your activity.

Life is not only about achieving - it is about contributing. "

Personally I found this true, and also a simple powerful fact...The next time you are bored or unhappy(even after you achieved something you had been personally longing/striving for), simply go and do some seva, do something for someone which will make him/her happy...for a child, for your friend, for a complete stranger, and then in a moment you will see your mood will be transformed from the happiness it will give you..nothing compares to it. So you know now what to do next time you are smitten by a heartbreaker, or feeling unhappy despite a personal win. O:-)