Q. In the Hindu religion, there are stories that are difficult to interpret and seem senseless to a logical mind. Your explanation of the Ganpati story yesterday had great depth. Could you speak more on such stories?
Answer: Firstly, people should know about symbols. It is said that there are millions of Gods and Goddesses in India. Also, it is said that God is one. There is deep science behind it, behind the energies given various names. In the Indian culture, we talk about families of God, a Goddess is depicted as riding a tiger, Gods have children, and there are disputes amongst Gods and Goddesses. For an argumentative mind, such depictions are difficult to accept.
God is Sat Chit Anand (Truth, Consciousness and Bliss). He has five karmas (actions) – Srishti (Creation), Sthiti (Preservation), Samhara (Destruction), Anugrah (Blessing) and Tirdhana (Veiling).
He is everywhere, yet not visible. Just like air is everywhere, but we feel it only when the fan is switched on, or when wind blows. Ancient sages say that there are many levels of creation. Gold is one, but we can make so many different things out of it. Similarly with wheat, you can make bread as well as chapatti.
Just like that, One God displays itself in many names and forms, one Omkar is present in Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Operator) and Mahesh (Destroyer).
When a single ray of sunlight falls on a drop of water, we see all the seven colors of a rainbow!
Before Creation, the Operator was there. Vishnu was present before Brahma. For instance, grass is present in creation, and then the goat comes, a mother develops milk before she gives birth. Otherwise the creation won’t sustain! The Polar bear sleeps for six months, and develops hunger only after the grass has sprung up.
Vishnu is depicted as resting in a lying down posture. The Master of the Creation is resting since the task of maintenance is so easy for him. This does not mean that man can afford to sleep all the time. Vishnu’s sleep is different- He is sleeping on a bed of snake, which is symbolic of heightened awareness. When one rests in awareness, it is called Yog Nidra (yogic sleep) or Samadhi (Meditation).
In a human body, the navel is the center of gravity. Brahma, the Creator, emerges from a lotus raised from Vishnu’s navel. That may not be so clicking until you understand the vision. It was only when Newton and Einstein rested that they could make new inventions. Newton rested under a tree and he received the knowledge of gravity. When Archimedes was in the bath tub, he got the idea of what he was looking for since a long time.
Today, scientists say that in creative people the solar plexus inside the navel is bigger than usual. When the navel blossoms, one becomes creative. In ancient India, they represented this as Brahma being born through Vishnu’s navel - the seat of creativity.
Brahma, the Creator has four faces. This shows that he gains knowledge from all the four directions. In some temples also, four gates are kept.
One drop of semen and an egg alone creates the entire human body. From just one anu (atom) different organs of the human body - nails, hair, ears etc are formed, and even the texture of skin is different throughout. So, the One has the intention and capability to be varied. Similarly, in one God, many God and Goddesses can be formed.
Human DNA has characteristics of all the living beings on Earth, which means we can create all the living beings on the planet, right from a lizard to an elephant, from a single drop of the human saliva.So, this is the power in one drop of chromosome. This itself is God. The whole creation is filled with God.
The Sanatan Dharma is very close to the modern science. When you listen to scientists, you feel as if you are listening to Vedanta.
God is present in every atom of the creation, not just the outside world but within our body as well. That is why before worshiping, we start with invoking the energies within our own body.
Devo Bhuvata, Devo Bhuje – Be immersed in God and worship Him.
Do some research; go deep in knowledge, then you will feel amazed at the minds of the people who created the Puranas.
Different energies are revered as God-Goddesses. God-Goddesses are within us, are our very own so they showed human flaws of anger, jealousy etc in them as well. So, that you don’t feel guilty when such emotions arise in you. The purpose of the Puranas was to bring you closer to God. Thus stories were created for the purpose of joy, entertainment, knowledge and science.
In Hindi the word ‘Purana’ means old whereas in Sanskrit, it means completely new, ultra modern.
God is Sat Chit Anand (Truth, Consciousness and Bliss). He has five karmas (actions) – Srishti (Creation), Sthiti (Preservation), Samhara (Destruction), Anugrah (Blessing) and Tirdhana (Veiling).
He is everywhere, yet not visible. Just like air is everywhere, but we feel it only when the fan is switched on, or when wind blows. Ancient sages say that there are many levels of creation. Gold is one, but we can make so many different things out of it. Similarly with wheat, you can make bread as well as chapatti.
Just like that, One God displays itself in many names and forms, one Omkar is present in Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Operator) and Mahesh (Destroyer).
When a single ray of sunlight falls on a drop of water, we see all the seven colors of a rainbow!
Before Creation, the Operator was there. Vishnu was present before Brahma. For instance, grass is present in creation, and then the goat comes, a mother develops milk before she gives birth. Otherwise the creation won’t sustain! The Polar bear sleeps for six months, and develops hunger only after the grass has sprung up.
Vishnu is depicted as resting in a lying down posture. The Master of the Creation is resting since the task of maintenance is so easy for him. This does not mean that man can afford to sleep all the time. Vishnu’s sleep is different- He is sleeping on a bed of snake, which is symbolic of heightened awareness. When one rests in awareness, it is called Yog Nidra (yogic sleep) or Samadhi (Meditation).
In a human body, the navel is the center of gravity. Brahma, the Creator, emerges from a lotus raised from Vishnu’s navel. That may not be so clicking until you understand the vision. It was only when Newton and Einstein rested that they could make new inventions. Newton rested under a tree and he received the knowledge of gravity. When Archimedes was in the bath tub, he got the idea of what he was looking for since a long time.
Today, scientists say that in creative people the solar plexus inside the navel is bigger than usual. When the navel blossoms, one becomes creative. In ancient India, they represented this as Brahma being born through Vishnu’s navel - the seat of creativity.
Brahma, the Creator has four faces. This shows that he gains knowledge from all the four directions. In some temples also, four gates are kept.
One drop of semen and an egg alone creates the entire human body. From just one anu (atom) different organs of the human body - nails, hair, ears etc are formed, and even the texture of skin is different throughout. So, the One has the intention and capability to be varied. Similarly, in one God, many God and Goddesses can be formed.
Human DNA has characteristics of all the living beings on Earth, which means we can create all the living beings on the planet, right from a lizard to an elephant, from a single drop of the human saliva.So, this is the power in one drop of chromosome. This itself is God. The whole creation is filled with God.
The Sanatan Dharma is very close to the modern science. When you listen to scientists, you feel as if you are listening to Vedanta.
God is present in every atom of the creation, not just the outside world but within our body as well. That is why before worshiping, we start with invoking the energies within our own body.
Devo Bhuvata, Devo Bhuje – Be immersed in God and worship Him.
Do some research; go deep in knowledge, then you will feel amazed at the minds of the people who created the Puranas.
Different energies are revered as God-Goddesses. God-Goddesses are within us, are our very own so they showed human flaws of anger, jealousy etc in them as well. So, that you don’t feel guilty when such emotions arise in you. The purpose of the Puranas was to bring you closer to God. Thus stories were created for the purpose of joy, entertainment, knowledge and science.
In Hindi the word ‘Purana’ means old whereas in Sanskrit, it means completely new, ultra modern.
Labels:
General Misconceptions
More on wonders of Ayurveda
In 1980, we organized a conference on Ayurveda for the first time in New Delhi. All senior knower of Ayurveda and top doctors of AIIMS were called. Something interesting happened there. I asked all the doctors what is the food value of turmeric. One of the allopathic doctors said that it is just pigmentation, and it has no nutritious value. While Ayurvedic doctor said that it is anti-oxidant, and it arrests ageing. After ten years, in 1990, Allopathic doctors come up with a search saying the same that turmeric is an antioxidant, and it helps to arrest the ageing of the cells. So, the knowledge which our people know thousands of years ago, the Ayurveda, which is a complete medicine system, took so much time to get accepted.
Also Neem, and other sacred herbs like Amla and Lemon carry so much value, and they all are anti-oxidants. You know, what is the value of kadhipata which is put in chiwra, which we put in every fried thing? It reduces bad cholesterol. If somebody is having problem related to cholesterol, just serve him/her kadhipata chutney in copper utensil, and it will be cured. Some medicines like static 9, taken to cure it, adversely effects liver and kidney. So, these are so wonderful things our country had.
In 1980, we lifted up the Panchakarma and several Ayurvedic expert doctors joined us, and travelled with us. They can tell, with only pulse diagnosis, if anybody is suffering from any problem, or may suffer in the near future. There have been so many examples where major illnesses have been cured.
I remember one incident when the person was astonished after listening to his medical history, without having been shared it with the doctor, from the doctor after pulse diagnosis. In such a way there are not only one or two, but thousand of incidents. We need to do proper documentation of data, and proper research work. We need to have scientific mind and research oriented attitude. These we should learn from the west.
Also Neem, and other sacred herbs like Amla and Lemon carry so much value, and they all are anti-oxidants. You know, what is the value of kadhipata which is put in chiwra, which we put in every fried thing? It reduces bad cholesterol. If somebody is having problem related to cholesterol, just serve him/her kadhipata chutney in copper utensil, and it will be cured. Some medicines like static 9, taken to cure it, adversely effects liver and kidney. So, these are so wonderful things our country had.
In 1980, we lifted up the Panchakarma and several Ayurvedic expert doctors joined us, and travelled with us. They can tell, with only pulse diagnosis, if anybody is suffering from any problem, or may suffer in the near future. There have been so many examples where major illnesses have been cured.
I remember one incident when the person was astonished after listening to his medical history, without having been shared it with the doctor, from the doctor after pulse diagnosis. In such a way there are not only one or two, but thousand of incidents. We need to do proper documentation of data, and proper research work. We need to have scientific mind and research oriented attitude. These we should learn from the west.
Labels:
Ayurveda
Q. I am centred on the Divine, yet there is restlessness, though on the outside everything seems perfect.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In every seeker’s life there comes a time when the heart is at unease, and there is restlessness. In the West, it is known as the “dark day of the soul”. There comes a time when satvik shakti (positive energy) is less and rajogun and tamogun are high, that leads to the restlessness. There are three kinds of taap (penance) and one such taap is known as adhyatmic taap (spiritual misery). Yet it is for a short while. Therefore satsang is very important, especially when you don’t feel like doing it.
Once in twelve years a lack in spirituality comes up. There will arise a doubt on the self, the path and the Guru. This is what the Scriptures say.
Therefore the Kumbh festival takes place once in twelve years and all the saints get together to clear all their sins. This tradition is very old.
A place where seekers do satsang and where Vedas are recited - kalyuga* never comes there.
Once in twelve years a lack in spirituality comes up. There will arise a doubt on the self, the path and the Guru. This is what the Scriptures say.
Therefore the Kumbh festival takes place once in twelve years and all the saints get together to clear all their sins. This tradition is very old.
A place where seekers do satsang and where Vedas are recited - kalyuga* never comes there.
Labels:
Seeker's way
Q. What is the importance of sankalpa (intention) and how to strengthen it? Does the world move on sankalpa?
Answer: The mind is full of sankalpa (intentions) and vikalpa (imagination, fancy). All our work gets done through sankalpa. Even the act of moving our arm is preceded by the sankalpa in the mind. If twenty sankalpas arise in the mind then nothing gets done. When the mind is peaceful and restful then our sankalpa is powerful.
The sankalpa of a weak mind is weak and that of strong mind is strong.
We can make our mind strong by sadhana (spiritual practices) and knowledge. Then the sankalpa will also be strong. The wise makes one sankalpa in fifty days whereas the ignorant makes fifty in a day.
The sankalpa of a weak mind is weak and that of strong mind is strong.
We can make our mind strong by sadhana (spiritual practices) and knowledge. Then the sankalpa will also be strong. The wise makes one sankalpa in fifty days whereas the ignorant makes fifty in a day.
You often say all creation is fully loaded with knowledge. This confuses me at times. E.g. what can one learn from people with animalistic tendencies?
Answer: To the degree you are aware, you imbibe knowledge. Some people teach you in positive way, yet some other people teach you what not to do. Sense of discrimination bestowed on humans is a great gift to the mankind.
Q: How to keep the God and world together?
Answer: How can you keep them together? They are already one. Where is the question of combining them? In the nature of form, it is world, and same is God in its formless nature. You don’t have to do anything to bring them together.
Q: These practices bring so much inner comfort. If I do a lot of practice, will it make me more happy?
Answer: Don’t do too much of practice. Move ahead gradually and patiently. Do only as much as needed. Do that much to which your body gets accustomed to.
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Make your life easy
Q: What is the role of surrender in fulfillment of desires? And what is the difference between desires and intentions? Which is more important – putting effort or relying on the God?
Answer: There are two schools of thought. One is you visualize dream and work for it. Other school of thought says surrender everything to God, whatever God gives you is the best, and God will take care of everything for you. Where is the compatibility? They appear to be completely opposite. One is your own visualization, your own dream and your perseverance, and another is having trust in God and leaving everything on God. They appear to be incompatible but I would say they are very much compatible. It is good to have an intention or a goal. You don’t keep on visualizing your goal 24*7, but continuing to work for that, you leave it to the Divine. Only the combination of two will work.
It is beautifully described in Scriptures: You take a vision or goal, and then you offer it to the Divine while working for that – “This is what I want and you know what is best for me. If this or anything better, I am ready to accept.”
Sometimes you don’t know what you want. If you know what you want, it is not difficult to get it. Half the time we are unsure of what we want. Often you find if you are persistent to get something, you don’t want the same thing the next week, the next month or the next year. So, before you take an intention, you expand your awareness.
So, put an intention in the universe - I want this or anything better.
Now, what is the difference between a desire and an intention? Suppose you want to go to Mumbai from Bangalore. You buy a ticket and travel for around three hours and go there. But you don’t keep chanting in your mind all this time that you want to go to Mumbai and you are going to Mumbai. You may even land up in a mental Hospital like this! Desire is the feverishness that clogs on to an intention. An intention is a desire free from feverishness. And then working towards your intention, this faith is to be there whatever nature brings back is for my growth.
It is beautifully described in Scriptures: You take a vision or goal, and then you offer it to the Divine while working for that – “This is what I want and you know what is best for me. If this or anything better, I am ready to accept.”
Sometimes you don’t know what you want. If you know what you want, it is not difficult to get it. Half the time we are unsure of what we want. Often you find if you are persistent to get something, you don’t want the same thing the next week, the next month or the next year. So, before you take an intention, you expand your awareness.
So, put an intention in the universe - I want this or anything better.
Now, what is the difference between a desire and an intention? Suppose you want to go to Mumbai from Bangalore. You buy a ticket and travel for around three hours and go there. But you don’t keep chanting in your mind all this time that you want to go to Mumbai and you are going to Mumbai. You may even land up in a mental Hospital like this! Desire is the feverishness that clogs on to an intention. An intention is a desire free from feverishness. And then working towards your intention, this faith is to be there whatever nature brings back is for my growth.
Q: Is there any maximum limit to how much we can meditate?
Answer: Just do as much is necessary. There is no need to do too much. Meditation is like taking a bath. To wash the mind, you need meditation. And once the mind is clean, you will be well.
You take shower in the morning to clean your body. After that you do all the daily activities. You don’t have to keep on taking a shower throughout the day. It is like that. You meditate and calm your mind, then go on with other activities.
You take shower in the morning to clean your body. After that you do all the daily activities. You don’t have to keep on taking a shower throughout the day. It is like that. You meditate and calm your mind, then go on with other activities.
Labels:
Make your life easy
Q: How can I overcome anger and resentment?
Answer: Don’t try to overcome both. Tackle them one by one. I say, stop the resentment and agree to be angry. Anger and resentment have a chain reaction – you get angry and then you resent; resentment will then turn to anger. Either you are angry with somebody or you are angry with yourself. You are angry with yourself and this causes anger towards somebody else. You may be angry with somebody else but then, as soon as your anger fades, you resent yourself and feel, “How could I lose my temper like that?” So, first decide to be just angry. It does not matter. Just get rid of resentment. This is the first step you can take. Anger is part of your life. As a child you would get very angry. Look at a small child who is holding a toy; just take the toy away from him and see his reaction. His whole body shakes and he gets angry. He yells and shouts, but he is normal the next instant. It doesn’t take a child very long to do this.
You get angry, but the next moment, bring the smile back to your face. Don’t resent. Laugh at your own anger – “Oh, I had a big blow-up today! It was fantastic. It is such fun to watch others’ faces when I get angry! How they reacted to my anger! How soon they caught on to it!” You will soon see that the anger in you turns into alertness; into awareness. That is where pranayama and kriya will come to your aid over a period of time. The resentment had stopped earlier, now the anger will gradually disappear.
Labels:
Overcoming negative emotions
Q: The scriptures say that God is one and true scholars call Him by many names. Today religions have moved away from this truth of inter-religious harmony. What can we do as individuals to bring that harmony back?
Answer: To bring harmony between the religions, we must uplift everyone to a spiritual level. Spirituality is the common thread. There was only one Jesus, but how many sects of Christianity are there? Seventy-two. There was only one Prophet Muhammed and how many schools of Islam are there? Five. There was only one Lord Buddha and how many types of Buddhism are there? Thirty-two. There was one Lord Mahadeva. How many sects of Jainism are there? Four. So many different schools of thought. Yet the six far Eastern religions had no conflict at all. There was never a conflict between Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Taoism or Shintoism in the world. They always co-existed in harmony. Middle Eastern religions have had conflict throughout history. Judaism, Christianity and Islam always had conflict. I was told of a particular incident in Japan. When President Nixon visited Japan for a conference, on one side of him was a Buddhist monk and on the other was a Shinto priest. He asked the Shinto priest, “what is the percentage of Shintoism in Japan?” The Shinto priest replied – 80 percent. He then turned to the Buddhist monk thinking there would be 20% Buddhists in Japan. He asked, “What is the percentage of Buddhists in Japan?”. The monk said 80 percent. Now the President Nixon was so confused and asked how it was possible. Both priests said that it was possible. You know, that type of harmony existed between religions in the far East, because nobody tried to convert anybody. Religious conversion was not an agenda. Uplifting human consciousness was the main goal. Giving the knowledge was the main goal. It was not about saying, ‘my way is the only way and follow it and go to Heaven, otherwise you will go to Hell’. People, who think that only they have the key to Heaven, create such Hell for everyone else. So, a grounded understanding of religious philosophy is essential. If every child knows little bit about all the philosophies of the world, nobody will grow up to be a terrorist. You know, Einstein said that the best book he ever read was the Gita. He said that it has contributed so much to his understanding of the world and about life. Einstein read it several times.
Similarly, the concept of Matrix movie is same as described in one of the ancient Indian scriptures, Yoga Vashista. The main point was about the whole theme of consciousness. It is an excellent book describing the relationship between mind, consciousness and the universe around us.
Labels:
Different Religions
Introduction to Bhagwad Geeta
One of the most amazing ancient literature available in the world is Bhagwad Geeta, commonly known as Geeta. This is the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in the midst of the war, just before the commencement of the war. Given the extreme example of how you can manage the mind, the consciousness, yourself, that’s the whole essence of the Gita, not the war. If you can manage your mind in the worst scenario, then you can manage yourself in any situation. War field is usually not a place for knowledge. It is a place where all negative emotions like rage and anger go in full actions. But here, somebody is telling someone about meditation amidst of this huge war, where millions of elephants, horses, men, weapons and forces assembled, ready to fight. So, this is a big contradiction to begin with. If you have gone chapter by chapter, you will find many contradictions. If a very logical person reads the book, he will get more confused.
The whole essence of the Gita is to act without being attached to the action. The skill of dispassionately putting your 100 percent. It's all about yoga, the skill, not about war but your attitude. When you are faced with a situation like war, how do you manage yourself? And if you can then manage your mind, any other situation becomes so easy for you.
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