Sri Sri Reminisces (Continued)

Wed, 09/23/2015 Bangalore, Indi

(Below is a continuation of post Sri Sri Reminisces)

Gurudev, today the Sudarshan Kriya is such a technique that has changed the lives of millions around the world. How did you come to know or acquire it?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

I used to teach meditation in my early years. But I often used to feel there is something still missing, and something more is needed to make the experience complete. I always used to feel as if something more is going to come up. So I took a vow of silence for 10 days in Shimoga, in Karnataka, near the Tungabhadra river. After that, a few people collected there to meet me and asked me to speak. So I spoke to them and taught them the Sudarshan Kriya, and I also learnt along with them as I taught them.

The Sudarshan Kriya came to me like an inspiration, just like how poetry happens so spontaneously. I never had to put in too much of my mind for this. It all came through deep intuition, like how we download things from the Internet these days. Our brain is a supercomputer. We can download so many things into our brain.

Do you feel that apart from the Sudarshan Kriya something more is in store for us all?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

From time to time, knowledge gets revealed as per the need of the hour. It all happens spontaneously, by itself. This is all very amazing. The whole creation is filled with wonder. We often speak of miracles and they do keep happening in everyone’s lives from time to time.

When we are at peace within and repose in that depth of the Self, then there is really no lack of such things from happening. There is no end to the wonders in creation, and wonder is the preface to Yoga. When surprising things start happening in our life, we naturally become aware of another higher dimension in life. We start to have some realization about that which is unmanifest, invisible and far greater than we can imagine.

This is not limited to a few special people. Anyone can have this experience, but only a few people actually get this.

Gurudev, when I was coming here today, one of my friends in Dubai sent me an SMS asking me to record your voice and send him the audio and also ask you to bless him. He has never met you but has seen so many of your knowledge talks on YouTube. The amazing thing is that there are so many people in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE) who regularly listen to your talks and videos and get relief from stress. What would you want to say?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes, this is a great gift of the modern technology. It is because of these technological advances that today we can reach out to every corner of the world.

Knowledge which till now was held secret by certain people or communities is now able to reach so many people. We can share our knowledge with far more people now because of technology and the Internet. And this is why I chose to open the doors of knowledge to everybody.This knowledge is so precious and is not for being restricted to people of any one particular religion or community. This knowledge belongs to the entire humanity everywhere. All of mankind can be greatly benefited by this knowledge regardless of whichever religion or faith they follow.

Along with religion, I feel that following certain practices that bring peace and happiness to the mind and spirit is also very important and should be a part of everyone’s life. Such practices help strengthen the body, make the mind and heart blossom in joy, and sharpen the intellect. I think everyone needs access to such knowledge. This is why I thought about taking this knowledge to every home following our ancient Indian motto – Vasaudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is one family). The Art of Living began with this intention.

Gurudev, everyone in the world wants to meet you – be it the most influential and powerful people, or the poorest of the poor in the world. Please tell us a little about how you feel.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Well, I too want to meet everyone. And today technology has made it possible to connect with everyone and reach out to the farthest corners of the world. Even through media personalities like you, it has become possible to reach out to many more people.

People can write to me anytime they feel like. Today we have the convenience of email. I get thousands and thousands of emails every day.
See, there are two kinds of connections:
1. The external connection
2. The inner connection
We also need to re-establish that inner connection with ourselves. And when we sincerely feel that belongingness with people from within, then they automatically become our own. We just need to understand and accept them from within. That is all that is needed.

At the subtle level we are all wired together, we are all connected with each other. It is said that there are a trillion cells in our brain. Every part of our body is connected to the larger universe. Every individual is a part of this universe. We just need to go deep within and realize that we are all connected. That is when meditation happens.

Gurudev, all our complaints and worries disappear automatically the moment we see you. Do you ever worry about anything?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

I worry about everyone. I worry about this country, about this entire creation. I do worry but I do not get troubled by it.

Gurudev, you just spoke about making that inner connection. As I was making plans to visit you, I came across many parents who are not able to connect with their own children and relate to them. They often ask, “What is the magic that Gurudev has, because of which so many people get drawn and connected to him instantly, when they do not listen to their own parents?”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes, the youths have a lot of enthusiasm and they know that I always encourage enthusiasm. They also have a lot of curiosity and sincere intentions to learn, and when they come here, their thirst for knowledge and curiosity gets fulfilled. The youths are full of love and joy and they know that it is honored here.

One does not become young only by age. Anyone who is young at heart, who is full of zeal and enthusiasm, I would call such people as the youth. Those who are not yet tired out, are really young. In fact, even old and elderly people start feeling young after coming to the Ashram. The moment they feel relieved of their tiredness and worries, the enthusiasm to take up new challenges gets rekindled in them.

Here at the Ashram we often inspire the youths to do something beneficial for the society. One kind of happiness is what you get by taking or gaining something. But there is another kind of happiness that you get when you share with others. You get a lot of joy by that. So, life is the journey from the happiness that you get by taking, to the joy that you get by sharing more and more with others. There is so much energy in the youth, they can do so much good for the society, and they genuinely want to do something as well.

The Art of Living has completed 35 years of its existence. In 2016, a huge program called the World Culture festival has been organized to celebrate this in New Delhi. There are many grand festivities planned and many eminent personalities are going to attend this program. What is the need of this festival and what is the impact that such a program will have on the people?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Ten years back in 2006, we had celebrated the Silver Jubilee of The Art of Living in Bangalore to commemorate the 25 years’ anniversary. Five years after that, we had organized the World Culture Festival in Berlin. This time it is Delhi’s turn to host the grand event.

People from 154 countries will come to attend this event as a One World Family to display the rich cultural heritage of their own countries. It will be like a family reunion where everyone will get together to meditate, do Yoga and celebrate. This will establish a unique ideal before the entire world. This will be our way to convey that we believe in love and peace, and spreading that peace instead of listening to or getting caught in negativity and violence. The World Culture Festival shall convey the message of world peace, love and universal harmony to the entire world.
Humanity and human values are very much alive even today. This message needs to reach everyone today.

Depression has become so wide-spread today. People think with a limited mind and heart, and only think about what will happen to them all the time. In order to get out of that mindset, we need to get out of our negativity and come together and join hands in a celebration of peace and happiness.

Gurudev, whenever you conduct any program, it becomes a big challenge for the media to cover it. What is your secret behind always having such celebrations and events on such a grand scale?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

There is a saying in Sanskrit which says, " There is no joy in the small and limited, joy is always in that which is grand and large ". So when you have a broad vision, when you think big, then obviously you are also able to do big things.

When you have a large and generous heart, then how can you act small? Everything automatically gets connected and starts happening. This cannot happen by the will of one person alone. Everyone needs to have that broad vision and great determination .
It is all very interesting to see how these big events happens. The entire organization starts working towards it and there is so much chaos and work to do, but it all starts to fall in place and comes together. It is unique in its own way.

Gurudev, if we work for four to five hours, or meet 10 people during the day, we get so tired. We just feel like relaxing and doing nothing at the end of the day. Do you ever take a vacation?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes of course, in between life times! (Laughter)
See, we never get tired when we do anything that is in our nature. The river never gets tired of flowing, the air does not get tired of flowing, the Sun does not get tired of shining. So when we are in our own element, when we get established in our true nature, then everything simply happens and does not tire us out.

Gurudev, today you are at the pinnacle of spirituality. What message would you like to convey to our spiritual seekers who are not here with you today?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

I would say, try and gain knowledge about something and at the same time have faith as well. See, you cannot possibly know everything. And you also need to have deep faith in something. Embrace everyone you meet with love. That is my message.
See, if someone gives you something and says, “It is very sweet”, then you should first taste it yourself instead of simply believing them.
If someone tells you, “It is poison, do not touch it”, then you should not say, “No, first I will taste it and then believe you” (laughter).

Three things are needed for life:
1. Purity of heart
2. Clarity of mind and
3. Sincerity in action or spontaneity in action.
Do not get stuck in just thinking, “What will happen to me?” See, there are problems in everyone’s life, but remember that they do not stay forever. They come and go. Do not let them overwhelm you. And spirituality will give you that much needed strength and stability to withstand and overcome all problems with a smile. Spirituality can give a new direction to your thoughts and to your life.

Gurudev, one last question. When we see you or meet you, we feel so overjoyed and also get some guidance in life after listening to you. What do you feel when you look at your devotees?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

I feel they are mine and belong to me completely. Whomever I have met till today, I always feel that they are mine and belong to me. I have never met a stranger in my life.