OSHO = GREAT QUOTES = FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA

OSHO 

GREAT QUOTES

FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA

OSHO  - is a great source of inspiration to millions of people across the world. Any person who hears him or reads him – falls in love with him instantly. This has happened to me too.

His exposition of the science of Yoga is Unique – and distinct from the rest. It is filled with experiences from across the world. The depth of analysis is extraordinary.

As I read his Alpha to Omega – I come across many statements of his – which strike me as Great quotes. Here are a few. More will follow.

Ø  Man is like a tree: the real life is in the roots, hidden underground; only branches are visible. If you cut the branches, new branches will come up because branches are not the source; but if you cut the roots the tree is destroyed.

Ø  Unless you know the unknown within you, you will never be able to know anybody else. The only way to know the mystery that man is, is to know the mystery that you are. There are hidden layers behind hidden layers. Man is infinity.

Ø  Behind this gross body is hidden the subtle body. Once that subtle body awakes, you become very powerful because you attain to certain new dimensional forces.

Ø  All relationships are mirrors. In whatsoever way you are related with life, it reflects you. Don't be angry at life if it starts barking at you. You must have started the chain. You must have done something in the beginning to cause it. Don't try to change life; just change yourself, and life changes.

Ø  Life is very ancient and life is going to be for ever and ever. You are just a guest; an overnight stay and you are gone: gate, gate -- gone, gone forever. How can you imagine to change it?

Ø  Whenever you are in misery you like to throw the responsibility on somebody. Anybody will do, any excuse will do, but then you are unburdened.

Ø  Life is not a doer; it is a mirror. It is not doing anything to you, because the same life behaves with Buddha in a different way. The life is the same; it behaves with you in a different way. The mirror is the same, but when you come before the mirror it reflects your face. And if your face is not that of a Buddha, what can the mirror do?

Ø  If life is miserable you must have started the chain. If everybody is against you, you must have started the chain. If everybody feels enmity, you must have started the chain.

Ø  To be miserable or to be happy -- it is up to you. Nobody else has anything to do with it. The world will remain the same; you can start dancing, and the whole world dances with you.

Ø  When you are filled with heaven within, the world reflects it. When you are filled with hell, the world can't help, it reflects it.

Ø  if you are responsible, then there is hope; you can do something. If others are responsible then there is no hope, because what can you do? You may be meditating, but others are creating trouble; you will suffer. You may become a Buddha, but the whole world remains a hell. You will suffer. In the beginning every freedom is felt as a burden -- that's why people are afraid of freedom.

Ø  Nobody can make you happy -- except yourself.

Ø  Mind, with beliefs, ideas, concepts, systems, philosophies, is a paralyzed mind -- no longer free to move, too much fettered, too much in bondage, a slave.

Ø  When you are trying to have more you are missing that which you have already.

Ø  There are two types of persons: people interested in having more, and people interested in being more.

Ø  I can possess only myself. Death will take everything else.

Ø  Love can always be converted into bondage. It can always become an imprisonment. Love should be a freedom; it should help you to be liberated from all fetters and bondages.

Ø  I have no duty to fulfill towards anybody.

Ø  When love dies, duty enters.

Ø  A judgement comes out of your beliefs, ideologies, concepts; judgement comes out of your past, out of your knowledge. Discrimination comes out of your present, responding alertness.

Ø  What is the actual situation? People who are taking drugs are not creating Vietnams, are not creating Kashmirs, are not creating Middle Easts. People who are taking drugs are not creating any war anywhere.

Ø  Had this man Adolf Hitler fallen in love with somebody's wife, he would have been condemned as a bad man, but he would not have been so violent. Released, relaxed... the world would have been better.

Ø  The complexity of life is such that one should not judge. Judgement belongs to stupid minds; they are always ready to judge.

Ø  A fragment of a man's life comes to your eyes and you judge the whole man -- that he is bad, and he is good. No, judgement is not for the wise.

Ø  The rogi (diseased person) is never cheerful, the bhogi (the enjoyer) rarely, the yogi (one who practices Yoga) always. Cheerfulness is his nature. For no visible cause he remains happy.

Ø  Power of concentration arises in a man of pure body, of pure consciousness, of purity.

Ø  If you don't love yourself, to love anybody else is almost impossible. The quality of love has to grow within you, only then can the fragrance reach to somebody else.

Ø  What is the meaning of being selfish? The first basic thing is to be self-centered. The second basic thing is always to look for one's blissfulness.

Ø  Misery is as infectious as any disease. Blissfulness is also infectious as any disease.

Ø  If you help others to be happy, in the end you help yourself to be happy.

Ø  When you have happiness you can share it; when you don't have, how can you share it?

Ø  A happy person belongs to himself. Why should he belong to any organization? That is the way of an unhappy person: to belong to some organization, to belong to some crowd.

Ø  Love, I say, is one of the most selfish things. If you want a still deeper selfish thing then comes meditation, prayer. If you want a still more selfish thing then comes God.

Ø  You postpone life through hope: you say, "Tomorrow I will live, when everything is put right."

Ø  Existence does not belong to any individual. All individuals belong to existence.

Ø  If you have your private hopes then remember -- when you are frustrated don't blame me. I am not responsible.

Ø  A Master, at the most, can be a door; he is not the goal.

Ø  Maturity is to see the reality. Do not live in wish fulfillments.

Ø  A man grows because of awareness, not because of hopes.

Ø  A Master is a catalytic agent: he does not work, but the work happens through him. He's not the doer but just the situation where things happen.

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PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS = Verse.2.43 & 44 = Benefits of Tapasya and Svaadhyaaya

PATANJALI

YOGA SUTRAS

Verse.2.43

kaaya indriya siddhih ashuddhi kshayaat tapasah

Ø  kaaya = for the physical body

Ø  indriya = for the senses

Ø  siddhih = attainment of

Ø  ashuddhi = all impurities

Ø  kshayaat = destruction

Ø  tapasah = through the  training of senses and austerities

Tapasah – means - different rituals,austerities and other means of body and mind control and purification. The ancient sages adopted several types of Tapas for purifying the body, the senses and the mind.

Body has several impurities and develops many - in course of our actions and transactions - and even the lack of actions. Yoga exercises like soorya namaskaar -purify the body in a variety of ways - by removing all constrictions and rigidities at different places of the body and making it a one homogeneous unit. Body must feel - easy, healthy, light and as one homogeneous unit. If there are  impurities anywhere, it feels uneasy, unhealthy, heavy, constricted and painful where the impurities are. But, these are easily removed by Yoga exercises like soorya namaskaar and aasanaas.

What are impurities of the senses and the mind? The ancient India knew well that "kaama,krodha,lobha,moha,mada,matsarya" are the six internal thieves or impurities that are robbing us of our mental purity and joy. Add to them the factor of fear. The list is complete. We must constantly beware of these internal enemies - and keep them off. When mind is devoid of them -  it feels a rare joy - which really is its greatest treasure. The impurities are covering it - and obscuring it from our own self.

Along with purification, we also gain a high degree of control on them. Tapasya is one of the five aspects of Niyama. This verse emphasizes the gains that a Sadhaka attains from Tapasya. The removal of impurities is the first gain. But, the more important gain from Tapasya is – the control that the sadhaka gains  over his body and the senses. 

Purity of the body, mind and senses gives us hitherto unknown knowledge and powers on them. These powers are always there in the body, mind and senses. Just that - they were not available to us - because of the impurities surrounding them. 

Remove the impurities - all these powers in them start shining. Eyes start seeing things which they never saw earlier. Ears hear sounds which they never heard earlier. Nose smells new smells. Skin feels new sensations. Tongue feels new tastes. Mind in all its purity starts exercising its vast powers of intuition. Body becomes lighter and a whole lot more enjoyable.


As you purify your mind, body and senses, you become much more happier and joyous.

Verse.2.44

svadhyaayaat ishta devathaa samprayogah

Ø  svadhyaayaat = through self-study ( and of the science of Yoga, of scripture)

Ø  ishta = the chosen or much liked

Ø  devathaah = deity

Ø  samprayogah = remaining connected with

Svaadhyaaya - means self-study.  What do we mean by self-study? It can have two connotations. 

In the first - you study your own self. In the very beginning of Yoga Sutras (v.1.3), Patanjali has emphasized that whoever witnesses simply, without pre-conditions and without judgments - realizes the self. Tadaa drashtuh svaroopevasthaanam.

Self-study happens by witnessing. There is no separate book for self study. You are the Book. All things you need to know are hidden in your own self. Self study is witnessing the self - without conditions, without pre-conceptions, without judgments. By such witnessing, self-study happens. There is no other STUDY involved - except witnessing.

As witnessing of self progresses, You will gradually move deeper and deeper into your own self - and know your deepest self.  In the deepest self - is sitting your most loved being. You call it your ishtadevatha. Initially, it may have a name and form (like Rama, Krishna etc). As the self-study proceeds deeper and deeper, the names and forms will  vanish but the ishtadevatha remains in our closest proximity.


At another level, Svaadhyaaya also  can be initiated through study of the science (of yoga) or of scripture(like Sruthi, smrithi etc). These are great treatises on self-study. 

We must remember that when we are witnessing the self or studying the self, the self gets centred and starts residing in the self (and does not wander outside of the self). Study of Srutis and the science of Yoga also leads us to the same result.

When Svaadhyaaya is done with devotion (which is the way it needs to be done), the Sadhaka will always move towards and remain connected with his most loved deity.

Every Sadhaka has his Ishta Devatha - who, in fact, is his Role model. It may be any form of Eeswara (Rama, Krishna, Siva or any other form). Svaadhyaaya takes the Sadhaka into a closer communion with such Ishta Devatha. 

Whether you only realize your deepest self or come in communion with your most loved deity - the result finally is the same.

While Yama and Niyama are preparatory steps and also necessary ingredients of Yoga Sadhana – all the ten components of Yama and Niyama give us many of these additional, invaluable Benefits which we are examining here. This is what Patanjali is telling us. At each step of Yoga Sadhana, there are huge benefits to be gained.

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SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR = WORDS OF WISDOM = GREAT (RECENT QUOTES) = POST 2 DT 10-JAN-2012

 

GREAT QUOTES

FROM

SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

POST 2 DATED 10-JAN-2012

Sri Sri Ravishankar is a multi faceted personality, one of the most revered Yoga Gurus in the world, great spiritualist and one who spreads love and compassion across all Nations of the world.

I had the fortune of attending the Art of Living Course and learning the Great Sudarsana Kirya.

Once a disciple of Sri Sri, forever a disciple of Sri Sri. His disciples, including me, are always thirsting for the great words of wisdom from Guruji, Sri Sri Ravishankar.

Here is a collection of his recent words of wisdom. Some of his Great quotes – are in response to questions from his disciples. These questions and answers are covered in a separate Post of Today.

Now, the Quotes :

Ø  A little bit of knowledge of the seven layers of our existence makes a big, big difference in our lives. It brings cheer, freshness and we become so alive and childlike. If you are cheerful, you will be creative.

Ø  Happiness is when you want nothing, and you want to give.
Where the wanting and desires end, and the sharing begins, happiness is exactly there.

Ø  Fashion has to change, else it ceases to be fashion. Mission has to stay, else it ceases to be a mission. Vision has to be realised, else it will only remain a vision. Passion has to ignite the spirit. Compassion has to find its expression in Service. One term encapsulates all these: Spirituality.

Ø  When in our life, personal needs disappear and desires no longer exist; an extraordinary, mystical ability is awakened within us that enables us to bless others. When we do not want anything for ourselves, we develop the strength to fulfill the desires of others.

Ø  Every bud has all that it needs to be a flower.

Ø  Everybody should be able to say: ‘Whenever you are in need, I am with you’. There is a fear among people that no one would help them when they are in need. This is the sole reason for all the corruption and violence. People have lost faith in themselves, in the Divine and in the society. If a person has faith in all the three, it will bring peace to them and also to the society.

Ø  Swami Vivekananda said give me 10 youth & I will change the world. Here there are hundreds of youth in front of me who can make the change. First, change yourself & then you will be able to change the world. Don't worry small. Give your small worries to me. You worry big; for the planet, for the environment." SriSri in Kolkata inaugurating the World Brotherhood March to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda

Ø  Being in love is the job of the heart and being in doubt is the job of the head. Both have got their places. You need to have both. How much doubt can you have? Just keep having and when all the doubts are over and no more doubts come up, from there, faith begins.

Ø  All the rivers flow to an ocean which is already full. An ocean does not require any more water, but rivers come and flow into it and the ocean’s level doesn’t rise up. Similarly, one who is settled in himself, fulfilled, to him all the desires will flow. Even before you want something, it is already there with you. This is Siddhi, Perfection.

Ø  Life always flows in search of joy and the highest joy is in the Divine. We must always aim to attain the Divine. If you aim for the highest, your smaller desires will come to you (be fulfilled) anyway. If there is thirst you will get water. If there is no thirst, one would not bother about water. Similarly, there should be a thirst within us to attain the Divine, to know the highest truth, to know what life is, to know who we are.

Ø  Parama atma (Supreme Self) means what - that which is present everywhere; that which is omnipresent. So, will it not be present within us? If it is not present within me, it is not Parama atma. And if it is forever, then it exists in the present also. It is not that it was present previously and will appear again in the future. Parama atma is always there, and therefore is here right this very moment. Resting with this knowledge is meditation. "Parama atma is here, in the present, within me." If you rest with this thought, all the restlessness in the mind will quiet down. Once the mind is silenced, Boom! A radiance will be experienced.

Ø  When you come to the Guru, you need to give something. You don't have to bring me flowers, garlands and shawls. Give me all your worries. If you go back happily then that is my Guru Dakshina. I don't just give sweets, fruits and flowers as Prasad. I give you a pleasant state of mind as Prasad.

Ø  All those who are grown up physically, but want to be a child again, or think you are one, just go for it! Don't worry about what others think about you. If the world calls us crazy, let them say, but you be happy. Be in the present and be natural. What is most important in the world is innocence along with intelligence.

Ø  Anything that comes to you not just by your effort and not because you qualify, you can consider it a gift; as grace. And grace grows by gratitude. When you demand, there is no grace, but when you are grateful it comes in abundance.

Ø  Learn to make people your own. They already belong to you. They come from the same soil and breathe the same air which you expel. You are connected - so much connected.

Ø  The whole world is one family, so it is necessary that we live with naturalness and simplicity; only then life blossoms. The wall that we erect between ourselves and others needs to be demolished. Drop all inhibitions between you and others. From your side you drop inhibitions. Go on and shake hands.

Ø  Often what is universal is not personal and what is personal does not belong to everyone. Make the universal personal; it makes you richer, wiser, stronger. Make the personal universal: you will find freedom, compassion and love.

Ø  This New Year go to a place where everything is beautiful !That place is within you! Wherever you go after that, you will add beauty.

Ø  Celebration is the nature of the Spirit. A celebration without spirituality has no depth. Silence gives depth to Spirituality. You are like a Christmas Tree. Remember that all the gifts u carry in life are for others. Offer your gifts to anyone who comes to you. Merry Christmas!

Ø  What is art of living? It is to recognize the truth in life. One day we are happy, other times we face difficulty. But to witness it all with equanimity is Art of living. Surrender in difficult times and serve in good times. Pray that let me be of help and service to people. Let me earn wisdom through these hands. Let my hands do good work. If we pray with all our heart, that will manifest.

Ø  Challenges are there to make you see that you can overcome them, that you have the energy. Your spirit should be high at all times. It doesn’t matter, never mind, keep moving and keep your spirit high. That is the main lesson - that you are unaffected by the event. Lessons come out of challenges. These are momentary challenges; see them off with a smile.

Ø  With Yoga & Vedanta, Ashaucha (lack of purity), Agyaana (ignorance), Abhaava (poverty), Adharma (lack of righteousness) vanish.

Ø  Letting go of all actions, let us repose in Knowledge. Knowing what we know is insignificant and what we do not know is enormous, repose in Faith.

Ø  Worldly love can be like an ocean, yet an ocean has a bottom. Divine love is like the sky - limitless, infinite. From the bottom of the ocean soar into the vast sky.

Ø  Attaining higher states of consciousness does not require any complicated strategy; one just needs to learn the art of letting go. The confluence of knowledge, understanding and practice makes life complete.

Ø  Love synthesizes, and Yoga analyzes. Laya means dissolving. In love, you dissolve. For example, you see some beautiful fall colors, and you say wow! It is so beautiful. And you become one with it. The second is Sakshi, or being a witness - and that is Yoga. So, Laya and Sakshi seem to be opposing to each other - Wisdom is recognizing the need for both of these.

Ø  A saint cannot be indifferent and apathetic, nor can a newspaper.

Ø  Seva brings merit. Merit allows you to go deeper in meditation. Meditation brings back your smile.

Ø  The moments you are in the company of Knowledge - the Master, are the most precious moments in your life.

Ø  The Government must focus on gross domestic happiness instead of GDP. Prosperity has meaning when happiness & common welfare is built into the system

Ø  We need to change mindsets. Corruption begins where belongingness ends. What belongs to you will come your way, so make an honest living. This revolution to get rid of corruption should be brought to the country. Only the power of spirituality can help resolve the problems we face today.

Ø  Sri Sri on Raksha Bandhan: "Let the bonding be Divine in a life free from bondage."

Ø  Guruji @ Oslo Satsang: "Whenever you are unhappy or miserable, know for sure you need food for the soul. And that is meditation."

Ø  Be calm from the inside and act whenever required. You should stand up and fight if necessary; but don’t keep the fight inside yourself. Usually we fight inside and keep quiet on the outside. We should do the opposite. With meditation, it becomes easy to bring about this change. The power of satva and the power of meditation make it easy.

Ø  When your intellect discusses Knowledge, Wisdom and Truth, it unites existence. When it discusses mundane things, it divides existence. You are a witness to the garbage or wisdom that flows from your intellect. Just pray to the Divine," Let Wisdom, Divinity and Truth flow through the intellect.

Ø  Our Thoughts have amazing power... What we think starts happening... we have to first mend our thoughts.. Our sankalpa is so strong that what we intend starts happening.. We have to test our Sankalpa.

Ø  Do your action for your own satisfaction, not for the appreciation of others.

Ø  The knowledge which gives us a broad vision and a big heart is spirituality.

Ø  Satsang means the company of reality, being in touch with the truth

Ø  If you have to get angry, get angry at bigger things, not the small usual mundane stuff. Get angry at corruption in the system and injustice happening around you. Give a bigger dimension to your anger and see all the small things become simply insignificant. I want you to go and talk to every youth in this country and in the world. Talk to them. Tell them to take action against corruption.

Ø  If we have a clear vision, honesty and empathy success will be ours. Vision needs passion and passion will drive vision into action.

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

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

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

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

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

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SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR = WORDS OF WISDOM = & GREAT QUOTES = (AS) QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

 

SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

GREAT QUOTES

(AS)

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar needs no Introduction. He is a humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and an ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people the world over through service projects and the courses of The Art of Living.

His disciples and followers of the Art of living are in millions – including me. His Sudarsana kriya is a beautiful, invaluable, timeless Gift to his Disciples. 

His words of wisdom are a great source of wisdom for all. Many times, these words of wisdom come in the form of questions (by his disciples) and Answers (By Sri Sri). 

Some of these are given here – for the benefit of all lovers of Art of Living

Q: Who is the ideal devotee?

Sri Sri: You, who is asking this question. Don’t be too hard on yourself; don’t question your devotion. Take it for granted that you are devoted. Sometimes it is covered with ignorance, hesitation, doubts and insecurity. It is only a matter of time for that strip of ignorance and ego to give way and then the inner devotee will shine up.

Q: Guruji, is worrying about the future something totally wrong?

Sri Sri: No, worry about the future of the whole planet and worry about the destiny of humanity. Worry about human values, worry about the increasing corruption, worry about all these big things. I also worry about the planet. But worry should not take away your smile, your enthusiasm and your energy to do things now.

Q : Guruji is there any special message for us?

Sri Sri : Special message is that that you are very special. All of you. When I say you, it is not for any one person but for us. All of you are very special.

Q: What is the purpose of satsang?

Sri Sri : The purpose of satsang is laya yoga. When everyone sings with one heart, and sound, then your heart becomes immersed in the sound. It then becomes ‘laya yoga’ - getting absorbed in the sound. If you become a spectator and just watch, it becomes difficult. You should also sing, then only the energy in you, the chaitanya will grow.

Q: What should be the ultimate desire of our life?

Sri Sri : If somebody tells you what the ultimate desire should be, that’s futile. This moment what you need is your desire. When you look at life from a broader perspective, then you yourself come to know what you want. Naturally, you will be compassionate, considerate for your environment, work for the country and keep doing such work and then it will not matter what the ultimate desire is. What this life is all about, you will know that naturally

Q: What is more important happiness or performing one’s duty?

Sri Sri : Both. You have to perform your duty and you have to be happy. Why do you want to have a choice between these two? Hmm... If there is a choice, go for duty first because if you are unhappy it may be momentary, right? Happiness is there, will come. But if you are choosing happiness before duty then you will be unhappy in the end. So it’s better to be unhappy in the beginning than keep it a long, long program.

Q: What quality should an ideal disciple have? Do you differentiate between disciples?

Sri Sri : Don’t worry so much, just be like a child, and take life with ease. Yes, I differentiate between disciples and you are very special. Each one of you is unique and each one is special, so everyone is different.

Q: How and when will the worldwide terrorism end? How can we contribute?

Sri Sri: Terrorism can only be ended by satsang. More and more people should do satsang and work together. Satsang can change the ones who are influenced by terrorism. Only strength cannot combat terrorism. Mindsets have to change. That is important. For that, all of you must come together as a unit and work.

Q: What should be the goal of human life?

Sri Sri: Why not list what should not be the goal of human life! Like getting miserable, making others unhappy, getting depressed. Negate what is not the goal...then you will arrive at the goal!

Q: Even after forgiving, a few individuals give problems, why so?

 
Sri Sri: Go deep in knowledge. When you forgive, you get benefited. It does not matter, whom you have forgiven. You are the one who will get the benefit. Whether they get benefit or not is something secondary. Be selfish. Save your mind at all cost. See that your mind is free from all the tensions and worries.

Q: What distinguishes between good and not good desires?

Sri Sri: You know that which gives you long term joy and short term problem is good, and that which gives you short term joy and long term problem is misery. Just keep this as your criteria, that's good enough.

Q: If we hurt somebody, what to do?

Sri Sri: This moment you are new. You made mistake when you were foolish. Now you are not that you are new. You were ignorant. Now you move on. Don't repeat it in the future. Surrender your past. Surrender your garbage and everything you can't correct, to your master. Master is a garbage collector. Surrender your garbage to him.

Q: There is so much fighting between the people from various religions. The Shias are fighting the Sunnis. The Israelis are fighting the Iraqis. There is a war with Lebanon. How can we diminish this war between countries on the basis of religion?

Sri Sri: Only through Spirituality you can remove such differences. All you need to do is just educate, educate and educate them...

Q: Is it necessary to have ambition in life?

Sri Sri: Have a goal. When water is everywhere, it is a flood, but if it is in between banks, it is a river. It is nice to have a goal, so your life force gets channelized!

Q: Is it possible to have love without pain?

Sri Sri: When no distortions of love are there, like anger, jealousy etc it is possible. With wisdom you can transform these distortions into love.

Q: Which are the elements of stress?

Sri Sri: Lack of energy, the desire to achieve in too short a time, and by not being in a pleasant state of mind. These can be combated by increasing one's energy level, confidence and trust.

Q: When we say that so and so person is a realized soul, what do they realize?

Sri Sri: Realization is just that I am not the body but I am much more than the body. I have been here before this birth and I will continue to be there after my death also. If someone realizes this, that’s it. But that only they can say, others cannot judge for them.

Q: How can I maintain happiness?

Sri Sri: Do not make such an effort. In order to save your happiness, you have to spread it. Share your happiness with everyone. Why worry in this short span of life when there is such beautiful knowledge.

Q: What to do if someone is always jealous of me?

Sri Sri: Someone is jealous about you all the time? Lucky you are! You must be lucky - that's why people are jealous about you. Nobody is jealous about unlucky people. So when you are lucky, why are you unhappy? You have simply forgotten that you are lucky, that's why you are unhappy.

Q: Is it okay to be driven by emotions?

Sri Sri: When feelings are combined with wisdom, then that is good. It’s like when water flows between two banks, we call it river. But if water is scattered all over the place, then that is flood. In life, along with intellect, feelings are also to be nourished. To maintain a balance between intellect & emotions is wisdom.

Q: What is beauty and how to enhance it within and around us?

Sri Sri: First of all you should know you have a beautiful mind. The mind is free, it is loving, beautiful, satisfied and not feverish. So when the spirit is centered or your mind is centered, that beauty shines through.

Q. Are we following you or are you choosing us?

Sri Sri : With changing times the leader has to be behind the followers, pushing them ahead. Earlier it used to be the leader in the front, but followers were left behind. So now I have changed the strategy! I am pushing my followers ahead!

Q. Anyways in everyone's life there is suffering and there is joy, whether you are good or bad. So why be good?

Sri Sri : Being bad brings tremendous misery for a long time. Being good allows you to cross over any misery that can come your way with very little effort. So better be good!

Q: Guruji, I am an Art of Living volunteer. What makes me worthy of being an Art of Living ambassador?

Sri Sri : Just this fact, that you are grateful of being an ambassador, makes you worthy. The most important quality on this planet is humility.

Q: I can’t think of more questions. Please tell me some question to ask?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That’s good. My job is not to tell you or give you questions but to take away your questions.

 

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PATANJALI = YOGA SUTRAS = Verse.2.42 = HOW DOES THE GREATEST JOY RESULT FROM CONTENTMENT?

PATANJALI

YOGA SUTRAS

Verse.2.42

Santoshaath  anuttamah sukha labhah

Ø  santoshaath = From contentment

Ø  anuttamah = highest

Ø  sukha = happiness, satisfaction

Ø  labhah = is attained

We now come to a quality called Samtosha – which, means contentment. But, in common Parlance, samtosha is understood as happiness or joy.

Both meanings are in fact correct – and point to the same state of the mind. Without contentment, there is no happiness or joy.

What is contentment? You are happy as you are, with what you have, with where you are, with the people in whose midst you are and with whatever you are identified with.

You have no wish to be somewhere else, with somebody else, with something other than what you now possess or in some other situation in time, space and material.

Where you are, what you are and when you are – gives you contentment. N more asking for anything better or bigger or smaller. No more wish that something with you now should go away.

In Sanskrit – it is also called prasaada bhavana. You are extremely pleased and grateful to the Nature, to the almighty Eeswara – for giving you all that has been given unto you.

In the west, it is equated sometimes with an attitude of gratitude – but, this is something more. Not only that you are grateful for what is given unto you – you really have no wish to ask for anything else. Your heart is overflowing with happiness and joy – even to seek anything more.

That is why – Patanjali says – contentment brings the best of Joy. It is not something that only yogis need to practice.

In spite of contentment, it is also not against Yoga sadhana. In fact, we are talking about the qualities that yoga sadhana itself imbibes in us.

The highest joy is one amongst them.

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