20 Nov 2011 Afghanistan
When should we listen to the head and when should we listen to the heart?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
While doing business listen to the head. To lead life, listen to the heart.
Basavanna (a great Kannada poet who lived a few centuries ago) has said, ’Compassion is the starting point of Dharma’. What is your opinion about Dharma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Whatever supports and uplifts life and human values is Dharma.
What are your thoughts on the Caste system?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Classifying people based on their birth is incorrect. All human beings are one!
What do we need to do to increase faith?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is no need to put effort. Faith comes by itself.
There are 3 types of faith:
1) Faith in ourselves
2) Faith in the society
3) Faith in a supreme power that governs us all
If we have faith in any one of these, we can progress in life.
There are 3 types of faith:
1) Faith in ourselves
2) Faith in the society
3) Faith in a supreme power that governs us all
If we have faith in any one of these, we can progress in life.
Gurudev, you say that we should give all our problems to you. When we find it difficult to handle one problem, how do you handle all our problems?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, give me all your problems. I have my own ways for it!
Gurudev, my mother says we should not eat rice on Ekadashi, otherwise our next birth won't be good. Is this true?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, nothing like that. Some people take a vow to fast on Ekadashi day. It is purely individual choice.
Gurudev, many times due to work I have to eat outside in a restaurant or a hotel. Is there any way to reduce the impact of that food on the mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You know the impact of food doesn't stay for too long. Minimum it stays for 24 hours and maximum for 3 days, that is it and then it goes away. Don't worry about it.
Gurudev, at work I have to face certain political situations where people are against me. How do I stay centered and calm at that point of time? Later when I come home and do my kriya and think of you, I get that calmness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Suppose you had not done the course, how would you have reacted to the same situation? Just take a look.
There are two issues in life, one is life before Art of Living and the other is life after Art of Living. So gradually you will grow into that centeredness. Even though you feel a little shaky at that time, never mind, you continue your practice.
One day you will suddenly find that you are happy come what may. Nothing is taking your happiness.
That type of awareness will come one day.
There are two issues in life, one is life before Art of Living and the other is life after Art of Living. So gradually you will grow into that centeredness. Even though you feel a little shaky at that time, never mind, you continue your practice.
One day you will suddenly find that you are happy come what may. Nothing is taking your happiness.
That type of awareness will come one day.
Gurudev, we have learnt that we have to accept people and situations as they are. My question is, up to what extent?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You accept and your acceptance brings calmness in the mind. When the mind is calm, you can act. If you don't accept you are so jittery and agitated. Whatever action you take, you will regret about it. That is why acceptance is essential.
I have a psychological problem called Schizophrenia since 4 years. I have been taking medicines but there seems to be no improvement. Doctors have asked me to continue the medication, but I don't have faith that I'll be cured by them. I'm experiencing a lot of difficulty due to this.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Continue the medication. Once you start the medication, you must not stop it. Medicines take effect slowly. Once you start taking these allopathic medicines, it should not be stopped in the middle.
