8 Dec 2011
The meaning of ‘Aasakti’ is interest, inclination or intention, while ‘Nirasakti’ means the absence of interest or inclination. How to perform an action when there is an absence of interest or inclination to do that action?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Now I will ask you a question. You bathe in the morning. Do you bathe with a lot of interest? Do you brush your teeth with a lot of interest? No, you don’t.
Just because you have to do it, you do it! It’s natural and effortless.
Anything that is natural does not require effort.
Like when you smiling naturally that smile in effortless, but if you are asked to smile then that become a difficult task.
Doing an action that requires effort is ‘Aasakti.’ However doing a work that comes naturally and gives you inner peace is done in ‘Nirasakti.’
Let me give you an example: If you ask the women here to prepare food, they would be able to prepare it without much effort. However if the same task is handed to a man, he will flip through the pages of a recipe book again and again to prepare the same food. He will keep tasting the food to check the balance of spices.
So wherever effort is applied, the job is done with ‘Aasakti’, and this leads to feverishness.
You being feverish about going to Mysore is ‘Aasakti’; effortlessly driving your car to Mysore is ‘Nirasakti’.
‘Nirasakti’ is not disinterestedness or depression; it is just an effortless attitude.
Just because you have to do it, you do it! It’s natural and effortless.
Anything that is natural does not require effort.
Like when you smiling naturally that smile in effortless, but if you are asked to smile then that become a difficult task.
Doing an action that requires effort is ‘Aasakti.’ However doing a work that comes naturally and gives you inner peace is done in ‘Nirasakti.’
Let me give you an example: If you ask the women here to prepare food, they would be able to prepare it without much effort. However if the same task is handed to a man, he will flip through the pages of a recipe book again and again to prepare the same food. He will keep tasting the food to check the balance of spices.
So wherever effort is applied, the job is done with ‘Aasakti’, and this leads to feverishness.
You being feverish about going to Mysore is ‘Aasakti’; effortlessly driving your car to Mysore is ‘Nirasakti’.
‘Nirasakti’ is not disinterestedness or depression; it is just an effortless attitude.
Please tell us about Sanjay. This is because Sanjay had the opportunity to meet Lord Krishna even before Arjuna. Please also tell us about his far-sightedness.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You must have experienced having a gut feeling where something deep inside tells you, I should do this or this is going to happen.
When such an intuitive ability gets enhanced in you then suddenly at one point of time the inner eye can feel and gather information and you understand what will happen in the future. Initially it will come as glimpses.
Everybody has this ability. At some point of time everyone has little glimpses of what has happened or what is going to happen without perceiving it through the five senses or intellect. This is when the sixth sense dawns.
Sanjay was gifted with this sixth sense.
He meditated for a long time and from this state of meditation he saw all that was happening in the war field and started narrating it to Dhritarashtra.
Today, in America you will find that there are a number of psychics, but their narrations are not completely correct. It will be partly correct because they don’t really connect to that being and their own mind comes into action. So you have to be really hollow and empty and completely free from any cravings or aversions, then the intuition is clearer.
When such an intuitive ability gets enhanced in you then suddenly at one point of time the inner eye can feel and gather information and you understand what will happen in the future. Initially it will come as glimpses.
Everybody has this ability. At some point of time everyone has little glimpses of what has happened or what is going to happen without perceiving it through the five senses or intellect. This is when the sixth sense dawns.
Sanjay was gifted with this sixth sense.
He meditated for a long time and from this state of meditation he saw all that was happening in the war field and started narrating it to Dhritarashtra.
Today, in America you will find that there are a number of psychics, but their narrations are not completely correct. It will be partly correct because they don’t really connect to that being and their own mind comes into action. So you have to be really hollow and empty and completely free from any cravings or aversions, then the intuition is clearer.
What is the meaning of ‘Shiva linga’?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
‘Linga’ means symbol or identification.
You identify whether a child is male or female by one symbol. The reproductive organ is also called ‘linga’ because by that you identify the gender of the child when it is born.
So ‘Linga’ is a symbol that is the representation of the cosmos and the creator of the cosmos as one.
It is the ‘Shiva’ and the ‘Shakti’, the two principles in the creation. The silent unmanifest and the dynamic manifestation together are represented as ‘Shiva linga’.
Shiva linga is not just ‘Shiva’ but the completion; the total Parabrahma.
You identify whether a child is male or female by one symbol. The reproductive organ is also called ‘linga’ because by that you identify the gender of the child when it is born.
So ‘Linga’ is a symbol that is the representation of the cosmos and the creator of the cosmos as one.
It is the ‘Shiva’ and the ‘Shakti’, the two principles in the creation. The silent unmanifest and the dynamic manifestation together are represented as ‘Shiva linga’.
Shiva linga is not just ‘Shiva’ but the completion; the total Parabrahma.
What is the difference between longing and craving? How do I know if I am in longing or craving for something?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Craving is for temporary, petty and small things but longing is for bigger and permanent things. Like you have cravings for sugar, success or sex, but longing is associated with love. You feel something in your heart.
What is the meaning and significance of superstitions and how much importance to attach and practice in our lives?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Once you say superstition it is finished. There is no need to analyze that.
You don’t go and analyze a garbage can. Anything we consider garbage we go and put it in the garbage. So what!
You don’t go and analyze a garbage can. Anything we consider garbage we go and put it in the garbage. So what!
Gurudev, when I am in doubt or confusion and no one is there to clear my query, to answer my doubt, what should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Doubt is because of low prana, enhance your prana. Do Bhasrika, attend to your food and exercise. Exercise makes the circulation better and then the doubts all disappears.
What is the difference between God and an enlightened master?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
If you say God is love, we all are made up of.
If God is creativity, everybody has creativity. If not everybody has procreativity.
Then God is Satchitananda, which is truth, existence and consciousness. You have consciousness and you have existence.
When the self is there, then God is there. If there is no self, there is no God. So God is the consciousness which is permeating everything.
God is the space and you are a part of that space.
In the ancient Upanishads there is a story: A child asks his father, ’Daddy, what is God?’
The father brings the child outside the home and says, ’Look! Before this house was built what was here?’
The boy said, ‘nothing, empty space.’
’So, where is the house standing today?’
He says, ’in this empty space.’
’Tomorrow if the house is destroyed what will remain?”
He said, ’space!’
Then the father said, ’that is God!’
Space is God. That in which everything ‘is’ today; in which everything has ‘come from’ and into which everything ‘will dissolve’, that is the Divine. That is the centre core of everyone’s existence.
God is in everybody but when you become centred or when you are enlightened, it means there is space but the space is visible like through the window.
Behind the window there is the same space that is behind the wall. But only through the window you can see the sky.
If God is creativity, everybody has creativity. If not everybody has procreativity.
Then God is Satchitananda, which is truth, existence and consciousness. You have consciousness and you have existence.
When the self is there, then God is there. If there is no self, there is no God. So God is the consciousness which is permeating everything.
God is the space and you are a part of that space.
In the ancient Upanishads there is a story: A child asks his father, ’Daddy, what is God?’
The father brings the child outside the home and says, ’Look! Before this house was built what was here?’
The boy said, ‘nothing, empty space.’
’So, where is the house standing today?’
He says, ’in this empty space.’
’Tomorrow if the house is destroyed what will remain?”
He said, ’space!’
Then the father said, ’that is God!’
Space is God. That in which everything ‘is’ today; in which everything has ‘come from’ and into which everything ‘will dissolve’, that is the Divine. That is the centre core of everyone’s existence.
God is in everybody but when you become centred or when you are enlightened, it means there is space but the space is visible like through the window.
Behind the window there is the same space that is behind the wall. But only through the window you can see the sky.
Gurudev, today is Dutta Jayanthi. Please tell us something about Lord Duttatreya!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Today is also Hanumath Jayanthi and today is also Pitaji’s birthday.
This is the first year he is not physically there but his spirit is here.
Birthdays are there to celebrate and to remember and recollect what good qualities they possessed.
Duttatreya learned from everything in creation.
Atri Rishi had no children, so he adopted Dutta.
Dutta means given, taken or adopted. That is why when one adopts a child, they say ‘Dutta Svikara’.
So Atri and Anasuya had adopted a child who was called Duttatreya and he had Brahma Shakti, Vishnu Shakti and Shiva Shakti.
Many have creativity but they cannot maintain. There are people who are very good at starting things but they don’t continue with it. This creativity is Brahma Shakti.
If you have Brahma Shakti, you can create things but you don’t know how to maintain it.
Vishnu Shakti is to maintain. There are many people who are managers. They can’t create but if something is created and given to them, they do an excellent job in managing it.
So one needs to have Vishnu Shakti also; the energy to maintain what you create.
And then is Shiva Shakti which is bringing transformation or newness. Many can just maintain but whenever a change is needed they don’t know how to bring a transformation; how to take it to another level. So Shiva Shati is essential too!
When you have all three that is Guru Shakti!
A Guru or a guide has to know all the three Shaktis.
So Duttatreya had all three in one which means he is the symbol of Guru Shakti. The power of the guide, creation, maintenance and transformation, all in one!
Duttatreya learned from everything. He observed the whole creation and he learned some lesson from everything.
In Srimad Bhagavatam it is said: it is so interesting how he looked at a swan and learned something from the swan; learned something from the crow; from the trees and he also learned something from an elderly woman.
For him knowledge was flowing from all sides. He was so open in his mind and heart to receive knowledge and amalgamate it in the life.
Observation brings wisdom and you need sensitivity to observe. If you are caught up in your own world, you become insensitive to the messages coming to you from those around you.
When people are caught up in their own stuff they don’t see the other person’s point of view at all. And such people also believe their perception is absolutely right even though you know their perception is incorrect.
This is the first year he is not physically there but his spirit is here.
Birthdays are there to celebrate and to remember and recollect what good qualities they possessed.
Duttatreya learned from everything in creation.
Atri Rishi had no children, so he adopted Dutta.
Dutta means given, taken or adopted. That is why when one adopts a child, they say ‘Dutta Svikara’.
So Atri and Anasuya had adopted a child who was called Duttatreya and he had Brahma Shakti, Vishnu Shakti and Shiva Shakti.
Many have creativity but they cannot maintain. There are people who are very good at starting things but they don’t continue with it. This creativity is Brahma Shakti.
If you have Brahma Shakti, you can create things but you don’t know how to maintain it.
Vishnu Shakti is to maintain. There are many people who are managers. They can’t create but if something is created and given to them, they do an excellent job in managing it.
So one needs to have Vishnu Shakti also; the energy to maintain what you create.
And then is Shiva Shakti which is bringing transformation or newness. Many can just maintain but whenever a change is needed they don’t know how to bring a transformation; how to take it to another level. So Shiva Shati is essential too!
When you have all three that is Guru Shakti!
A Guru or a guide has to know all the three Shaktis.
So Duttatreya had all three in one which means he is the symbol of Guru Shakti. The power of the guide, creation, maintenance and transformation, all in one!
Duttatreya learned from everything. He observed the whole creation and he learned some lesson from everything.
In Srimad Bhagavatam it is said: it is so interesting how he looked at a swan and learned something from the swan; learned something from the crow; from the trees and he also learned something from an elderly woman.
For him knowledge was flowing from all sides. He was so open in his mind and heart to receive knowledge and amalgamate it in the life.
Observation brings wisdom and you need sensitivity to observe. If you are caught up in your own world, you become insensitive to the messages coming to you from those around you.
When people are caught up in their own stuff they don’t see the other person’s point of view at all. And such people also believe their perception is absolutely right even though you know their perception is incorrect.
How do you decide as to what is the right balance between selfishness and selflessness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That depends on you.
You have to see what is needed. Whatever your consciousness can do, that much you do.
You cannot donate the shirt you are wearing but suppose you are having two idlis and the person sitting next to you is hungry, you will share an idli with him. Is it not? That is because it is inbuilt in you.
When you become broad-minded and bigger in your attention then you have a greater ability to share yourself.
Suppose you have Rs.500 in your pocket and someone is in need, will you not share with them? You will because you know you have more money with you or the ability to gain it. But if you need that money for your bus charge then first you will take care of yourself, and there is nothing wrong about it.
This is called ‘Apad Dharma.’
On the flight they say, ’first put the oxygen mask on yourself and then on the child next to you.’
This is because if you are not there the child cannot put the mask on you.
For a Sanyaasi or someone who is totally liberated from cravings, it doesn’t matter, but if you are the caretaker of a household then you have to follow Apad Dharma.
You have to see what is needed. Whatever your consciousness can do, that much you do.
You cannot donate the shirt you are wearing but suppose you are having two idlis and the person sitting next to you is hungry, you will share an idli with him. Is it not? That is because it is inbuilt in you.
When you become broad-minded and bigger in your attention then you have a greater ability to share yourself.
Suppose you have Rs.500 in your pocket and someone is in need, will you not share with them? You will because you know you have more money with you or the ability to gain it. But if you need that money for your bus charge then first you will take care of yourself, and there is nothing wrong about it.
This is called ‘Apad Dharma.’
On the flight they say, ’first put the oxygen mask on yourself and then on the child next to you.’
This is because if you are not there the child cannot put the mask on you.
For a Sanyaasi or someone who is totally liberated from cravings, it doesn’t matter, but if you are the caretaker of a household then you have to follow Apad Dharma.
