Based on a series of talks entitled ‘Secrets of meditation’ given by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on April 20, 2012, California. These talks have been made into knowledge sheets.
Q-1: Why is it that10 minutes of meditation gives me more energy than 8 or 10 hours of sleep?
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is how it is. Meditation gives you a different kind of energy. Food gives you a different kind of energy. Sleep gives you a different kind of energy. Exercise gives you a different kind of energy. Knowledge gives you a different kind of energy, and meditation definitely tops them all.
Q-2: When we sit for meditation, do we necessarily experience a moment of transcendence and peace for a few minutes in every meditation?
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is no criteria. It can happen anywhere, anytime, or it may not happen. If you have eaten the wrong food or you feel very agitated then sometimes it may not happen. But doesn't matter, sitting for meditation is important. Even if you just sit for twenty minutes or half an hour, then definitely you will find it is better than not sitting at all.
See, when you are happy, you can easily meditate. It is when you are agitated, that is when you cannot meditate, and that is when it is more needed for you to calm down. That is when you have the resistance not to do it.
Q-3: Sometimes my transition from meditation to work is really hard to adjust to. At times I get agitated and I react and regret later. Please guide me for a smooth transition from meditation to activity.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: A little bit of yoga, pranayama, exercise and some singing and chanting will help bridge that gap and will bring both inner peace and external activity.
Q-4: I have heard that in the long run meditation has an effect on the body and even on the composition of our DNA
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Of course, mind has an impact on the body. Search on google. There is much scientific research on how meditation affects the mind and body.
Q-5: Guruji, you have said that prayer is speaking to God and meditation is listening to God. What can I do to hear the answers to questions and prayers in meditation?
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Guided meditation is good to give you a glimpse of meditation. When you want to do it on your own, it is better you learn mantra meditation - Sahaj Samadhi.
Q-6: Guruji, can I do guided meditation instead of Sahaj Samadhi meditation?
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Of course sometimes you can put on a CD and just sit and do guided meditation also. Time to time, but not every day; the Sahaj Samadhi mantra meditation you can do every day and anywhere. When you sit to do Sahaj meditation, just take your mantra, let go and be with it.
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