Clarity in mind, purity in heart,

Question - Gurudev we live life with desires to gain something, either material pleasures or spiritual solace, but once we attain the divinity, Upanishads tell us to live for 100 years. Is it not a punishment to live life without getting anything in return?

Gurudev Sri Sri - You are just looking at one dimension of getting. You think joy is in getting. I have made it very clear that there is a joy in contributing. Live life for others who need you. Ok, for sometime in life, get, receive, but afterwards start giving also. 

When you are a student, your whole focus is in getting your qualification. What is the point if you are just trying to qualify yourself up to the age of 80? You are going from one school to another to another and studying and studying. 

What is the use? How do you put to use all that you have studied? Somewhere you have to put it to use. Similarly you acquire for some time. After you have acquired, now you start disseminating it.

Question - Gurudev, yesterday you talked about giving vs wanting. We from childhood have been surrounded with examples of wanting more money, more time, and more knowledge. We are also taught to ask God for things in our prayers. I am tired of this asking. How can I come out of this state of want?

Gurudev Sri Sri - have already done it when you say, “I am tired of asking”. Relax, Even without asking you are being given. You will get it. That's it. You will ask only when you are not so confident that you will get. I never asked anything even from my parents. My parents would wonder, "Why are you not asking?" 

I would say, "You are giving to my sister, so you will give me also. I will get anyway, why should I ask?" Have that confidence that you will get it. Either have this confidence or ask. Don't feel guilty about it. Ask and it shall be given. The one thing to keep in the mind is to be spontaneous. 

Clarity in mind, purity in heart,

spontaneity in action. If you felt like asking, ask. You felt no need, no need to ask. You don't have to sit and chew on it." I should ask. I should not ask. " It makes you lose your spontaneity, your innocence and the present moment.