Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

The knowledge that unites love and wisdom and uplifts the spirit is Spirituality. Knowledge gives you a broad vision and a big heart. It gives you the strength to overcome the difficulties life throws at you. Knowledge is eternal. ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Love cannot be attained by asking for it or doing something to achieve it. It can only be attained by letting go and being open to receiving. Similarly, you cannot make devotion happen, only centeredness and feeling of oneness with divinity can make one feel devotion - the highest form of Love.  ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Devotees are the fans; God is the air. The air is always there, but the fans make you feel it. ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Humour is not just words, it is the lightness of our Being. We do not have to read and repeat jokes - just being cordial and light-hearted brings out authentic humour. Taking life itself not too seriously! Have a sense of belongingness with everybody, including those who are not friendly. Practise yoga and meditation. Have unshakable faith in the Divine and the laws of karma. Being in the company of those who live in the knowledge and are humorous. A willingness to be a clown.  ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Question - Gurudev, These days most Gurus have long hair and long beard. Is it a dress code? Gurudev Sri Sri - Yes, you can call it as dress code. The long hair is like an antenna to receive messages from God and the long beard is like an earthing to transmit those messages to the people.

Question - Gurudev, Which has a higher place – Devotion for the country or for the religion? Gurudev Sri Sri - Why to prioritize out of these two? You tell me which has higher value out of seeing and listening. Both have their own place and both go simultaneously.

Question - Gurudev, Why do negative feelings like regret and frustration exist? Has anything productive ever come out of them? And if not, what is the way to turn these emotions into productive one?   Gurudev Sri Sri - You should read the ‘Celebrating Silence’ Book. I have answered all these questions there.

Question - Gurudev, Does numerology have an effect? There is a number which I consider lucky for me, and there are certain numbers which are not so lucky. Is this just a notion in mind or the effect actually exists?   Gurudev Sri Sri - That has some effect but the power of chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaye’ mantra is much more. The power of mantras can nullify the effect of any unlucky numbers, and then all the numbers will be lucky for you.

Question - Gurudev, What happens to the consciousness of a person when it dies? Does it enter another body or get dissolved in the universal consciousness? Gurudev Sri Sri - It is both. A part of the consciousness is all pervading and a part remains. It is like the air in the balloon, it is trapped in the impressions, and then it comes back.

Question - Gurudev, Guru Gobind Singh made warriors, each one of which was capable of handling many negative powers. What is your vision for the warriors that you are polishing?   Gurudev Sri Sri - First, we are to fight against the evil of ignorance. There are so many problems in the society today – corruption, exploitation of environment, starvation, powers opposing spirituality, and anti humanity powers. These all have to be defeated. Our Meditations, Satsang and service help a lot in spreading the positivity in the environment and people around us.

Question - Gurudev, I know habits like Meditation are good to follow but I find it difficult to bring them into my daily practise. Please guide what to do Gurudev Sri Sri - There are three things to start a good habit: greed, fear or love. First, if someone says they will give you a million dollars for not missing your practice, will you do it? You would say “I will do for five more days, just to be safe.” If you have promised your loved one you will not smoke, you will keep the promise. If your doctor says you will die if you do it, then also you will quit smoking. I prefer love over greed and fear. A Guru is a symbol of love and commitment.

Question - Gurudev, How do I go beyond karma? When did it start and when will it end?  Gurudev Sri Sri - When did the world begin? Audience: I don't know! Gurudev Sri Sri - When will the world end? Audience: I don't know! Gurudev Sri Sri - This question is also like that. We don’t know when the cycle of karma started. We don’t know the beginning but the seeds of karma can be burnt in the fire of knowledge.

Human interaction is essential for creating the bonds that hold our society together. Just like animals, we thrive on connection. ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Question - Gurudev, if we are all born yogis, then why do we have to learn and practice Yoga? Gurudev Sri Sri - Well, that is because you lost touch with it somewhere along the way. Yes, everyone is a born yogi, but if you had retained that same child-like innocence as you grew up, then there would have been no need to learn and practice Yoga again. We have moved away from that child-like innocent nature and have collected so many impressions (samskaras) along the way. We have spoiled our balance and peace of mind. This is why we need to do Yoga and sadhana in order to keep our body, intellect, mind and emotions healthy and in balance.

One of the signs of intelligence is acknowledging that you know very little and being open to multiple possibilities in life. This can help you overcome a know-it-all attitude and a closed mindset. ~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Meditation Yoga Chapter 6, Verse 41 prāpya puṇya-kṛtāṁ lokān uṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ śucināṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo ‘bhijāyate Having attained the realms of the righteous and dwelt there for many long years, one who has fallen from yoga is born again in the house of the pure and prosperous. The devotees, the bhaktas who received the Grace to follow the path of devotion, meditation, and Atma Kriya Yoga, but whose minds are still restless, go away. What will happen to them? Here again Lord Krishna says that if people have received the Grace and have let go of that Grace, if they have let go of their spiritual path for any reason and have fallen, they will incarnate many times into this plane so that they can cleanse themselves. Many people who start on the spiritual path are still so attached to the outside world, that they find it difficult to follow a Guru. At the beginning they say, “Yes, yes, yes!” Later, they run away, quietly, they leave and then it’s finished! Or eve...

Gurudev @SriSri Talks about Beyond The Mat: Discovering Yoga's True Essence  Today, the popular perception of yoga is limited to just physical postures. But do you know there are only three sutras dedicated to physical asanas in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, one of the foremost treatises on the science of yoga? Yoga is much more than a set of physical asanas or exercises. Among the definitions of yoga by Maharishi Patanjali, he defines yoga as the act of restraining or freeing the mind from its own modulations. He further elaborates, "There are five types of modulations of the mind — wanting proof for everything, incorrect understanding of reality, imagination, sleep, and memory." Throughout the day, your mind is engaged in any one or more of these modulations. But if there are moments in the day when you are not asleep or reminiscing or feeling angry about the past, not imagining, or looking for proof, then in that moment yoga has happened. These moments are considered prec...

Question - Gurudev, Why are parents neglected by their own children? Brothers are being murdered by their own brothers.  Gurudev Sri Sri - Parents are being neglected because they didn’t spend enough time with their children, and didn’t imbibe spiritual education in them. They made the children too materialistic and selfish. This is because you gave them food, clothes and a roof over their heads but not knowledge.

But some of the experiences you are unable to let go of from your mind remain as memories that create either cravings or aversions. Unpleasant experiences create fear and trauma in the mind. Is it wrong to have modulations of the mind? People usually say these five vrittis, or modulations, should be done away with. That is not right. For example, some people try to stay awake the whole night. That is not what Maharishi Patanjali is talking about here. These vrittis are said to be clista or aclista; that is, some are difficult and painful, and some are not. For example, if you don't get enough sleep, it is painful. At the same time, if you sleep too much, there is lethargy and discomfort. Similarly, if you forget everything, it is painful, and if you cannot forget anything, that is painful too. The same applies to wanting proof. Perhaps that is why there is the proverb 'Ignorance is bliss'. You are blissful when you don't know something, but when you get the proof, the t...

Question - Gurudev, Is there any benefit of having a Yoga Day? Gurudev Sri Sri - Yes, there is a huge benefit of having such a day. My message to United Nations on the UN Declaration of June 21st as International Day of Yoga in the year 2015 was, "It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage. Yoga has existed so far almost like an orphan. Now, official recognition by the United Nations would further spread the benefit of yoga to the entire world”.

Three essential things everyone must do, to be happy 1. Look back in the past and see that it was futile feeling insecure. This gives you strength. 2. Know that there are good people on this planet. They will always come to your help. There is a power which is going to guide you and help you out. With this wisdom and understanding, get over insecurity. 3. Third is to get rid of prejudice. There are many types of prejudice. There is prejudice between generations where young people will not sit and share with senior citizens. There is a generation gap. There is prejudice about class, about gender, about religion, culture, language, and so on in many parts of the world, so many types of prejudices. Wisdom is to rise above prejudice and see the whole world as one family.  If everyone has this idea of a "one world family", there will be no war, no crime and none of the problems that we are facing in the world today. See how many people are being killed. There is so much violence i...

Guruji flew by helicopter to the island yesterday for some informal meeting and today everything became clear. The billionaire, who is the head of Thornico, which owns Hummel among other companies, previously said the castle would be used for events related to his companies. Among other internal meetings and events, the historic castle hosted Thornico's annual corporate party last Wednesday. Harridslevgaard's guest of honor was the Gurudev  On Wednesday the castle was once again packed for the annual Le Non Moi evening. “This is where we present the Le Non Moi award,” says Christian Stadil. The prize is awarded to an individual who, through art, research or otherwise, promotes the state of mind "Le Non Mo", which translates to "I-without-myself", and which is perhaps best explained as a special immersion. “This is a concept that I think is important. We humans do our best work when we let ourselves go and give ourselves over to what we do,” says ...

Rishikesh, India, 4th March, 1999 Chapter 2 - The Path To The Goal That Is You Day 75 - Surrender In surrender the head bends and meets the heart. The head that does not bend has no value, and the head that is stiff will have to bend sooner or later, either in surrender or in shame. The head that bends in surrender will never have to bend in shame.  Shame accompanies arrogance. Shyness accompanies love. See how children are endowed with shyness? It is natural to them. Shame is inflicted by society and is acquired. Shame brings guilt but shyness adds to your beauty. Retain your shyness and surrender your shame. Krishna first tells Arjuna, "You are very dear to me" and then he tells Arjuna that he must surrender.  Surrender begins with an assumption. First you must assume that you are the most beloved of the Divine and then surrender happens. Surrender is not an action, it is an assumption. Non surrender is ignorance, an illusion. Surrender has to begin as an assumption, then i...

Lake Tahoe, California, United States, 9th July, 1998 Chapter 2 - The Path To The Goal That Is You Day 76 - Surrender (Continued) Question - So everything that is happening is God’s will? Gurudev - Yes, including the thought - this shouldn’t be happening. The main impediment for many seekers on the path is that they want to surrender. Do not say that you want to surrender. Just know that you already are surrendered.  Wanting to surrender becomes an impediment on the path. This is like a child saying to his mother, “I want to love you”. No child ever says this, love is self-evident. Surrender is not an act, it is a state of your being. Whether you acknowledge it or not, surrender is there.  The wise wake up and see this, the unwise take a longer time. Know that you have no choice, you are in a state of surrender deep within you. Some people say, .”Surrender and let God do everything”. Other say, “It’s my responsibility”. Devotees often say, “Let thy will be done, then take it e...