Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

*Chapter 5 - The Fourth Dimension* *Day 22* Let us expand our capability. If you want to enjoy a lot of sweets, but you have diabetes you cannot do it. You should have the capability to digest it. If you demand respect you should have the capability to have it.  So our capability of experiencing the world is very limited and the ability of the senses is not unlimited. It has a limit but the desire is unlimited.  That is where imbalance happens, because we have not moved away from the objects of the senses to the senses. The first step is to come to our senses.  Once you have come to your senses, now you move further one step behind looking into the intellect. After the senses it is intellect, which boosts its ego, saying," I know it". If you think you know it the Rishi smiles and says no you don't know.  At the same, when you say I don't know, he says," Come on at some level you know it". Even if you think you don't know you can't be away...

When does the ego come into play? 1. When you don't get attention.  2. When you seem to be losing attention.  3. When you get attention. (Laughter) Ego causes heaviness, discomfort, fear, anxiety. Ego restricts your genuine expression. Ego is separateness, non-belongingness, wanting to prove and to possess.  Ego has a positive aspect as well. It is a great driving force. Ego can elevate your spirit and motivate you to do great work. Most of the rewards and recognition are there to augment the ego. Yet, you can't stand an egoistic person and get upset with them. Egotism is born out of ignorance. Rather than feeling contempt for such people, have compassion.  A deep enquiry of who you really are, brings you the realisation that there is nothing to be proved and nothing to possess. This insight elevates you to another level of existence which is beyond the ego; it leads you to the natural state you are born with.  *For God's sake don't get rid of the eg...

Question - Gurudev, How is our mind connected to the moon? Does spiritual practices like Meditation help us here in any way? Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar ji - Though the moon only reflects the light of the sun, its energy affects the water, and the mind. This is scientifically proven, which is why when someone goes crazy, they are called lunatics. (The word lunatic is derived from the word ‘lunar’ because the mind is connected to the moon.) Ancient people did an in-depth study about how the moon affects the mind, how the moon is moving around in different constellations; how different degrees of the moon has a definite impact on the mind. That’s what they use the words ‘Tara-bal’ and‘Chandra-bal’. The moon is in one constellation for two and a half days, then it moves to the other constellation. So in two and half days there are changes in the mood of the mind. The moon has an effect on water and our body contains a lot of water. Hence on the day of Purnima or Full Moon it is...