Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Question - Gurudev, what should one do when one feels lonely despite being among people? Gurudev Sri Sri - I would say that is very good. If you feel lonely, just remember that everything is a dream. Then the next step you take is one where you find that everything is yours (meaning - everything belongs to you). This feeling of loneliness among people, is one step towards the expanded state of realisation.

Question - Gurudev, in the yoga sutra, it is said, yoga is the restraint of the chitta (consciousness). How can restraining the mind or memory bring freedom? Gurudev Sri Sri - It's the mind that causes bondage. It's the mind which clings on to things, or clings on to the dreams. Even after you wake up, the palpitation is happening in the body, because you had a nightmare. But when the mind realizes that it's a dream and it comes out of it, then there is relief. So mind is the cause for bondage and mind is the cause for liberation also.

Question - Gurudev I’m very much confused about the caste system in our country. I belong to a Brahmin family from Utter Pradesh and I am in love with a person from a different caste. My father is opposing this. What should I do? Gurudev Sri Sri - You weigh the pros and cons. If you marrying is causing a huge turmoil and disturbance in the family and people are crying, wailing, yelling and creating a huge drama, then take a call on it and decide whether it is worth all that. Or make them understand and convince them that it is okay. You have only two ways to go. Usually for the Brahmins, the main worry is about food and culture. Brahmins are vegetarians and sometimes the other castes may not be vegetarian, so that may be a big block for them. They may think that I can't go to my daughter's house and eat anything as they are not vegetarians. These sorts of barriers may arise. So you talk to them and convince them that you will keep your values and principles and you will instill...

Question - Gurudev, if our consciousness is so powerful, then why doesn't it heal our body ailments and why do we need doctors and medicines. What is the role of the soul in the body. Gurudev Sri Sri - Body heals, not just with medicine. You give someone medicine and do not let them sleep, then see if the body heals. Impossible. Deep rest is required, and meditation is one such rest. Our body is not used to meditation from the very beginning, or due the circumstances and surrounding, the conditioning of the body is such that medicines also have a role to play. That is why Ayurveda is also a part of the Vedic wisdom, and not just mantras and yoga. Yoga and Ayurveda both have an equal share in keeping the body healthy.

Question - Gurudev, in Narada Bhakti Sutra, you have said that measure your mind with your heart and understand your heart with your mind. I am unable to understand this, please explain. Gurudev Sri Sri - Just give them equal importance in life. Take both of them along with you, and remember that neither is lesser than the other.