10 Days Advance Course Experience :

Written by: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Look at ends and beginnings with enthusiasm and hope, and channel your energy to positive action, says SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR, founder, the Art of Living Foundation
You think you are a part of this world, but actually, the world is a part of you. Therefore, you cannot be at peace when the world around you is in turmoil. When mid-life crisis begins prematurely in teenage years, society is rattled by violence and drug abuse; humanism appears utopian; joy, love and compassion are confined to books and celluloid; corruption and crime come to be accepted as a way of life — these are warning signals for us to wake up and meet these challenges.

Young And Eager
Today, we see a catastrophic decline in human values all over the world. A young boy recently opened fire at little children in an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut, in the US. And in India, we are still reeling under the shock of the heinous attack and gang rape of a young girl by a group of men, leaving her in a critical state. The incident provoked youth to come out on the streets and demonstrate in large numbers, demanding justice. Youth need to exercise restraint and keep anti-social elements and vested political interests at bay. Protest is essential to bring awareness, but not beyond that.

We are witnessing a movement: awareness and enthusiasm among youth and their eagerness to create a better India by bringing about changes is gaining momentum; we should not allow this momentum to degrade into chaos and violence.

The need is to channel these energies constructively. We need to create an atmosphere of support and contribution rather than of blame and accusation.

While the authorities are certainly accountable for law and order, diffusing stress in the environment and taking steps to bring out human values in society becomes our responsibility as well; otherwise, people to whom this message has not reached might harm us or our loved ones out of their resentment. All of us should take out some time — at least a few hours in a week — to volunteer for a better India. If we have just a few people with this magnanimous outlook, who can take responsibility for others’ emotional well-being, society has a very realistic chance of being peaceful and harmonious to a large extent.

Remain Stress-free
There are little things we can all do to keep our environment stress-free. We need to develop the habit of sharing our joy with others. If you are happy, infect others with your happiness; don’t keep it to yourself. Any action done with this idea behind it is service and the best form of service is uplifting someone’s state of mind. Of course, we must be careful and sensitive so as not to upset anyone with our enthusiasm. When we decide to share what we have been given, the Divine showers more abundance on every one of us.

Being spiritual does not mean turning a blind eye to the world. On the contrary, as you learn more and more about yourself, you come to know more and more about the world as well and begin to infer things that are beyond the obvious. Somewhere within we all want to know who we are, why we are here and what the purpose of life is. Most people choose to push these questions aside as a waste of time. Being spiritual is about keeping this little fire of Self-inquiry alive and not extinguishing it; not giving up the pursuit. These questions serve as a compass and help you bring a sense of direction to your life.

Every end creates a sense of completion and relief and every new beginning brings with it a sense of hope and enthusiasm. Therefore there is celebration associated with both. The past has made you wiser, the future beckons you to act and it is in the present that you can plan and begin. Although bitter experiences of the past should not prevent you from taking risk and plunging into adventure, you should also not be foolish in repeating old mistakes. A few moments of reflection should become a daily routine to infuse inspiration, innovation and intuition, all of which are much needed for planning and action.

Create A New Beginning
As you pass through events one after the other, become aware that life is like a river. There may be stones on the path, but the river flows above or around them. No year passes by without a touch of joy or without posing challenges. You should plan to utilise every moment of joy to serve and see every challenge as opportunity for growth. The year 2012 has not brought on the end of the world, and the coming New Year, 2013, is most certainly the start of a new beginning.

Q: What happens in death?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You will just see the body out there. Once you come out of the body, you will see your whole life flashing like a movie in a few minutes, and you will only know how much love you gave and how much knowledge you received.

These will be the only two questions that will stand.

1. How much love you gave! Not how much love you received, and
2. How much knowledge you gained.

This question will come and you will say, 'I will do better in the next', and that is it. Then there is peace.

It is like, sometimes at night before sleeping you review what all work you have to do the next day. You say, 'This all has to be done tomorrow. Okay, I will do it', and then you to bed, isn't it!

Same thing happens after death. Then that intention of what you will do next life will bring the next body and the next birth to us. Then we choose our parents, the place, and everything else and then we come to this world.

So nothing to be worried about death!

Written by: Bhanumathi Narasimhan

We float in the effulgence of one scintillating unseen cosmic energy called the ‘Devi,’ Divine Mother, womb of all creation. She is the seed of all dynamism, radiance, beauty, equanimity, peace and nourishment. She is the life force energy.
Devi, as Goddess Durga is epitomised as Shakti who wards off all evil. Durga also means hill. Something difficult is often described as an uphill task. In the presence of Durga Shakti, negative forces fade away.

Durga is referred to as ‘Jaya Durga’ or the one who brings jai or victory. She is Durgatipariharini – one who removes obstacles. She transforms negativity into positivity. Even difficulties find it difficult to come near her.

When you pray to Mother Divine as Durga, you become courageous, victorious and compassionate. That is the beauty of the Divine as mother. She nourishes all qualities, nurturing the positive. It is like collecting good luck. For example, when you are with the mother all ‘goodies’ are available. We become meritorious and we gain power to manifest good luck and hold or sustain it as well. Many times life may shower you with courage, prosperity and abundance but your ability to hold and transform this energy into happiness and compassion is lacking. Navaratri is a special time to pray to Durga to have all these qualities together – uniting and harmonising –magnifying and inculcating it in one’s life.

If we are always victorious but not happy it is of no use. Similarly, if we are always making efforts but never succeeding, that is also frustrating. Durga energy can give you all this together. All qualities are available to you as one unit. We pray to Durga for all these qualities to be instilled in our consciousness, bringing physical well being, material fulfillment and spiritual uplift.
Durga is associated with the colour red. She is depicted wearing a red saree. Red is the colour of dynamism – a bright attitude, the ‘moving’ energy. You may be trained and skilled but if you are not able to move things together, move people or your efforts in unison, the fruits are delayed. But when you pray to Durga, she makes this possible. The fruit is immediate.

The Mother Divine is Prakriti or this entire creation. Everything is creation is made up of three gunas or qualities: Sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattva is associated with calmness, clarity of mind, enthusiasm and peace. Rajas is needed for action but often creates feverishness. Tamas is inertia and an imbalance in tamas can lead to laziness, dullness and even depression. When you handle tamas properly you move into sattva. Every being in this creation is caught in the play of the gunas. How does one come out of this cycle, and transcend them?

Raise your sattva and come out of the cycle through proper meditation, silence and food control. Transcending the gunas, one gets established in the Shiva tattva or the pure and infinite consciousness. Prakriti is full of opposites like night and day, heat and cold, pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow. Rising above opposites, transcending duality, once again the Shiva tattva is attained.

This is the purpose of all pujas and other rituals during Navratri -- to manifest the unmanifest and unseen energy, the Durga Shakti, by whose grace one can transcend the gunas and attain the supreme, undivided, indivisible, pure, infinite consciousness.

One wonders what is the psyche of a fundamentalist? What is it that spurs them on their mission of hatred? How should one deal with such a person? We were lucky to witness an interaction between a handful of SIMI activists and His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar a couple of years ago. We felt that the same would be of relevance and could serve as an eye-opener in the current scenario. The backdrop for this article is one of Sri Sri’s tours of Kerala in the first week of December 2000. A series of Anandotsavams had been planned in various cities of Kerala to coincide with Sri Sri’s visit to those cities. Sri Sri ‘s visit was expected to attract huge crowds running into several hundred thousands and the local organizers spared no effort in ensuring the smooth conduct of such public meetings. The planning for these functions began several months before the actual event and drew upon the efforts of hundreds of enthusiastic Art of Living volunteers. A week before the tour commenced, towards the end of November there was a surprise in store. The newspapers announced that SIMI – Student Islamic Movement of India had called for a general strike (hartal) all over Kerala on December 6th, being the Babri Masjid demolition day. Coincidentally, an Anandotsavam had been planned on December 6th at Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala. The police also warned that they had received bomb threats. However, when contacted. Sri Sri assured Xavier, the president of the organizing committee that "Satsang will happen". On December 6th, though the newspapers had announced that the function was cancelled and the police had withdrawn their permission due to the bomb scare, more than a lakh of people attended the satsang. The following day, Sri Sri gave an audience to the SIMI leaders. Four leaders from SIMI came to meet Sri Sri at the residence of one of the organizers. Following their entry, an air of tension enveloped the hall where hundreds were waiting to meet with Sri Sri. Naseeb, one of the devotees, guided them to the room where Sri Sri was sitting with a few of us. They (the SIMI leaders), were dashing youths in their mid 20’s. One of them was carrying the holy Koran. They were little stern and stiff. Their eyes were fixed and seemed to reflect an inner fire. They looked prepared to repulse anything that Sri Sri would tell them and most unlikely to listen to reason.

Sri Sri was His usual smiling self.

The stage was set. It had all the signs of a classic confrontation. On one side were the brash youth – intemperate, impatient, driven by ideology and out to prove their superiority. On the other was a youthful, realized sage, unperturbed, offering sane explanations that echoed an uncommon depth and breadth of understanding. Those of us in the room, were eager to see how Sri Sri would deal with these firebrands. Sri Sri embraced them and offered them chairs to sit. There was not an iota of difference in His attitude. Any casual onlooker could be forgiven for thinking that Sri Sri considered these gentlemen as amongst His most ardent devotees. Perhaps the only difference that we could see was that they were seated on chairs while the rest of us were on the floor! For us, it was yet another opportunity to witness the unconditional love that Sri Sri exemplifies.

The leader of the group spoke first. He asked

SIMI: You had wanted to meet with us.

SRI SRI: Yes. I wanted to understand why your organization was opposed to the Anandotsavam.

SIMI: We thought that holding an Anandotsavam (celebration) on December 6th was a deliberate move to insult our religious sentiments. Do you know about our religion?. Do you believe in the Koran at all?

SRI SRI: Yes of course.

SIMI: (Not expecting this answer, pointing to the Koran, they shot the next question) We believe that Koran is the only knowledge. What about you?

SRI SRI: This is one amongst the various knowledge revealed to man from time to time.

SIMI: But God has said this is the only knowledge. The way of the Koran is the only way. There is no other way.

SRI SRI: This message can be found in scriptures of all religions. In the Vedas it is said "Naanyah Panthaah Ayanaaya Vidyate" meaning "There is no other way but the way of Truth!" The same is said in the Bible, Jesus says, "To go to my father, you have to go through me. I am the only way".

SIMI: But our scripture says worshipping any form or idol is evil, it is blasphemy.

SRI SRI: What is Good and Evil after all? It is relative. Relative existence is not the complete picture For example: Milk is good, but too much milk can kill you. Poison is harmful, but a drop of poison can save your life. Most lifesaving medicines have poison written on them! These are neither absolutely good nor bad they are just there. Truth transcends duality, and God is the Absolute and only Truth. So, where is the place for evil?

SIMI: Yet you Hindus worship many Gods, whereas our ideal is there is only one God and His message is what is required to go to heaven.

SRI SRI: There is only one god in many forms…

SIMI: (Restless and unwilling to listen to any explanation, they interrupted Sri Sri.) But the Koran says you should only worship Allah who is formless whereas the Hindus worship idols which are only stones.

SRI SRI: At this, Sri Sri suddenly asked them: Do you honour the Koran?

SIMI: (They seemed a little taken aback at this question from Sri Sri and with a righteous air answered). Yes, it is God’s word!

SRI SRI: Do you honor the Mecca?

SIMI: Yes, of course! That is our sacred place.

SRI SRI: So also, Hindu’s honour God’s creation as God. Just like sound (Koran), the crescent moon, Kaaba and the month of Ramadan are sacred for you, Hindus consider the River Ganges, the Himalayas, Saints as sacred. See, a picture of your daughter is not your daughter, but you still adore the daughter’s picture. When you see the picture aren’t you reminded of your daughter?

(They nodded a yes)

SRI SRI: So also, a symbol is not God but is honoured as God. This sense of honouring and sacredness makes you awake and alive. That is why the ancient Rishis said to feel the entire creation and your whole life as sacred. They considered God as omnipresent, as inseparable from His creation; like the dance and the dancer.

Sri Sri elaborated further – Spirit loves diversity. Is there only one type of vegetable or fruit? God created many type of fruits and vegetables. There is not just one type of tree, not just one type of snake, cloud, mosquito….Even you change your dress for different occasions. So how could this consciousness that manifested this whole creation be monotonous? There is only one God in many forms. Only one God is advocated. When you accept the variety of Divinity, you cease to be a fanatic and fundamentalist. A pregnant silence filled the room as they looked at each other expecting the other to speak. Then as a face saving measure, the SIMI leader replied, "I will need to go and consult my higher scholars." With a compassionate expression on His face, Sri Sri said: Never mind, (with a wave of His hand) forget about religion. We are all human beings. Let us have a peaceful society. Let us focus on development.

SIMI: No No No! What are you saying? You are talking about this world. What we do here is immaterial. The Koran tells us that what matters is what you get in eternal life and not to worry about material life. By doing service to the society you will simply remain here. You have to obey Allah. Allah is the only God and Mohammed is the last prophet.

SRI SRI: At this Sri Sri stopped them and after a pause asked them: Do you think the Sikh Gurus are not prophets. Isn’t Mirabai a prophet? What about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?

Once again, there was silence. Their expressions had changed. The rigidity had weakened and in its place was some confusion/uncertainty. Sri Sri seemed totally at ease unmindful of the challenges posed at Him.

SIMI: No! You can go to heaven only if you believe in Allah and the Koran.

SRI SRI: No my dear – there was Buddha, Mahavira, Nanak, Jesus, Shankara… Do you think they are not in heaven? If not, then I would rather be with them!

SIMI: You are such a nice person, but we pity you because you cannot get the truth. You can’t go to Allah. You can’t be rewarded by Allah. God will never show mercy on you.

SRI SRI: Never mind. (with a mischievous smile ) I will be with these people (Shankara, Jesus, etc.)

(Even as we were admiring Sri Sri’s patience and objectivity, we were concerned at the wrong indoctrination that these youths had been subjected to. We also observed a few others who were in the room were getting a little restive, possibly wondering why Sri Sri was spending so much time with these people who were obviously not at all receptive and that too when hundreds were waiting outside just for a glimpse of Sri Sri.)

SIMI: Do you know, that over 1400 years ago, in the middle of the desert, God revealed the secrets of creation. Even when there was no science, God said that the Atom is the smallest particle!

SRI SRI smiled and said: Yes, the same is there in the shaastras too which were known more than 10,000 years ago. In the shaastras it is said that the Earth is over 19 billion years old! Truth is beyond time and space. It is not confined to one time or one place One needs to have a scientific spirituality.

As if to conclude the conversation Sri Sri gave them Ladoo as prasad. By now there were traces of a smile on their faces. When they were about to leave He gave them a hug. They definitely seemed to be less stern than earlier. Could their attitude have changed? We wondered whether this (‘changed attitude’) would persist or would they go back to their old fanatic ways. But one thing was for sure, Sri Sri had made an impression that they would not forget!

Later, while Sri Sri was having His lunch, someone asked Him, "Why is that Islam is producing so many terrorists all over the world? No other religion has given rise to so many terrorists in the world. What is the reason?"

SRI SRI: Look at the commitment and the fire in them. Take the good from them and learn what you should not be doing. Don’t label them as bad people. They have not been imparted the knowledge of Vedanta. (Then as He was adding ghee to the chilli powder) He smiled and said "In this creation, there is a place for everything."

All eyes are on Uttar Pradesh as India's largest state is set to go to the hustings next year. While Rahul Gandhi blew the poll bugle at Phoolpur, there is yet another figure whose visit to the state raised many an eyebrow. Sri Sri Ravishankar, guruji to millions, toured some of the most important constituencies in the state exhorting people to rise up against corruption. Political parties of all hues tried to play the four day long visit in their favour but the spiritual leader didn't bat an eyelid, apart from cancelling his Amethi visit at the last moment. Now, in an exclusive interview to indiatoday.in, Sri Sri Ravishankar reveals what the pressure was all about.

Q. What was the aim of your UP yatra and have you achieved it?
A. Uttar Pradesh was part of my routine yatra which I have been doing for past several years. I give dates according to local people's request. No political motive should be attached to my U.P. tour. It is mainly spiritual and of course social causes are also raised, just as we have been doing everywhere else. Satsangs are always an uplifting experience and it was obvious by the response of the people.

Q. Why did you miss Amethi succumbing to political pressure?
A. Originally it was the people of Rae Bareilly who came to Bangalore to plan a Satsang. We have a large following there. They wanted to have 100,000 people in Rae Bareilly. While we were planning for this, we received an invitation from Amethi from Swami Harichaitanya, Tikarmafi Ashram for their Shatabdi Samaroh celebrations. Since the time available was very short we skipped Rae Bareilly and gave that same date to Amethi. When I landed in UP, our representative Swami Paramtej ji received a call from the swami in Amethi who informed about pressure being put on him. He was sorry and embarrassed to withdraw the invitation and was very uncomfortable even communicating that to us. I wanted to stir out of controversies and not create any problem. So I willingly agreed to postpone my visit to Amethi and he also sent a written regret.

Q. Have there been more such incidents of pressure on your movement?
A. I teach people how to handle pressure so I know how to handle pressure.

Q. Anna Hazare has clearly asked voters to not vote for the Congress. Would you also be as clear in your anti-corruption stance?
A. My stance is very clear. It is apolitical and against corruption and degradation of moral and ethical values. We have raised our voice against corruption, and we ourselves have been a victim of corruption here in Karnataka.

Q. Political parties are pitting you against each other in poll season…are you plan 'C' of the BJP?
A. I wouldn't like to comment on the perceptions and exhibition of ignorance of other people. Everybody has the right to express their own ignorance. But one thing I would like to say is that if I wanted to do anything political, I would do it hundred percent. If that were my intention, I would go to every one of the 75 districts, spend two days in each one and campaign for a whole 3 months. I am wise enough to know that no political windfall will occur in a 4-day yatra.

Q. An opinion often voiced is that spiritual leaders should not transcend their domain and should fight elections if they want to do politics…
A. Political leaders need not become nervous looking at the masses following spiritual leaders and make adverse comments which would only hurt them.

Q. How do you see the incidents of alleged corruption in Team Anna? Is there a lack of transparency and democracy in such movements?
A. It is for government agencies to take a call on that. Nobody is above law. Anyone who flouts the law will have to face the music. As far as I know, Team Anna people are very committed. You cannot brand them corrupt just because of some allegations in media. They are innocent unless they are proven otherwise.

Q. Team Anna is forming a constitution for itself and will expand the team to include all dominations- was that necessary, considering they are fighting for a basic issue like corruption which affects everybody in the same manner, more or less?
A. Expanding the team must be welcomed as decisions will be democratic and really represent the civil society in its true sense.

Q. Can a movement on streets- including fasting- replace Parliamentary procedures? Should it?
A. Not at all! Movements on street can exert pressure on the sleeping MPs to take action.

Q. Would you enter the Bigg Boss house a la Swami Agnivesh if invited?
A. I know of only one Big Boss and I am in his house all the time!

This interview has been done after Digvijay Singh targets Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as he is against corruption.

Q) You have been an active participant in the India Against Corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare. However once a spiritual master enters the political arena, he will be criticised like any other politician. Are you prepared for this? Will not your devotees get dvesh bhav for your critics?

A) A yogi doesn't mind criticism at all. All the brahmagyanis in the past have been criticized including Lord Krishna. A saadhak should not get into dwesha bhaav. At most, knowing that criticism is out of ignorance, he can have a good laugh about it.

Q) The Congress sees all sages as a group which is politically saffron (close to BJP/RSS). Aren't you reinforcing this impression by praising Nitin Gadkari and asking for the BJP's help over Jan Lokpal? Shouldn't the distinction between spiritual saffron and political saffron be maintained?

A) If Congress has an untouchable attitude towards spiritual and religious gurus, it is their problem. It is wrong to think that, to please the minorities, you have to keep away from spiritual sages and gurus.

My nature is to praise people for the good work they have done, irrespective of their political affiliations. Earlier in the month of June, I released the book of KPCC President, R.V.Deshpande, who also happens to be an Art of Living devotee. And now, Nitin Gadkari requested me to release his work. I did acknowledge the good work he had done in Vidarbha region. Same with other Congress ministers Dr. Karan Singh, Patangrao Kadam, Veerappa Moily, Satej Patil, etc. Last year, I also appreciated and complimented Veerappa Moily at the Times Foundation function when he received the Moorti Devi award. Similarly many other senior Congress people have come in touch with the Art of Living. If and when they have done some good social work we have always acknowledged them. Politics and the party affiliation is only one aspect. A human being is much more than politics and we need to recognize that.

Q) Rama is quoted in the Yoga Vasistha as saying that "All countries of the world are territories of evil" - presumably including his father's kingdom, Ayodhya. What would you say?

A) That was correct. At that time, Rama was a sadhak and a prince. Normally a prince is attached to his people and his country. Rama had to come out of that limited identity and negation was necessary. We must remember he was a student and a sadhak, when he said those words. These same words would never come out of Vasishtha who was a brahmagyani. Brahmagyan transcends the duality of good and evil. It assimilates the boundaries and finds that boundaries are no way a challenge to the Boundless.

To experience niraakaar, a sadhak will negate the saakaar. The realization happens that the saakaar is as much a part of the niraakaar.

Q) Sages do not usually involve themselves in worldly matters. This is evident even from recent masters like Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Ramana Maharshi. Would you say they are wrong?

A) Ramakrishna prepared a host of sanyasis including Vivekananda to carry out his earthly mission, while Ramana Maharishi has indirectly inspired many to walk an honest and truthful path in the political arena and to live a life of sacrifice and service for the country.

Q) You did not speak out either during the Mandal agitation or the Ram Janambhoomi controversy - though these were also issues that had social, political and ethical dimensions. Why?

A) I have always spoken about all these issues whenever there has been a conflict and violence. With Ram Janma Bhumi issue, I have several times initiated dialogue between both the communities and urged them to come to a consensus and settle the issue amicably.

I have at all times maintained that reservations should be on economic criteria, and not on the basis of caste or religion.

Q) Is fasting a spiritual practice of self-cleansing and prayer, or should it be used for political purposes? Do you think Anna Hazare did the right thing by going on a fast against corruption, seen in some quarters as a form of political blackmail?

A) Personally, I feel fasting is for cleansing and for prayer. It was Mahatma Gandhi who started this for political reasons. If there are spiritual and religious overtones to bring transformation in social, political and economic arenas, there is nothing wrong. The whole of politics is just a numbers game, sometimes attained through muscle and money power.

A non-violent way of prayer and protest cannot be termed as blackmailing, especially when it is directed against unprecedented levels of corruption.

Q) You have exalted the role of a Rajguru who's active in politics. But isn't the status of a Rajguru lower than that of a Brahmgyani?

A) Ideally, a rajguru should be a brahmagyani like Vasishtha, Chanakya or Vidyaranya. Given the lack of such availability, a lesser wise person can manage.

Q) You are fitter than BJP president Nitin Gadkari, younger than LK Advani, can cite from the Koran, Bible, Jain & Buddhist teachings during an election rally. You can appeal to minorities & bridge any gap with Hindus, as also create harmony between India, Pakistan & China. Can we propose you as an ideal PM candidate? If yes, can we propose you for BJP leadership?

A) No, not at all. Your imagination seems to be running wild! A doctor prescribes the medicine, but doesn't eat it himself! If he starts eating his own medicine, at that moment, he cannot be a doctor, you have to call him a patient.

Q) You teach in the ashram that devotees are not citizens belonging to a city or country. How can you then entertain the duties of a citizen?

A) This statement is erroneous. We never do that.

We say that your first identity is that you are part of the universal spirit (Brahman).

As the ancient system goes, first initiation of the student is called brahmopadesha- the highest knowledge is given first, then, one is initiated into the Gayatri mantra. Indicating that, you should know that your first and foremost identity is that you are the Brahman.

Second, that you are a Human Being. Third, that you are male or female. Fourth, that you belong to a particular country. Fifth, that you are from a particular religion. You have a duty to perform at all these levels, and in no way do these identities conflict with each other. Just like our five koshas. Annamaya kosha is our first body, the environment. The Pranamaya Kosha is that of the physical, the prana; the manomaya kosha is the thoughts; the vignanmaya kosha is the intuitive subtle body (sukshma shareer) and the anandmaya kosha is bliss. The five koshas don't conflict with each other, but have their own dimension.

What does DSN mean?

The full form of DSN is Divya Samaj ka Nirman (Creating a Divine Society). The other full forms are - Do Something Now, Don't Say No. As some tough proecesses are done to break barrier, some people say it - Door se Namaskar

DSN is a rigorous and transformational course which empowers participants to break through personal inhibitions and barriers of all kinds. Dropping whatever does not serve your best interests is a completely liberating experience - it makes you so strong that nothing in this world can shake you.

We all have personal barriers, old habits, or inhibitions that hold us back and keep us from fully participating in life. Yet we all have a deep desire to be the best we can be - for ourselves, our families, our communities and even the world around us.

The truth is that those old emotional wounds, self-concepts, attitudes and fears create a barrier between you and the ability to live your heart's desire.

DSN - Divya Samajka Nirmaan (literally translated means creation of a divine society) uses a powerful combination of yoga practise, special meditations, breathing techniques and group processes to break through those personal barriers and experience the power of one's inner strength and also inspire greater social activism and responsibility.

When you are ready for true freedom and personal empowerment, then you are ready for the power of DSN!

This four-day, full-time course, is open to all those who have completed the Art of Living PartI Course.

My Experience

I've attended DSN at Dwarka, New Delhi from 25th Nov - 28th Nov 2010. I was so excited to attain this course with such a great teacher like Anandji (Anand Rajendran). As I expected, it was superb. I'm explaining my experience as belows.

• Dr Ching Pong (Doctor knows how to do treatment)
• Zak.zak..zak...zak....zakkaasss!!!
• You can get down only before the plane takes off. Once the plane takes off, you can only get down at the destination.
• Extension of an individual is the family. Extension of the family is the society. Extension of the society is the Divine Society (the Divya Samaj).
• Rock Solid (ghatnayen aati hai, ghatnayen jaati hai. Per hum to rock solid hai)
• Share karo, sher bano
• Share with EAF (E-Enthusiasm, A-Action, F-Feelings)
• Circle of comfort/courage (We always want to stay in our comfort zone)
• Pressing the "buttons" and distributing "remote controls"!
  Television has only one remote control. But We have created so many numbers of remote controls of our own life & give it to others to manage us.
• Label (We always moving with our label i.e. I'm a doctor, engineer etc)
• The simple question to be used when making any difficult decision - is it good for me in the long run?
• waain-waain waain-waain
• sochne ka nahi...bas karne ka. Munna Circuit example i.e. Bhai ne bola hai na, toh dimaag nahi lagane ka!
• Pappu log bas sochte hain...winner log karke dikhate hain. Pappu log excuse dete hain, winner log results dete hain
• bina charge ka cellphone!!!???
• Smiling person - product complete.
  Non smiling person - work in progress.
  Sad person - manufacturing defect.
• Andar YES hai to baahar bhi YES hai...andar NO hai to baahar bhi NO hai.
• A question mark becomes a hook in your mind. Once you replace the question mark with an exclamation mark, it becomes a pillar, of strength! So the 6th Sutra of AOL is "Oho! Aise bhi log hote hain!!!!".
• Before DSN - Oh God, why me?? Why not my neighbour??
  After DSN - Oh God! Try me!!!!
• 3 tips for losing weight (Kapalbhati, No sweets)
• Thinking of past brings tears, Thinking of future brings fears, That is why present is so dear
• Guruji's explanation on the reason for depression
• Importance of seva / service
• Sadhana gives energy, energy makes more seva, more seva makes deeper sadhana, which inturn gives more energy...
• A course that gives you Padma, Sadhana, and Shanti - what reason to not do this course!!!
• Importance of Ashtavakra Gita, and the right procedure for its study
• Take over a role, give 100% and let go
• LG = LG
• What you want to be? Engine or Bogie? (Leader or Papu!!!)
• Knowledge should be taken in the way it is conveyed; Not in the way it is convenient
• Results are 1% technique, and 99% grace of the Master
• If you respect the technique, the technique will respect you
• Case study of the person with Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Power of "Om Namah Shivay" - Ravan's throne was on a dias, which could be reached by climbing 9 steps - each step indicating one of the navagraha.
• Padma Sadhana - password to the internal energy
• The concept of collective intelligence (which comes into play when you had made your 100% efforts, and then you surrender)
• The architect knows his design well!
• Having is one thing, realizing what we have is another!
• Yeh dharti kisi ka rin naheen rakhti - tum ek daana doge, woh 100 dana waapis degi. Tun 100 dana doge, woh 10 hazaar dana waapis degi!
• Aska lakdi lakda lakda. Hupta lakdi lakda lakda
• Guru stories:
  - tujhe dekha to yeh jaana sanam
  - are those models more beautiful than me
  - 25th silver jubilee celebrations - awesome!
  - Guruji, will you sleep with me?
  - Guruji, will you marry me?
  - Oh ho! Now people are using me as a transport coordinator also!
  - India in 2016
  - Guruji washed utensils (bartan) in kitchen of a devotee
• The stories:
  - The story about the cruise
  - Madan Mohan Malviya - Sharm to mujhe is baat ki aati hai ki woh marne wala bhi jaate jaate kuchh deke gaya...aur is jinda aadmi ne kuchh nahee diya!
  - Honda company of Japan
  - One devotee has 50% disabled on his right side (paralysis). He told that, he got cured after second day of doing Sudarsan Kriya.

A Talk By - Sri Sri Ravi Sankar


May This Diwali - The Festival of Lights, Bring more Peace,Light and Joy in our inner world and outer world


Diwali, the festival of lights as it is known the world over, celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Lights are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but also to communicate a profound truth about life. Light dispels darkness and when the darkness within you is dispelled through the light of wisdom, the good wins over the evil in you.

Though there are many legends about the festival, Diwali is essentially celebrated to lit the light of wisdom in every heart, the light of life in every home and bring a smile on every face. Diwali is the shortened form of Deepavali, which literally means rows of lights. Life has many facets and stages to it. It is important that you throw light on all of them, for if one aspect of your life is in darkness, there can be no complete expression of life. That’s why rows of lights are lit on Diwali to remind you that every aspect of life needs your attention and the light of knowledge.

Every lamp that you light is symbolic of a good quality. There are good qualities in every human being. Some have forbearance, love, strength, generosity; others have the ability to unite people. The latent values in you are like a lamp. When they are lit, awakened, that is Diwali. Don’t be satisfied with lighting one lamp; light a thousand. If you have the value of service in you, don’t be satisfied only with that. Lit the lamp of wisdom in you, acquire knowledge. Awaken all the facets of your being.

Another profound symbolism is wrapped in the firecrackers that go off during Diwali. In life, you often become like a firecracker, waiting to explode with your pent-up emotions, frustration and anger. When you continue to suppress your emotions such as cravings, aversions and hatred, they are bound to reach a bursting point. Bursting crackers is like a psychological exercise created by ancient people to release bottled-up emotions. When you see an explosion outside, you feel similar sensations within you as well. Along with the explosion, there is so much light. So when you let go of the suppressed emotions, you become hollow and empty and the light of knowledge dawns.

Wisdom is needed everywhere. Even if one member of the family is shrouded in darkness, you cannot be happy. So, you need to lit the light of wisdom in every member of your family. Extend it to every member of society, every person on the planet. When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration. Often in celebrations, you tend to lose focus or awareness. To maintain awareness in the midst of celebrations, the ancient rishis (saints) brought sacredness and puja (rituals) to every celebration. For the same reason, Diwali is also a time for pujas. The spiritual aspects of Diwali add depth to the celebrations. Any celebration has to be spiritual as a celebration without spirituality
has no depth.

Celebration is the nature of the spirit and every excuse to celebrate is good. In celebration, you should not only have a party; you must remind yourself of the wisdom. For the one who is not in knowledge, Diwali comes only once a year, but for the wise, Diwali is every moment and every day. Be wise and celebrate Diwali every moment and everyday of your life.

Talk by H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

If you are not happy, upset, sad:

1. Know: Everything is changing. It is impermanent. It’s a passing phenomenon. Have conviction about this.

2. You have the capacity to face it. You are much more powerful than a situation or problem that is in front of you.

3. Look at those who have greater problems than you. People in Sri Lanka, people in Iraq, even here in inner city areas – see what crisis or problem they have. And do something for them. When you start doing something, then your problem will appear like nothing, miniscule. Your problem will get solved…because it appears like nothing big.

4. Know: You have always been helped. Haven’t you been helped? Look back and see…Have that faith: I will get help. I will move through it. Nature will take care. God will take care… It will be handled.

5. See: In this whole cosmos, everything is nothing. Every particle is nothing. I am nothing, we are nothing, this is all nothing. A few moments of that awareness that everything is nothing brings enormous strength and courage in you. And love… See when you are angry, you say ‘I give up.’ When that comes from knowledge, the ‘I give up’…intense prayer happens: I can’t handle this. I give up.

This experience is shared by Rajshree Patel ( Senior Faculty - Art of Living Foundation)

Have you ever witnessed or experienced a religious festival in India?

Such festivals are, to say the least, frenzied events. I somehow procured an invitation to attend the Navaratri (literally means `nine nights’) celebrations, which honours the nine aspects of the Mother Divine, at the Bangalore ashram. There it was, and continues to be, a celebrations, which honours the nine aspects of the Mother Divine, at the Bangalore Ashram. There it was, and continues to be, a celebration of silence amidst chaos. The atmosphere was simply electrifying. In spite of huge crowds, there was this incredible energy and serenity that I had never felt before.

After the festivities, we were sitting in a group with Bhanudidi, when she remarked: `This is the first Navaratri without Amma.’ I suddenly realized it had been a year since she had passed away. Bhanudidi continued talking about Amma’s last days: `I found her behaviour odd. It was strange that a strong-willed woman like her, who had always been in charge of everything, seemed to be turning over all responsibility. Maybe she was preparing me to take care of the house,children and family. However, she performed all the yagnas fully.’ The day after Navaratri, she was hospitalized.

Rajshree continues:

When Amma (Guruji’s mom) breathed her last in 2000, Sri Sri was at Varanasi. There were about 8000 people whom he had to address the very day he lost the person dearest to him. I was with him that day and saw the depth of his silence, serenity and patience in attending to everybody in those difficult moments. Yet the smile did not fade. To the devotees who were with Guruji at the time, and knew of his attachment to Amma, it was a lesson in equanimity.

Rajshree Patel recalls: `I always knew he loved his mother very dearly, but I did not realize the depth of his love until after she had passed away. At the International Millennium Course in Italy, a month or so after the death of his mother, I discovered yet another dimension to Sri Sri. One the one hand everyone is the same to him, his love is impersonal and yet, I was learning, it was deeply personal. We were sitting in an assembly of 1500 to 2000 people. Someone in the front row was holding a magazine with Amma’s photo in it. Sri Sri, with a certain depth in his voice, was speaking of the importance of gratitude in life.

After a brief pause Sri Sri said:
“There was a woman in my life who loved me more than herself.: Everyone sat up. He gestured to the magazine and added: “She was my mother.” A tear of deep love and gratitude for her rolled down his face, and I suddenly felt a total connectedness to him and started crying uncontrollably. And for the first time in all the years that I knew him, I saw the deepest personal love possible, free of attachment and demands, yet full of gratitude.’

The first major aspect of good leadership is letting go of control. Are you in control when you’re sleeping or when you’re dreaming? No! Are you in control of any other function in your body? Your heart is pumping all by itself. Your liver functions by itself. The food you stuff in the stomach gets digested all by itself. Do you have any control over them? Are you in control of the Sun and Moon moving around the globe or even the globe rotating on itself? Are you in control of the thoughts that come into your head? So, when you realize you really do not have any control over all major things that are happening in you life, you’ll stand up and laugh. “Oh, what am I thinking, am I in control of something?” Then you will realize that the idea that you are in control is an illusion. And then you relax. And that relaxed state is called surrender.

What is surrender? A state of mind, where you are absolutely at home, totally relaxed — with no fear, anxiety, burden or problem. That state is called surrender. Surrender is our very nature; you don’t have to do it. When you are in your natural state of childlike innocence, you are already in a state of surrender. When you cannot surrender, then you make effort, and effort makes you surrender. So when you say, “I cannot relax”, I will say, “Ok, hold your fists tight and tight and tight.” Then, when I ask you to make it tighter and you cannot do that, what do you do? Being tired, you just drop. This is coming to the other end with effort! For a leader, it is also important to be in the present moment.

So, what are the qualities of good leadership? How can you be a dynamic, confident and enthusiastic leader? The first quality of leadership is to set an example. A leader doesn’t just order things; he does it so that others can do it.

Second aspect is that a leader takes good care of those whom he is leading.

Third aspect is that he doesn’t create followers. A good leader creates leaders. And then chain action happens. A leader should delegate responsibility.

The fourth quality is that a leader does not depend on authority. He just does a thing, whether authority is invested or not. It comes by itself.

The fifth aspect of leadership is that he does not worry about position. The respect that you gain through virtue is very different from the respect you gain through the position. The respect you get through a position is short-lived and temporary. But the respect that you gain just because of your smile, your attitude, your virtues are there with you all the time. You may be a chairman of this committee, a president of that committee, or you are barrister here or governor of that state — these are all momentary, temporary. They come and they go. And the respect you get because of this position is not genuine, it is not from the heart, it is not true. But the respect you gain because you are a nice person, is genuine, it lasts long. It is spontaneous.

The sixth quality is that a leader is alert and when challenges come, he is not disturbed. A good leader is one who does not drop things when challenges appear.

The seventh quality of a good leader is one who does not care for comfort, but who stretches himself beyond the comfort zone. Anything creative, dynamic and great can happen only when you stretch beyond your comfort zone where we are often struck. We think we cannot do something: just make an effort and put one step ahead, and you will find that that you are expanding your comfort zone. Creativity transcends your comfort zone. Or, when you step out of the comfort zone, your creativity comes into play.

The eighth aspect is, a leader should not mix head and heart. If you mix head and heart, you are in a mess! When you have to work, you work with commitment and you live with your head. In life, in situations other than when you are working, listen to your heart.

The ninth quality of a good leader is that he should be multidimensional and see from the other’s point of view. Put yourself in other person’s shoes, look from the other person’s point of view.

The tenth aspect is that the leader doesn’t depend on one-sided information. When you get some news from one side, don’t take any decision or conclusion till you hear from the other side also. Leader should be a good communicator.

The eleventh is that a leader should have a direct approach. Twelfth quality of a good leader is not to judge oneself. You have this tendency of judging yourself, “Am I good? I’m no good.” The self-judgment is an obstruction. Stop doing that. Don’t judge yourself. When you judge yourself, you are judging others also. Then you oscillate like a pendulum. If you feel you’re good, then you are saying that others are not so good. So when you find that others are good, and then you feel that you are no good, you blame yourself. Judgment is very similar to self-blame and blaming others. We have to get out of this vicious circle of self-judgment. That is also the state of surrender. When you have surrendered to the Divine that means that you no longer judge yourself. Self-judgment is not necessary. A child is so innocent, why? Because the child doesn’t judge itself.

Qn: HOW MUCH EGO WE NEED AND WHEN TO USE IT?
GURU PURNIMA 2002 – CANADIAN ASHRAM

Sri Sri : Who is using the ego? How much we need the ego? We need the ego when we get depressed. To come out of your depression, you need your ego. Ego says, come on, what is this, nothing can touch me. And when you think you are failing, then, you need your ego. But, when you think you have succeeded, then ego becomes dangerous. In your success, drop your ego. In your failure, hold on to the ego. Again, accepting the failure…There are two options for you. One is the higher self, the divine or the higher self, surrendering to the Divine. Then what happens, the small ego which identifies itself with the body/mind complex, your thought process, your concepts, breaks from that and becomes bigger. The whole life is a process of expanding the ego. How much you can expand the ego? Patriotism is nothing but an expanded ego to the boundaries of the land. Patriotism is, you say you are Canadian—that means your ego is expanded to the boundaries from Vancouver to Newfoundland. That’s your ego. But, if that ego expands further up and beyond all the territories–this earth belongs to me. And the Divine belongs to me, the whole universe belongs to me. Then comes the great sentence–So Hum, I am that. I am that. So the expansion of ego. But this ego, if it is not fully expanded or totally come to the focal point of nothingness, in between it gives you tears, problems, worries. To do work, to face challenges, to take on new things, pump the ego. Otherwise, subdue it. It’s very subtle. You can easily mistake that. When we say erase the ego, you only mean a different type of ego. The ego which needs someone else for you to be there. But the ego is not there usually at all. Once you know it is there, it’s not desperate. Until you know it is there, a long time has passed by. Til that time it was necessary. Hum? Ego as the opposite of childlikeness, it’s not necessary. Ego as the stiffness in you, is not necessary. What do you say? So ego has its place. Keep it in the pocket. Even money should be in your wallet not in your head, in your mind. Similarly ego should be in its place, but not when there is love, when there is oneness, when there is spiritual. When it comes to learning ego should be dissolved. When ego should be there? When there is a place to fight. There ego is essential. Where there is a challenge, where there is a creativity, ego is essential. When there is a place to celebrate, no ego. Where there is a place to learn, no ego. Where there is a place to learn and accept your mistakes, no ego. When there is love and togetherness, no ego. There you be like a child, free. Cause if you have ego, what will you learn, you can never do it because you will always take a position and block it and you will not be able to see. In your perception and in your expression, no ego. When you are to make friends, ego will be a hindrance. When you want to make friends, ego is? Hindrance. When you want to oppose an enemy, ego is a great friend. When you want to negotiate and do a business deal, ego will help. So place everything where it belongs to. What do you say?

If I had to promise you something, what would it be?

I can’t promise that you would always be comfortable…
Because comfort brings boredom and discomfort.

I can’t promise that all your desires will be fulfilled…
Because desires whether fulfilled or unfulfilled bring frustration.

I can’t promise that there will always be good times…
Because it is the tough times that make us appreciate joy.

I can’t promise that we will be rich or famous or powerful…
Because they can all be pathways to misery.

I can’t promise that we will always be together…
Because it is separation that makes togetherness so wonderful.

Yet if you are willing to walk with me,
If you are willing to value love over everything else ~

I promise that this will be the most rich and fulfilling life possible.
I promise your life will be an eternal celebration,
I promise you I will cherish you more than a king cherishes his crown,
And I shall love you more than a mother loves her newborn.

If you are willing to walk into my arms,
If you are willing to live in my heart,
You will find the one you have waited forever….
You will meet yourself in my arms…
I promise.

Poem written by - H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Ten people were going from one village to another. On the way they had to cross a river. After crossing they wanted to be sure all were there. Each one started counting but counted only nine. They were very distraught and began to cry for the loss of the tenth.

A wise man came along and asked them, "Oh my dear friends, why are you crying?"

"We were ten but now we are only nine," they replied.

The wise man saw they were ten, so he asked them to count. Each counted nine but left out himself. Then the wise man made them stand and count, and he said to the last person, "You are the tenth!"

And they all rejoiced for having regained the tenth.

Similarly the five senses and the four inner faculties (mind, intellect, memory, ego) all lament when they lose sight of the Self. Then the Master comes and shows you that You are the tenth!

Count, but never stop until you find the tenth. The joy is in finding the Ever Present.

With the knowledge of the Self inside, everything is truly joyful.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living movement to spread the knowledge of breathing, living and spirituality worldwide.

Early life
He was born on May 13, 1956 in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, India. Stories say that at the age of 4, Ravi could recite the whole Bhagavad Gita, and showed a gift for study of the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. At an early age his father, R. S. V. Ratnam ("Pitaji"), sought out a worthy spiritual master for his son, and entrusted him to the care of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Maharishi's first instruction was that Ravi (as Maharishi called him) should finish his education, leading to his attainment of a science degree. Subsequently Ravi joined Maharishi's entourage. He spent much time teaching Vedic Pundits at Maharishi's charity in Delhi, and organising Yagyas. Maharishi took Ravi to Switzerland where he spent seasons above Lake Lucerne. According to some, Maharishi would often not start a meeting without Ravi being present, and in the eyes of many elevated him to the level of 'favourite'.
In 1982 he went in to 10 days of silence. It is believed that he became an enlightened master around this time and cognised the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique. Sri Sri then set up the Art of Living (AOL) Organisation to spread the Sudarshan Kriya and other related knowledge. The Sudarshan Kriya has acclaimed health benefits (as documented on the AOL homepage - see links below), and has been taught in over 140 countries. The Art of Living Organization has grown tremendously since then. Sri Sri and his delegate instructors also conduct the Hollow and Empty and Sahaj Samadhi Yoga advanced meditations that help create an awareness of inner silence and wellbeing.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has given discourses on widely varied spiritual topics, from Krishna to Christ and also conducts Satsangs (Literally, "company of the good people"), where people gather and sing in the praise of divinity. Though born in a Hindu family, he has followers from all religions.

His organization is actively involved in many service projects throughout the world.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar holds the distinction of currently being the only non-Western member of the Council of the Divinity School at Yale University in the United States. He was also a guest speaker at the Millennium World Peace Summit during the 50th anniversary of the United Nations in New York. He is cofounder of the IAHV (International Association for Human Values), an international nonprofit organization in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The IAHV's humanitarian service wing, 5H, focuses on providing health, homes, hygiene, human values, and harmony in diversity to needy communities. IAHV, 5H and the AOL have collaborated with several UN bodies in many humanitarian and social service programs all over the world.

Diwali is lighting:
The lamp of love in one's heart;
The lamp of abundance in one's home;
The lamp of compassion to serve others;
The lamp of Knowledge to dispel darkness

Every lamp that you light is symbolic of a good quality. There are good qualities in every human being. Some have forbearance, some have love, strength, generosity; others have the ability to accept all as one' own, yet others have a scientific temperament that will uplift humanity; and others have the ability to unite people from all religions. A latent talent is a lamp. When latent talents awaken, that is Diwali.
Don't be satisfied with simply lighting one lamp; light a thousand.
Eg. If you are a good sevak, don't be satisfied only with that; light the lamp of wisdom in you. Acquire knowledge. If you are interested in acquiring knowledge, don't limit yourself only to that. Take an interest in the creative arts, in dance, music etc.

Do you know why we do aarti? It is so that light of our life always rotates around the Divine.
Do you know why we burst crackers? We suppress many emotions within ourselves; cravings, aversions, hatred or too much attachment and we reach bursting point. When there are a lot of worries, people say, "I feel my head is going to burst." If there is a lot of sorrow, people say, "My heart is going to burst."

Knowing this experience, the ancient people said that when you see an explosion outside, you feel similar sensations within you as well. Along with the explosion, there is so much light. Similarly by lighting the crackers, when there is an explosion outside, you release the suppressed emotions and become hollow and empty. You become free and are able to celebrate the festival and distribute sweets. The darkness is dispelled, light has come into the house, and joy spreads. This is a festival of joy.