Averrhoa carambola, Eryngium foetidum , Oxalis corniculta , Cheilocostus speciosus , Oroxylum indicum , Mazus pumilus , Cissampelos pareira

Some common medicinal plants of Bonai Forest Division.

1. Averrhoa carambola
Family - Oxalidaceae 
Medicinal uses - Ripened fruit is used to treat in bleeding hemorrhoids.
2. Eryngium foetidum
Family - Apiaceae
Medicinal uses - Volatile oil from leaf is used as anti-inflammation.
3. Oxalis corniculta
Family - Oxalidaceae
Medicinal uses - It is used to treat scurvy.
4. Cheilocostus speciosus
Family - Costaceae
Medicinal uses - Decoction of leaves is used in diabetes.
5. Oroxylum indicum
Family - Bignoniaceae
Medicinal uses - Bark is used in jaundice.
6. Mazus pumilus
Family - Mazaceae
Medicinal uses - The juice of the whole plant is used to treat typhoid.
7. Cissampelos pareira
Family - Menispermaceae
Medicinal uses - The root decoction is used in malaria.

Sugimani Marndi
(Biodiversity and conservation lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Cuttack,Odisha)

Oldenlandia ovatifolia , Knoxia sumatrensis, Ludwigia octovalvis , Elephantopus scaber , Justicia betonica , Pogostemon quadrifolius

Some common medicinal plants of Bonai Forest Division

1. Oldenlandia ovatifolia 
Family - Rubiaceae
2. Knoxia sumatrensis
Family - Rubiaceae 
Medicinal uses - Leaf paste is applied to wound for healing.
3. Ludwigia octovalvis
Family - Onagraceae 
Medicinal uses - Decoction of whole plant is used as rheumatic pains.
4. Elephantopus scaber
Family - Asteraceae
Medicinal uses - Extract of the leaves is applied externally to treat eczema.
5. Justicia betonica
Family - Acanthaceae 
Medicinal uses - Crushed leaves used against pain and swelling. 
6. Pogostemon quadrifolius
Family - Lamiaceae
Medicinal uses - The plant extract with salt is given for diarrhoea.

Sugimani Marndi
(Biodiversity and conservation lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Cuttack,Odisha)

Citharexylum spinosum L. Family : Verbenaceae Habit : Tree Habitat : Drier area, moist foothills Common name : Fiddlewood

Citharexylum spinosum L.
Family : Verbenaceae
Habit : Tree
Habitat : Drier area, moist foothills
Common name : Fiddlewood

Note - Tree timber is used to make sounding boards for musical instruments.

Medicinal Uses :
📌A decoction of the bark is used as a treatment for colds.

Sugimani Marndi
(Biodiversity and Conservation Lab. 
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation 
Cuttack, Odisha India

Osbeckia stellata Buch .-Ham. ex D.Don , Family : Melastomataceae Habit : Shrub Habitat : moist area, near streams.

Osbeckia stellata Buch .-Ham. ex D.Don
Family : Melastomataceae
Habit : Shrub
Habitat : moist area, near streams.

Medicinal Uses :
📌Apatani tribe which was located in northeastern India traditionally use the leaves of O. stellata to treat toothache. 

Sugimani Marndi
(Biodiversity and Conservation Lab. 
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation 
Cuttack, Odisha India

Utricularia stellaris Family : Lentibulariaceae Habitat - large sized herb

Utricularia stellaris
Family : Lentibulariaceae
Habitat - large sized herb
Habit - free floating
(Aquatic canivorous plant) 
Medicinal uses - It is used to treat kidney stone.

Sugimani Marndi
Biodiversity and conservation lab., 
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, 
Cuttack, Odisha.India

Dopatrium junceum Family : Plantaginaceae Habit : Herb

Dopatrium junceum
Family : Plantaginaceae
Habit : Herb
Habitat : Found in wetland area
Flowering period : August - October 
Date and place :- 29th August 2022, Bonai Forest Division
(Aquatic plant)

Note :
✔ It is an Indicator of salt lick and show low nutrients soil. 

Sugimani Marndi
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab. 
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation
Cuttack, Odisha

Drymaria cordata Family : Caryophyllaceae Habit : Herb

Drymaria cordata
Family : Caryophyllaceae
Habit : Herb
Habitat : Common in moist shady places along streams
Flowering / fruiting : August - November 
(Aquatic plant)
Date and place - 29th August 2022, Bonai Forest Division 

Medicinal uses :
✔ An infusion of the leaves or whole plant is used as a treatment for jaundice and cold. 

Sugimani Marndi
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab. 
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation 
Cuttack, Odisha India

Creativity is an important part of management. All CEOs and Chairmen want to improve their enterprise but they sideline research and development - the most creative part of the enterprise.

*Chapter 1 - Introduction*

*Day 1*

Management begins in the mind. When the mind manages itself better, it can manage anything. Human life is a combination of the concrete and the abstract. 

Our body is concrete and our mind is abstract. Both positive and negative thoughts emanate from the same brain. However, we know very little about ourselves. 

So being aware of our own mind helps us to understand life better. Human life is structured like an atom. At the centre of an atom is the proton and a field of negative charges orbits it. 

Similarly, we too have virtues at the centre of our being. But if we have not realised these virtues. we roam the outer orbits. So we need to take it for granted that we already have these virtues within us. 

You will find good qualities everywhere in the world only need nourishment. You too possess these qualities. They always remember you are a citizen of the world and the whole world belongs to you. 

There is some virtue to be learnt from every part of the world. Teamwork from Japan precision from Germany, marketing and negotiation skills from the United States, courtesy and refinement from the british and human values from the villages of India.

If you are committed to doing something to uplift life around you, if you are committed to compassion, to creativity, then the world will be a wonderful place. However at times, we are stuck in our own mindsets. 

If we could put ourselves in other’s shoes, we would be able to see their point of view. So we need to keep changing and attempting different roles.

In any organisation, top management should be setting goals to define what is to be achieved. Middle management should deal with how and when the goals need to be fulfilled.

Lower management should concern itself with the execution of the means to achieve the goals and ensure the quality of the output.

People at the top of the hierarchy need to be expansion-conscious while those at the bottom need to be quality conscious. But all these levels working together in harmony is the sign of a healthy institution.

Creativity is an important part of management. All CEOs and Chairmen want to improve their enterprise but they sideline research and development - the most creative part of the enterprise. 

They assume that this is to be done outside the orbit of their enterprise. Creativity can only come from silence. Then we will see that a whole new dimension of life opens up.

If we maintain two minutes of silence every day then we will see that a whole new dimension of life opens up.

Be with void Embrace the void

Gurudev, why is that people who do wrong move ahead freely most of the times while we also see people who do right but still suffer. Why is it so? Can you please throw some light on this phenomenon?


Question - Gurudev, why is that people who do wrong move ahead freely most of the times while we also see people who do right but still suffer. Why is it so? Can you please throw some light on this phenomenon?

Gurudev Sri Sri - You think that the people who do something wrong progress in life. But haven’t you noticed the downfall these people face afterwards? There was a man named Madoff in America. People from all over the whole world were crazy to have a photograph with him. Now he is in jail. His own son revealed his scandal. So whoever attains success with unfair means will definitely fall down.

There are many examples like this.If you are suffering that is not because you are good, but it may be due to a lack in skillfulness. We need four things in life - power, skill, devotion and liberation. (Shakti, Yukti, Bhakti and Mukti). You cannot be successful in society without power and skillfulness. And you cannot be successful in life without devotion and liberation. So you face problems because of a lack of skill.

Have you ever met the so-called successful people? Some of them are so miserable that they cannot even sleep well at night and many of them have suicidal tendencies. People who do wrong may hide but they are very miserable inside. You can smile much better than them. Be good and do good.

Gurudev, why is worthlessness and helplessness so uncomfortable. Why is there a constant need to become worthy or important?How to shed this?


Question - Gurudev, why is
worthlessness and helplessness so uncomfortable. Why is there a constant need to become worthy or important?How to shed this?

Gurudev Sri Sri - If you are not
useful on this planet, nature would have taken you away a long time ago. Nature is very intelligent, and if nature has kept you here, there is some use for you, so don't be too hard on yourself. Each one of you is capable of doing something, and whatever you can do keep doing it. From time to time, see if you can extend yourself a little more. By this your capacity to do will also increase.

Gurudev, the breath is so powerful. How does it work in connecting us to the subtle dimension?


Question - Gurudev, the breath is so powerful. How does it work in connecting us to the subtle dimension?

Gurudev Sri Sri - My dear, in the subtle you are already connected. The breath only makes you realise that you are connected. Your mind is always outside and it does not come back to itself, so the breath is the first step in bringing the outgoing mind inward. It is the doorway or the pathway, and meditation keeps the mind in the inner chamber.

What is the meaning of greed? Greed means one has not properly experienced the enjoyments one has had. One who has not properly eaten thinks about food all the time.


*Chapter 3 - Bubbles On The Water* 

*Day 21*

Now take the case of politicians. Are they happy and satisfied? They are far, far away from happiness. They are far away even from the word. And contentment, they will understand this word maybe after 7 more lifetimes. 

Also, when you look at many saints, sadhus, mahatmas and tathagatas, is there a contentment in their eyes or peace on their faces? They have greed for power, money, success, for having lots of devotees, in them. 

What is the meaning of greed? Greed means one has not properly experienced the enjoyments one has had. One who has not properly eaten thinks about food all the time.

The one who experiences the three states of waking, dreaming and sleep is viresah. In life, there is knowledge, activity and attachment. 

When you start liking a thing, does the attachment last? After some time, it disappears. Many people worry about forming attachments. 

Self-realisation happens and anger follows it. The wheel moves on continuously and events follow one after the other. 

However lack of discrimination has set in, whatever feelings there are, say lust or anger, the one who can witness them bravely is viresah. 

Know this much - "Whether in good times or in bad times, I am not the doer. I am only the witness, while the higher self in me is experiencing. It is not me who sleeps, but the higher self in me." 

Look at it simply as a detached observer. This is very subtle knowledge. It is possible that some people might take this knowledge in the wrong sense.

Many people create problems for themselves and others. On some holy days, many people fast, subjecting their own bodies to hardship. 

Krishna says in the Gita, “I am also in the body, and you hurt me”. This is foolishness. You turn yourself into a demon when you torture the self present in you, and you become a greater demon when you torture. 

To experience we need courage. We can show courage and advise others, but to live a solitary life requires a lot of courage. Only with courage, can you move forward. 

So we need the Shiva Sutras. Take courage and things will start happening. Be patient. Cowardly people never have patience and want things to happen immediately. 

Once, a lady said, "It is late. I will sleep for five minutes and come back." Is it possible to sleep that quickly? It is just like bathing in a hurry. 

You may bathe quickly, but half of the body will not even get wet. Another time a youth came and told me, “Guruji, I am so ashamed to tell you that I am very lazy in applying soap to my whole body”. 

“I use soap on my hands one day, on my legs another day and on my face the third day”. At least he had the courage to admit this He is not the only one, there are many who do this. 

Some do not even bathe. Have courage, patience and forbearance. It is not possible to become fit after only one day of doing exercise, pranayama and yoga asanas. 

Similarly, your mind will also not change in one day. It takes time and patience. Your mind has come into its present form over so many years. 

Now give it some time to change. Do not blame yourself if you fail. Do not feel, "I have done all the courses, for a year I have meditated regularly and done Sudarshan Kriya, but still I get angry. I'm useless”. 

“There is no point of going to all these courses and satsangs”. Do not blame yourself and disturb the equilibrium in your own mind or start digging your own grave.

“Ups and downs are a Part of Living but Smiling through those ups and downs is the Real Art of Living” – Such is the Power of Knowledge, Faith and Grace that flows when a Master enters one’s life.


Guru’s Miracles are truly beyond Time, Space and Distance! Nilesh Gupta did the Part-1 course in July; travelled to Perth in August to do the Advance Course with Chris Dale, and did the Sahaj Samadhi Meditation in mid November in Sydney. Enthusiastically, as a devotee’s journey begins, we would meet frequently for Satsangs, discuss knowledge, and share Guru-Stories. Every week, we would struggle to find a follow-up venue – Calling Schools/Colleges/Temples/Community Centres’. Just then, Nilesh and his wife Charul decided to give a part of their warehouse for the Art of Living follow-up activities. Construction started soon, within a day of this thought manifesting in their minds. Amidst their busy business and house hold chores, both husband and wife devoted their time and efforts for Seva – arranging Intro talks, organizing follow-ups etc. Planning and execution was at its peak for the centre’s interiors, matching sofa, a big picture of Gurudev, a Knowledge Library etc. Filled with enthusiasm, both of them put their mind and heart into the inauguration of the centre with a beautiful Guru-Puja and Satsang by Chris Dale on the last day of their Sahaj Course. After travelling for around 45 km from the Sahaj venue, Nilesh rushed to the warehouse for decorating the centre, but just 30 minutes before the inauguration, Nilesh fell from a height of 7 meters, from a forklift, while putting some lights for the centre. What happened was truly tragic, but the only good thing in all was that Nilesh had retained his consciousness, and was smiling all through while his head and elbow were bleeding incessantly. But the people around had only one question in their eyes “How can this happen to him, he was the main organizer?” So we finally contacted Guruji, and HE replied “Don’t worry, he will be fine”. Soon, he was taken to the hospital. Meanwhile, the devotees at the centre continued with Om Namah Shivay chanting and prayers, followed by Guru Pooja, to uplift the environs. The Doctors at the hospital declared that considering the height from which Nilesh fell, it is no less than a miracle that he not only survived the fall, but was smiling too, with no major issues in the head/spine/ any of the vital body parts – except fractures in the elbow, knee and pelvis area. Divine Grace had saved him. Nilesh ji’s wife, Charul, sent this message: “Thank you all so much for the love and blessings you all have showered on Nilesh. We are so fortunate to be under Guruji’s shelter. After a fall from 7 meters, with no head and back injuries, our faith has become stronger in the Divine. The Art of Living has taught Nilesh to smile under all circumstances, even with shooting pain of multiple fractures. I am very positive that he will be fine and walking in a couple of weeks despite of doctors recommending couple of months. Charul JGD “ With such unshaken faith, Gurudev’s blessings and the immense love from the Art of Living family, everyone is sanguine that Nilesh shall be fine soon. The couple celebrated their 14th Marriage Anniversary in the Liverpool hospital on the 25th of November, with the loving presence of the volunteers around. We wish them many more years of blissful life ahead, to light up many more lives around by serving, caring and sharing in devotion. Also, it was the day of the first follow up at the Centre, and was a huge success with 25 people, and the perfect Knowledge Sheet on “Faith”. Truly – “Ups and downs are a Part of Living but Smiling through those ups and downs is the Real Art of Living” – Such is the Power of Knowledge, Faith and Grace that flows when a Master enters one’s life. Jai guru dev. 

- A Devotee

Gurudev, if my soul is thirsty for love, peace and contentment, then why do I find excuses not to do my sadhana?


Question - Gurudev, if my soul is thirsty for love, peace and contentment, then why do I
find excuses not to do my sadhana? 

Gurudev Sri Sri - Yes, I would suggest that you reflect upon this question yourself. Then you will realize that you are making excuses to take your medicine (here indicating sadhana) which are
for your own good. This is like going to the doctor to get medicines, but going off to sleep and keeping them under your pillow instead of actually taking them Why do we make excuses or skip doing something that brings us so much peace and contentment? I also have this question for you.

Gurudev, how to act passionately after being trained to be dispassionate?


Question - Gurudev, how to act passionately after being trained to be dispassionate?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - You cannot create passion, when you love something it simply comes to you. You cannot ask me how do I love something, there is no way, no method.

Sometimes repetition might create an attachment but I wouldn’t say it is love. I have seen people who are fighting and when one person is not there anymore or has gone far away then one feels some sort of vacuum suddenly. Every day you are fighting with someone and suddenly that person is not there, what to do now? This is a sort of attachment, but passion that is something which cannot be cultivated, it just comes to you. Dispassion can be cultivated to some extent but compassion and passion cannot be cultivated.

@GurudevSriSri_Officialques

Gurudev, I’m confused as to why in the Vedic books there is mantra for success in gambling when Lord Krishna forbids gambling in the Bhagavad Gita?


Question - Gurudev, I’m confused as to why in the Vedic books there is mantra for success in gambling when Lord Krishna forbids gambling in the Bhagavad Gita?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - The ancient thought was that a king should know everything, even how to steal. So a prince, before he becomes a king, he was trained how to become a thief and steal, so that tomorrow when he becomes a king he understands a thief also.

So all this good, bad, all types of knowledge is present in the Vedas. It is so that people understand everything and everybody.

To understand criminals you have to know their psychology and that is what they have said about. It’s not that you should do it or practise it.

@GurudevSriSri_Official

Gurudev, is it better for couples to come to the @ArtofLiving course together or each for him or herself?


Question - Gurudev, is it better for couples to come to the @ArtofLiving course together or each for him or herself?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - Sometimes you come together, sometimes you come separately. Even if you come here together, sit in different corners and do your own meditation. Don’t watch each other and see what the other is doing. They are sitting and meditating and you are thinking, 'Is my wife/husband here?'

It depends on you. Sometimes if both of you want to have your own space, that is your decision. And if you want to come together and enjoy it together, again your decision. Both are okay.

@GurudevSriSri_Official

Gurudev about the necessity of I Stand for Peace movement


Gurudev about the necessity of I Stand for Peace movement

 Before coming here, a journalist asked me, why peace? If there is no peace, there is no prosperity. What is the purpose of prosperity? To have peace! What is the use of having a nice bed if you’re unable to sleep? When you’re mentally disturbed does food taste good? If there’s no peace inside, you don’t enjoy anything in the world. My dream is to see a society free from violence.

A violence free society, a disease free body, confusion free mind, inhibition free intellect, trauma free memory and sorrow free soul is the birth right of every individual. The Art of Living is committed to achieve this. To make everyone’s life a celebration. 

Thousands joined us to stand for peace at Santiago, Chile.

Gurudev, I’m a teacher of a junior high school and in the class, 15 year old girls say we might die tomorrow so we have to enjoy now. So they say alcohol and sex is important. They don’t take care of themselves. What should I do?


Question - Gurudev, I’m a teacher of a junior high school and in the class, 15 year old girls say we might die tomorrow so we have to enjoy now. So they say alcohol and sex is important. They don’t take care of themselves. What should I do?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - This is misplaced knowledge. When anyways you are going to die, why do you have to drink and spoil your health. When anyways you are going to die, why do you have to have sex. Relax, anyways you will die. You can talk the other way around as well.

When kids want to do what they want they will come up with any excuse, any knowledge. Anything they will use as an excuse. You have to educate them. Tell them to forget about all that, they are not going to die tomorrow. They are going to live and they don’t want you to live with sickness. Parents have to educate them.

Bring them here. It’s become difficult all over the world with children getting into sex, drugs, and alcohol. It’s a big challenge. Everyday so many mothers and fathers come and cry to me about how their children are going astray because of bad company. Maybe we should have our own schools everywhere.

As parents you must see that your kids have proper company. Invite all the friends of your kids home and talk some good sense to them. Friends of your kids will listen more to you than your own children, so become a good uncle or aunt. Tell them nice stories, play games together, get them engaged in some service activity. Parents must do all this.

@GurudevSriSri_Official

Gurudev, What is the difference between Spirituality, Astrology and Vastu?


Question - Gurudev, What is the difference between Spirituality, Astrology and Vastu?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - Well, spirituality is related to the Atma (soul) and astrology is related to planets.

Astrology deals with observing the movements of the planets and making calculations related to the events that are yet to happen.

The science of Vastu is related to direction, to space, while astrology is related to time. But the One beyond space and time is Mahadeva (Lord Shiva). That’s why for remedying any ill-effects of Vastu or any of the astrological movement of planets, just pray to Lord Shiva. He is the Lord of all planets and He can move them to favourable positions for your benefit.

@GurudevSriSri_Official

Gurudev, many times the ideals, principles and beliefs taught to us by our parents and grandparents are in conflict with the teachings of The Art of Living. We feel responsible to carry forward their teachings but are in confusion after listening to some of your knowledge. Please help.


Question - Gurudev, many times the ideals, principles and beliefs taught to us by our parents and grandparents are in conflict with the teachings of The Art of Living. We feel responsible to carry forward their teachings but are in confusion after listening to some of your knowledge. Please help.
 
Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar ji - I don't see what you are referring to? How could this be confusing with any knowledge, or what parents have said about anything? Which parent will say no to celebrate life, or to adopt violence as the core value in your life? Which parent would tell their children to go and be violent? Yes, if some people are saying, "My God is the only God, my way is the only way, everyone else is going to hell", or, "Those people who do not subscribe to my God have no right to exist, they are traitors", then I would say do not follow that path.

It is only ignorance. If any parent is saying that you will go to hell if you do meditation, they are ignorant. You don't have to tread the path of ignorance. You educate them, and if you cannot, you walk your path. The whole world is one family. Uplift yourself beyond race, gender, religions, skin color, and all that. We are all part of one divinity - which parent will say we are not? Okay, may be your parents want you to follow some rituals, then do it for their sake.

Why do you want to resist that? You don't need to behave like a communist. If your parents say that you have to go to church or the temple, go visit it, even if you do not feel much devotion or any such thing. Listen to them and make them happy. If you follow what they want, i.e., to have a certain celebration at home, it can make them happy. But when it comes to your breathing exercises, your food habits and whatever your personal things are, I think you have to take a call, and you cannot say this is all in conflict. Do you see what I am 

Gurudev, I am in silence so I can’t speak but I wish to scream at some people on this course (Advanced Meditation Course). They are so rude and think only about themselves. Shouldn’t spiritual people be more considerate?


Question - Gurudev, I am in silence so I can’t speak but I wish to scream at some people on this course (Advanced Meditation Course). They are so rude and think only about themselves. Shouldn’t spiritual people be more considerate?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - Yes, you are right. I keep them here so that they cause less problems in the world. Just imagine even after having come to the spiritual field if they are rude, how would they have been in their previous incarnation without the spiritual knowledge.

You don’t get disturbed by them. We are not a homogenous group here, not everybody is the same. We are all different types of people here. Among the 500 people that are here there maybe only three or four very irritating people. Thankfully they are only a minority. You don’t see everybody behaving that way, otherwise we would have a war here. There are some very good people here with a lot of patience as well. So put your attention on the good people, on the good natured decent people who have courtesy.

I am also at a loss with these people. I’m also thinking how to educate them. Maybe they are slow learners. Let’s hope one day they learn. Just remember there are all different types of people. We are literally in a zoo because the world is like that; it is like a zoo.

Gurudev ,why is Lord Shiva called Bholenath?


Questions - Gurudev ,why is Lord Shiva called Bholenath?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - Lord Shiva is bhola (innocent) so He is called Bholenath (meaning the innocent One). He is easily pleased, and gives a boon to anyone who asks Him with love, and then He Himself gets caught into trouble (when the seeker of the boon misuses it or uses it against the Lord Himself). He innocently gives a boon to anybody who meditates upon Him, be it a demon or a demigod. He gives them whatever they want, that is why He is known as Bholenath.

Another meaning is when you become bhola (innocent from within) then He is your Nath (Lord or Master). You must have heard the saying, 'Bhole Bhav Mile Raghurai'. It means that when you become innocent and pure from within, that very moment you become one with Divinity.

Gurudev, Why is being Loyal given so much importance in relationships as well as various aspects of Life?


Question - Gurudev, Why is being Loyal given so much importance in relationships as well as various aspects of Life?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar ji - Loyalty is the way in which a mature and integrated mind behaves.

Loyalty indicates undivided wholeness of consciousness and shows richness of the mind. When the mind is not integrated it is feverish, disloyal and opportunistic.

Disloyalty comes out of opportunism. Opportunism is short-sightedness of one's destiny. Integrity or wholeness is essential to be healthy. A divided mind will gradually lead to schizophrenia and other physical and mental disorders. Loyalty is a real strength and will have the support of nature in the long run.

Fear and ambitions are impediments to loyalty. Loyalty is needed both in the material and spiritual plane. Either to destroy, create or maintain any institution, group or society, loyalty is essential.

Loyalty means believing in the continuity of commitment. Honouring commitment is loyalty. It takes you beyond the duality of craving and aversion. Responsibility, dedication, commitment are the limbs of loyalty.

A loyal mind is a 'yes'-mind. The purpose of asking questions is to get an answer. The purpose of all answers is to create a ...'yes'.... 'Yes' is an acknowledgement of knowledge. The 'yes'-mind is a quiet, holistic and joyful mind. The 'no'-mind is a agitated, doubting and miserable mind. Loyalty begins with a 'yes'-mind and starts to perish with a 'no'-mind.

Gurudev, How to get rid of my tendency to control everything, everywhere and every time?


Question - Gurudev, How to get rid of my tendency to control everything, everywhere and every time?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - You can control small things, that is why you have this illusion (that you are in control). Just try to control the big things: stop the war in Iraq, or stop the war in Syria.

A couple came to meet me and they were talking. The husband said, 'My wife decides all the small things and I decide all the big things. Like my wife decides what car to buy, what color the house must be painted, where we should go for holiday, how we should spend our money and all these small things.

I don’t interfere in her work and I do the big things. I think about how to stop the war in Iraq, who should be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and how the nations should interact with each other, etc, and she never interferes in these matters, so we have peace at home', (laughter).

Like that if you want to have control, think about the bigger things. How you can control the weather or bring rain. If you are a control freak, you should control those things. Think about something like that

Gurudev, when there is love in a relationship, why do people still quarrel and suffer in the same relationship?


Question - Gurudev, when there is love in a relationship, why do people still quarrel and suffer in the same relationship?

Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar Ji - Love with wisdom is bliss. Love without knowledge or wisdom is pain. Why is there pain in love? That is what you are wondering or questioning about!

It is not love which is giving you pain. If it is just purely love, that means you just care for someone, you want the best for them, and then there is no pain.

But when you want something in return from them or you have demands from them, then there is pain.

Small things like you love somebody and they didn’t smile at you, that is enough! You love somebody and they are interested in someone else, they flirt around or complement someone, good enough for you to burn the next 24 hours or days. Jealousy, hatred, greed, arrogance and attachment are all love’s distortions.

That is why knowledge and centered-ness are so important. If you are centered, you can handle all these distortions, they come for a while and they disappear.

Gurudev, when we chant a mantra continuously, will that mantra effect our body and life ?


Question: Gurudev, when we chant a mantra continuously, will that mantra effect our body and life ?

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji :

Definitely! But we should not keep chanting continuously, this is not correct. Do you keep bathing continuously? When you chant the mantra for some time, your mind will become stronger. That is why it called mantra. We can do it for 20 - 30 min. If you keep doing it continuously, your intellect will become dull. We should not do it too much. If you stay a lot in water, you will become a fish (laughter). That is why it is referred as mantra-snaan (bath).

If someone keeps listening to music, his intellect will stop working. Similarly, someone who keeps doing math and never listens to music, his personality will also be unbalanced. These things are there to balance our left brain and right brain. We should look it from a scientific perspective. From a scientific perspective, we should listen to in music for some time, we engage in some discussions for some time, and we should think for some time. Afterwards, you will experience an all-round development.

Gurudev, why there is pain in longingness?


Question: Gurudev, why there is pain in longingness?

 
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji : 

The pain is good will make you very creative. It will bring out the poet from within you, or it will make you an artist. It can also bring out the sevak in you. It can bring out the warrior in you. You have so many good qualities, and longing will bring them all out.

There was one generation of Masters who were very tough. Tough in the sense, if you desire something, that will not happen. They would nip desire in the bud.
If the you would say. “I want to go to California”, then forget about it, you will never go to California. To come to a state of no-mind, they would use this tactic of crushing every desire that would arise. At some point of time you would have to give-up, and then you go to the no-mind state when you are unconditionally happy.
If you would go to them and say, “Oh, I have this problem”, they would say, ”It’s your karma, bear it. You must have done something terrible, so experience it and finish it off”. That was the attitude – no compassion. Just imagine if there is no compassion, then what do you need to do? You have to stand up.

A creeper needs a tree to stand up, but a tree doesn’t need another tree to stand up. So, they would completely destroy all that is delicate in you. If you are emotional, they would take a hammer. If you complain, they would say, ‘Let it be’. If you say, “Some people are blaming me”. They would say, “Yes, more people should blame you”. They would push all your buttons and make you so numb to everything in the world, till you realize that everything is nothing. It was a very tough journey. I don’t think anyone of you can survive for even one day, it was such a tough atmosphere.
All that you identify yourself as would be simply ripped off. It was a long and tough journey. which very few could survive. And there would be a millions chances to doubt and run away, only the very strong could survive such conditions.

In The Art of Living, we have taken a complete 180 degree turn and adopted a completely different route. Here we say, “What is your desire? Okay, let it be fulfilled”. Sometimes I wonder, “Am I making everyone weak?” But there is no option. At least this has put you on the path of knowledge.

I see you all are growing. Everyone is growing but I tell you, don’t get stuck in small little things. This world is Maya. There are always some issues that will prop up in life. You will have some excuse or some incidences to worry about. When such things come, you have to remember that this is all Maya, this is all ephemeral, this is all impermanent and stand up.

Your wants and desires are getting fulfilled. For some people it takes longer time, for some people it happens in a shorter time, and for some people it happens immediately. Many times, we only have put thought-constraints in our own mind. We put the sankalpa and we put the vikalpa as well. And to come out of this mess I don’t see any other path which is as effective as ours right now. If I find something better, I will myself ask you to do it. But the other generations of masters were very different.

Gurudev, how can one achieve all the four aspects of Purushaartha - Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha?


Question - Gurudev, how can one achieve all the four aspects of Purushaartha - Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha?

Gurudev Sri Sri - Both Artha (wealth and material comforts) and Kama (desire or passion) arise in life from time to time according to one's needs. Fulfilling those needs to sustain one's life, yet not getting entangled in too much greed or lust is the responsibility of Dharma (righteous action) and Moksha (liberation from suffering). The main goals of our life are Dharma and Moksha. In the course of our life, from time to time, we have to engage ourselves in the pursuit of Artha and Kaama. Enjoying them but at the same time not getting caught up in it. This is why we should engage in those action that are in alignment with our Dharma, and refrain from those actions that go against Dharma. The same goes for Artha also. Life cannot run without any one of the four aspects of Purushaartha. In the course of life, you must have Moksha as your supreme aim, adhere to and uphold Dharma at all times, and you will see that your pursuits for both Artha and Kaama will also give good results in due course of time.

I made my choice and it worked out extremely perfectly. It was all done with so much grace. I received such clarity of mind after meeting Guruji. It was all that I needed and he knew it.


I have always felt connected to Sri Sri, even before meeting him. After my 12th grade exams, I visited the Art of Living International Center in Bangalore with my family. At that point in time, my mind was very unstable and confused because even though my exams had gone fine, I had another big decision in front of me: what field should I major in? What field do I choose to establish a career in. To top it all, my result date was rapidly approaching. Several people had given me guidance about which field of study to choose, which confused me further. I had decided to simply ask Guruji what to pursue because I knew that would be the best guidance. There were way too many fields, and many people for guidance who had different opinions about each course. I decided to follow what Guruji would say, that would be the best guidance ever. We went to the secreteriate to request for an appointment to meet Sri Sri. We were told to come back later. This went on for the next three days. It was holiday time and there so many courses going on, including one taken by Gurudev himself, so he was very occupied. Plus, there were so many devotees who also wanted their time with him. Though I perfectly understood the situation, it was heartbreaking for me that after reaching the ashram, I was not being able to meet Guruji. Then, one day we were walking around the old ashram to go to Sumeru Mantap for our meditation. We passed by a beautifully decorated hall with essenced flowers, people were dressed in heavy colorful clothes. We understood a wedding was taking place here. We just stood there admiring the beauty of it all. A man standing near the hall spotted us and invited us to the wedding. We didn’t know at the time but he was the father of the bride. He was a fine gentleman who lovingly called us and told us to attend the ceremony. He said it meant more blessings for his daughter. We couldn’t resist his kindness and decided to go in. The groom was welcomed in at the beats of drums. After some time, the relatives of the couple were standing at the door waiting to welcome somone. In few moments two cars arrived. In the first one was Bhanu Didi, who entered the hall. We all took her blessings. She truly looked radiant and divine. We heard people whisper around that Guruji would also be reaching soon. I felt so joyous that I would get to see him. He was welcomed with a garland and a traditional Jaipuri head gear. He spent time with the couple and blessed them. As he was preparing to leave, I quickly took the opportunity to meet him. I asked Guruji the question that was bothering me: which field of study and career is the right one for me. He smiled and said, “the choice is yours, the blessings are mine.” While it wasn’t a definite answer, it left me very satisfied. I left with the feeling that now only the right things will happen. He would take care of this. During kriya with Gurudev, my intuition told me which course of study I should take up. When I reached back home in Mumbai, the admission process began. Luckily, I got through all of the colleges and courses I had applied to. Ultimately, I made my choice and it worked out extremely perfectly. It was all done with so much grace. I received such clarity of mind after meeting Guruji. It was all that I needed and he knew it. Jai Guru Dev.

- Karishma Khanna

Gurudev, what is the difference between God and Guru?


Question - Gurudev, what is the difference between God and Guru?

Gurudev Sri Sri - First tell me what are you going to do by knowing this? Let the two of them sort out whatever differences they may have among themselves. (Laughter) All your wishes are getting fulfilled, isn't it? That's it. What else do you need?

Gurudev, we will never again take up arms and violence. We surrender all our arms at your feet'.


I was in Bihar a few days ago.(from when this was said) Around 100 youth from different villages and rural areas had come to visit me there.
           Three weeks back, before they all attended the Art of Living Happiness workshop, they had made up their mind to take up guns and arms to claim their rights by force. They had decided to adopt the Maoist way of life.
        In the Happiness Program, they practiced Pranayama, they meditated, and they experienced such a big change in their lives and their perspective. After finishing the workshop, they all came to meet me.
       Their eyes were moist and they said, 'Gurudev, we will never again take up arms and violence. We surrender all our arms at your feet'.
Seeing the change that had come in them could have made anyone’s eyes well up in tears. They were all such good hearted people, but they had strayed onto the wrong path.
       Do you know why? This is because no one advised them to not do so, and because they had never experienced such peace and joy in their lives. They had not tasted the sweet nectar of knowledge, meditation and singing .

- Gurudev Sri Sri..

Shiva is ghor as well as aghori, beautiful and fierce at the same time. He does good to everyone.

Fire is so beautiful in the form of candle but if a house is on fire then, it is so dangerous.
            Similarly air element is beautiful but if it comes in the form of storm then it is destructive / ghor form.
        Shiva is ghor as well as aghori, beautiful and fierce at the same time. He does good to everyone. There is no mantra above the aghor mantra, which says the form of Shiva is more beautiful of the most beautiful and more fierce than the fiercest.

- Gurudev Sri Sri..

We have three kinds of debts - Debt to the parents who brought us into this world; Debt to the Guru or teachers who showed us the light of knowledge & gave us direction and the debt to the society.

We have three kinds of debts - Debt to the parents who brought us into this world; Debt to the Guru or teachers who showed us the light of knowledge & gave us direction and the debt to the society. 
           These days our life is dependent on so many people. Some people sell oil, that's how our vehicle moves. A farmer grows food, so you could eat. Through someone's hard work your life is moving. Through the effort of countless people your life moves ahead. Take off this debt through service of the society.
          Take off the debt of the Knowledge through spreading it. Whatever we have learnt, we should teach to others so that they could benefit from it.
          Then we have debt to parents - take that off through service to them and making them content. Now don't ask me that whatever I do, its' not enough for them. It's their problem; you should do as much as possible. Whatever you are not able to do, fold your hand and ask for forgiveness.

- Gurudev Sri Sri..

Gurudev, what happens when we die?

Q : Gurudev, what happens when we die?
 *Gurudev Sri Sri : *
         Why do you want to know ? I don’t want you to feel bored afterwards.
       It’s like knowing everything about a movie before you go for it, then there is no thrill in it. Have some suspense.
       There is so much to know about life. If we don’t know what life is now and want to know about it after death, you will come back again.
       It will be like that movie, Groundhog Day. Let us see what life is !

Where is the life of the fish ? In the fish or the water !

Where is the life of the fish ?

In the fish or the water ! 

The body of the fish is just exhibiting the life but the life is in the water.

This is called 'causal body'.

-Gurudev Sri Sri ..

I give a long rope and enough room for people to transform. You don’t worry about them, you leave it to me, I will handle them, it’s my Karma .

I give a long rope and enough room for people to transform. You don’t worry about them, you leave it to me, I will handle them, it’s my Karma .
          I handle all types of people. I have said, 'Accept people as they are', so I can’t go back on my words, I am stuck ! (Sri Sri laughs).
         In every field there are people who are an exception to the rule or a black sheep in that field. You shouldn’t look at someone else and make a concept in your mind or be prejudiced towards them. This is very important. Prejudice kills people.

- Gurudev Sri Sri ..

Politics means everybody has their own tendencies, and human beings have many tendencies

Wherever there are people, there will be politics.
        Politics means everybody has their own tendencies, and human beings have many tendencies. In this world, in any field, on any path, anywhere you go you won’t find everybody to be alike.
         If in your mind you think everyone should behave in the same way or have the same attitude, same mentality or same level of growth then you are making a big mistake.

- Gurudev Sri Sri ..

He is not referring to that type of crying which is for the worldly matters or maya . He is referring to those who cry out of bliss and devotion. So that is also needed.

Saint Kabirdas has said, ‘Kabira hasana door kar, rone se kar preet, bin roye kit paaiye, prem piyara meet.’  
          The crying which Kabirdas is talking about is a different kind of crying. It is the crying that comes out of praise, out of gratitude and longing.
       It is not the kind of crying where one feels that this is lacking, that is lacking, this did not happen, that did not happen. He is not referring to that type of crying which is for the worldly matters or maya . He is referring to those who cry out of bliss and devotion. So that is also needed.  

- Gurudev Sri Sri..

The third kind is a devotee who always remains joyful, keeps smiling, dancing and singing; a joyful devotee .

The first kind is a devotee who keeps asking, ‘God give me this’, ‘God give me that.’ 
          The second kind is a devotee who is always grateful, ‘Thank you God, you gave me this and you gave me that’; a devotee who is emotional, prayerful and keeps crying out of gratitude.  
        The third kind is a devotee who always remains joyful, keeps smiling, dancing and singing; a joyful devotee .  
          All three are different kinds of devotees and yet all three are supreme. It is not that one is greater than another – that is not so. So there is, a crying devotee, a laughing devotee, and a devotee who keeps asking – which category are you in, you can see that for yourself. 
           It is possible that a little of all three may be there in you. That also is okay. Then that would be the fourth kind of devotee – one who has a little bit of all the three present.  

- Gurudev Sri Sri..

God is right here, right now, present within everyone, present within me – this conviction should be there.

Often people think that God is elsewhere; he existed sometime in the past, or will come sometime in the future. They forget that God is right here, right now, present within everyone, present within me – this conviction should be there.  
           It is for this only that you are doing all these gymnastics, all these exercises. Otherwise what is the point of doing these exercises all day – doing pranayama, asana, kirtan, bhajan, seva – what is the essence of all these ? To know that God is inside me, right here and right now.

- Gurudev Sri Sri ..

Once you come to the Master, seeking stops, blossoming begins.



Once you come to the Master, seeking stops, blossoming begins.

You are Knowledge. Every atom in you is shimmering with Knowledge. This is called Go. Be a Go-Pal. Be a friend in Knowledge.

Go has four meanings:

Knowledge
Movement
Achievement
Freedom or liberation
Pal means friend or protector -- one who takes care of.

Often you become friends by:

Gossiping about negative things
Complaining
Similar cravings or aversions
Common enemies or common problems
Common goals or common addictions
Coming together in Knowledge is rare. You become friends because you have something in common. Be a friend in Knowledge. Uplift each other in Knowledge. All Satsangees are Gopals -- reminding each other, coming together in and for Knowledge. That is Gopal. Be a protector of this Knowledge.

After this incident, my faith in the Power of Blessings increased multifold. Truly, it was the Master’s Grace that saved me

This incident happened on 13th December, 2007, when I was working with the ICICI Bank Ltd. as an Officer at the Rajkot Main Branch (Rajkot is a city in Rajasthan, India). The bank had 7 cash counters but mine was the main one so at my desk, I would receive and pay higher amounts only. On that day, in morning itself, one boy came to withdraw Rs. 50,000. That account was in the name of the company. It so happened that by mistake, I paid him Rs.5,00,000 instead of Rs. 50,000 which means that I paid Rs.4,50,000 as excess amount. After about 2-3 transactions, I realized that there was a shortage of funds and that I had paid that boy an extra amount. This was a very big mistake on my part. On getting to know that, I nervously searched his contact number. Thereafter, my seniors called him one by one. But that boy was not ready to accept that he had got an excess amount.I just started crying on my desk. This mistake could cost me my job and future career. I felt so helpless and really did not know what to do further to reverse this loss. I was cursing myself for having committed such a big mistake. Just then, the Art of Living Finance Facilitator came to my counter to check transactions in the account of Vyakti Vikas Kendra (a registered public charitable trust founded by Sri Sri to promote social development activities). On a regular day, he goes to office first and later visits the bank but today he decided to visit the bank first. This itself was a sign from the Guru that He was keeping a watch over me. I then gave him the required details of the transaction. He asked me the reason for my tears. So I went on to sharing the cause of my sadness and told him about the unfortunate incident that had just occurred. After a few minutes, he left, but sent a lady, who was an Art Of Living Blesser, to my desk during lunch break. I was constantly crying since morning. Rs.4,50,000 was a very big amount for me. If the boy would not agree to return it, I would have to take responsibility for it and repay it in some way or the other as it was my mistake. Blessings Of Sri Sri The lady then told me to close my eyes. At that time, I didn’t know about blessings, I didn’t understand the power of what she was doing. She very humbly blessed me and then left from there. After she left my branch, within 10 minutes, the Director of the Company came to my counter and returned the excess amount of Rs.4,50,000. Generally, he never visits the branch, his employees come to withdraw money, as was this morning. I was so relieved at that moment. Finally I had got back the money and my mistake had been reversed. I was feeling just so happy and grateful that I cannot express it in words now. A huge burden, of my own carelessness, had been wiped away. I feel, this much-needed miracle was possible only with the blessings of Sri Sri. It was the faith of the teacher who blessed me that made this happen. All my colleagues, including the Branch Manager, were shocked. It was unbelievable how that boy agreed that he had been given excess money. Usually, greed takes a front seat in money matters. The boy could have very well taken advantage of my mistake, and kept the money with himself and that would have shattered me. But in this matter, Sri Sri came to my rescue. The boy changing his mind and admitting that he had actually been given a huge sum of extra money by mistake, was a great thing in itself. After this incident, my faith in the Power of Blessings increased multifold. Truly, it was the Master’s Grace that saved me. Jai Gurudev. 

~ Bhavisha Lakhani

Gurudev, when I do the Art of Living Advance Meditation Program, I feel hollow and empty. But again after a week I find that I am full of desires and botherations. How can I be hollow and empty all the time?

Question - Gurudev, when I do
the Art of Living Advance Meditation Program, I feel hollow and empty. But again after a week I find that I am full of desires and botherations. How can I be hollow and empty all the time?

Gurudev Sri Sri - This is like asking, 'How can I eat once for this lifetime and not have to keep eating every day?' You know, it is such a boring job. Every day you have to cook and eat. If you eat today, again tomorrow you feel hungry. If you eat in the morning, then again in the evening you feel hungry. You cannot eat just once and be done with it because the body has its own nature. The same is with your mind. Entertainment is not enough once. Would you listen to me if I tell you that it is enough to watch only one movie in your lifetime? You need entertainment again and again. Body needs nutrition again and again. To satisfy hunger we eat food. We drink water to quench thirst. We take rest when we are tired. In the same way, spirituality is also like that. To satisfy spiritual hunger, we need to meditate again and again.

Everything is done by God, including the managing of your body, the way your heart beats. Even its maintenance is done by God. The power behind the beating of your heart, is God

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺
    
                🌿Chapter - 20🌿
               ~ Repose In Being ~

                  🌱 Day - 115 🌱

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ईश्वरः सर्वनिर्माता नेहान्य इति निश्चयी ।
अन्तर्गलितसर्वाशः शान्तः क्वापि न सज्जते ॥

Everything is done by God, including the managing of your body, the way your heart beats. Even its maintenance is done by God. The power behind the beating of your heart, is God. If you had control over your heartbeat, nobody would die! Who would want to die? Even an old woman of ninety-nine, or a man of one hundred and ten does not want to die. Everybody wants to live on and on. But it's not in your control! Your heart does not ask for your permission to beat. Your breath does not flow by your willingness or unwillingness. The growth and decay of your veins, your brains and every cell in your body is happening by itself! And how can we not see this? Everything in the body happens by itself. Everything in the Creation happens by itself. The flowers are blossoming - the leaves are becoming green and the petals are becoming colourful. The whole creation is progressing!

The sun rises and sets. How can one be so blind as to not see an unseen hand behind this whole creation? Who is managing it? Even children are curious about things like who makes the sun go round. ईश्वरः सर्वनिर्माता नेहान्य इति निश्चयी । There is nothing other than God. Be very firm about this! Open your eyes and see. You think you are in control of a situation. What are you in control of? What situation? Where are you? Everything is happening, and you are in God. God is all that 'is'. ईश्वरः सर्वनिर्माता । Everything is done by God. There is nothing other than Him. 

Feelings, lack of feelings, distorted feelings, or negative feelings by their very nature. Earlier, we spoke about the three natures of vata, pitta and kapha, about sattva, rajas and tamas, and then about the five elements: earth, water, air, fire and water. These elements rise and fall and, so, different moods rise and fall in you. This is its very nature. Beyond this, become a witness to it all and rest peacefully; repose in your Self.

Ashtavakra so beautifully tells Janaka to cool down. He further told him that he had run enough behind this and that, good, bad, right or wrong. It was enough. He just needed to rest. Ashtavakra is a revolution. After Krishna, only Ashtavakra has asked to drop even the dharma and relax. (Krishna had also told Arjuna to drop dharma and to take refuge in Him. That He was there for him).

Ashtavakra said the same. ईश्वरः सर्वनिर्माता। He said that everything is being done by Ishwara,by the Lord, by Divinity. नेहान्य इति निश्चयी । There's no-one other than Him.
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I felt empowered, relieved and empty. I felt like someone came with a broom and swept away all the dirt in my mind and heart, I swear!!! Even though those four days were tough, it was the richest experience that I ever had.

Hi guys, Jai Gurudev! Just wanted to share my advance course experience with y’all. 

I just happened to be around Bangalore at the same time and my happiness teachers ie Milind and Nidhi insisted if I’d come along for the advance course for the Bengal festival. I didn’t bother asking much and simply signed up. I reached the ashram, met my mentors and got introduced to so many new people who were extremely welcoming. Later that day, I learnt that I’d have to be completely silent and away from communicating with anyone. I had never done that in my entire life, I was instantly nervous and wished I knew about this earlier otherwise I’d have never signed up for this. After that a few other people told me that it’s the 16-17th time they’re doing this course, I felt relaxed, eased my mind and thought it wouldn’t be that bad but little did I know, to each their own experience! 

As the silence course commenced, everyone dispersed in their own directions. That evening was pretty chill and passed in no time but the next days were tough, very tough. I found myself sobbing the entire next day but continued to perform my duties (meditation, seva, etc.). I didn’t feel sad or disheartened so I really had no idea why I was venting out so much. The next day was same, I was tearing up every second minute and thought it’s better I quit. I really thought I couldn’t do it until something in me just walked to a store in the ashram and bought a ₹.5 picture of gurudev. I put the picture in my ID card cover, nothing changed but I felt courageous. I felt like I could complete the course even in the worst of situations. I didn’t feel like using my phone even once while in the course and let it be in airplane mode for those days. Amidst all this, I got almost no sleep for 4 consecutive days. Although I went to bed at 10ish, I wake awake with my own thoughts and borderline anxiety until my alarm rang at 4:55 to freshen up and leave for morning sadhana. But I made up my mind to do my meditation and seva with utmost sincerity. In those 4 days, I felt like I witnessed the happiest people have ever been around me, with only purity, and generosity even when I wasn’t speaking or communicating in sign language. I felt moved!

After we broke our silence, I sat in awe on how I overcame the last few days. I felt empowered, relieved and empty. I felt like someone came with a broom and swept away all the dirt in my mind and heart, I swear!!! Even though those four days were tough, it was the richest experience that I ever had. I understood that maybe it was my first time so I felt the way I was feeling or maybe I got a little to anxious in the start. It’s more than a feeling to know and sit with your own thoughts and make peace with them. I think I held too many predispositions before this course but now I feel free. I held onto too many things and people but now it feels like nothing owns me. If the mind isn’t free, the freedom isn’t really worth it. I think this is the coolest experience I’ve ever had and everyone should try it at least once.

- Anchal

When your heart is filled with desires, and they become very hard, there won't be any love flowing in it. When the desires in your heart melt, love dawns and dominates in life.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺
    
                🌿Chapter - 21🌿
          ~ Letting Go Of Worries ~

                  🌱 Day - 120 🌱

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Ashtavakra says that it is a different type of joy. Be happy, peacefully; with melted desires and ambitions. तया हीनः सुखी शान्तः सर्वत्र गलितस्पृहः । A person who is very ambitious is not committed. He becomes an opportunist. He is not committed; not focused. He's not living in love. Opportunism or ambition is the other side, the other end of love. A very opportunistic or ambitious person cannot be in love or love anybody. He cannot give. He cannot be without fear. He cannot be peaceful, because he is always thinking about himself. There is no trust in an ambitious person. A person who is an opportunist, who has a lot of ambition, knows that he does not have trust in himself, or trust in the Divine. He thinks that his desires and wants are bigger than himself. What is bigger, you or your desire? Ignorance is thinking that your desire is bigger than you. But, you are much bigger, because you are the source of several thousand desires. All desires arise in you and get fulfilled in you. Even if they are fulfilled, it leaves you untouched.

You still remain bigger than that, because you are the very source of joy. Everything has come from you; and you are so sad, if one desire is not fulfilled. That is why I say - 'So what?' You'll get many more such desires, bigger desires! Joy doesn't come by the fulfillment of some little desire here and there. Joy is your very existence. And you will remain very small when you hang on to a little desire here and there. Your heart freezes when your desires become hard, like ice blocks, inside you. When your heart is filled with desires, and they become very hard, there won't be any love flowing in it. When the desires in your heart melt, love dawns and dominates in life.

There is a harshness in you. This harshness is there because you're unaware of the security that has been given to you. You are unaware of the love that is being given to you by God and by Nature. There is some very fragile and delicate aspect deep inside you. Each and every one of you is very fragile and delicate in your deepest center. But you are not in touch with that. When a desire arises, the body gets stiff, the mind gets stiff, the heart gets stiff, and emotions get stiff. If the desire does not get fulfilled, anger follows it. Anger cannot arise by itself. It arises when desires get curdled - just like buttermilk or yogurt is formed when milk gets curdled.

Ashtavakra did not say not to desire, because that is out of our control. Desires arise in you as a natural phenomenon. When they arise, don't make them stick to you; just let them go. Let them evaporate and leave you. The right desires will get fulfilled. And if the desires are not congenital to your growth or evolution, they'll simply dissolve and disappear.
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Split your worry. Cut it or expand it. Think or worry big - what will happen after about five thousand years? What will happen to you? Where will you be? In the present world there is no space and there is so much pollution. What will it be in five thousand years?

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺
    
                🌿Chapter - 21🌿
          ~ Letting Go Of Worries ~

                  🌱 Day - 119 🌱

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You will see your mind gets blown, and the worry stops. When the worry becomes too much, people go very blank. If it is really insignificant, it goes on bugging the mind. But if it is something very big, one gets stunned. It becomes a shock. It's like the mosquito that goes on making a noise in our ears. Have you noticed a mosquito bite does not itch while it is biting you. It only starts itching after it has bitten. You only feel the pain after being bitten. Even there nature has made a provision. Otherwise all the mosquitoes would starve. The mosquitos have so been created! First they bite, and when they get away you start itching.

So split your worry. Cut it or expand it. Think or worry big - what will happen after about five thousand years? What will happen to you? Where will you be? In the present world there is no space and there is so much pollution. What will it be in five thousand years? So many people would have come, dirtied this world much more and gone. What should you do. A bigger worry will be if you will get a job after five thousand years. Will you be able to sell your car? Will you even have a car then? I'm giving you so many options! How can we arrest the mind that is going in this way? Look back at the periods when you have worried. Just remember and imagine how you were on a particular day, five years ago. Were you not worrying about what will happen? How you were so worked up during a particular examination period. You were worried if you would be able to fulfil your desire. You were sick. So many stupid thoughts were rolling in your mind. You were so tensed. Remember the times when you have worried in the past.

Every time you worry, you worry afresh! You don't remember your past worries, and how you got over them. Every time you worry, you think that worry is fresh and new. You don't want stale worries. Look back and see. All those stale worries are there no more. You will find that your current worry is also stale. It is nothing. You will get over it, too. We have the most wonderful technique to stop this chattering mind that doesn't allow any peace. Super bomb. Doesn't allow any mind to exist? Kriya.

If you do Kriya sincerely the worry gets blown out! How can you be worried in satsang? When so much assurance of all kinds is given to you, how can you be worried here? If you are worrying here, too, it means you are sleepy, and don't know where you are. It's like starving when you are having food in front of you, and not knowing it. There's plenty of food in front of you! Being unaware of the grace, love and joy that the Divine is pouring on us all the time, is the cause of worry. Become aware of where you are, then the worry will simply drop and vanish! तया हीनः सुखी शान्तः You become so happy and peaceful, void of these worries.

This is important. Ashtavakra did not say just to be happy and leave it at that. He said to be peaceful. Many times people are happy, but not peaceful. They are restless. Outwardly, they seem happy, but the joy of happiness is not there. Happiness also brings more misery. Haven't you seen happy people being miserable? That's why all wise and enlightened people on the past have said that sorrow and joy are two sides of the same coin. They are like the peak and the base of a mountain. If there is a peak, there has to be a base and if there is a base, there has to be a peak. Consider excitement - if you laugh too much, you will cry more. There is a proverb which cautions that you should not laugh too much, because you will start crying. That means it has both sides. Excited joy and sorrow are the sides of the same thing.
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How do you drop these worries? One way is to be aware of the reality of the truth that everything is changing. And the other way is to be more centered. And practices. This is called dispassion.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺
    
                🌿Chapter - 21🌿
          ~ Letting Go Of Worries ~

                  🌱 Day - 118 🌱

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Thoughts come and go in the mind. Many of them are not yours. In fact, none of the thoughts are yours. They have their own wave. Thoughts come and go. You may get hold of one of the thoughts that are going, and not allow it to go easily. That is called worrying. The gramophone needle moves for a few seconds in each groove. Then it goes into another groove, and then another. It keeps changing grooves. If the needle is stuck in one groove, the same thought comes in the mind again and again. You get up in the morning, and the same thought hits you. You drink tea and the same thought hits you. You sit at the dining table and the same thought is bugging you. It's like a mosquito trapped in a mosquito net in a dark room, and you don't know where it is. You try to catch it all night, making sounds and disturbing your neighbors.

चिन्तया जायते दुःखं नान्यथेहेति निश्चयी । One thought that is stuck in your mind is the cause of your sorrow. You are stuck with one thing. You feel that something should be one way or it should be the other way. The you are sad! All sorrow arises out of getting stuck in one thought,one event, one instance, or one desire. It is getting stuck with something that is past. Look at what happens in cartoons. Mickey Mouse's tail gets stuck somewhere. He tried to go forward and becomes big, and suddenly gets released. In the same way,the mind is stuck in one event, and then at a particular time it gets released. It is elastic like rubber. It goes back and forth, trying and struggling to get rid of particular thought. That is worry. That is sorrow. That is sadness. This is such a precise explanation to understand what sorrow is. You cannot have the same intensity of sorrow over a period of time. If somebody is sad for one reason, they cannot have the same intensity of sadness or sorrow continuing for several days. It is all like a perishable flower. You have to continuously renew your worries. You can't have the same old worry constantly in your mind. Maybe it will repeat but, even then, the intensity will be different. All the problems and sufferings in your life are coming and going. You go on chewing them. 

तया हीनः सुखी शान्तः सर्वत्र गलितस्पृहः । How do you drop these worries? This is the question. We have formulated many ways for it and there are two components in each of these ways. One way is to be aware of the reality of the truth that everything is changing. And the other way is to be more centered. And practices. This is called dispassion. Your illusion is what makes worry stay with you longer - the idea in your mind that you are going to live forever in the world. Just think you are going to kick this world and get away from here in no time! Where is the worry then? What you will be worried about then? You're going to drop this whole thing in no time. Everybody has to, one day or another. You are going to take off from here! How can you worry or what will you worry about? The reality of your short life-span, and it's insignificance in this enormous universe. What is our life? Nothing, but a few years! What are a few years? Billions of years have gone past; what is fifty, sixty, or a hundred years? The futility of worry becomes very evident then. Take that very thought and analyze. Agree to be with it, word by word and the worries disappear. For instance, you are worried because you cannot find your handbag. This bugs your mind continuously. Now, think about it, telling yourself repeatedly that you cannot find your handbag! Say it several times and you will start laughing! What is it that you cannot find? You cannot find your handbag. Where is the handbag?
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ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
सभी सुखी होवें, सभी रोगमुक्त रहें, सभी मंगलमय घटनाओं के साक्षी बनें और किसी को भी दुःख का भागी न बनना पड़े। ॐ शांति शांति शांति॥
May all sentient beings be at peace, may no one suffer from illness, May all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer. Om peace, peace, peace.

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