See your life in comparison to the magnitude of creation, space and time

अपने जीवन को सृष्टि, आकाश और समय के परिमाण की तुलना में देखें। आपका जीवन महत्त्वहीन हो जाता है; अहंकार गायब हो जाता है। 

 

~ गुरुदेव श्री श्री रवि शंकर 

 

 

See your life in comparison to the magnitude of creation, space and time. Your life becomes insignificant; The ego disappears. 

 

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Fragrance of love and happiness spreads from within us.

We should become such that wherever we go, the fragrance of love and happiness spreads from within us.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Being aware of its nature is what attaining immortality is.

Question - Gurudev, you said that bravery is to realize the oneness of consciousness, that’s the essence of Upanishads, in the sense it leads to immortality. But, isn’t the nature of the soul to be immortal? That’s what I don’t understand. It seems to be contradictory.

Gurudev Sri Sri - Yes, its nature is immortal, but being aware of its nature is what attaining immortality is.

Serve people who are in bigger troubles.

Remember there are others who may be going through harder times than the ones you are facing. When you realise this, your problems will appear small. Serve people who are in bigger troubles.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

You have to dedicate and rededicate again and again.

Like the fuel in the car, your dedication and commitment runs out in the course of time. It needs constant renewal. You have to dedicate and rededicate again and again.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The Gayatri Mantra is a prayer for that.

You have no control over what thought comes as you know it only after it has come; Although you have a choice which one to act upon. You can only pray to the Cosmos to gift you noble thoughts. The Gayatri Mantra is a prayer for that.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

This is a rule of nature!

When you are soaked in love and are vibrating love, then people around you reciprocate that same love. This is a rule of nature!

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Harming others brings trouble to yourself

Harming others brings trouble to yourself. That is why you should not harm others. Not for their sake, but for your own sake. 

 

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

(In the commentary on the Bhagavad Gita)

That moment you are perfect again.

Mistakes of the past are past. When knowledge dawns, that moment you are perfect again.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

How are the avatars different?

Question - Gurudev, it is said that God is in all. Then how are the avatars different? 

 

Gurudev Sri Sri - Avatar means one who has come down. Those who want nothing, they come for the wellbeing of all. They haven’t come for themselves - either to enjoy or burn karmas. They have come for jankalyan (welfare of all).

Planets and other celestial bodies are not merely inert objects

Planets and other celestial bodies are not merely inert objects. They have a consciousness of their own.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Then, life is a celebration.

When you put on different colours, knowing they will be washed off, you play joyfully with them. Like that, know that all the emotions and events you go through in life will be washed off, you are untouched by them. Then, life is a celebration.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Do not undermine your intelligence, do not undermine your ability

Do not undermine your intelligence, do not undermine your ability, do not undermine your skill to manage a crisis.  

  

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Turn every problem into wonder; every adventure into joy.

Turn every problem into wonder; every adventure into joy. This starts happening with the very glimpse and experience of Divine Love.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Can you please bless me so that I can get good marks in exams?

Question - Gurudev, can you please bless me so that I can get good marks in exams? 

 

Gurudev Sri Sri - Blessings are already in abundance, you go ahead and study first (laugh). You cannot expect blessings to work without hard work. A Food dish is already served to you; at least you go ahead and chew it. How can even I do that for you (laugh)? You chew it and enjoy the taste. It is said in Gita. You continue doing your work irrespective of the result you get. That is what Karma is.

Is memory a blessing or curse?

Question - Gurudev, Is memory a blessing or curse?

Gurudev Sri Sri - Forgetting bad things is a blessing. Forgetting good things can be a curse.

We must ask ourselves 2 questions everyday

We must ask ourselves 2 questions everyday:

#1 Who am I?

#2 Why am I here?

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

There are two kinds of joy: one of receiving and the other of giving

There are two kinds of joy: one of receiving and the other of giving. In our childhood we experienced the joy of receiving. If you give anything to children they are always ready to take it. But as we grow older, we experience the joy in giving.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Whenever you take a Sankalpa

Whenever you take a Sankalpa, you should always pray that – ‘I want this or anything better than this’. Nature is far more intelligent and would like to give you the best. When your vision is narrow and limited (to one’s own personal motives only), then you think this is the best for me. But the Universe knows better. If you deserve something better than that, it will surely give you that.

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

How do I retain this state of being?

Question - Gurudev, in your presence I feel the darkness disappear, I feel light and happy. How do I retain this state of being?

Gurudev Sri Sri - Meditate, do service, and be part of a service project. You will be close to me and retain that state of being.