Had the good fortune to be in the
divine presence of my spiritual master, Sri Sri, after a year, and the chance
to hear him live in person after 2 years. So was really looking forward to it.
Ofcourse with live updates
everyday now, post each satsang, the presence is constant, but being in his
physical presence is life-changing. So here is a full version of Q&A with
the master. Pretty much every word he spoke. The Pearls of wisdom... Hope they open some knots you maybe having trouble unraveling.
This was an intimate chat with only teachers and volunteers at MMRDA Grounds.
Harshal crooned – “tum aa gaye
ho, noor aa gaya hai”…was blissful..set the mood immediately.
:) :)
Guru ji sat and then he
immediately said – “chalo sab thoda dhyan kare.”
The meditation was wonderful….it’s
amazing how every day he does some new meditation so effortlessly…
After meditation…he said
“How does it feel, how many are
feeling fresh. Meditation is our fuel…It’s like battery recharge. Without this
whatever you do has no juice. The centre of our Art of living philosophy is
meditation and self-knowledge. It’s very important
How many of you have done Sahaj
Samadhi Meditation??
Who all have not done? Oh…first
thing you have to do now is learn sahaj. Put everything aside and learn sahaj
first.
Sometimes it may happen that the
situation is not favourable to do Sudarshan Kriya, but any situation is good to
do Sahaj. You can definitely meditate anywhere.
You know what scientists are
saying now, that within 8 weeks of meditation the whole brain structure can be
altered. The grey matter present in the brain increases.”
(Someone threw him a red heart
pillow). He caught it and said. “Your heart is already with me then how can you
give me this? This is duplicate or what?”
(Someone took his photo), he said
keep my photo in your heart.
(Someone said smile…) he said – “you
are asking me to smile??? I am telling the whole world that…”and laughed
gleefully….
“Meditation has many benefits –
you all know that and have experienced it too. Benefits of meditation also come
with us to next lifetime.
When you meditate, you give out
positive vibes, which will also make it a pleasure for others to meet you. That
is the sign of an Art of Living person – that others are happy to see you. They
may not know why…but they are happy.
Now all over the world – people
are meditating. Argentina, beyond which only dolphins stay and extreme tip of
the North Pole, now people are meditating. Art of living is now in every corner
of the world. We have a one world family. Lord of the world is ours anyway.
(wink)
Don’t keep crying over your small
problems and things. Everyone will have some. Jesus had them, Lord Ram had them
and Krishna had them. That is going to be there in life.
In fact you’ll are lucky, you
have the least. Problems don’t really touch you, do they? You sail through it –
isn’t it?
Just know that the best thing
will happen for you. Have this faith and give it to others too. Then light will
spread in the society.
I am very happy with the work
that is happening in Maharashtra. In villages such amazing work is happening.
All those who say Art of Living is an urban phenomena don’t know
everything. 5 rivers have been
rejuvenated. You all can go on the internet and see the work that is happening.
Now Venunaad is going to happen
in Nashik, 5000 flutists will play together. On the birthday of Swami
Vivekanand as well as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. But in the photos I’ve seen all
the flutist are holding the flute straight, like a shehnai, please tell them
they have to hold it slanting.
Anyone wants to say anything?
Someone said – I love you Guruji!
Guruji – Now that is an old
story. And there is going to be no change to that ever!!
Some people shared some ideas – I
didn’t find them so interesting so I don’t remember. But Guruji said – now we
are going to keep a botheration basket and an idea basket.
Someone asked about PK.
He said – “This is not a new phenomenon,
in every profession there are few black sheep. It is important to expose them.
Doesn’t mean everyone is bad.”
You know in the US, some fathers
misbehaved with their v small daughters. The media blew it so much out of
proportion, some girls started perceiving that their fathers must have
misbehaved with them in their childhood. Even in Bollywood, They portray
saying, if anyone puts a tilak, they are badmash! Since they have started
showing that I put tilak every day. I will be a badmash. Earlier I didn’t put
tilak so regularly, now I purposely put. Let them find a flaw with me if they
have the courage. Show me a blemish if you have the courage. Your glasses can
have spots – but not here. I have always been like that – bedaag.
Q – My family is not into Art of
Living, how do I get them? It is easier to get 40 people for a course than to
get my parents.
A – Get their closest friends
into the course. When you have to pluck a mango, you should aim at the branch,
then the mango will fall. Or when they are in a good mood, ask them for a gift.
Tell them to do the course. Or you can tell them that In Stanford University the AOL
course is actually a credit and World bank also everyone has done the course. In Harvard Business school all are doing. The
intelligent people are doing it anyway and if you do it you become intelligent.
So say a few things like that.
Q – Is there are hierarchy in AOL
teachers. That Advance and DSN teachers are more senior than other teachers?
A – See here we don’t compare. At
a consciousness level, we all are unique and equal. In terms of experience, it
definitely varies. They have been teaching part 1 for a long time that’s why
they are now teaching Advance. They are also following what they are teaching.
So their experience is solidifying.
If you see flaws in any teacher
or don’t like the way someone is doing things. You just keep that flaw aside.
There are flaws in every prophet also. I can tell you all the flaws in Ram,
Krishna, Jesus, and Mohamed. If you think someone has ego or thinks too much of
themselves etc. you just keep it aside. It is my job. When someone’s ego get
too big etc, I know when to deflate, when to tighten the screws. That’s my job.
You do your job. Work for the nation.
Even in the same house, 4 people
cannot be the same or have the same opinion on everything. Mother and daughter
also have fights. My mom used to shout so much at Bhanu. I used to tease her
that you are her Mother in Law. My mother, she wanted perfection in everything
and Bhanu was very slow. She used to shout at me also. That you don’t know how
to run the ashram. This keeps on happening. Husband wife also fight. This whole
world is a dream. Don’t give so much importance to all this and spoil your mind.
“
Q – In which yug were devotees
better?
A – You’re trapping me with such
questions. (Laughs). Everything is unique.
See – When you leave your body –
3 things will come in front of you…We all have left our bodies many times, I
remember and you don’t remember ,that’s the only difference.
1 – How much knowledge have you
gained?
2 – How much love have you given?
3 - How large was your life?
Were you stuck with the same 4-10
people? Lived with them and troubled them and was troubled by them the whole
time?
There is a Sanskrit quote –
(didn’t get it) it means – chote daire mein sukh nahin. There is no happiness
in small things and people. What is big – brings happiness. You will never get
happiness from small hearted / minded people. When we are small we have big
hearts and minds. As we grow older, the mind becomes rigid and heart withers.
Knowledge is what brings progress. Spend more time with people who have large hearts. Our volunteers should be ideal. Large hearts and mind and full of dynamism. Not lethargic.
Q – Can you say something about
Power of attraction/Visualization?
A – They are all words. They are
making you play with your own thoughts using these words. You cannot go beyond
thoughts through your own thoughts.
Meditation takes you beyond your
own thoughts. In that state whatever sankalpa you take, gets fulfilled. Our
consciousness has such amazing power.
If you visualize every day, it
gives rise to doubt. I tell you the people who have started these seminars on
visualizations are in depression themselves. I won’t give names but it has
happened.
You only try 10 days you
visualize everyday – I am in Mumbai, I am in Mumbai. After 9 days only you will
be in a mental hospital. Then you will think am I really in Mumbai?
Q – Someone mentioned please
guide us how can we stop killing of cows.
A – Earlier cows were 120 crores
and we were 30 crores. That’s why there was enough for everyone. The scriptures
say na – dudh ki nadiya behti thi. Now we are 130 crores and cows are just 20
crores. Everyone should get enough nutrition.
Q – How to increase my patrata?
A – Be with the question. The
question will guide you to the answer
Q – Earlier when we used to do
the part 1 course – there were 40 people on the course. Now even to catch 8-10
people has become a challenge.
A – It will happen. People get
happy and satisfied and go away. Then when they get into a problem they come
back. They will always come back. People who have done the course 10 years ago
also come back. I can tell the teachers one thing – make the follow ups
interesting. Involve everyone. Don’t follow hierarchy there. Everyone is as
close to me. Each one has a right on me.
Q – (Some knowledge question)
You know there are so many movies
made on Yog vashista in the West, and here people don’t read only. Read the Yog
Vashista, Ashtavakra gita.
Q – Guruji ever since I have seen
you today I am crying only, not able to control my tears.
A – That happens. They say when a
heart blossoms, tears come.
Q - Guruji I am a zorastrain. My
community is diminishing. You know past present and future. What is the future
of the parsi community?
A – Parsis are the pride of India
and Mumbai. They have done such amazing wok. The pride will flourish – don’t
worry. They had the worst time in Iran, but ever since they have come to India,
it has only been uphill. We need such communities that have such amazing
integrity and values.
Q – I want to be in your physical
presence always..
A – Always is tough. But connect
with me through twitter, I keep sending knowledge. Who all don’t have a twitter
account? Open one and follow me ok, I will see tonight how many of you have
joined. Connect through Facebook. You know people ask me so many follow you but
you don’t follow anybody – why? You know I can’t follow only selected people
others will feel bad. I am always there with you in Meditation, personally, I am
there with you in Seva.
We will have a world family reunion in 2016 – in New Delhi. (Someone said why not Mumbai). He said don’t forget Delhi is the capital of the country. Is that a good idea? What do you’ll say?
We’ll have lot of interesting
things ok. Festival of food and agriculture. Art of Living is doing great stuff
in Agriculture. You know few months ago 3000 farmers came to Bangalore. After
that 2000 sarpanch had come. They were so happy you know, they learnt so much.
We are doing great work to take care of the health of the nation, in protecting
seeds etc.
Whatever ideas you have for the
reunion you send to us ok.
Every district that is complete
Art of Living I will come there. Where each person knows how to smile and
serve.
Do happiness surveys in every
building. Ask people if they are happy and make them happy. Teach some
meditation there. Take 1-2 hours session.
Just know that the absolute best
will happen for you. Only one condition is there. Don’t have non-veg and
alcohol. If you have these things, there will be a hole in my promise. No Art
of Living volunteer should have. If you really feel the urge to have – and cannot
control – just come on an advance course. I will intoxicate you such, you’ll
forget any other intoxication.
Do this and the path ahead will be very
bright, Be assured!"
Then couple of bhajans and he
left…after uplifting the hearts of all 10000 people gathered there. ….
Blessed,
Jai Gurudev
Alpa
