Guru Mandala

Guru Mandala Q: Gurudev, you are beyond ego and hence you have no karma. But still you are doing a lot of karma for the benefit of humanity. But as per the law of karma, you will have to bear the consequences. So, how do you do it? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Very easy! It is feather light.

Q: Gurudev, since many years, I have a desire in my mind. So far it has not been fulfilled. What is the reason for this? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Time! Let it take its time. You should always say, ’If this desire is good for me then let it happen. Otherwise, let it not happen.’

Q: Dear Gurudev, I understand that every happening in the Universe is with the knowledge of the Divine. Why then does he increase the crime rate and then counteract it with measures of good virtues. Kindly explain. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are many questions like this. Why did God place both eyes in front? He should have kept one in the front and one at the back. Then you would not have to turn back and see. You could go sideways, isn’t it? God lacks some ideas I think. If you ask a movie director, ‘Why should this hero undergo all these difficulties to get the heroine, and why is there a villain? Why do you make all this drama? Everything should have been very smooth.’ What would he say? Find out! Then I will tell you. Because that is exactly what God will also say!

Q: Dearest Gurudev, what is Guru Mandala, please explain! Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you try to go near a Guru, many things come around on the way – that is called Guru Mandala. At first you get many distractions. And when you pass those, then many charming things will come. Siddhis will come, cravings and aversions will come. And you pass all that and then reach the center of the Mandala. Mandala means circle. So, you come here to meet the Guru and do sadhana, and suddenly you find a beautiful girl or a boy and then you start running after them. Or you come for the purpose of knowledge and So these distractions indicate your one-pointedness; your power to really go to the center. How you can pass the circle of negativity, doubts, charms, attractions, and all these distractions and go to the center. And then the ego, ’I am better than the Guru. Oh, what Gurudev is saying, I also know that. I can do even better.’ This sort of Yoga Maya will come. They are all there and all that is called Guru Mandala.

Q: Does the Art of Living support the Anna movement? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Art of Living is a founding member of the IAC (India Against Corruption) movement. We are standing against corruption from the beginning and our efforts are ongoing. I appeal to Annaji and to his team to drop the fast. Your efforts are very much required for this country. Nearly 350 youths are sitting there since the last six days and the seventh day is going to

come. Please do not fast anymore and put your bodies through more trouble. I appeal to you to drop your fast, but maintain the struggle. There is a lot of work to be done and we have to bring a lot of change in this country. Corruption needs to be removed and we are all united in this effort. We all have the same goal, i.e., to remove corruption from this country, but our means are different. Our ways of working is different. Our approach is to never insult or condemn anyone. We do not go to anyone’s home and create violence. We do not believe in any kind of violence or aggression. In our satsang, there is an energy which is very high and very positive. Not of jealousy and anger, but of enthusiasm, zeal and hope, to do something, to bring about a change. And we walk ahead towards our goal with this spirit (gusto). Moving with awareness and enthusiasm is the way of the Art of Living. This is the path that we have always adopted. So we must protest with complete awareness, complete knowledge and with music. Annaji is fasting at the moment, and at the venue it is our Art of Living singers who are sitting there and singing and encouraging the masses. But unfortunately, yesterday there were some people who were being unruly; they are not from The Art of Living. This should not be done and I do not approve of any sort of unruliness. We have to bring about a revolution with complete awareness. So we must all think and act.

Q: Gurudev, I have just finished my TTC. What are the parameters to decide whether I should teach fulltime or not? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Look at your family responsibilities. If you have none, then you can decide to become a full time teacher. If you have a lot of responsibilities at home, I would like you to continue with your responsibilities and also start teaching on the side. Source : Wisdom from Sri Sri

Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h8ki_z-qcs