What is your idea of God and how can man reach him through the Art of Living course?

"That which is the basis of all creation, from which you can never be separate, that is Divinity, that is God.
"So there are different levels of understanding. On one level, on the intellectual level, God is like the space, the basis of the whole creation in which we are, we remain and we dissolve all there was, all that is, and all that will be. On the emotional level, we all seek love. Love is God and God is love.

"You cannot know God through the five senses, that has to be felt from the heart. That is why we say love is God, because only in the state of love you can experience love.

"The Art of Living course can get you into that unstressed state of mind. You cannot experience love if you are stressed; so when you get out of stress and tension and go into deep meditation, then you realize that you can feel the love for God. "

Have you seen God?

"There are certain questions for which no answer is the right answer. Like if someone is sleeping and you ask 'Are you sleeping?' and if he doesn't answer, then he must be asleep.
"If he says 'Yes,' that means he is not sleeping. This is one such question. God is not an object of your senses, it is the very basis of your life."

What is your concept of hell and heaven?

"I have none. Heaven is, perhaps, when there is harmony in your environment and within yourself, and hell is when there is no harmony within you and around you."

You said, if you wanted to introduce religion, let it be the religion of happiness. That sounds like a negation of religion as we know it.

"No, definitely we should learn a little about every religion and we should be firm and strong about our own religion. Religion should not create hatred, guilt but happiness.
"One who is full of happiness, compassion and love is truly religious; it is when one doesn't see that one gets disheartened. Religious people should bring that happiness. If a religion does not have love and broad-mindedness then it is not worth following."

What are your long-term objectives?

"To see a smile on every face, a smile that is not fragile, a smile that does not evaporate and disappear just like that."

What is your mission in life?

To put a smile on as many faces as possible.

What advice do you give those who are seeking peace and happiness?

Get rid of stress, know that peace is there where you are and that it's in your heart. Peace is your very nature.

What makes you happy?

Happiness is my nature.

What makes you cry?

When I see the ignorance and small-mindedness. I cry at the top of my lungs, saying hey come on wake up, there's so much inside of you, don't sit and mourn about yourself. Go out and do something for the people around you.

What would you want to be reborn as?

I still have a lot of time here, so that I will decide later. I keep that choice open.

Do you have a recurring dream, and if so what is it?

I see the whole world as a dream, all the phenomena, even this moment that we are talking could be a dream.

Any unfulfilled dreams?

I don't think we should seek fulfillment in dreams.

Does the world need religion?

Whether it needs religion or not, it is indispensable, and you have to work around it. Dismissing religion will not work, it has not worked in Russia for 40 years, what is needed here is harmony.

Who does the future belong to?

Whoever has gone through the past.

Who do you draw inspiration from?

Any one who is in front of me.

How does one find a soulmate?

By first finding your soul.

What is intuition?

It is the tuition that you get from inside!

Why is so much attention given to your celebrity disciples?

We have reached out to 20 million people, and not all 20 million are celebrities. We have reached out through sewa and the five H program. Now we have started chemical- free farming.

Farmers borrow money to buy pesticides and fertilizers and they go bankrupt and commit suicide.

We have started a village-to-village campaign to teach farmers to start chemical and pesticide-free farming and natural farming using leaves as pesticides. It has done wonders. We have adopted 25,000 villages.

Do you wonder why the media goes on about your celebrity disciples?

The media needs celebrities.

What is the definition of God?

G-O-D! Generator, Operator, Destroyer.

Is the Sudarshan Kriya just simple hyperventilation?

I just smile at people who say that, they need to study more. If some one is a full scientist there's no problem, if the person is not a scientist, even that's not a problem, but a half scientist, they become agnostics and atheists.

What is the one thing that the world needs today?

It needs many things. Like harmony. It is the lack of spirituality that is causing the disharmony. Either people become aggressive and violent because of it, or they become depressed and commit suicide. The answer for this is spirituality.

Is spirituality against marriage?

You can get married. Then both of you can be spiritual.

What lies behind the beard?

I haven't looked behind the beard. I tell my disciples, the swami's hair is his antennae and the beard is the earthing, it's just a uniform.

Any last message for the reader?

Compare the problem to a dog, the solution is its tail, if you don't see its tail, just wait for a while, it will wag itself. Then you will see the solution.

How would you describe yourself?

Just a child - who refuses to grow up

How would you like to be remembered?

As a friend!

After death, does the soul retain any of the senses?

Yes. It is very interesting. After death, the soul retains the sight, smell and hearing. Touch and taste will go. The sight, smell and hearing are not retained for ever, but for about eight to ten days. Then the soul goes into a deep state of rest.

Guruji, how do you know this?

<smilng> Those who have known themselves know this. You know, it is all in the consciousness. Also this has been recorded in the ancient texts by scholars.

What to do if you have a boss who doesn't recognize your
contributions?

Just smile.

Guruji, why do so many innocent people suffer in man-made and
natural disasters?

It makes you wonder about whether there is a God or not, doesn't it? More than five hundred people in Bombay this week... You simply have to wonder. You know, you should think about how we can change
the bad people into good people. We have to think constructively.

It is also nature's way of telling us to have compassion. Without misery there would be no compassion, is it not? In Africa millions of children cannot afford a square meal. In Washington DC, fifty percent of school children drop out and go into violence. What can we do? How to reinstate goodness and faith in non-violence?

Non-violence is the first limb of yoga. The second limb is truth. Why do we lie? It is because of our fear of losing our reputation and of losing others love. You know why spouses lie to each other? Because if they tell the truth, there will be a fight! When there is a conflict between love and truth, love always wins, that is why spouses lie.

Yogas limbs are non-violence and truth, but yoga also leads to non-violence and truth. See we have done lots of good work in prisons, and in places like Israel, Kashmir... Is Dafna here? <Dafna, who has been teaching in Israel, stands up to applause> We have been teaching in Tel Aviv, and also in the prisons in Israel. And in Iraq. Recently 43 people, mostly women and some men also, were in the Bangalore ashram. They took training for eight weeks, and now they are going back to Iraq to teach various yoga and meditation. <applause>

What is dharma?

Dharma is more than just duty. It is that which uplifts you. Serving, etc. It is that which is your inherent nature.

Guruji, you said earlier that the ego is useful for action. Is it
possible to act without ego?

Yes. An enlightened person will act without any ego.

See, praising a wise person is useless. They will anyway do good work. They will continue doing good work even if you blame them. Praise a fool -- that will pump up their ego and motivate them into
doing good work. Have you noticed, the ego troubles ones own mind more than others?

Guruji, I have been having bad thoughts throughout this course.

That is because of stress, toxins in the blood. Could also be due to some hormonal imbalance. More cleansing will help. Don't be bothered. The more you grow, the more these negative emotions, anger etc. will be intolerable to you. So it is a good sign.

(A question on natural disasters)

Haan, natural disasters will always happen, no? last year we had 19 water-related disasters around the world. The year before was fire. <last year when I was at a part 2 course in Florida in January just
after the tsunami in Asia, he spoke of some more water-related disasters, particularly some coming from the Atlantic Ocean and also in other places around the world... and what we did have? The most insane hurricane season.>
Calamities are part of natures work. The ozone layer is getting depleted, global warming is happening, and so many other things. There is also so much greed. There is an imbalance in the nature. But more than that, it is the stress causing man-made calamities. Terrorism and so on. That is why it is so important to continue doing yoga, meditation, pranayamas, satsang, to uplift the consciousness. And also to teach all these practices to more people. Don't you think so? (Applause.)

Is it possible to attain enlightenment while having physical blocks
in the spine?

Why not? Ashtavakra had eight deformities in his body, and he was enlightened.

Guruji, you are our role model.

But I model all your roles!

Guruji, who is dearest to you: a sadhak, devotee or an enlightened
person?

Just you!

Why do more enlightened masters seem to hail from India than
anywhere else?

It is just a question of time. At this particular time many masters have come from India. At another time many masters came from the middle east. And at one time many saints were from Europe. See at
one time there were many scientists only from the west. Merchants were from Europe. Earlier at one time there were also many saints in China. Why is maple found only in Canada? We don't know! Or
bulls in Texas. But it doesn't belong only to that place. Knowledge and wisdom belong to the entire universe.

Guruji, I am very attached to you, but at the same time we do this process of bowing down to the angels to rid ourselves of attachment. How should I reconcile this? Someone from the crowd: Even the angels are attached to him.

<smiling> Yeah!

I have noticed that all my botherations are due to the inconsiderate actions of other people. My mind immediately jumps to resentment, judgment, etc. How do I make my mind unshakeable? How do I become accepting of myself and all?

Once you have recognized the situation in the mind, you are already out of it! You just say, I am going to stand up and smile.
<incomplete>

How to love somebody you hate the most?

First just accept that person. Just accept that they are incorrigible and will never change. Then understand that they are a victim themselves, of their circumstances and their ignorance.
Compassion is the next step. See, step by step we have 1, 2, 3. Acceptance, understanding and love.

What is the difference between skill and manipulation?

Good question. In manipulation, the intentions are not that good. There is viciousness behind the action. In skill the intentions are clear and good. Manipulation leaves you with a guilty feeling. It
will pinch you. When you are using your skill your conscience is clear. With manipulation there is dishonesty. You are dishonest to yourself and to the other person. When you are using skill there is
honesty. And only you can know the difference! Others can't.

What is the difference between sacrifice and service?

In sacrifice someone else's happiness is more important than our own.

Does nature always guide us? If I miss the bus on the way to an
interview, should I take a cab or look for another job?

Take a cab to the interview, and if you don't get the job, look for another one!

How to handle financial burden?

First of all, don't think it is a burden. Have the confidence that you can make it happen. Burden brings worry, and that will kill your creativity.

Why must people talk all the time? Even in your divine presence?

I don't know! I have the same question. <smiles> Here when satsang is going on, people sit and talk. I don't know what they are talking about. When satsang is happening we should all sit and sing together, no? All the minds come together.

Guruji, can we have Guru Poornima in Tahoe next year?

All is possible!

Why do we do yoga?

In order to make life more beautiful. Heyam dukham anahatam -- to stop misery from entering our world. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

For the body we have asanas. For the mind we have pranayamas, for emotional and mental well-being. Also asanas work on the mind and pranayams on the body -- there are no strict boundaries. Meditation
removes spiritual misery, dejection, darkness and depression. That is why yoga, Yogas-chitta- vritti-nirodhaha , it stops the chitta-vritti, or the endless activity of the chitta.

And also by singing. Be in satsang, and sing with everyone.

Also in chanting -- we will do chanting later today, we will chant sathyam param dhimahi a few times before meditation. It means let the ultimate truth dawn in my intellect. Beauty, truth and
divinity. It is good to chant just before meditation.

Karma vs. free will: how much are we governed by karma and how much
do we have any free will?

You should read Celebrating Silence, its all explained there. Also in the Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker, the first sheet is on that topic.

When the body dies, does the mind go with the soul?

Yes.

How can we change our karma?

By experience and wisdom, and some karma you just have to overcome it and work through it.

How to raise kids to not lose their innocence?

It is good to inculcate human values, love, compassion etc. in children when they are young. It is also important to make them strong. Should not make them too strong, then they become aggressive. At the same time some strength is needed in addition to the innocence, otherwise how will they go through life? Not too strong or innocent. Take the middle path.

<something about homesickness>

See, I consider that every tree in the planet is in my garden. When the whole world is your family, there can be no homesickness. Feel always at home -- it is all your attitude.

Are there any extra-terrestrial beings outside of the earth?

<smiling> Some may consider that I am one! <applause>

Some people were not happy that in our prayer meeting we did not condemn the attacks and we took a soft approach. So people wrote about us in the papers, are we from another planet or what?

Extra-terrestrials are also possible. The universe has many layers of consciousness. Have you all seen the silver jubilee video? The one with the angels in it? We should show it here after some time.

When we talk of healing and miracles and all, you know what our teachers say? We don't believe in miracles, we depend on them! <applause> Vismayo-yoga- bhoomika. The preface to yoga is
astonishment. Have you wondered how the seeds sprout into giant trees, and how babies are born, or how the planets revolve, and so on? That is wonder.

Are there any coincidences?

Could be -- we cannot rule anything out!

Guruji, what is the meaning of the word Bhajan?

In Sanskrit the word Vibhajan means separation. Therefore the word bhhajan means togetherness. When we all are together and have only one thought, and that is the thought of the Lord, it is Bhajan. We are together thinking about that Eshwara, then there is a lot of shakti in that. And what else do we
do? We clap. Clapping brings you in the present moment. Tell me if you are very happy what do you do? You clap. Right? Someone is very happy how do they express? By clapping! All throughout the world.. . there is this practice.

Guruji, many people come everyday and attend the Satsang. Most of them don't even know what there are coming here for? After sometime they don't come.. what could be done with this?

Leave about others. Krishna says,…Which means, there are crores of people who take birth and out of that only a few come to the path. And out of that few who pursue the path, only a few reach
me, understand me. Thousands come and go don't think about them. You think about yourself. Again Krishna said, "……" Which means, even out of several Muni's are Siddhas, only a few reach me.

Guruji what is Dasha-angula?

Dasha angula means, we have pancha(five) Gyanindriyas and pancha Karmaindriyas. What are the gyanindriyas? They are the sight, the ears.. etc and the Karmaindriyas are the hands, legs, words.. like that. Ten dimension are there. And the one who has all the ten dimension is a Purusha.

Guruji, I am feeling very empty right now. Feeling like nothing. Why?

Do you have a smile on your face? Are you happy? That's good! Then that's how it should be!

Often when I am do seva, I think I have other responsibilities also. Which needs my equal attention. That's the time I feel extremely in secured. Guruji how do I get rid of my insecure feelings?

You know, perhaps you are unaware of your capabilities. And you are unaware that nature loves you are supports you. Once you know that you have the ability, then you know your life is made. All your wishes, which are good for you, will get fulfilled. That's why you know, in India our National Flag has
this saying, "Satyam eva Jayate" which means Truth will always triumph! Our every note, currency, it is there, "Truth will always triumph!"

Guruji, tell something about positive and negative karma.

Karma is in the Mind. Not in the soul. The soul is free from all Karma.

Guruji what are the different dimensions of consciousness?

There are four different dimensions of consciousness. They are
Awaking , Dreaming , Sleep and the fourth one is Transcendental

Guruji, how to fight circumstances?

Why do you want to fight? Accept it.

Guruji, why is it so difficult to get love from other but so easy to love them?

Have you read this book called Celebrating silence? No? You must read that book huh. I have spoken about love there.

Guruji, what is the difference between Knowledge and science?

Knowledge is "Who am I?" and science is "What is this?"

Guruji, after having done so much of sadhana also I get negative thoughts. This leads me to very awkward feelings. What do I do?

You know, don't bother too much about the thoughts. I tell you it comes and goes. But if you see that you are still not able to handle them then… then you should run!! Just run for some few kilometers! And then you will feel so much out of breath that no thoughts can come to you. (Laughter!!) Or can you
swim? Do you know to swim? Ok so swim… Swim for a few hrs and then you will see not a single thought is coming to you! Just do as I tell you. 5 kms of run. But do it in the daytime. At night if you run then police will follow you. (Laughter!!)

Guruji I have seen you 13 years back once. And after a long gap I am seeing you now. Guruji am so shocked to see that age has not touched you. How have you kept yourself so young!??! Guruji, my next question is I a very restless. How do I handle this restlessness?

Have you done the Sudarshan Kriya? No? You should do the Sudarshan kriya!

Same devotee who asked the above question: Guruji what else?
Guruji: What else? (Laughter!!) You are asking what else? (Laughter!!) Ok
pranayama, Meditations. Are you in TTC? No? Then you should do the Teachers Training Course. It makes you so firm! Then nothing shakes you!! (Laughter!!) 15 days of grinding and grooming!! (Laughter!!) Its good! Very good!

Guruji, how to sharpen my memory?

I'll tell you the answer by 15th July 2019. (Laughter!!) When will I tell you I said? Let me see if you remember.

Guruji, at times I get very angry, How do I deal with it?

You like perfection. Right? You are a perfectionist. If you leave a little space for imperfection then you will see things are different. Then you can have but anger will never have you!!

Guruji, what should we do for the less fortunate people?

You are fortunate, you have the eyes the ears, the legs, the hands the tongue in place and perfect! You should use in a proper way to do good to others.

Guruji, I don't get sleep at night, Only get our thoughts of you at all the times.. What should I do?
(laughter!!) That's all right no?!!?

Guruji, what happens when we die?

You know I want you to have some surprise when you die. (Laughter!!) If I tell you everything right now then you will not enjoy the scene after death! Then you will feel "Oh! I already knew it!!" (Laughter!!)

Guruji, what is the difference between Atma and Paramatma?

Atma came in the beginning and Paramatama is beyond that. The in between the Atma and Paramatma is the Mahatma. (Laughter!!) So catch hold of the Mahatma and see the atma to ultimately reach the Paramatma.

What is the spirit?

Spirit is the life force. That helps you to see, helps you to function.. Like the thoughts arrive. Its like electricity, it is there you cannot see it. But you can see the lights shining! The air condition working!
The fans moving! But cannot see the electricity. Similarly the prana you cannot see. Do you see this?

Guruji, how to realize the soul?

Have you done the Sudarshan Kriya? Yes. Tell me how do you feel? Blank? That is it!

Guruji, how can we prevent the mind going around the world?

Have you done the advance course? The part II program? There are several meditations there to help you huh.

Guruji, do you believe in rebirth?

I don't believe it. I just know it!

Q Guruji, I have gone through several experiences, which are not so good. Some of them I am not able to forget. What to do?

By experience you become mature. Every pleasant or unpleasant experience makes you strong!

Guruji, can you please talk about the levels of consciousness?

The intellect forms the consciousness. It is a part of the conscious mind. The mind, memory and the ego is the part of the sub conscious mind. And mind is both conscious and sub conscious. When you are in the waking state the intellect is awake. But during the dreaming state it is not. But the mind is
still there! Do you see what I am saying? Like in a dream you see you are in a train and you are sitting on a horse! Now that is not possible! Or you see you are sitting on Maheshwara and Maheshwara is in the Vasuki room!! It is not possible!!

What happens here? Your intellect is gone to sleep! Intellect is in the dormant state now. Only the memory and the mind is active! The subconscious mind, all is functioning. That's why it is said you are dwelling into an ocean of energy. They do regression process to get rid of the past impressions. Psychiatrists talk about the Conscious and sub conscious and the unconscious state. We say Samadhi. That's why Samadi is so beautiful you slip in to the transcendental state and the ego is also not there at that state. In meditation memory is still awake. You become free from the clutches of memory if you practice Samadhi. During your meditation you will find some thoughts are connected and some are unconnected. They come and go. Some stay for a longer time than the other

Guruji, during the Navratri you asked us to drop all the worries, disappointments, fear, insecurity etc, and all the negativities, in the fire of the Yagna (Homa). I did that and felt free for quite sometime. But after a while the worries started its work again, and I was back to the square one!! Guruji, is there a method that these negativities disappear permanently?

(Laughter) Till you get Vairagya (dispassion), till the mind dies you have continue. That's why it is said, 'punah punah'(again and again). That's why Meera said, 'Baar baar bali jayu'. Again and again.. What happens is that the mind gets trapped! Therefore unless you find the ultimate contentment you have to do it again and again. And once you learn the skill then you remain unperturbed. Serenity becomes your nature. Even now if you look back and see yourself, you will se you have improved so much since the time you have been practicing pranayama, yoga and meditation. You will see you are so much better than before. I tell you once a person has learnt to swim, he can never forget to swim. Even he has not done so over a long time, he will still know. Similarly with practice, the mind learns to recognize what to let go. So when there is an event, the mind naturally, effortlessly says, "oh this I can let go"!!

Guruji, in our childhood we heard that there is someone named 'Chitragupta' who is talking note of all our actions and is responsible for counting our karma balances. Is that true? Is there really someone who is watching us every moment?

Guruji: (laughter) 'Chitra' means photo, picture and 'Gupta' means secret, hidden. The self who is witnessing the actions, the conscious mind is referred here to as Chitragupta. You know there is this saying which says, 'Under the foot-print of an elephant, all other marks dissolve'. Therefore under the Guru when are doing your Sadhana and seva and Satsang then everything else dissolves. Similarly Chitragupta is not the (Malik)God, he is the (Sevak) servant. But I tell you without self knowledge everything is false!!

Guruji, Hanuman was the biggest devotee to the Lord Rama, why is it that we don't get to see Him any more?

Guruji: You don't get to see Him any more because He has settled in your heart!! And he wants you to look into your heart. Whatever fear of Lanka you have in your mind he wants you to get rid of it, and He is making the tail and the fire ready to burn it!! When the atmarupi Ram( referring to Sri Rama as the self) wants to meet the maanrupi Sita(referring to Sita as the mind), then devotion (referring to Hanuman) should take over to burn fear(referring to Lanka) by destroying Rvana(Ego) with the help of Laxmana(awareness). In such a place, Victory is confirmed!!! And that day becomes the Dashere and Diwali. So there is a Dashera and a Diwali happening everday in our life!! (laughter!!)

Guruji, this body of our feels like such a burden at times. We suffer several diseases and it becomes an obstacle for us to merge with the Ultimate. Guruji, can you please explain how important it is to keep the body?

Guruji: You know there is a saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. There are thousands of souls who want to take a body to enjoy whatever you are enjoying right now! These souls are want to get a body, they are waiting!! Only fools leave the body, I tell you!! Only fools commit suicide! You have so many impressions from the last birth!! You must have been a donkey, cow, bull, buffalo,(laughter) anything!! You keep carrying the impressions and behave in a particular way!! You have tendencies!!

Guruji, You said at the Navratri , we see only 0.003% of what is actually happening. Can you please talk on that?

Guruji: You know there was this scientist named Mickel kako who established a theory, after having done several experiments and research, that there are parallel worlds. It is he who said that, what we see is only 0.003% of what is actually happening. What we cannot see is the 'Dark Energy'. That's what he named it. The power of that 'Dark Energy' is unlimited! Its immense! In fact our Rig-Veda also says the same thing. The 'Dark' is referred to here as the 'Tamas'. Even Rig-Veda says that this 'Tamas' has great power. That's why they say 'Kali'. The dark goddess. She just do not symbolize destruction, she is also referred to as the epitome of knowledge. Like the pupil of our eye is dark! It is because of that we can see. Do you see what I am saying? He source of knowledge is the 'Kaali'…

Question: Guruji how do we know that our experiences are authentic? And how do we know that we are progressing on the spiritual path?

Si Sri: You know doubt always come on that is true. You never doubt depression. You doubt love, whereas you never doubt anger! Therefore if you are having a doubt on your experiences just know that they are all authentic (Laughter!!).

And how to gaze whether your are progressing on the spiritual path or not; see if you have become more compassionate. See if you feel more relaxed and free now. Do you feel free or not? Just see within yourself. See how much does the entire happening around you bother you. Do they bother you like before or not? Does the external events bother you still? Even if they bother you see how much time does it stay for. See how fast you are catching up with your self! You should not think that, oh! I should never get upset! See hoe fast you are coming back to your self! A few minutes of distraction and then you are back. Don't Judge yourself. There is no need to judge yourself. Can you become a student and an examiner at the same time? No. Certainly not! You are learning now so leave the evaluation work to some one else!! Let Him decide, let Him evaluate!! (Laughter)!!

Question: Guruji, I have been practicing in the Spiritual path for quite sometime, but I still find that I am not able to become dispassionate. To bring about dispassion in me what should I do?

Si Sri: Don't get caught up in words. These are just all words. I tell you if you are centered dispassion comes to you automatically. Just be centered. You do seva, satsang, and sadhna and you will be rest everything is just falling in place for you.

Question: Guruji what is the difference the mind and the soul? And how is it connected to each other?

Si Sri: The mind is like the wave and the Soul is like the ocean. And the connection between the two is that the mind cannot be without the soul, but the soul can exist without the mind. So in meditation you drop the mind, you become one with the totality that is the ocean. Therefore there are both existing together, the mind as well as the soul, like the wave as well as the ocean.

Question: Guruji, in my meditation often I feeling doing some harm to the Gods. My mind feels like doing something against them. How do I get rid of such a feelings? What should I do?

Si Sri: You know if it is so compulsive, so obsessive you do it. Just go ahead and do it. But that way you are going to hurt yourself! Hurt your hand! God is not in the statue or the idol in front of you, God is in your heart. We invoke God and bring it to the statue for some moments only and again we place it back in our hearts. Like the Ganapati idol, we put it in the water. First we invoke the God in the idol, play with that for some time and after all that tell him to come back to us and reside back in our heart!!

But yes. If such a feeling persists, just observe the sensation. See what is happening within you. You know these types of violent tendencies also come because of the food you eat. All these are the Rajashik tendencies that come from food. Focus on you diet. Be aware of what you eat. Stay away from Rajasik food for sometime. Food does matter a lot. Listen to Narada Bhakti Sutra. Rejoice in the self….Be contented.

Question: Guruji after having tried all means, certain worries keep coming to me. I am not able to surrender those. What should I do?

Si Sri: Why do you need to surrender? I tell you don't surrender, this surrender is an illusion. What do you want to surrender? Anyway everything belongs to God. What is it that is yours and you want to surrender!??!? It is just a concept, I want to surrender this, I want to surrender that. This is like try catching a cat in a dark room, which is not there. Just relax; God did not want us to surrender. What to surrender? Don't worry; just know that you are nothing. The path of knowledge is easy for those who where in the head. If you think you are something wakeup and see, what are you ?!?!?! You are carbohydrate, amino acids, fats, every cell of your body has been existing millions of years ago and is also existing now and you call yourself Radha, Sita, Rama, tomorrow again this form will go and new form will come where will you go. Walk like being a big zero, but always be on the right side of the number.

I am nobody, I am nothing. These two 'dharanas' intensions, is an antidote to ignorance wakeup and see!!! And the job is done!

Question: Guruji, they say that there are two kinds of people. The first, are the kind of people who ask question out of ignorance. And the second are the people who don't ask question out of ignorance. What would be my category?

Si Sri: At least this you have realized!!! See how wise you are!!! Only a wise can understand such things!! So you are certainly not a fool. You are wise.

Question : Guruji, after having tried various means I am not able to come out of entanglement what do I do , Please help ?

Sri Sri : It maybe some Karma from the last birth or some samskaras. Do seva . Maharajji was saying that Seva would definitely remove karma of entanglement. If seva cannot remove then knowledge will remove entanglement. If knowledge cannot remove, then Bhakti (devotion) can surely remove entanglement. Even if Bhakti is not able to remove entanglement then leave it to time. With time entanglement will surely dissolve. But don't just live it to time without trying all the other means (laughter!!). Do seva be in knowledge, have Bhakti and even after that, if you are not able to get rid of your entanglement, then you just leave it on time.

Question: Guruji, how to always keep up with enthusiasm and joy?

Si Sri: Leave always. If you think of always, then craving comes. If it is always there then you would not even know that it was ever there!! Like you take a dip in a river, you feel cold and when you come out you feel warm, and again do dip in water, you feel cold, and so you experience cold because you experience the warmth.

Leave it to the divine. Our nature is joy and enthusiasm. However sometimes it gets clouded but it can never go. Our consciousness is 'nitya-nutan' (Ever fresh) this is with us forever.

Question: Guruji, they say that if you are with Narayana then Laxmi follows. So should we not follow Lakshmi?

Sri Sri : Some people don't understand this. I would say pray to lakshmi. If you don't pray to either but just do some show off with some rituals, then that is of no use. Then you land up being nowhere!! I would say, do 'upasana'(prayer). If you do upasana, then how do you get corrupt and dishonest? Don't blame wealth, pray to wealth. In Sanskrit it is said everything is wealth. That doesn't mean only the note of money.

Health is wealth, Victory is wealth, Courage is wealth, you know the Ashta Lakshmi do Upasana and you will get the benefit. Just to fulfill our financial desires, you run behind lakshmi. Use skill; pray with devotion, lakshmi will come. It will never come with foolishness.

Question: Guruji, why do we want to spend time more with the person, we are in love with?

Sri Sri : It would be unusual if you don't want to spend time with the one you are in love with. Similarly when you love yourself, you spend time with yourself. When you do that, it becomes meditation. Then it is wonderful. We like everything else, but ourself. The one who is resting inside, love that, know that!! Some people say oh ! I am bored with myself, cannot spend two hours alone. If you are bored with your self, how much boring will you be to others!! If you are not able to spend time with yourself, how will you manage to spend time with others? If you get to spend time with yourself, then I tell you are lucky. You will be contended. When this feeling comes, then no power in the world can make you shake and cry. Then Bhakti comes, mukti comes and then moksha happens. Two hours you cant spend alone!! You start sending sms to your friends; you start calling them, talking, restless. Know yourself by yourself. Khudi khud mein khud ko pao….

Question : Guruji, my mind wanders everywhere how do I meditate?

Sri Sri : Take a stick and start chasing your mind. See where it goes. If it goes to Goa chase it to Goa, if it is going to Bhavnagar, chase it there, if it is going to bhelpuri, chase it to bhelpuri, if it is going to Bhagdad, chase it to Bhagdad….. Chase, keep chasing and you see your mind is so tired that it will come and fall at your feet. That's why Maharshi Patanjali says meditate on everything, meditate on elements, on Rishis, who are out of craving, even if you meditate on Rishis who are out of craving, you get into meditation. And when you sit for satsang, you get into meditation. But sometimes if you sit for santsang, and you are not there 100%, you count the ceiling, you look here and there. You have to bring interest yourself, You have to bring the juice (ras/ necter) yourself. It is already there, you have to see the one behind. The one who put the juice. Don't think I have to do, I tell you need not do anything its all burning for you, you don't have to lit it at all. When you are in Gangaji, you don't need a shower, when you are taking a dip in the Ganges, why do you need to have a tap and a shower? Become effortless. Just know that I am nothing and I don't want anything. But don't start thinking about it continuously, this is also a Maya. That's why Adi Shankaracharya says it is foolish to even think that I am Zero.

Question: Guruji, Why am I not like you?

Guruji: This is my wonder too!! But I feel you are like me. If you look from my
point of view you will see we are not different. You and me are not separate.
Can air be like yours cand mind? Like can you say this is my air and that is
your air?!?! No! Sunlight, water, cannot be two. The one which you think is
yours and mine actually they are not separate.

Question: Guruji, can you please explain the meaning of Gyatri mantra?

Guruji: Oh! Gyatri mantra encompases the whole universe. There are 24 letters
that make gyatri mantara. There are 24 vertebra in our spinal cord. One is
omkar, two becomes So hujm, then like wise 16 and then 24 becomes Gyatri
Mantara. Gyatri Mnatra is the expansion of that one omkar. If one is
instructedyou can can certainly chant the mantra. The meaning of the gyatri
mantra is let the divinity sink through my intellect. Let our life be purified.
But again if you just say Ohm, that also means the same.

Question: Guruji, this mandap is like a Srichakra. Can you explain the essence
of Srichakra?

Guruji: It is nice no?!?! Then just sit and meditate. Why do you wantto know
the meaninh and the essence etc!?? I myself don't know the meaning!!
(laughter!!)

Question: Guruji, the imbalances in the body, (bata, pitta, kapha) causes a lot
of other problems. How does one handle the vata Imbalance?

Guruji: Consult a Ayurvedic doctor, and triphala, it will bal;ance the
imbalance. Also drink a lot of water. Eat food on time…. Do asanas… do
pranayama, do Sudarshan Kriya. All this will help.

Question: Swami Ramakrishna had said that Vivekananda will have to go once he
comes to know who he was. How did he know this?

Guruji: No… no that is not correct. It is not like that.

Question: Guruji why does congeneital disorder happen?

Guruji: I don't know.

Question continues….: Why did God do this to the children?

Guruji: Will put up a complain against God. Sometimes because of improper food
this may happen.

Question: Guruji, when interest starts developing towards devotion, what should
one do?

Guruji: Good. Very good. But simultaneously you must take care of the
responsibilities as well. One should not run away.

Question: Guruji, we are asking you questions everyday. Can you please let us
know what have we missed out on asking you!?!

Guruji: You should only have one question. "Who am I?" And that question you
should ask yourself. That question itself is good enough to get that dive in
you to go inward.

Question: Guruji, is it ok to donate some body parts after we die?

Guruji: Yes.. yes. It is definitely ok.

Question: (Question asked by a physically challenged person) Guruji, what is
moksha?

Guruji: Good .. good very good!! The desire to know what is moksha is a good
thing. Are you doing better now? Yes! Wow!! How much better do you feel now?
75% Wow!! Very good!!

Question: Guruji, how do you become more discipline?

Guruji: Be less feverish. If you are attached to the benefits then you become
feverish. But when you have a commitment, then you automatically become more
discipline.

Question: Guruji what is prarubdha?

Guruji: I have spoken about it in 'Intimate note to a sincere seeker'.

Question: Guruji is it necessary to go to temples periodically? Does not
worship happen when we are doing seva and meditation?

Guruji: Yes yes… seva is a form of worship.

Question: Guruji, can you tell us about the swami who is sitting next to you?

Guruji: Swami yogananda ji is 99 years old. He does wonderful yoga. His teeth,
his eyes, his stomach, everything is perfect. He has been with Bhagat singh,
during those times.. He wants to live for more 100 years. Ask him what he eats,
and he will tell you, you should eat only once. (laughter!!)

Question: Guruji you have given so many techniques. Are techniques important to
pursue in the path?

Guruji: The root meaning of the word technique is 'tantra'…these techniques
are there to help one overcome obsession and other things in the mind… It is
not just a way of life.

Question: Guruji, we have so many profound experiences. What is its
significance of experiences in our life?

Guruji: Don't bent so much on your experiences so much on your experiences.
Commitment is more important. There is a connection between the mind and the
mood etc. Like the moon waxes and wanes… you experience feelings accordingly.
Pleasant feelings come and go, unpleasant feelings come and go… Who cares how
you feel? Love is your very existence. Love is not just an emotion. Don't get
caught up with feelings. Become strong. Your smile should be so strong… you
know. How many of you feel really strong? Many of you could not relate to the
person who you were before? Is n't it?

Question: What should be our goal in life? What does this hall (Referring to
Vishalakshi Mantap) signify?

Guruji: Goal in life? Good question. Its good for you to ponder. This hall
(laughter!!) Tell me something, you come from the city… how do you feel after
coming inside this hall? You feel energetic, yeh you feel good right? That's
the objective. That's the significance of this hall.

Question: Guruji, we are always smiling since the time we met you. How do we
spread this smile around?

Guruji: You have to talk to people. Bring people to knowledge.

Question: Guruji what is the difference God and Guru?

God is like space, and space is everywhere. Inside you there is space, inside
me there is space. God is the space… ok let me put it in this way. There are
electromagnetic waves. But you cannot actually see them right? But you can
experience through television. Do you see what I am saying? The electromagnetic
waves manifest in the form of television. You can only see the sky through the
window. You cannot see the sky if there is a closed wall!! Can you? No. We are
all made up of love and the guru is the embodiment of love. That's why they
say, God, atman, Guru, self are all one and the same. That means we don't have
to worry about anything. You simply become compassionate and spread love….and
smile.

Click here for more Question and Answers from Guruji

Quotes of Guruji:

Seva / Service

If you are not having good experiences in meditation, then do more seva you will gain merit and your meditation will be deeper. When you bring some relief or freedom to someone through seva, good vibrations and blessings come to you.
Seva brings merit; merit allows you to go deep in meditation; meditation brings back your smile.
When you make service the sole purpose in life, it eliminates fear, focuses your mind, and gives you meaning
Be grateful for any opportunity to do seva.

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Love

Love is not an emotion, it is your very existence.
Here are the signs of love. When you love someone, you see nothing wrong with them.
When you love someone, you want to see them always happy and you want them to have the best.
Love is the highest strength, yet it makes you absolutely weak
Love cannot tolerate distance, and hatred cannot tolerate nearness.
You can experience love, but you cannot describe it or express it totally.
Love is beyond sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound.
When there is Love, there is no ego; ego dissolves like the dew drops with the sun.
In the company of one who is living Love, you also cant but spring into that Love.
Love is that phenomenon of dissolving, disappearing, merging, becoming one with.
Love is that phenomenon of total letting go.
The seers, the seen, and the process of seeing all merge. The knowledge, the knower, and the known, they all merge, become one & that is Divine Love.

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Anger

In ignorance anger is cheap and a smile is costly
Make your smile cheaper and you anger expensive.
The anger of the enlightened is a blessing

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Silence

Silence is the goal of all answers. If an answer does not silence the mind, it is no answer
Only Silence is complete
Smiling with all the existence is Silence
Purpose of words is to create silence.

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GOD

When you know you own God you will not be in a hurry to get something out of God.
When you have infinite patience, you will realize God belongs to you.
God does not test you because he knows you completely - your past, present and future
God is calling you every moment.
God is the Seer himself. Who sees---that is God
God is love. Being in love is sharing that love.
This entire universe is made up of God. There is nothing outside God.
God is responsibility, total responsibility.

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Knowledge

Be a Gopal. Be a friend in knowledge
Be a friend in knowledge. Uplift each other in knowledge
Knowledge is a burden if it does not set you free.
Knowledge keeps everything fresh.
In science you have knowledge first, and then faith follows. In spirituality, faith comes first, and then Knowledge follows.
When you follow fun, misery follows you. When you follow Knowledge, fun follows you.
Illusion is error of perception and knowing illusion as illusion is Knowledge.
Suffering is a product of limited knowledge.
For one who has awakened in knowledge, there is no more suffering.

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The Spiritual Master / Guru

The master is a doorway
The master is presence. The world is relativity and relativity has limitations. Presence is unlimited.
If you are not feeling close to the master, it is because of you, because of your mind, because of your ego concepts.
A master is like an ocean. Ocean is there, readily available. It does not reject anybody.
If a Master is not hollow and empty, he is no Master at all.

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Surrender

Do not say that you want to surrender. Just know that you already are surrendered.
A person who cannot surrender cannot be self reliant
When you are shaken, remember the foundation of responsibility is surrender.
The greatest power is in surrender, surrender to the Divine.

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Sadhana

Root out boredom through deep and continued meditation
If you are unable to meditate because your mind is chattering too much, just feel that you are a little stupid, and then you will be able to sink deep into meditation
Meditation erases the impressions and improves the expression
Anytime you are confused, your mind is in conflict, do asanas, sit in asana. You will see, right away clarity comes.
Effect of asana is clearing out of all conflicts, duality.
The seed of negativity and the tendency for conflict in you can only be annihilated by Sadhana.

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Satsang

Give quality time to the divine, it will be rewarded. Give satsang and meditation your highest priority
One who does not do satsang is like a wild animal. Satsang alone makes you civilized.
Satsang is the shelter from changing time and its harsh influence on life.

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Freedom

Break through the barrier of the rational mind and find freedom for yourself
Freedom is your very nature. Only with freedom do joy, generosity and other human values blossom
Just an intention to be free makes you immediately free.
Discipline protects freedom. You can choose to focus either on freedom or discipline, and this makes you happy or unhappy.
Freedom without discipline is like a country without a defense.

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Karma

When you praise someone, you take on their good karma. When you blame someone, you take on their bad karma
Performing actions cannot eliminate karma. Only through grace can the bondage of karma be burnt.
Prarabdha karma cannot be changed. Sanchita karma can be changed by spiritual practices.

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Respect

Respect for the Self is faith and faith is being open
Have respect for the Self and no one can take your self respect
Someone does not need to be great in order to be respected. Respecting life makes you great.

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Ego

The "I" or ego in you is a tiny atom
Ego is separateness, non-belongingness
The head level is safe for the ego. The heart level breaks the ego. The solve level dissolves the ego
The inability to communicate occurs because of ego
Someone experiences bliss, and that bliss, itself, becomes a trip for the ego. So the ego, in turn, destroys the infinity, the joy, the bliss.

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Death

Divinity dwells in the void as well as in celebration.
Death brings you in touch with the reality of life.
Wake up an see your life is too short. The realization that life is short will bring dynamism to your life.

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Breath

Breath is the link between your body and your spirit and your mind

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Miscellaneous

Drop all the divisions (of the mind), altogether. This is what is holding you back from enlightenment. This is what is holding you back from your very nature. Drop those right now.
Your own judgement brings the barrier, separates you, makes you behave so funny. When you are judging, you are judging your own self, but you are super-imposing it on this, or this, or this, or this, or this.
The entire universe is just an expression, projection, of the Being, of the Self.
Within this small body, you are able to experience the infinite space.
Though enlightenment is one in the world, there are many different flavors.
A poor man celebrates the new year once a year. A rich man celebrates each day. But the richest man celebrates every moment.
Abiding in the self you become the valentine for the whole world. Spirit is the valentine of matter and matter is the valentine of the spirit.
Enlightenment is beyond seasons like the evergreen coconut tree.
The world appears imperfect on the surface but underneath, all is perfect. Perfection hides; imperfection shows off.
Sincerity is being in touch with your Depth.
A big Mind that is God. And your mind is part of that big Mind.
You are total. You are full. You have all that you need. Do not underestimate yourself.
A devotee will never fall. He cannot fall. There is no chance for it.
Abundance is a state of mind within you. If you just look at "lack," the lack increases in life.
The best "puja," the best form of worship, is to be happy, to be grateful.
Over-indulgence in anything reduces the beauty.
Behind every activity, pleasant, unpleasant, chaotic, harmonious, is one Divinity.
Basing your life on words is very superficial.
Whatever you want for others will happen to you.
See a mistake as a mistake, not as "my" or "his" mistake. "My" means guilt; "his" means anger.
"Want" is always hanging on to the "I." When the "I" itself is dissolving, "want" also dissolves, disappears.
See, ninety percent of this body is only space, and space, and space. And what is in this space? That is mind; that is consciousness; that is intelligence.
Without being critical, the intellect cannot progress. But that criticism should not come from the heart; it can come from the throat.
If any has to be given, this is the blessing that has to be given: "Be devoid of feverishness."
The Self is the center of the whole creation.
If you are passionate, be passionate for the highest, the most wonderful, the most beautiful. Be passionate for this entire creation-everything is so beautiful
Truth cannot be understood through proof. Anything that can be proven can be disproven also. Truth is beyond proof or disproof.
Take a while and just relax. Repose in the depth of your being.
Forgetfulness is one of the greatest blessings.
Events cannot stick on to you. You are like the pure crystal. Niranjanah---untouched, unstained by anything.
Beauty has three levels: indication, expression, and exposure. Spirituality indicates, art expresses, and science exposes.
You are Divine. You are part of me. I am part of you.
Life is a package of surprise gifts for you.
When heart speaks and heart listens, harmony is produced. It is always so. When head talks and head listens, argument is produced.

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Meditation

A state in which you feel absolutely comfortable, 100% comfort, that is meditation.
A mind without agitation is meditation.
Love is seeing God in the person next to us, and meditation is seeing God within us.
Meditation is THE comfort in Life

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Fame

This feverishness of fame, of pride, of social recognition is immaturity. Just wake up and see there is nothing much in it. Its an empty bowl.

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Mystery

This world is a mystery. Love is a mystery. Life is a mystery. Your sleep is a mystery. And mystery transcends reasoning.

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Peace

This world is a mystery. Love is a mystery. Life is a mystery. Your sleep is a mystery. And mystery transcends reasoning.
Peace is your very nature. Peace is your innate nature---it cannot go away from you.

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Mind

As long as some desires linger in your mind, your mind cannot be at total rest
Small mind promises joy and leaves your hand empty. Big Mind may bring resistance in the beginning but fills you with joy.
There must be awareness in the mind, love in the heart, and righteousness in action
The mind that is seeking pleasure cannot be centered.
Your mind is a flow. Your mind is a continuum that is ever changing, ever changing.
Your concept in the mind that things should be a certain way causes pain in the mind. The cause of distress is set concepts in the mind.

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Habits

Habits will clog you when there is no liveliness or juice in life. When there is a direction for life force, you can rise above habits through samyama.
Your inability to do something (break a habit) can cause a pinch; when you are deeply pained by something, then that will rid you of that habit.

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Desire

Intimacy often gets broken because of ego or your desire.
Desire appears to lead you to happiness. In fact it cannot. And that is why it is Maya.
The greater the intensity of desire and the later it gets fulfilled, then greater will be the gratitude.
Desire and distress go together. Your desire, when it gets fulfilled, gives another desire and another desire. With each desire, distress is simply postponed.

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Dealing With Blame

When someone blames you, what do you usually do? Blame them back or you put up resistance in yourself. When someone blames you, they actually take away some negative karma from you.

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Senses

The senses are like fire. Your life is also like fire. In the fire of senses, whatever you put in burns. If you burn tires, it creates pollution and bad smell. But if you burn sandalwood, it creates fragrance.

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Smile

Be light. Smile. Drop. Learn the tendency to drop and smile and move through.
The sign of life is enthusiasm. The sign of success is smile and joy
Now. Now. Now. Cultivate this habit of dropping the past. Then you can smile.

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Dispassion

Dispassion does not take away joy from you. Dispassion gives the joy that nothing else can give.

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Joy & Happiness

In joy, in peace, in that soothing---very soothing---inner state you will find the happiness.
The moment there is choice it drops you off of joy, it drops you off of peace.
A hundred times the joy in a relationship is the joy of the Self being with the Self, uniting with the inner Being.
You are a fountain of joy at the center of your being.
Joy is the realization that there is no vacation from wisdom.
When we are joyful, we don't look for perfection. If you are looking for perfection then you are not at the source of joy.

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Spirituality

Spirituality is a harmonious blend of outer silence and inner celebration and also inner silence and outer celebration.
When attention is given to the spiritual aspect of one’s life, it brings responsibility, a sense of belongingness, and compassion and caring for the whole of humanity.
Spirit upholds and sustains life. It makes you strong and solid. It breaks down the narrow boundaries of cast, creed, religion and nationality and gives you an awareness, this uplifting of consciousness, that wars can be eliminated and human rights restored in the world today.

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