Art of Living - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visit

Date: 12 April 2009

Place: Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

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These notes are written as in the first person for easy reading, but it is not an ad verbatim recording of what Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaks during the seminar.

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It is time to reflect on ourselves starting from today.

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I remember as child, we went to the tailor shop to collect the waste to make something useful out of them - to create something. However, in today's society, we seem to be more interested in the by-product than the main product. If everyone is rushing for the scrap, nobody will buy the car.

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We forget that each of us have the power to give blessings to others for their job, wealth and relationships. Everyone can do that. We can all help others to fulfill their needs. 

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Worry? Why worry? How do we manage when we have tensions or problems? How many of you here worries about the economic situation now, show your hands. [There are a few hands.] How many of you don't worry. [A few other hands.] What happened to those who didn't put up their hands either way? [Laughters!] You are neutral? Or shy? There is no such thing as 'shy' in spirituality.

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The economy is not in a good shape now. The world has seen worse before after the World War...etc. We must learn to handle the situation and come out successful. We can think of it that there are people much worse than we are in now, then we look at ourselves and don't feel so bad. 

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Or you can take your problems and give it to the divine. That will manage. We can invoke the power within us. Not scramble over the scrap and other than making a livelihood. A bigger picture which is so fulfilling. The entire universe and nature supports us.

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Question: How do I commit to God? How can I hear what God says to me?

Reply: You can meditate and improve your knowledge. You can also see the universe as a manifestation of God. The universe is vast, made of stars and many constellations. Similarly, our bodies are made of cells. Millions of cells are born and dead in our body everyday. Similarly in the universe, stars are born and dead everyday. On Earth, we have winter, spring, summer and fall. 

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If you care for the Universe, you are in alignment. God is the consciousness when your mind is supple to commit. The opposite of such a state is when you have guilt, anger, tiredness, ambition/desire. God is always there. It is impossible to disconnect.

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To consciously connect, you need to be serene and calm in deep meditation. Then, your intuitive power is elevated. Then, you are contentedly and genuinely happy. So take some time to be calm and serene.

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Question: I am interested in the meditation field? I don't know which one to follow. 

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Reply: You can take up whatever meditation, if you don't do it for 1-2 days don't feel guilty.

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Question: How can I control lustful thoughts and desire?

Reply: Keep yourself busy doing something creative. Don't eat too much as your body can create havoc. Put some goals to the main product, not the by-product.

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Question: What is your guidance in business?

Reply: Who would have thought the big corporations will go bankrupt? Nature has its ways to teach us. Greed! Humanism is needed in the world to make the world sane. Not Capitalism or Communism. There's enough love/resources in the world. You'll be taken care of. But you have depended on banks and currency notes instead of God.

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There are somethings in life where many people think it is impossible but we can make them possible. For instance, they say that it is not possible to have 1200 sitarists playing together. The maestros said it is impossible. We made it possible after 3 days of practice.

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Spiritual energy is the backbone of good living.

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Question: How can we have faith as there are many people with many religions?

Reply: Honour them all, but if someone says only his religion can bring you to heaven, say goodbye to him. That heaven will be a lonely place, it lacks diversity. People who thinks that they are the chosen ones to go to heaven, create hell here. Some terrorists think only they have the keys to heaven.

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Though there is no need to go spiritual shopping. :)

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Question: How do I realise the purpose of life?

Reply: Ask yourself again and again. This will make you a deep person. Don't be in a hurry to get an answer. One day you will get it.

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Question: If life is about unconditional love, then why are there earthquakes, disasters and so much sufferings?

Reply: If there are no sufferings...etc, then how can we express our compassion? Nature is very intelligent.

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Question: What is the best way to bring up kids?

Reply: Learning from them instead of trying to teach them. Being sensitive to their observations and your behaviour. They are watching you all the time, like how much you lie and so on. A spy from God! *grin* Children watch you. Children live according to true self.  By education, culture, wisdom, environmental circumstances, we will change.

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Question: Can I attract love or a job through meditating everyday?

Reply: Yes.

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Never doubt the love in us.

Never question someone if they do love you.

The child doesn't ask the mother that question. The child knows the mother loves him. The child doesn't ask the mother what her 'background' is or do a background check on her. We can have the same connection with everyone.We are connected with everyone. So don't ask proof of love from anyone and you'll have peace.

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