Wisdom

God Laughed & said Okay

2011-11-17T12:48:00.000+05:30

I asked God to keep you Happy....!

He said ok only for 4 Days.......!!!!

ok,Summer,Winter,Autum and Spring Days....!!!!

He said - no,only for 3 Days......!!!

I said ok,Yestrday,Today n Tomorow....!!!

He said-no only for 2 Days.....!!

I said Day & Night..........!!

He said -no,only 1 Day....!

I said ok, Everyday.......!

God laughed & said okay..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why Me...?? Faith Keeps You Going .................!!!!

2011-11-17T12:42:00.001+05:30

Arthur Ashe,the legendary Wimbledon Tennis player was dying of AIDS

which was due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983.

From world over,he received letters, from his fans,one of which Reads

"Why does GOD have to select you for such a deadly disease?"

Arthur Ashe replied

"world over -50 million children start playing tennis,

5 million learn to play tennis ,

500,000 learn professional tennis,

50,000 come to the circuit,

5000 reach the Grand Slam ,

50 reach Wimbledon ,

4 to The Semi Finals,

2 to the finals,

And When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD... 'Why Me ?' "

And today when in Deep Pain I should not ask GOD ..."Why Me ?"

Happiness Keeps You Sweet

Trails keep you Strong

Sorrow Keeps you Human,

Failure Keeps You Humble and

Success Keeps You Glowing,

But Faith only Keeps You Going .................!!!!

SHRAAVAN RUDRA POOJA

2011-06-28T13:52:00.002+05:30

Immerse
in
the sacred Chants
of
SHRAAVAN
RUDRA POOJA

What is Rudra Pooja

Rudra Pooja, where Lord Shiva is worshiped in his Rudra form, is hailed by all Vedic scriptures as one of the greatest Poojas to remove all
evils, to attain all desires and for all round prosperity.

As per ancient texts when Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Sri Rama, Lord established Shiva Lingam at Rameshwaram before crossing the sea.
He performed Rudrabhishek to express his devotion towards Lord Siva.

Why ??

The whole world is a play of energy,negative or positive.When we pray to Shiva ,the lord of transformation ,through this Pooja,the negative energy in and around us in the form of disease,tensions,unhappiness gets transformed into peace,prosperity and happiness.

How ?

Each ancient mantra that is chanted in this pooja gets absorbed in specific materials like curd,milk,ghee,honey etc.This is then offered
to Shiva with reverence,love and gratitude.Specially trained Pundits and Veda Students from Bangalore Ashram perform this special Puja.

When ??
Shraavan is a special month for Shiva .It is believed that the Rudra Pooja performed in this month has manifold effect
on the Sankalpas that we make

Vanue
Upasna Mandir,New Rajdhani Enclave,Delhi 92
on Wednesday 20th July 2011,7.00 PM onwards
For Sankalpa Pls Contact 9958249729

Power of Silence

2011-06-02T12:32:00.003+05:30

A growing Seed Makes No Sound.A Falling Tree Makes Huge Noise.
Destruction Makes Noise.
Creation is Always Quite.
We should Feel the Power of Silence.......!!!

Lets Sing,Dance,Meditate & Express ur Love for Guruji

2010-05-09T16:50:00.003+05:30

Lets Sing,Dance,Meditate & Express ur Love for Guruji on 13 May at Universal Public School,Nr Nirula's,A Block Preet vihar at 6.30 Pm with whole of East Delhi !

Find an Event

Sumeru Sandhya with Dr Manikantan Ji

2010-02-05T22:29:00.000+05:30

2010-02-03T11:32:00.001+05:30

Eternity Process

2010-01-10T15:25:00.001+05:30

Another Powerful tool from The Art Of Living

The soul is eternal. Our existence is timeless; we have been here before in the past and will come in the future too. The different actions of the mind and body which we perform affects the present moment. Every thought we think, becomes fine and is stored in the form of Samskara or impression in our mind. It remains latent for sometime and then it rises in the form of mental waves and produces desires, fears and different emotions. Our past is what decides if we can be in the present moment and live life to its full capacity free from negative emotions and fears.

To help us overcome these impressions in the mind, our beloved Guruji has designed a course called ETERNITY PROCESS which enables one to see into our past lives, and eradicate the negative elements, while we are surrounded by his love and grace, so that we can overcome the past impressions and learn to be in the present moment and celebrate life.

The eternity process is just like a guided meditation, a one to one session for about 2 to 3 hours.

Find a Course

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T13:27:00.013+05:30

Beauty..Freshness..Truth..Imagination..Feeling..Faith..Trust..This is beginning of a New Year !

May this New Year bring many opportunities your way to explore every Joy of Life
Wishing you Eternal Bliss & Superb Time Ahead.
Happy New Year !!

Guruji's Message on New Year

"This year, people who meditate have a dual responsibility. Not only do we have to maintain our steadfastness but also help others who are in trouble. This is the right time to get into knowledge, service and devotion. The first thought in our minds should be: ‘I want to gain self-realisation.’ "

New Year Resolution

"I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief, such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and ,therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own,they will lose their selfesteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation." An excerpt from Lord Macaulay's Address to The British Parliament

We are still following the British policies.Chapters on Spritualism have been removed from our Text Books in the name of Secularism and we, the people, are silent ...! Its our duty to take responsibility ....! Spread Spritualism ...our cultural Heritage ...!! and now it is very easy through Art of Living Courses.

Year's End is neither an End nor a Beginning but a Going on, with all the Wisdom that Experience can Instill in us.

!! Happy New Year !!

Experiences of AOL Course Partisipants

Blessings Course

2009-12-15T12:54:00.003+05:30

All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors.
Prayers go up and blessings come down.

The Blessing course is a fabulous course with the most amazing processes and meditations, taking us into a different level of meditation. Each meditation is unique and makes you dive into infinity. The kindness and compassion of our Master is beyond words. with this course you'll experience the best gift you have ever received. You become a perfect instrument for the Master's Grace to flow through.

Next Course

Rehablitation of Drug Addicts

2009-12-15T12:39:00.003+05:30

Rehablitation of Drug Addicts

Women Empowerment

2009-12-15T12:39:00.001+05:30

Women Empowerment

Education

2009-12-15T12:38:00.004+05:30

Education

Peace Initiatives

2009-12-15T12:38:00.003+05:30

Peace Initiatives

Trauma Relief

2009-12-15T12:38:00.001+05:30

Trauma Relief

Organic Farming

2009-12-15T12:37:00.003+05:30

Organic Farming

Sustainable Rural Devolopment

2009-12-15T12:37:00.001+05:30

Sustainable Rural Devolopment

The International Association for Human values (IAHV)

2009-12-15T12:36:00.002+05:30

The International Association for Human values (IAHV)

The Corporate Executive Programme (CPE)

2009-12-15T12:36:00.001+05:30

The Corporate Executive Programme (CPE)

The Prison Programme

2009-12-15T12:35:00.004+05:30

The Prison Programme

The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) for 15-21 year olds

2009-12-15T12:35:00.003+05:30

The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) for 15-21 year olds

The All Round Training in Excellence (Art Excel) for 8-14 Years olds

2009-12-15T12:35:00.001+05:30

The All Round Training in Excellence (Art Excel) for 8-14 Years olds

Sahaj Samadhi Meditation

2009-12-15T12:34:00.014+05:30

Sahaj means natural or effortless. Samadhi is a deep, blissful, meditative state.

Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is a natural, effortless system of meditation.

Like the sun covered with clouds, our innermost nature can only be covered temporarily.

Open to all, the course is spread over three daily sessions of Two hours each.

The participants will learn an effortless system of meditation that allows the conscious mind to settle deeply into the self, thus giving it much needed deep rest. When the mind settles down, it lets go of all tension and stress, making one healthy, and focused. Regular daily practice of the technique can totally transform the quality of one's life, by culturing the system to maintain the peace, energy, and expanded awareness of meditation throughout the day.

Next Sahaj Samadhi Course

Divya Samaj Ka Nirman (DSN)

2009-12-15T12:34:00.013+05:30

A society is a reflection of its individuals ,and the DSN empowers an individual to contribute positively to his (or her) society.

Divya Samaj ka Nirman (DSN) literally means "Creating a Divine society"

If you've ever asked your self,

"What can i do to make this world a better place ?"

then DSN is your awnser

What is D S N
In a discourse on Bhagavad Gita Guru Ji has said that there are two types of people in this world – Passive and Aggressive.
Passive are those who don’t do anything and don’t get involved in any thing.
Aggressive – they do anything (legal, illegal, right, wrong) to achieve whatever they want.. Sooner or later, both find their hands empty- both feel failure.
The Gita says: “Dynamism with Calmness.”
That serenity, which is proactive,is what is needed;
it is what would be the right solution to any problem.

But how to get the Dynamism with Calmness in one's life, the only one way which has been experienced by thousands of people around the world is “DSN Course”.

Many of us live in the world of dreams and aspirations. Aspiring to be somebody that you always wanted to be. Dreams, of achieving something big. Will they remain just dreams? Will aspirations die a slow death because of inhibitions and barriers around us? Give life to your dreams.. Give momentum to your aspirations. – DSN is the door to "MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY AND YOUR ASPIRATIONS A POSSIBILITY "

There is no bigger competition in this world for you than – YOURSELF!
Feelings of being inferior to someone, Shy to open up and speak your mind, fear of obstacles on the path - ALL THESE EXISTS WITHIN US. NOT OUTSIDE.

How to get rid of this monkey off our back?? How do we boldly walk away from the demon of inhibitions and obstacles that block our way to fulfilling our dreams.Answer is
"DIVYA SAMAJ NIRMAN"

DSN is not just about creating a divine society. Remember each and every one of us either make or break this society. DSN makes you much stronger mentally, physically and spiritually.

Bid goodbye to all your mental blocks.. Awaken the sleeping lion within you.

Remember Guruji's says – "Virtues that you admire in others are there in each one of us. We just need to realize it and nurture them "..

Nurture your Virtues through the DSN. DO THE DSN NOW ! ! !

AN EXCERPT FROM LORD MACAULAY'S ADDRESS TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT "I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief, such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and ,therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own,they will lose their selfesteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation."

We are still following the British policies.Chapters on Spritualism have been removed from our Text Books in the name of Secularism and we the people are silent ...!Its our duty to take responsibility ....! Spread Spritualism ...our cultural Heritage ...! and now it is very easy through Art of Living Course

for Experiences of of Basic Course Participants Click here

Find a Course

Basic Course Part II (Advance Course) With Rishi Vidyadhar Ji

2009-12-15T12:33:00.004+05:30

"Vidyadhar" means the Keeper of the Knowledge .. and with Rishiji, Knowledge from the Ancient Shastras is related - with great humour - to everything from modern science to practical tips for everyday living.

Also ! The morning yoga session is a joyous musical aerobics session taken by .. Rishiji himself !

So, if you want to experience total joy from almost the word "go", do avail of this wonderful opportunity to do the beautiful Advance Course with RishiVidyadharji ..

The Art of Living Advance (Part 2) Course provides optimal conditions for going deep within, quieting our mental chatter, and experiencing deep rest and inner peace. The practice of silence – of consciously withdrawing our energy and attention from outer distractions – has been used in different traditions throughout time as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. By participating in various course processes specif...ically designed to take us beyond our usually active “monkey minds”, we experience an extraordinary sense of peace and renewed energy that we carry home with us. The course features:

• Rejuvenating yoga

• Two to three days of guided silence practice

• Unique guided meditations designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

• Advanced breathing techniques which can also be practiced at home after the course

• Advanced insight on the laws governing our mind and emotions The course is typically held as a residential retreat in a place of natural beauty and tranquility. It’s no wonder that many course participants refer to it as the ideal vacation for body, mind, and spirit.

Date - December 15th to December 18th, 2011.

Reporting December 14th at 6.00 pm.

Venue-:Dayanand Vihar Comunity center , Delhi - 92

Contact - Rashmi - 9650996011, Sarita - 9650996012

Narinder Mohan 9650991162, Harish 9810006136

Ritu 9958249729,Geeta 9818558007

Limited Seats available.

Accomodation available.

Please register for the advance course

Next Basic Course Part II (Advance Course)

Basic Course Part I

2009-12-15T12:32:00.003+05:30

AOL Course : The first Step in to Art of Living, the course cleanses toxins and deep rooted physical, mental and emotional blocks from the body .It synchronizes the mind and body through rhythmic breathing. Spread over three days (total 12 hours)It is a simple yet profound programe, offering practical spiritual knowledge and deep meditation through a lively interactive process

Benefits
Stress free, peaceful and calm mind
Healthy body and better sleep
Enormous joy enthusiasm and dynamism
Relief from depression and anxiety
Greater Creativity, clear perception & expression
Increased Physical Energy and Stamina
Increased concentration, confidence and responsibility
Controls anger and eliminates Negativity
Research
Independent medical research indicates that “Sudarshan Kriya” leads to :
Reduction of Cortisol (Stress Hormone)
Reduction of blood lactate levels
Reduction of bad cholesterol
Increase in anti oxidant enzyme levels
Strengthened immune system

AOL Basic Course Part I
Batch I (Morning)
6 AM to 9 AM
1 st Nov to 6th Nov 2011 (Six Days)
Batch II (Evening)
6 PM to 9 PM
(Sat & Sunday Evening Batch will be combined with MorningBatch)
1 st Nov to 6 th Nov 2011 (Six Days)

Upasna Mandir,New Rajdhani Enclave,Delhi 110092
For Registration (Participation & Sewa )Please Contact :

Harish 9810006136, Ritu 9958249729, Indra 9810721269
Devender 9810098903,Naresh 9910534221,

Next Basic Course Schedule

Experience Sharing By Basic Course Participants

2009-12-14T15:32:00.004+05:30

Experience Sharing By AOL Basic Course Participants
(Upasna Mandir,New Rajdhani Enclave,Delhi 110092)

Basic Course Participant Shares his Experience

2009-12-13T14:53:00.003+05:30

Meditation A Trip to NOWHERE

2009-12-07T15:44:00.000+05:30

Love is seeing God in the Person next to us ,Meditation is seeing God within Us

Krishna ...The DIVINE is inside You ...Have an Inner Connection with DIVINE
A mind without agitation is meditation......!
A mind in present moment is meditation....!
A mind that has no hesitation ,no anticipation is meditation.....!!
A mind that has come back home ,to the source is meditation....!!

At the top of the world ,there is no where to go .Nowhere is really " Now Here",and when ever and where evryou are,you are nowhere!

When ever you are nowhere ,you can't but be on top of the world! So make everywhere and all time nowhere.
You have to pierce through nowhere...and find you are Now Here.
Here at the top of the world ,not just the depth of the ocean is still-even the waves are frozen.Like the mind in meditation-Cool and still, but for a gentle breez,like the tiny breath - all is still.
Stillness is the purest form of awareness that is present before birth and after death.
Wisdom is to recognize the stillness amidst activity.
The repeated experience of meditation helps you to "live the stillness" even amidst chaos

(a drop of knowledge from H.H. Sri Sri Ravishanker Ji)

Satsang and Bhajan Videos with Siddharth Mohan

2009-12-06T14:48:00.004+05:30

Patanjali Yog Sutras

2009-11-18T19:55:00.001+05:30

Patanjali Yog Sutras Hindi (Download in PDF)

Patanjali Yog Sutras English (Download in PDF)

Shiv Sutras

2009-11-18T19:53:00.000+05:30

Shiv Sutras (Download in PDF)

Narad Bhakti Sutra

2009-11-18T19:51:00.003+05:30

For Guru Ji's discourse on Narad Bhakti Sutra click Here

1. Now, therefore, I will try to explain the process of devotional service.

2. Devotional service manifests as the most elevated, pure love for God.

3. This pure love for God is eternal.

4. Upon achieving that stage of transcendental devotional service in pure love of God, a person becomes perfect, immortal, and peaceful.

5. A person engaged in such pure devotional service neither desires anything for sense gratification, nor laments for any loss, nor hates anything, nor enjoys anything on his personal account, nor becomes very enthusiastic in material activity.

6. One who understands perfectly the process of devotional service in love of Godhead becomes intoxicated in its discharge. Sometimes he becomes stunned in ecstasy and thus enjoys his whole self, being engaged in the service of the Supreme Self.

7. There is no question of lust in the execution of pure devotional service, because in it all material activities are renounced.

8. Such renunciation in devotional service means to give up all kinds of social customs and religious rituals governed by Vedic injunction.

9. Renunciation also means being exclusively dedicated to the Lord and indifferent to what stands in the way of His service.

10. Exclusive dedication to the Lord means giving up all shelters other than Him.

11. Indifference toward what stands in the way of devotional service means to accept only those activities of social custom and Vedic injunction that are favorable to devotional service.

12. One must continue to follow scriptural injunctions even after one is fixed up in determined certainty that devotional service is the only means for reaching the perfection of life.

13. Otherwise there is every possibility of falling down.

14. For as long as the body lasts, one should engage minimally in social and political activities and in such matters as eating.

15. Now the characteristics of devotional service will be described according to various authoritative opinions.

16. Srila Vyasadeva, the son of Parasara Muni, says that bhakti is fond attachment for worshiping the Lord in various ways.

17. Garga Muni says that bhakti is fondness for narrations about the Lord, by the Lord, and so on.

18. Sandilya says that bhakti results from one's removing all obstructions to taking pleasure in the Supreme Self.

19. Narada, however, says that bhakti consists of offering one's every act to the Supreme Lord and feeling extreme distress in forgetting Him.

20. Bhakti is, in fact, correctly described in each of these ways.

21. The cowherd women of Vraja are an example of pure bhakti.

22. Even in the case of the gopis, one cannot criticize them for forgetting the Lord's greatness.

23. On the other hand, displays of devotion without knowledge of God's greatness are no better than the affairs of illicit lovers.

24. In such false devotion one does not find pleasure exclusively in the Lord's pleasure.

25. Pure devotional service, on the other hand, is far superior to fruitive work, philosophical speculation, and mystic meditation.

26. After all, bhakti is the fruit of all endeavor.

27. Furthermore, the Lord dislikes the proud but is pleased with the humble.

28. Some say that knowledge is the means for developing devotion.

29. Others consider bhakti and knowledge interdependent.

30. But the son of Brahma says that bhakti is its own fruit.

31-32. This is illustrated by the examples of a royal palace, a meal, and so on. A king is not really satisfied just by seeing a palace, nor can someone placate his hunger just by looking at a meal.

33. Therefore seekers of liberation should take to devotional service alone.

Chapter 3: The Means of Achievement 34. Standard authorities have described the methods for achieving devotional service.

35. One achieves bhakti by giving up sense gratification and mundane association.

36. One achieves bhakti by worshiping the Lord ceaselessly.

37. One achieves bhakti by hearing and chanting about the Supreme Lord's special qualities, even while engaged in the ordinary activities of life in this world.

38. Primarily, however, one develops bhakti by the mercy of great souls, or by a small drop of the Lord's mercy.

39. The association of great souls is rarely obtained, difficult to understand, and infallible.

40. The association of great souls can be attained-but only by the Lord's mercy.

41. [One can attain bhakti either by the association of the Lord's pure devotees or directly by the Lord's mercy because] the Lord and His pure devotees are nondifferent.

42. Strive, strive only for the association of pure devotees.

43. One should give up all kinds of degrading association.

44. Material association is the cause of lust, anger, confusion, forgetfulness, loss of intelligence, and total calamity.

45. Rising like waves from material association, these bad effects mass into a great ocean of misery.

46. Who can cross beyond illusion? One who abandons material association, serves the sages, and becomes selfless.

47. [Who can cross beyond illusion?] That person who stays in a secluded place, cuts off at the root his attachment to mundane society, becomes free from the influence of the three modes of nature, and gives up hankering for material gain and security.

48. [Who can cross beyond illusion?] That person who renounces material duties and their profits, thus transcending duality.

49. That person who renounces even the Vedas obtains exclusive and uninterrupted attraction for God.

50. Such a person, indeed, is delivered, and he also delivers the rest of the world.

51. The true nature of pure love of God is beyond description.

52. [Trying to describe the experience of pure love of God] is like a mute's effort to describe what he tastes.

53. Nonetheless, from time to time pure love of God is revealed to those who are qualified.

54. Pure love of God manifests as the most subtle consciousness, devoid of material qualities and material desires, increasing at every moment, and never interrupted.

55. Having obtained pure love of God, one looks only at the Lord, hears only about Him, speaks only of Him, and thinks only of Him.

56. Secondary devotional service is of three kinds, according to which of the three material modes predominates, or according to which material motivation-distress and so on-brings one to bhakti.

57. Each earlier stage should be considered better than the one following it.

58. Success is easier to attain by devotional service than by any other process.

59. The reason devotional service is the easiest of all spiritual processes is that it does not depend on any other authority for its validity, being itself the standard of authority.

60. Furthermore, bhakti is the embodiment of peace and supreme ecstasy.

61. After consigning to the Lord all one's mundane and Vedic duties, one no longer need worry about worldly loss.

62. Even after one has achieved devotional service, one should not abandon one's responsibilities in this world but should rather continue surrendering the results of one's work to the Lord. And while still trying to reach the stage of pure devotion, one must certainly continue executing prescribed duties.

63. One should not find entertainment in news of women, money, and atheists.

64. One should put aside false pride, hypocrisy, and other vices.

65. Offering all one's activities to the Lord, one should feel desire, anger, and pride only with regard to Him.

66. After breaking through the aforementioned coverings of the three modes of nature, one should act only in pure love of God, remaining perpetually in the mood of a servant serving his master, or a lover serving her beloved.

67. Among the Lord's devotees, the greatest are those who are dedicated to Him solely as His intimate servants.

68. Conversing among one another with throats choked, hair standing on end, and tears flowing, the Lord's intimate servants purify their own followers and the whole world.

69. Their association makes holy places holy, works auspicious, and the scriptures authoritative.

70. The intimate servants of the Supreme Lord are fully absorbed in loving Him.

71. Thus the pure devotees' forefathers become joyful, the demigods dance, and the world feels protected by good masters.

72. There are no distinctions among such pure devotees in terms of social class, education, bodily beauty, family status, wealth, occupation, and so on.

73. Pure devotees are not distinguished by externals like social class, for they belong to the Lord.

74. One should not indulge in argumentative debate.

75. Such argumentation leads to excessive entanglements and is never decisive.

76. One should respect the revealed scriptures of devotional service and discharge the duties they prescribe.

77. Patiently enduring till the time when one can put aside material happiness, distress, desire, and false gain, one should not waste even a fraction of a second.

78. One should cultivate such good qualities as nonviolence, truthfulness, cleanliness, compassion, and faith.

79. Those who are free of doubts should constantly worship the Supreme Lord with all their hearts.

80. When He is glorified, the Lord swiftly reveals Himself to His devotees and allows them to know Him as He is.

81. Devotional service is the most precious possession of a person who honestly uses his mind, body, and words.

82. Although devotional service is one, it becomes manifested in eleven forms of attachment: attachment to the Lord's glorious qualities, to His beauty, to worshiping Him, to remembering Him, to serving Him, to reciprocating with Him as a friend, to caring for Him as a parent, to dealing with Him as a lover, to surrendering one's whole self to Him, to being absorbed in thought of Him, and to experiencing separation from Him. This last is the supreme attachment.

83. Thus say the founding authorities of devotional service: the Kumaras, Vyasa, Suka, Sandilya, Garga, Visnu, Kaundilya, Sesa, Uddhava, Aruni, Bali, Hanuman, Vibhisana, and others-speaking without fear of worldly gossip and sharing among themselves one and the same opinion.

84. Anyone who trusts these instructions spoken by Narada and is convinced by them will be blessed with devotion and attain the most dear Lord. Yes, he will attain the most dear Lord.

Narad Bhkti Sutra (Download in PDF)

Swadhyae

2009-11-18T19:49:00.002+05:30

Narad Bhakti Sutra
Shiv Sutra
Patanjali Yog Sutra
Ashtawakra Gita

Ashtavakra Gita

2009-11-14T11:14:00.001+05:30

1. Instruction on Self-Realization
Janaka said:

1.1
Master, how is knowledge to be achieved,
detachment acquired, liberation attained?
Ashtavakra said:

1.2
To be free,
shun the experiences of the senses like poison.
Turn your attention to
forgiveness, sincerity, kindness, simplicity, truth.
1.3
You are not earth, water, fire or air.
Nor are you empty space.
Liberation is to know yourself
as awareness alone—the Witness of these.
1.4
Abide in awareness
with no illusion of person.
You will be instantly free and at peace.
1.5
You have no caste or duties.
You are invisible, unattached, formless.
You are the Witness of all things.
Be happy.
1.6
Right and wrong, pleasure and pain,
exist in mind only.
They are not your concern.
You neither do nor enjoy.
You are free.
1.7
You are the solitary Witness of All that is,
forever free.
Your only bondage is not seeing This.

1.8
The thought, “I am the doer,”
is the bite of a poisonous snake.
To know, “I do nothing,” is the wisdom of faith.
Be happy.
1.9
A single understanding, "I am the One Awareness,"
consumes all suffering in the fire of an instant.
Be happy.
1.10
You are unbounded awareness—bliss, supreme bliss—
in which the universe appears
like the mirage of a snake in a rope.
Be happy.
1.11
It is true what they say, “You are what you think.”
If you think you are bound you are bound.
If you think you are free you are free.
1.12
You are Self—the solitary Witness.
You are perfect, all-pervading, One.
You are free, desireless, forever still.
The universe is but a seeming in You.
1.13
Meditate on this: “I am Awareness alone—Unity itself.”
Give up the idea that you are separate, a person,
that there is within and without.
1.14
You have long been bound, thinking, “I am a person.”
Let the knowledge, “I am Awareness alone,”
be the sword that frees you.
1.15
You are now and forever
free, luminous, transparent, still.
The practice of meditation keeps one in bondage.

1.16
You are pure consciousness—the substance of the universe.
The universe exists within you.
Don’t be small-minded.
1.17
You are unconditioned, changeless, formless.
You are solid, unfathomable, cool.
Desire nothing.
You are consciousness.
1.18
That which has form is not real.
Only the formless is permanent.
Once this is known, you will not return to illusion.
1.19
Just as a mirror exists both within and without
the image reflected,
so the supreme Self exists
both within and without the body.
1.20
Just as the same space exists
both within and without a jar,
the timeless, all-pervasive One
exists as Totality.

2. Joy of Self-Realization
Janaka said:

2.1
I am now spotless and at peace—
awareness beyond consciousness.
All this time I have been duped by illusion.
2.2
By this light alone
the body and the universe appear.
I am everything or nothing.
2.3
Seeing there is no universe or body,
by grace the Self is revealed.
2.4
As waves, foam, and bubbles
are not different from water,
so the universe emanating from Self
is not different from Self.
2.5
Look closely at cloth,
you see only threads.
Look closely at creation,
you see only Self.
2.6
As sweetness pervades sugarcane juice,
I am the essence of creation.
2.7
Not seeing Self, the world is materialized.
Seeing Self, the world is vanished.
A rope is not a snake, but can appear to be.
2.8
I am not other than light.
The universe manifests at my glance.

The mirage of universe appears in me
as silver appears in mother-of-pearl,
as a snake appears in a rope,
as water appears on a desert horizon.

2.10
As a pot returns to clay,
a wave to water, a bracelet to gold,
so will the universe return to Me.
2.11
I am wonderful indeed—beyond adoration.
I cannot decay nor ever die,
though God and all the universes
should perish to the last blade of grass.
2.12
I am wonderful indeed—beyond adoration.
Even with a body I am One.
I neither come nor go.
I am everywhere at once.
2.13
I am wonderful indeed—beyond adoration.
I am astounded at my powers.
The universe appears within me
but I do not touch it.
2.14
I am wonderful indeed—beyond adoration.
I am everything thought or spoken,
and have nothing.
2.15
In Reality, knowledge, the knower
and the knowable do not exist.
I am the transparent Self
in which through ignorance they appear.

2.16
Looking at One and seeing many
is the cause of all misery.
The only cure is to realize that
what is seen is not there.
I am One—aware, blissful, immaculate.
2.17
I am unbounded awareness.
Only in imagination do I have limits.
Reflecting on this, I abide in the Absolute.
2.18
I am neither free nor bound.
The illusion of such things has fallen into disbelief.
Though I contain creation, it has no substance.
2.19
Having seen for certain that this universe and body
is without form or substance,
I am revealed as Awareness alone.
Imagination has no place here.
2.20
The body exists only in imagination,
as do heaven and hell, bondage, freedom, fear.
Are these my concern?
I who am pure awareness?
2.21
I see no differences or separation.
Even the multitudes appear as a single formless desert.
To what should I cling?
2.22
I am not the body.
I do not have a body.
I am Awareness, not a person.
My thirst for life bound me
to a seeming of life.

2.23
In the limitless ocean of Self
the winds of the mind
roil the myriad waves of the world.
2.24
But when the wind subsides in the limitless ocean
the ark of personhood is swallowed up,
along with the universe it carries.
2.25
And how wonderful it is!
In the limitless ocean of Self,
waves of beings arise, collide,
play for a time, then disappear—
as is their nature.

3. Test of Self-Realization
Ashtavakra said:

3.1
Having realized yourself as One,
being serene and indestructible,
why do you desire wealth?
3.2
Just as imagining silver in mother-of-pearl
causes greed to arise,
so does ignorance of Self
cause desire for illusion.
3.3
Having realized yourself as That
in which the waves of the world rise and fall,
why do you run around in turmoil?
3.4
Having realized yourself as pure awareness,
as beautiful beyond description,
how can you remain a slave to lust?
3.5
It is strange that in a sage who has realized
Self in All, and All in Self,
this sense of ownership should continue.
3.6
Strange that one abiding in the Absolute,
intent on freedom,
should be vulnerable to lust
and weakened by amorous pastimes.
3.7
Strange that knowing lust
as an enemy of knowledge,
one so weak and nearing death
should still crave sensual pleasure.

3.8
Strange that one who is unattached
to the things of this world and the next,
who can discriminate between the transient and the timeless,
who yearns for freedom,
should yet fear the dissolution of the body.
3.9
Whether acclaimed or tormented
the serene sage abides in Self.
He is neither gratified nor angered.
3.10
A great soul witnesses his body’s actions
as if they were another’s.
How can praise or blame disturb him?
3.11
Realizing the universe is illusion,
having lost all curiosity,
how can one of steady mind fear death?
3.12
With whom can we compare the great soul
who, content knowing Self,
remains desireless in disappointment?
3.13
Why should a person of steady mind,
who sees the nothingness of objects,
prefer one thing to another?
3.14
He who is unattached,
untouched by opposites, free of desire,
experiences neither pleasure nor pain as events pass through.

4. Glorification of Self-Realization
Janaka said:

4.1
Surely one who knows Self,
though he plays the game of life,
differs greatly from the world’s
bewildered burdened beasts.
4.2
Truly, the yogi feels no elation,
though he abides in the exalted state
yearned for by Indra and all the discontented gods.
4.3
Surely one who knows That,
is not touched by virtue or vice,
just as space is not touched by smoke,
though it appears to be.
4.4
Who can prevent the great soul,
who knows the universe as Self,
from living life as it comes?
4.5
Of the four kinds of beings,
from Brahma to a blade of grass,
only the sage can renounce aversion and desire.
4.6
Rare is he who knows himself
as One with no other—the Lord of the Universe.
He acts as he knows and is never afraid.

5. Four Ways to Dissolution
Ashtavakra said:

5.1
You are immaculate, touched by nothing.
What is there to renounce?
The mind is complex—let it go.
Know the peace of dissolution.
5.2
The universe arises from you
like foam from the sea.
Know yourself as One.
Enter the peace of dissolution.
5.3
Like an imagined snake in a rope
the universe appears to exist
in the immaculate Self, but does not.
Seeing this you know, “There is nothing to dissolve.”
5.4
You are perfect, changeless,
through misery and happiness,
hope and despair, life and death.
This is the state of dissolution.

6. The Higher Knowledge
Janaka said:

6.1
I am infinite space.
The universe is a jar.
This I know.
No need to renounce, accept, or destroy.
6.2
I am a shoreless ocean.
The universe makes waves.
This I know.
No need to renounce, accept, or destroy.
6.3
I am mother-of–pearl.
The universe is the illusion of silver.
This I know.
No need to renounce, accept, or destroy.
6.4
I am in all beings.
All beings are in me.
This I know.
No need to renounce, accept, or destroy.

7. Nature of Self-Realization
Janaka said:

7.1
In me, the shoreless ocean,
the ark of universe drifts here and there
on the winds of its nature.
I am not impatient.
7.2
In me, the shoreless ocean,
let the waves of the universe
rise and fall as they will.
I am neither enhanced nor diminished.
7.3
In me, the shoreless ocean,
the universe is imagined.
I am still and formless.
In this alone I abide.
7.4
The Self is not in objects,
nor are objects in the pure and infinite Self.
The Self is tranquil, free of attachment and desire.
In this alone I abide.
7.5
I am Awareness alone.
The world is passing show.
How can thoughts arise of acceptance or rejection?
And where?

8. Bondage and Liberation
Ashtavakra said:

8.1
When the mind desires or grieves things,
accepts or rejects things,
is pleased or displeased by things,
this is bondage.
8.2
When the mind does not desire or grieve,
accept or reject, become pleased or displeased,
liberation is at hand.
8.3
If the mind is attached to any experience,
this is bondage.
When the mind is detached from all experience,
this is liberation.
8.4
When there is no “I”
there is only liberation.
When “I” appears, bondage appears with it.
Knowing this, it is effortless to refrain
from accepting and rejecting.

9. Detachment
Ashtavakra said:

9.1
Opposing forces, duties done and left undone—
when does it end and for whom?
Considering this, be ever desireless, let go of all things,
and to the world turn an indifferent eye.
9.2
Rare and blessed is one whose desire to live,
to enjoy and to know,
has been extinguished by observing the ways of men.
9.3
Seeing all things as threefold suffering,
the sage becomes still.
Insubstantial, transient, contemptible—
the world is fit only for rejection.
9.4
Was there an age or time men existed without opposites?
Leave the opposites behind.
Be content with what is.
Perfection.
9.5
The greatest seers, saints, and yogis agree on little.
Seeing this, who could not be indifferent to knowledge
and become still?
9.6
One who, through worldly indifference,
through serenity and reason,
sees his true nature and escapes illusion—
is he not a true teacher?
9.7
In the myriad forms of the universe
see the primal element alone.
You will be instantly free, and abide in Self.

Desire creates the world—renounce it.
Renounce desires and you renounce the world.
Now you may live as you are.

10. Quietude
Ashtavakra said:

10.1
Give up desire, which is the enemy.
Give up prosperity,
which is born of mischief and good works.
Be indifferent.
10.2
Look upon friends, lands, wealth, houses, wives, gifts—
and all apparent good fortune—
as a passing show,
as a dream lasting three to five days.
10.3
Where there is desire, there is the world.
Be firm in non-attachment.
Be free of desire.
Be happy.
10.4
Bondage and desire are the same.
Destroy desire and be free.
Only by detaching from the world
does one joyfully realize Self.
10.5
You are One—Awareness itself.
The universe is neither aware nor does it exist.
Even ignorance is unreal.
What is left to know?
10.6
Attached as you have been to
kingdoms, sons, wives, bodies, pleasures—
life after life—
still they are now lost forever.

10.7
Prosperity, pleasure, pious deeds…
Enough!
In the dreary forest of the world
the mind finds no rest.
10.8
For how many lifetimes
have you done hard and painful labor
with body, mind, and speech?
It is time to stop.

11. Wisdom
Ashtavakra said:

11.1
Existence, non-existence, change—
this is the nature of things.
Realizing this,
stillness, serenity, and bliss naturally follow.
11.2
One who knows for certain that
“Self creates All and is alone”
becomes still, desireless, unattached.
11.3
One who knows for certain that adversity and success
come and go in obedience to destiny,
becomes content.
He neither desires nor grieves.
11.4
One who knows for certain
that birth and death, happiness and misery,
come and go in obedience to destiny,
sees nothing to accomplish.
He engages in non-action,
and in action remains unattached.
11.5
One who has realized
that only by caring is misery caused in the world,
becomes free, happy, serene, desireless.
11.6
“I am not the body, nor is the body my possession—
I am Awareness itself.”
One who realizes this for certain
has no memory of things done or left undone.
There is only the Absolute.

11.7
“From Brahma to the last blade of grass, I alone exist.”
One who knows this for certain
becomes immaculate, serene, unconflicted.
Attainment has no meaning.
11.8
One who knows for certain
that this manifold and wonderful universe is nothing,
becomes desireless awareness,
and abides in the stillness of no-thing.

12. Abiding in the Self
Janaka said:

12.1
Becoming first intolerant of action,
then of excessive speech,
then of thought itself,
I come to be here.
12.2
Neither sounds nor other sense perceptions
attract my attention.
Even the Self is unperceived.
The mind is free, undistracted, one-pointed.
And here I am.
12.3
Effort is required
to concentrate a distracted mind
superimposed with illusion.
Knowing this, I remain here.
12.4
Nothing to reject, nothing to accept.
No joy, no sorrow.
Lord God I am here.
12.5
The four stages of life, life without stages,
meditation, renunciation, objects of mind—
nothing but distractions.
I am forever here.
12.6
Doing and not-doing
both arise from ignorance.
I know this.
And I am here.

12.7
Thinking of the unthinkable One
unavoidably conjures thought.
I choose no-thought
and remain here.
12.8
Blessed is he who attains this by effort.
Blessed is he who is such by nature.

13. Happiness
Janaka said:

13.1
The tranquil state
of knowing Self alone is rare—
even among those who own but a loincloth.
I therefore neither renounce nor accept
and am happy.
13.2
The body is strained by practices.
The tongue tires of scripture.
The mind numbs with meditation.
Detached from all this,
I live as I am.
13.3
Realizing that nothing is done,
I do what comes
and am happy.
13.4
Yogis who preach either effort or non-effort
are still attached to the body.
I neither dissociate nor associate with any of that
and am happy.
13.5
I have nothing to gain or lose
by standing, walking, or sitting down.
So whether I stand, walk, or sit,
I am happy.
13.6
I do not lose by sleeping nor attain by effort.
Not thinking in terms of loss or gain,
I am happy.

13.7
Pleasure and pain fluctuate
and are inconsistent.
Without good or bad,
I live happily.

14. Tranquility
Janaka said:

14.1
Though appearing asleep like other men,
one whose interest in the world is exhausted,
whose mind has been emptied,
who thinks only by inadvertence,
is in Reality awake.
14.2
When desire has melted,
how can there be wealth, or friends,
or the seduction of senses?
Of what use is scripture and knowledge?
14.3
I have realized the supreme Self, the Witness, the One.
I am indifferent to bondage and freedom.
I have no need for liberation.
14.4
The inner condition of one who is devoid of doubt,
yet moves among creatures of illusion,
can only be known by those like him.

15. Knowledge of the Self
Ashtavakra said:

15.1
A man of open intuition may realize Self
upon hearing a casual instruction,
while a man of cluttered intellect
inquires bewildered for a lifetime.
15.2
Aversion to the world’s offerings is liberation.
Attraction to the world’s offerings
is the suffering of bondage.
This is the truth.
Now do as you please.
15.3
This knowledge of Truth
turns an eloquent, wise, and active man,
mute, empty, and inert.
Lovers of the world therefore shun it.
15.4
You are not the body.
You do not have a body.
You neither do nor enjoy.
You are Awareness alone—the timeless Witness.
You are free.
Go in happiness.
15.5
Attachment and aversion are attributes of the mind.
You are not the mind.
You are consciousness itself—changeless, undivided, free.
Go in happiness.
15.6
Realize Self in All and All in Self.
Be free of personal identity
and the sense of “mine.”
Be happy.

15.7
You are That in which the universe appears
like waves appearing in the ocean.
You are consciousness itself.
No need to worry.
15.8
Have faith, my son, have faith.
You are Awareness alone, the Self, the One.
You are the Lord of Nature.
15.9
The body is made of worldly stuff.
It comes, it lingers, it goes.
The Self neither comes nor goes, yet remains.
Why mourn the body?
15.10
If the body lasts until the end of time
or perishes today,
is there gain or loss for you?
You who are pure Awareness?
15.11
Let the waves of the universe
rise and fall as they will.
You have nothing to gain or lose.
You are the ocean.
15.12
You are the substance of consciousness.
The world is You.
Who is it that thinks he can accept or reject it?
And where does he stand?
15.13
In you who are One—
immaculate, still Awareness—
from where can birth, action,
or a separate person arise?

15.14
Whatever you perceive is You and You alone.
How can bracelets, armlets, and anklets
be other than the gold they are made of?
15.15
Leave behind such distinctions as,
“I am he,” and, “I am not this.”
Consider everything Self.
Be desireless and be happy.
15.16
Your ignorance alone creates the universe.
In reality One alone exists.
There is no person or god other than You.
15.17
One who knows for certain
that the universe is illusion, a no-thing,
becomes desireless, pure Awareness,
and finds peace in the existence of nothing.
15.18
In the ocean of existence
only One is, was, and ever will be.
You are neither bound nor free.
Live content and be happy.
15.19
Do not stir the mind with “yes” or “no.”
You are pure consciousness.
Be still, and abide in the bliss of Self.
15.20
Give up completely all contemplation.
Hold nothing in the mind or heart.
You are the Self, forever free.
Of what use is thinking to you?

16. Special Instruction
Ashtavakra said:

16.1
You can recite and discuss scripture all you want,
but until you drop everything
you will never know Truth.
16.2
You can enjoy and work and meditate,
but you will still yearn for That
which is beyond all experience,
and in which all desires are extinguished.
16.3
Everyone is miserable because they exert constant effort.
But no one understands this.
A ripe mind can become unshackled
upon hearing this one instruction.
16.4
The master idler,
to whom even blinking is a bother,
is happy.
But he is the only one.
16.5
When the mind is free of opposites
like, “This is done,” and, “This is yet undone,”
one becomes indifferent to
merit, wealth, pleasure, and liberation.
16.6
One who abhors sense objects avoids them.
One who desires them becomes ensnared.
One who neither abhors nor desires
is neither detached nor attached.

16.7
As long as there is desire—
which is the absence of discrimination—
there will be attachment and non-attachment.
This is the cause of the world.
16.8
Indulgence creates attachment.
Aversion creates abstinence.
Like a child, the sage is free of both
and thus lives on as a child.
16.9
One who is attached to the world
thinks renouncing it will relieve his misery.
One who is attached to nothing is free,
and does not feel miserable
even in the world.
16.10
He who claims liberation as his own,
as an attainment of a person,
is neither enlightened nor a seeker.
He suffers his own misery.
16.11
Though Hara, Hari,
or the lotus-born Brahma himself instruct you,
until you know Nothing,
you will never know Self.

17. The True Knower
Ashtavakra said:

17.1
One has attained knowledge
and reaped the fruits of yoga
who is content, purified of attachments,
and at home in solitude.
17.2
The knower of Truth
is never miserable in the world,
for the whole universe
is filled with Himself alone.
17.3
As the foliage of the neem tree
does not please an elephant who delights in sallaki leaves,
so do sense objects not please
he who delights in Self.
17.4
Rare in the world is one
who does not relish past enjoyments,
nor yearn for enjoyments to come.
17.5
Those who desire pleasure and those who desire liberation
are both common in the world.
Rare is the great soul who
desires neither enjoyment nor liberation.
17.6
Rare is the right-minded person
who neither covets nor shuns
religion, wealth, pleasure, life, or death.
17.7
The man of knowledge neither cares for the universe
nor desires its dissolution.
He lives happily on whatever comes his way.
He is blessed.

17.8
Knowing Self, mind empty and at peace,
the sage lives happily,
seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating.
17.9
There is no attachment or non-attachment for one
in whom the ocean of the world has dried up.
His look is vacant, senses still.
His actions have no purpose.
17.10
The sage is neither asleep nor awake.
He neither closes nor opens his eyes.
Thus, for the liberated soul,
everywhere there is only This.
17.11
The liberated soul abides in Self alone
and is pure of heart.
He lives always and everywhere,
free of desire.
17.12
Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling,
eating, taking, speaking, walking,
the great soul exerts neither effort nor non-effort.
He is truly free.
17.13
The liberated soul does not blame or praise,
give or take, rejoice or become angry.
He is everywhere unattached and free.
17.14
The great soul remains poised and undisturbed,
whether in the presence of a passionate woman,
or observing the approach of his death.
He is truly free.

17.15
The sage sees no difference
between happiness and misery,
man and woman, adversity and success.
Everything is seen to be the same.
17.16
In the sage there is neither violence nor mercy,
arrogance nor humility, anxiety nor wonder.
His worldly life is exhausted.
He has transcended his role as a person.
17.17
The liberated one neither avoids experience nor craves it.
He enjoys what comes,
and what does not.
17.18
The sage is not conflicted
by states of stillness and thought.
His mind is empty.
His home is the Absolute.
17.19
Though he may perform actions,
the man of knowledge does not act.
Desires extinguished, free of thoughts of “I” and “mine,”
he knows with absolute certainty
that nothing exists.
17.20
The sage is free.
His empty mind no longer projects
delusion, dreaming, dullness.
This state is indescribable.

18. Peace
Ashtavakra said:

18.1
Praise That, which is bliss itself,
which is by nature stillness and light,
and which by its knowing
reveals the world as a dream.
18.2
One may enjoy the abundant pleasures of the world,
but will never be happy
until giving them up.
18.3
How can one whose innermost heart has been scorched
by the sun of sorrow that comes from duty
be happy until the sweet rain
of torrential stillness?
18.4
The universe is but a thought in consciousness.
In Reality it is nothing.
One who sees the true nature of existence and non-existence
never ceases to exist.
18.5
The Self, which is absolute,
effortless, timeless, immaculate,
is without limits and at no distance from you.
You are forever It.
18.6
For those whose vision becomes unclouded,
illusion evaporates and Self becomes known.
All sorrow is instantly dispelled.
18.7
Seeing everything is imagination,
knowing the Self as timelessly free,
the sage lives as a child.

18.8
Knowing himself as Absolute,
knowing existence and non-existence
to be imagination only,
what is there for the desireless one
to learn, say, or do?
18.9
Knowing for certain that all is Self,
the sage has no trace of thoughts
such as, “I am this” or, “I am not that.”
18.10
The yogi who finds stillness
is neither distracted nor focused.
He knows neither pleasure nor pain.
Ignorance dispelled, he is free of knowing.
18.11
Heaven or poverty,
gain or loss, society or solitude,
to the yogi free of conditioning
there is no difference.
18.12
Religious merit, sensory pleasure, worldly prosperity,
discrimination between this and that—
these have no significance to the yogi free of opposites,
such as, “I do this” and, “This I do not.”
18.13
The yogi who is liberated while living
has no duties in this world,
no attachments in his heart.
His life proceeds without him.
18.14
For the great soul who abides beyond desire,
where is illusion?
Where is the universe?
Where is meditation on That?
Where even is liberation from them?

18.15
He who sees the world
may try to renounce it.
But what can the desireless one do?
He sees there is nothing to see.
18.16
He who has seen the supreme Brahma
thinks, “I am Brahma.”
But he who has transcended all thought,
what can he think?
He knows no other than Self.
18.17
He achieves self-control
who sees his own distraction.
But the great soul is not distracted.
He has nothing to achieve.
He has nothing to do.
18.18
The man of knowledge may live as an ordinary man,
but he is not.
He sees he is neither focused nor distracted,
and finds no fault with himself.
18.19
He who is beyond existence and non-existence,
who is wise, satisfied, and free of desire,
does nothing, though the world may see him in motion.
18.20
The wise one is not troubled by action or inactivity.
He lives happily,
doing whatever gets done.
18.21
Like a leaf in the wind,
the liberated one is untethered from life—
desireless, independent, free.

18.22
For one who has transcended the world
there is no joy or sorrow.
With a stilled mind,
he lives on with no body.
18.23
One who knows Self,
whose mind is serene and spotless,
does not desire to give up anything,
nor does he miss what is not there.
18.24
His mind being in a natural state of emptiness,
the wise one knows nothing
of honor and dishonor.
He does what comes to be done.
18.25
One who acts knowing,
“This is done by the body, not by I, the Self,”
indeed does nothing,
no matter how much acting takes place.
18.26
The liberated one acts without claiming to be acting,
but he is no fool.
He is blessed and happy,
even though in the world.
18.27
Having had enough of the endless workings of the mind,
the wise one comes to rest.
He neither thinks, nor knows, nor hears, nor sees.
18.28
Beyond stillness, beyond distraction,
the great soul thinks nothing of liberation or bondage.
Having seen the universe is void—
even though it seems to exist—
he is God.

18.29
He who believes he is a person is constantly acting,
even when the body is at rest.
The sage knows he is not a person
and therefore does nothing,
even when the body is in motion.
18.30
The mind of the liberated one
is neither troubled nor pleased.
It is actionless, motionless, desireless,
and free of doubt.
18.31
The liberated one does not exert effort
to meditate or act.
Action and meditation just happen.
18.32
Hearing ultimate Truth,
the dull-witted man is bewildered.
The wise man hearing Truth
retreats within and appears dull-witted.
18.33
The ignorant practice meditation and no-thought.
The wise, like men in deep sleep,
do nothing.
18.34
The ignorant man finds no peace
either by effort or non-effort.
The wise man by Truth alone is stilled.
18.35
Though they are by nature Self alone,
pure intelligence, love and perfection—
though they transcend the universe and are clearness itself—
men of the world will not see this
through meditation and practices.

18.36
The ignorant man will never be liberated
by his repetitious practices.
Blessed is he who, by simple understanding,
enters timeless freedom.
18.37
Because he desires to know God,
the ignorant man can never become That.
The wise man is God
because he is free of desire
and knows nothing.
18.38
Unable to stand steady and eager for salvation,
the ignorant perpetuate the illusion of world.
Seeing the world as the source of all misery,
the wise cut it off at the root.
18.39
The fool thinks peace comes by controlling the mind.
He will never attain it.
The wise one knows Truth,
and is stillness itself.
18.40
For he who thinks knowledge is things and ideas,
how can there be Self-knowledge?
The wise do not see separate things,
only the timeless Self.
18.41
The fool tries to control the mind
with the mind—what folly!
The wise one delights in Self alone.
There is no mind to master.
18.42
Some believe in existence.
Others believe nothing exists.
Rare is the one who believes nothing
and is never confused.

18.43
Weak intellectuals may believe
the Self is One without other.
But being mired in illusion
they do not actually know Self,
so live out their lives in misery.
18.44
The mind of one seeking liberation
depends on things for perception.
The mind of the liberated one perceives no-thing
and is free of desire.
18.45
Timid men fear sensory experience
much as they do tigers.
They seek refuge in caves
and try to un-think the world.
18.46
Sensory experiences are like elephants who,
upon encountering a desireless man,
see him as a lion.
They immediately turn on their heels,
or if unable to escape,
stay on to flatter and serve him.
18.47
A man with no doubts,
who knows only Self,
has no need of practice or liberation.
Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating,
he lives happily as he is.
18.48
One whose mind is emptied and unconflicted
by the mere hearing of Truth,
sees nothing to do, nothing to avoid,
nothing to warrant his indifference.

18.49
The sage does whatever appears to be done,
without thinking of good or bad.
His actions are those of a child.
18.50
Depending on nothing, one finds happiness.
Depending on nothing, one attains the Supreme.
Depending on nothing, one passes through tranquility
to One Self.
18.51
When one realizes he is neither the actor
nor the one who watches,
the mind-storm is stilled.
18.52
The actions of the sage,
free of pretence and motive,
shine like clear light.
Not so those of the deluded seeker
who affects a peaceful demeanor
while remaining firmly attached.
18.53
Unbounded, unfettered,
untethered from the projections of mind,
the wise are free to play and enjoy,
or retire to mountain caves.
18.54
Whether honoring a spiritual scholar, a god, or holy shrine,
whether seeing a desirable woman, a king, or beloved friend,
the heart of the sage is unmoved.
18.55
Though his servants, sons, wives, daughters, grandchildren,
and all his relatives ridicule and despise him,
the sage is undismayed.

18.56
Though pleased he is not pleasured,
though pained he does not suffer.
This wonderful state is understood
only by those like him.
18.57
The belief in duty creates a relative world
for its performance.
The wise one knows Himself to be formless,
timeless, all-pervasive, immaculate,
and thus transcends duty and world.
18.58
Even doing nothing,
the dull one is anxious and distracted.
Even amidst great action,
the wise one remains still.
18.59
Even in practical life
the wise one remains happy.
Happy to sit,
happy to sleep,
happy to move about,
happy to speak,
happy to eat…
18.60
Because he knows Self,
the wise one is not disrupted by practical life.
He is deep and still, like a vast lake.
He is not like ordinary people.
His sorrows have vanished.
18.61
For the deluded, even rest is an activity.
For the wise, even action
bears the fruit of stillness.

18.62
The deluded are often adverse to the things of life.
To one with no thought for body,
attachment and aversion have no meaning.
18.63
The deluded mind is caught up
in thinking and not thinking.
Though the mind of the wise one
may think what thoughts come,
he is not aware of it.
18.64
The sage sees nothing being done,
even when performed by his hands.
Like a child, he is pure
and acts without reason.
18.65
Blessed indeed is he who knows Self.
Though seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating,
he never desires nor changes.
18.66
For one who is void and changeless,
where is the world and its imaginings?
Where is the end?
Where is the possibility of it?
18.67
Glorious indeed is he who, free of desire,
embodies bliss itself.
He has become absorbed in Self.
18.68
In short, the great soul who has realized Truth
is free of desire, enjoyment, and liberation.
In all of space and time,
he is attached to nothing.

18.69
What remains for One who is consciousness itself,
who sees the non-existence of a phenomenal world
created by the mere thought of a name?
18.70
Peace is natural for one
who knows for certain nothing exists,
who sees appearances are illusion,
to whom the inexpressible is apparent.
18.71
Rules of conduct, detachment, renunciation, asceticism—
what are these to one who sees the unreality of things,
who is the Light of Awareness?
18.72
How can there be joy or sorrow, bondage or liberation,
for one who perceives non-existence
and lights the infinite?
18.73
Until Self-realization, illusion prevails.
The sage lives without thoughts of “I” or “mine.”
His connection to illusion is severed.
18.74
What is knowledge?
What is universe?
What are thoughts like, “I am the body,” or “The body is mine”?
The sage is imperishable and sorrowless.
He is Self alone.
18.75
When a weak man gives up meditation
he falls prey to whims and desires.
18.76
Even hearing Truth,
the man of dull intellect holds on to illusion.
Through effort and suppression
he may appear outwardly composed,
but inside he craves the world.

18.77
Though others may see him working,
the sage does nothing.
Knowledge has banished effort.
He finds no reason to do or say.
18.78
The sage is fearless, unassailable.
No darkness, no light, nothing to lose.
Nothing.
18.79
Patience, discrimination, even fearlessness—
what use are these to the yogi?
His nature cannot be described.
He is not a person.
18.80
No heaven, no hell, no liberation for the living.
In short, consciousness is void.
What more can be said?
18.81
The sage neither yearns for fulfillment
nor frets over non-attainment.
His mind is cool and brimming with sweetness.
18.82
Detached from desire,
the sage neither praises peace nor blames the wicked.
Equally content in happiness and misery,
he would not change a thing.
18.83
The sage neither rejects the world nor desires Self.
He is free of joy and sorrow.
He does not live,
and cannot die.

18.84
The wise one lives without hope.
He has no attachment to his children, wife, or anyone.
Pleasure means nothing to him.
His life is glorious.
18.85
The sage wanders about as he pleases
and lives on whatever may come.
Contentment ever dwells in his heart.
And when the sun sets,
he rests where he is.
18.86
Rooted in being, no thought of being born or reborn,
the great soul is indifferent
to the death or birth of his body.
18.87
The wise one stands alone,
caring for nothing, bereft of possessions.
He goes where he will,
unhindered by opposites, his doubts rent asunder.
He is truly blessed.
18.88
The wise one has no sense of “mine.”
To him, earth, stone, and gold are the same.
The knots of his heart have unraveled.
He knows neither ignorance nor sorrow.
He is excellent in every way.
18.89
The liberated soul has no desire in his heart.
He is content and indifferent.
He has no equal.
18.90
Only one free of desire
knows nothing of knowing,
says nothing needs saying,
sees nothing to see.

18.91
He who is without desire excels,
be he beggar or king.
He no longer sees good or bad.
18.92
What is lust, or restraint, or the desire for Truth
to the yogi who has reached life’s goal,
and who embodies virtue and sincerity?
18.93
The inner experience of one
who is free of desire and suffering,
who is content and reposes in Self—
how can it be described,
and of whom?
18.94
The wise one’s state never varies.
Sleeping soundly, he is not asleep.
Lying in reverie, he is not dreaming.
Eyes open, he is not wakeful.
18.95
The man of knowledge seems to think,
but has no thoughts.
He seems to have sense perceptions,
but does not experience.
He seems to have intelligence,
but is empty-minded.
He appears to be a person,
but is not.
18.96
The man of knowledge
is neither happy nor miserable,
neither detached nor attached,
neither liberated nor seeking liberation.
He is neither this nor that.

18.97
Even while distracted, the blessed one is still.
In meditation, he does not meditate.
In ignorance, he remains clear.
Though learned, he knows nothing.
18.98
The liberated one,
who abides unconditionally in Self,
who is free of the concept of action and duty,
who is always and everywhere the same,
is desireless.
He does not worry about what he did or did not do.
18.99
The wise one is neither pleased by praise
nor annoyed by blame.
He neither rejoices in life
nor fears death.
18.100
One of tranquil mind
seeks neither crowds nor wilderness.
He is the same wherever he goes.

19. Repose in the Self
Janaka said:

19.1
With the tongs of Truth
I have plucked the thorn of thinking
from the innermost cave of my heart.
19.2
Where is meditation, pleasure, prosperity, or discrimination?
Where is duality?
Where even is Unity?
I abide in the glory of Self.
19.3
Where is past and future, or even present?
Where is space, or even eternity?
I abide in the glory of Self.
19.4
Where is Self?
Where is not-Self?
Where is good and evil, confusion and clarity?
I abide in the glory of Self.
19.5
Where is sleeping, dreaming, waking, or even the fourth state?
Where is fear?
I abide in the glory of Self.
19.6
Where is close or far, in or out, gross or subtle?
I abide in the glory of Self.
19.7
Where is life and death?
Where is the world and worldly relations?
Where is distraction and stillness?
I abide in the glory of Self.

19.8
There is no need to talk about the three ends of life.
To talk of yoga is purposeless.
Even talking about Truth is irrelevant.
I rest in Self alone.

20. Liberation-in-Life
Janaka said:

20.1
Where are the elements, the body, the organs, the mind?
Where is the void?
Where is despair?
My nature is transparent clearness.
20.2
Where is scripture?
Where is Self-knowledge?
Where is no-mind?
Where is contentment and freedom from desire?
I am empty of two-ness.
20.3
Where is Knowledge and ignorance?
Where is “I”?
Where is “this”?
Where is “mine”?
Where is bondage and liberation?
Self has no attributes.
20.4
Where is the unfolding of karma?
Where is liberation-in-life,
or even liberation at death?
There is only One.
20.5
Where is the doer or enjoyer?
Where is the origin or end of thought?
Where is direct or reflected knowledge?
There is no person here.

20.6
Where is the world?
Where is the seeker of liberation?
Where is the contemplative?
Where is the man of knowledge?
Where is the soul in bondage?
Where is the liberated soul?
My nature is Unity.
20.7
Where are creation and destruction?
Where is the end and the means?
Where is the seeker?
Where is attainment?
I am One.
20.8
Where is the knower?
Where is knowing?
Where is the known, or knowledge itself?
Where is anything?
Where is nothing?
I am pure Awareness.
20.9
Where is distraction, concentration, knowledge, or delusion?
Where is joy or sorrow?
I am Stillness.
20.10
Where is the relative?
Where the transcendent?
Where is happiness or misery?
I am empty of thought.
20.11
Where is illusion?
Where is existence?
Where is attachment or non-attachment?
Where is person?
Where is God?
I am Awareness.

20.12
Where is activity or inactivity?
Where is liberation or bondage?
I am timeless, indivisible.
I am Self alone.
20.13
Where are principles and scriptures?
Where is the disciple or teacher?
Where is the reason for life?
I am boundless, Absolute.
20.14
Where is existence or non-existence?
Where is Unity or duality?
No-thing emanates from me.
No more can be said

Ashtavakra Gita (Download in PDF)

Meditating and Mediating

2009-11-13T13:33:00.005+05:30

Guru Ji's Exclusive Interview on NDTV 24X7

Sutras

2009-11-01T14:05:00.001+05:30

Do not see intention behind somebody else's mistakes.

Expand - The nature of joy is to share, to expand, to stretch.

“Being Natural” -When you are natural, when you don't pretend, then you are very close to the Divine."

“Effort won't work” - The moment you make an effort to love somebody or to be happy, you cannot."

“See love even where it isn't” - Even if people don't like or love you, from your side you consider that they do love you, so that your love,at least,gets protected. Otherwise, when you think somebody doesn't love you, then you will also stop loving them."

Even if somebody doesn't love you, just go and tell them, "Oh, I know you love me so much." Tell them five or six times,see the change in them. Even if they don't love you, they'll start."

Observe your mind---it's either in the past or in the future. Do you see that? We regret the past and are anxious about the future.
Smile (Fake it till you Make it)…! ,
Do not see intention behind somebody else's mistakes….!!.
"Krishna is inside you......God,the Divine is inside you........Have an inner connection with the Divine"
“Take It For Granted” - Take it for granted---even if nobody loves you, say, "Everyone loves me!"

“That is Enough!” - God loves you. That is enough. And, you *are* love. That is enough!

“No Way” - There is no way---not by any action or by words---that you can ever convince anybody that you really love them The more we try to do it, the more we are doing the contrary.

“How to drain love” - We keep on challenging: "Do you really love me? If you really love me then you won't do like this.You should be doing this way." When we keep some such measuring rods, then we are draining love."

“Abundance is a state of mind” - Abundance is a state of mind within you. If you just look at "lack," the lack increases in life.“Don't look at lack.” - Don't look at the lack in your life. See what you have. Then abundance increases.“Look at what you have.” - Just look at what you have. Focus on it---because where you put your energy that increases in life.

“Which way are you looking?” - You think, "Nobody loves me! Everybody hates me!" and I tell you, that is what is going to happenBecause you will be looking in that direction, looking that way. I'm sure you'll find somebody---even theeven the most nice person will look at you and may not give a big smile to you.

*Opposite Values are Complementary
*Accept people and Situations as they are
*Do not be a football of other people's opinion
*Give Your Hundred Percent
*Forgive and forget the past

Sri Sri Ji receives 2009 Culture in Balance Award in Germany

2009-10-14T19:34:00.002+05:30

Sri Sri receives 2009 Culture in Balance Award in Germany

Spiritual leader and Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was on Saturday conferred with the 2009 Culture in Balance Award in Dresden in Germany in recognition of his outstanding contribution to all facets of culture and for his commitment to global cultural balance. In granting the award, the selection committee attached special importance to Sri Sri's efforts in promoting inter-cultural dialogue, peace and reconciliation in conflict zones and ethics in business, according to a release by the Art of Living Foundation. The award, instituted by the Forum Tiberius, was presented to Sri Sri by Dresden Mayor Helma Orosz, amidst a standing ovation. The award ceremony took place in a special session of the World Culture Forum, at Volkswagen's landmark transparent factory in Dresden, the release added.

Sri Sri received accolades by a number of prominent individuals, including Mr Nirj Deva, British Member of European Parliament, Professor Gesine Schwan, candidate for the 2009 German presidential elections and Dean of Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance, Berlin, and Prof Bernd Guggenberger, Dean of Lessing University, Berlin.
In her address, Prof Schwan praised Sri Sri for his peace efforts, global service projects, and valuable counsel on the various social and political issues facing the world. ''It is admirable with what a gentle resoluteness, with what a calm dynamic, with what full concentration, with what incorruptible kindness, Sri Sri makes people understand that they can only contribute to peace by overcoming their own inner fear and prejudices against others,'' she said. Prof Guggenberger lauded Sri Sri's humanitarian efforts to promote, preserve and celebrate diversity across the globe.
''Every society has a right to diversity,'' he said. MEP Nirj Deva commended Sri Sri's initiatives in Europe, and spoke of the breadth, depth and multidimensional approach of the Art of Living Foundation. ''He is friend to millions - presidents and peasants,'' he said, adding that his contribution to bringing people out of distress was greatly appreciated. Upon receiving the award, Sri Sri said, ''I share this award with all those people who stand for a violence-free and stress-free society. This award is not for a person or personality, but for a principle that stands for the ideal of a 'one world family' and cultural plurality.'' Later in the evening, the Art of Living Foundation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance in Berlin.

H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses Youth, Siri fort Auditorium, New Delhi

2009-10-12T20:06:00.000+05:30

Thursday, October 8, 2009
H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses Youth, Siri fort Auditorium, New Delhi, October 7, 2009
Where there is thirst, water will also be made available

Q: Guruji any particular message you want to give us, anything at all?

Sri Sri: Have a vision. Move with confidence. I am with you. Move with that vision in
your life and share this joy with others. The happiness that we have got, we need to bring this joy to more and more people around us, donâ€™t you think so? How many of you feel your lives are transformed?

Audience: Yes

It is our duty to share and spread the happiness that we have got.

Q: Guruji, I did the course a few days ago, my experience was awesome. I am from
Dhanbad in Jharkhand and I want a lot of people from Dhanbad to experience this. Also I want you to come there to address the youth and guide them on to the right path.

Sri Sri: Yes sure. You work there.

Q: Guruji, Do I have your blessings on me?

Sri Sri: You have a lot of blessings. I shower blessings in abundance.

Q: Guruji I love you.

Sri Sri: You have no choice.I havenâ€™t left you with an option.

Q: Guruji, please take us along with you. I need to have a long conversation with
you. It is not possible here in one minute. We have to reach college in 5 minutes. Please do some miracle so that we can spend whole day with you.

Sri Sri: Where to take you along. I am everywhere. I keep on coming and going. You are studying at present. Do your studies properly, ok.

Q: Guruji I love you, and please be with me all the time.

Sri Sri: Sure

Q: Guruji, when are you coming to my home? I want to cook Rice pudding (Kheer) for
you and serve it to you.

Sri Sri: If you have to make a wish then make a great wish. This is just a small wish. If many people wish to do the same then I would have to change my name to Ganesh. So make a wish that everyone stops the use of alcohol and drugs, and takes interest in meditation. More and more people start to walk on the spiritual path and start to live in knowledge. Drop your small wishes and start blessing people with the wish that their work is done. This knowledge has such power that you can do anything in the world. All of us have that capacity. You start using your
will power, mind power. This will benefit you and others also. How many of you have already experienced this? See a lot of people have such experiences. You know you keep stepping up from success to success. There is no option of stepping down.

Q: Could you please tell us something about ego and surrender.

Sri Sri: Ego is something that restricts your blossoming. Ego is you not having enough
confidence in yourself. Ego is not wanting to be a fool. One who doesnâ€™t want to be a fool ends up being a fool. So you have no choice. You either have to accept that you are a fool and become wise or not accept that you are a fool and really become one. Egotism does not like that. It says I am not a fool. I am somebody. Trying to impress someone else and become a real fool. Got it? Self confidence is that which gives you comfort. At home feeling, simply a sense of naturalness with everybody. Sense of belongingness with everybody. And not minding being a â€¦

Audience: Fool

Q:Guruji is there any special message for us?

Sri Sri: Special message is that that you are very special. All of you. When I say you, it is not for any one person but for us. All of you are very special.

Q: Can a husband fast for a good wife on Karva Choth (Indian Festival)

Sri Sri: When you keep a fast your whole body is cleansed. When toxins are removed from the body your mind gets sharpened. Then whatever wish, whatever goal you have in mind gets fulfilled. This is a faith, a law and it also has a scientific base. But along with fasting you need to strengthen the determination in mind. So on that day you have only one thought in the mind, that good happens for your spouse. In ancient days people used to fast with this wish only. Itâ€™s all the power of mind. Thatâ€™s it. But if your mind is somewhere else and you donâ€™t eat then it wonâ€™t have that much benefit. Yes but the machinery (body) gets a little
rest. The liver keeps on functioning 24/7. So this was a way to give it rest. Ok?

Q: What is sattva and what is itâ€™s contribution in our lives?

Sri Sri: Sattva means that which brings harmony, that which makes you happy, that which makes you enthusiastic, that which brings knowledge in you. This is all sattva.

Rajas makes you go too much up and too much down. Either you get too excited and you feel I canâ€™t even handle this excitement or it is so down. This is rajas.

Tamas is when you feel so lazy and so negative that you donâ€™t want anything. You dislike everybody. That is tamogun. So When you feel tamogun get up and start working, then rajogun
will come. Then when you are too much into action, I would say just sit back and
relax then you will get into satva. So, before meditation do some exercise. When
you do all this the restlessness or rajas in you calms down. Then you are able
to meditate. Didnâ€™t it happen to you today? (Audience:Yes). How many enjoyed the
meditation. Raise your hands (Lots of people raised their hands). You meditated
nearly 20 minutes.

Q: How do we rise above our senses?

Sri Sri: You were sitting in meditation now? Your eyes were closed? Did u have any wish except to listen to my voice? That means in a way ears were also closed. Mouth was also closed? You were not speaking anything? So all senses were shunned, and then only you were able to meditate. Meditation happened, yes?. When you sleep for 6-8 hours, you remain in your senses or in non-sense. Are you getting it? So rest. Be satisfied in the mind. Be happy. And when you are in that state of Divine love, nothing will bother. See, during exam time lust doesnâ€™t bother you. When does it disturb you? When you have nothing to do, when you are sitting
idle, isnâ€™t that right?
Q: This is for the youth of Yes+. What seva/service can be given to the youth of Yes+ ? We tell them to organise courses and bring more people into the knowledge. Is this enough or can something else can be done?

Sri Sri: You know you can do these things. Speed it up, and mainly introduce people to do more meditation, and courses.

Q: How to make the most important decisions in life, decisions that change our entire life?

Sri Sri: So far what are all the decisions you have made. Are you happy with all these
decisions? (Response: Somewhat, and somewhat not). So life will continue like that, got it? Sometimes you made good decisions, and then you see the positive side. See everything has a positive side and everything has its lapses. So if you focus only on the lapses then every decision you make you will regret. But if you see the positive side then you will be happy and contented. And the more you are happy and contented more such things will happen in life. Got it?

Q: I donâ€™t easily get things in life? Recently, my case was going on and it got dismissed?

Sri Sri: Listen, you have made this notion in mind that you donâ€™t get things easily in life. Who has said this? First remove this label from your mind ok? Whatever you want you
ask for that and go ahead with confidence, ok? Donâ€™t think that you always fail, your things get haphazard. This is wrong. It doesnâ€™t happen like that. Everyone faces some problems initially. It has never happened that nobody faces no problem initially, and it will never happen like that.

Q: I did the Basic course 4 days ago. Somehow I have gathered courage to ask this question. I havenâ€™t ever heard you before. But this moment I am getting some vibrations. Itâ€™s different. I donâ€™t know if I am able to express it or not. I want to ask what is the essence, the power in you?

Sri Sri: I have no idea.

Q: How do we free ourselves from bad karmas of previous births?

Sri Sri: Sri Sri sings â€œPaap kya punya kya to bhulade, kal kal kal ki chinta mitadeâ€� Forget what is bad karma, what is good Karma, be free from the worries of tomorrow. There is
nothing greater than Pranayama which can make you free from your past impressions. Seva, Satsang & Sadhana
(Service,Dance & Celebration and spiritual practices) will help.

Q: I have been listening to your talks and reading your knowledge sheets. Now I want to reach that level where I am able to live that knowledge, to be sensitive like you, being able to listen to the pain of plants also. I too want to reach that level.

Sri Sri: Ok, where there is thirst, water will also be made available. And if you have any conflicts in mind, donâ€™t worry. Arenâ€™t conflicts reducing in mind. This will continue to happen. Increase the level of Sattva in you & Conflicts wonâ€™t remain with you with time.

Q: I am not able to sustain any work I do. What should I do?

Sri Sri: Whatever work you do youâ€™re not able to sustain it for too long. You donâ€™t need to sustain it for too long. Do you sustain it for sometime at least? Sometime? Good. Then slowly increase that sustainability little longer, little longer, little longer.

Q: Sometimes I am confused whether itâ€™s my mind or whether itâ€™s my true self. How do I clarify which is which?

Sri Sri: You know doubts always come when something is positive. Do you know about it? How many of you donâ€™t know? Raise your hands. You know if someone tells you â€˜I love you very muchâ€™. You say â€˜Reallyâ€™? But if someone tells you â€˜I hate youâ€™, you never say â€˜reallyâ€™, - correct? And similarly you doubt your capabilities; you never doubt your weaknesses. If someone asks you are you happy you say oh Iâ€™m not too sure. But youâ€™re so sure about your depression. Correct? So thatâ€™s why our doubt is always about something that is positive. We doubt in the honesty of someone, we never doubt in the dishonesty of someone.

Q: What do you mean by atheist?

Sri Sri: Atheist? You know it is very difficult to be an atheist. Because an atheist says â€˜I donâ€™t believe in anythingâ€™. If he really says I donâ€™t believe in anything then he should not even believe in the words that he is saying. I say I should not believe in anything except myself. Thatâ€™s what he should say. And ask him do you really believe in everything that you say? Then that means you are stagnant. You are not progressing. Because when you progress in your life everything changes. So it is extremely difficult to be an atheist. If you have to be an
atheist you have to say I donâ€™t believe in anything that means even that word that you say you donâ€™t believe, you donâ€™t believe in it also. Got it?

Q: Guruji in your weekly knowledge you have said never to have an ambition. Will you please comment on that?

Sri Sri: I havenâ€™t said like that. Be ambitious but donâ€™t be over ambitious.

Somebody suggest me wat to write here... I have no words !!! :) :)

(Compiled by Shri Narender Mohan Ji)

Courses

2009-10-12T15:25:00.002+05:30

Know Breath, Know Life

"When you cannot handle the mind directly, it can be handled through breath. The mind is like a kite and breath, the string." - Sri Sri.

It always is mind over matter. The quality of our life is determined by the state of our mind. If the mind is at ease, we are able to perform all our duties whether household, professional or social with ease too. The question is how do we keep the mind happy, when it keeps flitting between regrets about the past and worries about the future, .

There is a built-in mechanism to calm the mind in each person, but seldom one is taught how to use it. And this is what you will learn from the Art of Living Part I program.

The centerpiece of this program is an innovative breathing technique called the Sudarshan Kriya. Breath has a great lesson for us. For every rhythm in the mind, there is a corresponding rhythm in the breath. Just as emotions affect the patterns of breathing, the mental, and behavioural patterns can be changed by altering the rhythm of our breath. A remarkable feature of the course is that participants are able to rediscover the present moment, not as a concept but as a direct experience.

Program details:

* The Part I program is an 18-20 hour workshop spread over 5-6 days
* Open to everyone above 20 years
* Along with the Sudarshan Kriya, the course includes modules on skills for dealing effectively with challenging emotions, relationships, and situations.
* Includes basic yoga exercises.
* Techniques that are easily practiced.

How will I benefit?

* Practices that heal and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit
* Skills for handling negative emotions, and situations
* Practical wisdom for improving work, and relationships
* Insight into one’s own mind, and emotions

For More Information Click Here

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2009-09-17T19:12:00.002+05:30

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2009-09-17T15:32:00.000+05:30