"Make the whole life a game. There is no purpose, there is no aim, nothing. Just take it lightly, easily. Play the game. That is worship, that is celebration."
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Art of Living
"Make the whole life a game. There is no purpose, there is no aim, nothing. Just take it lightly, easily. Play the game. That is worship, that is celebration."
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sri Sri Biography
Sri Sri Biography
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s message of compassion, commitment to society, and a cosmic understanding of life, has resounded in the lives of millions worldwide. Through the regeneration of human values, he seeks global peace and development by bringing about sustained individual commitment to joyful living, selfless service and self-awareness.
His commitment to humanity is evident in his extensive travel to 175 cities in 2004, inspiring youth to work together towards a better society.
Born in 1956 in Papanasam, India, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar studied with many renowned spiritual masters and became a scholar of Vedic Literature. By the age of seventeen, he obtained an Advanced Degree in Modern Physics, and later received an Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India.
In 1982, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the Art of Living Foundation, which is now the world’s largest volunteer NGO, active in over 140 countries. In 1997, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), which to date has development projects in 25,300 villages, bringing self-reliance to millions of people. Through the IAHV, large volunteer relief efforts have been delivered across the globe including in Afghanistan, in Bosnia, in India after the earthquake in Gujarat, in New York for those who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and in Asia in the aftermath of the recent tsunami disaster. IAHV volunteers continue to provide trauma relief and stress management in Iraq.
Sri Sri travels to more than 35 countries every year, to reinforce the message that all religions and the great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His simple message of love, practical wisdom and service encourages harmony, and teaches everyone to follow their chosen religious or spiritual path while honoring the path of others. Those who have listened to him acknowledge the universal inclusiveness of his appeal.
Sri Sri is the recipient of numerous honors including the "Dara Shikoh - National Award for Harmony 2005" by the Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India, “2005 Global Humanitarian Award” by the state of Illinois, “Guru Mahatmya” award by Government of Maharashtra, India (September 1997), the title of “Yoga Shiromani (Supreme Jewel of Yoga)” by President of India (1986), Phoenix Award awarded by the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. (April 2002), the Title of the Illustrious Visitor, Argentina (2004), and many more.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s message of compassion, commitment to society, and a cosmic understanding of life, has resounded in the lives of millions worldwide. Through the regeneration of human values, he seeks global peace and development by bringing about sustained individual commitment to joyful living, selfless service and self-awareness.
His commitment to humanity is evident in his extensive travel to 175 cities in 2004, inspiring youth to work together towards a better society.
Born in 1956 in Papanasam, India, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar studied with many renowned spiritual masters and became a scholar of Vedic Literature. By the age of seventeen, he obtained an Advanced Degree in Modern Physics, and later received an Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India.
In 1982, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the Art of Living Foundation, which is now the world’s largest volunteer NGO, active in over 140 countries. In 1997, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), which to date has development projects in 25,300 villages, bringing self-reliance to millions of people. Through the IAHV, large volunteer relief efforts have been delivered across the globe including in Afghanistan, in Bosnia, in India after the earthquake in Gujarat, in New York for those who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and in Asia in the aftermath of the recent tsunami disaster. IAHV volunteers continue to provide trauma relief and stress management in Iraq.
Sri Sri travels to more than 35 countries every year, to reinforce the message that all religions and the great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His simple message of love, practical wisdom and service encourages harmony, and teaches everyone to follow their chosen religious or spiritual path while honoring the path of others. Those who have listened to him acknowledge the universal inclusiveness of his appeal.
Sri Sri is the recipient of numerous honors including the "Dara Shikoh - National Award for Harmony 2005" by the Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India, “2005 Global Humanitarian Award” by the state of Illinois, “Guru Mahatmya” award by Government of Maharashtra, India (September 1997), the title of “Yoga Shiromani (Supreme Jewel of Yoga)” by President of India (1986), Phoenix Award awarded by the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. (April 2002), the Title of the Illustrious Visitor, Argentina (2004), and many more.
What is Spirituality
What is Spirituality
Spirituality is a harmonious blend of outer silence and inner celebration and also inner silence and outer celebration. When attention is given to the spiritual aspect of one’s life, it brings responsibility, a sense of belongingness, and compassion and caring for the whole of humanity. Spirit upholds and sustains life. It makes you strong and solid. It breaks down the narrow boundaries of cast, creed, religion and nationality and gives you an awareness, this uplifting of consciousness, that wars can be eliminated and human rights restored in the world today.
- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar
Spirituality is a harmonious blend of outer silence and inner celebration and also inner silence and outer celebration. When attention is given to the spiritual aspect of one’s life, it brings responsibility, a sense of belongingness, and compassion and caring for the whole of humanity. Spirit upholds and sustains life. It makes you strong and solid. It breaks down the narrow boundaries of cast, creed, religion and nationality and gives you an awareness, this uplifting of consciousness, that wars can be eliminated and human rights restored in the world today.
- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar
Spirituality and Religions
Spirituality and Religions
I see a crisis facing the world today. It is fundamentally one of identification. People identify themselves with limited characteristics such as gender, race, religion and nationality, forgetting their basic identity as part of the universal spirit.
These limited identifications lead to conflict. There are wars happening throughout the world today in the name of religion.
Every individual is much more than the sum of these limited identifications. The highest identification we can make is that we are part of Divinity, and second to that, we are human beings and members of the human family. In divine creation, the whole of the human race is united.
Along with this proper identification of ourselves, the right vision of who we really are, we need to return to the values that are the essence of all major traditions. These shared values need to be reintroduced in society today.
In returning to the values, we will see that much of the misery that has come into the world in the name of religion can be avoided. This identification of values does not require guilt and fear to be introduced. You will find guilt and fear used for control in the history of all the religious systems in the world, but such discipline is not needed today. At this time we need only to cultivate love and understanding.
The timeless values are:
- a deep caring for all life.
- a responsible attitude toward the planet
- nonviolence
- compassion and love
- friendliness and cooperation
- generosity and sharing
- integrity, honesty and sincerity
- moderation in one’s activity
- service
- commitment and responsibility
- peace, contentment, enthusiasm
These values are the very foundation of social order, justice and progress. Human values are social and ethical norms common to all cultures and societies, as well as religions. They represent a melding of social progress and spirituality
- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar
I see a crisis facing the world today. It is fundamentally one of identification. People identify themselves with limited characteristics such as gender, race, religion and nationality, forgetting their basic identity as part of the universal spirit.
These limited identifications lead to conflict. There are wars happening throughout the world today in the name of religion.
Every individual is much more than the sum of these limited identifications. The highest identification we can make is that we are part of Divinity, and second to that, we are human beings and members of the human family. In divine creation, the whole of the human race is united.
Along with this proper identification of ourselves, the right vision of who we really are, we need to return to the values that are the essence of all major traditions. These shared values need to be reintroduced in society today.
In returning to the values, we will see that much of the misery that has come into the world in the name of religion can be avoided. This identification of values does not require guilt and fear to be introduced. You will find guilt and fear used for control in the history of all the religious systems in the world, but such discipline is not needed today. At this time we need only to cultivate love and understanding.
The timeless values are:
- a deep caring for all life.
- a responsible attitude toward the planet
- nonviolence
- compassion and love
- friendliness and cooperation
- generosity and sharing
- integrity, honesty and sincerity
- moderation in one’s activity
- service
- commitment and responsibility
- peace, contentment, enthusiasm
These values are the very foundation of social order, justice and progress. Human values are social and ethical norms common to all cultures and societies, as well as religions. They represent a melding of social progress and spirituality
- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar
Spirituality and Science
Spirituality and Science
Science is the question ‘How’, ‘What’, ‘Why ‘? This is what science is, spirituality is wonder, just wow ! Every scientific discovery leads to the realm of spirituality, as you all know there has never been a distinction between Spirituality and Science they are such compatible partners or I would even say, two sides of the same coin. Fulfillment in life can only come through “Gyana and Vigyana” “Science and Spirituality” two ways of looking at the same thing in existence. Spirituality elevates matter to the level of life, level of divinity, creates a sense of honour.
You know we honour everything that is sacred and when we think the whole world is sacred, that is when our spiritual quest begins. In this country and around the whole world, ancient people always regarded the entire nature as sacred. Let us see what is the mechanism of Sacredness - when we think something is sacred there is a certain consciousness, awareness that comes. I can take this as a paper but if think this is the Bible of the Gita, or the Quran how would I take the same book? With attention... so a hundred percent sacredness brings a shift in our consciousness. We are all made up of spirit and matter. To understand from one level, body is amino acids, proteins and minerals but the spirit is made up of what? So our ancient saints, scientist said spirit is made up of beauty, love, joy, enthusiasm, comfort this is what our spirit is made up of.
Spirituality is all that enhances love in us, brings peace, makes us feel wow, makes us feel wonder, makes us feel truth, makes us feel wisdom. When the world is called Maya we need to understand Maya. You know the word maya means that, which can be measured “Meyate Aniyaiti Maya”. All that can be measured is called maya and that which cannot be measured is called “Maheswara” ... and what is Maheswara - the divine, divinity, consciousness, truth, beauty and love that cannot be measured. We are combination of both, every child is born as a spiritual being and every child’s mind is also a scientist because by the age of three or four years he/she starts asking, pouring questions to you. Children ask so many questions to you, questions indicate the scientific temperament, and the eyes of the child that reflect the love indicates the spiritual being. For a child even objects come alive - animals are not just another creature, they are alive they have the emotions. Even the sun and the moon they all smile at the child. In the comic book children think the moon is laughing, sun is laughing.
You know the entire creation is one organism - there is life in every particle of this universe “Eko devas sarv bhutantaratama”. Divinity, one consciousness permeates the entire creation. God is present in every single atom of this planet and universe. Spirituality is important in life to make you a child again, see values, relate to people on that level. Compassion, love, sense of belongingness with everyone to shed barriers and boundaries that we have built and, again see that comfort comes from both science and spirituality.
Science brings us material also physical comfort and also spirituality brings comfort to our souls. It makes us feel light, feel natural. I am reminded of one of the ancient sayings that says “padarth, gyanaat, moksha” ... even if you understand one particle in the creation thoroughly you will be liberated, you don’t even need to believe in God’s existence. If you want to start from a particle, understanding that single particle you will arrive at a point - where you recognise the enormously beautiful power on this planet, in which all beings are, all life is, and of which we are all a part.
When you are able to break all the barriers, inhibitions, feel freedom within you then we have come close to our spirits and I think we need to look into some simple tips on how can we do this really.
The first law of spiritual awakening or quest in us is to stop blaming ourselves, when we blame ourselves, we cannot go near ourselves, we try to keep away from ourself. isn’t it? If you blame somebody, would you like to be with them? No. when you blame someone it doesn’t take a long time to blame yourself. Vice versa when you blame yourself, you start blaming others, stop blaming yourself and others and see things from scientific angle. The phenomenon that happens. Suppose your husband or wife is upset have scientific temperament, some chemical reaction is going in their brains, you know your friend is upset, you say oh!! There is some chemical reaction is happening.
In Bhagawad gita it is said “Guna guneshu varnante iti matwa nas jyte ite”, whenever you see something that something not very nice is happening to you or someone is misbehaving in an unpleasant manner - know that there is some quality in them that is making them behave that way. A scientific angle will help your mind, save your mind from lot of emotional and mental traumas. Spirituality provides that inner relief, security within you, friendliness.
You know there is one thing called linear thinking. That is to think everything begins somewhere and ends somewhere. Most of our thoughts and philosophies in the world have been going on in a linear fashion - but, there is another fashion to it, the spherical thinking. When the ancient Rishis were asked how this universe was formed, they said “first tell me which is the beginning point of a ball” what came first egg or the chicken, tree or seed. So the spherical thinking is - every point is the beginning and every point is the end or, there is no beginning and no end. All that cannot be measured, has no beginning and no end - that is what spirituality is, spirit is and the spirit loves diversity
A scientific spirituality and a spiritual scientist is the need of the day today in organisations. I mean, I am happy to see number of organizations joining together, and an effort is being made to bring comfort from both the science and the spirit to all of us.
Science is the question ‘How’, ‘What’, ‘Why ‘? This is what science is, spirituality is wonder, just wow ! Every scientific discovery leads to the realm of spirituality, as you all know there has never been a distinction between Spirituality and Science they are such compatible partners or I would even say, two sides of the same coin. Fulfillment in life can only come through “Gyana and Vigyana” “Science and Spirituality” two ways of looking at the same thing in existence. Spirituality elevates matter to the level of life, level of divinity, creates a sense of honour.
You know we honour everything that is sacred and when we think the whole world is sacred, that is when our spiritual quest begins. In this country and around the whole world, ancient people always regarded the entire nature as sacred. Let us see what is the mechanism of Sacredness - when we think something is sacred there is a certain consciousness, awareness that comes. I can take this as a paper but if think this is the Bible of the Gita, or the Quran how would I take the same book? With attention... so a hundred percent sacredness brings a shift in our consciousness. We are all made up of spirit and matter. To understand from one level, body is amino acids, proteins and minerals but the spirit is made up of what? So our ancient saints, scientist said spirit is made up of beauty, love, joy, enthusiasm, comfort this is what our spirit is made up of.
Spirituality is all that enhances love in us, brings peace, makes us feel wow, makes us feel wonder, makes us feel truth, makes us feel wisdom. When the world is called Maya we need to understand Maya. You know the word maya means that, which can be measured “Meyate Aniyaiti Maya”. All that can be measured is called maya and that which cannot be measured is called “Maheswara” ... and what is Maheswara - the divine, divinity, consciousness, truth, beauty and love that cannot be measured. We are combination of both, every child is born as a spiritual being and every child’s mind is also a scientist because by the age of three or four years he/she starts asking, pouring questions to you. Children ask so many questions to you, questions indicate the scientific temperament, and the eyes of the child that reflect the love indicates the spiritual being. For a child even objects come alive - animals are not just another creature, they are alive they have the emotions. Even the sun and the moon they all smile at the child. In the comic book children think the moon is laughing, sun is laughing.
You know the entire creation is one organism - there is life in every particle of this universe “Eko devas sarv bhutantaratama”. Divinity, one consciousness permeates the entire creation. God is present in every single atom of this planet and universe. Spirituality is important in life to make you a child again, see values, relate to people on that level. Compassion, love, sense of belongingness with everyone to shed barriers and boundaries that we have built and, again see that comfort comes from both science and spirituality.
Science brings us material also physical comfort and also spirituality brings comfort to our souls. It makes us feel light, feel natural. I am reminded of one of the ancient sayings that says “padarth, gyanaat, moksha” ... even if you understand one particle in the creation thoroughly you will be liberated, you don’t even need to believe in God’s existence. If you want to start from a particle, understanding that single particle you will arrive at a point - where you recognise the enormously beautiful power on this planet, in which all beings are, all life is, and of which we are all a part.
When you are able to break all the barriers, inhibitions, feel freedom within you then we have come close to our spirits and I think we need to look into some simple tips on how can we do this really.
The first law of spiritual awakening or quest in us is to stop blaming ourselves, when we blame ourselves, we cannot go near ourselves, we try to keep away from ourself. isn’t it? If you blame somebody, would you like to be with them? No. when you blame someone it doesn’t take a long time to blame yourself. Vice versa when you blame yourself, you start blaming others, stop blaming yourself and others and see things from scientific angle. The phenomenon that happens. Suppose your husband or wife is upset have scientific temperament, some chemical reaction is going in their brains, you know your friend is upset, you say oh!! There is some chemical reaction is happening.
In Bhagawad gita it is said “Guna guneshu varnante iti matwa nas jyte ite”, whenever you see something that something not very nice is happening to you or someone is misbehaving in an unpleasant manner - know that there is some quality in them that is making them behave that way. A scientific angle will help your mind, save your mind from lot of emotional and mental traumas. Spirituality provides that inner relief, security within you, friendliness.
You know there is one thing called linear thinking. That is to think everything begins somewhere and ends somewhere. Most of our thoughts and philosophies in the world have been going on in a linear fashion - but, there is another fashion to it, the spherical thinking. When the ancient Rishis were asked how this universe was formed, they said “first tell me which is the beginning point of a ball” what came first egg or the chicken, tree or seed. So the spherical thinking is - every point is the beginning and every point is the end or, there is no beginning and no end. All that cannot be measured, has no beginning and no end - that is what spirituality is, spirit is and the spirit loves diversity
A scientific spirituality and a spiritual scientist is the need of the day today in organisations. I mean, I am happy to see number of organizations joining together, and an effort is being made to bring comfort from both the science and the spirit to all of us.
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