The most difficult things appear and sound difficult when they are removed from experience. But when it comes to oneself, the most difficult things look simple.

When you read scriptures about Samadhi it appears very difficult. But I tell you, every individual experiences glimpses of Samadhi in life and that is why there is joy. Unfortunately, we don’t pinpoint or identify it and we don’t know how to maintain, retain it or recreate it.

Patanjali gives us a scientific step by step methodology of recreating this experience. It is not experience of the object but experience of the experiencer which is the self referral value of our own inner divinity.

Let us once again go through the four types of Samadhi which Patanjali Maharishi has mentioned. They are

Savitarka Samadhi,
Nirvitarka Samadhi,
Savichara Samadhi and
Nirvichara Samadhi.

Savitarka Samadhi is the Samadhi in which there is a dialogue or argument in one part of consciousness with the other part of the same consciousness. Here, there is a dialogue happening between the knower, known and knowing, meaning a dialogue with logical subtle reasoning happening within oneself.

Nirvitarka Samadhi is the one which has no dialogue where there is no reasoning.

Savichara Samadhi is the Samadhi in which there is some knowledge flowing. In this state of deep Samadhi some faint thoughts move through.

Nirvichara Samadhi is the one where there is no thought .This is a thoughtless state which is the experience of nothingness or just emptiness.

Now comes the question —
why did Patanjali Maharishi make this distinction considering a dialogue cannot happen without words?

This is due to reasoning where there is a little logic flowing through and you are trying to grasp something.
Logic always has a tendency to grasp.
Even in Samadhi there could be a slight tendency to grasp the experience and that is called Savitarka Samadhi, which is not a very deep Samadhi. In Nirvitarka Samadhi that desire to grasp is not there.

Our consciousness is much older than the stones. Our consciousness has impressions of so many life times. So, when we go deep in Samadhi, some faint thoughts or ideas that have no logic may arise.

Just like in dreams you get thoughts and ideas which have no logic. Your experiences in dreams have no logic. Sometimes you don’t even need to have a language to understand the Vichara. It is just a feeling.

A subtle or faint feeling arises and that is called Savichara and when there is no feeling or no trace of faint thought, it is Nirvichara Samadhi. These two samadhis take you deeper because they continue to exist in the subtlest levels of the consciousness.

For logic to come across, you need an object.
If the mind has to understand or to reason, it needs an object.
In fact it needs not just one object but many objects. But if the subject itself is the object it becomes self referral and that is called Nirvitarka Samadhi. In this state there is no dialogue where just the seer is left. But in this Samadhi there is subtle understanding about very subtle things.
These subtle objects continue even to the primordial nature of the universe where you cannot even point your finger and say “this is this”. It takes you towards a realm of unknown beyond the logic. Subtle objects of perception continue even beyond identifications. That means it is the journey from the known to unknown. These four kinds of Samadhi can be only understood when we go deep into experience.

Many people experience things in meditation but they don’t know what to make of it. That is where Patanjali’s beautiful guidance becomes very valuable. Five different experiences of the senses — sight, smell, sound, taste and touch — these five modes of experience continue at a very subtle primordial nature. Though there is no object of touch, when you go deep in Samadhi, you can feel some sensations of touch, you can hear some sound or you can see some light. Though there is no thought, the experience is also considered as thought and these experiences continue till there is “shoonyatha” or nothingness.

So, in meditation don’t sit and wait for something. When you experience these things, do not try to hold on to it. This is what he mentions as “Sabeeja Samadhi”.

When you are experiencing bliss or a vastness of consciousness, there can be traces of sound or light or touch or fragrance. This is a common phenomenon when people get into meditation. From this, Sabeeja Samadhi we skilfully go to the Nirbeeja Samadhi where there is no duality. The purpose of Samadhi is not just Samadhi itself but “adhyatma prasada”, which means spiritual awakening or spiritual grace. Samadhi is one of the means to attain the grace of spirituality.

Only you have the power to free yourself of your sorrow. The series on Patanjali’s yogasutras continues

Sutra 34 says Prachchardana vidharanaabhyam va praanasya meaning ‘by splitting and retention of breath in a special manner’.

Prachchardana pranasya means breaking the natural rhythms of breath and holding the breath. It means sustaining the breath in different rhythms. By modulating the prana, the mind becomes calm.

Sutra 35 says Vishayavati va pravruttirutpanna manasaha sthithinibandhini meaning “by that very activity in the mind, through those very objects of senses, the mind can be made steady, brought to a stand still”.

Through any one of the objects of the senses, the mind can be made still. By the same activity in your mind, that very activity through that very sense, mind can be brought to a stand-still.

Sutra 36 says Vishoka va jyotishmati meaning “get rid of unhappiness and at the same time know that your mind is bright”.

If you have observed that someone you know is unhappy and you sit with that person, you also start feeling depressed or sad.
If someone is joyful, and you sit with them, you start laughing.
This feeling of being happy or unhappy is the training we have given our minds. If you have made a habit of being unhappy, you do not special reason to feel unhappy, but it has become sort of a leech on you, to keep a long face and complain!

Patanjali says the answer to this is vishoka, which means ‘get rid of unhappiness’. The sadness is just your habit. It is all self-made. The moment you look at your mind, the self-made sadness will disappear. You become free of that sadness. It is just a concept like any other concept.

Your comparisons can bring you sadness. Do not compare yourself with anybody. You can be more happy then. Make your mind free of sadness. That sadness comes out of concepts. Do you see this?

Jyothishmati pragnya means seeing your whole mind as a light, as a flame.

Your consciousness is a flame;
your mind is a flame.
You forget this. Due to the presence of the mind as a flame in you, your entire body is functioning. Otherwise you will be like an unlit candle.

What is the flame?
How does that flame work?

The flame lives on oxygen.

What does it do?

The flame uses some matter from the substance earth and then it uses oxygen and lights.

What is life?

Life is also the same. It uses oxygen and lives on some matter. Just like flames live on wax and the wick and uses oxygen, your life uses the body and the food in the body as wax and then the air is oxygen and exhibits activities in the body.

Like the flame exhibits itself, consciousness exhibits life. Life and light are very synonymous. They are very close. If you put a bottle above the candle, the candle will be put off in a few minutes.

The body, after certain years of burning, any amount of food you put into it will not sustain the body. The body does not hold on. This body is holding on to jyotishmati pragnya.

Vishoka va jyothishmati – get rid of unhappiness and be happy and at the same time know that your mind is made up of light.
It is not matter……
Your mind is energy……
You are energy…….

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

Q: Guruji, can you please explain the meaning of Gayatri mantra?
G: Oh! Gayatri mantra encompases the whole universe. There are 24
letters that make gayatri mantra. There are 24 vertebra in our
spinal cord. One is omkar, two becomes So hum, then like wise 16 and
then 24 becomes Gayatri Mantra. Gayatri Mantra is the expansion of
that one omkar. If one is instructed you can can certainly chant the
mantra. The meaning of the Gayatri mantra is, let the divinity sink
through my intellect. Let our life be purified. But again if you
just say Om, that also means the same.

Q: Guruji, this mandap is like a Srichakra. Can you explain the
essence of Srichakra?
G: It is nice no?!?! Then just sit and meditate. Why do you want to
know the meaning and the essence etc!?? I myself don’t know the
meaning!! (laughter!!)

Q: Guruji, the imbalances in the body, (vata, pitta, kapha) causes
a lot of other problems. How does one handle the vata Imbalance?
G: Consult an Ayurvedic doctor, and triphala, it will balance the
imbalance. Also drink a lot of water. Eat food on time… Do
asanas… do pranayama, do Sudarshan Kriya. All this will help.

Q: Swami Ramakrishna had said that Vivekananda will have to go once
he comes to know who he was. How did he know this?
G: No… no that is not correct. It is not like that.

Q: Guruji why does congenital disorder happen?
G: I don’t know.

Question continues…: Why did God do this to the children?
G: Will put up a complain against God. Sometimes because of improper
food this may happen.

Q: Guruji, when interest starts developing towards devotion, what
should one do?
G: Good. Very good. But simultaneously you must take care of the
responsibilities as well. One should not run away.

Q: Guruji, we are asking you questions everyday. Can you please let
us know what have we missed out on asking you!?!
G: You should only have one question. “Who am I?” And that question
you should ask yourself. That question itself is good enough to get
that, dive in you to go inward.

Q: Guruji, is it ok to donate some body parts after we die?
G: Yes.. yes. It is definitely ok.

Q: (Question asked by a physically challenged person) Guruji, what
is moksha?
G: Good .. good very good!! The desire to know what is moksha is a
good thing. Are you doing better now? Yes! Wow!! How much better do
you feel now? 75% Wow!! Very good!!

Q: Guruji, how do you become more disciplined?
G: Be less feverish. If you are attached to the benefits then you
become feverish. But when you have a commitment, then you
automatically become more disciplined.

Q: Guruji what is prarabdha?
G: I have spoken about it in ‘Intimate note to a sincere seeker’.

Q: Guruji is it necessary to go to temples periodically? Does not
worship happen when we are doing seva and meditation?
G: Yes yes… seva is a form of worship.

Q: Guruji, can you tell us about the swami who is sitting next to you?
G: Swami Yogananda-ji is 99 years old. He does wonderful yoga. His
teeth, his eyes, his stomach, everything is perfect. He has been
with Bhagat Singh, during those times.. He wants to live for more
100 years. Ask him what he eats, and he will tell you, you should
eat only once. (laughter!!)

Q: Guruji you have given so many techniques. Are techniques important
to pursue in the path?
G: The root meaning of the word technique is ‘tantra’… these
techniques are there to help one overcome obsession and other things
in the mind… It is not just a way of life.

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

Q: What should be our goal in life? What does this hall (Referring
to Vishalakshi Mantap) signify?
G: Goal in life? Good question. Its good for you to ponder. This hall
(laughter!!) Tell me something, you come from the city… how do you
feel after coming inside this hall? You feel energetic, yes you feel
good, right? That’s the objective. That’s the significance of this
hall.

Q: Guruji, we are always smiling since the time we met you. How do we
spread this smile around?
G: You have to talk to people. Bring people to knowledge.

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

Question: Guruji what is infinity?
Guruji: …That is it!!!! Where words cannot touch, words and thoughts
return that is infinity. That’s why in Sanskrit they said infinity
is truth and knowledge “Satyam Gyanam Anantam” …God is infinite.

Q: Guruji, of the five elements, two are male (fire and air), two are
female (earth and water). So what is space?
G: Space is neutral (laughter). Actually this is just one form of
understanding. This is beyond gender. Mother earth is represented as
female. Again akash (space) cannot be classified as any gender, but
we have to look beyond this. Don’t get caught up with this.

Q: When do we know we are becoming a disciple from a devotee?
G: Next !!

Q: Guruji, to ask you an intelligent question, we need to plan.
It does not happen sponrtaniously. How does one balance spontaneity
and planning?
G: This is spontaneous!! (laughter) But you can be planned and yet
be spontaneous. This intelligence is to be spontaneous and yet be
planned. Ignorant one gets caught up in planning and therefore
losses spontaneity.

Q: Guruji, when does doubt rise in love ?
G: You know, doubting is the nature of the mind. For e.g. when someone
says you are too good, we start doubting. When someone says, “oh,
you are no good”, than you don’t doub that. You doubt your happiness
but you don’t doubt your problems. You have to simply understand
that life is love and love IS not just an emotion, it is your very
existence.

Question: Guruji what is infinity?
Guruji: …That is it!!!! Where words cannot touch, words and thoughts
return that is infinity. That’s why in Sanskrit they said infinity
is truth and knowledge “Satyam Gyanam Anantam” …God is infinite.

Q: Guruji, of the five elements, two are male (fire and air), two are
female (earth and water). So what is space?
G: Space is neutral (laughter). Actually this is just one form of
understanding. This is beyond gender. Mother earth is represented as
female. Again akash (space) cannot be classified as any gender, but
we have to look beyond this. Don’t get caught up with this.

Q: When do we know we are becoming a disciple from a devotee?
G: Next !!

Q: Guruji, to ask you an intelligent question, we need to plan.
It does not happen sponrtaniously. How does one balance spontaneity
and planning?
G: This is spontaneous!! (laughter) But you can be planned and yet
be spontaneous. This intelligence is to be spontaneous and yet be
planned. Ignorant one gets caught up in planning and therefore
losses spontaneity.

Q: Guruji, when does doubt rise in love ?
G: You know, doubting is the nature of the mind. For e.g. when someone
says you are too good, we start doubting. When someone says, “oh,
you are no good”, than you don’t doub that. You doubt your happiness
but you don’t doubt your problems. You have to simply understand
that life is love and love IS not just an emotion, it is your very
existence.

Q: Guruji how do we know that our experiences are authentic? And how
do we know that we are progressing on the spiritual path?
Sri Sri: You know doubt always come on that is true. You never doubt
depression. You doubt love, whereas you never doubt anger! Therefore
if you are having a doubt on your experiences just know that they are
all authentic (Laughter!!).

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

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

Sri Sri: Don’t get caught up in words. These are just all words. I
tell you if you are centered dispassion comes to you automatically.
Just be centered. Do your seva (service), satsang (company of the
truth), and sadhna (spiritual practices) and you will see rest
everything is just falling in place for you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Walk like being a big zero, but always be on the right side of the
number. (Laughter!!! !) I am nobody, I am nothing. These two
‘dharanas’ intensions, is an antidote to ignorance wakeup and see!!!
And the job is done!

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

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

Guruji: Shoot brilliant questions and take only one liners! (laughter)

Q1: Where do thoughts come from?
Because this question came in your mind, give a pat on your back, know that you are fortunate. When you enquire where the thoughts come from you become meditative.

Q2: How do you increase the love?
No Chance, it is full already.

Q3: What is creativity and how to increase it?
Doing something new in everything is creative. I want to be creative, this very thought will make you creative.

Q4. Guruji I cannot balance seva, family job in my life, can you help?
So you want balance it, is that the question? Just do it. You know how to ride a bicycle? When you practice, you master, same way you do this also.

Q5. Are there higher energies?
Yes, its there. There is some energy that is governing us. We don’t know if they have any form or name. You know Shiva, means that cannot be expressed. That which is transcendental. How to express? There is no one like Shiva sitting there somewhere with eyes closed. It is a tatva and there is a snake around its neck. Do you know what the snake stands for? Alertness. Its all depicted in a form.

Q6: Is euthanasia allowed?
Yes it is

Q7: You are so beautiful, that we cant express it!
Hindi: Mein lajawab hun, tum besawal hoo

Q8: So many things are bothering me, cant take a decision. My parents want something and I want something else.
What is the question, you cant take a decision is that the question? You have a decision and your parents have another decision. Now I cant take a decision for you (laugh) then it will be no longer your decision it will be my decision. That’s trouble. Then its my decision vs your parents. What gives you long term happiness and short term misery is good for you, and that which gives you short term happiness and long term misery is not good for you. If your parents see that then you go ahead with that. But if your gut tells you something else, then you decide with that gut….but if you are still confused, take a pillow and go to bed….(laughter)

Q9. Do I have enough blessings from you to sustain my whole life
I have already given a blank cheque of blessing to everyone But use it judiciously. Someone waiting for an auto prays at midnight….Guruji please send an auto….laughter.
From auto to atmagyan all the blessings are already given. When one desire is fulfilled, 100 more desires come up. It is only wise to ask for the highest. You should ask for happiness for all.

Q10: Guruji I have this burning desire to be one with you and that you are sitting there and I am here, I cant take this separation. I cannot express in words what is happening to me. I am jealous of Bawa and Dinesh that they are so close to you. Guruji what can I do to be so close to you. I want to hug you Guruji.
Its good to have this burning desire, this love is like that, it cannot be satisfied. The more you get it, it only increases the longing.

Q11: what is the difference between smile and laughter?
You do all the thesis and let me know, so that when another person asks me this question, I can let them know (laughter)

Q12: Guruji there is so much of problems in this world, like WTO, Bhutto assignation, you know it all, then why do you it to happen, why cant you stop it before it happens?
That is why I have created the Art Excel course, the Art of Living course. You know lack of love makes people commit crime.

Q13: I love you the most, who do you love?
All of you

Q14: Between husband and wife, one is spiritual and one is not, how do you balance?
Think of all the tricks and tell me which one works so that I can tell everyone.

Q15: My family is in a debt of Rs 15,00,000/- I don’t feel like working and my mind wants to do seva, what do I do?
No No, if family is in trouble, you must help your family. You must do both, help them and do seva too. So much employment is available in India, so many industrialists are coming up and for good people. Lots of opportunities are available, we have HR department at the ashram, you can make your name to the HR department. ( humanresources@ artofliving. org)

Q16: Guruji, out of all the people in the world, why only a few follow spirituality?
Lord Krishna said that out of all the people 1000 people think of me and out of the 1000 people only one reaches out to me. See for example in your class how many students are there? 400? And out of th 400 how many are here? Only you!

Q17: Why do we need love from everyone, and when we don’t get it why do we get depressed?
Are you depressed now? No. In the process of demanding love, we get depressed. Live like a big zero. But walk on the right side of the number, because the numbers are not coming on that side (Laughter)
Q18: Why do we experience bondage in love?
Because love binds you and love binds you from progressing.

Q19: Guruji, is hanging until death the right thing?
No No, it is not the right thing

Q20: Why is there so much poverty in India?
There is so much poverty in India, because of the several attacks India has faced. The country has been exploited all the times

Q21 Guruji, why don’t you become the Prime Minister of this country?
Why do you want to degrade me? (Laughter) I belong to the whole world. Why are you demoting me to one country?

Q22: Guruji, what is the responsibility of a titcher (teacher)
Titcher (laughter) should not do Kachhar Pachhar (meaning: mess) The responsibility of a teacher is to spread the knowledge.

Question:Guruji what is infinity ?
Guruji: …….That is it !!!! Where words cannot touch, words and thoughts
return that is infinity. That’s why in Sanskrit they said infinity is truth
and knowledge ” Satyam Gyanam Anantam” ….God is infinite.

Question: Guruji, of the five elements , two are male (fire and air),
two are female (earth and water) so what is space ?
Guruji: Space is neutral (laughter) Actually this is just one form of
understanding. This is beyond gender. Mother earth is represented as female
again akash (space) cannot be classified as any gender, but we have to look
beyond this. Don’t get caught up with this.

Question: when do we know we are becoming a deciple from a devotee
Guruji: Next !!

Question: Guruji, to ask you an intelligent question, we need to plan.
It does not happen sponrtaniously. How does one balance spontaneity and
planning ?
Guruji: This is spontaneous !! (laughter) but you can be planned an yet
be spontaneous. This intelligence is to be spontaneous and yet be planned.
Ignorant one gets caught up in planning and there fore losses spontaneity.

Question : Guruji, when does doubt rise in love ?
Guruji : you know doubting is the nature of the mind. For e.g . when
someone says you are too good, we start doubting. When some one says oh you
are no good, than you don’t doubth that. You doubt your happiness n=but you
dongt doubt your probl;ems. You have to simply understand that life is love
and love I s not just an emotion, it is ytoir very existence.

*Question:* Guruji, Why am I not like you?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* *

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

*Question:* Guruji why does congeneital disorder happen?

*Guruji: *I don’t know.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Question:* Guruji, how do you become more discipline?

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

*Question:* Guruji what is prarubdha?

*Guruji: *I have spoken about it in ‘Intimate note to a sincere seeker’.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* *

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

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

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

*Question:* Guruji what is the difference God and Guru?

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

Q. What to do if someone is jealous of you?
A. Nothing(laughter). When you are unable to control your own mind then why should you want to manage someone else’s mind! Jealousy towards someone else can happen because of 4 reasons – someone else’s money, fame, partner or somebody’s wisdom/enlightenment(He said ‘this jealousy is good to have….perhapsJ). Any of these jealousies is not worth it as the grass is always greener on the other side….people who are famous are never at peace,surrounded by security and of course insecure about how long fame will stay;that soon someone else may come who can become more famous….and anyways, one day they will all die…..billions have come to this earth…..and billions will come….and die. You need to broaden your horizon whenever such negative emotions arise…think of how huge this universe….millions of galaxies….among them in a galaxy is the solar system, and within it in a tiny planet called earth, we reside in a corner. If you look at how insignificant your presence is in this
universe, then all negativity would drop. If you keep thinking about the vastness of the universe, expansion happens. You become the seed you sow, if you keep thinking, ‘I’m a sinner, I’m a sinner’ then that is the seed you sow. Look at life as a dream…know that everything is dying every moment.He asked everyone to read ‘Celebrating Silence’ where He has written at length about how to deal with negative emotions.

Q. On who am I really?
A. When intellect matures, it comes up with this question. But the answer to it is beyond the intellect. When you have had a good night’s rest, then the intellect recognizes that the body has rested. Similarly, when this question comes up and you meditate, then it recognizes first that you are not the body…you are not the mind….then you come to a quiet centre within you….and you have no answer…and you are That. The silence you come to when you ask this question is what you are. He gave an interesting example…He said you/the body are like the fan; and the Self is like electricity. The fan cannot run without the electricity….and electricity cannot manifest itself without the fan. So when you start asking the question ‘Who am I’; you start moving to the point where the fan is connected to the electric point!(laughter).

Q. There is a theory of Visualisation wherein one can have intentions/goals and nature would come together to deliver the desired results; and then there is the concept of surrender where you leave it to the Divine to give you the results; how to marry the two?
A. I would say that both are compatible. In the ancient scriptures much has been written about this….about how one should have an intention or ‘sankalpa’ about what we want….most of the time we don’t know what we want…we only desire, and our desires keep changing…but once we have a ‘sankalp’ we should surrender it to nature/Divine….thinking we will accept whatever comes our way, whatever is for us. Simultaneously, we should not be constantly thinking about what we want, that is feverishness and not intention. So have an intention….and then drop it.

Q. Can there be light without darkness, peace without war?
A. During the day, if you have to create darkness, then you have to create it unnaturally, like closing all doors in a room. So light & peace are natural occurrences; of course natural calamities have always occurred and will continue but it increases when we exploit nature; and that is what is happening today…we need to save the environment…its only human beings who exploit nature and spread waste….animals never do….have you ever been to a forest and seen animal waste lying around?…animals always clean up, maintain the ecological balance….similarly in ancient times, even today among tribals, the tradition of honouring nature, keeping clean continues….so we should not destroy nature, our bodies by doing unnatural things to destroy them before their time.
At the same time periods of darkness, difficult situations help in our growth; makes us stronger so good also comes out of unpleasantness(He gave the example of how children growing up in slums have better immunity systems than us). But still, peace is absolutely necessary because creativity blossoms only in peace. All great happenings have been only in peaceful eras.

Q. Is violence ever justified? For self defence etc.
A. Violence is never justified. An action by itself is never violent or non violent; the intention is. The action of a doctor,policeman or army personnel done without anger or hatred is not violent. If one is confronted with violence then one cannot talk of peace; an action of self defence without hatred is justified.

Q. If the same consciousness is present in everyone then why is there disparity like rich and poor?
A. Because nature loves diversity! Do you know there are no two human beings who have similar finger prints….no two human beings who have ever been born have been exactly similar so that is the extent to which diversity exists in nature.
Q. How to get out of entanglements?
A. By doing pranayamas, sudarshan kriya, meditation. Because when you do these your vision expands and the smaller things drop away.
Q. Around the Guru, there are always distractions. How to overcome these?
A. The moment you recognize that you have got distracted, then you have started coming back to the source. So when you are here for meditation and you feel like doing something else, know that you are moving away from knowledge, the Guru….and when you recognize that, you become focussed again.

He spoke about the meaning and significance of Sankrathi and Pongal…the festival to honour the first harvest….with the tradition of giving/offering the first harvest to others….where we give away what we have and sow the seeds for future…He mentioned about how with maturity one discovers that true joy is in giving…that we are here to be at peace and spread peace.