Q: I know it is bad and yet I do it. Why do I do it? And how to get rid of this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know it is bad and you still do it. Why do you do it, are you asking me? That is ok. You should wish that circumstances would change and know that opposite values are complementary. That gives you the strength. And, know that things change.
There are only two reasons why you don’t follow knowledge or wisdom:
First: Bad habits. Old habits don’t leave you so fast.
Second: Your temptation of doing wrong gives some pleasure. For example, you know that eating too much of ice cream would increase your sugar level as your doctor has warned you, but your temptation says, 'No, I should eat that. Just one more day let me eat it.' You do it because it gives you pleasure.
It is ok, you can violate the laws as long as you are ready to take the consequences. Eating after 8 pm is not good, you know? But if you still do, then keep awake in the night, keep burping and keep suffering with indigestion! If it is ok with you, then do it.
So, only these two things stop you from following the knowledge.
Like, you know that smoking is bad for health but you still smoke. Smoking is not giving you any great pleasure but to drop it has become so difficult because it has got ingrained as a bad habit in you.
Now, habits can be overcome only through three things: One is out of greed. Say, someone tells you that you will get one million dollars if you don’t smoke for one whole month then you will say, 'Why one month, I will not smoke for 35 days. Five extra days to make sure the counting is right.' Greed can stop you from habits that you don’t like.
The other is fear. If someone says you will get these different types of cancer if you smoke, then you won’t touch it.
Third is the promise to a loved one. If you made a promise to a loved one then also you won’t do it. The love for them will will stop you from smoking.
So, I prefer the last one to the other two.
Or, in the end you will realize by yourself, 'Oh! It is painful. It is misery that I am buying by continuing with this habit.' So, one day when you realize this, then it will drop the habit itself.
“That which you cannot express is Love.
That which you cannot reject/renounce is Beauty.
That which you cannot avoid is the Truth.”
~ Sri Sri Ravishankar
Sunday, August 29, 2010
reasons why you don’t follow knowledge
Q: I know it is bad and yet I do it. Why do I do it? And how to get rid of this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know it is bad and you still do it. Why do you do it, are you asking me? That is ok. You should wish that circumstances would change and know that opposite values are complementary. That gives you the strength. And, know that things change.
There are only two reasons why you don’t follow knowledge or wisdom:
First: Bad habits. Old habits don’t leave you so fast.
Second: Your temptation of doing wrong gives some pleasure. For example, you know that eating too much of ice cream would increase your sugar level as your doctor has warned you, but your temptation says, 'No, I should eat that. Just one more day let me eat it.' You do it because it gives you pleasure.
It is ok, you can violate the laws as long as you are ready to take the consequences. Eating after 8 pm is not good, you know? But if you still do, then keep awake in the night, keep burping and keep suffering with indigestion! If it is ok with you, then do it.
So, only these two things stop you from following the knowledge.
Like, you know that smoking is bad for health but you still smoke. Smoking is not giving you any great pleasure but to drop it has become so difficult because it has got ingrained as a bad habit in you.
Now, habits can be overcome only through three things: One is out of greed. Say, someone tells you that you will get one million dollars if you don’t smoke for one whole month then you will say, 'Why one month, I will not smoke for 35 days. Five extra days to make sure the counting is right.' Greed can stop you from habits that you don’t like.
The other is fear. If someone says you will get these different types of cancer if you smoke, then you won’t touch it.
Third is the promise to a loved one. If you made a promise to a loved one then also you won’t do it. The love for them will will stop you from smoking.
So, I prefer the last one to the other two.
Or, in the end you will realize by yourself, 'Oh! It is painful. It is misery that I am buying by continuing with this habit.' So, one day when you realize this, then it will drop the habit itself.
“That which you cannot express is Love.
That which you cannot reject/renounce is Beauty.
That which you cannot avoid is the Truth.”
~ Sri Sri Ravishankar
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know it is bad and you still do it. Why do you do it, are you asking me? That is ok. You should wish that circumstances would change and know that opposite values are complementary. That gives you the strength. And, know that things change.
There are only two reasons why you don’t follow knowledge or wisdom:
First: Bad habits. Old habits don’t leave you so fast.
Second: Your temptation of doing wrong gives some pleasure. For example, you know that eating too much of ice cream would increase your sugar level as your doctor has warned you, but your temptation says, 'No, I should eat that. Just one more day let me eat it.' You do it because it gives you pleasure.
It is ok, you can violate the laws as long as you are ready to take the consequences. Eating after 8 pm is not good, you know? But if you still do, then keep awake in the night, keep burping and keep suffering with indigestion! If it is ok with you, then do it.
So, only these two things stop you from following the knowledge.
Like, you know that smoking is bad for health but you still smoke. Smoking is not giving you any great pleasure but to drop it has become so difficult because it has got ingrained as a bad habit in you.
Now, habits can be overcome only through three things: One is out of greed. Say, someone tells you that you will get one million dollars if you don’t smoke for one whole month then you will say, 'Why one month, I will not smoke for 35 days. Five extra days to make sure the counting is right.' Greed can stop you from habits that you don’t like.
The other is fear. If someone says you will get these different types of cancer if you smoke, then you won’t touch it.
Third is the promise to a loved one. If you made a promise to a loved one then also you won’t do it. The love for them will will stop you from smoking.
So, I prefer the last one to the other two.
Or, in the end you will realize by yourself, 'Oh! It is painful. It is misery that I am buying by continuing with this habit.' So, one day when you realize this, then it will drop the habit itself.
“That which you cannot express is Love.
That which you cannot reject/renounce is Beauty.
That which you cannot avoid is the Truth.”
~ Sri Sri Ravishankar
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Unleash Your Creativity
Like in many other fields, Creativity has been the pulse of our profession globally. We are on this diurnal conquest of aspiring to be more creative. creativity is the most elusive butterfly all artists hanker behind, architects being no different! Our professional life is a daily tryst to find this beauty. the fact that we have science behind art, intrigues me completely. I wonder about the possibility of the existence an equation for being more creative. I question myself very often “what are the mechanics of being creative?”
Anatomically we humans are similar and yet unique. What makes us so unique? The answer to this is very simple, it is our thoughts indeed! These thoughts that subsequently result in action which makes us the individual we are. The same situation would lead to several interpretations. These eventually result into actions or reactions which would be radically different from each other.
Why is it that some one gets a violent thought while another gets a creative one? How can some one be genius and some one else not? What does this depend on? Is it the genetic framework, the upbringing, the exposure or the inner urge that is the driving or the stopping force?
Great writers, thinkers, visionaries and many architects have experienced a creative block at some point within their career spans. You sit with a paper and pen in a beautiful place, waiting for that eureka moment and very often…. It doesn’t click!!
What is the source of creativity?
It is said that, Thought is nothing but an impulse of energy and intelligence. For this impulse of energy and intelligence to arise, and for a thought spring, the impulses are required to meet at a point in the cerebral cortex at a super fast speed!!! Within this short interval of time, when all the 16 impulses in the cerebral cortex meet, we have, what we call, a “correct thought”.
So what do we do about it?
It’s again training our mind which is mostly not in our control.
Its funny that, right now as I speak, you have a dialogue in your own mind, saying “yes I agree!” or “no! That’s rubbish”. We all have a filter in our minds and we just listen through this filter, accepting only that which we already know! We conveniently filter away everything that is not a part of our belief system.
This tendency in the mind to take things which it already knows and reject that which it doesn’t, is one of the main blocks to creativity.
The second aspect of creativity is imagination. every creative person is imaginative. While being in this surreal imaginative state, we lose the ability to distinguish the real from the unreal. More often than not, imagination and inspiration derived from the sub-conscious, unreal state brings creativity!!!
If we are restricted to ground realities in our though patterns, no creativity will dawn. However, the other extreme of being in a very dreamy and imaginative state will not yield innovative solutions. Therefore, achieving a balance is pivotal. Life apes this paradigm – a balance between our intellect and our heart, feelings and institution. Listening to our gut feelings and developing the intuitive ability within us enhances creativity.
The third and the gravest problem that stops us from being creative is “stress”. How would I define stress? In simple words when the demand is more and energy supply is comparatively less we develop stress. In a day we spend a lot of time being angry, hurt, getting frustrated, regretting, feeling of guilt, blaming our self and sometimes others.
Inhibition is a big problem amongst youth. We waste a lot of precious time in worrying about what the other person is going to think of us. The problem with our mind is we cling more to the negative events in our life as compared to the positive ones. This generates more stress within us and within the society. The past is filled with regret, guilt and anger. When we dwell in the past we go through these emotions. Thinking about the future brings anxiety and feverishness. The mind is oscillating between the past and the future and it’s never in the present. We all know what the power of now can create. Being in the present moment makes us more productive, creative, original, young, energetic, enthusiastic and happy. So how can one dwell in the present moment would be our ensuing question. The answer to this is spirituality. We all have our notions on spirituality. It most definitely has nothing to do with religion. If science is the study of “what is this?”, then spirituality is the study of “who am I?” Spirituality is something that encompasses all the avenues: human values, compassion and caring. It is a value system, a way of life. All spiritual practices and celebrations lead one to a more fulfilled and joyful life- more love and care, which is what we youths require. Delving into our lives, we need to see it from a bigger perspective and not just look into immediate short term benefits. Using this as a platform, we need to bring a conscious shift from “what can I have?” to “what can I give” – a relocation in our thoughts from competition to contribution. This can happen when we nourish ourselves from our sources of energy- food, rest, breath and a few minutes for a calm collected and meditative mind.
It’s unfortunate that we have a very dogmatist approach to spirituality. Caring for life, recognizing life, and uplifting life- is the essence of spirituality. By keeping it in its true spirit of celebration, joy and sincere love, youth like us will come around it.
Suicides are happening all over the world. Newspapers and television are brimming with such revelations. I feel suicides are more among the capable people. Why could be the reason? May be stress a feeling of dryness from within or lack of support. Support needs to come from within. Food and water are not sufficient for our existence. Spirituality has the unseen strength to uplift us. It has the ability to fill the vacuum in our life. The other reasons for high suicidal rates and depression is our incompetence to take criticism in the right spirit.
The value of doing selfless service must be addressed. Service is the instant solution to bring a pleasant feeling from with. The satisfaction that comes from helping others and contributing towards society cannot be found elsewhere.
Success in life can be attributed to domain skills and soft skills. A research has shown that all successful people have one thing is common. It is a steady equilibrium in the ratio of these two skills. 87% of soft skills and only 13% of domain skills that we call as education. We spend more than fifteen years to acquire the domain skills but no where in our education system are we taught to harness our soft skills. Spirituality helps to develop these skills.
India is the youngest country. More than 60% of the population comprises of young blood. We as the youth of the nation need to take the responsibility for ourselves and ensure that our mind is clear and not clogged. We need to know that our life is more than our activity. Life is not only about achieving- it is about contributing.
“What have we contributed to the world or to the people around us? This question brings meaning to our life and working on this path will make us more creative, content, serene and happier.
Ulimately, happiness is what we all long for?
So try to love yourself a little bit more every day. Be more grateful for what you have and less critical of what you lack.
Smile. It is the best gift you can give yourself and to the world.
ps: its a column for my coll mag.
-Bodhayan
Anatomically we humans are similar and yet unique. What makes us so unique? The answer to this is very simple, it is our thoughts indeed! These thoughts that subsequently result in action which makes us the individual we are. The same situation would lead to several interpretations. These eventually result into actions or reactions which would be radically different from each other.
Why is it that some one gets a violent thought while another gets a creative one? How can some one be genius and some one else not? What does this depend on? Is it the genetic framework, the upbringing, the exposure or the inner urge that is the driving or the stopping force?
Great writers, thinkers, visionaries and many architects have experienced a creative block at some point within their career spans. You sit with a paper and pen in a beautiful place, waiting for that eureka moment and very often…. It doesn’t click!!
What is the source of creativity?
It is said that, Thought is nothing but an impulse of energy and intelligence. For this impulse of energy and intelligence to arise, and for a thought spring, the impulses are required to meet at a point in the cerebral cortex at a super fast speed!!! Within this short interval of time, when all the 16 impulses in the cerebral cortex meet, we have, what we call, a “correct thought”.
So what do we do about it?
It’s again training our mind which is mostly not in our control.
Its funny that, right now as I speak, you have a dialogue in your own mind, saying “yes I agree!” or “no! That’s rubbish”. We all have a filter in our minds and we just listen through this filter, accepting only that which we already know! We conveniently filter away everything that is not a part of our belief system.
This tendency in the mind to take things which it already knows and reject that which it doesn’t, is one of the main blocks to creativity.
The second aspect of creativity is imagination. every creative person is imaginative. While being in this surreal imaginative state, we lose the ability to distinguish the real from the unreal. More often than not, imagination and inspiration derived from the sub-conscious, unreal state brings creativity!!!
If we are restricted to ground realities in our though patterns, no creativity will dawn. However, the other extreme of being in a very dreamy and imaginative state will not yield innovative solutions. Therefore, achieving a balance is pivotal. Life apes this paradigm – a balance between our intellect and our heart, feelings and institution. Listening to our gut feelings and developing the intuitive ability within us enhances creativity.
The third and the gravest problem that stops us from being creative is “stress”. How would I define stress? In simple words when the demand is more and energy supply is comparatively less we develop stress. In a day we spend a lot of time being angry, hurt, getting frustrated, regretting, feeling of guilt, blaming our self and sometimes others.
Inhibition is a big problem amongst youth. We waste a lot of precious time in worrying about what the other person is going to think of us. The problem with our mind is we cling more to the negative events in our life as compared to the positive ones. This generates more stress within us and within the society. The past is filled with regret, guilt and anger. When we dwell in the past we go through these emotions. Thinking about the future brings anxiety and feverishness. The mind is oscillating between the past and the future and it’s never in the present. We all know what the power of now can create. Being in the present moment makes us more productive, creative, original, young, energetic, enthusiastic and happy. So how can one dwell in the present moment would be our ensuing question. The answer to this is spirituality. We all have our notions on spirituality. It most definitely has nothing to do with religion. If science is the study of “what is this?”, then spirituality is the study of “who am I?” Spirituality is something that encompasses all the avenues: human values, compassion and caring. It is a value system, a way of life. All spiritual practices and celebrations lead one to a more fulfilled and joyful life- more love and care, which is what we youths require. Delving into our lives, we need to see it from a bigger perspective and not just look into immediate short term benefits. Using this as a platform, we need to bring a conscious shift from “what can I have?” to “what can I give” – a relocation in our thoughts from competition to contribution. This can happen when we nourish ourselves from our sources of energy- food, rest, breath and a few minutes for a calm collected and meditative mind.
It’s unfortunate that we have a very dogmatist approach to spirituality. Caring for life, recognizing life, and uplifting life- is the essence of spirituality. By keeping it in its true spirit of celebration, joy and sincere love, youth like us will come around it.
Suicides are happening all over the world. Newspapers and television are brimming with such revelations. I feel suicides are more among the capable people. Why could be the reason? May be stress a feeling of dryness from within or lack of support. Support needs to come from within. Food and water are not sufficient for our existence. Spirituality has the unseen strength to uplift us. It has the ability to fill the vacuum in our life. The other reasons for high suicidal rates and depression is our incompetence to take criticism in the right spirit.
The value of doing selfless service must be addressed. Service is the instant solution to bring a pleasant feeling from with. The satisfaction that comes from helping others and contributing towards society cannot be found elsewhere.
Success in life can be attributed to domain skills and soft skills. A research has shown that all successful people have one thing is common. It is a steady equilibrium in the ratio of these two skills. 87% of soft skills and only 13% of domain skills that we call as education. We spend more than fifteen years to acquire the domain skills but no where in our education system are we taught to harness our soft skills. Spirituality helps to develop these skills.
India is the youngest country. More than 60% of the population comprises of young blood. We as the youth of the nation need to take the responsibility for ourselves and ensure that our mind is clear and not clogged. We need to know that our life is more than our activity. Life is not only about achieving- it is about contributing.
“What have we contributed to the world or to the people around us? This question brings meaning to our life and working on this path will make us more creative, content, serene and happier.
Ulimately, happiness is what we all long for?
So try to love yourself a little bit more every day. Be more grateful for what you have and less critical of what you lack.
Smile. It is the best gift you can give yourself and to the world.
ps: its a column for my coll mag.
-Bodhayan
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Rain
I always wanted to write an article on summer magic, never knew from where to start....there are so many things, so many incidents, so many miracle, so many exciting events freaks!!! it would take LOTS and LOTS of time to complete it and as a beginner, i wanted to make the article short and sweet.I was browsing through remarkable snaps of ashram, and then i came up with this idea that i can make a article of each photos and explains the things associated with it breifly. Also giving chance to each and everyone to share thier expiernce. I start with my favourate event on Summer Magic.
"The Rain..."
I just LOVE rain. Before going ashram we had our exams on, whenever it used to rain i used to control myself from drenching in, so as not to be attacked by fever, cold and last but not the least "scolding from mom". Whenever i used to see rain in Mumbai, i always used to think, Banglore jaake baarish me full toss bheeg jaunga. Thus i used to pass my days.
I remember there was some session/talk going on in the ashram regarding the Sri Sri University, which was no doubtedly ausum ( i suppose). But my whole attention was just on wonderful clouds outside. The scene outside window was so so good that i just couldnt resist seeing out. Thanks to Amrutha who gave me a little photography sense in the train, i just used to see everything in perfect place. Just focusing on object, others out of focus. I still can remember one swami was sitting on the window, Man what an amazing photo i could have clicked. The way he was sitting, the background, the cloud, the greenery, the curtain everything was just perfect. I was focusing on him thru my lenses where he pointed not to click the snap. Thus it could never come.
And the Sri Sri University's introtalk thus got over, Dinesh Da came up to the stage and he said, you can go out and enjoy the nature. I was perhaps the first person to run out.
The Wind, the Climate, everything was just perfect. I just couldnt resist myself getting lost in nature. wooow.....then the photo session started. Everyone excited to click the snaps of the beautiful enviornment. I and ranjani had a deal....and we were maintaining it, You click my snaps and i click urs :-P We th
us focusing each other.Suddenly, the rain started and guys the photo which is present here is actually the true expression of the joy which i felt, when suddenly the rain started. I jusr couldnt resist my excitement, joy. Everyone was out in VM to get wet. What an amazing evening it was. U could hear sound coming from everyone celebrating the rain. We all were dancing, Singing, Playing, and the important thing "CLICKING PHOTO". Then suddenly, I dont know how i was very exicted to go to the VM amphitheater. I just went there, guess what i could see Dinesh Da. Even hes dancing in rain. I just cant forget that evening, Dinesh Da singing songs, Dancing with us, Splashing the water on us. Woooooooooooow......
Everyone present in Amphitheater were asking Dinesh Da to play Football, Kho-Kho, But we landed up only Dancing and Singing which was tooo tooo good experience.
Thought the Rain wasnt too heavy, wasnt too long but trust me guys, it was a complete package. It was the best rain i can ever have in my life.
I just hope even u guys get the same or a better chance
Monsoon is still on .....Njoy the Rain
Love
Rohit :)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
My First............POST
Jai Gurudev
My First.....Post
Got insipred by the previous posts n hence decided to start series of posts of called as My First......
It can be anything like my My First Guru story; or My First Propose etc
So please feel free to unleash your creativity n send in ur stories to rohit.d08@gmail.com or dashupat30@gmail.com ...
Meanwhile im starting with my second Yes!+ course at Singhgad College, Lonavala with 70 bright and dynamic youths...
Miss u Navimumbaites
More from me soon
Love
Sourav Ghosh
My First.....Post
Got insipred by the previous posts n hence decided to start series of posts of called as My First......
It can be anything like my My First Guru story; or My First Propose etc
So please feel free to unleash your creativity n send in ur stories to rohit.d08@gmail.com or dashupat30@gmail.com ...
Meanwhile im starting with my second Yes!+ course at Singhgad College, Lonavala with 70 bright and dynamic youths...
Miss u Navimumbaites
More from me soon
Love
Sourav Ghosh
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Early Sunrise....
Some phenomena in nature are so captivating and so enchanting that it is amusing how we don’t pay attention to it. The sun rises everyday by extending its warm, glowing rays to embrace the world. And magically the world starts glistening — the leaves sparkle with freshness and dew drops glittering on them, the birds starts composing a new melody and everything becomes so vibrant and colourful. The sun does not just bring with it the light and energy but it paints the world with an array of colours—a picture so delightful that the nature blushes seeing it own beauty.
The light of truth and enlightment is similar to these rays of sun. When it enters your life, it reveals to you how beautiful life has always been, it is only that we were blind to its beauty. It is amazing how God leads you to the perfect place all the time. I was never unaware of the beauty of the world. I used to always get charmed by the splendor of nature-the cycle of seasons which miraculously transforms the landscape from fresh, green spring to golden autumn and a snow-white wonderland during winter.
I have always been a sensitive person—sensitive to everything happening around me—not necessarily to me. I was like that wet, damp earth on which every element of the world left deep imprints on. It made me learn, observe, think and love. But it also made me miserable at times — as a child when I used to see poverty engulfing the poor people, a kid of my age cleaning tables while I sat there at the restaurant and had lunch with my parents. At school when teachers used to remind us how lucky we are that god has given us so much and we should be thankful for that, I used to wonder why did god make those poor kids less fortunate and not grant them the things which he has given me. What is their fault? They are as innocent as I am!
The world outside was rude, indifferent, selfish and scary. The increasing magnitude of crime everyday, the global warming, how the beautiful nature was burnt and destroyed brutally, the cruelty which humans displayed towards the poor, mute animals which are supposed to be our comrades in this world, the increasing population and pollution, the bloodshed and warfare and the brutal terrorist attacks – the world was turning out be a creepy place to live in. To me—it was just too much for my heart and mind to bear. I was tired of being helpless and unable to do anything. I was pushed into the rat-race for marks, fame, money and identity when all I desired was just happiness. I knew my happiness was connected to everyone’s out there. But how could I be happy when there is so much of misery all around?! But the world was a beauty too! How can anything be beautiful and ugly at the same time!! I was confused. I had so many questions for God and I used to wonder how God would answer them. I had deep faith in him and I knew no one can ever love me as much as he does.
And he led me to the door of happiness—the art of living YES! + Course. It came like the dawn in my life— the Early Sunrise. The glowing, soft rays shining on the beauty hidden inside me—the power waiting to be unleashed. The power to change and transform. I realized that it was not that my happiness was connected to everyone’s out there but it was that everyone’s happiness was connected to mine. By being happy I can make others happy. And I learnt to be happy. It rekindled my passion to bring about a change in society— to be the change, to be the happiness. And now I am walking with them in this lane of life with the main goal and ambition — to bring a smile on everyone’s face. And life is truly magical!!
— by Shruthi
Sunday, July 18, 2010
My New Receipieee.... :)
I was hungry one day, hunting what to eat. That time i got a call from Sourav to go to Vinod's place to collect something. When i hear Vinod Raga's name i just remember 4 thing.
1) Brilliant Yes!+ Volunteer
2) Satsang
3) Corn Cheese sandwich
4) Cold Coffee.
I tought it was a great idea to prepare Cheese Corn Sandwich as i could find all the treasure inside my fridge.
Ingrediants:
1) Obviously Cheese and Corn
2) bread
3)Mint Leaves
4) Curry leaves
5) corriander Leaves
6) Chilly
7) little tamrind
Proceedure
Blend all the leaves (CLEAN IT FIRST), Chilly, Tamrind, lil salt and make chatney.
Boil corn till tender and even boil Cheese cubes with silver paper on it.
Mix the cheese and corn.(remove the silver foil before mixing)
apply chatney on Bread slices, keep the yummiiieeee mixture in between and toast it.
Thus comes the Cheeese corn sandwich to fulfill your hunger.
I gave this to my mom as she returned from work. She loved it a LOT tooo!
NOTE: Guys, do memorize this receipe as we wud need whenever we have to impress our GF/Wife/Mom OR
whenever they dont offer food :P
its a good way to tease them.
WARNING: Keep the Mixture away from the cheese lovers. You wud find the mixture half over like i found myself eating half of it before making the sandwich.
Jai Gurudev
Love....
Rohit
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