Wisdom from Sri Sri

‘The more grateful we are, the more blessings come our way’
Vilnius, Lithuania, May 30, 2009:
“We are so fortunate to have this knowledge on how to uplift our lives. Look back at your life, to the person you were before you learned the Sudarshan Kriya*. The more grateful we are for whatever we have in our lives, the more blessings come our way.

Q. Is the future free will or destiny?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Wisdom is to see the past as destiny, future as free will and be in the present moment.Seeing the future as destiny is foolishness and can make you lazy. The past is destiny because you can’t change the past.

Q. Why do the heart and mind want different things?
H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The heart wants something old, that which is familiar. The head wants something new. A balance is needed in the old and new: in the ancient knowledge and the latest science. The heart takes pride in old friends, but there is also interest in the latest trends.

Q. I worry a lot. How do I cope with it?

H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There are four ways to combat worrying:

1. See your problem as small compared to other people. When a problem appears small, you are able to solve it. When a problem appears big, we don't even try to solve it.

2. Remember how you solved your past problems. It will bring strength and a smile to deal with problems. This invokes valor in you.

3. Have faith that whenever you are in trouble, you will always have a helping hand.

4. Remember that nature loves you, God loves you. You will overcome the problem.
Wherever there is a problem, all you need is prayerfulness, from a sincere heart.Think 'I can overcome’, and invoke the strength, the lion in you. And surrender to the Divine.

Q. How are we connected to the five elements?

H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Wherever we go, we are all connected!
The earth and body connects us all.
Water connects everything. Air is everywhere. One can’t say, 'This is my air'.
And we are all connected in space.

*(A breathing technique taught in the Art of Living course.)

© The Art of Living Foundation