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HOW TO BE HAPPY --- ALWAYS ......


Every moment that you spend here on this planet, know that you are here for a unique, big purpose, far greater than just to eat, sleep and talk. You are here for a greater cause. Just remember that.

For our growth, and to strengthen our lives, we need to follow some rules. These rules are called "yama" (social ethics) and "niyama"(personal ethics). They are the first two steps (or limbs) of yoga of inner union.


YAMA

There are five rules to living peacefully in society and the environment:

The first rule is"ahimsa" or non-violence. Non-violence unites you with the whole of creation. Just as you don´t harm yourself, you don´t harm the rest of creation. Everything is part of you, so how can you harm anything? Ahimsa is the practice of yoga, of not harming, and realising that everything is here.

The second rule is "satyam" or truthfulness. You don´t lie to yourself, do you? You can´t lie to yourself. If you are weaving beads, you don´t say, "I am not weaving beads." You are, and you know it. When you have chocolate in your hand, you don´t say, "I don´t have chocolate in my hand." You do have chocolate in your hand!

The third is "astheya", meaning, not missing what you don´t have at this moment, nor wishing things were different from what they are at the moment - not regretting. Astheya is not: "I wish I had a voice like that person! I wish I could sing like that person. I wish I were young like that person. I wish I could run like that person. I wish I could be as intelligent as that person..." It is not comparing yourself with others, and wishing for what they have and you don´t have.

Fourth is "brahmacharya", meaning, not interested in the shapes and forms of the body. The mind, here, sees beyond the physical, to the infinite. Brahmacharya is keeping the mind on bigger things. "Brahma" means big; moving in bigger things. "I am small", "I am a man", "I am a woman", "I am a good person", "I am a bad person", "I am hopeless" - all these are small identifications.

Fifth is "aparigraha", meaning, not taking what people give you. You know, it is surprising that you often take the insults people give you, much more than their compliments! Right? Sometimes, they are not even "giving" you these insults - they are simply taking the insults "out of their pockets", but you grab them, and keep them very safe with you! If someone is giving you garbage, they may not even really be giving you the garbage - they may simply be throwing it out, but you collect the garbage and hold on to it very safely! This is what most people do. They are ready to bounce up, take negativity and keep it to themselves.

Don´t take anything from anybody, including insults! Of course, compliments don´t really bother us! They just go to our heads! What really bother us are the insults, the hurt, and all the negative words that we take from people.

Don´t take them! Do you understand? This is aparigraha.


Niyama

There are five rules for one´s inner development:


The first is "shaucha", everyday cleanliness. It includes showering and keeping yourself clean, wearing clean clothes, and seeing that you don´t have bad breath. If someone stinks, they don´t notice it, but those sitting next to them do!

The second is "santosha" or contentment... happiness. Be happy! If you don´t take a step towards being happy, nothing in this world can make you happy, and you go on complaining about this and that.

Once, a farmer was complaining that the apples on his trees were not too good. Then, one year, he had very good apples! He had apples in plenty - three times more than the usual crop! Then he started complaining about having too much work to do, about having to pick all those apples, about how many were rotting, and about how the prices had gone down!

There´s no end to complaining - but life goes on anyway! It flows like a river. How do you want to live the rest of your life - the remaining 30, 40, or 50 years?

Smiling... or grumbling, feeling horrible about yourself, and blaming the whole world? So, the second rule is to be happy and content.

Third is "tapas" - forbearance or penance - meaning, something is uncomfortable, but you still put up with it happily. It´s like people who go on marathon walks for 20 miles or 20 kilometres. If we had to simply walk 20 kilometres, we would grumble, but when it´s a marathon, then one says, "Oh! I am going to walk!"

Whether you walk in a marathon, or you walk because your car broke down, your legs go through the same pain! But when you think you´re in a marathon, you come back the same, sweating and tired, but with a smile: "Oh! I did it!" This is tapas - willingly taking it. Suppose you have to travel in a plane for a long time - say eight or ten hours - what do you do? If you were asked to sit for ten hours, you would never do it, but in a plane, there is no way out! You have to sit... with a seatbelt on! You can watch TV to keep your mind occupied, but you still have to sit! So, willingly accepting opposites is tapas. This makes your body and mind strong.

Whatever you can change, change. What you cannot change, accept. If it is too cold, put on a sweater. It´s as simple as that! When it is raining very heavily, and you get wet, inspite of an umbrella - get wet!

Fourth is self-study - "swadhyaya". Observe your mind, see what your mind says, how you behave, how you act, how you feel... Do you feel good? Do you feel bad? If you are feeling bad, just observe, you start feeling good again. When you are feeling good, observe. All feelings - good or bad - will change. Swadhyaya is self-study, self-observation.

Fifth is "ishwara pranidhaana", meaning, love for the Divine. Surrender to the Divine. When you feel you are helpless, you say, "Oh, God! You take whatever it is that I am feeling!"


These are the ten rules that will make you strong, and feel whole and complete.

Take a challenge - "Come what may, I am going to smile today and be happy!"

JAI GURUDEV .

 

Hi Grace,

Thanks for writing these lovely posts on Guruji. I enjoy reading your posts. I have also benefited a lot from AOL. Last year I had postpartum depression. I was struggling with it for over a year. I tried anti-depressants and counseling but nothing worked. I started regularly doing Sudarshan kriya and the problem went off in a month. My husband used to suffer from GERD and his problem also disappeared within a month of doing the kriya.

I really feel blessed that Guruji has come into our lives. I get a lot of strength and encouragement by reading his words and I try to practice what he says. Though I do fail sometimes I always try to keep working in the direction that he has shown. I also feel lucky that my husband is also into AOL. Guruji came into our lives when we were going through a really tough time. We feel blessed.

Initially I had a lot of doubts about the Art of Living Organization. I still don't agree to the way a lot of things are done in the organization. I feel they are too pushy in marketing their spiritual products. But as I keep reading Guruji's words my doubts keep dissolving. I realized that ultimately it is only the intention that is important. Actions are always imperfect. Each one should do our best to help others and leave the rest to God. I wish I can reach out to someone in trouble and show them what Guruji has to offer. Jai gurudev !!! Keep posting.

Thanks,
Kavya.

 

Dear Kavya,

Thank you for the nice feedback. Yes, we too were going thro' a very difficult period when even my parents couldn't be trusted !! My health was at it's worst due to tension , my kid was struggling & by chance I was introduced to the basic course. From then on, there has been a dynamic change in our outlook , our family life and not to mention better physical health and peaceful mind.
I've done only Basic but my hubby had the chance to do Advanced also and my 6 1/2 yr. old daughter also has done the initial kid's course. In troubled times of today, we all need a spiritual rock to keep us in the right path.
Have you done the Ashatavakra Gita session -- if you get the opportunity, do grab it ! I would say it has given me more strength and restored my faith more than the basic course.

Yes, I totally agree that some marketing and promotional techniques are too strong. It was bad in Dubai, when people were simply pressurised to keep bringing more people for the courses -- with the very high cost of the course, that too ! But here in Canada it is very very good. No too much botheration about your 'donation' or how many times you've repeated any course or even if you haven't introduced anyone else into the AOL family. The focus is more on genuine SEVA rather than self-promotion and we can really feel the 'art of living' .

I too am hooked on Guruji's talks -- they are so soothing, so meaninful , so simple and yet so true ! His commentary on Ashtavakra Gita is something to be cherished . There is one site www.esatsang.net | eSatsang , a forum where you can register [free] and get all material about activities happening around the world. When I go there, I forget myself and time just flies by .....

And Kavya, the disciples are also encouraged to mail Guruji about their queries, anything . When my friend in Dubai, told me this -- I just brushed it off but she kept insisting , that somehow thro' some incident he will reply to us and our problem will be solved. "What is there to ask ? There is nothing .. this course itself has given us so much .." I used to tell her.
But the very next days itself, I myself read his speech where he has said that we are all like his children . And a parent would love to hear from his children. That are they doing well in life, is there anything they need etc. ....Wouldn't a parent feel lonely if their kid doesn't keep in touch... So write to me .....

I was very moved ... and immediately I penned a few lines to him . I continue to email our Guruji now and then, nothing specific, just updating him and wishing for his b'day etc. etc. And believe me , a few days after I mail him , I feel a tremendous and positive change within me Kavya. The problem/situation at that moment seems so trivial and I'm very happier than before.
If you feel you'd be interested, do PM me and I'll give you the id ;; not sure if you already know all this, sorry if I'm just writing too much .......:hide:

Faith cannot be taught or explained, you just feel it and experience it . Every moment we are thankful and feel blessed to have such a sweet and loving Guru.


JAI GURUDEV !

 

GURUJI ON SRI KRISHNA

5103 years ago Sri Krishna was born. Gokul means the family/society where there is knowledge. If you look at Krishnas life its amazing. As a friend, child, thief, musician, husband, teacher, lover from every aspect He was the best and complete. He was an uncrowned king. We still remember His journey from Brindavan to Dwarka.

Krishna said 4 kinds of people worship me :
a)Miserable people
b) Those who want something
c) Those who want to know what is life
d) Gnanis.

Know that I am not separate from the Gnani. Gnani is Me and Im Gnani.
Radha is longing and Krishna is love.

Vasudeva (Ananda) brings Krishna to Gokul when every one is sleeping. This means when the senses sleep Love comes out through Ananda.

Rama and Krishna are completely opposite in nature. Rama was born in the noon and Krishna midnight. Rama was always a sishya, i.e. a student throughout His life, whereas Krishna was always a teacher. He was a Guru even to His mother. Rama respected every one. Every one respected Krishna.

Both are needed for making life colorful and lively.



Following is Guruji's discourse at Bangalore Ashram, Srikrishna Janmashtami, 23 Aug. 2008:--

Krishna said I am the consciousness. Those who think that I am the body are mistaken. During the war, Krishna was imparting bhagavat gita to Arjuna. Krishna told arjuna that he had given the same knowledge to one Vamsi . Arjuna was puzzled because the person whom krishna refers to lived millions of years ago and so questioned Krishna as to how that was possible. Krishna told Arjuna that we have had many life times before. The only difference is that I remember them and you don’t.

Krishna told Arjuna that everything here is recycled. Guruji then beautifully made us aware of the recycled phenomena. We take grains and it gets converted to this body. After sometime our body gets back to earth. And from earth grows the grain. Everything here is recycled. Even the air that we breathe is recycled. It enters our body, leaves the body, travels all over the world, gets purified by trees and comes back into us. Flowers and leaves fall from the tree and become manure and from manure, the tree grows and then the flower blossoms.

After the war was over, Arjuna told Krishna that the knowledge he received was so good but he forgot what Krishna said. He asked Krishna if he can repeat the knowledge that he imparted. Krishna answered in the negative and said ” I was in a state of bliss at that time and the knowledge came. Now I am not in that state and therefore can’t give the knowledge”.
Guruji then typically remarked. Isn’t this what most of us go through. We get some knowledge but forget them.

There are many aspects in Krishna’s life which has not come into light. Do you know that Krishna was a perfect student? He went to Rishi Sandeepani and studied sincerely under his guidance. He was also a perfect friend. When kuselan (sudhama) came to see him, krishna washed his feet and welcomed him. Sudhama was totally engrossed with krishna that he forgot to ask what he came for. Yet, sudhama got what he wanted.

Krishna was born in the eastern part of India and went on to live for 125 years. Even during his last days, Krishna was so youthful. There was no sign of old age. This is because of the spirit that is within! Krishna told that there is no difference between you and me. It’s all the same spirit that resides in us.

Guruji then continued, “Have you seen children?” They are so attractive. Do you know why? He said, “It is because spirit dominates the mind and intellect. When Mind and Intellect dominates, we look otherwise. He also asked, “Have you looked into the eyes of people who have lot of faith and hope”. Their face is so charming. It is because Spirit dominates the mind and the intellect.

Govindh is a beautiful word. In Sanskrit, Go means Knowledge and Vindh means giver. Govindh is one who gives knowledge. Go also means Wisdom and Pal means protector. Gopal is the one who protects Wisdom. Go also means Journey. It is the journey towards Truth. The English word go is derived from the Sanskrit word go. Go also means the cow. Cow both moves and protects us by giving milk. But we remember only this meaning (cow) of Go and have forgotten the rest.

Guruji then said that Krishna is the sweetness in the sweet, brilliance in the brilliant. You can go on saying like that. Krishna is also the light. Guruji also reminded everyone who has not yet read bhagavat gita to do read it.


JAI GURUDEV !

 

Hi Grace,
You are doing a great job by posting the spiritual message.
Through you I had a chance to read Guruji`s speech.
I want to improve myself and face the difficult time with courage.
Guruji`s words are soothing. Keep up the job!

 

Hi Grace3,

I am happy to hear about your experiences. Guruji has really been like a shining star in many of our lives. I also agree that some groups in AOL do go overboard with marketing.The courses are also pretty expensive. This was one of the main reasons I kept away from AOL for a long time. But luckily the first teacher under whom I took the course was not like that. I really enjoyed the course and there was not much marketing at all. Somehow I am grateful to have taken the course under him. Now I have decided to just take the best from AOL and move on. This is a large organization and you will see all kinds of people. The important thing is that Guruji's words and deeds always feel right.

The one thing I really like about AOL is that there is no fanaticism. Guruji emphasizes the unity in all the religions. As you say his words are so simple, soothing and so full of wisdon. I have taken a lot of AOL courses this year. Luckily in the SFO Bay area they have a very strong AOL network. I am taking a break from my career and having the time of my life. I did the Part 2 course, Sahaj Samadhi course and the Sri Sri Yoga course. I have started practicing Sahaj Samadhi meditation after kriya and it is really wonderful. I think it will help in removing a lot of the deep impressions. I was also very fortunate to take the Sri Sri Yoga course under Kishan Verma. He is an awesome person. He is 70 but looks 50. He was really wonderful.

I never knew that we can email Guruji. Do PM his id. Nowadays I just surrender any worries and negative feelings to him and I immediately feel better. I have started to understand the true meaning of surrender. As you say the divine power has a wonderful way of taking care of us. Jai gurudev!!

Take care,
Kavya.

 

Dear Vidhyalakshmi,

Whenever I'm a bit down, I just pick up and read one of Guruji's books or some knowledge sheet or newsletter and within a few moments I'm more positive and confident about the future. It makes me happy to know that my postings of his sayings, is helping you become more resilient and strong. Reading his simple but very profound messages clears our mind and awakens something within us -- can't name that feeling !
Thank you for your nice feedback.

Regards,
Grace.

 

Dear Kavya,

Yes, Guruji never promotes himself or the organisation alone. He expects the teachers however to be diligent and disciplined. During one TTC course, on entering the hall where the teachers were gathered to begin the course, he immediately said two teachers have not done their kriya today, so please leave the hall and do not come tomorrow onwards !!
In such an enormous organisation as AOL, there are bound to be politics and other issues -- we have to just focus on our Guru and follow his teachings.
Just faith and surrender -- you know one mother has come all the way from Japan to meet him as a last resort for her teenage daughter whose limbs were paralysed after an accident. No amount of allopathic treatments had worked ! But at that time Guruji was in Germany and the volunteers where wondering how to call him / disturb him and didn't know what to do. At that very instant, the phone rang & it was Guruji himself calling and asking about a very sad woman and her daughter who have come to see him !! On his advise, the girl was taught the kriya [ without the vajrasan and arm postures] & immediately after, when she moved / raised her arm a little, her mother has wept and wept uncontrollably. There are so many instances like this Kavya, which make our belief stronger and steadfast.

I feel happy to note that you've been able to do so many courses.Though I was interested in Sahaj samadhi course, I was put off by the cost [ 75% of basic course] ; instead I opted for meditating to Guruji's guided meditation CDs. Some of them bring tears to my eyes and sometimes take me totally out of the present. Pity we're not getting 'WorldSpace' radio here... I've sent you the mail id by PM.

I've done Srisri Yoga too -- very effective asanas but not at all strenuous or complicated. I enjoyed the course very much. More so because my teacher was a survivor of the Bosnian war ! She alongwith her mother and sister had gone thro' so much in the refugee camp ; while her father was taken as prisoner of war & till date they don't know what became of him ! But her amazing attitude to life & radiant spirit, in spite of her dreadful past ...makes us be so very very grateful for all our blessings.

In such war-ravaged countries [more recently Iraq] the AOL and Guruji's blessings have remarkably turned around so many innocent lives and given so much of hope and peace when their very existence was shattered.
If in some small way, we make a positive difference to those less fortunate around us, we have lived well.

Jai Gurudev !

 

Our Guruji Answers with Profound Humour.


Q: Both cows & buffaloes give us milk. But only the cows are worshipped. Why is this?
Sri Sri: That is a good question! Maybe because when you worship, the one being worshipped should realize that they're being worshipped! You know, buffaloes are a little slow in realizing it. Maybe that's why!
You know, when we worhsip, we do it for ourselves not for the one being
worshipped. When we worship someone, we want them to know that we are worshipping them.
That's why we see that there are no temples for Brahma. He is the creator. His job is completed. So nobody bothers worshipping Him. Vishnu is the maintainer, His work is still going on; that's why we worship Him! And we're scared of Shiva, after all He is the destroyer so we worship Him also!


Q: I have been chanting Vishnu Sahasranaama from quite some time. But lately, I feel sleepy while chanting it. What to do?
Sri Sri: Don't worry, He also sleeps!


Q: What is more important: intelligence or innocence?
Sri Sri: Both are important. Why do you want to choose one over the other?


Q: What is life? What is death? What, if any, are the similarities between them?
Sri Sri: What is life? You are finding out now. What is death? You will find out in the future; you will not miss it! And when you know both, you can compare and find out the differences or similarities between them!


Q: Ramkrishna Paramhans said, "Where there is lust, there can't be God". But, we all are in this world because of lust?
Sri Sri: Lust is feverishness. Love is sincerity, quietness, peace. Lust is aggression. Love is Submission. Where there is Love, there is submission, relaxation, serenity. Lust means wanting to possess, enjoy. Lust and Love are opposite in nature. When one is there, other is not there.
Kamdeva came to disturb Shiva's samadhi. Shiva opened his third eye and he destroyed Kamdeva. Kama is not Rakshasa (Demon), it is called Deva (God). It is just that lust and love operate in different dimensions.


Q:How can I choose my partner?
Sri Sri: I don't know! There are some who have chosen many times! You have to ask them! You know you can't choose someone by intellect; the heart is drawn.. First you have to see whether you are the correct person or not!
A gentleman who was 63 years was looking for a perfect woman- a life partner. I told him to look for another 20 yaers. I said you can definitely find a perfect woman but she wants a perfect man too!


Q: Please clarify the difference between dispassion & lack of enthusiasm. My husband does not share my enthusiasm.
Sri Sri: Many times people don't know how to respond to enthusiasm. You almost feel like the dog who runs & overtakes the car & after overtaking the car, it has nothing to do. It has a foolish look on his face. Now what ? Many people don't know how to handle their enthusiasm. It's the same when someone praises you, loves you, you don't know how to respond.


Q: How to deal with arguments?
Sri Sri: By using praise and humor. You can meet accusations skillfully with praise and humor.


Q: What do you say to someone who is suicidal?
SriSri: Committing suicide is like a person who is cold, and tries to remedy the situation by taking off his coat. Committing suicide will make you even more miserable... Get them to do Kriya.


Q: About being important
Sri Sri: The unimportant people make the important people important. So who is more powerful? The king or the king maker?
Scientists recently discovered that children smile about 400 times a day. Adolescents only about 15. Adults smile even less than that. Laughter and smiling has great beneficial effects on your health. My job is to make you all children again.


Qoes one need a big bank balance to retire?

Guruji : No, I don.t think so. Couple from Uganda, billionaires, many factories, but had to leave one fine morning with just a suitcase. Sold hotdogs on streets. They said to Guruji that that day we believed in god, in a bigger force. So it is not the bank balance, it is the state of your mind.


Q: Pundits (Hindu priests) say for liberation of your ancestors, you have to do pujas and they charge hefty sums.
Guruji : No that is not a right thing to do. But you see, then no profession can be justified that way. Doctor.s prosperity is based on your illnesses. Lawyer.s prosperity is based on crime. Teacher.s prosperity is based on ignorance. Different businesses thrive because of lack and poverty. Restaurant business runs because there is dearth of good food. Whatever you do, when you are honest and you are working with your conscience, then it would be good for you.


Q: Do Gandarwas ( heavenly bodies) exist?
Sri Sri: Yes. Dont think the world is only what you see.


Q: Why do we say Shanti 3 times?
Sri Sri: To bring in peace at 3 levels Gross Physical level, Subtle Mental level, at the level of consciousness.


Q: Why there are many enlightened masters from India?
Sri Sri: Red bananas grow in Kerala. We dont ask why, we just enjoy them.


Q: Difference between dedication and devotion.
Sri Sri: Dedication is an act and devotion is a state.


Q: I feel like I'm losing control of my life.

Guruji: When were you in control of your life? If you ever thought you were in control of your life, then I'm sorry, for your ignorance. What is that you are going to lose? Do you have any control over your thoughts? They come like a stream.
After Pranayam and Meditation you have become aware of this. Now that you know what's happening then you started questioning. So now you are getting control, you are becoming aware of your thoughts.
When we conducted courses in prison, prisoners told, oh I can watch my thoughts. They regret had they done this before they wouldn't be there in prison. Don't worry you are not losing control. These are the moments when you realize nothing is in your hands.
Pray.Prayer will make your desire strong. It will fructify.


JAI GURUDEV.

 

Hi Ladies ,

Jai Gurudev !

I am new to IL and very very happy to meet AOL members here. Truly inspiring. I did AOL basic course in 2005 and i am practicing it.. The important change i have noted after the course is that the negative thoughts have no place in my mind anymore. Thanks to Guruji..