JOURNEY WITH MY MASTER

I have been lately listening to the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and everytime I hear it, its a new learning. Its amazing to realize how I could have missed listening to that point which meant so much to me in my life the previous time I heard Patanjali. One can just wonder. Every moment is a miracle. The last I visited the ashram was last navratri. And the longing to meet Guruji was unbearable. And thats when I recieve the news that Guruji is visiting Mumbai! Now this is what I say "A sincere prayer never goes unanswered". And when I met Guruji face to face even without saying a word he said it all. That's Guruji.

And you know what, when I went to recieve Guruji at the airport after having a glimpse of him, I was definitely not satisfied. And guess what, Guruji's vehicle was just adjacent to our vehicle. And what an amazing divine race we were having. Sometimes Guruji's car would be ahead of our car and sometimes our car would be ahead of Guruji's car.

That's when I realized that this is exactly what Guruji does with us in our life. There are times in our life when we just need to quietly follow the Master and other times when the Master is behind us guiding us through the pathway ahead.

Sometimes we used to peep out of the car waving out to Guruji and sometimes he would peep out of his car, give us a naughty wink and contagious smile. It was really nice observing every little detail move of the Master; Guruji drinking water, Guruji looking out of the window, Guruji sitting with eyes closed. At that moment I wondered if we are enjoying observing Guruji's every move so closely, Guruji also must be enjoying keeping a close watch on all our moves in life na!

Truly an unforgettable journey with the Master!

Pearls of Wisdom from the Master

The aim of mankind is to reach towards happiness and joy’Mumbai (India), June 11

The mind can be slippery. Yet, faith should not be slippery. Life is about faith, though sometimes it becomes shaky. Whenever you have been in trouble, haven’t you received help? You will keep receiving it.You all are like flowers which will never die, never wither. Today there is not a single person who does not have sweetness in his heart. Even if you visit a prison, there are people who have sweetness in their hearts. This joy and happiness that we have received, should be reached to others. The aim of mankind is to reach towards happiness and joy. From joy, two things are born in you: a smile and a desire to serve.

There are two kinds of devotees. Have you observed a cat and a monkey? When a monkey walks, its child will cling to it. The monkey is not bothered about its child because the child follows the mother. Whereas a kitten does not follow its mother. The mother has to keep an eye on the child, and takes it in its mouth wherever she goes. Are you a cat or a monkey? Do you cling to the Divine or let the Divine carry you?Also, for those who are on the path, remember to relax.

Again, there are two types of devotees.Those who are just starting on the path are like those who are running to catch the train and those who have already begun are those who are already sitting inside the train. People who are just starting are worried about their ability to catch the train; they have to catch a taxi from home, rush to the platform on time, find the right platform, and then find the correct coach, and then get on the train. Until they get on the train, they cannot rest.If those who are on the train already run from one compartment to the other, will they reach their destination sooner? What is the use of running inside the compartment?

After getting into the compartment, put your luggage down and relax. And then you will get to your destination.

Sri Sri on the Holly Show

Recently we have been very concerned about what we can do to uplift individuals in the society. What we can do to make this world a better place. What we can do to share love rather than hate. My first guest is truly a global phenomenon. He is the founder of the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for human values. One of the most successful educational and humanitarian NGOs in the world. The foundations strengthens the individual and revitalizes human values such as friendliness, co-operation, kindness, compassion and generosity.Through practical wisdom, service and celebration. Guruji is a multifaceted humanitarian and spiritual leader. He travels to more than 40 countries every year with the message of love and peace, service to humanity.

1. What’s the relevance of "Yes We Can"and how did you come up with this whole concept?
Ans: You know I walk around and see there was no smile in young people’s face. A baby smiles 400 times a day, an adolescent smiles only 17 times and when they become adult they don’t smile at all.Well I have to put back the Smile right on their face again. Then this came up.


2. How do you see this program transforming society and changing lives?
Ans : Well its happening! Everyone who goes through the program they just come out with flying colours, they are free from stress they are able to communicate with people better, its very rewarding.

3. Are there any specific things your implementing, your using to develop people?
Ans : There is an ancient breathing technique and Sudarshnkriya a very powerful breathing technique it just turns the table all around.

4.So do you think this is a hard task that you have set for the Art of Living to do?
Ans: It’s a smart task I would say. I think everybody would love to do it.

5. We were wondering if you could tell us what your greatest strengths are?
Ans : I love people I love this planet. You know when your intentions are clear, when you are fulfilled and satisfied for yourself then you are able to do something for the world.

6. So you want to bring a little bit of this into everybody’s lives?
Ans : Everyone can feel that fulfillment within and then be dynamic and active in the world, help others.

7. Guruji, why have you chosen youth to implement this project.
Ans: Because youth have enthusiasm in them, they want to do something. They can dream. You know after 40 or 50yrs people become little apathetic and they are not interested to do something new or creative and then people always wants to go for something fantastic.

8. What kind of world leaders do you work with?
Ans: I work with all types of people, all leaders, all aspects every avenue of life needs this knowledge, spiritual. So I don’t choose to work with people, I work with everybody.

9. Guruji what is your focus for Yes We Can and why?
Ans: My focus is to see that more and more youngsters take responsibility for the planet they will be owning or they do own now and I want them to find a new direction in their life which is evolutionary and not self destructive. I want young people to get themselves free from tobacco, alcoholism, violence and get into creating a more happy family.

10. What is the best way to dela with when we get sad and how does it affect relationships.
Ans: You know youngsters get into relationships, but they get out of relationship very fast. And everytime they go out of a relationship there is a big heartbreak and when they get into a relationship there is a big uncertainity. So this Yes+ program helps them to be more stable, strong and think from their heart and move on in their life.

11. Guruji, what inspired you to make Yes We Can?
Ans : Just the youth themselves.

12. Guruji what is your vision for youth?
Ans : To see that our youths have deeper roots and broader vision. You know deeper roots makes them well grounded So deepen your roots and broaden your vision is the slogan for youths.

13. How to break down the barriers of prejudice?
Ans: Education and intermingling with people of other backgrounds, other race, religion nationality, sitting with them and getting to know them will break down all the barriers. Our prejudice is becoz we keep people away from us. Once we get to know them prejudice simply drops. We have to start feeling that the whole wolrd is one family with many differences.

Q. You travel the world continuously going to different places, spreading this knowledge. How many countries you have been this year.
Guruji : Ya . Oh ho so many I’ve lost the count. Last I did was 174 cities in 1 year.

14 How do we create a stress free and a violence free society?
Ans: By engaging youth into programs like Yes+, by creating more multicultural, multidimensional, multilingual & religious programs. Interfaith prayers and cultural programs will al bring people together.

15. Guruji, what does success mean to you?
Ans: A smile that doesn’t die away, a confidence that doesn’t wither away and a personality that doesn’t get shaken is a sign of success.

Guruji’s Message – Have a Dream and keep going I am with you!

The Holly Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe4cTrXmg4M

The Yes We Can website : http://www.yeswecan-clp.org/

12 qualities of a Good Leadership

The first major aspect of good leadership is letting go of control. For a leader, it is also important to be in the present moment. How can you be a dynamic, confident and enthusiastic leader? The first quality of leadership is to set an example.

a. A leader doesn’t just order things; he does it so that others can do it.

b. A leader takes good care of those whom he is leading.

c. He doesn’t create followers. A good leader creates leaders. And then chain action happens. A leader should delegate responsibility.

d. A leader does not depend on authority. He just does a thing, whether authority is invested or not. It comes by itself.

e. He does not worry about position. The respect that you gain through virtue is very different from the respect you gain through the position. The respect you get through a position is short-lived and temporary. But the respect that you gain just because of your smile, your attitude, your virtues are there with you all the time. You may be a chairman of this committee, a president of that committee, or you are barrister here or governor of that state — these are all momentary, temporary. They come and they go. And the respect you get because of this position is not genuine, it is not from the heart, it is not true. But the respect you gain because you are a nice person, is genuine, it lasts long. It is spontaneous.

f. A leader is alert and when challenges come, he is not disturbed. A good leader is one who does not drop things when challenges appear. (Read : Do not shy away from criticism - Sri Sri )

g. A good leader is one who does not care for comfort, but who stretches himself beyond the comfort zone. Anything creative, dynamic and great can happen only when you stretch beyond your comfort zone where we are often struck. We think we cannot do something: just make an effort and put one step ahead, and you will find that that you are expanding your comfort zone. Creativity transcends your comfort zone. Or, when you step out of the comfort zone, your creativity comes into play.

h. A leader should not mix head and heart. If you mix head and heart, you are in a mess! When you have to work, you work with commitment and you live with your head. In life, in situations other than when you are working, listen to your heart.

i. A good leader should be multidimensional and see from the other’s point of view. Put yourself in other person’s shoes, look from the other person’s point of view.

j. The leader doesn’t depend on one-sided information. When you get some news from one side, don’t take any decision or conclusion till you hear from the other side also. Leader should be a good communicator.

k. A leader should have a direct approach. 12 : A good leader does not judge himself. You have this tendency of judging yourself, “Am I good? I’m no good.” The self-judgment is an obstruction. Stop doing that. Don’t judge yourself. When you judge yourself, you are judging others also. Then you oscillate like a pendulum. If you feel you’re good, then you are saying that others are not so good. So when you find that others are good, and then you feel that you are no good, you blame yourself. Judgment is very similar to self-blame and blaming others. We have to get out of this vicious circle of self-judgment.

That is also the state of surrender. When you have surrendered to the Divine that means that you no longer judge yourself. Self-judgment is not necessary. A child is so innocent, why? Because the child doesn’t judge itself.

--- Sri Sri