Sri Sri talks on Parenting

Q: Dear Guruji, please talk on parenting.

Sri Sri: You know, your evolution is very fast when you are parent. You are so keen, your observation, you are immersed. Like the security guard of a VIP, is all the time on one's toes. You are only worried about external things. When you are calm, serene, children also catch that. Sometimes children also talk like 50 year olds - 10 year old children are like parrots. It's better you don't fight with each other in front of children. Don't do things which are not nice. Give them the seed of spirituality. Develop a sense of giving.

Q: Dear Guruji can you please speak about Jesus & his time in India? Did he die at the cross at all?

Sri Sri: I don't want to get into controversies. Doesn't matter what happened 2,000 years ago. What he ate, what he wore. On Discovery Channel they showed that in Philippines they crucify themselves to please God. They put nails on their palms & for few minutes they stay. They take a vow to God that I want to crucify myself. A lot of people stand & watch. It doesn't make much sense. Where he lived? What he said- that is important.

Be like a child. Unless you are a child you can't enter the Kingdom of my Father. In Philippines, they beat themselves with thorns. All their bodies are bleeding. To please God you are torturing yourself like that! There is lack of understanding. In Sri Lanka, Hindus pierce their tongues with nails. In the Jain tradition, Mahavira was so blissful. It is said that in his whole life he ate only 360 days. He walked naked because he didn't have body consciousness. While those who crucify themselves & do such practices don't look so blissful. It's imitation.

Q: Dear Guruji, when we take responsibility. how can we tackle obstacles?

Sri Sri: The test of your peace is only when there are obstacles. Be thankful for obstacles.

Q: How much time do you get for Saadhana? You are constantly working for us.

Sri Sri: The whole time!

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 important is it not to eat meat & fish? When I am invited for dinner at someone else's place I am afraid to be impolite.

Sri Sri: There is Mad Cow Disease & Bird Flu. The whole world is turning to Vegetarianism. Everyone is so scared about these. Health conscious people today all over the world are Veg. Don't feel embarrassment. Just say I have changed my diet. It's up to you. Unless you have temptation ! (Laughter)

Q: Being in AOL, is like walking around in a garden full of flowers.

Sri Sri: My Garden ? It's your garden !

Q: Would you please comment regarding Ali -the successor to Prophet Muhammad.

Sri Sri: One who is closest to the Prophet, imbibes most of the Prophet's qualities. Because his faith is so strong, he sees the transformation, he sees the words of the Prophet, his life, his wisdom is all blended into one. A Prophet brings celebration to the world. Every excuse to celebrate is good. In celebration, you are not just making a party, you remind yourself of the wisdom.

Graduation party, birthday party - there is no sacredness attached to it. If sacredness is attached to a celebration event, that celebration is total, complete. It's not just body & mind, but the spirit also celebrates. Sometimes you go to a party only out of obligation. The mind is elsewhere. Most of the people do such celebration. The second type is better celebration. It is involving you, concerning you, like your own daughter's marriage, your own birthday celebration where you are personally involved. In this case, body & mind are in celebration but the spirit is not in celebration . In the first type you are going just because you are obliged to go there. The party is not really touching your mind. Only your physical presence is needed.

When something is Divine in celebration, then body, mind & spirit are all in celebration. Some festivals have total celebration. The celebration that comes out of silence is real celebration. Because of social obligation, you go to parties. Because someone has asked. Your body, though present in the party, your mind is elsewhere. When you are hosting a party, both mind & body are involved. When it is sacred, the spirit is also celebrating. The celebration comes out of silence. Dynamic activity comes out of deep rest.