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Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts

Friday, April 2, 2010

Love diversity, live happily

Hindustan Times, 29th March, 2010

H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Often, people who take responsibility do not pray, and those who pray do not take responsibility.

Every religion has three aspects; values, symbols and practices. There is diversity in practices and in symbols, whereas values are common to all religions.

The growth of fanaticism, fundamentalism and intolerance in the world is happening because people are stuck in only the practices, symbols or customs while forgetting the values.

Spirit loves diversity.

There is not just one type of fruit, one type of people, or one type of animal in this world. So let's not confine the spirit to a uniform. Let's enjoy the diverse variety of creation by honoring, respecting and loving them all.

We used to use the term “religious tolerance“. I think that these words have become obsolete now. You tolerate only that which you don't love.

The time has come to love each other's religions as one's own.

A religion is great not just because it is mine; it is great because of what it is. This understanding in all the priests and clergymen and those who lead people in spiritual and religious light, will put an end to the fanaticism and fundamentalism going on in our beautiful world.

It will be very nice if, together, we all adopt a resolution that we will educate our people to know a little bit from every religion in order to have a broader vision about life. Without prayer and meditation, which are the spiritual aspects of life, religion becomes dry.

See love inside you and that is meditation; see God in the person next to you and that is service.

Service and meditation go hand in hand. The previous century has been an era of uniforms and unions. Now let us move to an era of communion. With these few words, I pray and I take responsibility, both at the same time.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Sri Sri: Judgement and Company

Though you have heard "don't judge," JUDGMENT comes unavoidably in day-to-day life. By the actions and behaviors of people, you either approve or disapprove. But always remember that everything is changing, and do not hold onto the JUDGMENT. Otherwise your JUDGMENT gets solidified like a rock. It brings misery for you and for others. If judgments are lighter like air, like a breeze, they bring in fragrance, then move away. They could bring a foul smell, then move away. They should not stay there forever. Judgments are so subtle that you are not even aware of their existence. Judging or labeling someone as judgmental is also a JUDGMENT. Only in the state of Being when you are full of love and compassion can you ever be free from all judgements.

Yet the world cannot move without judgments. Until you judge something as good or bad, you cannot do any actions. If you see rotten apples in the market, you say, "No good." Good ones you buy. If someone lies to you ten times, you think next time it also could be a lie. A judgment happens automatically. See the possibility that people and things can change at any time and don't hold onto the judgements. You need to judge your company. Your company can pull you up or pull you down. The company that drags you towards doubt, dejection, blame, complaints, anger, delusion, and desires is bad company. The company that pulls you up towards joy, enthusiasm, service, love, trust, and Knowledge is good company. When someone complains, first you listen, then you nod, then you sympathize, then you complain".Robert says, "Join the party." Denise says, "I confess, you are absolutely right." (Laughter)Your company can create Hell for you in Heaven -- or Heaven for you in Hell.. Judge for yourself . . . !

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Swami Sarvagatananda's service at the MIT

Here is an tribute to Swami Sarvagatananda who served as a chaplain for Hindu students at the world renowned MIT.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/sarvagatananda-0521.html