Things essential in a relationship - Advice from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar It is because you love someone, that you give yourself… and then you start making demands on that relationship. Now, when you start demanding, love diminishes. Three things are essential in any relationship – right perception, right observation and right expression. Right perception can happen, when you see yourself, in the shoes of the other person – when you stand in his/her shoes and look at the situation. Observing your own mind is essential. This observation within you – the observation of sensations, the observation of tendencies, the observation of the patterns we have – is essential. Perception of the other, and observation of one’s self…and then comes – the right expression, or expressing one’s self in the right manner. ....................... Will Power – Sri Ramana Maharshi Your idea of will-power is success insured. Will-power should be understood to be the strength of mind which makes ...

This is a brief introduction by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Shivratri and how to observe or celebrate Mahashivratri? Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tattva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to awaken one’s self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri. For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable – sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana, followed by chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan. Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a d...

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 13 May 1956) is a Hindu Guru synonymous with Art of Living. He is popularly referred to as Sri Sri, Guruji or Gurudev. This is a collection of teachings, thoughts and wisdom of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar collected over a period of 12 years from various sources. The post is expanded and added with new thoughts and sayings. One’s goal in life should be contentment. The one primary mantra to success is to digest failure. Why someone is negative? Because they do not feel good about themselves. Your body is changing, your thoughts are changing, the mind is changing, emotions are changing, situations are changing… But still you feel there is something in me which is not changing. So that something which is the basis of all change, that something through which you notice the change is the self – the atma, the spirit. Spirituality is the skill of nurturing, purifying and blossoming one’s all levels of existence. The antidote for fear is love and se...

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 13 May 1956) is a Hindu Guru synonymous with Art of Living. He is popularly referred to as Sri Sri, Guruji or Gurudev. He is world-renowned Hindu spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation. Here are few quotes of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar collected over the past 10 years from various sources. Feelings change, thoughts change, ideas change, body is undergoing changes all the time. But the thirst deep within us is for something that is not changing, that is eternal, that is always, that is the same. You reject something, but if you reject it without anger it is not bondage; if you reject something with anger, then that is bondage. You receive some, and when you receive: "Oh, oh, oh!" you are excited about it, then that is bondage. Whatever is done with anger or excitement makes a strong impression in the mind and that becomes a bondage. Look into the motives behind your actions. Often you don't go for things you real...

Thoughts on depression by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Lack of idealism is the main cause of depression among young people today. Life appears to be so meaningless to these children, who are either too scared of the competitive world or bogged down by heavy stimuli. They need inspiration, and spirituality is that inspiration that can keep the spirit up. Depression sets in if there is a lack of zeal to fight. Aggression is the antidote to depression. Depression is lack of energy; anger and aggression are bolts of energy. When Arjuna was depressed, Krishna inspired him to fight and thus reinstated life back to him. If you are depressed, do not take Prozac – just fight for any cause. If aggression crosses a certain limit, it leads you back into depression. That is what happened when King Ashoka won the Kalinga War – he became depressed. He had to take refuge in Buddha. Wise are those who do not fall either into aggression or depression. That is the golden rule of a yogi. Just...

Several published books of Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of Art of Living, are casual discourses to seekers in different parts of the world and contain practical solutions for everyday problems. But many of the thoughts are revolutionary in nature. Most of the books are pregnant with meaning and written in simple language. Most of the books of Sri Sri Ravishankar have been translated into various regional languages in India including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu. German and Spanish translations of the books are available online. Sri Sri Ravishankar Books An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker – Volume 1 to 7 – Each book in the volume consists of discourses by Sri Sri Ravishankar in a year. There are total seven books. The first volume from June 21 1995 to June 13 1996 and the seventh from July 12, 2001 to July 11, 2002 . Pearls of wisdom offered in the volumes help to overcome several issues in daily life. Anne Elixhauser and Bill Hayden are the compilers. ...