Share the wisdom of Sri Sri Ravishankarji - 15 & 16.

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Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

Share the wisdom of His holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

 

 

15. DEPRESSION

 

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 too much stimulation. They need

inspiration, and spirituality is that inspiration.

 

Depression sets in if there is a lack of zeal to fight. Aggression is the

antidote to depression. Depression is the lack of energy; anger and aggression

are bolts of energy.

 

When Arjuna was depressed, Krishna inspired him to fight and thus breathed

life back into 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 wake up and acknowledge you are a yogi.

 

16. DEATH

 

Death brings you in touch with the reality of life. Death creates a vacuum, a

void and this void is fertile ground for the spirit to manifest. All talents,

invention and creativity spring forth from the void; creation has a tendency to

return to the void. All places of worship in all religions are connected with

places of burial or cremation because only the awareness of death can bring

dispassion and can ground you in knowledge.

 

According to Indian mythology, Shiva abides in both Mount Kailasa and in

Smashana. Kailasa means “where there is only celebration” and Smashana is the

cremation ground- “where there is only void.” Divinity dwells in the void as

well as in celebration. In you there is void; in you there is celebration.

 

Wake up and see your life is too short. The realization that life is short

will bring dynamism to your life- unwanted things and distractions will fall

away. When you must act or make an effort, know that life is short. Time is

running out.

 

What are you doing with your life? Is your life useful to you and the world

around you? Realize that life is too short. When you realize life is short,

procrastination falls away.

 

But when you know there are many lifetimes, you realize that if you do not get

it sooner, you will get it later. Wake up! Life is eternal!

 

When you want to enjoy the fruit of action, know that life is eternal. When it

comes to hope, you should know that there are many lifetimes. The ignorant

person does it the other way- he hurries for the result and is impatient. But

impatience disappears when you know that the life is eternal. When you expect

some one to return a favour, or you expect a result, you are often frustrated.

When you are in a hurry, you cannot enjoy. Know that life is eternal.

 

If someone takes advantage of you or does not thank you, thank them because

they will pay you back later with interest. No one should feel remorse that they

have been exploited or are unappreciated. When it comes to enjoying the fruit of

your actions, good deeds or blessings, know that life is eternal.

 

To be contd. . . . 17.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.