Share the wisdom of Sri Sri Ravishankarji - 30.

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

Share the wisdom of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankarji

30. 30.RESPECT

 

Why do you respect someone? You respect them because of good qualities such as

honesty, wisdom, love and talents. But all these change in time and when they

change, you lose respect. You only respect greatness.

 

I have tremendous respect for each and every one of you. Not for your

greatness or wisdom or talent, but for the very person you are. I respect

everyone totally, so I can never lose respect for anybody, however they may be.

Someone does not need to be great in order to be respected. Respecting life

makes you great. Do not look for respect from others – that makes you weak. Have

respect for the Self and no one can take your self respect.

 

When others respect you, it is not because you possess some virtues. It is

because of their generosity, their greatness. If you say God is great, it makes

you great. God is already great; you are saying so does not affect God. When you

respect someone, it only shows your magnanimity. However many people you do not

respect in the world, that much less is your wealth. If you respect everyone in

the world, that much more is your value. Wise is the one who respects everyone.

 

Question: “But how can you respect a terrorist or a criminal?”

 

You should have respect for a terrorist because he shows you the way at his

own cost. Respectfulness is a quality of refined consciousness. Respect for the

Self is faith and faith is being open.

 

Respect everyone as you respect me, but do not expect from everyone what you

expect from me.

 

You do it the other way. You do not respect everyone as you respect me, but

you expect them to give you joy and you expect them to behave ideally. When they

do not live up to your expectations, you get frustrated and you blame or curse

them. By cursing, you lose your spiritual energy. Blessing raises your spiritual

energy.

 

The world is full of differences; arguments are inevitable. With forbearance,

patience and wisdom skillfully make your way. If you find fools around you, they

will make you wiser. The number of fools around you indicates the strength of

your centeredness. Do not try to get rid of them!

 

If you are not centered, you will not have the patience to endure them. When

you are totally established, you find that fools give you wisdom. They are your

own reflection, there is no other. Fools offer you frustration and wisdom. The

choice is yours.

 

Thank those who do not respect you. They have given you freedom. When people

respect you, they often take away your freedom. They expect you to smile at

them, recognize them, and behave in a certain way with them. If they do not

respect you, you are not obliged to answer their questions and you can drop all

formalities. You will be naturally smiling or frowning. Either way you will be

complete.

 

When people love and respect you, you are obliged to return their courtesies

because you do not want to hurt them. But when they do not respect or love you,

they will not be hurt by your actions and words, so they set you free.

 

When you gain respect, you often do it at the cost of your freedom. Wisdom is

to put freedom first and not bother with respect.

 

True freedom is not an “I don’t care” attitude. It is lightness from within, a

genuine smile and lack of stiffness. Such freedom will not bring arrogance. True

love blossoms only in such freedom. And when there is genuine love, respect

simply follows you.

 

Contd . . . 31.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.