Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living, has a unique style and enjoys a universal acceptance. The Organiser/Panchjanya had a lengthy talk with him during the convention of scholars recently on the occasion of Acharya Abhinavgupt”s millennium celebrations in Bengaluru.
Excerpts from the talk on issues ranging from terrorism, agriculture, and impending elections in five states.
No sermons, no speeches in conventional style…You teach the ‘Art of Living’. What is this art about?
Art of Living is just a name. Its objective is to make people tension-free, and to add zing to their lives. Around 355 years ago, when it was started, people might have had many doubts over it. The common people had no interest whatsoever in Yoga. People thought that Yoga was all about smearing ashes on body by the sadhus along the Yamuna bank.
However, many people in our country today have rejuvenated the Yoga. People have increased curiosity for Yoga . There is curiosity among people about the “art of living”. We may say that people”s perception has changed now.
You travel overseas, especially in the countries where the violence is at its peak. From where do you get inspiration to go there?
See, the Gita is required in the Kurukshetra, where the battle took place. A story in this regard is told, that when Lord Krishna was readying to meet Duryodhan, his servant asked, “Lord, where are you going?” On this, he said that he was going to meet Duryodhan. The servant was surprised and said, “Lord, he should come to you”. But he gave a beautiful reply that the light goes to the
darkness, the darkness does not come to light. We also felt that when we will go to the violence-affected
countries and put our view, the people there would benefit. Thus, going to a violence-affected place and preaching about peace is necessary; giving the message of peace at a non-violent place is useless.
An attempt has been made to rejuvenate the saint tradition through Acharya Abhinav Gupt”s millennium celebrations in Bengaluru. How do you see this event?
The saints in our country have always played a progressive role. They have given a new direction to the society. However, as this stream gets disrupted, there is a need to
rejuvenate the tradition. Our saints have never been conservative and orthodox. The saints were even harassed because the society has two streams – one that has a scientific outlook while another which promotes its own selfishness. This is why the society is always divided in two factions. A fear is generated among people that their religion is under danger. Misleading discourse is floated in the society.
Terrorism is a universal threat. Is there any spiritual way to fight it?
Terrorism is a big scourge in this age. Terrorism is not a new thing for Bharat because our nation has been fighting with it for the last 400 years. The kings here ruled like terrorists and tortured the subjects. I believe that unless there is a scientific outlook in the faith and unless there is spirituality, the ignorance and tension will remain in the society. Terrorism is also an outcome of the tension and ignorance. Only the Bharatiya spiritual knowledge can take the individual to the right direction. The nation is today accepting this. Recently we went to 12 countries where MoUs were also signed. The schools there had witnessed violence and the Art of Living tied up with them to curb it. The people appreciated it and I was also given the highest civilian award there. We were invited in Kota in Rajasthan as well where the students are committing suicides in the coaching classes. We are in regular contact with them on this issue and the educational institutes there admit that the situation is improving with our participation and association. Crores of people all over the nation have joined us.
There is buzz about the new experiments in the fields like agriculture and energy. What are these experiments?
See, these experiments are aimed at environment-friendly development and the well-being of the society. We have the paddy crop standing six feet tall. All the farming is free from chemicals that also saves water. In Andhra Pradesh and Marathwada, the income of farmers reached to Rs 1,314 lakh with our association. You may call it the green revolution of a kind. Another thing, the skill development scheme is also underway. Before the dawn of new year, 36 villages in Arunachal Pradesh, at the Chinese border, were supplied electricity and that too through solar energy. Every house was fitted with the solar light and integrated system was installed. In Diwali, a thought came to mind as to what about those countrymen who have only darkness in their houses? With this thought, the resolve to illuminate 36 villages in Arunachal Pradesh was made and we realised this resolve on January 1.
What would be your message to people in five states going to poll ?
People should pro-actively participate in voting. If there is 100 per cent voiting, change would surely come. People should vote beyond their class, caste and religion and elect the right person. It will help the nation go the right way. This is what my message is.
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