Q: Why is that people suffer when they are in spiritual path?
Sri Sri: If you are suffering, it is because of foolishness and not because of spirituality. People on the path are strong enough to face turbulent times. If you are not on the path, you will break down. So, spirituality gives you strength!
Q: Which is correct of the two - To say things to you or remain silent knowing that you know it all?
Sri Sri: Both are correct. If you wish to say something, say it out. If it is written to me, you write it. Otherwise know that it is taken care.
Q: What is the difference between prarthana (prayer) and dhyana (meditation)?
Sri Sri: Prarthana is asking God about what you want through your mouth. Dhyana is all about listening to God as to what he has to offer for you. You should listen sometimes. For those who are always asking and not listening, then their prarthana will not be that effective.
Q: What is vairagya (dispassion)?
Sri Sri: If you are dispassionate, then you are enthusiastic and joyful. It is not some state born out of frustration but comes through awareness. In your childhood days, your life was on the cotton candy or the toys. But today you look at those things differently. This is not born out of frustration but through awareness (not sure if He said like this).
Q: I want to do seva always but somehow I am not able to do. How to overcome this?
Sri Sri: You do only those things that reward you. If someone says that they will give one crore to you if you do seva, wont you do it? The laziness is overcome by either greed or fear. Most of the people in the world go to temples because of fear. If you have the conviction, then you can do seva. You don�t seem to do anything without reward. Also these slokas like Lalitha saharsanam they have a section called Bhala Shruthi (Benefits of chanting) without which nobody wants to chant.
Q: What is seva?
Sri Sri: Sai is he, Va is him. Seva is like him. Like whom? Like the Divine. Doing an action like Him is Seva. God is not visible but does all things without expecting and that is seva. Moon shines whether you blame or praise, sun shines whether you like it or not, wind blows, river flows, earth revolves, Trees grows, Flowers blossom without expecting and that is seva. Something that you cant but do is seva. With seva, you get merit and you can get into meditation. You get more luck and come back to seva.
Q: Which is the best route - Bhakti Marg, Gnana Marg or Karma Marg?
Sri Sri: You take one and rest of them come along. You take Adirsam (a sweet in South India). Your liking of adirsam is Bhakti. Knowing what adirsam is Gnana (knowledge). Learning how to make adirsam is Karma. We don�t go to do something we don�t like. Naturally, we like what we create. Likewise, all these are not separate and there is no need to separate it. Life is combination of this and it is Art of Living.
Q: All of us are God�s children. Then why is that in some big temples, they prohibit the entry of some people.
Sri Sri: Yeah, there need not be any restriction like that. Such restrictions were brought during the British Empire. They did not know our culture and entered the temple premises and harassed people. When you see someone get harassed, you get angry and this caused problems. So they came with up a board to prohibit entry. But now, there is no need for such boards.
Q: Should we worry about Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam?
Sri Sri: We have to see these things when we are making important decisions. Also, when auspicious things are planned like marriage and naming ceremony of kids. But for our day-to-day life it should not matter. Don�t think that these times are bad. They are very good for yoga and meditation. You can meditate during these times.
Q: If everything is God�s work, are the good things and bad things occurring to me is also His action?
Sri Sri: God has given you intellect. If you don�t use it, you land up in trouble. Animals have no choice because they have no intellect. We cant be like that. Freedom comes with intellect. So we cant say that everything happens. Life is a combination of Rules and Freedom. Let us say that a cow is tied to a bamboo through a rope. Cow�s freedom is within the rope�s limit. We have little freedom. Increasing freedom is spirituality. Through seva you get merit and achieve increase in freedom. Complete freedom is siddhi. Mind is stable and does not get stuck is free mind and it is called siddha�s mind.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sri Sri: When your right nostril is predominent or more active, then the rate of metabolism is twice! (he asked doctors present there to take this up as a topic for research) So when right nostril is active, food intake is called for! Or Knowledge can be shared. When left nostril is active, then it is appropriate for singing, dance, music and meditation - no talk is required or less talk is preferred. Then there are 5 Upa Pranas - these are responsible for birping, sneezing, yawning, hiccups, twitching of eyes etc. (I did not get all the names but last 2 were Devadatta and Dhananjaya) It is a deep knowledge - how these Pancha Pranas and Upa Pranas enter the body and leave the body. Amazing is the realm of Prana. If you master Prana, you would gain a lot of knowledge on life and environment. In old days or ancient days, beloved or sweetheart was called as Pancha Pran
Sri Sri: You are my heartbeat or sweetheart used to be �You are my Pancha Prana� Prana flows through our body in 186000 different channels or nadis and each of this channel or nadi has a specific purpose or function! This is just to bring to awareness that knowledge on Prana is so vast, what we think we know on breath is nothing! On Gurupoornima Gurudev first shared five signs of a Sad Guru (you would find them in a knowledge sheet as well, let us do some digging through intimate notes to the sincere seekers ) The five signs are - Dukkha Kshay
Sri Sri: Elimination of Sorrow Sukha Aavirbhav
Sri Sri: For no reason happiness blossoms Gyan Raksh
Sri Sri: Knowledge gets protected Sarva Samruddhi - Abundance and no lack in anything in life Sarva Samvardhan - Hidden talents blossom, people who never wrote start composing poetry etc Then He told a story of a young boy. A young buy meditated for a long time so the Creator became happy and decided to bless the boy. So he asked the boy to ask for any boon. The boy said, �Knowledge�. The Creator showed the boy a huge mountain and told him that this is knowledge –
- take as much as you want. The boy - how much he can take? He took four handfuls of knowledge and returned back. The four handfuls then were known as the four Vedas and the boy was called as Vedavyas
Sri Sri: the one who organized Vedas. This is a symbolic story - how the huge mountain of knowledge was and how Vedas are only few handfuls of this mountain. Ayurveda, Atharvaveda, Gandharvaveda are part of Vedas and Upavedas. Then there are Darshanas in which Yoga comes as fourth Darshana. Vast branch of Yoga is just one of the Darshana. Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, and then Yoga-Ayurveda. Nyaya Darshana is the practical tool by which one can validate or verify whether the attained knowledge is authentic or not. Such is the expanse of knowledge and Veda Vyasa has done this amazing work of organizing the knowledge. Because of the ultimate importance of His work, any chair of a teacher is called Vyasa�s chair or Vyasapeeth. The full moon of this Indian Calendar Month is dedicated to Vyasa. Full moon indicates fullness. Fullness that comes out of gratitude. So today we feel grateful for whatever we have got, for all the teachers who have given us knowledge. Be a Guru to someone in life. Meaning, give unconditional love to someone, care for them, be a source of light for them. Help and serve them and be available for them. Being a Guru is a good job (laughter). Then He recited a shloka and explained its meaning as well. For a Guru, if desire comes, then it can be as below - Desire knowledge from Siva, desire liberation from Vishnu. Guru will get victory from everywhere. But the highest source of joy for Guru would be when he gets defeated by his own disciple. When his own disciple excels him, that is the greatest joy for the Guru. What all we desire for? Job, health, marriage? Rather than desiring for these small things, desire something big for the planet. Life is not just to eat, sleep, gossip and die. Eat well, sleep well, meditate well, serve well.
life is not just to eat, sleep, gossip and die. Eat well, sleep well, meditate well, serve well. There was a saying in Kannada which means that even if you know what to eat and what not to eat, how to eat, you would attain Govind
Sri Sri: divinity. Gurupooja which is performed at the occassion of Gurupoornima, is done out of this fullness. How Grace flows in life? When you feel grateful - it starts flowing in life. Pooja is like a small ceremony to remember and be thankful for all the ancient Masters from Holy Tradition. (He permitted all those who had learnt Gurupooja to chant it with HIM and meditation after that had us all blown away) When He woke us up from that deep state, He was smiling with a pristine smile of a child! In the evening a bhajan was sung - Ananda lala.. Nanda Lala.. He said - Nanda is blissful Lala is a child - Aanand
Sri Sri: wakeful blissful child.. so awaken that blissful child in each one of you� :-)))))) (By the way, my memory has sort of run out of whatever He may have additionally said.. please fill in the details if you know.) At one other occassion - He told us a story of Buddha which He said He was saying mainly for children. Once a believer came and asked Buddh
Sri Sri: I believe there is God - what do you think? Buddha replied - You are right. The man went. Then an atheist came and asked Buddh
Sri Sri: I think there is no God - what is your opinion? Buddha replied - You are right. Atheist departed. Then a true seeker came and asked - Buddha, I do not know if there is God or not. I would like to find it out. They say you know the answer. Can you help me please? Buddha smiled and said - You may stay back. Perhaps you may find it. Let us find out. Buddha�s disciples who were watching this, got extremely puzzled and asked Him why He gave three different answers to different people. Buddha replied that believer or atheist had already got concepts firm in their mind, believer may not have experienced God and atheist had closed that possibility for himself. Only the third person was a true seeker as he was ready to explore the truth. At another occassion, a YES/Plus student had asked this question. - Do you think the advanced technology such as iPod, laptops, cell phones have made the young generation more aloof, less communicative and drawn to themselves and unsocial? Gurudev answered - Technology need not be associated with you being unsocial or social. You can have an iPod and a laptop and still you would like to mingle and be social and cordial to people around you. Or you may not have any of these gadgets and still be very unsocial. There is no point in giving excuse of gadgets for being unsocial. The two are unrelated. It is up to you how you want to make use of the technology. And craze of anything new does not stay for long. All these gadgets and instruments, iPod, cell phones or laptops and internet may not replace the need of having new friends around you. Even after acquiring the latest gadgets, after a while, you would still want to come and seek friends to share your life with!
Sri Sri: You are my heartbeat or sweetheart used to be �You are my Pancha Prana� Prana flows through our body in 186000 different channels or nadis and each of this channel or nadi has a specific purpose or function! This is just to bring to awareness that knowledge on Prana is so vast, what we think we know on breath is nothing! On Gurupoornima Gurudev first shared five signs of a Sad Guru (you would find them in a knowledge sheet as well, let us do some digging through intimate notes to the sincere seekers ) The five signs are - Dukkha Kshay
Sri Sri: Elimination of Sorrow Sukha Aavirbhav
Sri Sri: For no reason happiness blossoms Gyan Raksh
Sri Sri: Knowledge gets protected Sarva Samruddhi - Abundance and no lack in anything in life Sarva Samvardhan - Hidden talents blossom, people who never wrote start composing poetry etc Then He told a story of a young boy. A young buy meditated for a long time so the Creator became happy and decided to bless the boy. So he asked the boy to ask for any boon. The boy said, �Knowledge�. The Creator showed the boy a huge mountain and told him that this is knowledge –
- take as much as you want. The boy - how much he can take? He took four handfuls of knowledge and returned back. The four handfuls then were known as the four Vedas and the boy was called as Vedavyas
Sri Sri: the one who organized Vedas. This is a symbolic story - how the huge mountain of knowledge was and how Vedas are only few handfuls of this mountain. Ayurveda, Atharvaveda, Gandharvaveda are part of Vedas and Upavedas. Then there are Darshanas in which Yoga comes as fourth Darshana. Vast branch of Yoga is just one of the Darshana. Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, and then Yoga-Ayurveda. Nyaya Darshana is the practical tool by which one can validate or verify whether the attained knowledge is authentic or not. Such is the expanse of knowledge and Veda Vyasa has done this amazing work of organizing the knowledge. Because of the ultimate importance of His work, any chair of a teacher is called Vyasa�s chair or Vyasapeeth. The full moon of this Indian Calendar Month is dedicated to Vyasa. Full moon indicates fullness. Fullness that comes out of gratitude. So today we feel grateful for whatever we have got, for all the teachers who have given us knowledge. Be a Guru to someone in life. Meaning, give unconditional love to someone, care for them, be a source of light for them. Help and serve them and be available for them. Being a Guru is a good job (laughter). Then He recited a shloka and explained its meaning as well. For a Guru, if desire comes, then it can be as below - Desire knowledge from Siva, desire liberation from Vishnu. Guru will get victory from everywhere. But the highest source of joy for Guru would be when he gets defeated by his own disciple. When his own disciple excels him, that is the greatest joy for the Guru. What all we desire for? Job, health, marriage? Rather than desiring for these small things, desire something big for the planet. Life is not just to eat, sleep, gossip and die. Eat well, sleep well, meditate well, serve well.
life is not just to eat, sleep, gossip and die. Eat well, sleep well, meditate well, serve well. There was a saying in Kannada which means that even if you know what to eat and what not to eat, how to eat, you would attain Govind
Sri Sri: divinity. Gurupooja which is performed at the occassion of Gurupoornima, is done out of this fullness. How Grace flows in life? When you feel grateful - it starts flowing in life. Pooja is like a small ceremony to remember and be thankful for all the ancient Masters from Holy Tradition. (He permitted all those who had learnt Gurupooja to chant it with HIM and meditation after that had us all blown away) When He woke us up from that deep state, He was smiling with a pristine smile of a child! In the evening a bhajan was sung - Ananda lala.. Nanda Lala.. He said - Nanda is blissful Lala is a child - Aanand
Sri Sri: wakeful blissful child.. so awaken that blissful child in each one of you� :-)))))) (By the way, my memory has sort of run out of whatever He may have additionally said.. please fill in the details if you know.) At one other occassion - He told us a story of Buddha which He said He was saying mainly for children. Once a believer came and asked Buddh
Sri Sri: I believe there is God - what do you think? Buddha replied - You are right. The man went. Then an atheist came and asked Buddh
Sri Sri: I think there is no God - what is your opinion? Buddha replied - You are right. Atheist departed. Then a true seeker came and asked - Buddha, I do not know if there is God or not. I would like to find it out. They say you know the answer. Can you help me please? Buddha smiled and said - You may stay back. Perhaps you may find it. Let us find out. Buddha�s disciples who were watching this, got extremely puzzled and asked Him why He gave three different answers to different people. Buddha replied that believer or atheist had already got concepts firm in their mind, believer may not have experienced God and atheist had closed that possibility for himself. Only the third person was a true seeker as he was ready to explore the truth. At another occassion, a YES/Plus student had asked this question. - Do you think the advanced technology such as iPod, laptops, cell phones have made the young generation more aloof, less communicative and drawn to themselves and unsocial? Gurudev answered - Technology need not be associated with you being unsocial or social. You can have an iPod and a laptop and still you would like to mingle and be social and cordial to people around you. Or you may not have any of these gadgets and still be very unsocial. There is no point in giving excuse of gadgets for being unsocial. The two are unrelated. It is up to you how you want to make use of the technology. And craze of anything new does not stay for long. All these gadgets and instruments, iPod, cell phones or laptops and internet may not replace the need of having new friends around you. Even after acquiring the latest gadgets, after a while, you would still want to come and seek friends to share your life with!
Q: (From a 10 yr old) Have you seen Krishna? Who was Krishna? What is Planet Earth made up of?
Sri Sri: Krishna is love. So am I and so are you. Krishn
Sri Sri: meaning that which pulls you the strongest - isn�t love the single force that attracts you? Attraction has root word in Sanskrit called Akarshan which has Vedic root Krishna meaning that which pulls the most. And the earth is made up of that love.
Q: A teenager asked about importance of looks in getting true friends in life..
Sri Sri: [Then Guruji told story of Ashtavakra and then He said that looks are not everything!] Tomorrow you may not have the same looks as you may grow old. People who love you because of your looks may not be with you when you become old. Rather it is better to have someone in your life who would love you for your qualities, for what you are than your external looks!
Q: On anger issue with youth�
Sri Sri: Sound when stretched becomes music Movement when stretched becomes dance Mind when stretched becomes meditation Life when stretched becomes celebration. When you are angry and you have to take it out, sing - sing your anger out �You are stuuuupiiiiid, I am sooooo maaaad at youuuuuu� Music is harmony and anger is disharmony - so when you bring music in, you cannot be angry when you sing {Comment: I loved this part personally, tempted to try it out at next available opportunity!! :)} First Law of Spirituality - Do not blame yourself and others. When you blame yourself, how can you get closer to the divinity within? First Law of Meditation is Effortlessness
Q: What all are the conditions you cannot meditate?
Sri Sri: 1. When you start resisting thoughts 2. When you put effort to focus or concentrate 3. When you have had too much food or no food at all 4. You are not in a comfortable posture 5. When you are with very low Pran
Sri Sri: body without any exercise, you are very dull and lithargic 6. No clear bowel movement, constipation 7. High Blood Pressure What are the realms of existence? Oh, there are so many types of existence.. (other than human form) There are 5 types - Yakshas Gandharvas Kinnaras Devas (Angels) Siddhas - Perfected human beings, prophets Gandharvas are associated with musicians and singers. The lives of musicians may not be happy but theybring happiness to many around them - this is a sign of a Gandharva being associated with them. It is like Neon signboards. They show different words at different times. At a time, certain bulbs lit up and show words like �Colgate�, next instance, some different words glow and would show �Coca Cola� or �Pepsi�. However the bulbs whether lit or not, are present at all the times on the sign-board. Other realms of existence are just like that.
Q: Can Karma get exhausted by Practices?
Sri Sri: If someone is used to chewing gum, if he goes to Singapore for 6 months, he will feel totally out of place for first few days. This is because Singapore has banned chewing gum and importing it is like importing drugs in that country. So first, he would feel a bit strange and then he would get used to it. This is Chewing Gum Karma and he would get over with it. If a person smokes, and he decides to quit smoking - first few days he feels different - his smoking karma gets exhausted after certain days of practice of not smoking. In same way, karma can get exhausted by practices. Guruji on what is YES Plus - Generally youth have a YESmind –
YESmind - they would not say no, this cannot be done, it is impossible. But for them �let us do it� is the way. So such youth exhibit YES! mind. And YES Plus means even more than that! On Lust - �Everytime I see beautiful shapely women , I have lustful thoughts. How do I get out of it?�
Sri Sri: In the first place, do you want to get out of it? (Laughter) When one experiences bigger joy, smaller, temporary joy loses its significance. When you were a child, you would love candies. Or you would be stuck to mom and dad for the whole day. As you grew up, candies lost significance for you. In the same way, when you go more in Pranayama, Meditation and get the pscintillating experience that you are a part of that universal vibrant consciounsness, these shapes would not hold your attention! When there is a channel for love, lust takes the back seat. On death - can we avoid circumstances in life, like death, by means of spiritual practices?
Sri Sri: It is like taking Freeway exits. You can miss one exit, or few exit. But if you are on freeway, where U turn is not allowed, you ought to take some further exit -that is for sure! Guruji on Pancha (Five) Pranas - There are five Pranas that circulate in the body. Prana is in the region from navel upward. Apana is from navel and below region. Imbalance in this prana causes dullness, lithargy, lack of willingness to do anything and inertia. Samana is the one in stomach and navel region - which is impossible for digestion for food. Udana is in trachea region - between heart and throat. This is responsible for emotional status. Imbalance in this prana may either make you feel closed like a stone or vulerable - you may cry a lot or laugh a lot. Vyana prana is the one which encompasses the whole body. Sudarshan Kriya is the only Pranayama that balances all Pancha Pranas and no other breathing exercise. Pranayama with Alternate Nostrils or Nadishodhan pranayam
Sri Sri: Krishna is love. So am I and so are you. Krishn
Sri Sri: meaning that which pulls you the strongest - isn�t love the single force that attracts you? Attraction has root word in Sanskrit called Akarshan which has Vedic root Krishna meaning that which pulls the most. And the earth is made up of that love.
Q: A teenager asked about importance of looks in getting true friends in life..
Sri Sri: [Then Guruji told story of Ashtavakra and then He said that looks are not everything!] Tomorrow you may not have the same looks as you may grow old. People who love you because of your looks may not be with you when you become old. Rather it is better to have someone in your life who would love you for your qualities, for what you are than your external looks!
Q: On anger issue with youth�
Sri Sri: Sound when stretched becomes music Movement when stretched becomes dance Mind when stretched becomes meditation Life when stretched becomes celebration. When you are angry and you have to take it out, sing - sing your anger out �You are stuuuupiiiiid, I am sooooo maaaad at youuuuuu� Music is harmony and anger is disharmony - so when you bring music in, you cannot be angry when you sing {Comment: I loved this part personally, tempted to try it out at next available opportunity!! :)} First Law of Spirituality - Do not blame yourself and others. When you blame yourself, how can you get closer to the divinity within? First Law of Meditation is Effortlessness
Q: What all are the conditions you cannot meditate?
Sri Sri: 1. When you start resisting thoughts 2. When you put effort to focus or concentrate 3. When you have had too much food or no food at all 4. You are not in a comfortable posture 5. When you are with very low Pran
Sri Sri: body without any exercise, you are very dull and lithargic 6. No clear bowel movement, constipation 7. High Blood Pressure What are the realms of existence? Oh, there are so many types of existence.. (other than human form) There are 5 types - Yakshas Gandharvas Kinnaras Devas (Angels) Siddhas - Perfected human beings, prophets Gandharvas are associated with musicians and singers. The lives of musicians may not be happy but theybring happiness to many around them - this is a sign of a Gandharva being associated with them. It is like Neon signboards. They show different words at different times. At a time, certain bulbs lit up and show words like �Colgate�, next instance, some different words glow and would show �Coca Cola� or �Pepsi�. However the bulbs whether lit or not, are present at all the times on the sign-board. Other realms of existence are just like that.
Q: Can Karma get exhausted by Practices?
Sri Sri: If someone is used to chewing gum, if he goes to Singapore for 6 months, he will feel totally out of place for first few days. This is because Singapore has banned chewing gum and importing it is like importing drugs in that country. So first, he would feel a bit strange and then he would get used to it. This is Chewing Gum Karma and he would get over with it. If a person smokes, and he decides to quit smoking - first few days he feels different - his smoking karma gets exhausted after certain days of practice of not smoking. In same way, karma can get exhausted by practices. Guruji on what is YES Plus - Generally youth have a YESmind –
YESmind - they would not say no, this cannot be done, it is impossible. But for them �let us do it� is the way. So such youth exhibit YES! mind. And YES Plus means even more than that! On Lust - �Everytime I see beautiful shapely women , I have lustful thoughts. How do I get out of it?�
Sri Sri: In the first place, do you want to get out of it? (Laughter) When one experiences bigger joy, smaller, temporary joy loses its significance. When you were a child, you would love candies. Or you would be stuck to mom and dad for the whole day. As you grew up, candies lost significance for you. In the same way, when you go more in Pranayama, Meditation and get the pscintillating experience that you are a part of that universal vibrant consciounsness, these shapes would not hold your attention! When there is a channel for love, lust takes the back seat. On death - can we avoid circumstances in life, like death, by means of spiritual practices?
Sri Sri: It is like taking Freeway exits. You can miss one exit, or few exit. But if you are on freeway, where U turn is not allowed, you ought to take some further exit -that is for sure! Guruji on Pancha (Five) Pranas - There are five Pranas that circulate in the body. Prana is in the region from navel upward. Apana is from navel and below region. Imbalance in this prana causes dullness, lithargy, lack of willingness to do anything and inertia. Samana is the one in stomach and navel region - which is impossible for digestion for food. Udana is in trachea region - between heart and throat. This is responsible for emotional status. Imbalance in this prana may either make you feel closed like a stone or vulerable - you may cry a lot or laugh a lot. Vyana prana is the one which encompasses the whole body. Sudarshan Kriya is the only Pranayama that balances all Pancha Pranas and no other breathing exercise. Pranayama with Alternate Nostrils or Nadishodhan pranayam
Q: What all are the conditions you cannot meditate?
Sri SriSri Sri: 1. When you start resisting thoughts 2. When you put effort to focus or concentrate 3. When you have had too much food or no food at all 4. You are not in a comfortable posture 5. When you are with very low Pran
Q: In sleep and death, we lose our senses - what is the difference?
Sri SriSri Sri: Now, how can you say anything about death if you have not experienced it? Let us talk about only what you know (big laughter). After death, we do not lose all the senses. We lose only sense of touch and taste. (From YES Plus group)
Q: - How do we deal with people who are always complaining and negative, walk away?
Sri Sri:: First of all, do not generalize and eternalize the problem � drop that always. Can everyone in LA be sick? Do you always miss exits on Freeways? If they are complaining, and with negativity, they need your help! What good is your positivity if it cannot help those? Is it so weak that it cannot withstand negativity from others? If you feel you are not connected and you do not belong, then you are tired! Take some rest. Give yourself some time. Do not try and go reform someone when you yourself are so low on Prana. Silence makes you feel so wonderful, isn�t it? Everyone is enjoying, so happy by not just talking and having any verbal communication. Communication at the heart level in silence is so powerful. This is required from time to time, once in six months; spend time in silence with your self!
Q: From your book, I got the impression that you advice people to leave ambition. But how can I work if I lack ambition in life?
Sri Sri:: I have said totally contradictory things and it is upto you to make sense out of them! (Laughter) At one place it would have been said - �Get on this shuttle�. Another place it would have been said - �Get out of this shuttle.� You would wonder why do I have to take the shuttle if I have to anyway get down? For those who are all the time thinking about money and future, and feverish about it, I say, drop your ambition and relax! However for young people I would say, �Dream, dream and dream.�
Q: What would be that one human value to follow, please advice?
Sri Sri: If you go to a pharmacist asking for one medicine which cures all diseases, he would grab his head and recommend you to visit mental hospital. In another angle, if you insist, I would say that one value would be caring and sharing. Smile more and care more.
Q: I am an adult � nearing 30yrs, do I leave ambition? Even at this age I aspire to do many things in life.
Sri Sri: Dream big, for the planet! There are 2 types of joy. Joy by means of getting something and joy by giving gifts � children would be happy when they get gifts but grandparents would be happy when they give away gifts. Grandmother / mother would prepare so many dishes when her grand/children visit home, would she cook all that and eat by her? Find joy in giving to the planet!
Q: I turned adult yesterday and it was my 18th birthday � what advice?
Sri Sri: Just stay there, just like me J I am a teenager who refuses to grow. Advice on verbal abuse based on race, skin color etc. If it is just verbal abuse, I would say, have compassion and see how narrow minded they are? They do not have proper education or culture. Smile through it. Either you educate them, or ignore them or educate and ignore them. But if a promotion is denied or no justice is given, then stand up to it. But with a smile, as when you get angry, you lose this chamber (brain/ mind). Smile and ask them to wake up and stand up to your right.
Q: on Karma � cause and effect
Sri Sri: We have so misunderstood this theory of karma. Karma always goes with Dharma (nature or duty), Karma means impressions that you have inherited because of duty. If is 109 degrees Fahrenheit and it is very hot, that is Karma � accepting the sun, the nature is Karma. Your Dharma can be to use umbrella or stay inside air conditioned room. Nature wants you to use your brain which is Dharma. See the past as Karma then you would not regret it (or see it as destiny) See future as Dharma ( so you would stop doing nothing about your future assuming it is destiny) � see future as free will. And live in the present moment.
Q: A doctor asked how s/he can help for healing sick and unhappy people..
Sri Sri: God laughs at 2 instances - when doctor tells a patient, don�t worry, I am there. And another is when someone claims piece of land as his or her own. Do your job of curing people of their diseases, even that is a divine job. Leave the rest to the divine.
Sri SriSri Sri: 1. When you start resisting thoughts 2. When you put effort to focus or concentrate 3. When you have had too much food or no food at all 4. You are not in a comfortable posture 5. When you are with very low Pran
Q: In sleep and death, we lose our senses - what is the difference?
Sri SriSri Sri: Now, how can you say anything about death if you have not experienced it? Let us talk about only what you know (big laughter). After death, we do not lose all the senses. We lose only sense of touch and taste. (From YES Plus group)
Q: - How do we deal with people who are always complaining and negative, walk away?
Sri Sri:: First of all, do not generalize and eternalize the problem � drop that always. Can everyone in LA be sick? Do you always miss exits on Freeways? If they are complaining, and with negativity, they need your help! What good is your positivity if it cannot help those? Is it so weak that it cannot withstand negativity from others? If you feel you are not connected and you do not belong, then you are tired! Take some rest. Give yourself some time. Do not try and go reform someone when you yourself are so low on Prana. Silence makes you feel so wonderful, isn�t it? Everyone is enjoying, so happy by not just talking and having any verbal communication. Communication at the heart level in silence is so powerful. This is required from time to time, once in six months; spend time in silence with your self!
Q: From your book, I got the impression that you advice people to leave ambition. But how can I work if I lack ambition in life?
Sri Sri:: I have said totally contradictory things and it is upto you to make sense out of them! (Laughter) At one place it would have been said - �Get on this shuttle�. Another place it would have been said - �Get out of this shuttle.� You would wonder why do I have to take the shuttle if I have to anyway get down? For those who are all the time thinking about money and future, and feverish about it, I say, drop your ambition and relax! However for young people I would say, �Dream, dream and dream.�
Q: What would be that one human value to follow, please advice?
Sri Sri: If you go to a pharmacist asking for one medicine which cures all diseases, he would grab his head and recommend you to visit mental hospital. In another angle, if you insist, I would say that one value would be caring and sharing. Smile more and care more.
Q: I am an adult � nearing 30yrs, do I leave ambition? Even at this age I aspire to do many things in life.
Sri Sri: Dream big, for the planet! There are 2 types of joy. Joy by means of getting something and joy by giving gifts � children would be happy when they get gifts but grandparents would be happy when they give away gifts. Grandmother / mother would prepare so many dishes when her grand/children visit home, would she cook all that and eat by her? Find joy in giving to the planet!
Q: I turned adult yesterday and it was my 18th birthday � what advice?
Sri Sri: Just stay there, just like me J I am a teenager who refuses to grow. Advice on verbal abuse based on race, skin color etc. If it is just verbal abuse, I would say, have compassion and see how narrow minded they are? They do not have proper education or culture. Smile through it. Either you educate them, or ignore them or educate and ignore them. But if a promotion is denied or no justice is given, then stand up to it. But with a smile, as when you get angry, you lose this chamber (brain/ mind). Smile and ask them to wake up and stand up to your right.
Q: on Karma � cause and effect
Sri Sri: We have so misunderstood this theory of karma. Karma always goes with Dharma (nature or duty), Karma means impressions that you have inherited because of duty. If is 109 degrees Fahrenheit and it is very hot, that is Karma � accepting the sun, the nature is Karma. Your Dharma can be to use umbrella or stay inside air conditioned room. Nature wants you to use your brain which is Dharma. See the past as Karma then you would not regret it (or see it as destiny) See future as Dharma ( so you would stop doing nothing about your future assuming it is destiny) � see future as free will. And live in the present moment.
Q: A doctor asked how s/he can help for healing sick and unhappy people..
Sri Sri: God laughs at 2 instances - when doctor tells a patient, don�t worry, I am there. And another is when someone claims piece of land as his or her own. Do your job of curing people of their diseases, even that is a divine job. Leave the rest to the divine.
Q: (Child of 11 years old) Guruji, how many avataras are there?
Sri Sri: Oh! there are many avataras!! (Laughter!!)
Q: Who is the self?
Sri Sri: Who is asking this question? Devotee replies: Kannan.
Sri Sri: Ok, so who is this kanan? D: A mix of many things.
Sri Sri: A mix of many things!??! (Laughter!!) Who knows that it is a mix of many things? He. That is it. Got it? We need to sit down and ask our self this same question, �Who am I?� ask again and again. Whatever answer comes discard them. (Laughter!) DO not take any body�s answers. I tell you anyone else�s answer is good for nothing! Ask only yourself. Then you will get the right answer and you will get the answer to a lot of other questions also.
Q: What are the five signs of a Guru?
Sri Sri: The five signs of a Guru are Dukhakshaya: Misery disappears. Sukha avirvhava: Joy swells up in His presence. Gyanaraksha: Knowledge dawns. Sarva Samvardhana: You become more talented. Samriddhi: You will have plenty.
Q: How to overcome the fear of death?
Sri Sri: If you have love in your life then fear reduces.
Q: Guruji, how to deal with people who are judgemental?
Sri Sri: Never mind!
Q: Guruji, when can we have a fearless, stress free non-violent society?
Sri Sri: We all have to work towards it. Today we need warriors of peace and love, that will put an end to this war. This war is a game. People who are making others engage in this work stun me. People can be so insensitive!! Blinded! Cannot see humanness at all!! Only money, and money is all they can see. Very unfortunate!! People who don�t see the truth, do not honour life. They will suffer. A time will come they will suffer. One-day life will just turn around!
Q: Guruji, my friends tease me. I tell them about meditation. They start teasing me. What do I do?
Sri Sri: Friends tease you? You know what you should do? Face them and tell them on their face, ok now start teasing me. I am all ready to be teased. As they go on, just look into their eyes and smile. If they call you a donkey, tell them, �yes I am, so I can kick you�. If they tell you, �you are a ghost�. Tell them, �yes I am a ghost. I am a holy ghost�. Never keep a long face. Stare.. Just stare into their eyes and smile at them. If they say, �Oh you are such a fool!�. Tell them yes I am a fool. (Guruji making a face, innocent and cute) If they tell you, �you are a monkey�. Tell them, �yes I am a monkey. Here is my tail�. (Guruji showing an imaginary tail) Stand up to their teasing. That�s why, you know, if you do the YES+ course you become so invincible, that nobody can shake you. You know in many schools and colleges, children go into depression because of teasing. Some of them even turn schizophrenic.
Q: - Mind is not in control, still how can one learn compassion?
Sri Sri: Virtues cannot be acquired or cultivated externally. Just assume that you have all the virtues within you. If they are not coming to the surface, just go deep within, connect to your source and effortlessly they will manifest!
Q:ART Excel group - Guruji, we love you!
Sri Sri: You do not have any choice! Neither do I. Mind needs to be firm and body supple � generally it is other way round � mind flimsy and body stiff � inviting problems! Life force energy has amazing power, not just on your mind but also on your body (after some healing experiences in satsang) Rights � First there is no need to ask your rights � if you are asking them, meaning you have already given them away! Assume you have all the rights, carry them in your pocket! Certain things you need to assume in life and one of them is your rights. Most of the time people who fight for rights, do not realize that they are fighting with an empty chair! Person occupying that chair is concerned about his or her own name and fame and does not care about the world around. This is why we need to spiritualize politics. We have become so consumerist that we have allowed destruction of our environment. Business has lost sense of social responsibility Thus business needs to socialize. And we need to secularize religion. Why do you pray for people from only one religion? And why cannot you pray for all the people? And this is globalizing wisdom!
Sri Sri: Oh! there are many avataras!! (Laughter!!)
Q: Who is the self?
Sri Sri: Who is asking this question? Devotee replies: Kannan.
Sri Sri: Ok, so who is this kanan? D: A mix of many things.
Sri Sri: A mix of many things!??! (Laughter!!) Who knows that it is a mix of many things? He. That is it. Got it? We need to sit down and ask our self this same question, �Who am I?� ask again and again. Whatever answer comes discard them. (Laughter!) DO not take any body�s answers. I tell you anyone else�s answer is good for nothing! Ask only yourself. Then you will get the right answer and you will get the answer to a lot of other questions also.
Q: What are the five signs of a Guru?
Sri Sri: The five signs of a Guru are Dukhakshaya: Misery disappears. Sukha avirvhava: Joy swells up in His presence. Gyanaraksha: Knowledge dawns. Sarva Samvardhana: You become more talented. Samriddhi: You will have plenty.
Q: How to overcome the fear of death?
Sri Sri: If you have love in your life then fear reduces.
Q: Guruji, how to deal with people who are judgemental?
Sri Sri: Never mind!
Q: Guruji, when can we have a fearless, stress free non-violent society?
Sri Sri: We all have to work towards it. Today we need warriors of peace and love, that will put an end to this war. This war is a game. People who are making others engage in this work stun me. People can be so insensitive!! Blinded! Cannot see humanness at all!! Only money, and money is all they can see. Very unfortunate!! People who don�t see the truth, do not honour life. They will suffer. A time will come they will suffer. One-day life will just turn around!
Q: Guruji, my friends tease me. I tell them about meditation. They start teasing me. What do I do?
Sri Sri: Friends tease you? You know what you should do? Face them and tell them on their face, ok now start teasing me. I am all ready to be teased. As they go on, just look into their eyes and smile. If they call you a donkey, tell them, �yes I am, so I can kick you�. If they tell you, �you are a ghost�. Tell them, �yes I am a ghost. I am a holy ghost�. Never keep a long face. Stare.. Just stare into their eyes and smile at them. If they say, �Oh you are such a fool!�. Tell them yes I am a fool. (Guruji making a face, innocent and cute) If they tell you, �you are a monkey�. Tell them, �yes I am a monkey. Here is my tail�. (Guruji showing an imaginary tail) Stand up to their teasing. That�s why, you know, if you do the YES+ course you become so invincible, that nobody can shake you. You know in many schools and colleges, children go into depression because of teasing. Some of them even turn schizophrenic.
Q: - Mind is not in control, still how can one learn compassion?
Sri Sri: Virtues cannot be acquired or cultivated externally. Just assume that you have all the virtues within you. If they are not coming to the surface, just go deep within, connect to your source and effortlessly they will manifest!
Q:ART Excel group - Guruji, we love you!
Sri Sri: You do not have any choice! Neither do I. Mind needs to be firm and body supple � generally it is other way round � mind flimsy and body stiff � inviting problems! Life force energy has amazing power, not just on your mind but also on your body (after some healing experiences in satsang) Rights � First there is no need to ask your rights � if you are asking them, meaning you have already given them away! Assume you have all the rights, carry them in your pocket! Certain things you need to assume in life and one of them is your rights. Most of the time people who fight for rights, do not realize that they are fighting with an empty chair! Person occupying that chair is concerned about his or her own name and fame and does not care about the world around. This is why we need to spiritualize politics. We have become so consumerist that we have allowed destruction of our environment. Business has lost sense of social responsibility Thus business needs to socialize. And we need to secularize religion. Why do you pray for people from only one religion? And why cannot you pray for all the people? And this is globalizing wisdom!
Q: Guruji does all our wish gets fulfilled in this lifetime. In case it does not, then do we have to come again in the next life?
SRI SRI: Its all getting fulfilled in this lifetime only. Isn�t it? How many of you have experienced this?
Q: Guruji, what is the relation between the mind and the soul?
SRI SRI: The mind is like the waves and the soul is like the ocean.
Q: Guruji, I have been with you for the last 7 years. In these years you have never given me a smile. Will you please look at me and smile once?
SRI SRI: You are telling this to someone who always smiles!! Smile is something that doesn�t leave me for a moment! And you are saying I don�t smile at you!??!? One thing is, do not look at the outer expression. Sometimes I garland some people and sometimes I spent time with some people. Don�t judge by all that external expressions. It�s not always the act of looking through the eyes that matters. Just know that we are connected.
Q: How can I do total surrender?
SRI SRI: Oh ho!!! Don�t worry about surrender. Surrender is not an act. It is your very nature. So you cannot but surrender.
Q: Guruji, in our life how much is destiny and how much is free will?
SRI SRI: March and April is rainy season in India so it will rain. You cannot alter that. But you have a choice to use an umbrella, which will protect you. Do you see what I am saying?
Q: Guruji I am 65 years old. Is there any way I can come out of the web of the Samsara!??! Will I be ever free in this lifetime? Please give me an early way out.
Sri Sri: Of course! At the age of 65 you cannot say this. Just wake up and see. You have no responsibilities. You know nature will take care of certain things� Tell me how do you go to sleep? Just like that. You know if you want to feel free you can feel it right now!
Q: Guruji tell us something about the Maya?
Sri Sri: Maya.. Ok Maharaji will tell us something about the Maya! (Laughter!!) *
Q: Guruji can you please tell us about the Guru shishya relationship? The relation between the Master and the Devotee?
Sri Sri: It�s a very special relationship. It cannot be described. It�s like who you are to yourself. The same way� Teacher is just a mirror to your self. You know where you can be natural. You know that you are never judged. Because he knows you well you know!! (Laughter!!)
Q: What is the meaning of Anahata?
Sri Sri: Ahat means clash. Anahat means no clash. Like clapping with one hand. (Clicking) Even to click you need two fingers right? No, only with one finger. Should be no sound. There should be inner sound. Like the ancient people used to hear some sort of sounds in their meditation. You know when they used to sit for meditation. How many of you have had this experience? Of seeing some light, hearing some sound and getting some fragrance!! Yeh! That which is connected to any of the five senses of touch, hear, smell, see, and taste. This is all possible.
Q: In the basic course, a sutra says that �Do not see intension behind other people�s mistake�. Guruji what should we do when our own people cheats us and does mistakes?
Sri Sri: Educate them. And educate them and sometime they will learn
Q: Guruji, fear of there is still persisting. How to eliminate or overcome?
Sri Sri: Fear, Love and Hatred come from the same energy. You need to mediate. As you meditate� There are 5 kinds of jiva. It�s all there to maintain the body. Like too much salt in the food may spoil the food, it becomes inconsumable. Little fear is fine. Little fear helps you to fully blossom.
Q: Guruji in the advance course you said �that is how it is�. What does it mean?
Sri Sri: It means knowing things as it is. Too much of judgment brings bitterness.
SRI SRI: Its all getting fulfilled in this lifetime only. Isn�t it? How many of you have experienced this?
Q: Guruji, what is the relation between the mind and the soul?
SRI SRI: The mind is like the waves and the soul is like the ocean.
Q: Guruji, I have been with you for the last 7 years. In these years you have never given me a smile. Will you please look at me and smile once?
SRI SRI: You are telling this to someone who always smiles!! Smile is something that doesn�t leave me for a moment! And you are saying I don�t smile at you!??!? One thing is, do not look at the outer expression. Sometimes I garland some people and sometimes I spent time with some people. Don�t judge by all that external expressions. It�s not always the act of looking through the eyes that matters. Just know that we are connected.
Q: How can I do total surrender?
SRI SRI: Oh ho!!! Don�t worry about surrender. Surrender is not an act. It is your very nature. So you cannot but surrender.
Q: Guruji, in our life how much is destiny and how much is free will?
SRI SRI: March and April is rainy season in India so it will rain. You cannot alter that. But you have a choice to use an umbrella, which will protect you. Do you see what I am saying?
Q: Guruji I am 65 years old. Is there any way I can come out of the web of the Samsara!??! Will I be ever free in this lifetime? Please give me an early way out.
Sri Sri: Of course! At the age of 65 you cannot say this. Just wake up and see. You have no responsibilities. You know nature will take care of certain things� Tell me how do you go to sleep? Just like that. You know if you want to feel free you can feel it right now!
Q: Guruji tell us something about the Maya?
Sri Sri: Maya.. Ok Maharaji will tell us something about the Maya! (Laughter!!) *
Q: Guruji can you please tell us about the Guru shishya relationship? The relation between the Master and the Devotee?
Sri Sri: It�s a very special relationship. It cannot be described. It�s like who you are to yourself. The same way� Teacher is just a mirror to your self. You know where you can be natural. You know that you are never judged. Because he knows you well you know!! (Laughter!!)
Q: What is the meaning of Anahata?
Sri Sri: Ahat means clash. Anahat means no clash. Like clapping with one hand. (Clicking) Even to click you need two fingers right? No, only with one finger. Should be no sound. There should be inner sound. Like the ancient people used to hear some sort of sounds in their meditation. You know when they used to sit for meditation. How many of you have had this experience? Of seeing some light, hearing some sound and getting some fragrance!! Yeh! That which is connected to any of the five senses of touch, hear, smell, see, and taste. This is all possible.
Q: In the basic course, a sutra says that �Do not see intension behind other people�s mistake�. Guruji what should we do when our own people cheats us and does mistakes?
Sri Sri: Educate them. And educate them and sometime they will learn
Q: Guruji, fear of there is still persisting. How to eliminate or overcome?
Sri Sri: Fear, Love and Hatred come from the same energy. You need to mediate. As you meditate� There are 5 kinds of jiva. It�s all there to maintain the body. Like too much salt in the food may spoil the food, it becomes inconsumable. Little fear is fine. Little fear helps you to fully blossom.
Q: Guruji in the advance course you said �that is how it is�. What does it mean?
Sri Sri: It means knowing things as it is. Too much of judgment brings bitterness.
Q: Guruji, today on the teacher�s day, I would like to give (Arpan) you something. Can I come and give you?
Sri Sri: Yeh, yeh. But what you want to give me? You are already mine! If you want to give me something, give me your problems; give me your stress� huh!
Q: What can an ordinary person like me ask the best Guru like you?
Sri Sri: (laughter!!) Well, you want me to even tell you what to ask? If you don�t know what you need then how can I answer? You should ask for which you genuinely need and answer. If I tell you what you should ask that no longer remains your question, It becomes my question.
Q: Guruji, if soul does not change than how does a person loose his innocence from childhood to adulthood?
Sri Sri: Innocence is never lost. The intellect sometimes clouds the mind. And that�s why it seems as though the innocence is lost. You only have to know that you don�t know much.
Q: Guruji what is the difference between enthusiasm and feverishness?
Sri Sri: You tell me the meaning of each first then I�ll tell you the difference. (Laughter!!) I tell you drop everything and relax!
Q: Guruji, there is so much contentment in your presence. I feel I am loved and taken care of right now. But will you stay with me forever?
Sri Sri: You always have me. Do you worry whether sun will rise up tomorrow or not? You don�t, right? Do you worry whether you will get to see the full moon next month or not? No! What is yours you will always get it. I would just tell you one thing. Relax.
Q: Guruji, our mind always wants to do the easy work. How do we ensure that we are doing the right thing?
Sri Sri: That which gives you long-term joy and short-term misery is the right action. But that which gets you some short-term joy but a long-term misery follows. That action is not the right action. It�s intelligent to avoid long-term misery at the cost of short-term pain
Q: What is the most beautiful thing in this world?
SRI SRI: It is that you recognize that, �this is beautiful�. Only a beautiful person can recognize the beauty in everything. So therefore, if you say to someone, �you are stupid� with your one finger pointing towards him, just know that three other fingers are pointing towards you!! Similarly if you say someone, �you are beautiful� then just know that three fingers are pointing at you saying, �you are beautiful�.
Q: Guruji, if soul does not change than how does a person loose his innocence from childhood to adulthood?
Sri Sri:Innocence is never lost. The intellect sometimes clouds the mind. And that�s why it seems as though the innocence is lost. You only have to know that you don�t know much.
Q: Guruji, What to do when Intellect comes in between the head and the heart?
Sri Sri: Never mind. Befriend it. Don�t try to fight it.
Q: Guruji what is the difference between enthusiasm and feverishness?
Sri Sri: You tell me the meaning of each first then I�ll tell you the difference. (Laughter!!) I tell you drop everything and relax!
Q: What can an ordinary person like me ask the best Guru like you?
Sri Sri: (laughter!!) Well, you want me to even tell you what to ask? If you don�t know what you need then how can I answer? You should ask for which you genuinely need and answer. If I tell you what you should ask that no longer remains your question, It becomes my question.
Sri Sri: Yeh, yeh. But what you want to give me? You are already mine! If you want to give me something, give me your problems; give me your stress� huh!
Q: What can an ordinary person like me ask the best Guru like you?
Sri Sri: (laughter!!) Well, you want me to even tell you what to ask? If you don�t know what you need then how can I answer? You should ask for which you genuinely need and answer. If I tell you what you should ask that no longer remains your question, It becomes my question.
Q: Guruji, if soul does not change than how does a person loose his innocence from childhood to adulthood?
Sri Sri: Innocence is never lost. The intellect sometimes clouds the mind. And that�s why it seems as though the innocence is lost. You only have to know that you don�t know much.
Q: Guruji what is the difference between enthusiasm and feverishness?
Sri Sri: You tell me the meaning of each first then I�ll tell you the difference. (Laughter!!) I tell you drop everything and relax!
Q: Guruji, there is so much contentment in your presence. I feel I am loved and taken care of right now. But will you stay with me forever?
Sri Sri: You always have me. Do you worry whether sun will rise up tomorrow or not? You don�t, right? Do you worry whether you will get to see the full moon next month or not? No! What is yours you will always get it. I would just tell you one thing. Relax.
Q: Guruji, our mind always wants to do the easy work. How do we ensure that we are doing the right thing?
Sri Sri: That which gives you long-term joy and short-term misery is the right action. But that which gets you some short-term joy but a long-term misery follows. That action is not the right action. It�s intelligent to avoid long-term misery at the cost of short-term pain
Q: What is the most beautiful thing in this world?
SRI SRI: It is that you recognize that, �this is beautiful�. Only a beautiful person can recognize the beauty in everything. So therefore, if you say to someone, �you are stupid� with your one finger pointing towards him, just know that three other fingers are pointing towards you!! Similarly if you say someone, �you are beautiful� then just know that three fingers are pointing at you saying, �you are beautiful�.
Q: Guruji, if soul does not change than how does a person loose his innocence from childhood to adulthood?
Sri Sri:Innocence is never lost. The intellect sometimes clouds the mind. And that�s why it seems as though the innocence is lost. You only have to know that you don�t know much.
Q: Guruji, What to do when Intellect comes in between the head and the heart?
Sri Sri: Never mind. Befriend it. Don�t try to fight it.
Q: Guruji what is the difference between enthusiasm and feverishness?
Sri Sri: You tell me the meaning of each first then I�ll tell you the difference. (Laughter!!) I tell you drop everything and relax!
Q: What can an ordinary person like me ask the best Guru like you?
Sri Sri: (laughter!!) Well, you want me to even tell you what to ask? If you don�t know what you need then how can I answer? You should ask for which you genuinely need and answer. If I tell you what you should ask that no longer remains your question, It becomes my question.
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