Sri Sri Ravishankar and SIMI's talk at KERALA
This happened in Kerela.

Sri Sri gave an audience to the SIMI (Student Islamic Movement of
India) leaders. Four leaders from SIMI came to meet Sri Sri at the residence
of one of the organizers. Following their entry, an air of tension enveloped
the hall where hundreds were waiting to meet with Sri Sri. Naseeb, one of
the devotees, guided them to the room where Sri Sri was sitting with a few
of us. They (the SIMI leaders), were dashing youths in their mid 20's. One
of them was carrying the holy Koran. They were little stern and stiff. Their
eyes were fixed and seemed to reflect an inner fire. They looked prepared to
repulse anything that Sri Sri would tell them and most unlikely to listen to
reason.

Sri Sri was His usual smiling self.

The stage was set. It had all the signs of a classic confrontation. On one
side were the brash youth - intemperate, impatient, driven by ideology and
out to prove their superiority. On the other was a youthful, realized sage,
unperturbed, offering sane explanations that echoed an uncommon depth and
breadth of understanding. Those of us in the room, were eager to see how Sri
Sri would deal with these firebrands. Sri Sri embraced them and offered them
chairs to sit. There was not an iota of difference in His attitude. Any
casual onlooker could be forgiven for thinking that Sri Sri considered these
gentlemen as amongst His most ardent devotees. Perhaps the only difference
that we could see was that they were seated on chairs while the rest of us
were on the floor! For us, it was yet another opportunity to witness the
unconditional love that Sri Sri exemplifies.

The leader of the group spoke first. He asked

SIMI: You had wanted to meet with us.

SRI SRI: Yes. I wanted to understand why your organization was opposed to
the Anandotsavam.

SIMI: We thought that holding an Anandotsavam (celebration) on December 6th
was a deliberate move to insult our religious sentiments. Do you know about
our religion?. Do you believe in the Koran at all?

SRI SRI: Yes of course.

SIMI: (Not expecting this answer, pointing to the Koran, they shot the next
question) We believe that Koran is the only knowledge. What about you?

SRI SRI: This is one amongst the various knowledge revealed to man from time
to time.

SIMI: But God has said this is the only knowledge. The way of the Koran is
the only way. There is no other way.

SRI SRI: This message can be found in scriptures of all religions. In the
Vedas it is said "Naanyah Panthaah Ayanaaya Vidyate" meaning "There is no
other way but the way of Truth!" The same is said in the Bible, Jesus says,
"To go to my father, you have to go through me. I am the only way".

SIMI: But our scripture says worshipping any form or idol is evil, it is
blasphemy.

SRI SRI: What is Good and Evil after all? It is relative. Relative existence
is not the complete picture For example: Milk is good, but too much milk can
kill you. Poison is harmful, but a drop of poison can save your life. Most
lifesaving medicines have poison written on them! These are neither
absolutely good nor bad they are just there. Truth transcends duality, and
God is the Absolute and only Truth. So, where is the place for evil?

SIMI: Yet you Hindus worship many Gods, whereas our ideal is there is only
one God and His message is what is required to go to heaven.

SRI SRI: There is only one god in many forms.

SIMI: (Restless and unwilling to listen to any explanation, they interrupted
Sri Sri.) But the Koran says you should only worship Allah who is formless
whereas the Hindus worship idols which are only stones.

SRI SRI: At this, Sri Sri suddenly asked them: Do you honour the Koran?

SIMI: (They seemed a little taken aback at this question from Sri Sri and
with a righteous air answered). Yes, it is God's word!

SRI SRI: Do you honor the Mecca?

SIMI: Yes, of course! That is our sacred place.

SRI SRI: So also, Hindu's honour God's creation as God. Just like sound
(Koran), the crescent moon, Kaaba and the month of Ramadan are sacred for
you, Hindus consider the River Ganges, the Himalayas, Saints as sacred. See,
a picture of your daughter is not your daughter, but you still adore the
daughter's picture. When you see the picture aren't you reminded of your
daughter?
(They nodded a yes)

SRI SRI: So also, a symbol is not God but is honoured as God. This sense of
honouring and sacredness makes you awake and alive. That is why the ancient
Rishis said to feel the entire creation and your whole life as sacred. They
considered God as omnipresent, as inseparable from His creation; like the
dance and the dancer.

Sri Sri elaborated further - Spirit loves diversity. Is there only one type
of vegetable or fruit? God created many type of fruits and vegetables. There
is not just one type of tree, not just one type of snake, cloud,
mosquito..Even you change your dress for different occasions. So how could
this consciousness that manifested this whole creation be monotonous? There
is only one God in many forms. Only one God is advocated. When you accept
the variety of Divinity, you cease to be a fanatic and fundamentalist. A
pregnant silence filled the room as they looked at each other expecting the
other to speak. Then as a face saving measure, the SIMI leader replied, "I
will need to go and consult my higher scholars." With a compassionate
ex-pression on His face, Sri Sri said: Never mind, (with a wave of His hand)
forget about religion. We are all human beings. Let us have a peaceful
society. Let us focus on development.

SIMI: No No No! What are you saying? You are talking about this world. What
we do here is immaterial. The Koran tells us that what matters is what you
get in eternal life and not to worry about material life. By doing service
to the society you will simply remain here. You have to obey Allah. Allah is
the only God and Mohammed is the last prophet.

SRI SRI: At this Sri Sri stopped them and after a pause asked them: Do you
think the Sikh Gurus are not prophets. Isn't Mirabai a prophet? What about
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
Once again, there was silence. Their ex-pressions had changed. The rigidity
had weakened and in its place was some confusion/uncertainty. Sri Sri seemed
totally at ease unmindful of the challenges posed at Him.

SIMI: No! You can go to heaven only if you believe in Allah and the Koran.

SRI SRI: No my dear - there was Buddha, Mahavira, Nanak, Jesus, Shankara. Do
you think they are not in heaven? If not, then I would rather be with them!

SIMI: You are such a nice person, but we pity you because you cannot get the
truth. You can't go to Allah. You can't be rewarded by Allah. God will never
show mercy on you.

SRI SRI: Never mind. (with a mischievous smile ) I will be with these people
(Shankara, Jesus, etc.)
(Even as we were admiring Sri Sri's patience and objectivity, we were
concerned at the wrong indoctrination that these youths had been subjected
to. We also observed a few others who were in the room were getting a little
restive, possibly wondering why Sri Sri was spending so much time with these
people who were obviously not at all receptive and that too when hundreds
were waiting outside just for a glimpse of Sri Sri.)

SIMI: Do you know, that over 1400 years ago, in the middle of the desert,
God revealed the secrets of creation. Even when there was no science, God
said that the Atom is the smallest particle!

SRI SRI smiled and said: Yes, the same is there in the shaastras too which
were known more than 10,000 years ago. In the shaastras it is said that the
Earth is over 19 billion years old! Truth is beyond time and space. It is
not confined to one time or one place One needs to have a scientific
spirituality.

As if to conclude the conversation Sri Sri gave them Ladoo as prasad. By now
there were traces of a smile on their faces. When they were about to leave
He gave them a hug. They definitely seemed to be less stern than earlier.
Could their attitude have changed? We wondered whether this ('changed
attitude') would persist or would they go back to their old fanatic ways.
But one thing was for sure, Sri Sri had made an impression that they would
not forget!
Later, while Sri Sri was having His lunch, someone asked Him, "Why is that
Islam is producing so many terrorists all over the world? No other religion
has given rise to so many terrorists in the world. What is the reason?"
SRI SRI: Look at the commitment and the fire in them. Take the good from
them and learn what you should not be doing. Don't label them as bad people.
They have not been imparted the knowledge of Vedanta. (Then as He was adding
ghee to the chili powder) He smiled and said "In this creation, there is a
place for everything."
Excerpted from an article written by Swami Sadhyojata and Harish Ramachandran

Ganesh Festival in Mumbai

Ganesh immersion in Arabian sea at Girgaon Chowpatty beach, Marine Drive, Mumbai.





This was the first movie from my Sony handycam. Its a cool model with 40x optical zoom! (digital zoom is 2000x). It has a cool 30 GB hard disk, so no hassles of video cassette or DVD! I posted this video originally at my other blog

Happy Guru Purnima

Today is Guru Purnima.Wish you all a wonderful Guru Purnima.
See my earlier article on Guru Purnima.
Also see Guru Purnima at about.com

Happy Ram Navami

Happy Ram Navmi!

Happy Ram Navmi to all!
Check out my previous post on my Art of Living blog on Ram Navmi
Also check out my post who are you ? - 2.



Check out my latest on my other blog too.

Best v/s worst paradox!

Life is full of contradictions and ironies. Truth is always self-contradictory! I am the best and worst.. I am the most intelligent and most foolish at the same time! I am good and bad at the same time! I am a multi-dimensional guy but think linearly some times.. I am the best and worst.. I am full as well as empty at the same time. I am "everybody" and "nobody" at the same time! [1] I am vast like sky and deep like sea at the same time! I am the best and worst.. I am the most perfect and a crackpot at the same time! I am a dreamer as well as realist. I am the world"s best Dal maker, yet worst cook [2] I am the best and worst.. I am ignorant, yet most knowledgeable! I am rich, yet the poor!! I am a well-educated man and illiterate simultaneously! I am the best and worst.. I am a good mathematician, still bad at calculations! [3] I am an innovator but don"t know what to do at times! I solve everybody"s problems but still I have some problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am the best and worst.. There is no impossibility for me, still I can"t do some simplest! tasks! George Bush is a stupid guy, yet he did some smart things! Her "letting go" is her biggest strengh as well as her worst weakness many a times! I am the best and worst.. Einstein: Most ever intelligent in the mankind history. But he was a slow thinker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isaac Newton: Was the GREATEST ever scientist, but he did stupid things. [4] Osama Bin Laden is the cruelest guy, yet he is kind [to his family and team-members (terrorists!)] I am the best and worst.. I see/touch matter ONLY but I know I have a mind! [5] I am a physicist and spiritualist! [6] Light is waves yet it is particles (photons)! [7] I am the best and worst.. History"s best computer science innovators/pioneers were NOT computer scientists, but they ARE physicists & mathematicians. [8] What you see is NOT truth; Truth is beyond our knowledge/common sense. [9] You practically "see" a mirage which never exists! I am the best and worst.. Light travels in straight-lines ONLY, yet it BENDS too!! I can"t "see" "myself" but I know I exist! I will die in a few decades, still I am ETERNAL; I know I will never ever die! nor was I ever born!! Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya.. Too much to digest?? Just take a cold water shower :) My other blog: Krish Wonders Blog! 1 Watch Matrix movie or read Yoga Vasishta/Bhagavadgita to understand this! 2 Dal is the only thing I can cook! But my Dal tadka has a huuuuge fan following!! 3 I am slow at adding three 2-digit numbers! Solving a multivariable partial differential equation of 20th order is much easier!! 4 Newton made one big hole (in his door) for his large (pet) cat (to enter) and another small hole for his kitten. Eventually both the cats ended up using the big hole only! 5 And I have never "seen" your mind; BUT I KNOW for SURE... You HAVE a mind!!!! 6 A physicist is concerned with physical, "material"/"tangible"/"visible" matter and measurable energy. A spiritualist is concerned with mind and consciousness (spirit). By the way, mind and matter complement each other! there is no contradiction, they are different sides of the same coin!! 7 Same with matter - Schrodinger Equation 8 Pioneers in Artificial Intelligence, parallel processing etc etc were physicists; Internet was invented at CERN labs, its not Yahoo, Microsoft or Apple.... 9 It is technically/scientifically/theoretically&practically POSSIBLE to travel into 1000 years future within just a few minutes!

Happy Maha Shiva Ratri

Happy Mahashivratri to all

Shiva, the Peace within You

Ratri or night is that which gives comfort to the mind, body & soul.
Shivaratri is that which brings a deep sense of serenity & benevolence.
Any meditation you do on this day has a manifold effect, 100 times more
of an effect, for this is the day when spirit touches the earth.




Your Nature is Shiva

Peace is your nature, yet you remain restless.
Freedom is your nature, yet you remain in bondage.
Happiness is your nature, yet you become miserable for some reason or
another.
Contentment is your nature, yet you continue to reel in desires.
Benevolence is your nature, yet you don"t reach out.
Going towards your nature is Sadhana.
Sadhana is becoming what you truly Are!

Your true nature is Shiva.
And Shiva is peace, infinity, beauty and the non-dual One.
Ratri means "to take refuge." Shivaratri is taking refuge in Shiva.

- Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder, Art of Living

Also check out my latest on my other blog http://blog.krishna-reddy.com/

Divine Valentine!

Happy Valentines Day to all Krishna, the Eternal Celebration ABIDING IN THE SELF     Abiding in the self you become the Valentine for the whole world. Spirit is the Valentine of matter and matter is the Valentine of the spirit. They are made for each other. They uphold each other. If you hold onto matter and do not respect the spirit, then matter is not pleased. If you honor the spirit then you will care for the world, and when you care for the world, it will take care of you.     I am the Valentine of the whole world and I reside in every heart. If you are my Valentine, you will see me everywhere. Have the same love for everyone, with different flavors. You cannot behave the same way with everyone, but you can love all of them the same. Love transcends behavior and etiquette. BE LOVED    You don’t need to worry to maintain knowledge. When knowledge is lodged in you as wisdom, it will never leave you. Wisdom lodges itself in your heart. Make the Divine your Valentine (your sweet Beloved). This is the last thing to do and the first thing to do.     Keep your heart in a safe place; it is too delicate. Events, small things make strong impressions on it. And you cannot find a better place than the Divine to keep your heart safe and your mind sane. When you keep your heart in the Divine, the moving time, the passing events, will not be able to touch it, will not create a scar. A precious stone needs a setting around it, gold or silver, to hold it and to wear it; so wisdom and knowledge are that setting around the heart which will hold it in the Divine.    See the Divine in your Valentine and make the Divinity your Valentine (your sweet beloved). Just BE... and know that you are LOVED...That is BELOVED.    Wisdom is to consider the earth as your Valentine. Whether it shakes or breaks, it is dear to you. You always see good coming from it. - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living founder Radha Krishna, the Eternal, Divine Love Check out my To my Valentine poem on my other blog too...

Who are You - 2!!

Wish you all a very Happy Sri Ram Navami!!
Check out my previous article (Who is God?) on Ram Navmi
I hope this serves as a sequel to my previous post Who Are You?
Also see my post on a similar topic Krishna
Thank You all for your overwhelming response for my post "Who are You?"