Full Transcript of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji's Kashmir Program !

Full Transcript of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji's Kashmir Program ! “Good morning everybody. Wow! Kashmir ki kaliyan khil gayi hain! (The buds of Kashmir have blossomed!) I feel so happy being here in Kashmir. The love and affection I am receiving from you all fills my heart with joy. It’s such a wonderful day that we are all here to take a pledge — that we will see that Kashmir is free from drugs. My dream has always been a society free from violence, bodies free from disease, minds free from confusion, intellects free from inhibition, and souls free from sorrow. This is the birthright of every human being. I like to see a smile on everyone’s face. I am happy — you are already smiling. That is the 'Art of Living'! --- *The Five Golden Principles of the Art of Living* Art of Living is based on five simple yet powerful principles: 1. Balance of mind. In life, we all get happy times and tough times. But in all times, keep your mind balanced. Have faith that only the best will happen to you. 2. Accept people as they are. You cannot expect everyone to be like you. Just as you want others to accept you as you are, learn to accept them as they are. You know, when you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you! So introspection is necessary for growth. 3. Don’t be a football of others’ opinions. We often get carried away by what others think about us. Don’t let yourself be manipulated. Be motivated, not manipulated. Be a thinker — have your own ideas, while listening to everyone. 4. Drop the past. How many of you have made mistakes? Raise your hands. Yes, everyone has! So when you make a mistake, just say, “Okay, I made a mistake — now let’s move on.” You would like others to forgive and forget your mistakes, right? Then you must also forgive and forget others’. 5. Live in the present moment. Live in the now. Have a scientific temper. Learn to question, to reason, but also to stay joyful and spontaneous. --- *Gurudev on the Modern Mind's Attention Span* You know, when I was studying in college, the class period used to be 55 minutes. The bell would ring after 55 minutes. Today, do you know what is the attention span? Thirty seconds! Are you all here? (smiles) Those sitting in the gallery, are you here? You talk to someone, but their mind is somewhere else. Right? You don’t like it when people don’t pay attention to you. So, this constant distraction, social media, and anxiety about the future — all this creates stress. “What will happen to me? What will I become?” This constant worry drains your energy. And when people lose energy, they look for escape — and that’s when they fall into drugs. --- *The Real Cause of Drug Addiction* Why do people take drugs? One, because they don’t want to live with stress. They think drugs give relief. Two, because they are not happy with normal sensory experiences — they want something higher, something more exciting. So, they seek an “altered state of consciousness.” But the tragedy is — they go in the wrong direction to find it. Those who are addicted — don’t blame them. Don’t push them away. Embrace them. Understand them. Help them. Many want to come out of it but don’t know how. That’s where we can help. The secret is in their own breath. With a few minutes of Sudarshan Kriya (taught in Basic Course of Art of Living) and meditation, a sea change happens inside. The mind becomes clear, stress disappears, and joy returns. So today, let’s take a vow — we will neither take drugs nor let anyone around us take drugs. If someone has gone into it, we’ll help them come out. --- *On Depression and Aggression* One more big issue among youth today — depression and aggression. When you see someone with a long face, don’t just pass by. Stop. Shake hands. Hug them. Ask them, “Hey, what’s wrong?” Sometimes, a two-minute conversation can save a life. In youth, energy can go in two wrong directions — aggression or depression. But this is the time to be creative, joyful, and full of enthusiasm. Let’s not waste our youth in anger or sadness. --- *The Mind and the Heart* You know, the mind always wants something new — new fashion, new gadget, new iPhone! But the heart always loves the old — old friends, old memories. Life is a combination of both — old and new. Like a tree — roots are old, shoots are new. So, keep the scientific temper of the mind, and the warmth of the heart. --- *The Great Heritage of Kashmir* I was just telling some professors earlier — when I travelled around the world, I came across a book called Spandakarika, a text of Kashmiri Shaivism. It talks about vibrations — that everything in the universe is vibration. Modern physics discovered this only recently, but it was written here in Kashmir thousands of years ago! Like how India gave the world the concept of zero — Kashmir gave the world the science of consciousness. We must own it and take pride in it. Kashmiri youth are brilliant, dynamic, and full of heart. The only obstacles are stress and small-mindedness. Let’s overcome both. --- *Questions from the Youth* Q: In a region that has seen decades of unrest, how can young people cultivate peace and resilience? Gurudev: We need to heal past wounds and move on. Meditation will help — it is not foreign to Kashmir. It is your heritage! Kashmir gave meditation to the world. It doesn’t interfere with religion. Religion is separate; spirituality is universal. Meditation sharpens the intellect, energizes the body, and brings happiness to the mind. Q: How do you see the role of Kashmiri women in peace and progress? Gurudev: Kashmiri women have great power. They influence men deeply and can bring peace to society. They can play a big role in rebuilding and healing. Q: How can Kashmiri art, language, and music be revived in modern times without losing their essence? Gurudev: We must pay attention to our art — carpets, crafts, painting, music — and take pride in them. Women can lead this revival. Q: What message would you like to give the youth of Kashmir to promote harmony? Gurudev: Travel! Travel across India and the world. When you meet people from everywhere, you realize — everyone is part of you. Life is short — there is less time to love, so why fight? Even so-called “bad” people are not bad — just misguided, misunderstood, or misfortunate. They need compassion, not condemnation. There are no outsiders. All belong to us. --- *Closing Guidance* Now tell me — how many of you have neck and shoulder pain from too much screen time? (smiles) Many of you raised your hands! Alright, I’ll show you a small exercise — it’ll relieve you instantly. Stretch your arms behind your head… turn… (Gurudev demonstrates playfully). Keep doing this every day! --- *Final Message by Gurudev* You are the light — Jyoti Svaroop — within you is the radiance of the Divine. Recognize it. Awaken it through meditation. There’s less time to love and serve, so don’t waste it in anger or stress. Serve, sing, meditate, and smile. That is the *Art of Living*.