Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

*Awakening Hour : Aug-18, 2024* _Compilation of key points_ 1. *Vibhuti Yoga* : _Assume Mahapralaya has come and everything is destroyed and gone. Then, mind becomes peaceful and close to yourself. Applying Vibhuti on forehead or body is an ancient tradition as it reminds us of our death and the temporary nature of our body and hence brings the mind in the present moment. 2. *7 Agnis* : Agni is visualised as a deity with 2 heads and 7 tongues. Why ? Because Agni can be used for constructive or destructive purpose - so 2 heads. And Agni is of 7 kinds - _Bhutagni, Kaamagni, Jatharagni, Kaalagni, Premaagni, Krodhaagni, Gyaanagni._ These Agnis can become destructive if Gyaanagni is not used. And Gyaan says excess or extreme is not advisable - moderation or balance is needed in all Agnis. 3. Sacrificing the tendency of selfishness _Main Main_ our smallness has to go to experience divinity. 4. How the Art of Living programs impacts others ? Here, Gurudev spoke about how AOL techniques change the energy of a person i.e. the vibrations of the person.. Everything is vibration, how our vibration impacts at times even without speaking. 5. Connection between Guru and disciple is key. It does not matter who chooses whom. 6. How to increase the power of Sankalpa ? The more you are in bhakti and silence, the stronger is your Sankalpa. 7. Problem arises when we want the solution to all our problems ! If we drop the effort to solve and instead show valour to go through what life presents to us, we will be more centered. We want perfection so we become imperfect. 8. Meditation and Bhajan, Satsang are the food for soul 9. Mantra takes you to peace and from a peaceful mind, the mantra becomes more powerful. This is Mantra Siddhi. 10. How to be in the present moment ? This question was asked by being in the past or in the future. Drop this question to come to the state which is actually the present moment. 11. Everything is consciousness. 12. All of us should read the Bhagvad Gita as it is the principal scripture of our nation. Gita was given in the battlefield and we face problems daily in life. So Gita can help us. 13. Mukti is for the mind and not the Atma. 14. When Shiva gets angry, he burns the Samsara. When ordinary person gets angry, he burns himself. 15. To deal with friends who are not yet on the path, Gurudev suggested call all friends for a party / picnic and celebrate differently incorporating Asanas, Surya Namaskar etc. 16. Crying out of gratitude or prayer has great strength. 17. From wine vibrations we must change the environment to divine vibrations. 18. Make your mind like Modak i.e. make the mind Prasanna and offer it to the Divine. Ganapati is coming soon. 19. Either _Laukik Jeevan hain_ OR _Parmatma_ is there. When you see Samsara, then Ishwar is not seen. And when you see Ishwar, then Sansara is not seen.