Launched the Institute of Absolute Intelligence with scientists and spiritual seekers in NYC. Encouraged more research on the science of consciousness.
Here are the questions and answers from the World Meditation Day address by @Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in yesterday's conversation
Questions & Answers from the Session
Question 1: In ancient times, why did people meditate, assuming they had no troubles?
Answer: Gurudev explained that troubles have always existed, but ancient meditation was also driven by a deep inquisitiveness about life, consciousness, and the universe. They meditated to gain knowledge. He emphasized that wellness is a byproduct of meditation, not its primary purpose.
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Question 2: How can meditation bring world leaders and nations to peace and harmony, especially in a world with so many conflicts?
Answer: Conflicts arise in the mind from perceived threats. Meditation helps by slowing aggression, eliminating anger, and improving understanding and communication between people. When human interaction is soothed, solutions are "just around the corner."
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Question 3: What daily discipline do you suggest for young people who feel anxious, competitive, and disconnected?
Answer: He noted that young people often face extremes of either aggression or depression. He recommends breathing and meditation to help them become more centered and find inner strength. He mentioned that meditation strengthens the ACC region of the brain, increasing resilience, and can open telomeres in our DNA, which has an anti-aging effect.
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Question 4: After intense workdays, the mind can be too agitated for meditation. What is your advice?
Answer: He suggests doing a few gentle yoga stretches (asanas) first. Then, use a guided meditation from an app (he mentioned the Satva app as an example) to make it easier to go deeper into a meditative state.
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Question 5: From a Vedic perspective, the soul incarnates to gain experience. How do you explain the suffering a person bears if the soul itself remains untouched?
Answer: Suffering is in the mind, not the soul; it is caused by ignorance. Pain is in the body. The soul is always in a state of bliss. He described the three bodies (gross, subtle, and causal) and explained that meditation is the act of consciously getting in touch with the causal body, which is the source of all energy and intelligence.
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Question 6: What is the purpose and goal of a human being in this life?
Answer: He began by stating, "One who knows will not tell you. Anyone who tells doesn't know." He then offered a practical exercise: sit and write down everything that is not the purpose of your life. By negating what it isn't, you will be left with the truth.
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Question 7: How can I stop carrying other people's pain and live my own life without guilt?
Answer: Meditate and bless them. Your thoughts have power, so use them to wish others happiness and freedom from pain. He also advised encouraging them to meditate as well.
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Question 8: Does regular meditation contribute to becoming a successful leader?
Answer: "Definitely." He listed several key benefits for leaders:
* Freedom from stress, leading to clearer perception.
* Increased self-confidence.
* Better communication.
* Compassion, by creating a balance between sensitivity and sensibility.
* Enhanced innovation and intuition.
He refers to meditation as "mental hygiene," as essential as dental hygiene.
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Question 9: Is it selfish to not want to spend one's entire life in selfless service?
Answer: Service becomes a natural phenomenon when there is a sense of belongingness. You don't consider caring for your own mother or children a "great service"; it's a natural expression of your connection. When that sense of belonging expands, service flows naturally.
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Question 10: How can we promote meditation globally, and how can I convince my husband to practice?
Answer: He humorously declined to advise on convincing a spouse. To promote meditation more broadly, he suggested changing the perception that it's only for monks or spiritual people. It should be presented as a form of "mental hygiene" that everyone needs to stay centered and happy.
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Question 11: Is it possible to achieve freedom in this lifetime? If so, how?
Answer: Yes. Freedom is achieved as you become more fulfilled and satisfied, and as you hold onto fewer cravings and aversions.
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Question 12: How can one balance a spiritual life with a corporate lifestyle, especially when meditation leads to a feeling of detachment from the material world?
Answer: He advised seeing spirituality and material progress as complementary, not opposing. Spirituality is a boon for ethical progress. While meditation can feel so good that you want to "run away" from the competitive world, he stressed the importance of balancing both. You must do your work and also enjoy your meditation.
Source
World Meditates with Gurudev at United Nations | 17 Dec 2025 https://t.co/rftcGpIBcf
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@Gurudev@BangaloreAshram It was beautiful to spend this evening with young minds and seeing India's future bright and secure in their hands. Laughing meditation was good. It was cherry on cake after Yesterday'd HSR satsang. So grateful and blessed to be in your presence my dear loving Gurudev.
The @BangaloreAshram was abuzz with energy as thousands of youth came together for special programs and meditation. Also honored the following young achievers and entrepreneurs making a lasting difference in various fields:👇
@Gurudev@Tejasvi_Surya@msrbommanahalli Grateful and blessed to attend this beautiful event at HSR layout, so well organised event. Happy that local people able to get Gurudev's blessings and message on drug free India. Thousands of people felt peace, calmness with Mediation led by Gurudev. kudos to organizing team.
Thousands gathered in HSR Layout, Bengaluru, for a Makar Sankranti special evening of music and meditation, joined by Hon. MP @Tejasvi_Surya and Hon. MLA @msrbommanahalli.
Delhi High Court Protects Personality Rights Of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Injuncts Deepfake And Morphed Content
@ArtofLiving@Gurudev
https://t.co/50W39D3odE
@narendramodi Proud to our nation and proud of you modi ji. Lucky to have a prime minister of our nation. May God give you immense strength and blessings to work on progress of our nation.
Jai Hind...Vande Mataram