Guruji, what is your idea of God and how can man reach Him through an Art of Living course?

That which is the basis of all creation, from which you can never be separate, that is Divinity, that is God. So there are different levels of understanding. On one level, on the intellectual level, God is like the space, the basis of the whole creation in which we are, we remain and we dissolve All there was. All that is. And all that will be On the emotional level we all seek love. Love is God and God is love.

You know the 5 senses can only understand one thing each - eyes can only see, eyes cannot taste, nose can only smell, it cannot hear, your ears cannot touch, it can only hear, skin only feel the touch, it cannot taste. So each different sense has a limited arena of understanding - only that much it can know.

Similarly, to know God you cannot know through these five senses, that has to be felt from the heart. That is why we say love is God, because only in the state of love, you can experience love.

Through the Art of Living course one can get into that unstressed state of mind. You cannot experience love if you are stressed; so when you get rid of stress and tension and you go deep in meditation, then you realise that. You can feel the love for God, like the pain you feel in the body.

Have you seen God? Some people might like to say that merely doing good without taking recourse to any brand of religion is sufficient to reach that goal? Do you agree?

There are certain questions for which no answer is the right answer. Like if someone is sleeping and you ask ‘Are you sleeping’, and if they don’t answer, then they are sleeping. If they said ‘Yes’, that means they are not sleeping...

This is one such question. So God is not an object of your senses, it is the very basis of your life. When you honour life, then you understand that which is the basis and this whole art is meditation.

Just by rejecting religion, you won’t get anywhere. You don’t have to put a brand on your head and then meet yourself, have a broad vision and deep roots. Just by rejecting religion, you won’t get anywhere... We have seen in this country what communism has done.

It has given birth to Naxalism which is so far from peace, love and progress; through Naxalism you cannot progress. Nobody has made progress so far.

What is your idea of happiness? Are you happy with what you see around you? You seem to be forever smiling? Does anything at all depress you?

Happiness is an idea when you don’t know it, and when you know it, you are it - and you never lose it. You know happiness is the nature of our Being. Whether I am happy with what I see all around me is a question that has to be asked time to time and it will have different answers. As far as the last part of your question is concerned, so far not.

The Art of Living lays emphasis on enjoyment and celebrations. That is a very nice thought, but isn’t there the danger of people becoming too casual about life?

Art of Living emphasises on celebration and commitment. Here knowledge, sadhana and satsang are so charming, discipline becomes natural - we have not found the need to impose a discipline. Discipline is essential. When freedom and discipline go together, life reaches the goal one aspires for.

What is your concept of hell and heaven?

I have none. Heaven is, perhaps, when there is harmony in your environment and within yourself, and hell is when there is no harmony within you and around you.

What in your view is a miracle?

Life itself is a miracle. And forgetting God is a greater miracle. How can someone forget God? It sounds like the greatest miracle.

Does the Art of Living act as an anaesthetic against the reality that is death? Can there be something called the Art of Dying?

You know death is inevitable - the ultimate in everybody’s life. One can’t avoid death. But if you could know life first, then you can understand death - otherwise after dying, you get curious about life and you come back. It’s better to know something that is in hand and also to know that life is going to end.

The Art of Living is a de-anaesthesiser. It actually makes you aware and brings life to every avenue of your life.

Terrorism has been identified as the biggest threat to world society today. What is your prescription for getting rid of it? What are the hurdles in the path?

Terrorism is caused by two things. The first, a hatred towards the other community; the second, a utopian thinking that you are going to go to heaven and enjoy so many pleasures there. If you kill so many people here, you will be rewarded - this sort of wrong indoctrination and wrong interpretation of scriptures is another reason for terrorism today. Why do people kill others? They think they are doing a favour by relieving others of a bad birth... this is a wrong ideology.

Every child should be given scientific and broad-minded education in various other disciplines so that one feels that there is no religious barrier.

How can Art of Living help break the walls built in society and to overcome fear and prejudice?

It’s doing that already. You cannot break the wall just by ideas, just by intellectual discussions, it has to come from the existential level, and for that Sudarshan Kriya and all these things help...

You have said that if you want to introduce religion, let it be the religion of happiness. That sounds like a negation of organised religion, as we know it. Will you expand that concept?

No, definitely we should learn a little about every religion and we should be firm and strong about your own religion. Religion should not create hatred, guilt but happiness. One who is full of happiness, compassion and love is truly religious; it is when one doesn’t see that one gets disheartened. Religious people should bring that happiness. If a religion does not have love and broad-mindedness then it is not worth following.

Do you see the religions of the world, currently involved in a tug of war, reconciling to each other’s existence?

It’s obvious. There were 50 top religious leaders at the World Economic Forum. During three days of working they could not agree on a 10-point resolution declaring that there should not be any war and violence. I think people should wake up: by this sort of exercise nothing can be arrived at.

What is needed is a mass movement and awareness campaign. Sometimes religious leaders, though they want to, are unable to bring about the desired changes as they hold on to their positions. They are unable to talk freely, express themselves. The Art of Living always believes in freedom of expression -- perception, observation and expression

What role do Gurus have in finding solutions to world political problems? Isn’t there the danger of sages dabbling in politics being viewed with skepticism?

Every human being has to strive to bring harmony and peace. Whether Guru or no Guru, peace making is the job of every individual. Everyone should work for peace and harmony - among family, community and nation. And this is perhaps the role of a Guru, to lead one towards truth, towards life, so that every individual, at some time or another, plays the role of a Guru. It is not dabbling with politics - it is about caring for people.

Throughout history all messiahs and Gurus have always cared for people and advised rulers. If only they had listened! And there is no harm in skepticism -- as long as it does not turn cynical. Actually it is the lack of energy, enthusiasm and creativity in people that brings in skepticism.

What is your solution for the Ayodhya dispute?

The so-called secular Hindus are responsible for Ayodhya. Just to prove one’s secular credentials, people have started opposing. If all the Hindus, in one voice appeal for the temple, Muslims will definitely consider. Secular Hindus make Muslims appear uncompromising, inconsiderate and insensitive to the sentiments of Hindus.

In spite of all odds, India is still progressing because there is an innate spiritual tradition. Any country would not be able to face the problem that India is facing without getting disintegrated. The main drawback in India is lack of self-esteem and blame culture.

What is the work being done by your organisation in rural areas?

The 5H is an extremely successful programme which has benefited hundreds of thousands of villagers throughout the country - Health, Hygiene, Harmony in Diversity, Homes and Human Values. Over 20,000 villages have been adopted - Navchetna Shivirs are conducted which create a sense of belonging among people, and a feeling of caring and sharing; self-help groups are encouraged, medical camps conducted and in some places, villages schools have been set up. Tree plantations have been taken up in a big way, along with rainwater harvesting and vermin-culture. Mobile agricultural vans have been introduced in some places to provide assistance to farmers.

What are your long-term objectives?

To see a smile on every face. A smile that is not fragile, a smile that does not evaporate and disappear just like that.

How would you describe yourself?

Just a child - who refuses to grow up

How would you like to be remembered?

As a friend!

You seem to have the answers to all questions. Are there questions to which you are yet to find the answers?

When will our media and politicians become patriotic and spiritual? 

(source: Sify.com / samacharreligion)