Q & A around Guru Poornima

Q. How to deal with anger?
A. Anger is ok. I have a technique for you. Whenever you get angry,
sing.
If you get angry on your husband/wife, scold them by singing. Opera singing is even better. See if you can do it. (He sings a couple of lines... .You stupid, what did you do to me. and everyone breaks into laughter) If possible take a guitar and sing with it. It must be very interesting. Some people will become musician like this.

Anger comes when you go out of certain rhythm. And, music is bringing that rhythm back. Antidote for anger is music, exercise, karate, martial arts..
You know martial arts have to be done without anger. In Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjun, .Arjun, fight but not with anger or hatred.. Now, anger does not take permission before coming. Don.t regret anger.

It.s ok to be angry with children. If you don.t get angry at them, they become so weak in the world. They cannot take criticism. They become weak.
You should know the limitation though. You know how much salt should be put in the food. How cold or warm, your finger will tell you. As parents, don.t feel guilty for scolding your children. Thinking that way you become stressed and are preparing yourself to get more upset or
angry.

Q. With your hectic schedule, don.t you get sick/tired?
A. Not so far.

Q. As the saying goes, .charity begins at home.. How can we do sevaoutside when we are needed at home?
A. You are talking about your spouse? You need to balance. If you say
I'll do all my home work before I do seva then that will never happen.
Because so many things keep coming for home and it will not stop. You cannot neglect your home also. But at home it.s called duty not seva. Outside it is seva.

Q. Whenever I feel like doing seva, I start finding excuses. Bless me
that I can do some seva.
A. Just keep doing seva, blessings are already there. Good things in life you should not delay. Just do it. Whenever you get a chance to do spiritual practice, seva, generosity, don.t miss it. Those are the real catchy moments of your life.

Q. Guruji, do you have some clue for severe allergy in Bay Area?
A. Yoga, proper food, more Vitamin C and drink plenty of water in the morning. How many of you have habit of drinking tea or coffee in themorning? (many raised their hands). First thing in the morning drink 1litre of water. Lukewarm water is better, but not ice-cold water.
(Someone asked, .Before brushing your teeth or after.). I would say after brushing your teeth. Even otherwise is ok.

Q. So what if I become rich, so what if I become successful, so what..So what .. So what..
A. So what if I don.t answer this question? For whatever has happenedyou can say so what. But for things in future if you say, so what if Iate anything, so what if I get sick... it doesn.t work like that. .Sowhat., is used to go inwards, not when you are active. When you want to
rest, when going to bed, you can use .so what.. You don.t want to go tobed with your coat, shirt and tie. Just like this mind is clinging onto some events, so we drop it using .so what.. It.s a technique. Itbrings freedom. But you can't apply 'so what' in activity.

Q. I feel like I.m losing control of my life.
A. When were you in control of your life? If you ever thought you
were in control of your life, then I.m sorry, for your ignorance. What is
that you are going to lose? Do you have any control over your thoughts?
They come like a stream.

After Pranayam and Meditation you have become aware of this. Now that you know what.s happening then you started questioning. So now you are getting control, you are becoming aware of your thoughts. When we conducted courses in prison, prisoners told, oh I can watch my thoughts. They regret had they done this before they wouldn.t be there in prison.

Don.t worry you are not losing control. These are the moments when you realize nothing is in your hands. Pray. Prayer will make your desire strong. It will fructify.

Q. [Something about possibility of observing joy & sadness, envy &
praise, etc. at the same time.]

A. Emotions are not very clear. Sometimes you are happy with something and unhappy for something else. Sometimes when you change a place, you are happy about moving to the new place but sad for leaving the old place. I've seen even between father and son or husband and wife, conflicting emotions of envy and praise. It's a flow of energy. Energy moves.
There's no demarcation.

Q. Can [Is] there be contrast in life?
A. Yes, life is full of contrast.

Q. [Something about NOW or present moment]
A. In NOW you know
everything. It.s vast. It.s ticking. When in NOW you know the future also.

Q. [Something about depression]
A. You know 20% of Europe is in depression and it is estimated that in next 10 years 48% of Europe will be depressed.