I was part of a small group in a small room with him, in addition to the Satsang of huge hall of commoners. in the evening. I will tell you and Anantha Kadur privately of the topics discussed. I did not pay anything, as I was an invitee. During the large gathering, he mostly answered questions from devote attendees, which was given to him written on paper strips. I could not believe the silly and easy questions he gets, answers with simple common sense, sprinkled with jokes. I have noticed that lot of these devote type laugh for silly jokes, as if it is bliss. I was really expecting deep thoughtful, spiritual (I do not still know why that tag is given to nothing great) and profound speech. There was none of that at all. I was also surprised that there were few thousand people gathered, sitting on the ground just like in India. Probably, at least quarter of a million dollar collected. I also noticed a Silence session in one of the large halls. Whatever these devotes do in the name or belief that it is silence, is a mistaken and misguided avenue to nowhere meaningful of useful. I really saw only the Art of Selling and NOT Art of Living I also noticed that there were a lot of marketing and selling in a real sense. I noticed a marketing / sales stall where they sold clothing that Sri Sti wore. People were waiting for a long time just get a darshan of him, when he walked in or out of a hall for session. Even the music was very ordinary. The bhajan, which I call music, was nothing great, nor the contained any profound lyrics. They were run of the mill bhajans with below average singers, except for one lady with a good high pitched voice. If asked, I can compose few songs with lyrics and full spectrum of truly international instruments. I could incorporate musical instruments as varied and diverse as Japanese, Chinese, African, South American, European, Greek, Indian, and some totally techno. I liked the singers singing not only Indian songs, and also hallelujah (I liked the rendition). Even though it was mostly Indian, the first and second generation, there were sprinkles of white of a broad age spectrum, blacks of wide age spectrum, orientals (I mean Chinese, Japanese.... Indian thought, which being an incorrect and unauthentic word, whereas sanaata dharma is the authentic word, is full of diversity anyway. Rest of the world after centuries and few millennium behind Bhaarata (which is the real world for India) in understanding, recognizing and practicing diversity. This particularly came out very well in the unequivocal statements and tone of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I liked his down to earth tone and spirit, when he answered the questions. It is not just him, and also applies for all religious and no religious and non denominational spiritual leaders, are not getting posed and stumped with very difficult and most importantly genuine questions and challenges. As some of you know, being this ultimate agnostic, I have not just attended or listened to some many religious / spiritual leaders, have especially shared the stage lecturing with my down to earth and agnostic posture. In the private session, I realized he is out of touch with common life,of being special most of his guru life. Private Group Session: He said that he had heard that there are homeless people in Los Angeles. I told him that he should simply visit, as an ordinary person, in places like Golden Gate Park, some busy streets of big cities to see homeless and beggars. I even told him that in the years I have lived in USA, things are getting worse. He also mentioned that USA with only 6% of the world population has 25% of the world population in jail. He probably meant that India is better. He did not seem to realize that in India most who should be in jail are really in mansions, in Vidhana Soudha, in big corporations as CEOs and in government jobs publicized differently, but are really bribe collectors.. However, I was very impressed by the NRI youth in their zeal, purpose of seva and giving back to India. I have some videos and photos of the event I will post when I get time.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:51:54 +0000