Tips for Healthy and Happy Living: Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Health is not a mere absence of disease. It is a dynamic expression of life – in terms of how joyful, loving and enthusiastic you are.” So how can you achieve the state of perfect health in today’s fast-paced life? Here are some tips.
Ensure that you have high quality food – It is important that you have the right type and the right amount of food. Vegetarian food is full of prana (life), light and easy to digest. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables; nuts and seeds; raw honey and ginger. Avoid stale food, excess oil, spices and sugar. If you do not wish to be dull and lazy, stay away from non-vegetarian food and too much garlic and onion. Frozen, canned and processed food is also not good for our health.
Pay attention to your health – Today, there are over 3000 published research on the myriad benefits of the ancient practices of Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation on our body and mind. Practicing the techniques for a few minutes every day will help maintain good health.
Relationships – This is something that disturbs everybody, and there are many questions about it. I have three pieces of advice, one for men, one for women and one for both.
First, for women – never step on the ego of a man. A man should not be pressurized to prove himself at home.
Second secret is for men – don’t step on the emotions of women.
Third, advice for both – do not question the other’s love for you. Don’t keep asking, “Do you really love me” or say, “You don’t love me!” This sort of complaining, demanding for love is not good. Demand destroys love, in you and in the other person too.
I want each one of you to be magnanimous; come from a space of, “I’m here for you!” Just imagine, when both say these words, there is so much harmony. When both want to grab, there is disharmony. When we move from the joy of getting to the joy of giving, we have matured in life, and this is a sign of success.
Spend a few days in silence – Being in silence, meditating, learning more about our self for few days in a year can make such a big difference to our lives. It’s like getting your battery fully charged. You learn about your soul, about who you really are, and why we have come to this planet. What is the purpose of life; is it simply eating, sleeping, gossiping and dying one day or is there something more? We can discover all these things if we take a little time out for our self.
Definitely, a silent retreat once or twice a year can be very good. Then, you will see that nobody can take the smile away from you, nobody can disturb you as you become so strong from within. And many more avenues, dimensions within you will open up.
