{"id":30268,"date":"2020-12-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gurudev.artofliving.org\/work\/uncategorized\/from-de-addiction-to-parenting-dealing-with-anxiety\/"},"modified":"2020-12-08T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T18:30:00","slug":"from-de-addiction-to-parenting-dealing-with-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"work","link":"https:\/\/gurudev.artofliving.org\/de\/work\/leadership-ethics\/from-de-addiction-to-parenting-dealing-with-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"From de-addiction to parenting & dealing with anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"

A conversation of Sanjay Dutt with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on May 9th, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n

Excerpts of a conversation from the Heart-to-Heart series, dialogues of thought leaders with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This series, among others, explored various aspects of society and life to offer hope and solace during the global pandemic. Popular film actor Sanjay Dutt seeks guidance from Gurudev on a host of topics.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sanjay<\/em>: Guruji, in all of us, there is a munna and a bhai. I mean that there is an innocent and a tough element. What is the role of both these attributes?<\/strong>
\nGurudev<\/strong><\/em>: Both have a role to play. When people around you are bhais- tough – then you become a munna – innocent; and, when they are all munnas – innocent, then you become a bhai – tough. Both roles are important; depending upon the situation, you have to react with spontaneity. So, whatever role is required at the time, you should be able to play. However, you can do that only when you are centered in yourself, and blissful within. Then when required, you can be innocent or tough. Both are present within you.<\/p>\n

They will present themselves…life will evoke the required emotions – as the situation demands.<\/p>\n

Sanjay<\/em>: Guruji, what would you like to say to the youth about the drug menace?<\/strong>
\nGurudev<\/strong><\/em>: Find a bigger vision – like serving one\u2019s society, one’s country. You have your entire life ahead of you, don\u2019t ruin your life with drugs. You can become a good actor, politician, businessman, and even a good social worker. Drugs will make your body weak and you will not be able to enjoy family life, which gets badly affected. Everyone connected with you \u2013 relatives, friends – will be so sad and upset.<\/p>\n

Take a sankalpa<\/em> – a decision, a promise, that you will see all those around you happy, and move ahead with that sankalpa. For a short, altered state of mind and unreality, you will make people around you and yourself so unhappy. To get that experience of an altered state of mind, do the Sudarshan Kriya<\/a>, pranayama, meditation. See, you will get better results from that, and your body too will stay healthy.<\/p>\n

I understand that it is difficult for you to leave drugs but I am with you to help you through the process. You just have to be willing, and I will show you how easy it is to shun it. Without effort, without much difficulty, you will be able to leave this addiction. You will not even be aware that you are free of the addiction. This is all one wants – that you be willing to leave this addiction, and then I will help you.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need a torch in front of the sun, only at night. Just like this, there will appear such joy inside of you that these drugs will automatically leave your body and mind. I have seen in foreign countries that when people come on the path of meditation, with just a little bit of pranayama, the need for drugs becomes less and, eventually, they do not desire it at all. And in our states of Punjab and Haryana, the youth have such valor, and you can go far in the world of sports \u2013 there is so much you can do. I am with you to help you get rid of your addiction to drugs, and Sanjay is with you too.<\/p>\n

Sanjay<\/em>: Guruji, whilst in jail, I had a lot of hope that there would be a miracle, and I would be released quickly. But there was no miracle. And, only when I was to come out did I come out. So what would you say – how much power is there in prayer? Or, should one not ask for something in prayer? Or, how should one pray?
\nGurudev<\/em><\/strong>: When we have faith and we feel that all doors are closed to us and there is no way out, prayer happens by itself. There is this prayer that comes up from deep within. Praying that we want this, we have to and must get it – this is one opportunity for prayer. Prayers arise when we are completely constrained. When we feel there is no support anywhere. The other is when we are grateful and feel, \u2018Oh lord we have so much\u2019. We thank god. So there are these two situations: one of helplessness, and the other of gratefulness. Both move together. Some good comes from it.<\/p>\n