Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Way of Grace

Q. Is Enlightenment really possible for the average person?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, a big yes!

Actually, Enlightenment is easier for an ordinary person than for someone who thinks that they are special. You see, when someone thinks they are special, their ego becomes involved. They think, “I am a great teacher.” “I am a great writer.” This is ego.

Enlightenment is dropping the ego. Whenever someone is ordinary, simple, innocent and natural, that itself is Enlightenment. Your very nature is Enlightenment. It is in you already in seed form. When you drop all the tensions and become natural, then it is right in your hand. We simply need to let go of the old patterns that are in the mind. Then you see that something beautiful in you dawns and flowers.

Enlightenment is the very core of your Being. Go into the core of your-self and live your life from there.

We all came into this world gifted with innocence, but gradually, as we became more intelligent, we lost our innocence. We were all born with silence, but as we grew up, we lost the silence and were filled with words. We once lived in our hearts, and as time passed, we moved into our heads.

Now, the reversal of this journey is Enlightenment. It is the journey from the head back to the heart, from words back to silence — getting back to our innocence in spite of our intelligence. Although very simple, this is a great achievement.