Question:
This phenomenon of gurus is a dominant trend in today's society. What do you have to say about this, the so-called `cult' culture that is so widespread?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Cult is different. It is exclusion. This word doesn't exist in India. It means you belong only to one and everybody else is an outsider. Spirituality is not a cult at all. It says the whole world is your family.
Every religion could be a cult, but spirituality demolishes the boundaries of cult or religion. Spirituality says all belong to one. Take the example of Mahatma Gandhi. Everybody came to him. Do we ever say Mahatma Gandhi cult or Gandhi Cult? We don't, because it doesn't exclude anybody, it includes everyone. Spirituality includes everyone.
Do you call Guru Nanak a cult? No. Why? Because in Guru Nanak's darbar there were Hindus and Muslims. Where everyone comes together with a universal message of harmony and peace, it cannot be called a cult.
