Aptavani-1 Aptavani-1 | Page 234

Aptavani-1 209 Questioner : Dada, why is it that when we get into disagreements, the elders always point out the mistakes of the younger ones? Dadashri : It is like the old preying on the young. Instead why doesn’t the older person take the blame on himself? If he were to do that, it would solve the problem. What I do is, if the other person is not able to tolerate the mistake, I take it upon myself. I will not find faults or blame others. Why should I leave it to others to swallow the bitterness when I have a ‘stomach’ as vast as the ocean? Look how the Indian Ocean takes the water of all the sewers of Bombay. We too should do the same. By doing so you will impress your children and others and they will learn from that. The children too will realize that you have a heart as big as the ocean. Deposit whatever comes your way. There is a principle that is applicable to the worldly life and it is : the person who insults you also gives you his energies. So accept all insults with a smile. If you push down on one eye with your finger, do you not see double? Now whom can you blame for that? That is how it is with everyone in the world. They continue to make mistakes every minute that passes by. They are constantly absorbed in circumstances (par-samaya) that involve everything but the Self. They always have time for other things and never for the Self. Those who do not know the Self are in parsamaya. Only after realizing the Self, is one in the circumstances of the Self (sva- samaaya). People’s vision has become flawed and consequently they see everyone else’s faults except their own. You have to make your vision flawless. First you, yourself, become flawless (the pure Self) and then your vision turns flawless. You are liberated when you do not see faults in anyone. Everyone is bound by his or her own mistakes. If one