Generation Gap
41
throw him out of the house. When his older brother tried to talk to
him, he threatened to kill him. His family came to me for advice. I
told them not to say anything to him or else he would react
adversely. And if they were to throw him out of the house, he
would turn into a criminal. I told them to let him come and go as
he pleased without judging him. They were not to harbor any
attachment (raag) or abhorrence(dwesh) towards him. They were
to maintain equanimity and compassion towards him. After three
or four years, this man turned into a good person. Today he is an
invaluable asset in the family business. This world is not useless,
but we need to know how to extract use from it. All beings are
divine and each person has his or her own duty to fulfill. So do not
harbor any dislike for anyone.
(P.200)
I witnessed a man kicking the door of a toilet and I asked
him why he was doing so. He told me that although he kept
cleaning the toilet, it still smelt bad. How foolish it is to keep kicking
the door because the lavatory smells bad? Whose fault is it?
(P.201)
So many parents keep beating their children. Are these
children punching bags? They are as fragile as glassware. So you
must handle them with care. What would happen if you throw
glassware? You must handle the children gently.
(P. 204)
You worry about the children you have now, but what
became of the children you had in your past life? What did you do
with them? You have left your children behind in each lifetime. In
some previous lives, you have even abandoned them while they
were still helpless infants. Even though you did not want to, you
were torn away from them. You have forgotten all that and then in
this life you have some more children. So then why are you quarelling
all the time with your children? Guide them towards spirituality
and they will improve.
(P.209)