Life Without Conflict Life Without Conflict | Page 27
10
Life Without Conflict
If a person sees another person eating an onion dipped in sugar
syrup, he will do the same. Onions are such that they become
useless when dipped in sugar. People have no awareness;
nothing but absolute ignorance prevails within them. They go
around with a belief of “I am something.” Who are we to tell
them otherwise? Even a simple shepherd has this same belief
because he owns two cows and two bulls. He believes that he
is their superior. He can treat the animals however he wants to.
Even if man does not have anyone to control, he ends up being
the boss of his wife. How can you deal with someone who has
no discretion or awareness of what is appropriate and what is
not? Liberation aside, one should at least have some awareness
as to what is beneficial and what is harmful in daily living.
You are better off using a cotton bed sheet, which you
have paid for rather than using a silk bed sheet, that has been
given to you for free. You may question the benefit in doing
such a thing. The reason behind this is, if you use things for
which you do no have to pay, you become accustomed to it
and then when things no longer come free, you have difficulties.
Old habits die hard! Everyone in this world is using things
without awareness. If we ask prominent religious heads to sleep
on a luxurious mattress, they will find it very uncomfortable and
will not be able to sleep at night. Some people become
accustomed to sleeping on a mat and others on a mattress. God
does not accept either the penance of an ascetic or the luxuries
of a householder person. God says that only when things are
done with an inner awareness, is it correct. If there is no
awareness, and you develop a habit, then it is meaningless.
First you must understand what is involved in each path
and then you must decide which one you want to follow. If
you do not understand, ask ‘Dada’, he will tell you which
paths are hazardous, and which one is the right one. You can
then follow that path with his blessings.