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.