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Aptavani-9
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said that the one who has beggary for respect, has deviated from the path.
Questioner: Is it considered beggary for respect when we feel good when someone gives us respect?
Dadashri: No. It is natural to feel good. Do you like tea with or without sugar? It is natural to like tea with sugar. But if someone insists, 'I only like tea without sugar, so there!' then I would say that is an ego. Why don't you quietly drink the tea with sugar? It is tasty. Is that true or not?
Questioner: What is it called if someone likes respect?
Dadashri: There is nothing wrong in liking respect. One is bound to like it, is one not? Go ahead and let respect be fun. There is nothing wrong there. If someone says, 'I cannot get rid of my pride and need for respect', then I will tell him, 'If you cannot get rid of it in this life, you can do it in the next life.' But enjoy your respect with leisure!
Enjoy the respect people give you but...
Enjoy the respect people give you but you should not have any desire for it. When someone respects you, when it lands in your plate, enjoy it. Enjoy it leisurely. But you should not harbor a desire for it.
Questioner: But when he 'cashes in' the respect, will he not have problems?
Dadashri: What is wrong with cashing in the respect? You can cash it in, it will get used up, but the desire for it does not arise again, does it? Enjoy the respect, I am telling you to enjoy it. Are you going to enjoy it 'there"? Are you going to receive any respect in the Siddha gati (abode of the completely liberated Souls)? So, whatever you receive here, enjoy it as much as you can, but do not make a habit of it. Do not become habituated.
278
Aptavani-9
Questioner: Does respect not make a person fall?
Dadashri: Rather it is the abhimaan (extra or excessive pride) that makes one fall. So there is nothing wrong with enjoying maan (respect) others give you, however at the same time you should maintain the awareness of 'this should not be so. Now, 'we' have given you the freedom to accept respect but you should not become attached (have raag) to those who give you respect. There is no restriction on accepting respect but you should not have any attachment (raag) for the one who gives you respect.
Deceit in pride (kapat in maan): Distortion of pride (vikruti of maan)
Questioner: Does enjoying respect not weaken the awareness (jagruti) Dada?
Dadashri: It will definitely reduce the awareness (jagruti). Awareness will not arise where there is deceit in pride - where there is kapat in maan. When one's deceit is operational in his pride, he cannot see his pride.
Distortion of pride: Intoxication of ego (keyf)
Questioner: There is no problem in enjoying respect (maan) that comes spontaneously and naturally. But then there is a possibility of it becoming complex and distorted (vikruti), and then will arise the desire for respect. Is this likely to happen?
Dadashri: Something of the sort happens but there should not be any desire (fichchha) at all. Desire is harmful.
Questioner: What kinds of distortion (vikruti) of pride and how far does it stretch?
Dadashri: There are many kinds of distortions of pride and that is what makes one fall. There is nothing wrong in enjoying respect. If someone tells you, 'Welcome sir...welcome', then enjoy that respect. You will feel good inside; enjoy it with
