________________
THE BIRTH OF A BEAUTIFUL HOME
139
transgress the legitimate limit of the individualistic realm. The new civilization originating in the glaciers of intellectualism, wealth and power is eradicating the system of joint family by denying the value of relative independence. It is destroying the plant, both root and branch, of a graceful and harmonious life.
RECONCILIATION AND CONCORDANCE The third principle of the application of the philosophy of non-absolutism is reconciliation and concordance. Man's life is a museum of paradoxes and contradictions. One cannot expect to see complete uniformity in it. If a person thinks that all should have identical dispositions, identical attitudes, identical ethical norms and identical behaviour, what is it but a daydream? Equality and inequality, diversity and nondiversity are stark realities. One who denies them cannot attain peace and happiness. The golden principle of living a happy and congenial life, notwithstanding the contradictory and paradoxical situations, is reconciliation. A person imbued with an enlightened outlook can work in harmony even with the diverse dispositions, thoughts, conduct and behaviour of others.
Do you believe in mental equipoise or balance of mind? If the answer is yes, you can succeed in bringing about harmony among people with contradictory thinking. The main principle of the attainment of mental equipoise is the development of the consciousness of equanimity. When we compare the problems of an individual with those of a family, there is not much of a difference. The problems of an individual are also the problems of a family and vice-versa.
MODERATION Although an emphasis on virtues is certainly the fundamental need of good family life, these virtuous ideals
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
