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[12] Defeating Addictions with Gnan
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Pratikraman
your problems yourself. If you don't do pratikraman, if you are lazy in this aspect, that much will remain. Should you not do the purusharth? Is it acceptable not to do purusharth after becoming a Purush (Self-realized)?
drinking tea you do pratyakhyan (making the decision of 'I will never do it again,' and asking for the energy for this).
Dadashri: Yes!
Questioner: Since we were on the subject, I had to mention this.
'You' have nothing to do with any actions of "Chandubhai.' But You have to keep an eye on "Chandubhai.' You have to see what he is doing, how many cigarettes he smokes, and tell him to do pratikraman if he does atikraman. You have a right to do kraman (normal action): you do not have a right to do atikraman (actions that hurt others or the self).
I do not have any objection to your addiction, but you should do pratikraman for it. Confess to God that it is wrong for you to drink and that you are sincerely sorry for it, and ask for the energy to not drink again. Do this much for your own sake, Dear.
In this matter, people generally make things worse by raising objections and criticizing the addict. They don't realize that they are making things worse. They are hurting the situation more than helping it. What have I said to you? No matter how grave a mistake you have made, do pratikraman for it in this manner. What does pratikraman mean?
Dadashri: l' (the Self) do not drink tea, but sometimes circumstances lead me (A. M. Patel) to do so. These circumstances are out of my control and so I am forced to drink tea. But when A. M. Patel drinks tea, he does not drink without first doing pratyakhyan, otherwise, the one who likes tea will continue to do so. Pratyakhyan is like smearing oil, then pouring colored water over it. Yes, we use the oil of pratyakhyan, then, even if one pours green colored water over it, it will not stick. So I drink tea after doing pratyakhyan.
This is worth understanding. Do pratyakhyan whenever you do anything, even if it does not hurt others. Pratikraman should be done whenever atikraman has occurred. Drinking tea is not considered atikraman. You are compelled to drink tea, but that is not considered atikraman; but if you do not do pratyakhyan, then a little of it will stick' to you. From now on remember to do pratyakhyan. Questioner: Yes, definitely.
(216) Dadashri: When you go out for a drive in your car, apply the 'oil' (do pratyakhyan) - 'I have no choice but to do this but I vow not to do it again'; this is the 'oil' that I apply when I have to travel
Questioner: Pratikraman means that I end up doing things due to my prakruti, but I repent those actions, and I want to become free from them. Is that pratikraman?
Dadashri: Yes. But you repent doing it. But what does pratikraman mean? You are going against your opinion that you want to drink alcohol. If you become free of that opinion then drinking alcohol will not be a part of your next life. You can never let go of pratikraman. Do you understand? These sentences have been written in such a way that they will help you become free from everything.
Questioner: This morning, Dada, you said that before
Questioner: I had to eat potatoes and onions in his home.
Dadashri: Do pratikraman for that. If you do pratikraman, it will be fine. One should do as circumstances dictate.
