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THE WAY OF LIFE
Neutrality means the absence of attachment or hatred. There is no need to hate an impolite man.
When anyone does not pay heed to your words; and does not obey your orders or wishes, you must think thus: “Even the words of such an embodiment of merits as Bhagwan Mahavir were not accepted by his son-in-law and disciple, Jamali Muni; and by his daughter and disciple, Priyadarshan. What wonder is there in some people not accepting and honouring my words and views when I possess only a little merit? Who am I ? I am nobody! I am nothing! My merit also is nothing. Oh soul! You destroy pride and selfishness". If you think thus, you will not treat any being with contempt. DISCARD YOUR FALSE EGOISM
Your sense of self-importance makes you proud and arrogant. If you are honoured a little either in your society or in your family, you will begin to think ; "I am also somebody ! "I am also something to reckon with", and you will go a little further and think : "I am everything". This kind of false pride keeps swelling. A man with false pride cannot enjoy either serenity or felicity. He becomes engrossed so deeply in his endeavour to make himself great and in his endeavour to show off false greatness or prestige that he cannot even dream of peace or felicity. Hence, I exhort you to discard your false pride. Give up your sense of self-importance. Think thus: “I am nothing". I am existing. “I am"; that is all. My individuality is nothing".
You should take one precaution in this kind of contemplation. When you think, “I am nothing”, you should not allow the feeling of indigence to enter your thoughts. You should not allow helplessness or despondency to enter your mind. "You should not lament saying I am nothing. My individuality is of no avail”. You must think of it peacefully, attaining a knowledge of the doctrines. You should think in the manner of great men. If you forget yourself, no one can be impolite to you; and even if they treat you haughtily, you will not entertain contempt or hatred for them. This is the attitude of neutrality.
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