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THE WAY OF LIFE
have to do now. What you have been doing always, you have to discard. Always, you have been thinking of the others; you have to discard that propensity. Always, you have been thinking of your distorted form; and you have to give it up. You have to think of yourself and your soul; you have not been doing this. You must meditate upon the pure and undistorted form of your soul. Happiness lies in doing a difficult thing. You carry on this activity with faith and confidence; and you will surely experience felicity. .
THE SECOND FORM OF APATHY OR NEUTRALITY
The second kind of neutrality is called Anubandhsara. Let us suppose that there is a man who is absolutely idle. He does not take up any job or occupation; he does not engage himself in any profession; he idles away his time sleeping; roaming about; like a vagabond. You prevail upon him to give up his idleness; and he agrees to act according to your advice and persuasion. Giving up his idleness, he begins engaging himself in some useful activity. Step by step, he attains prosperity and progress. Then you stop giving him advice and suggestions. You stop taking interest in that man. This is called Anubandhsara type of neutrality. This is a good thing. Some people have the habit of reminding again and again those people whom they set right, of the benefit they have conferred upon them, by saying, "How were you formerly? Do you realize how much hardship I had to suffer to set you on the right path ? Now, you must be careful. It is a good thing that you have reached the right path etc". This is not good. Others feel offended by such talk; and they feel that such talk is offensive and unpleasant. Sometimes, it happens that the man thus transformed leaves the right path; and reverts to his old ways. He will go back to his former condition. Therefore, Haribhadrasooriji says, "After giving advice to anyone to reform him and to put him on the right path if you feel that he does not have the capacity to carry out precepts, then refrain from giving him precepts; do not have any interest in him. Let him do what he likes; and let him follow the path that pleases him. Do not chase him and do not hammer him with precepts".
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