It is very important for a worldly man to know how to behave with others. First of all, one has to have peace with himself before he can deal with others effectively. It is not uncommon to have conflict with a family member, a business colleague or even a stranger. Consequently, we make a firm resolution not to let anyone dictate us from then on. However, our resolution, generally grown out of anger or irritation fades away quickly and we once again find ourselves in the same situation. Why does this happen? We never seem to learn our lesson. We quickly forget the problem, its root cause and the discomfort it causes. Instead, we continue our life with "business as usual." In nut-shell, we forget the purpose of our own life: to progress continuously by learning from our mistakes and making appropriate corrections and to move on. Instead, we get into the same fix over and over again, continue to tolerate wrong things, and become miserable.

A wise person never lets his life's goal of self-realization out of his sight. He works diligently and incessantly towards it. He does not let trivial hindrances to distract him from his mission. He very well knows that this is his own journey and only he himself can make it. A horse can be taken close to water, but he has to drink it himself to quench his thirst. Similarly, a saint, a holy scripture, a right vibration or sometimes even a rude awakening will remind you of your true existence and draw closer to your salvation but ultimately it will be your call and no one else's.

In this material world, no one exists for anyone else. The worldly man's sole purpose is to enjoy sense pleasures, gross or subtle. And to gratify this illusion, he wheels and deals that which will never provide real happiness. Give up this nonsense. Make Gita your yard-stick and live accordingly. Give a new twist to all your relations. Put these eternal principles in practice right away and stick to them. Do not waver. Change your old style and habits.

Approach a saint or a well-wisher for clarification on what may be right or what should be avoided. If you are sincere in your pursuit, your mind will become pure and quiet and you will be able to grasp these values. Then stick to that. Never forget your ultimate goal of self-realization. That should be your only purpose, the rest is all a hallucination. So make a firm commitment right now and finalize your goal!

-- Swami Radhanandaji