First we must find out, understand and experience what we are and what we are not. Only then we will achieve a blissful life. Such discrimination doesn't come from schools, scriptures or rituals. Education, religion and society normally nourish your pride.

Most of the time we waste our money, energy, time, and entire life in useless concern. Usually most of the problems belonging to others are not our concern, but we still consider ourselves wise and egotistically go out of our way to solve others' problems when weren't even asked. Thus, in solving the problems of our neighbors, friends, relatives, and others and also of our body, mind, and intellect, we forget that the real purpose of our life is to realize God. We run around trying to solve everyone else's problems, but we can't solve our own. Everyone will have to find their own unique path, as per their own samskara (tendencies), for no two people are alike.

We have polluted our mind with rituals, religion, and false beliefs. So to know ourselves we have to clean our mind -- only then will we be able to hear or understand our inner voice. True knowledge can be gained by prayers, faith, and selfless services, which in turn will purify our mind. 

By God's grace, once you are able to distinguish between the problems that concern you and the ones that don't, you will be able to fulfill your true responsibilities. We have to learn to detach ourselves from our body, mind, intellect, and ego. We have to constantly study -- practice at all times -- to realize who we truly are: "I am not a woman, or a man, or a mother, or a father, or a doll made of the five elements. But I am God's beloved Gopi, a devotee, a part of God."

God takes care of everyone so you don't have to worry about others. First take care of yourself, and you will be able to help others. Only an independent person can appreciate its value and will never enslave others as husbands and wives usually do.

-- Swami Radhanandaji