What about those who resent a brother’s progress, badmouth him behind his back, and—while approaching him only when they have a need—otherwise create a hostile atmosphere? How should one interact with such people outwardly while maintaining an inner state of yogic equanimity? Should one help them simply because they are family, ignoring their behavior? Should one even maintain communication with such individuals?
The Mother has answered this in one word, ‘detachment’. Even when the family is good, it often absorbs a lot of energies, often in trivial talks and useless discussions. Therefore, for a spiritual aspirant, it has always been advised to observe a little inner detachment from the people around, especially the family members. This does not mean not meeting them or not doing what yet one is called upon to do as part of the collective life. It simply means not to engage with vital demands and expectations that come in the way of your spiritual seeking. A certain degree of inwardness, an inner detachment, a conscious cultivation of equanimity, knowing that what they are is what their nature compels them to be at the stage of their inner evolution, will be very helpful from the point of view of the sadhana.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
