The World Contains both Good and Bad Colors
- MBP Blogs
- Nov 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 28
IExcerpt from a video of Maitreya DadashreejiI
Maitreya Dadashreeji:
Welcome to another Maitri Bodh Transformation Class: Very often, when we interact with people we are hurt by their behavior. There may be situations that leave us feeling very hurt. We experience a lot of pain and anguish. What should we do at such times? How do we understand these difficult situations?
You will find today’s session very helpful in understanding and for coming up with a solution. When we interact with people, we speak to them with love, warmth and genuine kindness. Yet, sometimes we get a negative response. We greet someone and praise them for how they look, how well-groomed they are and yet their attitude towards us is so negative! They process genuine praise negatively as if you’re deliberately trying to ridicule them. They make you feel like you didn’t really mean what you said…. Instead of feeling happy, they end up feeling hurt. If we distance ourselves from certain people, they feel hurt about how you didn’t acknowledge their presence.
If you show warmth and love that too leaves them feeling hurt. A simple gesture of wishing them Happy Diwali (Diwali Indian festival that represents good overcoming evil) gets misconstrued. They search for negativity in everything!You may love someone a lot, yet there is no reciprocation from the person you love. Of course, your feelings get hurt! Let alone them loving you, they leave you broken hearted. They may sever the relationship completely, leaving you devastated. What we need to understand is that when you love someone, deep down there is an expectation, a desire, that your feelings will be acknowledged and reciprocated. You feel that when you love someone, that they too respond with love and respect. This is an underlying desire of yours, but in reality is it necessary for the person to feel just how you feel towards them?
This is where there is confusion on our part. We assume and take it for granted that when we greet someone, talk to them in a cordial and friendly manner, that the other person should respond in a friendly manner.
Especially when you are on this journey of spiritual transformation, you look within. You are trying so hard to be a better person. You’re trying to improve your behavior towards others. You definitely have this expectation that since I’m on a spiritual path, therefore people should behave better towards me.
That’s not what necessarily happens. The reality is that as you progress on this spiritual path, you’re more prone to anger initially. Your feelings immediately get hurt with the slightest hint of negative behavior. If someone doesn’t treat you well, you feel even worse. Initially, on this spiritual journey you will lose your temper easily even over trivial matters. As you progress and mature spiritually you gain a better understanding.
What is today’s teaching? The ‘sutra’ or statement, is trying to make you understand one of life’s truths. The sutra is: “Sansaar pura, rang bhala bura.” (Or loosly translated,) “The World contains both good and bad colors.”Your expectation is that everyone should talk to you cordially, that’s how you feel. But the reality is quite different.
The rainbow is comprised of 7 colors; in the same way life too is a combination of many colors. After all, all 5 fingers of your hand aren’t the same. In the same way, people too have a variety of dispositions. When people express their feelings, some may yell; some say things in a calm manner. Some talk lovingly, and some display a lot of anger (in return).
There are all kinds of people in this world (Sansara). This is the Truth. You may think that only good people should be in your life but that’s not how it is. There will always be people (in your life) that you won’t like. There may be very difficult people in your immediate family, people whose behavior you don’t particularly care for. This is the truth of life! You may be employed and have to work with difficult people above you at work. They could fire you anytime they want.
No matter how much you love and care for someone, there is a possibility that they may leave you and go away. You may love your children very much but once they are adults they may want nothing to do with you. They may disrespect you or send you off to an old people’s home! Mahatma Gandhi who stood for nonviolence had such a violent death (he was assassinated). We need to accept the truth that there are all sorts of people in this world. No matter how good you may be, try as hard as you may (others will not respond as you wish all the time).
There is always a possibility of someone hurting you or doing something unfair to you. You need to accept the reality of things and people around you. Move ahead in life accepting this fact. Do your duties with dedication, commitment, and a sense of devotion.
This is the only solution. Accept reality of life based on today’s sutra. “The World contains both good and bad colors” (“sansar pura, rang bhala bura”). Contemplate on this statement for the next 7 days and let the teaching sink in and become part of how you look at life. If you have any questions about this, please let us know!
Full video highlight available here🔗
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