Acharya Prashant (AP):Abhishek asks—and it’s very cute of him to ask—he says that “I am not at all interested, yet I want to make my parents proud.”
I am trying to see how you will make your parents proud when you are not into it and what would they be proud of?
And what is this thing called pride?
What is this entire thing that is cooking?
No interest! Still pride! And a desire to fulfil your obligations. Is there any clarity in all of this?
I am sure it is not only him, there are many others. Should I take it that when you say, that when you want to make your parents proud of you, you essentially mean that they should be happy? Can I take that?
Questioner (Q): Yes, yes!
AP: There is a basic law of existence that, you can only give what you have. And what you have, will inevitably spread to others as well. If you have conflict and confusion, you spread conflict and confusion. If you have joy, you will radiate joy. If you are violent, you spread more and more violence. In fact, others will become violent in your presence. If you are peaceful, others will also become peaceful in your presence. And hence, you are spreading peace. Now, if you are not interested, if you are dull, bored, irritated; what will you spread? Dullness, boredom and irritation. Hence what will you give to your parents? Dullness, boredom and irritation.
