I think there is a great transition happening in my life behind the scenes I am not able to fully see or understand. There's a sensitivity to others around me, and I seem to be discouraged by the coldness of others from what might just be chalked up as- "city living."
I really think though, this is a continued opportunity to grow closer to the things we believe in. For me, that is practicing kindness. A part of that means dispelling hatred. But sometimes our desire for goodwill can be stamped out by anothers ability to hate- living the drama in their head instead of correctly interpreting events unfolding before them. This is an agitated state that is intentionally exploited.
It has put me a little on edge but I find counting my blessings and practicing the things I've mentioned previously- help reset when going back into the city and being forced to interact with the world.
You talk of city living above; For me it is a bit different, I presently live in the city and go to the countryside everyday I can.
I can relate to your descriptive observations Eric. I have also noticed this coldness you speak of above. Although I do not know that it is any different than it has been my whole life. It is also a part of what I have described in the section on ‘Psychology’ under the child board there and below the heading ‘dharma’ here at our site. There are many forms of ‘mental illness’ there that are ego related. Just different scenes on the canvas of life.
Most likely though Amma had it pretty well described when she saw the root cause of most coldness. It takes an enlightened soul or moment to describe a whole list of present day maladies, symptoms and arising discontent so succinctly that it touches the heart 💜 with its expression. Like a memory of so many life experiences, memories and feelings….
While seeing amma she made the comment that those who give others the silent treatment and stick their nose up in the air actually have a form of mental illness. Sometimes we wonder about ourselves when this treatment is given to us however we should realize that people do practice meanness and this kind of behavior is a result of being so wrapped up in ourselves and our ego that there is only one view; our own.
~ Amma
