How do you decide as to what is the right balance between selfishness and selflessness?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That depends on you.
You have to see what is needed. Whatever your consciousness can do, that much you do.
You cannot donate the shirt you are wearing but suppose you are having two idlis and the person sitting next to you is hungry, you will share an idli with him. Is it not? That is because it is inbuilt in you.
When you become broad-minded and bigger in your attention then you have a greater ability to share yourself.
Suppose you have Rs.500 in your pocket and someone is in need, will you not share with them? You will because you know you have more money with you or the ability to gain it. But if you need that money for your bus charge then first you will take care of yourself, and there is nothing wrong about it.
This is called ‘Apad Dharma.’
On the flight they say, ’first put the oxygen mask on yourself and then on the child next to you.’
This is because if you are not there the child cannot put the mask on you.
For a Sanyaasi or someone who is totally liberated from cravings, it doesn’t matter, but if you are the caretaker of a household then you have to follow Apad Dharma.
You have to see what is needed. Whatever your consciousness can do, that much you do.
You cannot donate the shirt you are wearing but suppose you are having two idlis and the person sitting next to you is hungry, you will share an idli with him. Is it not? That is because it is inbuilt in you.
When you become broad-minded and bigger in your attention then you have a greater ability to share yourself.
Suppose you have Rs.500 in your pocket and someone is in need, will you not share with them? You will because you know you have more money with you or the ability to gain it. But if you need that money for your bus charge then first you will take care of yourself, and there is nothing wrong about it.
This is called ‘Apad Dharma.’
On the flight they say, ’first put the oxygen mask on yourself and then on the child next to you.’
This is because if you are not there the child cannot put the mask on you.
For a Sanyaasi or someone who is totally liberated from cravings, it doesn’t matter, but if you are the caretaker of a household then you have to follow Apad Dharma.