92/Pearls Of Wisdom/Positive and Negative
We
also have a destroying nature inside us. Depending on each person, the destructive
tendency is higher or lower; but try to control it. Otherwise, you carry
on the whole time with your destructive spirit and that's very negative.
We have both negative and positive inside, but we only use the negative
when necessary. It's not that I'm saying we can't use it, because, a negative
power, when you use it in the right place, is very good.
Just
like the children at home, you're always positive with them, encouraging
them, loving them, and telling them all good things. But when they're too
naughty, when they try to be stubborn, are not obedient enough and do wrong
things -- harm other people or the neighbors -- then you have to use a so-called
negative attitude; but actually in that case, it's positive.
You
have to scold them, or maybe punish them lightly, like they have to kneel,
they have to stay at home when you go out or you cut down on some of their
enjoyments, pocket money or whatever. These look negative because "Oh!
Parents are always supposed to be loving, forgiving, smooth and soft spoken,
so why punish the children?" But they deserve it, they have to be..
. Otherwise they can't turn to the positive.
That's
when negative power is for a useful purpose. Don't say always that the negative
can't be used or the positive has to be used all the time. If you use positive
power or a positive attitude in the wrong way, it becomes negative. For
example, your child is very naughty -- you have given him everything already,
but he tries to go out to steal just for fun, or just because he associates
with bad guys; or he gets drugs and goes out and breaks into people's cars
--and you tell him but he doesn't change. If you still keep rewarding him,
loving him, forgiving him, then you are negative. Then your attitude is
negative. You're spoiling him, you're harming him, you're harming his future,
because one day the police will catch him, the neighbors will catch him,
or another strong guy will hit him, break his bones, and break everything
of his future and your heart as well. In that case, your positive attitude
is absolutely negative.
So
we have to understand this Yin-Yang nature, and make use of both accordingly.
Not to dislike one and cling to the other, but to know how to use them.
That's the art of living, that is wisdom. Otherwise, how else can we survive
in this world with ourselves and our loved ones. There has to be some limit.
It's the same with me. So don't always expect me to give you candies and
smile all the time. I have to do some of my negative work, and turn it into
positive, turn these negative people into positive. Otherwise, you'll never
grow up.
Frustration
Is Bodhi Clearly
Distinguish What's True and False
A
Simple But Elegant Spiritual Method Positive
and Negative
Spoken By
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
New Jersey Center, U.S.A.
June 24, 1992
(Originally In Englsih)
contents Pearls
Of Wisdom