We do have a choice in who we hang around with. Yet we often continue to keep ourselves in the presence of those who are not helping us but our in fact hindering our spiritual progress and our spiritual evolution.
Just curious, normally I don't associate, unless I have to, with anyone who is not helping.
Are you involved in circumstances where you are voluntarily or involuntarily placed in these positions for a length of time that present these problems?
For me; there are plenty of opportunities for friends. Which I am grateful for. The question is: How do I choose my time? In the past there has also been plenty of opportunity for family socializing. The question is again; What do these encounters amount to? We also have romantic encounters in life that are unfavorable in the sense that we are being used for a different purpose than what we need and want to give. We always have a choice. Although attachment and desire for a certain material life style can easily destroy our spiritual aspirations and years later we can look back and see that the times we spent with other spiritual seekers were the most fruitful.
We may even come into contact with those who profess spiritual seeking but in fact their actions are far from their words. Sometimes we may even find that someones heart has turned to stone because of their connection and commitment to people who destroy their friendship with you. We eventually recognizing cross currents causing ripples in our consciousness and monopolizing our awareness.
Jitendra
