_Question:_ Is there a dividing line between being unfriendly and not letting our consciousness be lowered by someone?

Sri Chinmoy: You have to know, good girl, that you are trying to live a spiritual life and some people are by nature very undivine. Their consciousness is so low that they are absolutely like hungry wolves. If you talk to them, mix with them, they will devour you, your good will, simplicity, sincerity and purity. So it is not advisable to be friendly to these people at all.

You have to think of yourself as a tiny plant. Once you become a huge banyan tree, nothing will destroy you. But while you are just a tiny plant, even a cat or a dog can destroy you. So you have to be very careful when talking to people. You do not want to be rude, but you want to protect yourself. If you do not put a fence around yourself, how will you grow into a banyan tree?

Let their outer minds misunderstand your unfriendliness. They also have a soul, and their souls will know that you are doing absolutely the right thing. Their minds may think you are very rude and unsociable, but their souls want them to be exactly like you. You want to lead a spiritual life. Their souls want them also to lead a spiritual life; therefore their souls will not mind even if you have to snub them. Their souls know you are not indifferent; only you are trying to protect yourself. You should always try to protect yourself from the undivine, undeserving, unaspiring people, for they may at any time ruin your aspiration. Let them think whatever they want.

From:Sri Chinmoy,AUM — Vol.II-4, No. 4, 27 April 1977, Vishma Press, 1977
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