In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die, and the choices that we make are ultimately our responsibility. The most important thing in life isnot to capitalize on our successes - any fool can do that. The really important thing is to profit from our mistakes. We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them. We need new thinking We need to embrace a culture of trial and error, not a regime of risk avoidance.
People should try to overcome their individual problems. I think that's the first step. I think with-out resolving one's own conflicts, it's hard to be concerned and do effective work for others. We need to grow as individuals and as a society. We need to be as different as we can from each other while at the same time integrating our efforts. We know that people vary in how self-centered, self-seeking, and selfish they are, and how much they're willing to be concerned about others. At the level of the family, differentiation means that each person feels free to pursue their own individual goals and their own individual skills so that parents support the child's individuality, and that the children respect the parent's own individual values or interest. This kind of understanding and practice allows each person to be as different as they want or can be from each other. The other half is integration, which means families where each member is aware of the other person's goals--even if they are not the same, or even contrary--and helps that person to realize their goals.
With Love, Amma-Naana
