When my daughter was twelve years of age, she came to me, a little troubled. I gave her just one guidance: “Never look up to anyone; never look down on anyone.” If people practiced this simple sadhana, they would see everything just the way it is. If you look up to someone, you will exaggerate their positive qualities; if you look down on someone, you will exaggerate their negative qualities. But if you simply look—not for something, but just look—you will see things just as they are. Now your ability to navigate your way through life is greatly enhanced.
