Acharya Mahaprajna
Sympathy
Behaviour showing mutual regard means sympathetic behaviour. Man as a social being has expectations under all circumstances. In fact the very basis of society is relativity (mutual expectations). It creates a loving atmosphere. Neglect or lack of mutual regard leads to indifference and an increase in social distance. Acharya Shree remains more busy during celebrations of special days. If someone does not get an attentive ear due to overwork, he thinks he is being treated unsympathetically. This is the state of the sadhus. The state of others will be even more worrying.
Everyman wants to be shown regard or attention. A relation based on mutual regard is sweet. Where there is mutual regard, even unkind behaviour does not pinch. On the other hand, despite good behaviour if there is disregard, people take it as artificial behaviour.
Disregard or lack of sympathy is also responsible for bitterness in the family, since the numbers lack adequate sympathy for one another. I have myself experienced that I was deemed impractical because I did not talk as much to the people as necessary due to my being busy. Though I did not behave badly, I did not practise as much sympathy as was called for in social life. That is why I became impractical. People react negatively when the head of the family is not adequately careful in this regard. For this reason people in high places are cautious in this regard.
This very year during Maryada Mahotsava. Acharya Shree told the monks and the nuns that whenever necessary they could seek appointment with him. He invited each one of them and talked to them. One might wonder what Acharya Shree gives to them during ten minutes' talk. The fact is that finding themselves in a sympathetic environment they have a feeling of self-esteem and gratification. One feels gratified by sympathy not by material gains.
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