I have a question Teacher David.
I sometimes enter into relationships that I would characterize as "less than positive." I do this as part of my work for AA.
Often, when people first join AA they are resentful, confused, angry, etc. and don't treat others in a positive manner. Those of us who have been in the program longer try to help them learn a better way.
Do these relationships fit in?
As always, thank you for your guidance.
Teacher David replies.
A positive relationship does not mean a perfect relationship. It means that a Practitioner is working towards developing and cultivating their mind so that they can develop their relationships to be positive.
This means that a Practitioner is choosing to make wise decisions about how they interact in relationships. That you choose to be positive through Right Intention, Right Speech, and Right Action....so that you are transforming your mind to not be negative in a relationship.
This is not to judge the other person as positive or negative and end the relationship if the other person is negative. This is to share that each individual needs to work at being positive within their relationships and cultivate positivity on their part.
This is not about what other people are doing but instead, what you are choosing to do in the relationship.
You are interested in being only positive in all your relationships and do not allow the mind to be negative in any relationships. This is to guide Students to not develop a negative relationship through wrong intention, wrong speech, and wrong action but instead, make wise choices about your own moral conduct so that you can cultivate fulfilling, satisfying, and sustaining relationships that are positive.
Amber replies to David.
I still frequently find I have a propensity for focusing on others rather than myself.
When I change my point of view your statement makes perfect sense.
Thank you for your guidance!
Teacher David replies again.
Yes, this is normal and why I share what I share, that this is all about focusing on developing your own practice.
Any struggles or difficulties that one is experiencing is self imposed.
Through acquiring wisdom, one can grow and evolve to relationships where there are never any arguments, hostility, nor bitterness. Everything can be at ease....through training one's own mind.
You are welcome ma'am......
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