Hurt arises from dependence || Acharya Prashant, with youth (2014)

Question: We expect from others and we get hurt. What should we do?

Speaker: Sameeksha has raised question of dependence and hurt. Why do we depend on others and consequently why do we get hurt?

Sameeksha, who depends on somebody else, you have both your legs alright, fit legs, strong muscles; would you depend on somebody’s support to walk?

Who depends on somebody else? The one who is incapable of doing for himself, deciding for himself; he is the one who depends on somebody else. The one who has a weakness, is dependent. Now, if it were a genuine weakness, then dependence could be tolerated. I actually have some problem in my legs so I have to be dependent on somebody’s support or a crutch to walk. It’s alright! But what would you say, when, in spite of having two healthy legs you still keep looking at somebody else for support, you are dependent on somebody else? The only reason could be that you have forgotten that you are healthy, you have forgotten that your legs have enough power that you can stand, walk and you can even run.

Years and years of environmental influence has made you believe that you are powerless; which is a very amusing as well as a sad thing. Amusing, because you are not actually powerless. Sad, because in spite of being powerful you think you are powerless, that is the only reason of dependence. ‘I think that I am powerless. I have been made to believe that I am small, petty, limited, and when such is my condition then I have to necessarily turn for support, look at others.’