On YouTube
रिश्ते और मुनाफ़ेबाज़ी || आचार्य प्रशांत के नीम लड्डू
31.5K views
5 years ago
Transactional Love
Expectations
Family Relationships
Investment
Debt
Discrimination (Vivek)
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that when you were a child, you fulfilled your family's expectations and, in return, received happiness and were called a 'good child.' Now that you are an adult, it is time to repay that 'debt' by fulfilling their expectations, but you are either unable or unwilling to do so. The speaker humorously warns that you cannot escape this repayment. The speaker notes that many young people complain about no longer receiving love from their families. He calls this notion foolish and uses the analogy of a farmer who invests in a crop and expects a harvest. If the crop refuses to be harvested, the farmer will not celebrate; he will be angry. This illustrates the transactional nature of the 'love' received from the family. Acharya Prashant explains that what is often called love in families is a form of business. The best form of this love is a transaction: 'I invest in you today, and you will give me returns tomorrow.' This is the 'honest' love prevalent in homes, a deal of give and take. For the first 20 years, the child only takes. When it's time for 'recovery,' the child feels burdened. The speaker clarifies that the affection and respect received in childhood were not unconditional love but installments of an investment. The money spent on education was like a systematic investment plan or a pension plan, with an expected maturity and return. He criticizes the young person for not clarifying the terms of this 'investment' earlier, as it was clear from the parents' exclusive focus on their own child that there was a selfish motive. Finally, he distinguishes between the rules of business and love. A business relationship requires repayment of what is taken; otherwise, it is dishonesty. A loving relationship, however, involves giving without counting what has been received. He advises the listener to have the discrimination (Vivek) to understand whether their relationship is transactional or spiritual and to act accordingly. If it is a business, one must repay every penny. If it is love, one must give unconditionally.