ASK MAULANA

almost lifeless. By this example you can understand the significance of rituals. What is most dangerous for spiritual development? In my experience, it is excessive concern for materialism. Material goods are a necessity, but when you become greedy for material things, you take the risk of losing your spirituality. Can man ever be free of negative feelings such as fear and doubt? No. Negative feelings are not evil. They also have their positive aspects. A negative feeling is a kind of shocking experience which awakens your mind; negative feelings motivate you to reassess your plans and your mode of life. If you engage in introspection, a negative feeling becomes a great teacher provided you do not allow your negative thoughts to overpower you. What is the difference between adjustment and compromise? There is great difference between the two. Adjustment is a principle of wisdom; it is the well-considered behaviour of a wise person; while compromise is a form of expediency, designed merely to secure your interests without following any principle. We are often told that we should always remain hopeful. How different is this state of positive hopefulness from having false hopes? How can we differentiate between the two? The difference between the two is very clear. True hope is based on reality, while false hope is based on unreal romanticism. When you examine the situation and adopt a well-considered position, you have the right to be hopeful but when you ignore the realities and adopt the posture of the ostrich, then you are entertaining false hopes. o One has attained a superior moral status when one becomes indifferent to praise or blame, and when, his opinion of others does not depend upon whether they agree or disagree with him.