Playing politics

Wherever there are people, politics is inevitable. Don't let politics sway you away from the Path. If you are afraid of politics, you cannot be successful in the spiritual realm. You have to cross the barricade of politics. It is the test of your strength, your commitment and your focus. You cannot avoid politics, but whether or not to harbour politics in your mind is your choice.

There was politics among the 12 apostles and also around the Buddha. Krishn was in politics from head to toe. And you say you don't want politics? The greater your aversion, the more you harbour it in your consciousness. When you recognise politics in any group, that is a blessing, an opportunity for you to be centred and go inward. You will not blame the group, run away from people, or chicken out, and you will enhance your skill to act and not get attached.

Advantages of politics: brings up diversity in people; lets you see different viewpoints, ways and tendencies; enhances your skill to communicate and act; brings centredness and dispassion; shakes you up and spurs you to apply knowledge; adds to capacity to accept and tolerate.


The strong will smile through politics while the weak will lament. Cross the threshold of politics and move towards the Self.

Abridged from An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker