Podcast details
Brothers and sisters
A discourse on the power of language and human relationships.
"In India, even a politician, when he begins to talk, will first say 'mātāo, bahanõ'—'mātāo' means mothers, 'bahanõ' means sisters—'bhaiyo,' the brothers, 'mitra,' the friends, and then he will give the lecture."
"When I say you are my brother and sister, I will not do anything wrong because you are my brother, you are my sister; I will protect you. But if I say 'ladies and gentlemen,' then maybe I will do something wrong; I can do wrong."
The speaker examines the cultural and spiritual significance of addressing others as "brothers and sisters," contrasting it with the impersonal "ladies and gentlemen." He credits Swami Vivekananda with popularizing this familial address at the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions and argues that embodying this consciousness of universal kinship is essential for reducing conflict and healing emotional wounds caused by a lack of responsibility in relationships.
Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar
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