Morning Muse 12 : Understanding Begins Where Prejudice Ends

Preconception

Once, a 26-year-old young man and his father were travelling in a train. The boy was repeatedly peeping out of the window, and was screaming and laughing on seeing trees and plants.

A couple was seated in the adjacent seat, and they found it very strange that the young man was laughing out loud at the sight of trees and plants. The 26-year-old was behaving like a child when he saw a new object for the first time. The couple were getting very uncomfortable seeing this and were looking at the young man weirdly. Then the father said to the young man, "Look, son... Look at the clouds in the sky outside. They are also travelling with us." Seeing the father treat his adult son like a small child, the couple could no longer hold back and suddenly said to the young man's father. He said, "Don't you think your son's behaviour is not normal. You should take your son to a good doctor." Hearing this, the young man's father replied, "Yes, we are coming from the doctor's place. My son could not see, but today he can see everything for the first time in his life due to a successful eye surgery. Every moment, this outside world is full of wonder for him; that's why he is so happy today." The couple was shocked to hear this. Words stopped, and feelings rose. Now they regretted their thoughts and behaviour. Friends, it often happens that we make preconceptions about people without thinking, and our thinking and behaviour towards that person becomes a slave to our prejudice. We are unable to think beyond that.

What is the opposite of prejudice or preconception? Let us try to understand people with an open mind and an open heart, without any prejudice or any preconceptions. It reflects our conscience, which is the first step in yoga. If we are not able to think objectively, we will always remain afflicted with prejudice.