24 BUBBLE UP WITH BLISS!
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He is not thereby an
elder merely because his
head is grey. He who is
ripe only in years is
called 'one grown old in
vein'.
- the Dhammapada, Dhammattha Vagga, verse 260
It is only your social conditioning that says, "He is elder to me, so respect must be given." You feel: they have lived longer and have more experience in the ways of the world and they should be respected. But I am talking of true respect; it is respect that comes from the heart. It is that which has not been emphasized by society. This is the respect given to a true elder.
Look in
All our lives, we show fake respect to people. We wear a smile on our face, when inside we may be burning with anger.
I tell you now: really respect a person. When you meet the other's eyes, don't just wear a smile, look into his eyes. In Zen monasteries, the Master will say to start smiling from the toe. Here I am telling you to smile from your whole body. Feel each and Every one of the cells in your body bubble with bliss. Have a deep feeling that your whole body is smiling.