Generally in the spiritual world, there is a belief that in order to reach the connection with God one has to depart from the mundane world; to isolate oneself in a monastery, to be an ascetic, etc., but He tells us that it is not necessary to do this, and compares it with the estimation of lovers who, when separated, do not need to go to a corner for to remember the other; they remember themselves naturally while they do everything.

POINTS 03/26/2018 (Madhuban) * Remembering the Father is a race of the intellect. Still, you can continue doing your work, etc. Make the heart of the soul continue to remember the Father while your hands continue to work. Those who love each other continue to work while their intellects are connected to one another; here too, your intellects must be connected with the One who makes us the owners…

How can we stop the negative influence of people who are close to us and enable them to change their thinking pattern?

This is a curious question.

I don’t know if you have ever made the attempt to change anyone.  I don’t believe I have met anyone who has been successful in that effort.  In fact, it is possible to expend a great deal of time and energy in such pursuits, without getting any success.

If you feel someone is having a negative influence on you, if you feel someone close is having a continuous negative influence on you, you do have a few options.

One possibility is to ascertain what you think you are gaining by remaining close to that person.  Is it possible that on some level you are attached to their negative influence?  Is it possible that their negativity offers you an excuse to criticise them and…