Daily Meditation: Friday, October 8, 2004

Needs - adults must reflect on the Needs they awaken in young people

10/08/2004

Are there many adults who are truly concerned about helping young people become clear-sighted, balanced and strong? No, a great many of them are on the lookout for that which can seduce children and adolescents whose instincts and desires are awakening, and they hasten to satisfy their every whim! It begins with toys and then continues with all sorts of objects or activities which are completely useless or even harmful. Young people would themselves have no idea of such things unless they saw them displayed everywhere in shop windows and promoted by advertising. These people are guilty of leading young people into error. First of all, they elicit material needs in the young which they cannot satisfy, which not only leads to frustration, but to the desire to obtain dishonestly what they cannot obtain honestly. Then, by trying to convince them that they absolutely need these objects and activities in order to feel well and happy, they turn them away from the true search for happiness and the meaning of life. These people should not be surprised if one day they have to suffer from the criminal behaviour which they have helped to create and nurture.