It has been quite common throughout human history to teach children to respect and obey their elders and those who hold positions of authority. But is that really the best way to relate to children and others for whom we have responsibility? Might there not be some unintended consequences of teaching people never to question authority?
For instance, without the ability to ask questions of those in power, what are the real possibilities for genuine cooperation? For deep human relationships? Without the ability to ask questions, what are the possibilities for coming to see things as they truly are? Is it even possible to appropriately question authority without being disrespectful? Read on to hear Sadhguru’s comments on respect and the importance of questioning authority.
Can We Demand Respect?
Sadhguru says, “respect is not something that you ever demand in your life. Please, don’t ever do such a vulgarity, that you demand respect. You can only earn it, you cannot demand it. The moment you demand it, it becomes vulgar. So, you stand one step higher than somebody, and you demand respect; or, the only stupid thing that you did is, you came here a few years earlier than someone else, and you demand that “I’m senior.” So, this is an unfortunate reality that’s well established in the world, that in the name of religion, in the name of authority, in the name of parenthood, in many different ways, we have been trying to establish ‘authority is the truth.’ No, authority is not the truth – truth is the only authority.”
The Importance of Asking Questions
Sadhguru says, “you must understand and be a little compassionate, when you ask a question and somebody freaks, it means obviously they don’t have an answer. See, a question is a tool. A question is a tool to dig a little deeper. But somebody is asking a question to prove a point – that’s not good. So, don’t ask a question to your parents, or to somebody else, just to prove your point. No, ask a question because it’s a genuine question! Even the dumbest question you have, if it means something to you, it means something to me; if it doesn’t mean anything to you, don’t ask such stupid things, because it doesn’t mean a damn thing to me either. But if it means something to you, maybe it’s a stupid question, somebody thinks it’s a stupid question, but it means something to your life, it means a lot to me. So, please make sure your questions are genuine, whether you ask a parent, or a political leader, or a spiritual leader, it doesn’t matter who the hell you ask a question.”
“When you ask a question, you must understand: the purpose of asking a question is to expand yourself from what you know to enter a territory where you do not know something – that’s the idea of asking a question. But you ask a question to prove them stupid; then, maybe they’re getting mad. See, you’re entering their territory now, but your life is not just about your life. How you conduct your life will determine the nature of this world, isn’t it so? When you have such a responsibility, you have to ensure that truth is the only authority – authority is not the truth. It doesn’t matter whether it’s parents, or teachers, or spiritual teachers, political leaders, or god himself came down and he said something stupid; you must be able to question him.”
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