Vashi,

I am so sorry for the difficulty and hopelessness you’re experiencing. Being bullied is not easy, and its no wonder you look for relief! Don’t despair, dear sister, there is always a path to joy. A few things came to heart as I read your words.

Your sisters-in-law bully because of their own pain and suffering. I know in this moment it feels like “why do they do this to me?”… consider spending a little time contemplating “what the hell makes women act that way?” My guess (from what little information you provided) is that they are jealous of your connection to their brother, and so gang up on you to make them feel better about who they are. It really depends on social structure, do you happen to live in a highly male dominant culture?

The main source of release from bullying comes when you realize it has nothing to do with you. Bullies are in the habit of bullying, and so they lash out. Sometimes they don’t even know they are hurtful, and see it as “being friendly” or “treating her like family”. If you feel comfortable, consider going into a little more detail about what you’re experiencing, and myself and the other loving hearts at tinybuddha will do their best to help you find peace, empowerment, and compassion. It will be good if you can move your mind from a place of “oh, why me?!?” to “OK, this is bullshit, what do I do next?”

Also, consider reading http://www.bullyonline.org/related/family.htm

Namaste, sister, may peace be yours.

With warmth,
Matt