Hello all,

Just wanted to add another sympathetic voice. I think it is more and more difficult to relate to our parents as we mature into adulthood, and develop our individuation. As children, we have the One relationship with our parents, as child and parent. As we mature, we change as people, and become independent adults ourselves, while our parents may change, they are probably changing at a slower rate than their children do. Therefore, there’s a shift in how the parties relate to One another, and well, most everyone has some difficulty with change, least of all change in those whom we are close to.

That’s just One side of the multifaceted entity that is our relationship with our parents.

One practise that helps me with things that challenge me, or make me angry, is indeed that of Metta Bhavana, and also the idea that we are all seeking our happiness, and each of us is just as entitled to that happiness as any other is. They’re intrinsically linked really. Therefore, that wood-dove (aka pigeon) cooing outside my window, keeping me awake after a night shift, it’s merely trying to impress a mate, so as to procreate and further it’s genetic material. I find that focusing on that, allows the frustration to melt away, and I can then get to sleep, in that particular case. This after years of finding the calls of pigeons particularly annoying.

Victoria, I think it’s great that you can see the beauty being cultivated by your struggle. I’m generally pretty happy-go-lucky, but of course come up against unhappy times, and I always try to learn something from that, to grow. You asked if there were resources; I’m not sure where you are in this world, but I know in the UK there’s a charity for the mental health field called MIND. Might be worth getting in touch with them. http://www.Mind.org.uk

Sabbe Satta Sukhi Hontu – May all beings be well,

Eric