2025.04.08

Relationships are a mirror that colors life, kinds call friends, and choose a path to grow together.

vibration

Article Contents

Kind calls friends, what lies beyond
- The environment imbues the mind: unconscious filters and influences

Kind calls friends, what lies beyond

"Kind calls friends." This age-old phrase doesn't just refer to coincidences or superficial commonalities. It's like a deeper, more complex force of attraction that works in the unconscious realm. Behind the natural attraction of like-minded and similar people to each other is an invisible thread of shared values, hidden aspirations, and unresolved issues. But should we just accept this phenomenon as a mere coincidence? Or can it be used as a compass to make a conscious choice and build a better future?

The environment imbues the mind: unconscious filters and influences

The answer is a resounding "latter". Whether consciously or unconsciously, we are strongly influenced by the people we spend time with. This isn't just a matter of similar language and tastes. Our thought patterns, the way we express our emotions, and even our fundamental attitude towards life are slowly but surely shaped by our surroundings. Just as colorless and transparent water takes on the hue of a liquid poured into it, our minds are eroded by our surroundings through daily interactions, and we are transformed without even knowing it.

Yogananda's Warning Bell: Friends Divide Their Fates

This influence is something that Paramahansa Yogananda warned of in very strong terms. "Whether you become a saint or a sinner is largely determined by the people you associate with." But if you think about it, it's a poignant illustration of how deeply and fundamentally our relationships can affect our lives. For better or for worse, we become mirrors of those around us, and the people around us become our mirrors.

The parable of the jacket: The heart is a delicate sponge that absorbs the environment

Yogananda goes on to illustrate the impact with a concrete analogy. "If you leave your jacket in the room of people who smoke, it will immediately smell of cigarettes, while if you leave it outside in the garden of a flower bed, when you put it in the room later, it will smell of fresh air and flowers. It's the same with the mind. The garment of your thoughts absorbs the vibrations of those with whom you interact."

This vivid image shows how sensitive and sensitive our minds are to the influences of our environment. Like a sponge sucking in water, our minds unconsciously absorb the atmosphere, emotions, and thought patterns around us. Just as a jacket placed in a room filled with cigarette smoke smells like a scent, there is a danger that our minds will also be imbued with pessimistic thoughts by interacting with pessimistic people. On the other hand, a jacket placed in a flowerbed with the scent of flowers will fill our hearts with bright and positive emotions as we mingle with cheerful and joyful people, just as we wear the scent.

The chains of pessimism, the prison of the mind that robs us of hope

Let's take a deeper look at pessimism. Pessimism is a deep-seated belief system that the world is full of evil and misery, and pessimists refer to people who interpret the world based on that belief. They tend to focus more on the bad side of things than the good side, and find it difficult to have hope for the future. Pessimism is not just a temporary feeling, but a chronic state of mind that is closely related to mental illnesses such as depression. When we get caught up in pessimistic thinking, we have a fixed negative view of ourselves, the world, and the future, and we are restricted from thinking and acting freely, as if we were chained.

When we get steeped in a pessimistic mindset, we tend to avoid new challenges and stick to the status quo. Because they always assume the worst and are extremely afraid of failing. In addition, it is easy to develop suspicion and distrust in relationships, which makes it difficult to build healthy relationships of trust with others. As a result, they fall into a negative spiral of deepening their sense of social isolation and becoming increasingly trapped in pessimistic thinking.

Meeting people with developmental potential, a compass for the heart, and a door to the future

So how can we get out of this downward spiral and build richer and more fulfilling relationships? The answer lies in carefully observing the other person and deepening the connection with people who feel "developable" when building new relationships.

What are the specific characteristics of a person with developmental potential? It is a person who is constantly striving to acquire new knowledge and skills and is full of motivation to pursue personal growth. They are not complacent with the status quo, but are constantly striving to break through their own limits and open up new possibilities. In addition, a person who has a clear goal and makes steady efforts to achieve it can be said to be a person with developmental potential. Even in the face of difficult situations, they never give up and persistently strive to achieve their goals.

In addition, a person who respects the opinions of others and actively engages in constructive discussions is also a person with developmental potential. They understand that their opinions are not always correct, and they try to see things from more perspectives by incorporating the perspectives of others. And those who are creative and flexible enough to not give up in difficult situations and try to find solutions will also be valuable partners with whom we can grow. They are good problem-solvers and have the wisdom and courage to overcome difficult situations.

Lastly, a person who never forgets to be grateful and cares about the people around him is definitely a person with developmental potential. They always remember to be grateful for the people around them and treat them with compassion and kindness. And those who can sincerely congratulate others on their successes and share joy with them will be irreplaceable and greatly promote our own growth.

The joy of growing together and the relationship that enhances each other enriches life

By actively interacting with people who have the potential to develop, we can be inspired and grow in the same way, reach our potential, and enrich and fulfilling our lives. Their positive energy is a powerful catalyst for unlocking our own hidden talents and abilities and allowing new possibilities to blossom.

However, what is important here is not only to wait for meeting people with developmental potential, but also to always be aware of self-growth and make efforts. Relationships are a two-way street, not a one-way street, and they show their true value when they inspire and enhance each other. In order to do this, it is essential for us to constantly learn, strive for self-development, remember to be grateful, and take care of the people around us.

It is also important not to be trapped by the trauma and stereotypes of past relationships, and to actively seek out new encounters. It's important to learn lessons from past experiences, but if you get too attached to the wounds of the past, you may miss out on new encounters and close the door to possibilities. By always seeking new encounters with an open mind and being exposed to diverse values, our horizons will broaden and our depth as human beings will increase.

A mirror that reflects your life, a relationship that reflects your ideal self

Relationships are like mirrors of our lives. The kind of people we associate with and the relationships we build are a vivid reflection of our inner selves and greatly affect the quality of our lives themselves. That's why we need to choose our relationships carefully and build truly valuable relationships where we can grow with each other, without taking relationships lightly.

Questioning Yourself, the First Step to Opening Up the Future

Finally, ask yourself: What kind of people are you dating right now? Are those relationships encouraging your growth and enriching your life? If not, what kind of relationships do you want to build and what kind of future do you want to create?

Use this question as a starting point for your self-exploration and take the first step toward making more conscious choices in your relationships and building a more fulfilling future. Kind calls friends. That is why we need to seriously think about what kind of people we associate with in order to get closer to our ideal selves and build relationships that allow us to grow together. And it is this process that will make our lives richer and more glorious, and it will be an irreplaceable treasure.

Conclusion ・ Toward a bright future with friends who walk together

We are all unfinished beings with potential for growth. And in the process of growth, relationships become an indispensable and important factor. We can be stronger, wiser, and kinder because we have friends who learn together, laugh together, and overcome difficulties together. Now, let's find friends who will walk together in the ideal future and create a future that can shine together.

Bibliography: Dialogue with Paramahansa Yogananda

Dialogue with Paramahansa Yogananda

I want to read it together