We normally look for the company of like minded people who agree with us on most matters. We feel good to see others endorsing our point of view. There is little doubt that we can improve ourselves by comparing notes and sharing our experiences with such people.

However interacting with people whose ideas are diametrically opposed to ours can sometimes be of greater benefit for our mind’s development. Our natural tendency is to react with irritation, anger, impatience, restlessness when confronted with such situations. On the other hand this type of situation should serve as a mind’s mirror to see clearly for ourselves our own state of development. When we get angry we should note that it is the reaction of an anger-prone mind to external stimuli. Someone else in similar circumstances may not react with anger. We should then realize that this reaction is unique to us and that our minds still have latent tendencies of anger. They remain dormant until such time the mind confronts the right `nimitta’ - object. This can trigger off a process of frank self assessment in order to identify the tendencies and propensities that are accumulated in our mind’s `hard disk’ through millions of years which continue to disturb and agitate our minds. This could be the first step to get rid of them.

If the confrontation causes suffering and pain of mind, we ought not to run away nor be repelled by it, looking for more pleasant company. Continued suffering leads us to the understanding of the unsubstantial nature of life (Sunnata). There is not an iota of frustration associated with this understanding. It is to understand `the things as they are’.

Didn’t the `so-called’ unpleasant confrontation quicken the pace of our understanding?