Cultural Factors

by Friends of Godwin

It’s interesting for me that over the years I have been discovering the cultural factors relating to too much and too little effort. Usually when I meet Westerners I realise that they try too hard, so I tell them to relax and take it easy. And with Sri Lankans it is the opposite, they’re too relaxed. So with the Sri Lankans I have to push them, some of them.

So when you live in a culture where generally speaking you have to try hard, the danger is that you try to do things perfectly and this can create tension. I think it is O.K. to try to do things perfectly, thoroughly, it’s a good quality, but when that quality generates tension and self-hatred it is not very wholesome. And those who are not practising hard enough must realise that and exercise right effort.