A ploughman's sons were always quarrelling. He scolded them to no avail - his words did nothing to change their ways. So he decided to teach them a practical lesson. He asked them to bring him a load of firewood. As soon as they had done this, he gave a bundle to each and told them to break it up for him. But, in spite of all their efforts, they were unable to do so. The ploughman then undid the bundles and handed each of his sons a stick at a time. These they broke without any trouble.

"So!" said the father, "you too, my children, if you stay bound together, can be invincible to your enemies. But if you are divided you will be easy to defeat."

Reprinted with permission from Olivia and Robert Temple, from The Complete Fables, by Aesop, translated by Olivia and Robert Temple, 1998, Penguin Books Ltd, 27 Wrights Lane, London 5TZ, England.

Q: Can you think of situations in your own life where, if you could cooperate with others instead of fighting with them or competing with them, you would all achieve your goals?

Q: How can you cooperate with others who have different opinions, view points and attitudes to yourself? How can you cooperate with others who are cruel to you, betray you and hurt you? Can you relate your answers to the following maxims of Sahaj Marg?
Maxim Six: "Know all people as thy brethren and treat them as such"
Maxim Seven: "Be not revengeful for the wrongs done by others. Take them with gratitude as heavenly gifts"

O, Master!
Thou art the real goal of human life.
We are yet but slaves of wishes
Putting bar to our advancement,
Thou art the only God and power
To bring us up to that stage.