1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:15,160 2 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:18,923 (Questioner) I want to thank you for your helpful Dharma talks. 3 00:00:18,923 --> 00:00:20,726 (Sunim) Sure. 4 00:00:20,726 --> 00:00:25,337 (Questioner) My question is, when I'm with my friends and talk with them, 5 00:00:25,337 --> 00:00:28,871 there is a lack of reaction, which brings the mood down. 6 00:00:28,871 --> 00:00:31,741 Then, the conversation gets boring. 7 00:00:31,741 --> 00:00:34,942 I try hard to get along with others, but the more I try, 8 00:00:34,942 --> 00:00:37,785 the more timid and withdrawn I get. 9 00:00:37,785 --> 00:00:40,865 Now, instead of going out to meet people, 10 00:00:40,865 --> 00:00:44,871 I prefer spending time alone at home. 11 00:00:44,871 --> 00:00:49,140 The more I try to talk with people, the more intimidated and uncomfortable I feel. 12 00:00:49,140 --> 00:00:52,614 I don't know how to fix this, or how to shift my perspective. 13 00:00:52,614 --> 00:00:54,651 That's my concern. 14 00:00:54,651 --> 00:00:58,450 (Sunim) Why do you feel intimidated? 15 00:00:58,450 --> 00:01:02,647 (Questioner) It's just... 16 00:01:02,647 --> 00:01:10,077 When they seem unimpressed by what I say, I feel like they don't care about me. 17 00:01:10,077 --> 00:01:16,468 I think, "Why bother talking to them?" And I feel deflated and insignificant. 18 00:01:16,468 --> 00:01:19,958 (Sunim) So, you feel discouraged depending other's reactions? 19 00:01:19,958 --> 00:01:21,492 (Questioner) Yes. 20 00:01:21,492 --> 00:01:24,853 (Sunim) But they don't have any obligation to respond. 21 00:01:24,853 --> 00:01:27,827 (Questioner) That's true, but when I have an intention 22 00:01:27,827 --> 00:01:30,830 but don't get the expected reaction, then I feel... 23 00:01:30,830 --> 00:01:33,928 (Sunim) Isn't that normal? (Questioner) Yes, I agree. 24 00:01:33,928 --> 00:01:37,941 (Sunim) If you think that is normal, you shouldn't feel discouraged. 25 00:01:37,941 --> 00:01:43,388 Rather, it seems you expect, "If I speak, you should respond." 26 00:01:43,388 --> 00:01:47,604 You feel discouraged when that expectation isn't met. 27 00:01:47,604 --> 00:01:51,278 Whether to respond or not, is their choice. 28 00:01:51,278 --> 00:01:54,808 If you don't expect anything, there's no need to feel discouraged. 29 00:01:54,808 --> 00:01:57,530 Speak your piece and be done. 30 00:01:57,530 --> 00:02:00,507 They have no obligation to show any reactions. 31 00:02:00,507 --> 00:02:04,392 If you have to force enthusiasm from your friends, 32 00:02:04,392 --> 00:02:07,579 they are not true friends. 33 00:02:07,579 --> 00:02:10,788 That is not a good way to build friendships. 34 00:02:10,788 --> 00:02:14,777 (Questioner) I find myself separated from the rest of the group 35 00:02:14,777 --> 00:02:16,920 while they're talking and enjoying themselves. 36 00:02:16,920 --> 00:02:19,432 (Sunim) Why is that leaving you out? 37 00:02:19,432 --> 00:02:22,880 I have a friend who hardly talks. 38 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:26,636 Whenever we're together, he stays quiet but smiles. 39 00:02:26,636 --> 00:02:31,064 He just complies here and there with a smile. 40 00:02:31,064 --> 00:02:34,373 He gets along with everyone very well. 41 00:02:34,373 --> 00:02:38,663 You either want to be a leader in control, 42 00:02:38,663 --> 00:02:41,530 or desire to be the most popular person in the group. 43 00:02:41,530 --> 00:02:44,659 That is not friendship. 44 00:02:44,659 --> 00:02:50,510 True friends have fun, listen, laugh, and sympathize with each other. 45 00:02:50,510 --> 00:02:57,097 Why does friendship need so much talking? Why do you want to talk so much? 46 00:02:57,097 --> 00:03:06,850 Why do you feel the need to take the lead amongst friends? 47 00:03:06,850 --> 00:03:10,427 (Questioner) It's not so much that, but, how can I say this... 48 00:03:10,427 --> 00:03:13,439 be the life of the party? 49 00:03:13,439 --> 00:03:16,048 (Sunim) Why should you be the center of attention? 50 00:03:16,048 --> 00:03:18,622 (Audience Laughter) (Questioner) That's true. 51 00:03:18,622 --> 00:03:22,986 (Sunim) Being the life of the party is no different than wanting more control. 52 00:03:22,986 --> 00:03:26,124 The only difference is you are mixing in some English. 53 00:03:26,124 --> 00:03:30,579 (Audience Laughter) I can tell even though I don't know English. 54 00:03:30,579 --> 00:03:34,307 You have to let go of that kind of desire amongst friends. 55 00:03:34,307 --> 00:03:43,034 Should you have to practice or think of what to say before you meet your friends? 56 00:03:43,034 --> 00:03:46,407 You shouldn't. If you have nothing to say, stay quiet. 57 00:03:46,407 --> 00:03:52,182 Or you can listen and smile, or talk if you have anything to say. 58 00:03:52,182 --> 00:03:54,707 If one person mainly leads the friendship, 59 00:03:54,707 --> 00:03:59,430 or is predominantly popular, the friendship suffers. 60 00:03:59,430 --> 00:04:03,250 Friendship is about equality. That's how friends should be. 61 00:04:03,250 --> 00:04:06,995 Does not drinking make you less of a drinking buddy? Not true. 62 00:04:06,995 --> 00:04:12,951 Friends love you even if you don't drink, as long as you're buying, right? 63 00:04:12,951 --> 00:04:14,872 (Audience Laughter) You get that, right? 64 00:04:14,872 --> 00:04:17,117 You can go to those gatherings anytime, 65 00:04:17,117 --> 00:04:21,821 buy drinks without drinking yourself. Then, there are no issues. 66 00:04:21,821 --> 00:04:27,761 It is wrong to think that you can't be friends because you don't drink. 67 00:04:27,761 --> 00:04:31,430 It's just like being friends with a smoker. 68 00:04:31,430 --> 00:04:35,042 It's now frowned upon, but back then, a one would carry a pack of cigarettes 69 00:04:35,042 --> 00:04:41,508 to offer and light up for these friends without smoking yourself. 70 00:04:41,508 --> 00:04:44,010 The questioner has the wrong mindset. 71 00:04:44,010 --> 00:04:47,410 Friendship should be based on equality. 72 00:04:47,410 --> 00:04:50,781 The essence of friendship is equality. 73 00:04:50,781 --> 00:04:54,465 Whether you're a senator or holding a high position, 74 00:04:54,465 --> 00:05:01,041 flaunting wealth or status to friends breeds resentment. 75 00:05:01,041 --> 00:05:06,080 Because friendship is rooted in equality. 76 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,675 So, letting go of such notions would resolve any issues. 77 00:05:09,675 --> 00:05:14,633 No need to talk. It's unnecessary to sulk alone in a corner all day. 78 00:05:14,633 --> 00:05:18,166 Simply make eye contact and stay silent. 79 00:05:18,166 --> 00:05:24,664 Always nodding along and speaking up if there's something to add. 80 00:05:24,664 --> 00:05:27,315 How easy is that, right? 81 00:05:27,315 --> 00:05:29,077 (Questioner) You're right, thank you. 82 00:05:29,077 --> 00:05:33,235 (Sunim) Sure. (Audience Applause) 83 00:05:36,505 --> 00:05:43,684 I am hope.