(Half bell)

(Bell)

Dear Thay,

I have a friend of mine.

She is on drugs.

Listening to her really helps her.

At the same time,

it hurts me to be with her, too.

It actually overwhelms me.

And, I was wondering,

how can I deal 
with this overwhelming feeling?

I think we have to learn

to know our limit.

We should only spend

that amount of time with her,

in order to help preserve yourself.

If you do not preserve yourself,

you will not be able 
to help her in the future.

So, preserve yourself is very important.

You know how much time
you can give her every day, every week.

And, you might have friends,

relatives and others
that can help you.

If you have a Sangha --

because every practitioner
of meditation has a Sangha.

And, you can call for your brothers 
and sisters in the Dharma to help you.

And, with many brothers 
and sisters behind you,

you are strong.

You can do better work to help her.

And, if she joins the Sangha, 
joins the practice,

she has more chance to transform.

I know that
there are many psychotherapists

who have to spend too much time 
talking to sick people.

And, they do not have enough time 
to take care of themselves.

And, that is not good.

You cannot spend all your day

listening to the suffering
of other people.

You have to have time to

get in touch with the joyful,

nourishing and healing elements.

Because, psychotherapist needs
to be nourished also,

so that she or he can continue
for a long time.

So, to know your limit 
is very important.

And, to have a Sangha 
behind you to help you.

That is the answer.

Now, we have time for
a few questions in French.

(Half bell)

(Bell)