A solitary journey
QUESTION: Masters, I would be grateful if you could enlighten me as to how I can best help my youngest son who is going through a bad patch. He is feeling confused and depressed and finding it difficult to find joy in life and the moment. Is what he is going through part of his life lessons? ~Ruth, Ireland
ANSWER: The best way to “be there” for him is to let him go. He is trying to learn to ride a bicycle and someone is always holding him up instead of letting him perfect his balance with a couple of falls. Definitely be there to pick him up when he falls, and to offer advice from your experience, but only when he asks.
Humans do not spend their entire lives in joy and total clarity. He is finding his way. His elders have always shouldered some of his burdens so he has never carried a full load until now. He is more than capable of being his own person. What he is doing right now is looking pathetic to everyone in hopes of being bailed out yet again.
Let him sink if he must; that is the only way he will learn to swim his way through adulthood. This is all part of his life’s plan and lessons.