If everything is racist, who can say racism is bad? They say every relationship is racist. OK, let’s also say every relationship is sexist. Let’s also say every relationship is colonialist. And let’s also say every relationship is xenophobic, homophobic, islamophobic, paternalistic, patronizing, pathetic, misogynist, oppressive, genderist, polyamorist, ageist, and dumb.

Studied carefully, every relationship is each one of those things and anything else you want to call it. So who’s to say any of those things is bad or wrong or even escapable? If the system is racist et al, the system is racist et al, and that’s that. So, isn’t it easier to just laugh and pat each other on the back and share a beer and pizza or what not?

What is bad, demonstrably, in that it causes unhappiness and harm, is calling those things bad and claiming to be able to eradicate them.

We should believe that God is the indweller of the heart and must follow the teaching that comes from the heart and adopt good methods to follow such a teaching. Our ancients have given us sacred paths of yoga (spiritual practices) and meditation to overcome evils and gain control over our senses. To control anger and hatred, the ancient sages left their villages and went to the forest. Today it is not necessary to retire to the forest to get rid of anger and hatred. Virtue cannot be practised in a vacuum. If you live in an atmosphere of anger and are able to control it, then it is a meritorious achievement. But if you live in a forest where there is no room for anger and say that you have controlled your anger, it is not meaningful. You must, therefore, remain in the worldly surroundings where there is ample scope for the rising up of emotions of anger and hatred, and then learn to control them. That will be a meritorious achievement.