Life Without Conflicts

This document is a German translation of "Life Without Conflict" by Dada Bhagwan, published by Dada Bhagwan Aradhana Trust. The book is a compilation of spiritual discourses and teachings focused on achieving a life free from conflict, providing practical guidance for harmonious living in all aspects of life, including family, business, and personal interactions.

The core philosophy presented is Akram Vignan, a direct, step-less path to Self-Realization. This path was revealed to Ambalal Muljibhai Patel (later known as Dada Bhagwan) in 1958, leading to his ego-death and subsequent enlightenment. Dada Bhagwan explained that the "Dada Bhagwan" is the pure Self that resides within everyone, fully manifest in him and yet to be fully manifest in others.

The book emphasizes that all suffering and conflict stem from misunderstanding and false beliefs. It offers practical wisdom and scientific approaches to overcome these misunderstandings and achieve inner peace and freedom. Key themes and teachings include:

• The Art of Living: Life without a clear goal leads to wasted effort and suffering. The ultimate goal should be liberation (Moksha), but at the very least, life should be lived without conflict. True happiness comes from understanding oneself, not from material pursuits.
• Understanding Suffering: Suffering arises from false beliefs and a lack of Self-knowledge. True suffering is related to basic unmet needs (hunger, thirst), while much of what we perceive as suffering is self-created due to comparison, attachment, and wrong understanding.
• Family Harmony: The book provides insights into resolving conflicts within families, addressing parent-child relationships, marital discord, and intergenerational differences. It highlights the importance of understanding, adaptation, and avoiding excessive attachment. Parents are encouraged to be more mindful of their interactions with children and to act as instruments of nature rather than trying to force change.
• Business Principles: Honest dealings, pure intentions, and managing finances responsibly are crucial for harmonious business. The teachings advise against greed and emphasize treating employees with kindness and respect.
• Dealing with Conflict: A central teaching is to "avoid conflict" (Konflikte vermeiden) and to "adjust everywhere" (sich überall anpassen). This means understanding that others act based on their own circumstances and karmic accounts. Instead of reacting, one should remain an observer and adjust to the situation, or practice Pratikraman (a process of repentance and seeking forgiveness for one's own role in the conflict).
• The Role of Gnan (Self-Knowledge): True understanding and resolution of conflicts come from Gnan, the knowledge of the Self, which can only be obtained from a living Gnani Purush (Self-realized being). This knowledge helps in detaching from the relative self and recognizing oneself as the Pure Soul.
• Pratikraman: This is presented as a key spiritual practice to neutralize the karmic effects of mistakes and to resolve inner conflicts.
• Vyavasthit (Scientifically Ordered Universal Factors): Everything that happens is governed by Vyavasthit, a set of natural laws. Understanding this helps to detach from the sense of being the doer and to accept events with equanimity.
• Self-Improvement: The book strongly advocates for focusing on self-improvement rather than trying to change others.

The book is presented as a compilation of Dada Bhagwan's discourses, aiming to transmit the essence of his teachings to a wider audience. It acknowledges the challenges of literal translation but strives to preserve the depth and spirit of the original message. The teachings are designed to help individuals experience inner peace and harmony in their daily lives while progressing on the path of spiritual realization.