7 November 2014 - QA 4

In Bhagavad Gita it is said that your Soul itself is the friend and the enemy. Isn’t enmity an action by another? Are we ourselves the reason for the enemy?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes, enmity is an emotion which arises in our mind. If another person considers us an enemy then that is their doing, not ours. It is their headache; from our side we don’t consider anybody as an enemy.
If it seems that somebody is an enemy, then act accordingly. I’m not asking you to go hug them or make them your own. If an enemy brings a gun, you also stay ready. If they come with bricks and stones, you also get ready accordingly. You also be ready to protect yourself. Use your intellect.
At the level of emotions there is no benefit in considering anybody an enemy. Never feel anybody is an enemy.