Speaking to a Teenager About Suffering

"My teenage son constantly speaks about suffering in the world and asks what the way out is. Should I direct him to the Direct Path or let him find his own way? Rupert says: ‘If he never asked about these matters, I would say don’t speak to him about it, just love and support him. But he asks, so he’s interested in what you have to say. Talk with him, but you have to go to him. You understand his point of view, but he doesn’t yet understand yours – so you must make the concession. You have to become like him so he can become like you. Meet him where he is and speak his language. The Direct Path may be too radical for him – it will seem theoretical and provoke resistance rather than understanding. Be very sensitive. Even here, I’m careful about the degrees of concession I make, but you’ll need to make more of a concession than I do. Take him where he is and just take the first step. The one thing you don’t want to do is provoke resistance – as soon as you do, the door closes.’"

From event 21 - 28 November, 2025 Seven-Day Retreat at The Vedanta, 21–28 November 2025

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