Questions & Answers

Which fear made the biggest decision of your life?

The fear stopping you from doing what you cannot do today — who gave it to you?

And what is the thing you have wanted to say for years but have never said?

How much would be enough for you to say — that is it, no more?

Have you ever fixed that figure, or does it slide forward on its own every time?

And the thing you are chasing today — do you want it, or do you want people to see that you have it?

When did you last say “I was wrong”? Do you remember?

The thing you speak of most — could it be the very thing you trust least within?

And which relationship broke only because you could not bend?

Who angered you most last month — someone powerful, or someone weak?

Have you ever raised your voice at an injustice done to a stranger, or does your anger wake only at your own loss?

And is there someone at home who thinks before speaking in front of you? If so — that is not your respect, it is your fear.

Whose success last soured your mood?

Now consider — how much does that person resemble you?

And the last question: have you ever criticised someone because they were wrong — or because they were ahead?

Whom could you call at two in the morning? Think of a name, not a number.

Are you staying in a relationship only because being alone frightens you?

And can you sit quietly with yourself for half an hour, without a phone?

Of the work that happens in your house every day — how much do you do, and how much have you assumed simply happens?

And in the relationship you are in, when did you last give something up — only because it would please the other person?

The person you love — can they say to your face the thing you would not want to hear?

And the person you worry about most — what good has that worry actually done them?

What you want from your child — is it their dream, or your unfinished one?

When did you last ask them what they want — without having already decided what the answer should be?

And one for those who were once children, which is all of us: the thing you do fearfully today — did someone hand you that fear in childhood?

What you are accumulating — how much of it have you ever actually enjoyed?

And when did you last teach your child something that money cannot buy?

The person you consider worst — can you say exactly what harm they did to you or to anyone?

And the person you respect most — can the people in their home speak freely in front of them?

Who last told you plainly that you were wrong?

Is that person still near you, or did they drift away?

And if they drifted — did they leave, or did you let them go?

When did someone of another caste last eat a meal in your home?

And if your child wished to marry outside your caste — what would your first thought be? The first one, not the second.

The person who works in your house — do you know their full name? Anything about their children?

The last time you haggled over a price — how much do you think that person earns?

How many people in your house know what its real financial state is?

And your last large purchase — was it your need, or an answer to someone's gaze?

How much of what you learnt at school is of use today? And what genuinely is of use — where did you learn it?

When your child asks something you cannot answer — do you brush it aside, or sit down and search with them?

Do you know the real reason behind the biggest ritual in your home? Have you ever asked anyone?

And on whom does most of its labour fall?

When did you last forward something whose truth you had not checked yourself?

And the person you respect most — can you name one mistake of theirs? If not, ask whether that is their virtue or your weakness.

The idea you oppose — have you ever read it yourself, or only heard about it?

And of what is written in your own scripture — how much of it do you actually do?

The idea, the party, the organisation you believe in — can you name one of its mistakes?

And if you did name it, how would your own people treat you?

When did you last get something done at a government office without a recommendation and without money?

And the leader you consider most honest — have you seen their work, or only heard their speech?

The most honest person in your organisation — where are they today? At the top, or at the edge?

And when they were being pushed to the edge, where were you?

The faith you follow — have you ever read its root text yourself, with no one explaining it to you?

And of what you do each day, how much is written there, and how much did someone simply tell you?

Is there something you have wanted to say for years and never said? What has not saying it cost you so far?

And is there someone you no longer speak to? What was the matter that ended it — do you still remember exactly?

When did you last sit for half an hour with no phone and no company?

And when no one is watching, are you the same person you are in front of people?

What does the one you revere ask of you — an offering, or better conduct?

And of all you spent last year in the name of religion, how much reached someone in need?

The one you call your teacher — can you disagree with him? And if you did, what would follow?

And across the years in his company, did you grow more free of him, or more dependent?

The seeds you sowed today — how you spoke to someone, whose due you kept or gave — which of those fruits would you actually want to eat?

And the worship or charity you perform — is it sowing a seed, or collecting a receipt?

What have you saved up for “later” — and when does later arrive?

And if you had to leave it all today, what would you regret most — what you did, or what you did not?

Which idea in this section struck you as most wrong?

And did you think about it, or simply turn the page?

How long did you speak with the people at home yesterday, uninterrupted — truly how long?

And when did you last sit for fifteen minutes with no device and no task?

Who wrote your definition of success — you, or someone else?

And when you reach what you are chasing, who will be left beside you?

If you are a parent: in everything you taught your child, was “come back” ever one of the lessons?

And if you are the child: when did you last call your parents for no reason at all — only to talk?

The person in your house thought most upright — how do they speak to those weaker than them?

And the vices you speak against most — has fighting them ever cost you anything?

The last large ceremony at your home — how much of it reached anyone in need?

And the person in whose name it was held — how much of your time did they get while alive?

How many trees has your neighbourhood lost in ten years? Have you counted?

And when they were felled, what did you do?

If you learnt you had six months — whom would you call first?

And why can you not make that call today?

If you knew for certain there is no heaven and no hell — would you remain the person you are today?

And if the answer is no, then are you good today — or merely frightened?

Is there someone who did you good for no reason? What did you return?

And is there someone whose quarrel with you began in a way you no longer remember? What stops you from ending it here?

Of the things you are gathering — how many will go with you?

And for what will go with you, how much time do you give each day?

When did you last speak to the oldest person in your home for no reason, only to talk?

If they were gone tomorrow — of what you would do on the third day, how much would be for them and how much for those watching?

Do you know your great-grandfather's name? And one of his habits?

If not — which single habit would you want to leave for your great-grandchild?

The heaviest thing you carry — did you choose it, or did someone hand it to you?

And if you set it down tomorrow morning, what would actually happen? Think — what, actually?

The most respected people in your city — do you know how their money is made?

And the last time a powerful man was being praised in front of you, why did you stay quiet?

In your last argument, did you want to know, or to win?

And when did you last put a question to one of your own firm beliefs?

In the last ten years, what is one thing you have changed your mind about — one opinion you once held firmly?

And if not one has changed, are you that right — or have you simply not read anything new in all these years?

Whose name sits at the top of your unfinished list?

And how many more years will you take to reach it?