How to handle such things? Should I reply to that person with strong words and forget about it, or listen without replying?
Human beings live in ignorance and hence their opinions have very little value, if any. The only value of criticism is that it keeps us grounded and doesn’t let vanity creep in through some backdoor. Out of the two, – criticism from others and self-vanity- criticism is better. When it comes, the best thing is to see impartially within oneself if we have missed out or turned a blind eye to something within us. If there is some merit in the criticism directed towards us, however exaggerated by the person criticising us, we have an opportunity to improve and correct. And if there is nothing in it, then it is best to ignore it unless it comes from those who love us dearly. In such a case, we can discuss and see the merit of it and the change needed. If it comes from the Guru, though the spiritual Master rarely criticises and certainly not in the way ordinary humanity does, then one should carefully look within to discover the insincerities within us.
In any case, we should not let the criticism by others take too much hold upon us. What matters most is to focus on the positive aspects, to grow and progress towards our higher, diviner possibilities. By a constant Godward growth, many things that are presently negative in nature drop away while the positive elements grow into their true divine value. After all, that is what matters in the end: how we handle and utilise everything for growing and progressing towards the Divine Goal before us. The rest, especially what people think of us, is least important or interesting. They should be left with their ideas. Correcting them is a vain effort and a waste of time.ย
Affectionately,
Alok Da
