Sai Prem
This podcast is dedicated to our spiritual Master sharing His universal teachings of Truth, Love, Right Conduct, Peace and Non violence through human value and moral stories . Stories connect with any age group people. Profound messages can be conveyed through simple stories. This is our humble attempt to spread these values through stories and experiences sharing. These are collection of stories from various resources which are collated in our blog Saibalsanskaar. (http://saibalsanskaar.wordpress.com) Most of the stories will be in English and from time to time we will be sharing in other Indian languages as well. Looking forward to all your support.
Sai Prem
Right attitude towards criticism!
Let us not concern ourselves with the flaws of others. Let us change others by changing ourselves and by our example others will want to change.
Give advice only if people ask for your advice. And give that advice out of love for them. Otherwise, we have no license to criticize others.
https://saibalsanskaar.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/right-attitude-toward-criticism/
http://saibalsanskaar.wordpress.com
Value: Right Conduct
Sub-Value: Right attitude
Prophet Mohammed had a disciple called Ali. Ali was often criticized by other disciples but Ali patiently bore it.
One day the others criticized Ali in the presence of the master; for a long time Ali was patient and tolerant but finally Ali stood up to defend himself. At once Prophet Mohammed stood up and went away.
Ali followed the master and asked him, “Master why did you go away when the others started criticizing me, and why did you not defend me?” The master said, “When you were silent I saw 10 angels standing behind you and protecting you, but when you started defending yourself the angels disappeared and so did I.”
Learning
The angels need not be real flesh and blood angels but virtues such as joy, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, etcetera. And, when we retaliate we show negative qualities such as revenge, hatred, and others.
It is not that only those who can defend themselves are strong. These are old virtues. Does the criticism of others give us a license to criticize back, especially if we want to be at peace or find God? Let us not concern ourselves with the flaws of others. Let us change others by changing ourselves and by our example others will want to change.
Give advice only if people ask for your advice. And give that advice out of love for them. Otherwise, we have no license to criticize others.
Courtesy; Swami Smarananandaji- Wisdom stories of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda