Another cause for criticism is the criticizer's own ignorance. Some people cannot even see the good person that is in front of them. It's like the person's eyes are covered with mud, but he tells the other person, why are you covered in mud? It's because they project their own ignorance on you. They think you are the ignorant one, and not them. We cannot change these people, all we can do is be strong, rise up against crticism, and be unaffected.
Standing up against Criticism for being Spiritual - Inner Strength
First, you must accept that criticism will be on your spiritual path. As Acharya Shree Yogeesh has told me many times in our conversations, "You have to be strong like an elephant, even with 100 dogs barking at him, the elephant still never changes his style of walking." So True. Everyone will bark at you, criticize you, throw stones at you, and may even threaten your life. Scary, I know, but some people have threatened Acharya Shree's life because of the truth he shares. You know what he does? Literally, he starts laughing. It doesn't bother him because 1. he is in that state of never being affected, 2. he knows how to protect himself from evil people, and 3. he understands people are very ignorant and feels compassion for them.
Acharya Shree Yogeesh is who I strive to be like in terms of standing up against criticism. There are so many crazy people on YouTube and it really bothered me at the beginning of posting videos once they started threatening his life, but he just simply reminded me with a smile, "do not worry, they are just mad because they know I am speaking the truth deep down, but choose not to accept and face it." So, if an Enlightened Master, the most purest of souls is criticized, all spiritual seekers will be criticized, too...its normal. Acharya Shree Yogeesh, if compared to an Elephant, has never changed his style...and never will.
Secondly, Acharya Shree says that, "Be ready for criticism, otherwise you are not spiritual at all." That's a very powerful statement, because it shows to be spiritual is to face criticism. Like I said in other blogs, the spiritual path is not "La-La Land spirituality" where everything is happy and hunky dory. It's difficult and challenging, because if criticism is taken personally by you and too much, you may give up on your path and stop your search. This is not beneficial for you at all. So always be strong and be ready for it. Just remember it is you who is the stronger one, the criticizer knows it, and they are threatened by your good thoughts and deeds.
Lastly, you cannot change anyone. You can only change yourself. Often times in the beginning of our path, we start to experience glimpses of peace, happiness, and inspiration here and there, and so you tell others all about it, and they think you have gone mad...crazy. You cannot change them and force them to understand what you are going through, so drop that expectations of others to understand you. First understand yourself, trust yourself, and be strong. Be like the elephant that never changes its style.
To conclude, criticism will be there no matter if you are beginner or already enlightened, the truth of the matter is to not react, be affected, and just simply understand people are ignorant, threatened, and might even be envious of you for what you have discovered, the positive changes in your life, and the peace you are starting to shine.
*Photo Courtesty of Forscher (Elephant) and Angela (Baby)
