Painfull Criticism...

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"Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness becomes powerful, then I Myself come to birth."This

immortal utterance of Krishna is one of the most significant phrases in

the Bhagavad-Gita. When humanity loses its way God sends his chosen

instruments to offer light and spirituality to aspiring humanity. The

way of the great Masters and Teachers is never to force. They merely

offer their light allowing humanity to follow it if they so wish. Yet

those Masters and saints who life a pure life of prayer and devoted

service often face the world´s great indifference and at times

criticism. As Sri Aurobindo says in Savitri"The day-bringerMust walkIn darkest night."Sri AUROBINDOMany

are the examples of Saints and Avatars who came across both resistance

and criticism. The great hero of the Ramayana Sri Ramachandra returned

from conquering the demon rakshana only to suffer the heedless gossip

surrounding his wife Sita. Sri Krishna was forced to fight his own

relatives. The Buddha survived several assassination attempts by one of

his own monks Devadatta. And the Christ was betrayed by his close

disciples.It is said to hear criticism of your master and to do

nothing is one of the greatest sins. Sri Ramakrishna remonstrated with

one his disciples for enduring the false criticism of a man who spoke

ill of his Master. Sri Ramakrishna´s philosophy was twofold. If the

critics were too powerful, then he advised his disciples to see the

critics as being insignificant as ants. However if the critic was weak

and feeble minded then definitely you should say something.Different

Masters emphasise alternative strategies but whatever their approach on

the outer plane. On the inner plane the instinctiveAbraham

Lincoln said something most significant. "We destroy our enemies by

making friends with them" A true spiritual Masters nature is to

identify with suffering humanity. One who has realised the heighest

realisation sees on an inner plane sees no separation. His nature is to

inwardly offer love and forgiveness no matter what he may be forced to

do on the outer planes.However no matter how much love,

compassion and forgiveness a spiritual master offers. The ego of

humanity can stubbornly resist and remain in ardent criticism if not

hatred of the Teacher. In this case a spiritual Master uses his wisdom.

To reply to the critics of the world is a bit like, as Swami Vivekananda

noted, trying to straighten the tail of the dog. As soon as you succeed

the tail raises again. Therefore we should not engage with negative,

destructive criticism. A master knows that aspiring seekers make no

progress by dealing with negativity. If it means false criticism goes

unanswered the realisation of the Master will be unaffected. For a real

Guru the opinion of the world does not matter. There is a story of a

zen monk that is well known. 'Is That So'. A

master knows that false criticism is like poison to the seeker. Even if

the seeker knows it to be completely false, it can still act like a

slow lingering doubt, affecting the mind, sowing doubts that have no

need to be there. In this case a real master will attempt to shield his

devotees.But at the same time the Master knows that by allowing

falsehood and unfair criticism to remain the light of the Supreme is

blocked. His mission is delayed. If practical steps can be taken to

diminish the flow of falsehood then it should be taken. Not only that

but those who get caught up in an endless spiral of hate and negativity

may not realise how self destructive their own behaviour is. If action

can be taken to bring this to an end. It is definitely a good idea. But

a Master is acting always with the welfare of the world in mind and not

his own ego..A Spiritual Master knows that the best way to deal

with negativity and forces of hostile intent is to focus only on the

good and on the light that they can offer. Progress is not made by

focusing on the darkness, we make progress by growing into the light.A

spiritual master may offer his wisdom and light through writings,

poetry, and music. Some master may not engage in any manifestation, but

his realisation will show even in his face. Sincere seekers of the

truth will see and feel something in the Masters writings, poetry, art

and meditation. A spiritual Master will take the attitude "if I can

inspire one seeker, if I can be of service to just a few sincere

seekers then I will be happy. If others throw criticise me, it is not

my responsibility.For ordinary seekers we feel the pressing

issue of time, but a spiritual master deals with eternal time. He knows

that his mission is like sowing seeds, even if his mission doesn´t meet

with instant success and acceptance, he is not concerned. There is a

saying in the Upanishads."Satham eve""truth alone triumphs"The

Christ had so many bitter enemies, people of power who were jealous or

felt threatened. But who remembers their message? 2,000 years later it

is the Christ consciousness that is loved and appreciated by aspiring

seekers around the world.When Vivekananda rose to prominence

with his lofty message of religious harmony at the World Parliament of

Religions he was appreciated and adored by seekers and well wishers.

They were deeply impressed with his radiant personality and genuine

spirituality. Yet his success and acclaim brought criticism and slander

from both within American and from his native India. But it never

detracted from his mission, as Vivekananda explains with this revealing story."When

elephants go to the market to get bananas, the dogs start to bark

widely. The elephants get their bananas and return home. The dogs are

still barking but they get nothing..."Vivekananda had tasted the

bliss of nirvana. He knew the criticism of the world could never take

this away. 100 years later the immortal message and spirit of

Vivekananda is appreciated with the greatest reverence. His critics

have long been forgotten.For a spiritual master the most painful

criticism is from his own disciples, who for various reasons no longer

have faith in their own Guru. Not only can disciples leave but those

who had great devotion can occasionally swing to the other extreme,

beginning to blame the master for everything. To these former disciples

on an outer level a spiritual master may be obliged to be very strict

to preserve harmony within the spiritual community. On an inner level a

spiritual master retains compassion and forgiveness, but this is easily

misunderstspiritual masterhood, or easily mis-underestimated. Jesus knew in advance of

his betrayal he knew also he would be denied by his most devoted

disciples but in the action of Judas he still saw the will of God.

Never did he protest his displeasure. It is difficult to fathom the

divine forgiveness of a spiritual Master but it surely remains the

highest mark of a genuine Master.