🌿 Let’s Begin Here
Dear soul, it’s so natural to feel tossed by the waves of others’ opinions—sometimes praise lifts us high, other times criticism pulls us down. Yet, your true self is like the ocean beneath the waves: vast, steady, and unshaken. Let’s gently explore how to anchor your heart in that deep calm, so neither praise nor blame can sway your inner peace.
🕉️ Timeless Words
Chapter 6, Verse 7
"तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्।"
"Therefore, strive for yoga, which is skill in action."
— Bhagavad Gita 6:7
This verse teaches us that true yoga is not just about meditation but about mastering our actions and reactions with skill — including how we respond to praise and criticism. It’s about steady awareness, not being tossed by external winds.
🪬 Guiding Lights
- See yourself as the witness: Neither praise nor criticism defines your essence. You are the silent observer beyond these fleeting waves.
- Detach from outcomes: Focus on your sincere efforts, not on how others respond. Your peace grows when you value your inner integrity over external approval.
- Balance humility and confidence: Accept praise with gratitude, but don’t let it inflate your ego; accept criticism with openness, but don’t let it shrink your spirit.
- Remember impermanence: Both praise and blame are temporary—like clouds passing across the sky of your mind.
- Cultivate inner steadiness: Regular self-reflection and meditation help build a calm center that remains unmoved by external noise.
🌊 Inner Dialogues
You might be telling yourself, “If they praise me, I feel worthy; if they criticize me, I feel small.” This is a tender truth many share. It’s okay to feel vulnerable. But imagine if your worth was not a fragile glass but a deep-rooted tree—its strength doesn’t depend on the breeze but on its roots. Your true value is not in their words but in your being.
📿 What He Would Say...
“My dear friend, the world will always speak—sometimes with flowers, sometimes with thorns. But you are not the flowers or thorns. You are the earth beneath, steady and silent. Stand firm in your dharma, your true purpose, and let praise and criticism fall away like rain on the soil. Nourish your soul with self-awareness, and no wind can shake your peace.”
🌱 A Familiar Story
Think of a student preparing for exams. Some days teachers praise their hard work, other days they point out mistakes. If the student clings too tightly to praise, they may become proud and careless. If they dwell too much on criticism, they might lose confidence and give up. But the wise student listens, learns, and keeps steady focus on their goal. Like that student, you can learn from both praise and criticism without losing your calm.
✨ Just One Step Today
Take five minutes today to sit quietly and watch your breath. Each time a thought about praise or criticism arises, gently return your attention to your breath. This simple practice builds your inner steadiness, moment by moment.
🧘 Pause the Scroll
- When I receive praise or criticism, what story do I tell myself about my worth?
- How can I remind myself that my true self is beyond others’ opinions?
📢 Whisper to Share
"Praise and blame are but passing clouds—your soul, the endless sky."
🌼 Walk Forward, Lightly
May you find the quiet strength that no words can shake, the deep peace that no applause can fill. Remember, you are the calm in the storm, the steady flame that shines through all winds. Walk gently in this knowing, beloved soul, and let your heart rest in the eternal embrace of your true self.