🌿 Let’s Begin Here
Dear friend, navigating the waves of praise and criticism can feel like a storm tossing your heart and mind. It’s natural to feel elated by praise and wounded by criticism — these reactions show your tender human spirit. Yet, there’s a deeper peace waiting for you, where neither applause nor judgment can disturb your inner calm. Let’s explore together how to gently rest in that place of freedom.
🕉️ Timeless Words
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि॥
(Chapter 5, Verse 10)
“O Arjuna, in this world, there is nothing that I have to do, nor anything that is yet to be achieved by Me. Yet I continue to act.”
This verse reveals the essence of divine detachment — Krishna acts without attachment to results, unaffected by praise or blame. Like Him, we too can learn to act with full presence but without clinging to outcomes or opinions.
🪬 Guiding Lights
- See yourself as the doer, not the result: Your worth is not measured by others’ opinions.
- Practice equanimity: Treat praise and criticism like passing clouds — observe without clinging or pushing away.
- Focus on your duty, not the applause: Let your motivation come from doing what’s right, not from external validation.
- Remember the impermanence of all things: Opinions change like seasons; your true self remains untouched.
- Cultivate self-awareness: Notice when your mind clings to praise or recoils from criticism, and gently bring it back to center.
🌊 Inner Dialogues
You might be telling yourself, “If they praise me, I feel worthy. But if they criticize, I crumble.” This tug-of-war can feel exhausting and confusing. It’s okay to feel vulnerable — this is your heart speaking. Yet, beneath this fluctuation is a quiet witness, your deeper self, patiently waiting to be recognized. You are more than what others say about you.
📿 What He Would Say...
“Beloved, do not let the fleeting voices of the world sway your steady heart. Praise and criticism are but ripples on the surface of your being. Dive deeper into the ocean within, where your true self rests, untouched and infinite. Act with love and sincerity, and release attachment to what others think. In this surrender, you will find your freedom.”
🌱 A Familiar Story
Imagine a student preparing for an important exam. When praised, their heart soars — but when criticized, it sinks. Over time, the wise teacher shows them to focus not on the applause or the frowns but on the joy of learning itself. The student begins to study for the love of knowledge, not for grades or approval. Slowly, their peace grows, no longer tossed by others’ opinions. So too can you find joy in your own path, beyond praise or blame.
✨ Just One Step Today
When you notice praise or criticism arising in your mind, pause and take three deep breaths. Remind yourself softly: “This too shall pass.” Let your heart rest in that moment of stillness.
🧘 Pause the Scroll
- What part of me feels most shaken by praise or criticism?
- How can I connect with the deeper self that remains steady, regardless of what others say?
📢 Whisper to Share
“Neither the applause nor the scorn can touch the soul that knows its own light.”
🌼 Walk Forward, Lightly
Dear one, may you find the quiet strength to stand like a mountain — unmoved by winds of praise or storms of criticism. Your true self is beyond all words and judgments, radiant and free. Walk gently with this knowing, and may peace be your constant companion. You are held, you are loved, and you are enough — always.