Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

BENEFIT #01: ENHANCED AWARENESS OF EGO …
Before we discuss the significance of the three fingers pointing back at our accusers, it is
wise to recognize the one that is pointing at us. The more we consciously choose to Care
for others around us, the more our Humility deepens. And the more our own Humility
deepens, the more we are able to calmly appreciate the hints of Truth that rest within
every criticism that is thrown our way.
Instead of dismissing a criticism or emotionally defending ourselves whenever our
actions are condemned or our motives are questioned, we can take a step back. Without
allowing those critiques to damage our level of Self-Respect, we can calmly take stock of
what has been said and honestly see where it might have some merit. Even though we
know that all disparaging remarks are primarily reflective of those who utter them, we
can still pause and use them to reflect upon ourselves.
When a friend tells me that I am not being productive with my life; that I could be doing
so much more for humanity, I listen to that criticism humbly. It doesn’t matter that he has
never seen my work as a Peace Pilgrim and that he has absolutely no idea how productive
or unproductive I actually am. What is important is that I do know, and his criticism has
opened the door for me to pause and take a deeper look at my life – to see whether or not
I myself feel that I am being “productive enough”; to feel myself whether or not I am
truly satisfied with the ways I am currently serving humanity.
And when I do so, his criticism – one that could very easily have become a source of
anger or frustration or annoyance – becomes a cherished Gift. Instead of futilely striving
to explain my life choices to him or emotionally defending the same, I am able to express
gratitude to him for his concern, and this whether that concern was an accurate one or
not.
In this way, instead of damaging my relationships, this practice allows criticisms to
strengthen them.
BENEFIT #02: ENHANCED COMPASSION …
Whenever others criticize us in any way – whether their criticisms take the form of
accusation, analysis, rejection, ridicule, or gossip – we are allowed to realize that what
these people are actually doing is telling you quite frankly how they feel about
themselves. Indeed, it is only possible to see behaviors in others that we have at least in
some way already enacted ourselves. And it is only possible to become emotionally
agitated by those behaviors if we are at least in some way ashamed of or embarrassed by
our own similarity to them.
As such, if another person calls you a “liar” – for example, then in actuality it is they
themselves who are hiding something from someone. And if they are also angry with you
about your accused dishonesty, then they are actually ashamed of their own.
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