Socrates, Rumi, and Criticism

We’re animals. It’s shocking to me, since I’ve been coming to sangat for more than 20 years now, and I’m still so very animalistic. My consciousness is animalistic, my actions are animalistic. Only rarely does Guru Nanak forgive me once in a while and show me what life can be like if I weren’t so animalistic; of course, shortly thereafter, I forget these lessons, and go back to my animalistic self. If only I could harness the power of my Mahapurakhs, if only I had the true faith and the true love that Guru Nanak wants us to have. Then, maybe, I would be spared from this animalistic consciousness. Alas, I fight the battles I fight for a reason.

Animalistic consciousness is a dangerous state of mind. One aspect that I’ve tried to work on over the past couple of years is my response to criticism. I’ve often been criticized by my parents, my teachers, my siblings, my friends, and my mentors and role models. I’ve tried to slow down the speed of my thoughts when I’m in the midst of being criticized, and if nothing else, at least in this one part of life, I feel that Guru Nanak has helped me make some minor strides, through His bani, and through various other messages and messengers.

“Know Thyself” – Socrates

One lesson I’ve learnt is that criticism is rarely totally unfounded. Perfection might be unattainable, and as a result, some criticisms may be unfair relative to others, but at the end of the day, most criticisms are totally valid, even when they come from someone who says it in spite or in enmity. If we take care to focus on the message being conveyed and not the way it was said, then we can make improvements in our lives.

This path that we’re on is one of continuous improvement. Gurbani very clearly says that we need to reach a state of mind where we realize – and not just acknowledge – God in our own Selves, as well as everywhere around us. We all know that God is in each of us, but I for one will definitely admit to having no clue as to where He is in me. I haven’t realized Him in me, because I haven’t put in enough time or effort to do that inward Khoj, and I’ve chosen to stay stuck in certain places, which have probably stunted my spiritual growth. I know He’s with me somewhere; I just haven’t realized Him.

Guru Nanak sends us the messages we need to hear, and sometimes the messages we need to hear are difficult to absorb because we don’t really want to hear them. But if our path is one of continuous self-improvement, then not only do we have to accept the idea that all criticism is an opportunity for growth and learning, but that we also have to be very well aware of where we are presently in order to absorb that criticism. In other words, if we don’t know where we are as individuals, then we can’t set goals on where we want to be and what we want to become. If we don’t know what we want to become in some detail, then it’s hard to interpret criticism in the right way. A young basketball player doesn’t know how to react to a coach who tells him to be a better shooter if he never chooses to realize that he could be a better shooter.

Instead, often, our animalistic consciousness rebels against criticism. We refuse to accept the opportunity presented to us, and we view criticism solely as a negative experience. Our inner dog barks at criticism like it is the unwanted mailman, thus scaring away potential future opportunities for growth. The point of accepting criticism is not to become slaves of what others want you to be, no! ; rather, it’s to view criticism as an opportunity to become what you have the potential to become.

The Dog Problem
– Rumi

This is a beautiful way of explaining what the animalistic consciousness does to us. Not only does it scare away others, it prohibits our True Selves from coming out! Our own selves become confined by the arrogance and ignorance of our animalistic consciousness, reducing our ability to have our soul soar into the Aatmic Manddal, the Spiritual Realm. Instead, we become basic individuals guided and defined by our animalistic consciousness, focussing on the false beauties and pleasures of the world.

Ros na Kaahu Sang Karoh

Aapan Aap Beechaar

Hoey Nimaana Jag Raho

Nanak Nadri Paar

Now, what if a dog’s owner
Were not able to control it?
A poor dervish might appear: the dog storms out.
The dervish says, “I take refuge with God
When the dog of arrogance attacks,”
And the dog’s owner has to say,
“So do I! I’m helpless
Against this creature even in my own house!
Just as you can’t come close,
I can’t go out!”
This is how animal energy becomes monstrous
And ruins your life’s freshness and beauty.
Think of taking this dog
Out to hunt! You’d be the quarry.