Nindo Nindo… (Criticize me please!)

A shabad by Bhai Chaman Lal goes:

Nindo Nindo.. Nindo

Moko Log Nindo…

Criticise me… Oh Criticise me
All you people… please criticize me.

This is from the writings of Kabir – the great Saint of Bhakti Movement. He goes on to say how the person who criticises – fairly or unfairly – does you a favor. He or she is taking on your sins while wiping off yours. Now, I do not believe in the sin-business much… I just think that the more ego and negative thought energies you have the more it becomes difficult to submerge your soul into the Universal whole. Personally, I have found that controlling anger in the face of unfair, persistent, and regular criticism, is probably the most difficult effort.

It is often said by many great men that you need to control Anger, Lust etc. which I find a silly and nonsensical advice to offer. The essential Ego in a person creates separation from the Universal… and this separation created an inherent relationship. Any and every relationship will create a reaction of either Love or Lust or Anger or Happiness. So slashing at these reactions is a meaningless exercise until your ego is still intact. THAT I thought was the raison d’etre behind the great significance of Criticism! Handling criticism can only occur when you have given up your ego. Any bit of ego left in you with not let you face criticism will a cheerful or calm disposition.

On the other hand, the person who criticises actually is full of ego – specially the one who does so unfairly!

I have tried to handle similar stuff from those whose only reaction towards you is a perennial criticism – but have been unsuccessful in wiping off my ego and the anger surfaces anyways. This shabad provided that new resolve in me!