Be positive

It is not a disgrace if someone tells you that you are wrong. A doctor does not cause harm to a person if he tells him that he is suffering from cancer as he was not the cause of the cancer. All he did was diagnose the person’s sickness. In fact, he had done him a favour. In the same way, if your attention is being drawn to your shortcomings, it shouldn’t be regarded as a disgrace. Say for example, you are presiding over a ceremony and someone walks up to you and tells you that you have trimmed only one side of your moustache. Should you be angry or thankful to that person?

Thus, if someone points out your mistake, you should not become annoyed or angry. This annoyance emanates from two blameworthy qualities - obstinacy or pride. Both of these are extremely harmful and dangerous for your spiritual progress. That is why we should always take the correction in a positive manner.

[English version of "Etre positif" – Al Jamiat Vol.8 No.2]