WHAT TO DO WHEN PROVOKED

Even if there is provocation one should be tolerant, for once one becomes angry his whole body becomes polluted. When a person becomes more humble and spiritually advanced, they will not be easily offended if they are being criticized or provoked. One sign of spiritual advancement is that one actually becomes more aware of one’s own imperfections and faults. So, if someone is criticizing me, then I will consider it. I will feel that there is a good chance that this might be true to some extent. I will not immediately react in an angry manner. We usually don’t see some things about ourselves that are easy to see for others. I have benefitted the most from constructive criticism. This can be very helpful. And if someone else criticizes us out of a feeling of wanting to feel superior, wanting to find fault and argue, then the best thing usually is to tolerate it and either leave or change the topic.