How do you respond to ridicule?

Ridicule affects people differently.  Some people react to ridicule with intense emotion and/or use words.  Ryokan offers another example.  He is a Zen Buddhist monk who lived much of his life as a hermit. He responds to ridicule by bowing deeply in silence.  He does not seek to explain or justify himself.  

What if you allow energy to flow and respond to everything and everyone with kindness? Take a moment.  Notice what you feel is happening.  Wisdom is not acquired, but reveals itself inside as one lives fully. 

Comments

[Bern]

Perhaps someone becomes ridiculed because they are broadcasting an invitation for such an action to occur. The monk, realizing that something important has been brought to his attention, bows to the ridiculer in thanks for allowing him to become aware of something that he would like to forgive in himself. This is similar then to blessing an aspect of something that someone would like to infuse Light into. We can be thankful for all messages and interactions that we allow into our Being. Also, the ridiculer may be considered kind and kindred in reflecting back an issue that has been lost or forgotten within.

[Liara Covert]

Bern, the contents not the container are what matters. It is not what you do, but where its coming from and why it is done, that is important. As one notices something exists that is worth forgiving, this encourages peace, kindness, and compassion within self and toward others. For some people, a certain revelation may be the first time they see beyond their mistakes and faults. Sensing the bigger picture is to realize everyone has intrinsic value and is worthy of forgiveness. This is truly liberating.

[Rizal Affif - The Soul Sanctuary]

That is astonishingly beautiful, Liara. A very good example, a pearl on its own. I'm so glad you shared it... I'll share this too.

Thanks a lot.
With deep bow :)

[Jannie Funster]

Before I started reading your blog, Dear Liara, I may have let ridicule bother me. Now I choose not to feel bad because another would like me to. Actually, I don't get much ridicule per se, but offhand remarks I have been sensitive about before are no longer such an issue!

xo

[Liara Covert]

Rizal, a bird generally has two wings. One wing may be viewed as compassion and the other wisdom. Life offers opportunities for experience. We gain insight into what compassion and wisdom truly are.

[Liara Covert]

Jannie, being kind to one person may seem like torture to someone else. There is actually no such thing as troubled people, only perceptions of troubled interactions with others. Now, why is this?

Consider that no matter who you get away from, you cannot escape from yourself. You are never the problem, its how you relate to life (external worlds) and inner self. As you grow more self-accepting, you no longer experience conflict or criticism. You no longer notice them and they cannot affect you.

[tikno]

I usually do not respond until the third ridicule. But if it happened continuously, I think I must to react because I consider him not merely ridiculing me but having other intentions.

[Hilary]

Hi Liara .. often ridicule comes from a place of no understanding .. their ridicule actually shows their ignorance .. and we can laugh it off .. or if it's more hurtful we can remove ourselves. On the other hand as you say .. we can be gentle and 'accept' without upsetting or hurting either party .. a learning curve again .. Hilary

[Liara Covert]

Tikno, a good rule of thumb is to know you respond with either love or fear. If someone criticizes you and you take it personally, that means, take it to heart, then you choose to believe what the person says is true and real. If you love without condition, you know a person unaware knows not what he does. You love him anyway.

[Liara Covert]

Hilary, love the point you make. Love how every 'learning curve' is also an invitation to unlearn beliefs and assumptions we outgrow.