How do strong minded people not let what people are saying about them get to them?

One day Buddha was visiting a tiny village. He had become a religious man, also called a Brahmin and was travelling from town to town to share his message. He was becoming so popular that when people heard that Buddha was coming they would go to hear him speak.

As a result many other brahmins lost their audience. One brahmin was so upset that he went to see him late at night. He was so furious.

“You have no right teaching others” He shouted

“You are as stupid as others, you are nothing but a fake.”

Buddha smiled at the brahmin and listened until he was done with his rant.

When the brahmin was done buddha still sat smiling at him, this made the brahmin even angrier.

What are you doing there smiling, what do you have to say?

Then BUDDHA finally spoke:

“Tell me something brahmin, do friends and relatives ever come to your house?” He said yes.

“And tell me something, do you serve them food and delicacy when they arrive.” Yes I do, he replied.

“Then tell me something if they don’t accept it, to whom do those foods belong?” - Well if they don’t accept it those foods belong to me.

“Yes”, said Buddha.

In the same way I do not accept your anger and your criticism , it is all yours.

The brahmin was stunned and could not think of anything else to say.

If you become angry with me and I don’t get insulted , then that anger falls back on you.

Excerpt From Neil Pasricha - The Happiness Equation (affiliate link)

 

credit:Anuj Raman