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 Criteria....................4
that this is one of the most important criteria in growth, health and freedom. When this has 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
therefore for all concerned -- are the sole criteria of eternal values. These values are not accessible 117 SHAME: A LEGACY OF CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, EVEN FAVORABLE ONES
of living but makes appearance and pretense the criteria according to which one wishes to be judged 161 UNCONSCIOUS NEGATIVITY ENDANGERS SURRENDER OF EGO TO INVOLUNTARY PROCESSES
their divine selves inspire them! These are the criteria for the path today. Every stage in the 204 WHAT IS THE PATH?
 
 Criterion...................8
sounds to the ear. For you, the ultimate criterion is in touching, hearing, or seeing, because you 10 MALE AND FEMALE INCARNATIONS: THEIR RHYTHMS AND CAUSES
intuition would be missing. So that is the criterion by which you can proceed and judge. Each 48 THE LIFE FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE
will no longer matter who said it, the criterion will be what was said. Subjective coloring, due 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
still come your way. That is not the criterion. The criterion is how you react to the 69 THE FOLLY OF WATCHING FOR RESULTS WHILE ON THE PATH; THE VALID DESIRE TO BE LOVED
your way. That is not the criterion. The criterion is how you react to the problems. QUESTION 69 THE FOLLY OF WATCHING FOR RESULTS WHILE ON THE PATH; THE VALID DESIRE TO BE LOVED
think that mutual exchange of ideas is the criterion, while at other times, it is the mutual 106 SADNESS VERSUS DEPRESSION -- RELATIONSHIP
make the communication very deep. The only true criterion is how genuine you are, how open and 106 SADNESS VERSUS DEPRESSION -- RELATIONSHIP
to receiving good feelings from others, is the criterion by which we can determine whether the chain 179 CHAIN REACTIONS IN THE DYNAMICS OF CREATIVE LIFE SUBSTANCE
 
 Critical....................9
nothing but subterfuges to avoid self-search. Use your critical faculties to detect the excuses you make only 5 HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF OR HAPPINESS AS A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF LIFE
next meditation, ask yourself whether you are too critical about others; whether you actually condemn them, even 33 OCCUPATION WITH SELF -- RIGHT AND WRONG FAITH
is not too close to? One is less critical ... ANSWER: Why, of course. This is just the 106 SADNESS VERSUS DEPRESSION -- RELATIONSHIP
daily mental activity, which goes on unobserved, without critical evaluation, so you are unaware of how your 175 CONSCIOUSNESS: FASCINATION WITH CREATION
is the result of a wrong idea. A critical aspect of this work is the articulation of 183 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF CRISIS
any good; on the contrary, it increases the critical tension. The momentary relief is illusion of the 183 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF CRISIS
not defend yourself against unpleasant feelings by being critical and judgmental with each other. You thereby opened 187 (THE WAY TO HANDLE) ALTERNATION OF EXPANSIVE AND CONTRACTING STATES
wall between you and them. You make yourself critical of them and then you must feel that 219 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE -- MESSAGE TO THE CHILDREN
and then you must feel that they are critical of you. In your mind they seem to 219 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE -- MESSAGE TO THE CHILDREN
 
 Criticism...................45
difficulties, your weaknesses and your problems, and receive criticism. The latter, of course, is equally healthy for 26 FINDING ONE'S FAULTS
if you have the sincere conviction that the criticism is an injustice, try to evaluate it nonetheless 26 FINDING ONE'S FAULTS
else you judge too harshly, even though the criticism in itself may be justified. The isolated fact 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
its real value, and the way a little criticism -- real, imagined, or implied -- can spoil 71 REALITY AND ILLUSION CONCENTRATION EXERCISES
deep down that, no matter how unfounded the criticism in this case, you yourself criticize your lack 71 REALITY AND ILLUSION CONCENTRATION EXERCISES
hurt. In this attitude you will not fear criticism or disapproval; your forcing current will dissolve. If 71 REALITY AND ILLUSION CONCENTRATION EXERCISES
may discover in themselves a reaction of aloof criticism and contempt for all people who assert themselves 84 LOVE, POWER, SERENITY AS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES AND AS DISTORTIONS
fulfillment, fearful souls will regard any minor rejection, criticism, or disapproval as such drastic danger that they 86 THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION IN CONFLICT
your mood. By the same token, any little criticism or disapproval may completely spoil your mood. It 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
lovable, faultless. In the second case, a little criticism makes you feel no good at all, at 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
you should be. On the other hand, disapproval, criticism, or failure are also final. Now, the world 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
consequently, crushed. Thus you are incapable of taking criticism in a constructive way. Yes, you may make 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
sign of maturity is the ability to take criticism and frustration in a relaxed, constructive way. Mature 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
likable without being perfect. They therefore know that criticism does not make them all bad and all 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
with what is feasible. In other words, when criticism comes your way or your will is frustrated 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
yourself, knowing that you are capable of taking criticism with flexibility and are able to learn from 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
and are able to learn from it. Thus criticism will not crush you; rather, will give you 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
yourself and others. Hence, you will not fear criticism, nor frustration, nor failure as if they were 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
counterfeits. Rigid, perfectionistic standards prohibit making mistakes, receiving criticism, experiencing failure. They point to your fallibility, which 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
you are bound to make occasional mistakes, receive criticism, and fail to have your wishes met. If 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
may make a wrong decision and thereby incur criticism or frustration, will plunge you into despair. All 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
in you are touched, or when you encounter criticism or disapproval. You will detect a hardening, a 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
believe, erroneously, that any hurt or frustration, any criticism or rejection is a danger you must guard 101 THE DEFENSE
emotional hurt, rejection, frustration of your will, and criticism. When you feel accused of something true, half-true 101 THE DEFENSE
If you translate your emotional reactions to such criticism, you will readily see that your feelings say 101 THE DEFENSE
endangered or threatened because of hurt, frustration, or criticism? You, yourself, will have to verify that this 101 THE DEFENSE
verify that this is not so. Even unjustified criticism cannot endanger you, provided your attitude toward it 101 THE DEFENSE
and realistic. Is it not true that the criticism, against which you so strenuously defend yourself, often 101 THE DEFENSE
error of believing yourself to be inadequate. The criticism would not damage you at all if you 101 THE DEFENSE
evaluate: Could there be some truth in the criticism? Observe your inner reaction of fright. You will 101 THE DEFENSE
that your fright is unjustified, even if the criticism is wrong. Nothing can happen to you; you 101 THE DEFENSE
could you be? You would simply evaluate the criticism and decide whether there may be some truth 101 THE DEFENSE
you have to get annoyed? What can this criticism do to you that causes annoyance? Have you 101 THE DEFENSE
from this point of view? Justified or unjustified criticism cannot really harm you, unless you think you 101 THE DEFENSE
does not want to deal with obstructions, frustrations, criticism. It will tell you that you wish just 108 FUNDAMENTAL GUILT FOR NOT LOVING -- OBLIGATIONS
that an outer event -- be it rejection, criticism, or loss -- can cause suffering, one is 126 CONTACT WITH THE LIFE FORCE
may be unable to stand any form of criticism, even if it is unjustified. What these two 129 WINNER VERSUS LOSER: INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE SELF AND CREATIVE FORCES
of myself. Whenever I feel threatened by rejection, criticism, frustration of my immediate desires, I at once 166 PERCEIVING, REACTING, EXPRESSING
attitude, just because you might experience frustration, delay, criticism, or the negativity of others. I think most 176 OVERCOMING NEGATIVITY
reaction to an unfulfillment, to a hurt, a criticism, or a frustration. It is then possible to 192 REAL AND FALSE NEEDS
it, even if it may expose you to criticism. Strength, self-trust and security come as a result 237 LEADERSHIP -- THE ART OF TRANSCENDING FRUSTRATION
leadership is the willingness to risk exposure and criticism. If you fear and guard against it, and 237 LEADERSHIP -- THE ART OF TRANSCENDING FRUSTRATION
they wish to assume the risks of exposure, criticism, slander and hostility that those in the limelight 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
to make others understand and to use their criticism as a tool to explore the reality of 252 PRIVACY AND SECRECY
hiding. If your self-revealing seems to elicit more criticism and censure than love and understanding, I would 252 PRIVACY AND SECRECY
 
 Criticize...................6
their imperfections, even though they may see and criticize the imperfections of others all the time. This 17 THE CALL -- DAILY REVIEW
unfounded the criticism in this case, you yourself criticize your lack of courage to help mature the 71 REALITY AND ILLUSION CONCENTRATION EXERCISES
always the truth. Productive love sometimes has to criticize. Whether this applies to another person or to 96 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS; COMMENTS ON LAZINESS AS SYMPTOM OF SELF-ALIENATION
feelings of another. They do not disapprove or criticize. They demand a minimum of personal sacrifice or 115 PERCEPTION, DETERMINATION, LOVE AS ASPECTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
to have power over you, because they can criticize you, they can reject you, and in that 219 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE -- MESSAGE TO THE CHILDREN
level. So when others doubt you, distrust you, criticize you in any way, on the surface you 232 BEING VALUES VERSUS APPEARANCE VALUES -- SELF-IDENTIFICATION
 
 Criticized..................13
with those who make them feel unloved and criticized, or at least insecure. Their severity is a 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
Then he feels safe, because he is not criticized. Also, he does not like to be separate 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
you must hide them because you would be criticized and therefore not loved. So you develop a 86 THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION IN CONFLICT
what if we get annoyed at being unjustly criticized? ANSWER: The very feeling of annoyance is the 101 THE DEFENSE
be loved and respected if something to be criticized is found in you. QUESTION: What if it 101 THE DEFENSE
shyness, uncertainty, insecurity, apprehension about being rejected or criticized, as well as feelings of inferiority and inadequacy 174 SELF-ESTEEM
of self-assertion, which accepts the risk of being criticized, leads to an openness of mind that can 179 CHAIN REACTIONS IN THE DYNAMICS OF CREATIVE LIFE SUBSTANCE
to be spared all frustration, to never be criticized, to be always loved and loved your way 191 INNER AND OUTER EXPERIENCE
because he or she insists on never being criticized or frustrated. But if you can deal with 207 THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEXUALITY
example: When you are attacked or judged or criticized or rejected, as long as you operate with 232 BEING VALUES VERSUS APPEARANCE VALUES -- SELF-IDENTIFICATION
unaware of it when you are not being criticized. You seem centered when you receive praise and 232 BEING VALUES VERSUS APPEARANCE VALUES -- SELF-IDENTIFICATION
cannot bear the momentary pain of being misunderstood, criticized -- rightly or wrongly -- then you do 237 LEADERSHIP -- THE ART OF TRANSCENDING FRUSTRATION
not be understood, or I will be unjustly criticized. This, of course, is not valid. For if 252 PRIVACY AND SECRECY

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