The Will-To-Good Group

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Criticism (October 24, 2004)

We all need to learn to do less of this in our daily lives!  Watching the Presidential debates in the United States brings to mind how much of an issue this really is.  We all need to pay more attention to our speech and especially those statements of criticism we are so apt to let fly off our tongues.

We are not here speaking of those conversations that point out and discuss problems that need attention, whether that be on a personal or group level.  We are speaking specifically about those unnecessary statements and comments to and about others that aren't worthy of voice.  We are not only all guilty in this area we are also very much in control of not applying words and thoughts to criticism of others. 

It is soon learned how difficult it really is to curb these long time habits of ours by consciously trying each day not to voice criticisms.  You will soon see how many and how easily they roll out of our mouths!  But if each one of us try to at least cut back on statements of criticism and do our utmost to watch our words we can't help but have a better world for it.  As mentioned it is difficult to change our choice of words from those of habit to those of mental choice - you will notice the difference you make in other's lives and your own as well with a little thought and work on your speech.  It's the little things in our everyday lives that breed and grow into big things and a better tomorrow for us all.

Below are some quotes on this subject:

"In the coming cycle I emphatically tell you that the true work will be carried forward (the work of spiritually welding the world into a synthesis and the production of a recognized brotherhood of souls) only by those who refuse to be separative and whose words are watched so that no evil is spoken; these are the workers who see the divine in all and refuse to think evil and impute evil; they work with sealed lips; they deal not with their brothers affairs, nor reveal that which concerns them; their lives are colored by understanding and by love; their minds are characterized by a trained spiritual perception and that spiritual awareness which employs a keen intellect as the corollary of a loving spirit.

May I repeat in other words this theme, for its importance is vital and the effect of the work of these instruments on the world is immense. These men and women whose mission it is to inaugurate the New Age have learned the secret of silence; they are animated ceaselessly by a spirit of inclusive love; their tongues lead them not astray into the field of ordinary criticism, and they permit no condemnation of others; they are animated by the spirit of protection. To them will be committed the work of fostering the life of the New Age."

- A Treatise on White Magic, p-631, by Alice A. Bailey

"It will be obvious to you that the first and most important of these difficulties will be those arising from group criticism, either voiced or strongly felt. This criticism can be based on many things, but is usually rooted in jealousy, thwarted ambition, or pride of individual intellect. Each member of any group, particularly those in the immediate circle of the leader or leaders, is prone to sit in judgment. The responsibility is not theirs; they know not the problems as they truly exist and criticism is, therefore, easy. It should here be remembered that criticism is a virulent poison. It damages in every case eventually the one who criticizes - owing to the fact of voiced direction - it hurts still more the one who is criticized. Where there is purity of motive, true love and a large measure of detachment, the subtler bodies of the one who is under attack may remain immune but the physical effects will be definite and where there is any physical weakness or limitation there will be found the localization of the projected poison.

Unvoiced criticism is very dangerous for it is powerfully focused and strongly, though not individually directed; it issues continuously and as a steady stream, sent forth on the wings of jealousy, ambition, pride in a personal grasp of a supposed situation and a belief that the one who criticizes is in a position to understand correctly and could - given right opportunity - take right action. Where the criticism is voiced and expressed in words, it is consequently strengthened by the cooperation of those influenced by the criticism and the consequences of this group-directed thought may result in the physical undoing, and disruption of the physical body of the leader or leaders. This may be a new thought to some and should cause many in the New Age groups to arrest their thoughts and so release their leaders from the disastrous impact of their criticism.

I refer not here to hate, though that is often present, either consciously or unconsciously, but simply to the "sitting in judgment" and to the idle critical gossip which seems necessary to the average group member. It is like the very breath of death and it can not only kill the leader through accumulated poison and distress but it can also kill the group life and render abortive the efforts which could, if given cooperation and time to develop, prove constructive agencies through which the Hierarchy might work."

- Esoteric Psychology II, p-617-618, by Alice A. Bailey

"What matters it if each knows the weaknesses of his brother on the Path, and if all are aware of an individual's frailty? Are you yet so imperfect and are you yet so unloving that knowledge need evoke criticism and resentment, instead of love and understanding?"

- Discipleship In the New Age, p-301, by Alice A. Bailey