Remember this: Don’t soil your soul by mixing with those who are mischief makers. Bless them. Give them love, and learn not to let them draw you down to their level. Refuse to be insulted by anyone. Just remain quiet. God could speak, and shake the world, but He doesn’t because to do so would be to use force to make us behave. He has given us freedom to act rightly or wrongly, and He is silently waiting for us to change our wrong behaviour. That is the way for all those who love God. They suffered silently. If anyone causes them suffering, they say, “All right, if you feel happiness in hurting me, go on.” It is a marvellous ideal. I never had such joy in my life as through this philosophy.
Similarly, whenever you are hurt, remain silent. And inside don’t feel hatred or anger. If someone speaks to you in hurtful language, remain quiet; or say, “I am sorry if I have done something to offend you,”and then remain silent. What can that person do then? I have practised these things. Nobody can make me fight, even if he slaps me. I would go down on my knees and ask pardon. How can such a person fight you if you don’t want to fight? He who believes in Christ should not retaliate when someone is trying to “get his goat.” The example of Christ is that we are here to love one another. We must never retaliate. You have no idea what strength comes from such self-control and love. You behold humanity as little children- they don’t know what they are doing.
Extract from the book “The Divine Romance” by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.
