As a Rock Unshaken by the Wind
As a solid rock is unshaken by the wind, the wise are not swayed by blame or praise.
Today, lifted by praise and crushed by blame, did I sway with every wind?
📝Reflection
Praise and blame are both wind. They differ only in direction; in shaking me, they are the same. We are lifted high by praise and then collapse under blame, our mind's altitude sloshing several times a day at others' lips. The Dhammapada likens the wise to a rock. The rock does not refuse the wind; whether it blows or not, it simply stays there. This is not a call to ignore what others say. Hear what is worth heeding, but do not let your whole being slosh at a single remark. Both praise and blame are passing wind, and the rock that is me stays there longer than either. Merely remembering this lessens the swaying considerably.
🌱Apply It Today
When praise lifts or blame crushes you today, recall once: "this is passing wind, and I am the rock." The amplitude of the swaying shrinks.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
