Be grateful. 

The pain of having our faults pointed out to us 

is usually less than the suffering 

as a consequence of committing faults over and over. 

Since our cultivation relies on us correcting our faults, anyone would think we’d be happy, delighted even, to have our faults pointed out by others. After all, they’re helping us progress in our practice.In reality, no one likes being corrected.

Criticism will elicit a range of reactions from us.

Embarrassment.

Guilt.

Defensiveness.

But rarely gratitude.

Which is a shame really. Most of us have a stockpile of faults and noticing them isn’t something we readily do. But we need to stop committing faults. It’s the only way we can quit suffering from the negative consequences of our actions, thoughts, and speech. To progress. A moment of chagrin or umbrage can be brushed aside. The more we do it, the easier it will get. And let’s face it, sometimes a verbal slap in the face can be extraordinarily effective.

Enough so that we know we’ll never do THAT again.