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.
Praise and blame are both wind.
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.
