Monday Morning Greetings 2025 #44 – On Criticism II

On Criticism II [1]

What constitutes constructive criticism, and when do we overstep its line?

Before defining that line, it is first necessary to explain what criticism is, why it is so difficult to avoid, and why these are such critical questions to answer for one on the spiritual path.

Criticism, or being overly critical, occurs when the envy in our heart is expressed. That propensity is difficult to transcend as we are born into this world overcome with desire and hate (envy).[2] Criticism born of envy is therefore antithetical to the very foundation of yoga, or any spiritual path, which upholds ahiṁsā or non-violence. I like how that principle is expressed here:

“The shadow of resentment keeps our spiritual light from shining through, never allowing us to fully experience who we are.”[3]

The question now emerges: How do we reconcile that sentiment with the obvious need and duty to correct the mistakes of others and expose injustice? Those on the spiritual path can criticize when it is one’s duty to correct, when in position to achieve a constructive result, and if it is done with compassion, not hate.

For example, in the Bhagavad-gītā, the first words Śrī Krishna speaks to Arjuna are, “You are a pretender and a fool, for the wise man laments neither for the living nor the dead.”[4] Krishna is taking the role of a teacher who must correct his student to help him overcome ignorance and transcend the ego. Krishna’s criticism is the right action. It is His duty as a teacher. Most importantly, Krishna is criticizing Arjuna through genuine affection for His devotee and friend.

In other words, it is not enough to criticize another simply because of a mistake made. We must be vigilant that our criticism is not just an excuse to enjoy a sense of superiority, or that it is born from hate. Such mal-intent creates a cloud of ignorance that covers the soul. If we can be somewhat introspective, we will realize that our criticism of others usually indicates more about ourselves than it does about anyone else. At least that has been my own experience.

I once did an exercise called “A Complaint Free World.”[5] The exercise involves keeping a band on one’s wrist and moving it to the other wrist every time one criticizes another person. The exercise posits that if one can avoid criticism completely and keep the band on one wrist, without changing it for three weeks, then the habit of avoiding unnecessary criticism will be established. It was tough. Every time I wanted to criticize someone, I immediately became aware that not only was I engaging with a negative thought, but I could clearly recognize how often my desire was rarely a product of duty, but mostly to satisfy my ego and sense of superiority.

The role of the critic, however, has its proper function, for unless there are people who can point out and correct the faults of others, individual or societal development will be stunted. Ultimately, being critical is only effective for those who have the duty to point out another’s faults and, most importantly, the character and compassion to do so. William Penn said it best:

“They have a Right to censure, that have a Heart to help: The rest is Cruelty, not Justice.”

[1] On Criticism I was one of my early Monday Morning Greetings: https://wavesofdevotion.com/2016/10/10/on-criticism/

I also shortly wrote On Criticism II. I reviewed it for this article and substantially rewrote it here.

[2] This last sentence is paraphrased from Bhagavad-gītā 7.27.

[3] Reference unavailable for this anonymous quotation.

[4] Gītā 2.11

[5] https://web.archive.org/web/20201019071404/http://www.willbowen.com/complaintfree/