“It takes quite a spine to turn the other cheek. It takes phenomenal fortitude to love your enemy. It takes firm resolve to pray for those who persecute you.”
– Rob Bell

Kabir – The couplet
??? ??? ???? ???, ??? ??? ????? |
????? ??? ???? ???, ?? ?? ??? ? ??? ||

transliterated:
Khod khaad dharti sahe, kaat koon vanraay |
Kutil vachan sadhu sahe, aur se saha na jaay ||

Translation:
The earth sustains the blows of a hammer, the tree of an axe – without retaliation|
Only the learned can accept slander without effect, lesser mortals can only react||

My thoughts:
The Bible (Matthew 5), Mahatma Gandhi, and every wise person and book before, between and since, have always urged us to turn the other cheek, and even demonstrated by example. Sant Eknath (1533 – 1599, a great devotee of Lord Vitthala) demonstrated forbearance most famously by his taking bath 108 times in the river Godavari to wash off the spit of persons who were convinced that they had to insult him. After 108 times, after their mouths had run dry, and he still came back with a smile, they asked him why he was not mad at them. To which his famous response came – it is thanks to your act that I was able to achieve 108 baths in one day in these holy waters. Thank you for the opportunity!

If we were to think back, each and every day, nigh every moment, we are presented with opportunities to be humble and receive of this world’s and God’s bounty. However, our ego, our own personal opinion of how the world is all about us, gets in the way and prevents us from lighting that wonderful internal light that can light up our countenance and the world brighter than a thousand suns.

True strength comes not from mighty physical deeds, but form simple acceptance. When we accept and bow our head, even the mightiest arm stays, stops and waits for the next moment. When there is no reaction, action stops and understanding floods the space, washing out all confusion.

Let us teach patience, acceptance and forbearance to the world, one person at a time. Reach into yourself, and allow the world to see, feel and benefit from the real you. That is the real purpose of our existence in this moment!