Lessons of the Avanti Brahmana

Yesterday was a bit emotionally turbulent for me. I won't go into the details (for professional reasons), but let's just say that I was experiencing some adhibautika (sufferings caused by other living entities), which lead to adhyatmika (sufferings caused by the self/mind). How is it that we give so much control of our mental states to other living entities? One word or one comment can be enough to send us into a state of anger or depression. Why are we so affected by others opinions or perceptions of us? Obviously it's simply due to the false ego, but just saying and knowing that in theory doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Others harsh comments still sting, still affect us on an emotional, psychological level.

I wish I could be more like the Avanti brahmana, who's tale is narrated in the 11th Canto, 23rd chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam (http://vedabase.net/sb/11/23/en1):

"The brahmana said: These people are not the cause of my happiness and distress. Neither are the demigods, my own body, the planets, my past work, or time. Rather, it is the mind alone that causes happiness and distress and perpetuates the rotation of material life." (S.B. 11.23.42)

We all have the choice of how we assimilate and interpret our experiences. We can see someone's harsh comment from the point of view of the false ego and think, "Why is this person so mean? They don't even know me! Now I'm going to avoid this person or think ill of them!" or we can perceive it with the intelligence and see it as Krishna speaking to us through Paramatma, "Oh, Krishna is speaking to me through this person. What lesson am I to be learning from this in order to make advancement on the path of devotion?"

Every moment, every experience, is a chance to make spiritual advancement. There is never a moment where Krishna is not present. So as aspiring devotees, we must have faith that everything we experience is being arranged by Krishna, even the seemingly "bad" things, i.e. - things that aren't pleasing to our mind or senses. That type of surrender will bring us closer to Krishna. It will bring in us a sense of calm and inner peace. It's what allowed the Avanti brahmana to ignore the disrespect and abuse of others. A lofty platform? Certainly, but one that can be attained through constant practice and self reflection.