When you look at others’ faults

Many people passionately engage in searching for faults and shortcomings in the lives of others. Their heart, mind, and even their body assume a posture that reflects distrust, suspicion, and enjoyment in discovering that others are also fragile, far from perfection. Whether it’s famous personalities, friends, or relatives, they lower everyone to their level and end up seeing dishonesty and misery even where they don’t exist. Instead of striving to become the best version of themselves, they take pleasure in proving to the world that everyone harbors dark secrets and that there are no real virtues or examples to inspire us.

I wrote “many people” just to make you feel included in the righteous group, but I’m speaking to you, to everyone, of course.

When we look at others’ faults, we fail to realize that we are actually observing ourselves. We think we embody truth and honesty, but we end up carrying the marks of the faults and vices we continuously sniff out around us on our faces. It’s easy to recognize: when you look around and resentment, anger, and frustration arise within, something in your way of looking has bent towards pain.

If you are on a spiritual path, instead, commit yourself to discovering and praising the hidden qualities and virtues in others, and see how everything is always admirable, especially the deepest vulnerabilities, because sooner or later they always lead us to recognize the divine within us.

An admiring embrace.