Page 20 - All India Magazine Jan-2026

that so? I am putting the thing rather glaringly, as though un-
der a small microscope, so that it may look a little bigger. But
it is like that. And so long as it is like that, you are a million
miles away from the true consciousness. When you are un-
able immediately, instantaneously to step back, put yourself
in the place of the other person, understand why he has this
feeling, have a glimpse of your own weakness, compare the
two and come to the conclusion: “Well, it is that, that’s the
true thing”, it means that you are still very far behind. When
you are able to do it spontaneously, instantaneously, when
it does not take time, when it is a natural movement, then
you may feel satisfied that you have made a little progress....
How many times do you have the experience during the day?
Even if you do not come to an open quarrel, how many times
is the reaction there in the head, there, something that leaps
up in the head, instead of this wisdom of equanimity which,
at the very moment things are happening and it is observing
them, understands how they are happening and why all this
occurs — and that impersonally enough to be able to smile
always and never have a violent reaction, never.
CWM 5: 63 – 64

Smiling at an enemy
You have said here: “To smile at an enemy is to disarm him.”
“Smile” means what? One ought not to smile at an enemy!

One ought not to!... What I have stated here is an experi-
ence. It is the record of an experience which I expressed in
general terms. But if, at a particular moment, somebody
comes along with the blackest intentions, if one smiles at
him, he is completely disarmed, he can do nothing any lon-
ger. But one must smile sincerely. One must not just grin or
simper and think one... (laughter) I take “smile” in a rather

20 All India Magazine, January 2026