Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura na milya koye. Jo mann khoja apna, mujhse bura na koye.
Sant Kabir
In English: I went looking for the bad in others and found none. When I searched my own heart, I found no one worse than me.
What this doha means
Kabir wrote these two lines more than 500 years ago, yet they describe something we all do every day. It is easy to spot what is wrong with other people: the relative who talks too much, the colleague who takes credit, the neighbour who never smiles. It is much harder to turn that same sharp eye on ourselves.
Kabir is not asking us to hate ourselves. He is pointing out that the faults we judge most harshly in others often live in us too. Once we see that, our judgement softens, and we have more energy left to work on the one person we can actually change.
An everyday example
Imagine a family gathering where an aunt keeps comparing you with your cousin. Your first thought is, “Why is she so insensitive?” But later that week, you catch yourself thinking, “Why can’t my brother be as organised as my colleague?” The same habit, just pointed in a different direction.
Noticing this is not a reason for guilt. It is a chance to be a little kinder, both to the aunt and to your brother.
Today’s reflection
Whose behaviour bothered you this week, and what might it be showing you about yourself?
Write one honest line in your journal tonight. Just noticing is the first step.
Read today’s post: How to Handle Family Comparisons Without Losing Your Peace
