... or anyone really. Many people don't realize that praise is a subtle form of judgment, (favorable judgment usually, but judgment nonetheless), accompanied by the implication that one is qualified and called to do so.

One of the things that mystics go through as they move through their own set of lessons is to learn to manage ego... identify it, its methods and results, get leverage on and control the thing until it ceases to operate, or operates within parameters such that it creates minimal distraction. There is a middle stage where this seems the most difficult.

Digression/ I vaguely recall reading somewhere decades ago of a mystic-type, possibly sufi, who would suffer all sorts of questions, doubts, even bad behavior; but if you praised him directly you would be instantly on the receiving end of a torrent of invective, as well as a soundly swung cane, if only within reach. The person bearing the praise was seen to be a demon trying to fan the flames of 'ego' into life through a back-door sort of method (the favored door of ego, often). And so the mystic, trying to preserve his hard-won freedom, was fierce in his resistance. /Digression

This middle stage consists of having some model of the problem, but as yet little or no model to remedy it, let alone a practical agency.

It is especially difficult in the presence of other people. There is a reason for (the quintessential) retreating to some mountain cave for a long period: Ego (for us humans, at least), is largely a socially derived phenomena. Think about it: Suppose you were going to spend the next 1,000 years alone doing research on Planet Zorptron. No contact with anyone else, with the possibility of there never being any ever again. Concern with hairstyle, cut of suit, the statement that your handbag makes, or the style of vehicle you may toot around in fades into utter insignificance. You would also develop a friendly, easy, yet impersonal relationship with your modelling system (uterus in which ego can take root), which in turn no longer has to spend most of its resources modeling YOU. And also, no one would be collapsing your waves to fit their belief / modeling systems. Nor would you be compelled to distort your own consciousness to fend off this common intrusion.

Even once a mystic gets past that stage, and has no more trouble with ego than with any other form of flatulence, direct praise still doesn't do; Although they can then easily suffer that form of behavior as well as they can other less-than-drawing irruptions of yet-to-be-trained children. But they don't relish it.

If you want to 'praise a mystic' or show appreciation, the best thing is to, well, not want to; but else wise, show respect for his or her ideas by vetting them and asking, perhaps, questions as you might want, to clear things up, or even better, bring something to the table (not already there) that compliments the ideas or even reveals a new dimension or depth that was not there previously, or even better, put those ideas into use, visibly so, or even otherwise.

... or simply do nothing at all, but just be part of the flow .... building bridges, planting flowers, singing songs, dancing the dance.

(Sorry for the preachy tone.)

-Montana

I have always felt that people are too quick to praise and worship where they should put more energy into emulation.
Every person that I have ever heard of or read about, that was considered to be in the catagory of "mystic" has always been more conserned with teaching others that there is a path available to ALL. None that I know of (that I consider to be TRUE mystics) were interested in praise or worship. They have all been more interested in showing us "the way".

It reminds me of what Ghandi said about Christianity... "such a wonderful idea, too bad no one has ever tried it"

_________________
LOVE is the answer

peace
patrick

i do not believe this sufi, or teacher, was doling out lashes for the benefit of the student. if he had the student's best interests in mind he would have lashed him for his insufferable questions, doubts and bad behavior. instead, the rational behind this mystic's motives for caning his student seem to be pretty selfish, imho.
certainly adornment from others can create an unhealthy appetite for more of the same, but lashing others for your own insecurities is nothing more than exerting control over your environment so that your insecurities are never tested and ultimately overcome.

the harsh reality is that we can't overcome obstacles by avoiding them. the purpose of creating IUOCs was to facilitate interaction. 20 year meditation-retreats have their benefits i'm sure, but i believe it's the interaction with those that frustrate, annoy and infuriate us that builds the tolerance and acceptance that leads us to low entropy.