Changing Attitude

A young man went to the abbot from the monastery, wanting to follow a spiritual path.

For one whole year, give a coin to anyone who insults you. - Said the abbot.

For twelve months the young man gave a coin away whenever someone insulted him. At the end of a year, he returned to the abbot, to find out his next task.

Go into town and fetch me food.

As soon as the young man left, the abbot disguised himself as a beggar and - taking a shortcut he knew - went to the gates of the town. When the young man approached, he began to insult him.

How marvelous! - said the young man to the so-called beggar. For a whole year I had to pay everyone who insulted me, and now I can be insulted for free, without having to spend a thing!

Upon hearing this, the abbot removed his disguise. Whoever is capable of not minding what others say, is a man on the path to wisdom. You no longer take insults seriously, therefore you are ready for the next step.