Everybody Must Get Stoned

Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Everybody Must Get Stoned

Sensei Smilling

Marty Callahan

8th Degree Black Belt

“Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good. They’ll stone ya just like they said they  would. They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home. Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all  alone. But I would not feel so all alone. Everybody must get stoned.” 

-Bob Dylan, American Singer-Song Writer

Bob Dylan is one of America’s greatest singer-song writer. The truth in what he is saying in his  song ‘Everybody Must Get Stoned’ is universal. It means that as we strive to make something of  ourselves, we will all, at some point, face people who will try to hurt us.

The only time this may not happen is if we hide our life away and live in seclusion. So, if this  hasn’t happened to you yet, get ready, because it will.

So, what do we do? How do we prepare ourselves? How do we go on after we get stoned? I’m  not a politician and I’m generally not very trustful of them but I do admire their ability to let  criticism roll off their backs.

So, we could freeze up, let fear take over, and run and hide. But if our oppressor is intent on  hurting us, this will only embolden them and they will just throw more rocks. Or, we could fight  back, and maybe we should but it probably shouldn’t be your first response as it can stimulate  your enemy to respond with more vengeance.

But perhaps the best response is to show that it doesn’t bother you, let it roll off you, think “This  too will pass” and “Oh well, have a nice day.”To Make Anyone Immediately Regret Insulting You Show that you are unaffected