A film director who was down and out once went to U.G. Krishnamurti for advice. The director, filled with self-pity, told U.G. all of his troubles: his movies were all flops, his personal relationships had all collapsed, nothing was working no matter what he did. Instead of offering sympathy and commisera-tion, U.G. told the man, "I'll never forgive you unless you become a success." This demand jolted the director and galvanized him into action. He left U.G. and immediately began to work on a new film. The film was a great success. This was followed by a series of great film successes. This man is now one of the leading film directors in India. When we are stuck and feeling sorry for ourselves, what we may need is not sympathy or commiseration but a shock that will push us into action.