Contemplation, like most spiritual practice, is better grasped when experienced.
Exercise Fifteen
April 27th, 2006
Refer to - Sedona Lecture, November 2002 - God: Transcendent and Immanent, approximately, 1 hr. 20 minutes in
Be Kind
"Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such." Confucius
"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate." Albert Schweitzer
"What wisdom can you find greater than kindness.? Rousse
"Compassion for others begins with kindness to ourselves." Pema Chodrin
The Random acts of kindness foundation: http://www.actsofkindness.org/about/
A Canadian branch: http://www.kindacts.net/
Truth is simple. That is why it is so difficult for our egos to comprehend it or to honor its validity. Our personalities believe it must be complex.
This week's exercise is Be Kind. It is a vital and powerful exercise of how to live in the world and in our mind. When we view life from the context of kindness, we find that we see it everywhere.
Rather than experiencing life from the view of cynicism, or the view of victim-hood, or the view of defensiveness, we look to the world and we treat the world from a stance of being kind. We recall the times we were stressed and thoughtless, rude and in a hurry. We remember when we thought we were right and discovered that we were really very wrong. We give people a break. We go out of our way just a bit more than is expected and that is usual for us. We choose to remember the golden rule. We ask ourselves if we would like to be treated the way we are treating this person?
EXERCISE
- Put into words what kindness actually means to you. Be kind. What does that request mean to you?
- As a spiritual practice, being told to be kind seems plain and simple. While we will be putting into practice a great spiritual truth, there is nothing in this practice that smells of incense. We hear no chimes or beautiful music; nor do we practice special body postures. Instead we move into the world with a carte blanch intention of assuming kindness is warranted in every circumstance.
- The focused practice of kindness both to your self and to others is without exception. Holding such a stance can seem tough to do and brings up all the areas of fear and resistance within our selves. This is exactly what we want to flush out - any resistance we feel to show kindness to our self or to another.
- Once these areas of resistance are brought to light, brought to our awareness, we can ask "Will I be kind? Can I choose to see this situation or person or my self from a kindly perspective?
- This is a practice in which we focus on our spiritual purpose, and we call on our Inner Guide for assistance. We remember we cannot do this alone. Applying the simple practice of kindness will bring forward our need to surrender our ideas of treating our self and others 'on condition'.
- I will be kind to you if you _____ (treat me a certain way)
- I will rescind my kindness when you _____ (treat me a certain way).
- So let us begin our practice by searching our minds for the situations in which we decide it is justified to rescind our kindness. Think of what it is a person could do or you could do that would allow you to treat them, or yourself, unkindly.
- What makes it alright to ignore someone? Is it when they are a stranger? When they are rude to us, or angry, or demented? When it is none of our business or not our concern?
- When is it okay to be unkind to yourself?
- What is it that you do or do not do that leads you to self punish? What makes that alright or justified?
- Spend the week watching, or noticing, or focusing on your actions and intention to be kind. Notice how it feels to take this stance as opposed to being indifferent, or actively attacking.
Being universally kind acts like a laser beam, cutting through much of the dross of your egos. You need to understand no ideology nor memorize any steps. Instead you are committed to being kind in all ways at all times. This is a simple and direct practice of laser focused, totally committed, unconditionally kind behavior.
Ask your self if you are willing to commit to such depths?
Always ask for Divine Assistance as you endeavor and commit to practice these simple directions.