An introduction:
We all want there to be more of the Divine Presence evident in our lives and the world.
And one of the most immediate and universal ways we can achieve this has to do with how we see and treat others.
As YSS/SRF President and Spiritual Head Swami Chidananda Giri has recommended: “Look for and concentrate on the expressions of goodness and spiritual consciousness in all persons you encounter — even those whose opinions may not match your own — and you will find that the very act of paying attention in this way increases the manifestation of God’s presence in this world….See others as souls, and by that attitude of respect and appreciation you will subtly draw from them — and from yourself — a greater expression of soul qualities.”
Shared below you will find stirring and balanced wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda on the importance — and great benefit — of practising the soul quality of kindness.
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
Sincere, sweet words are nectar to thirsty souls. Kind words are in demand everywhere.
It is not necessary to agree on everything in order to show kindness. Calm silence, sincerity, and courteous words, whether one is agreeing or disagreeing with others, mark the person who knows how to behave.
I could not think of being unkind, even to a mortal enemy. It would hurt me. I see so much unkindness in the world, and there is no excuse for me to add to it. When you love God, and when you see God in every soul, you cannot be mean.
Don’t let people walk all over you, but always be so calm within that nobody can hurt you or take away your peace of mind. When I feel my kindness is abused repeatedly by someone, I become sternly silent and aloof until that person realizes his error; but I don’t become unkind.
One of the greatest victories over the little self is to be sure of your capacity to be always thoughtful and loving, to be secure in the knowledge that no one can make you act differently. Practise this. The entire Roman government could not have roused unkindness in Christ. Even for those who crucified him, he prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Go out of your way to make others happy. You cannot please everybody, but to those souls who cross your path, give kindness and love. There is no more liberating action than sincerely to give people kindness in return for unkindness.
[Affirm:] “I will always hold the unfading torchlight of continuous kindness, in the hope that I may warm the hearts of those who misunderstand me.”
We invite you to watch a short excerpt from a talk that Swami Chidanandaji gave in 2023 in Hyderabad, India, where the YSS/SRF President explains how — through the science of meditation — we can elevate our consciousness and awaken the divine qualities of our true soul-nature.
