practicing kindness

I have read much in posts here about being kindness, practicing kindness, etc…

What does that mean ?

~Peace

Re: practicing kindness

Dear Friend,

As you already know there is another web page www.silenttemple.org/practice.htm

which seeks to assist with this question directly. And thanks for helping with the process. ;-)
Toward the One
OM AH HUM
H

Re: practicing kindness

H,

The link you posted brought me to a site that appears to be for downloading music.

Also, since it (kindness) is a thing that is mentioned much on this pod, I thought it might be good to also mention, define, discuss, what it is here.

Peace,

Peace123

Re: practicing kindness

Again, I ask your gracious forgiveness. it is * .org not *.com, and the link is corrected.  I have again had a long day. We had some flooding here with the 6 inches of rain. Just a little stress. No big whup.

For reasons that involve intellectual property rights, Evil Hahayana has requested that Sean post his talks on his site.  Throw rocks at me please. Sean might want to have all the rights to his writings some day later in life. He really doesn't care about this stuff.

H

Re: practicing kindness

H,

Sorry to read about the flooding. Please do try to get soem rest.

Maybe it is me but when i click on that link it still brings me to the .com site, even though it says .org.



I guess I do not understand what praticing kindness is, I had no idea it was something that belonged to Sean, but I respect your wish to keep it safe for him.

Peace

Re: practicing kindness

Your kindness in helping me correct my errors is appreciated.
I have re-edited the URL. Maybe this time the magic will work. Poof!
Sean has no interest in owning the Dharma. NONE
He does not care about his “intellectual property rights”. One day his Buddha grand daughter might.
The future is uncertain.
I respect the purity of your thoughts,
Towards the One
OM AH HUM
H

Re: practicing kindness

“practicing kindness” is like “trying to be nice”

can't we just BE kind and BE nice? Instead of practicing or trying?

Bright Blessings
MM

Re: practicing kindness

Hi MM!  :O)

We use the understanding of practice because we sometimes “fail” in being kind, and as a result, unrealistic self-criticism and self-disparagement can happen if we don't understand our actions entail practice. Realizing we are practicing reminds us that the spiritual journey contains practice as a necessary view and action.

A related view point is Shunryu Suzuki realization of “beginner mind” no matter where we stand in stage consciousness. Embracing beginner mind, we are all beginners and in the process of practicing. Otherwise, egoistic propensities too often emerge.

Your use of the word BE is very key in the sense that we should live from
 our beings.  However, being or beingness is enjoyed by few, and simply demanding that we just BE kind is unrealistic and doomed to disappointment.

Sean

Re: practicing kindness

I wrote a poem a while ago about this. Hope you like it. 

Loving Kindness

Its a kind of blindness
Which turns us from Loving Kindness
For when this world appears

Intent on creating tears,

We become protective

Of the way we live

And force our shell

To harden and rebel.

Loving kindness as taught

By the higher beings when sought

Should manifest at will

When needed, but still

Requires patience and compassion

In unconditional loving fashion

To join your heart

With those apart.

From Helpfulness to Charity

Through Support and Courtesy

We find a way to nurture and bless

Enhancing worldwide loving kindness

This manifestation

Of God's devotion and affection

Within you, becomes the sum

Om Mane Padme Hum

Re: practicing kindness

:O)

Re: practicing kindness

Dearest MM asks why can't we just BE kind, why must we 'practice'?

She is the nicest and kindest person I know. She does BE kindness. It is possibly impossible for her to BE anything else and probably inconceivable to her that many humans just didn't arrive here in the same state of purity that she did.

That being said, I must point out that doctors have a medical “practice”, religionists are often referred to as “practicing” Christians or Buddhists or whatever, and finally —
as Grandmama always cautioned:

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!       : )

Re: practicing kindness

Perfect knowledge is irresistible. Words become meaningless. I bow to the guidance of the Perfect Goddess, transmitted with stainless clarity.
H

Re: practicing kindness

There is a story of a rich man who wanted to learn the art of zen gardening, and he went to a master and studied. Preparing his grounds perfectly with all of his wealth, nothing was out of place, the last leaves being raked into a nice pile, and summoning the master to see his work, the master entered the garden frowning, and seeing the pile of leaves, he threw them
 to the wind.

Re: practicing kindness

Dear waterfall,

Beautiful, just beautiful!  Poetry has a way of  “saying the unsayable”
You are a talented poet with a beautiful spirit.
bows _^_
mimi

Re: practicing kindness

Hi MysticMaiden,
 I have to agree with you on this one.
 Way too much talking about what “it” means, and which sage said what about kindess;  and my quote can beat up your quote. Everything we “practice” has to be put into practice in our daily lives, in every moment so that we do it without thinking.   This means it has to come from our heart and spirit, not from book and brain.  My teacher told me Buddhism is about doing, not talking.  There are no new words in any combination that will make us kind ;>)
namaste,
mimi

Re: practicing kindness

 A Zen Master lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening, while he was away, a thief sneaked into the hut only to find there was nothing in it to steal. The Zen Master returned and found him. “You have come a long way to visit me,” he told the prowler, “and you should not return empty handed. Please take my clothes as a gift.” The thief was bewildered, but he took the clothes and ran away. The Master sat naked, watching the moon. “Poor fellow,” he mused, ” I wish I could give him this beautiful moon.”

Re: practicing kindness

lol

Re: practicing kindness

Dear Snow-Moon,

It is posts like this that are the reason you got such an enthusiastic welcome.

And the moon is beautiful tonight. Dancing in the heavens with Mars.

H

Re: practicing kindness

Sean,

I have been doing much reading on kindness and practicing kindness.  it includes kindness to  our self oneness.   I found something that perhaps you can say something about.  That is being kind to the self.

It was moving and really made me realize that we must be kind to our own being and have kindness become truly of our own being, before we can practice true kindness to others..

The concept is simple, but the how is harder.  Most of us are our own worst critics and we tend to be more demanding of what we can do and how we may help more.  it is that way for me.  I want to give all that I have.  That small part of kindness to self really hit home. 

Will you incorporate the two, practicing kindness and how best to be kind to our own oneness?

I bow, and with patience, I wait for your words, with a flower of simple beauty and of song,



OM MANI PADME HUM============LOVE TO YOU, EVE–opus dharma

Re: practicing kindness

Nothing has an inherent independent existence. All is empty.

So, every act of kindness must be an “in and out” one. By “in,” I mean you; by “out.” I mean  everything “else.” No separation.

 

Re: practicing kindness

The act of kindness one to another has a chemical effect in the body,both giver and reciever get a nice dose of seratonin(sp?) which makes us feel good,ie antidepressants…..so big doses of kindness for all!!!

Re: practicing kindness

laughing  Yes!  :o)

Re: practicing kindness

When awakening seems just beyond our grasp and we can't quite see clearly, kindness is always a good fall back position.

Re: practicing kindness

Such words of wisdom, Bob…it's so true! When confused take a step towards kindness and watch the confusion clear away. =)

Re: practicing kindness

I really enjoyed reading this thread…. and the poetry and zen stories shared by Waterfall, Sean and Snow Moon are lovely =)

Sean,  your talk on practicing kindness is wonderful…I especially appreciate the meditation at the end!!! =) =) =)

>>>>

I know so many beautiful souls who cannot be anything but kind..it is their natural way and so its effortless, no need to practice. These are the ones who teach kindness by simply being it. (((bows to beings radiating kindness)))

But there are those of us who may have grown accustomed to a harsh, cold, or unloving environment. Being kind, in the unconditional way of one who can be nothing but, can feel like an enormous act of vulnerability to one who hasn't yet faced their own habitual defenses, especially defenses that are triggered by unkindness, cruely and meanness in “others”. 
So it does take practice for many of us, as well as plenty of opportunities to practice with those who are hardest to be kind with.

In the last few years,  I've had some excruciatingly intense opportunities to work through the defenses that only unkindness could invoke.  For many years after running away from home (literally at age 15) to get away from unkindness, I avoided unkind people like the plague.
I identified myself as being kind of course..and I was kind, with all the wonderfully kind people I chose to surround myself with. =) Lets just say I had to get to know the potential for unkindness in myself in order to drop my defenses and allow Life As It IS. How could I welcome another's unkindness in the here and now moment without getting aquainted with my own? This has been a humbling time to say the least.

 I don't avoid unkind people anymore, I welcome them just as they are, with curiosity as to what they have to teach. Being Kind is now a very real possibility for me, and for this I am most grateful! =)

Hugs,
Kecia

Re: practicing kindness

Thanks for your post, Kecia!

I am one of those who has to practice.  :O)

Sometimes, even practicing, I miss! Need to keep working at it and learning!

Much happiness to you,

Sean

Re: practicing kindness

This is our practice. It's the practice we have. To quote Shunryu Suzuki: “Even though you say your practice is not good enough, there is no other practice for you right now. Good or bad, it is your practice.”  

Wishing you a small tranquil day,
Bob

Re: practicing kindness

We get to do it!