The Christian Path

[markdohle]

Your longing to love—this is love

 

February 14—In a car. “You saw My kindness in the face of that young girl? Be like that always. If My followers were good to one another, the face of the world would be transformed.” “Your longing to love—this is love . . .” “In your soul there is a door that leads to the contemplation of God. But you must open it.” February 17—“Don’t

 

Bossis, Gabrielle. He and I (Kindle Locations 284-288).
Pauline Books and Media. Kindle Edition.
 

 

The Christian path is not about being nice, but about being kind.  Kindness comes from the heart, when it sees, and understands a person, or a situation.  Most people are touched by even the smallest kindness, especially if it comes in an unexpected manner.  We often find that when we do reach out in kindness, we find an inner door opening that brings with it a deep happiness, or perhaps joy, would be the better word.  Kindness is not done out of compulsion.  It does not lead to irritation, or an expectation, of a return.  Hence the joy. The ego is placed aside, and something bigger is experienced.  It is our true nature, made in the image, and likeness, of God, whose nature is Infinite Love, and Kindness.  Until we open up our hearts to all that we meet, that deep inner joy will not be experienced.  Harshness, contempt, anger, and indifference, are used to block out understanding of the reality of the lives of others, and the pain that can bring.  Love has a price, it leads to kindness that is based on seeing with the eyes of Christ Jesus. –Br.MD

[tcgram]

Well stated.  Thank you for sharing.   

[+Sherapy]

38 minutes ago, markdohle said:

Your longing to love—this is love

 

February 14—In a car. “You saw My kindness in the face of that young girl? Be like that always. If My followers were good to one another, the face of the world would be transformed.” “Your longing to love—this is love . . .” “In your soul there is a door that leads to the contemplation of God. But you must open it.” February 17—“Don’t

 

Bossis, Gabrielle. He and I (Kindle Locations 284-288).
Pauline Books and Media. Kindle Edition.
 

 

The Christian path is not about being nice, but about being kind.  Kindness comes from the heart, when it sees, and understands a person, or a situation.  Most people are touched by even the smallest kindness, especially if it comes in an unexpected manner.  We often find that when we do reach out in kindness, we find an inner door opening that brings with it a deep happiness, or perhaps joy, would be the better word.  Kindness is not done out of compulsion.  It does not lead to irritation, or an expectation, of a return.  Hence the joy. The ego is placed aside, and something bigger is experienced.  It is our true nature, made in the image, and likeness, of God, whose nature is Infinite Love, and Kindness.  Until we open up our hearts to all that we meet, that deep inner joy will not be experienced.  Harshness, contempt, anger, and indifference, are used to block out understanding of the reality of the lives of others, and the pain that can bring.  Love has a price, it leads to kindness that is based on seeing with the eyes of Christ Jesus. –Br.MD

In my line of work, Memory Care Specialist ( dementia/Alzheimer’s) we call these skills/ tools Validation Therapy. While we don’t focus on connecting to god, we do connect to each other and in doing so we enhance each other’s lives. 

There is a great need for people who are kind, regardless of the path they walk to get there. 

[Jodie.Lynne]

Well said,, but I would like to point out that kindness towards others is not solely a "Christian trait."

Rather, it is a human one.

[Aquila King]

Just now, Jodie.Lynne said:

Well said,, but I would like to point out that kindness towards others is not solely a "Christian trait."

Rather, it is a human one.

Actually, I'm beginning to think genuine kindness to be so rare that it's more of an alien trait then anything else...

[Jodie.Lynne]

1 minute ago, Aquila King said:

Actually, I'm beginning to think genuine kindness to be so rare that it's more of an alien trait then anything else...

I try to practice random acts of kindness every  day.

And, I practice directed kindness to those less fortunate when I can.

[Aquila King]

Just now, Jodie.Lynne said:

I try to practice random acts of kindness every  day.

And, I practice directed kindness to those less fortunate when I can.

Yeah, sorry to barge in here like a negative nancy like that.

There are a lot of really good-hearted people out there, but there's also a lot of bitter hateful miserable people out there who want everyone else to be miserable like them too. Just pointing out the fact that humanity has both a light and a dark side I suppose...

[Jodie.Lynne]

Very True AK, but you cannot let THEM dictate how YOU feel!

Once I worked with a woman who was so miserable. I walked in one morning smiling, and her greeting was "What are you so happy about?"

"Well, for one thing," I replied, "I'm happy I'm not you!" and went on my merry way.

[Likely Guy]

41 minutes ago, Jodie.Lynne said:

Well said,, but I would like to point out that kindness towards others is not solely a "Christian trait."

Rather, it is a human one.

The 'Golden Rule'?

It's the only precept that unites all religions.

...as well as the rest of us!

[XenoFish]

46 minutes ago, Aquila King said:

Actually, I'm beginning to think genuine kindness to be so rare that it's more of an alien trait then anything else...

Kindness can consist of just kind words and friendliness if that's all you have. 

[XenoFish]

3 minutes ago, Likely Guy said:

The 'Golden Rule'?

It's the only precept that unites all religions.

...as well as the rest of us!

I think it's older than religion. Perhaps something we created during our nomads/tribal days.

[Aquila King]

Time for my nerdy side to pop out:

 

[Likely Guy]

3 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

I think it's older than religion. Perhaps something we created during our nomads/tribal days.

Primal, probably. Before we got the internet.

 

[Jodie.Lynne]

3 minutes ago, Likely Guy said:

Primal, probably. Before we got the internet.

 

What is this heresy you speak?

The Interweb has always been, is, and ever shall be!

We all know that these tall tales of "pre-internet" days is a conspiracy led by the computer illiterate.........

[Occult1]

Judas said, "Tell me, Lord, what the beginning of the path is."

Jesus said: "Love and kindness. For if one of these existed among the archons, wickedness would never have come into existence."

- The Dialogue of the Savior, [Nag Hammadi Library]

 

[Likely Guy]

21 minutes ago, Gnostikoi said:

Judas said, "Tell me, Lord, what the beginning of the path is."

Jesus said: "Love and kindness. For if one of these existed among the archons, wickedness would never have come into existence."

- The Dialogue of the Savior, [Nag Hammadi Library]

 

Apropos.

[+Hammerclaw]

Kindness is to do something you don't have to do, for the sake of another.

[danydandan]

This raises an important philosophical debate or question. Does everyone deserve kindness?

I firmly believe everyone should be treated equally but am have trouble deciding if everyone deserves kindness? And does kindness need to be deserved, and like everything else kindness can be boiled down to selfishness being it's prime motivation.

Kindness takes many forms, you can be nice or harsh in your expression if kindness. For example you can be nice and give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, out of kindness, or you can be harsh not give him a fish he might not eat for a while but in that while you teach him how to catch fish, thus have the potential to eat often without begging, that's also a kindness.

Edited June 14, 2018 by danydandan

[+Hammerclaw]

45 minutes ago, danydandan said:

This raises an important philosophical debate or question. Does everyone deserve kindness?

I firmly believe everyone should be treated equally but am have trouble deciding if everyone deserves kindness? And does kindness need to be deserved, and like everything else kindness can be boiled down to selfishness being it's prime motivation.

Kindness takes many forms, you can be nice or harsh in your expression if kindness. For example you can be nice and give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, out of kindness, or you can be harsh not give him a fish he might not eat for a while but in that while you teach him how to catch fish, thus have the potential to eat often without begging, that's also a kindness.

Charity is one of many forms of kindness, unrequired and done of one's own free will. Of what you allude to, to impart a skill is the greater gift, as it's benefits are two-fold.

[danydandan]

16 minutes ago, Hammerclaw said:

Charity is one of many forms of kindness, unrequired and done of one's own free will. Of what you allude to, to impart a skill is the greater gift, as it's benefits are two-fold.

Would you consider charity a cop out from actually helping meaningfully?

[+Hammerclaw]

3 minutes ago, danydandan said:

Would you consider charity a cop out from actually helping meaningfully?

The gift is the blessing of the giver. "Meaningful" is subjective, depending on the individual one is helping and what means one has at one's disposal. Taking up the cross of another is a grave responsibility and not all are capable of shouldering such a burden.

[markdohle]

Sherpy said:  In my line of work, Memory Care Specialist ( dementia/Alzheimer’s) we call these skills/ tools Validation Therapy. While we don’t focus on connecting to god, we do connect to each other and in doing so we enhance each other’s lives. 

There is a great need for people who are kind, regardless of the path they walk to get there. 

Of course my friend.  I use Christian terms/language, you use yours.  We are all enriched by a deep connection with others.  thank you, for your as usual, thoughtful comment.

 

peace
mark

 

[+Sherapy]

10 hours ago, danydandan said:

This raises an important philosophical debate or question. Does everyone deserve kindness?

I firmly believe everyone should be treated equally but am have trouble deciding if everyone deserves kindness? And does kindness need to be deserved, and like everything else kindness can be boiled down to selfishness being it's prime motivation.

Kindness takes many forms, you can be nice or harsh in your expression if kindness. For example you can be nice and give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, out of kindness, or you can be harsh not give him a fish he might not eat for a while but in that while you teach him how to catch fish, thus have the potential to eat often without begging, that's also a kindness.

I have always interpreted this to mean that kindness goes the extra mile, it not only shares the food but teaches another how to get their own food too. How to be a team player, and the best way for me, is modeling the behavior to,begin with. 

Being kind you would want to alleviate suffering if you can, yet you don't want to create unnessecary suffering either by not empowering others to do what they can do for themselves. 

At another level, for me, it reminds me to be wise, this speaks of how when we use a kindness approach we consider the big picture too, we don't strategize in you "should's," but instead in you "could" do this and I will help you empower yourself to be self sufficient while at the same time preserving your dignity and mine. IMHO

For me, the wisest approach is give the fish if asked,  don't assume people just know how not to infringe, or won't feel embarrassed or insulted to take the help due to pride, make it clear what you think is going to work the best, implicit in your approach-- give the information where and how to get their own food and offer to show them how to fish if they don't know. This is kindness for me, but it is also includes being sensible and considerate about it. 

So, yes, I think kindness is a viable approach in a lot of situations, I am sure there are exceptions though. 

Edited June 14, 2018 by Sherapy

[+Hammerclaw]

'The poor you will have with you, always." It is only right and just, if one is able, to feed them from the basket of plenty one may be blessed with.

[Truthseeker007]

15 hours ago, Likely Guy said:

The 'Golden Rule'?

It's the only precept that unites all religions.

...as well as the rest of us!

Christians will claim Jesus created the golden rule.