The Lexicon
The heart qualities
Kindness
Kindness is love made practical, the warm intention to help that expresses itself in small and ordinary acts. It is the gentle disposition that wishes others well and lets that wish become a gesture, a word, a hand. The traditions hold that kindness, freely given, returns to bless the giver, softening the heart and weaving the world together.
Carried by 7 teachers · across 3 traditions · 4 quotes
In Buddhism it begins as metta, loving-kindness, the warm friendliness extended first to oneself and then outward without limit. In the Reiki precepts it is a daily vow, and in the Christian way it is the mercy that asks nothing in return. To practice kindness is to add gentleness to every encounter, and to discover that a life made of small kindnesses becomes, almost without our noticing, a life of love.
In their words
The secret art of inviting happiness. The miraculous medicine for all diseases. At least for today: Do not be angry. Do not worry. Be grateful. Do your duty. Be kind to others.Mikao Usui (the Reiki precepts)
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.Dalai Lama XIV
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.Ian Maclaren
Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.Henry James