The Unifying Salve of Kindness

An earnest student once inquired of their teacher as to the three most important qualities that need to be developed in the life of a disciple. The Master smiled and quietly asserted: “Kindness, kindness and kindness”.

Scholars of ancient history who study the rise and fall of civilizations, have duly noted several consistent tell-tale signs of societies in decline - whether this be the erosion of ethical principles and moral standards, the relentless persecution of one group by another or the trend toward lawlessness and the normalization of uncivil behavior and hate-filled speech. An upwelling of unkindness and cruelty is always an early warning signal of a potential downward spiral that people would be foolish to ignore.

The spiritual lineage that underpins the work of Meditation Mount offers a rich reservoir of wisdom and a philosophical lens that can shine additional light on our present world situation and reveal some of the karmic causes that have brought us to the brink of this critical threshold we are now facing. This Ageless Wisdom teaching also provides reassurance in troubled times, as exemplified in the following quote by the Master DK (aka The Tibetan) recorded by Alice Bailey in ‘Esoteric Psychology II’.

“Human beings are innately kind, when their minds are not distorted and their vision impaired by the false teaching of any selfish interest, political propaganda, and racial or religious difficulties.”

The sharing of ‘esoteric knowledge’ is generally a useful practice, however, there are those times when getting wrapped up in a cocoon of philosophical concepts may prove to be a distraction and hinder us from taking right action in the world. I’m reminded of a statement from ‘A Treatise on White Magic’ that speaks to this point.

“These intriguing pieces of information, which I at times convey, and which some of the students seem to regard as of vital importance, are of far less importance than the injunction to live kindly, speak words of gentleness and practice self-forgetfulness.”

So let us keep it real and practical. At Meditation Mount, we earnestly believe that a soul-inspired society must stand firmly on the solid foundation of core Principles which affirm that all life is connected by bonds of love and share a common destiny.

The three Principles that we recognize and seek to live into are, the Principle of Essential Divinity that affirms a Spark of the Creator is present in everyone and therefore we are each sacred fractals of the One Life; the Principle of Goodwill that proclaims Love as the reason and substance of Life and the true glue that connects all beings and the Principle of Unanimity that informs us beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are part of a limitless, loving and interwoven Matrix of Life.

Thus, in our eyes, the incontrovertible hallmark of an interconnected Universe or an integrated society seeking a ‘more perfect union’, is that of loving kindness.  

At this time of deep reckoning in human history, let’s choose to work together for the rise of civilization, not its downfall.  One way in which each of us can make a positive difference is by following this simple injunction and daily practice that distills the wisdom of the Buddha’s teaching into a powerful formula for living: 

“Only think, say and do what is kind, helpful and true.”

Michael Lindfield

Meditation Mount

Board President