Comments on “Kindness how?”

Hi Christofer,

When I read your comment the phrase that came first to mind was “gracious, considerate communication.”

I mean “communication” here in the widest sense, not only speech, but any activity in response to circumstances.

Communication that considers others and the circumstances of interaction is non-impulsive. It’s kind because consideration requires time and space. You give time and space to what’s happening.

Graciousness positions your communication; it’s an orientation: interested, amiable, friendly. You care—about the other person, the interaction, the circumstances, your effect.

That’s a positive encapsulation. The negative “what it’s not” could be quite helpful sometimes too. I’m reminded of Dudjom Rinpoche saying somewhere something like: “Making benefit isn’t easy. Best try first not to harm!”