Here in December, as we approach the holiday season, it is the time to amp up care and concern for others. The spirit of benevolence lies right at the heart of any humane, non-secular practice. Whether Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or Muslim, being benevolent and extending basic kindness toward others is bottom-line essential. Loving kindness is the glue that holds civic society together. But what has happened today to the foremost Christian tenet “love thy neighbor”? On Main Street America and in the corridors and chatrooms of public life, xenophobia and ill-will reign. Racism metastasizes like cancer. Far too many people—officials, clerks, senators, cops and court justices—are going along with ICE raids across the country as moms, college students and young kids—all people of color—are being snatched up and disappeared. What has happened to basic kindness and care? What has happened to the precept encouraging goodwill toward all mankind? What we need most is not bigotry and fear but to extend basic care, dignity and kindness to all.
Basic kindness toward others is foundational to yoga and for anyone walking in the footsteps of the Buddha. The embodiment of friendliness (maitri), generosity (dana) and non-harming (ahimsa) are cornerstones of a practice. In the Christian heart, it is the practice of forbearance, charity and kindness toward the poor, the oppressed, the broken. For in the book of Leviticus, God says to his people: “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” If you follow the old belief in the law of karma, you know that over many lifetimes, we have all experienced loss, hardship, suffering and oppression. Thus, now is the time to speak out with courage, resolve and resistance. Time to act on empathy not enmity. Time to give to, protect and support the Other. It is time to live, breathe and embody benevolence.
