Words like tolerance, compassion and benevolence are used in our daily language. Do we really understand the meaning of these words? How can we inculcate their usage and application in our ongoing life?
Tolerance
Willingness to accept feelings, habits or beliefs that are different from your own. The ability to accept, experience or survive something harmful or unpleasant. To overcome or successfully control an impulse to resist or avoid or resent something injurious or distasteful.
Compassion
To suffer together. Pity. Commiseration.
Sympathy
Sharing the feelings of another.
Empathy
Compassion from a psychological and physiological perspective is one of our biggest assets in terms of resilience and managing stress in ourselves and others.
Its authentic meaning is to having the sensitivity to the causes of suffering–in self or others–with a commitment to try to alleviate and prevent it.
Attributes of compassion are awareness, empathy, distress tolerance, to courage, a caring intention, strength and persistence.
It is essential for us to build these abilities in order for us not to become overwhelmed. Without appreciating the complete meaning of compassion and developing these abilities we may exaggerate and distort what is actually happening. Thereby making the situation worse.
Compassion is the fellow feeling, which opens the heart and the doors to freedom. The dew of compassion is a tear. As spoken by Swami Sivananda.
Benevolence
Swami Sivananda said that benevolence is the disposition to do good and to seek the wellbeing of others. It is an act of kindness and generosity. It is an all-inclusive virtue. To attain the perfection of benevolence, will and judgement are required. Be benevolent to others. Use your intellect and voluntarily help others, without waiting for extreme circumstances to occur.
Dear ones, I have listed tolerance, compassion and benevolence. As always one has to take tiny steps and become aware of these qualities and develop them within oneself. Simultaneously one must attempt to practice them. The meaning of each one of these is very complex. We hold the key in our hands and this golden key leads to the practice of atmabhava.
Swami Satyananda said that spiritual life begins when one experiences atmabhava. Vedanta speaks of atmabhava, as the experience of oneself in all. It means that one has the same attitude towards other’s interests as you do towards your own. Look upon others as you see yourself.
High on Waves
Cherish love in your heart
Goodwill and tolerance for all mankind
Let your life be one of lip service
Let it be a living expression of love,
Sacrifice, wisdom and courage. – Swami Satyananda
Aim Hrim Klim