Sadhguru, “kindness is only for the sick and the dying. “
https://youtu.be/86GUJ2jZbL8
I truly believe that when enlightenment beings says something which might appear contradictory on surface has deeper meaning and that becomes thought churning process for all thus leading to progress on path.
Dear Anushka
From the video, it appears he has answered the answer using a definition of kindness, which implies being soft/liberal as kindness. He shared doing his own's Purusharth/Work is key, and not expecting any favours. So in that context that is what it implies, and that makes sense.
What is true kindness? I think that is the question to ask oneself.
Also, Kindness to who? Are you being kind to yourself, along with others?
Om Swami ji has written many articles on Kindness on os.me, so please check them out, as they helped me understand this.
Here is one from The opposite of kindness. "Kindness does not mean you do something without finding out what the other person actually requires. In other words, sometimes what you think is beneficial to the other person may not actually be of help to them at all."
Here is another beautiful story from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, which to me highlights kindness to self.
A DEVOTEE: "Sir, if a wicked man is about to do harm, or actually does so, should we keep quiet then?"
MASTER; "A man living in society should make a show of tamas to protect himself from evil-minded people. But he should not harm anybody in anticipation of harm likely to be done him.
"Listen to a story. Some cowherd boys used to tend their cows in a meadow where a terrible poisonous snake lived. Everyone was on the alert for fear of it. One day a brahmachari was going along the meadow. The boys ran to him and said; 'Revered sir, please don't go that way. A venomous snake lives over there.' 'What of it, my good children?' said the brahmachari. 'I am not afraid of the snake. I know some mantras.' So saying, he continued on his way along the meadow. But the cowherd boys, being afraid, did not accompany him. In the meantime the snake moved swiftly toward him with an upraised hood. As soon as it came near, he recited a mantra, and the snake lay at his feet like an earthworm. The brahmachari said: 'Look here. Why do you go about doing harm? Come, I will give you a holy word. By repeating it you will learn to love God. Ultimately you will realize Him and so get rid of your violent nature.' Saying this, he taught the snake a holy word and initiated him into spiritual life. The snake bowed before the teacher and said, 'Revered sir, how shall I practise spiritual discipline?' 'Repeat that sacred word', said the teacher, 'and do no harm to anybody.' As he was about to depart, the brahmachari said, 'I shall see you again.'
"Some days passed and the cowherd boys noticed that the snake would not bite. They threw stones at it. Still it showed no anger; it behaved as if it were an earthworm. One day one of the boys came close to it, caught it by the tail, and, whirling it round and round, dashed it again and again on the ground and threw it away. The snake vomited blood and became unconscious. It was stunned. It could not move. So, thinking it dead, the boys went their way.
"Late at night the snake regained consciousness. Slowly and with great difficulty it dragged itself into its hole; its bones were broken and it could scarcely move. Many days passed. The snake became a mere skeleton covered with a skin. Now and then, at night, it would come out in search of food. For fear of the boys it would not leave its hole during the day-time. Since receiving the sacred word from the teacher, it had given up doing harm to others. It maintained its life on dirt, leaves, or the fruit that dropped from the trees.
"About a year later the brahmachari came that way again and asked after the snake. The cowherd boys told him that it was dead. But he couldn't believe them. He knew that the snake would not die before attaining the fruit of the holy word with which it had been initiated. He found his way to the place and, searching here and there, called it by the name he had given it. Hearing the teacher's voice, it came out of its hole and bowed before him with great reverence. 'How are you?' asked the brahmachari. 'I am well, sir', replied the snake. 'But', the teacher asked, 'why are you so thin?' The snake replied: 'Revered sir, you ordered me not to harm anybody. So I have been living only on leaves and fruit. Perhaps that has made me thinner.'
"The snake had developed the quality of sattva; it could not be angry with anyone. It had totally forgotten that the cowherd boys had almost killed it.
"The brahmachari said: 'It can't be mere want of food that has reduced you to this state. There must be some other reason. Think a little.' Then the snake remembered that the boys had dashed it against the ground. It said: 'Yes, revered sir, now I remember. The boys one day dashed me violently against the ground. They are ignorant, after all. They didn't realize what a great change had come over my mind. How could they know I wouldn't bite or harm anyone?' The brahmachari exclaimed: 'What a shame! You are such a fool! You don't know how to protect yourself. I asked you not to bite, but I didn't forbid you to hiss. Why didn't you scare them by hissing?'
"So you must hiss at wicked people. You must frighten them lest they should do you harm. But never inject your venom into them. One must not injure others.
Jai Sri Hari Parivar. I am so proud of the emotional maturity of all of these responses. As a family, we stand true to Swami's test of kind words and gentle thoughts. Here is a link to the video.
Context is critical. In this, he says, work hard on your competence when you are young. Do not depend on the kindness of other people to live your life. Swami also says the purpose of life is "purusharth" or hard work. Nothing wrong with that.
That being said, the purpose of this forum is simply to ask questions that help you progress on the path. It seems out-of-place to comment on the thoughts of another spiritual leader. That's simply my opinion.
The context in which that statement was made needs to be known before a comment can be made...
Hahahah 😂😂.I don't follow him, anyways I will see it as:
In a sense everyone is sick and everyone is moving towards death alone, be kind.
I would say a very wise statement indeed😌.
Yes. I agree with Kukil ji. It would be great if you could perhaps attach a link of the video where sadhuguru had made this statement, so that the readers can understand the context to your question. Thank you! 🙂
Dear Anushka,
Indeed as Kukil mentioned and for the benefit of everyone, please do share the context, including any video or post, quoting it as the source of this statement. It will also ensure that there is no biased reply and members can share their understanding if they wish to do so.
Thank you:)
Ever wondered what the opposite of kindness is? Is it to be unkind or something else?
Join the kindest community, where personal failures & victories are celebrated and inspiration & happiness is shared
Sign Up for Free
