Benevolence, which is another way to speak of kindness, is the act of bestowing goodwill on another soul. For example, I may be aware of a habit that someone needs to change because it would be very beneficial for the soul, for the person as they navigate their life. When I am responding to someone who is exhibiting a negative or difficult pattern, I should think, “Okay, was what I said benevolent? Did it bring benefit, or was I just thinking for the sake of thinking, speaking for the sake of speaking?”
If I am to be benevolent, then when I speak, I must say something of spiritual benefit, so that the soul I am speaking to is able to attain something. Although it is often difficult to grasp, everything that happens has some benefit. Some say, “Most things are fine, but this situation could be removed.” That cannot happen. Individual situations cannot be removed, because they are part of a subtle continuity of thought and action based on the karmic accounts we are settling. The more we understand, the more we will say, “Yes, there is some benefit.”
Everything is very interconnected. It is not possible to take away someone’s part in a scene in the drama of life. I just have to remember that what they are saying and doing is beneficial. With pure feelings, love, and beautiful soft words, I can explain to someone, even if the other person is defensive or argumentative. I can just give support, give love, and give help. Let me do it all with very good feelings. When I see things in this way, I will be able to see the subtle benefit that lies in every situation. If that difficulty was not there, maybe the person would not have learned, gained or realised something important from that situation.
So, we need to have feelings of benevolence; first towards the self, then for others, and then looking at what life is bringing to us. If we remain in the awareness of being a soul acting through a body, then when we relate to others, we will naturally say things that are beneficial for the soul. That is what is needed now. In that way, the first benefit is to the self, and that, in turn, brings benefit to all other souls of the world. Everything becomes entertaining, joyful and light. Play the whole day with the thought that I just need to practise being benevolent. When we do this, we feel very happy. So, our feelings are good, and there is a lot of joy and of course that brings benefit to all.
B.K. Mohini is Additional Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris.