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The simplicity and honesty are striking. Am not sure our greatness is to be defined by our offerings of kindness which are just natural responses of our life force when we are conscious. We are the biggest beneficiaries of being kind. Around age 15, as I was looking at a red rose bush, it became clear to me that I did not want to possess those flowers by plucking them. Since then, I have become a little less self centered. Practices that foster balance and plenty of nature around, remind me to tap into the natural flow rather than take non-aligned detours .

For me keeping eyes on horizon of kindness means a few things - being aware of my intentions and reflecting on unkind ones as they come up, not missing an opportunity to authentically smile or bless and lending a hand where it seems useful without overthinking it. When my father was unwell, it is focusing on the kindness of nurses that helped me navigate with all the mistakes that happened in the hospital. He eventually passed away, may be because of those mistakes, but it was the focus on the kindness of one particular doctor that helped me not develop anger towards the hospital-business conglomerate. I feel we are innately wired to be kind and not much effort is needed to "become" kind as long as we do not allow our egos to appropriate everything, including our acts of kindness that will naturally spring forth.

Loved the phrase "Its total presence was my total absence, "

Effort has opened up a world to me which has led me to understand that it is grace. When my father passed away amidst what seemed like a set of unfortunate circumstances, I felt the family so touched by grace that his passing became a celebration. When something goes off key and feel dissonance inside, I become aware of the reaction. When a moment of gratitude arises, I become aware of the relationship(s).

This is so beautiful Kang, practising with no goal and yet feeling in tune with the rhythm.

Not knowing what can make a difference seems useful only when combined with skillful presence. When my Dad was in intensive care for a week. We were allowed to see him only twice a day for 5 mins each. My brother, in a stroke of genius, rented the hospital room right next to the intensive care room. So everytime we heard that door open for food service, cleaning service or doctors visit, me and my Mom would rush and wave our hands and my Dad started looking out for us and waving back. Initially we must have looked like clowns to the staff but we started waving at all the people in that room and even some staff would smile back or wave back. When Dad was shifted to palliative care, he mentioned this and smiled big. I had no idea it made a difference to him but it filled our hearts to connect so joyfully in a helpless and what seemed like a lonely situation.

Athabks for sharing this vibrant piece. What if we convince future to stay back is a powerful thought and for that, love seems necessary but not sufficient. Wonder what all the author means by "violent shape of their drinking water".

Swami's Vivekanandas words are like arrows shot straight. Thank you for sharing this reading. What intrigues me experientially, is this line. We who cannot for a moment govern our own minds, nay, cannot hold our minds on a subject, focus it on a point to the exclusion of everything else for a moment!

Wonderfully told. Reminds me of the story of Adi Shankara receiving an alm of a shriveled gooseberry from a poor lady.

Thanks for one more good passag. Am reminded of The Buddha's quote. "The problem is, people think they have time"..