On Kindness

When I created my protagonist, Harper O'Neill what is now almost a decade ago (2018), I chose two words as the kernel of her character: protector and compassion (a close relative of kindness). Every major character in the series has a file of images, history, and quotes like these that define who they are. Re-reading Marcus Aurelius this morning this passage leapt off the page and demanded it be added to Harper's character file.

Historically, every faith shares some version of this thought, imploring us to love our enemies, to see them as parts of ourselves. The Christian Bible says when we show kindness to the enemy it's like "heap(ing) burning coals on his head." Which sounds super mean, but is really making the point that the expected reaction to hatred is hatred. When we respond to vitriol with kindness, it confuses, embarrasses, forces even a fleeting examination of hateful behavior.

In the Buddhist text, the Dhammapada the opening words are something like, "Hatred is never appeased by hatred. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased." Same logic. Waaaay back in 2006 the Dalai Lama taught for a week at Lehigh University, and I attended. I recall a moment when an atendee asked him why that was any good, the hateful person will probably go on being hateful so your kindness essentially changed nothing. His reply was that it changed you. By being kind you felt kindness. Embodied kindness.

Most of us SAY we want a kinder world, but do we live that truth? Do we practice it, even when faced with someone vomiting hatred over us?

Through Harper in my Last Battle of Moytura series I explore the ripple effects of small acts of kindness. Both in terms of personal cost to her, but also in how those acts compound to foment a rebellion.

If I can do one thing right today, it will be to be kind. It might jut start a revolution.