Kindness

Being kind does not mean to be friendly.
There is a distinction here. And its crucial to understand its meaning.
Kindness has more intelligence than friendliness does.
Timing is one of its (kindness) charachteristics.
What I mean by this, is that if you really want to do good for somebody-- you've got to do what you think would best uplift them according to the time and circumstance. This is one aspect of the multidimensional spirit of kindness.
Wheras friendliness (for me) connotates a bit of selfishness, because you are attempt to create mutual harmony. Kindness gives but is blind of what it recieves.
I believe if one adopts this "spirit" the doors that are flung open in the mind that gives without scruple or planning, will in turn be the key for being able to better comprehend and asses outside information (coming in). That will yield a deeper understanding for everything.
And a deeper conviction that life is full of meaning and intelligence.

One must be wary of the distinction between the feelings of "weakness/giddiness" one gets from being selfless and the "weakness/giddinesss" one gets from hedonistic pleasure (selfishness). I believe our bodies/souls require this "weakness/giddinees" any way we can get it. So if one withdraws from hedonistic pleasures, he will be in for real trouble (threatening him to resort back to hedonistic pleasures) if he does not replace it with an "active spirit of kindness." Which implies actual intelligent acts of kindness (but not friendliness).

This spirit is capable of overcoming any negativity that may intrude otherwise. It is like a train. It knows no bounds. Because it doesn't hesitate once mastered.

Kindness is really a great human sentiment and kindness happens when you have divinely motivated mindsets, and we can not be kind. Friendship is a social setup and kindness is something quite different and it is not a social activity and it is generated from the heart.

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Originally Posted by PierreGringoire

Being kind does not mean to be friendly.
There is a distinction here. And its crucial to understand its meaning.
Kindness has more intelligence than friendliness does.

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Interesting hypothesis. I'll grant you that kindness and friendship are different, but I don't see inteeligence playing a role in it.

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Originally Posted by PierreGringoire

Timing is one of its (kindness) charachteristics.
What I mean by this, is that if you really want to do good for somebody-- you've got to do what you think would best uplift them according to the time and circumstance. This is one aspect of the multidimensional spirit of kindness.
Wheras friendliness (for me) connotates a bit of selfishness, because you are attempt to create mutual harmony. Kindness gives but is blind of what it recieves.

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Had you considered the possibilty that kindness/altruism is actually based on self-interest as well? Studies do show that when altruistic behaviour is displayed, other members of the same group are more inclined to display the same kind of behaviour, so it could well be that altruism is just another function of our requisite selfishness.

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Originally Posted by The Atheist

Interesting hypothesis. I'll grant you that kindness and friendship are different, but I don't see inteeligence playing a role in it.

"Common sense tells us that if we are cruel, how would the world be for us if everyone was cruel, who would endorse such a world? People are more in tune with "The Natural" when they are kind. It is a characheristic that defines us as human beings. I believe everything that does what it is supposed to has intelligence. That is why people are the only exception in what I know of the universe that can be in a mental state without having intelligence I believe everyone fluctuates in and out of having and not having. But as we practice altruism more and more we approach a limit (that we almost touch, but can never obtain). Perhaps people cannot "have intelligence" but they can foster it. And I argue that kindness is not flat. For our sake, lets call it three dimensional. Its has a self component and a "giving" component.

Had you considered the possibilty that kindness/altruism is actually based on self-interest as well? Studies do show that when altruistic behaviour is displayed, other members of the same group are more inclined to display the same kind of behaviour, so it could well be that altruism is just another function of our requisite selfishness.

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Friendliness is based on self-interest. Let's make that distinction. For the sake of this debate, let friendliness designate the "thing similar to kindness" that is based on self interest.
When one practices kindness they are being selfish to this extent. That they are improving their intellect. And they are leeching the goodness that others feel by projecting "those feelings" back to themself... I think it is impossible to exhibit pure kindness, it is inevitably mixed with slight feelings of pride or a desire to be praised/liked.

I'm getting into a theoretical world. Nonetheless, I believe it exists, no matter how abstract it may be. It has a purpose, a design, a meaning and when things play in their natural order they harmonize. But like I said, perhaps there is a neutral order of human beings. (which is an exclusivity as far as I know). But there could be a specific purpose for everyone of us. Its just that its too abstract to throw daggers at.

"Common sense tells us that if we are cruel, how would the world be for us if everyone was cruel, who would endorse such a world? People are more in tune with "The Natural" when they are kind. It is a characheristic that defines us as human beings. I believe everything that does what it is supposed to has intelligence. That is why people are the only exception in what I know of the universe that can be in a mental state without having intelligence I believe everyone fluctuates in and out of having and not having. But as we practice altruism more and more we approach a limit (that we almost touch, but can never obtain). Perhaps people cannot "have intelligence" but they can foster it. And I argue that kindness is not flat. For our sake, lets call it three dimensional. Its has a self component and a "giving" component.

Kindness is a divine faculty and we can not be kind easily and kindness comes from the core of heart, and it is a phenomenon that elevates man into a state of divinity.

Kindness is a universal attribute in point of fact. It can not be practiced or learned and it must spring up effortlessly and at times it is an involuntary reflex.