“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.” – Helen Keller
Tolerance is a power that works deeply underground. It is one of the greatest tools in our daily life; a tool for life itself. Each of us has a toolbox containing the eight powers of life. In this third of a series of eight, we discuss what tolerance is and how to make the best use of it.
When I am silent inside there is space for tolerance. Where there is love, there is openness, where there is openness, there is space for tolerance. Tolerant people are often thought of as weak, however, the greatness of a person is revealed through their capacity to tolerate. Tolerance is like a water tank; everyone has their own tank and is responsible for topping up the tank with the water of patience.
With this water of patience, the tank starts to overflow and tolerance becomes abundant. Many people want to prove that they are right, that the other person is wrong. A tolerant person never needs to prove anything. The truth will always out, is a very old proverb and if I understand it then I can accept others exactly the way they are. Let me be the one to change my attitude towards others and be more loving, kind and understanding.
Tolerance is based on going beyond the superficial things that divide us. We tend to blame others for our bad feelings but let me look within and get to know myself. When I am intolerant and accept that actually, I am angry then things will start to change. Let me be unselfish and be concerned about others’ needs so I can handle anything.
We often say, ‘I need to be understood’ but what we should say is ‘I need to understand.’ Stop saying ‘they should change’ to ‘let me give what is needed’. With such different ways of thinking patience, peace and maturity develop. Spiritual tolerance cultivates innate wisdom—the kind you can’t get from books.
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) is an international non-governmental organisation, which intends to help individuals re-discover and strengthen their inherent worth by encouraging and facilitating a process of spiritual awakening.
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