How to cultivate inner beauty

What qualities do we value in people? Which are the features that attract our attention when we meet someone

It is true that first we receive an outer impression or physical: complexion, face, movements. And no one is bothered by seeing a woman or a man who can be described as handsome, quite the opposite. In the same way that we would surely like to change, if we could, some body detail from ourselves.

After that first impression, we look at other aspects of the person that we just met. Thus, through how he speaks and acts, we get an idea of ​​his intelligence or mental capacity. And it is also true that we like to deal with intelligent and competent people, for example, in their professional field.

However, if we had to live together with that person, whom we are already getting to know, Would it be enough for us to be beautiful or intelligent?

Would we gladly accept that he behaved haughtily, that only take care of your interest ignoring that of others, that was never nice with us or that the suffering of others was indifferent to him? Without a doubt, that being with perfect features and remarkable mental capacity would suddenly become unattractive.

So it is true that, in the first instance, we usually value the physical beauty and intelligence of people, but in the end what decides our true sympathy towards someone is the degree of good feelings that they show in daily contact,

That inner dimension of the human being that makes us truly worthy of such a condition has a name: goodness. It does not usually occupy the first place among the values ​​that confer prestige nor is it the first thing that captures our attention. But it is what gives meaning to the individualto society and, surely, to the deep reality of things.

what is inner beauty

if the intelligence corresponds to the head and beauty to the harmony of the parts of the body, kindness occupies the center of the personthe heart.

It is a gift hidden from sight that recognized by its fruits. It can even be said that there is a subtle relationship between ethics and aesthetics. When we like something, we say that it is beautiful, pretty… And precisely the latin word pretty sets a etymological bridge between beauty and goodness.

It is known that noble and good acts are beautiful in themselves, while evil is always ugly, nasty and vile. A good person is very attractive if we do not allow ourselves to be conditioned only by the external form.

Who would say that Mother Teresa of Calcutta was ugly, even admitting that her face was not objectively pretty? The inner beauty that kindness shines through modifies even the bodily features, who become friendly and interesting. And conversely: how many perfect faces, if they are accompanied by inner ugliness, they finally turn nastya kind of cold mask.

Goodness, it should be repeated, is pleasant by itself. AND if that goodness is accompanied by intelligence, it is still much more attractive. Not to mention having, in addition, physical beauty, which means approaching the perfection of the human archetype.

This, in turn, reflects the divine qualities of truth (intelligence), harmony (beauty) and love (goodness). In other words, the attraction that brainy scientists, beautiful models or heroes who save lives have for us is because we possess those same virtues in our souls, to whatever degree.

And because the entire universe is based on those same qualities to be what it is: a harmonious and intelligent dance.

someone will say that youThey also attract the rich and famous in our day and age.

It’s true, but if we look closely, it’s about secondary qualities that can derive from the primordial ones already discussed (the case of the intelligent entrepreneur who does business honestly, or the good actress who shows off her beauty), or derive from a certain degree of stupidity or even malice (the case of many “famous” who appear too frequently to the audiovisual media).

If we meditate on it, we will be surprised to see that the word kindness contains many others that apparently sound different. There is a whole field that deserves to be explored in this regard.

It can be a rather passive attitude, such as patience (listen to what the other person wants to tell us, not get angry if someone is a little late…); or assume a more activeas is everything what encompasses the term generosity (material help, company, encouragement, hope…).

Is being nice out of style?

The possibility of being kind is something that we all have within us. Because, so, so little is said about kindness and is it relegated to a secondary level on many occasions?

Why are beauty parlors or schools full of people that they suffer at the possibility of being considered ugly or ignorant, but they do not it matters so much to be labeled unkind?

It is not a concept or a word that is currently in vogue and its true meaning is often misunderstood. It is usually related to religious nonsense or typical of sympathizers of some NGO, while “realism” requires hardening in life to achieve social triumphs.

If the supposed evolution of living beings consists of the “struggle for life”in the stiff competition, kindness does not seem in principle highly recommended necessary. What happens is that it corresponds to another level different from the purely material or biological, to the dimension of consciousness or soul.

Also Kindness is often associated with attitudes that denote certain weakness; when in reality it requires courage and determination.

In our collective imagination There is no doubt that cinema is an important reference. If we stick, for example, to two classic Hollywood directors, John Ford and Frank Caprawe see that they try to show us kindness in two different ways: the repentant gunslinger of so many westerns that he redeems himself by sacrificing himself for people in need that he finds in his path and they inspire him with compassion.

The other type (often played by actor James Steward) corresponds to the simple citizen who is forced to bravely defend the dignity of his own. In both cases we move in the field of goodness, although sometimes we have to act even with some forcefulness.

The world needs, without a doubt and today more than ever, the goodness of all.

While it is true that kindness is expressed by nature in a peaceful manner, the example of certain celluloid heroes who must fight for the good of otherscan be a good influence for children and young people.

The opposite happens when the person who embodies evil on the screen is presented in certain scripts as someone powerful and seductive. Another definition of goodness would be, then, the ability to oppose evil.

We all like others to be kind to us., but we are not used to putting so much effort into it. We are pleased to receive the kindness of parents, relatives, friends or people we meet in life. and we should also be transmitters of it. Well, ultimately it is a gratifying energy that is essentially the same and we all share.

Putting it into practice: how to cultivate your own goodness

The essence of kindness is simply treating others as yourself, the one true universal ethic.. The effort is worth it.

One way to cultivate kindness is what we are doing in this article: value this quality and recognize its presence in our heart. That is already a way to activate innate goodness, recognizing its existence.

Then it’s about applying it as often as possible, occasions are not lacking throughout the day. And this without presumption (which would prevent her from being sincere), naturally.

Not wishing ill on anyone is the first step. Wishing the good of others is what characterizes “good people.”

One has to leveragefor example, that instinctive reaction what makes us feel compassion for the misfortune of others.

You have to let it manifest more often, without letting the reasoning subsequent “not my problem” type try to convince us of its uselessness. Or that so many images seen on the newscasts end up harden our sensitivity.

That first impulse of sympathy and solidarity it is something authentic that deserves to be cultivated.

It must also be borne in mind that the goodness It is not only manifested in physical actions. Can radiate through thought silent or express yourself in words. It is, above all, an attitude. Meditating, calming the mind of negative emotions, can be a form of kindness towards oneself and others.

For his part, kind words or just kind words make life more enjoyableWhat is not little.

It is ultimately important that the innate benevolence that we harbor in our hearts can manifest. and especially from an early age when character is forged. Parents, educators, the media and everyone in general are involved in it. at least for don’t put too many obstacles to his expression.

Because it is natural to have an attitude of kindness and compassion towards others, and even towards animals and plants. If maintaining a kind attitude is recommended by all religions without exception, it is not only for moral reasons or to maintain social order.

It is also, a way to advance on the path of true happiness. We are all one unit, whether we know it or not. So treating others with kindness or trying to help them at any given time is something that finally rebounds as good for oneself.

Jesus Christ embodies in the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount the bases of an ethic that is both human and transcendent. Buddhism, for its part, recommends meditating on “the four immeasurable thoughts”: benevolence, compassion, equanimity and shared joy. Many Buddhist texts end with these simple words full of meaning: “May all beings be happy!“

We had previously seen that kindness is related with beauty, now we glimpse that it also has it with knowledge, with intelligence. Perhaps not with a superficial rationalism (always prone to selfishness), but with a tune through the heart that can encompass the entire universe.

The stereotype of kindness as a sweetish smile or velvety voice should give way to what it really is. Not just an invitation to the feeling (or to sentimentality, its exaggeration), but also to correct thinking and acting. Trying to do good, even if it costs sometimes, corresponds to our essential nature.

Days and years go by, body beauty and mental capacity are waning. Faced with death, we may only have good deeds, words and thoughts to our credit made throughout life.

books on kindness

Treasury of traditional wisdom; Whitall N. Perry. JJ Olañeta EditorWith an open heart; Dalai Lama. Ed. GrijalboRecipes to live and love; Laura Huxley. Ed. RBA-Integral