“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” -Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama suggests our intelligence is responsible for our doubts, suspicions, and fears. We remember the hurt from past conflicts, and project that onto other people, often before giving them a chance.

We form ideas about the way the world should be, and use them to stay separate from other people. I’m Democrat, you’re Republic. I’m Buddhist, you’re Christian. And so on.

It isn’t easy to offer kindness when your instincts tell you to protect yourself and your views. To doubt instead of trusting. To fear instead of embracing. To judge instead of caring.

The irony is these choices prevent us from feeling happy. It hurts to walk around with your guard up. It’s painful to keep people at a distance, ever ready for an attack.

People are not all that different. We all want understanding, acceptance, and love. We all want to feel peaceful. We all want to avoid feeling pain.

If you feel the instinct to suspect, doubt, judge or fear someone today ask yourself this question: “How can I help relieve his burden, as I’d want someone to do for me?”