Self-respect is key in all areas of our lives. If we don’t put up healthy boundaries when we come face to face with unwholesome behaviour, we will find ourselves treated like doormats. Especially when we are consciously on the spiritual path. Especially when others know we are consciously on the spiritual path. The temptation to test our boundaries can sometimes motivate people to try to take advantage of our good nature!
As Master Choa Kok Sui, the modern founder of Pranic Healing said:
‘Loving-Kindness is not always soft. It can be hard. Sometimes you must be severe out of kindness.’
When there are no consequences to bad or unfair behaviour, people will think that they are free to repeat it… and not just with ourselves. In this sense, we also have a responsibility to highlight poor treatment and misconduct, so that those who dish out both can reflect, learn from their mistakes, and hopefully evolve.
This is in stark contrast to the general consensus that those who are spiritual are tolerant and forgiving of hurtful behaviour – always and without exception.
But too much loving kindness allows others to manipulate us with their permissiveness and lack of regard. It’s damaging to our sense of self-worth and we do ourselves and everybody else an injustice when we enable it to carry on, unchecked. There has to be a moral compass. We can’t always avoid confrontation and sit on the fence, as much as this feels like the more comfortable option at times.
That said, it is all about balance. Too much severity in the form of ruthlessness and harshness can create an unforgiving environment. Many people deserve a second chance. We are all evolving and genuine mistakes are par for the course. If we can’t forgive others then we can’t expect anybody to forgive us when we slip up. It works both ways.
So what we need is structure, discipline and accountability. Just as a parent needs to discipline a child to prevent behaviour problems, couples also need to set firm boundaries of what behaviours they will tolerate in an intimate relationship, and work environments need to be able to prevent bullying and inequality. The same is true if we want healthy friendships and harmonious families.
Master Choa Kok Sui’s Pranic Healing courses focus on teachings where students are taught to strengthen their characters through self-development with a blend of compassion and firmness. They are an ideal for fostering growth, well-being and positive environments.
From the very beginning, at Level 1, Pranic Healing has a clear focus on a disciplined approach to remove weaknesses from one’s character, whilst building on strengths. This character building is a fundamental principle of working towards being a good person. By learning The Five Virtues, the basic character of a spiritual practitioner can be positively transformed.
There are a number of Pranic Healing classes related to the Five Virtues: Pranic Healing Level 1, Arhatic Yoga, and Achieving Oneness with the Higher Soul. If you are curious to know more about any of them, simply click on the links below for more details:
https://www.ukpranichealing.co.uk/ukpranic/events/category/healing-courses/pranic-healing-level-1/
https://www.ukpranichealing.co.uk/ukpranic/events/category/spiritual-courses/arhatic-yoga-courses/
