Tolerance is bouncing back even when you are thrown against a very hard wall. A square can’t bounce because it is made of straight lines, but a ball can because it is round and usually light. Whatever its size, it will just bounce back. To work in straight lines means to miss the implications of things, to be narrow and dictated to by the present. This life is all there is and so you may as well aim for your goals directly, with no largeness or beauty. And the corners of the square, the sudden changes of direction, can hurt people. One doesn’t associate a ball with hurting, but with playing a game.
Tolerance comes from sensing that everything is a riddle and that all things work in cycles, that what is uncomfortable now will soon change. There is constant movement in tolerance, flexibility, because of being content with change. A square finds its position and that’s it. Someone who is tolerant can be put in the pocket of any situation, can introduce an element of fun and humour. Humour comes from many things: from a need to cope with inadequacy or hurt, or despair, but the humour of tolerance comes from complete optimism.
How is it possible to have tolerance in a splendid way, as a virtue rather than a necessity? First one has to love quiet, and over and over again make the silent journey inside; watch the picture of birth after birth unfolds; mentally to play with that cycle (or ball) of events. This brings such a sense of beauty in you that, though ugliness and problems are seen, they are rightfully incorporated into the design. They give the contrast.
After that, one has to love people, not at all in a superficial way, but also as beings who have an intricate design of experiences inside, also as beings who have in their heart, a unique talent which is most of the time, concealed. When you start to look into people’s eyes and see their rarity, and you meet them with your rarity too, then tolerance becomes easy. It is an expression of your respect for quality, for keeping life outstanding. When there is no tolerance, everything becomes ordinary, which is a shame. It’s like standing on the edge of things and scowling. Tolerance is saying yes to the game and enjoying it.
Excerpted from Inner Beauty published by Brahma Kumaris, Literature Department, Brahma Kumaris, Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Mount Abu
Brahma Kumaris is the largest spiritual organisation in the world led by women. It was the founder, Prajapita Brahma Baba, who chose to put women in the forefront. Founded in India in 1937, Brahma Kumaris has spread to over 140 countries and has had an extensive impact in many sectors as an international NGO. However, their real commitment is to helping individuals transform their perspective of the world from material to spiritual.