I am reading a book "Dostoevsky in Love" by Alex Christofi about events in Dostoevsky's life that shaped his thoughts and writings. The author pulls out excerpts from Dostoevsky's works to reflect his world view when undergoing different life experiences. Dostoevsky lived in an era when Russian intelligentsia were pressing for radical socialist and political reforms.
One particular excerpt from his novel 'The Idiot' leaves an impression on me. "Individual kindness will always remain, the living impulse of one personality to exert a direct influence upon another". Dostoevsky seemed to be reminding the intelligentsia that kindness is the core of being human even amidst the fervor of radical ideologies.
"In scattering the seed, in your kind deeds, you are giving away a part of your personality, and taking into yourself part of the other; you are in mutual communion with one another"
I particularly like the phrase 'and taking into yourself part of the other'. I kind of relate to this when I am engaging in counseling/therapy work. It is like receiving something from the person you are engaging with. That is why we always thank them for sharing their personal problem/experience with us.
It is very much in line with the Buddhist emphasis on metta or loving kindness as a core practice.
As Dostoevsky puts it in 'Letters of Fyodor Dostoevsky to his family and friends':
"To be a human being among people and to remain one forever, no matter in what circumstances, not to grow despondent and not to lose heart- that's what life is all about, that's its task."
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