#122 Gentleness (Quality 8)

     "Gentleness = Characterized by a soft, considerate and tender quality; however, not passive, undisciplined or indulgent."

       Cardaciotto L. Assessing Mindfulness: The Development of a Bi-Dimensional Measure of Awareness and Acceptance. PhD Thesis, Drexel University, 2005.

dspace.library.drexel.edu/retrieve/4264/Cardaciotto_LeeAnn.pdf

     This is the opposite of trying to quickly force something through, which has very poor long-term results. Gentleness implies intelligence, consideration of all factors, patience, and persistence - the way water wears away rocks, the way a loving grandmother gets a grandchild to do the right thing, even though the child at first categorically says "No!" 

Jon Kabat-Zinn "The Healing Power of Mindfulness - Part 4" at Dartmouth College (27min)