SC OF KINDNESS

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Here are bullet-gist summaries of recent articles on kindness, health, and gene/environment interplay:

• A recent RCT found that engaging in kind acts toward others (rather than toward oneself) significantly reduced expression of the stress-related “conserved transcriptional response to adversity” (CTRA) gene signature. (PubMed)

• Research shows the human brain has a natural impulse toward altruism: acts of kindness trigger neural pathways tied to social bonding and broader compassionate behaviour. (BrainFacts)

• A public-health-oriented article argues that kindness can serve as a cost-effective, universally accessible intervention for mental and physical health—empowering individuals and strengthening communities. (PubMed)

• An epigenetics review highlights how environmental exposures (diet, pollution, stress) modify gene expression across generations (via histone modification, DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs). (BioMed Central)

• A study links regular prosocial behaviour (volunteering, charity) to better physical health and longevity, underscoring links between kindness and improved bodily functioning. (hsph.harvard.edu)

If you like, I can pull 5-10 more of the latest studies (2024-25) with full reference details.

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NKB 

To strengthen people's faith, he would repeat the lines, "O Lord of the Helpless! The strings

of my destiny are in they hand." And, "Like a fish in deep water, everyone is secure and

happy under the protection of God." He would tell people that prayers made in front of his

photographs were answered by him. He also said, "Have trust in God and the most difficult

tasks become easy. For success, hard work alone is not enough, God's grace is essential."

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Unexpected Darshan

Mahavir Singh loved the company of ascetics and saints, and he regularly attended to their

needs. One day in the early 1940s, while he was on his rounds at the Agra Cantonment

railway station, he came across a bulky man of about forty-five years of age. The man was

wearing half of his dhoti around his waist and the remaining half covering the upper part of

his body. The man spoke to Mahavir amiably, saying, "Mahavir Singh, how are you keeping

now?" Mahavir replied, "I am much better." The man then asked, "How is your liver pain?"

Mahavir replied, "It is a little less." The man said, "It will be alright." Both of them began

walking together. Then Mahavir Singh said, "I do not remember you." Putting his hand gently

on Mahavir's shoulder, the man said, "I am Baba Neeb Karori." Mahavir had heard about

Baba, but at that moment he felt bewildered by his closeness. In the unexpected presence of

Baba, he could not think of what to say to him. Baba said, "Let us go to your house." They

went, and since that time Mahavir Singh has always had his grace. Baba gave him darshan

every month for about six years, and Mahavir kept a takhat and blanket ready for him.

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A Son's Transformation

One day Thakur Mahavir Singh of Agra told Maharaj, "You love Karanvir so much, yet he

calls you a mad baba." It made Baba laugh heartily, and he said, "This is the reason that I like

him most. People come to me with some motive. He only comes to me with love." Thereupon

Thakur said, "Why don't you reform Karanvir when you like him so much? See, his elder

brother neither chews betel nor smokes. He always occupies himself by doing well for others.

But Karanvir is fond of all sorts of nonsense and his health is always impaired. Why don't you

make him realize it?" Baba unexpectedly became serious and said, "Mahavir, you should not

count on your elder son. Karanvir will improve with time and fulfil all your expectations."

Mahavir Singh did not take Maharaj's words seriously at that time. Two years later his elder

son died. Karanvir was so touched by the pitiable condition of his grief-stricken father that he

decided not to do anything that would hurt his feelings. Baba's words proved true. As far as he

could, Karanvir Singh fulfilled all his father's expectations.

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