stories no.7

Emine Boyner Kürşat

#kindness

Emine, who is an artist and a herbalist, is the founder of Atölye Patika, which is an arts and crafts workshop. On the one hand, she continues her artistic work in the fields of painting, sculpture, photography and installation. On the other hand, she produces natural soaps, herbal blends of “The Witch’s Cauldron (Cadı Kazanı)”, ceramic works, and organizes workshops on art and sustainable life, inspired by nature at Atölye Patika. We asked a few questions about “kindness” to Emine, who inspired us with the clean and fair products she offered for her art and sustainable life.

Emine, who is an artist and a herbalist, is the founder of Atölye Patika, which is an arts and crafts workshop. On the one hand, she continues her artistic work in the fields of painting, sculpture, photography and installation. On the other hand, she produces natural soaps, herbal blends of “The Witch’s Cauldron (Cadı Kazanı)”, ceramic works, and organizes workshops on art and sustainable life, inspired by nature at Atölye Patika. We asked a few questions about “kindness” to Emine, who inspired us with the clean and fair products she offered for her art and sustainable life.

What comes to your mind when you say “kindness”?

For me, kindness is the state of being one through the compassion we show to both others and ourselves with the awareness that we are not separate from one another, and the peace that this state creates in us. Just because it makes us feel good, to take unexpected, unaccounted healing actions… It is not that it is coercive and oppressive, on the contrary, it is a spontaneous manifestation of beauty and goodwill that flows naturally from inside to outside… For this reason, I think kindness is a beauty that we can do to ourselves first. I do believe that everything essential is constantly recirculating from the inside out and the outside inside. As far as I can tell, kindness is the state where the delusion of separation disappears, compassion for someone is compassion to the whole, compassion for ourselves.

How is it possible to stay “good” in a world where being cunning is appreciated and being kind is considered naive?

An irrepressible joy and kindness, whether or not it brings us to the admirable position accepted by society, healing both us and the whole planet, that is, the whole, and therefore returning to us again… As regards, whether it finds value or not, society’s acceptance or consideration of mockery it’s not that important. When we are filled with kindness, I believe it attracts many good things like a magnet.

How can we make “kindness” contagious?

Kindness brings happiness, happiness brings kindness. Then there is a childish euphoria and joy, and it is so contagious. I think kindness is our beauty in moments that no one sees and no one will notice. Our humble actions quietly make the world beautiful. What we announce with Instagram posts, show our name in wreaths, big donations are not the true kindness but what we do when no one sees it. Our compassion and the joyful manifestation of this compassion, which is ingrained in our daily life to our whole selves and our way of being… This is the charm that will encompass everyone and make kindness infectious.

Interviewed and translated by Deniz Saygı

What comes to your mind when you say “kindness”?

For me, kindness is the state of being one through the compassion we show to both others and ourselves with the awareness that we are not separate from one another, and the peace that this state creates in us. Just because it makes us feel good, to take unexpected, unaccounted healing actions… It is not that it is coercive and oppressive, on the contrary, it is a spontaneous manifestation of beauty and goodwill that flows naturally from inside to outside… For this reason, I think kindness is a beauty that we can do to ourselves first. I do believe that everything essential is constantly recirculating from the inside out and the outside inside. As far as I can tell, kindness is the state where the delusion of separation disappears, compassion for someone is compassion to the whole, compassion for ourselves.

How is it possible to stay “good” in a world where being cunning is appreciated and being kind is considered naive?

An irrepressible joy and kindness, whether or not it brings us to the admirable position accepted by society, healing both us and the whole planet, that is, the whole, and therefore returning to us again… As regards, whether it finds value or not, society’s acceptance or consideration of mockery it’s not that important. When we are filled with kindness, I believe it attracts many good things like a magnet.

How can we make “kindness” contagious?

Kindness brings happiness, happiness brings kindness. Then there is a childish euphoria and joy, and it is so contagious. I think kindness is our beauty in moments that no one sees and no one will notice. Our humble actions quietly make the world beautiful. What we announce with Instagram posts, show our name in wreaths, big donations are not the true kindness but what we do when no one sees it. Our compassion and the joyful manifestation of this compassion, which is ingrained in our daily life to our whole selves and our way of being… This is the charm that will encompass everyone and make kindness infectious.

Interviewed and translated by Deniz Saygı