The Universe/God/? is benevolent?

[Deleted]

I've heard spiritual teachers say that ___ is good, benevolent, or love itself. I guess this is another perception that needs to come from beyond the intellect? From the mind/intellect perspective, life seems pretty cruel, but I'm sick of feeling that way. It seems to be it would be very valuable, and life changing, to see otherwise. But I really don't want to just believe/pretend something because it makes me feel better. The mind is constantly in a state of stress/fear... I/it seems to believe that life is mean. I'm also guessing that if I ask "How can I see for myself that ___ is benevolent?", that I will get the same suggestions that people give about finding Self realization. ...  Ultimately, I can't find it on a forum or in the words of others...  I need to "see for myself". I'm trying.

[zendancer]

Yes, if the mind is active, it will make judgments and reach conclusions based upon cultural conditioning. Mind talk ABOUT reality is the common source of stress, fear, worry, and unhappiness. Insight, peace, and freedom usually results from realizations that are triggered by some degree of internal silence. Pathways to silence include contemplation of existential questions, ATA-T, staying in the I AM, tai chi, yoga, shikan taza, etc. Weber suggests experimenting with various pathways in order to find a pathway that one can resonate with. IMO the primary value of this forum are the postings that encourage silence. Silence unifies; thinking divides.

[roy]

That from which thoughts and senses arise is stillness.

There's a saying "God is love". I could never understand what that really meant until I dove deeply into the stillness.

The stillness/peace is synonymous with love. Now I know what I am, what God is, and what love is. It's all (the real) me.

So from my experience one must experience deep, effortless stillness before God/Agape love is known.