Compassion is a quality that is rare to find in today’s world — one in which we barely have time for ourselves. But a disaster like the one that hit the city of Chennai recently, saw a never-before outpouring of care and compassion. Whether it was the fear that one could be the next victim or simply the overwhelming magnitude of the tragedy, one isn’t sure, but compassion made the difference during those uncertain times.
Why is compassion so important?
All religious paths advocate compassion. The Supreme is the very embodiment of compassion and being an instrument of compassion is the way to divine realisation. Love and compassion are the very qualities which sustain humanity. Paramahansa Yogananda says, “If someone is suffering and you reach out with aid and compassion you are moving into the presence of God.”
Compassion is a natural corollary of sensitivity and understanding towards fellow beings. Radhanath Swami recalls a Quran scholar telling him that he fasted during Ramzan so that he could know what the pain of hunger is like and then when he saw someone hungry he would feel compassion for that person.
Many subtle shifts happen when compassion is displayed — for one, our circle of consciousness expands to embrace the Universe and all living beings. The focus shifts, our perspective widens and our own problems pale into insignificance.
That said being compassionate is not easy as one acutely feels the pain of others. Besides there will be inconveniences and huge demands on one’s time. Says Andrew Boyd author of Daily afflictions: The agony of being connected to everything in the Universe, “When you feel connected to everything you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. Your destiny is bound with the destinies of others. You must either learn to carry the Universe or be crushed by it.”
Therefore, responding from a spiritually aware position is the way to go. Compassion is not about tokenism — merely clucking one’s tongues in sympathy (which is, however, infinitely better than being grossly insensitive) or taking pity adopting a condescending and patronising attitude. Compassion is also not about quid pro quo. One of the reasons why people are afraid to display or show any compassion is because they anticipate ingratitude, lack of appreciation and recognition and therefore assume that it is better to keep a clinical distance from those needing help.
Sri Aurobindo talks of a compassion which sees, understands and accepts the burden of others and is strong to help and heal always remembering that one is merely an instrument and that each one is what he must be.
It is also necessary to treat oneself with compassion and love at all times without being selfish or self-obsessed. An awareness of the impact of emotions on the energy flow in our body and attitudinal changes like willing surrender, kindness and compassion will facilitate total healing when one is aiming to make peace with painful experiences and memories and reaching out to others.
The writer is a Reiki channel, yoga practitioner and a spiritual seeker
