Compassion, synonymous to kindness, caring, empathy, and a willingness to help others, holds a significant place in our lives, enabling us to connect with others in profound ways. It allows us to pursue our dreams while maintaining empathy and understanding towards those around us, imagining ourselves in their shoes in hardships.
While speaking or listening, compassion appears to be a very common word in context of understanding its literal meaning but implementation in behaviour is quite tough and needs a saint like heart. A memory engraved deep in my heart, a moment of pure joy and compassion, I would love to share here. I always reminisce about that day! Few years back, I took the children of laborers who used to work at a construction site near my house, on a picnic to a serene garden and temple. I used to go to their school named ‘Phoolwari’ weekly once to meet them and to teach. The excitement was profound that day, as I had arranged a van for the eager students to visit the park and the temple. To my surprise, that day the absentees also appeared, dressed in clean uniforms, their faces glowing with hope of having fun. The van overflowed with youthful energy of chirpy kids, leaving me troubled to creatively accommodate four more students. Consequently, I discussed with their teacher and caretaker and invited those four children to join me in my car with my own bunnies, solving the space dilemma. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, travelled together, ate and drank in the lush green garden, played with friends, did swings and seesaws, and went to Lord Ganesha’s temple and had a cherubic darshan. Kids’ faces were like they never knew the joy of school picnics before that. It was utter bliss and my heart was so filled with contentment that night.
Later, a friend asked with a twisted face, “How did you manage to drive laborers’ children in your personal vehicle?” I was taken aback, speechless by the inquiry. I kept on thinking for months and still I do ponder over it. Shouldn’t educated individuals uplift underprivileged children with compassion and support, rather than viewing them through a lens of superiority? How can we improve the plight of the less fortunate? Imagine walking in their shoes, and they in ours…
Embracing and showing compassion is not so easy for everyone, I agree with it but it is not impossible. It needs practice with a proper positive mindset and leads to remarkable changes in our personalities. It enhances emotional intelligence, sensitivity and sensibility, fosters resilience, and nurtures meaningful relationships. Compassionate individuals tend to be more self-aware, showing genuine concern for others and possessing an unwavering commitment to justice and equality, conditional if one really wants to be compassionate. By following their dreams while embracing compassion, individuals infuse their pursuits with a deeper purpose. They strive not only for personal achievements but also to uplift others by using their talents and passions for the greater good.
There are several prominent Indian philosophers, thinkers, writers, and life coaches including Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who have believed that compassion leads to unity and understanding among individuals, and it is essential for personal growth and societal development. These individuals, among others, have spoken extensively about compassion in their writings, speeches, and teachings, emphasizing its ability to foster understanding, empathy, and positive change in the world.
Worldwide also many philosophers, psychologists, thinkers, leaders, and writers have eulogized the virtues of compassion throughout history. Their perceptions provide timeless lessons on the significance of compassion in our lives. The philosophy of Life given by Leo Tolstoy, a renowned Russian novelist and philosopher, is deeply rooted in spirituality, simplicity, and compassion.
The Tibetan spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV, believes that compassion is the ultimate path to happiness and fulfillment and says, “the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion”. He encourages incorporating compassion as a means to outdo personal boundaries such as mental and physical and strengthen relations with all of humanity.
Albert Schweitzer, the Nobel Prize laureate, theologian, and philosopher, also emphasized compassion as the cornerstone of ethics and stated, “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” Martin Luther King Jr., the influential civil rights activist, was remarkably encouraged for nonviolent resistance and compassion towards all, regardless of one’s background including caste, race, color, gender, literacy, ethnicity etc. He believed that compassion is the key to creating a more just and equitable society.
Here I would like to tell one more incident, connected with the previous one as an after effects, One evening, in my society’s garden, I was walking like a snail, a slow and gentle soul, hindered by osteoarthritis’ obstinate grasp. Suddenly, a vision emerged before my eyes – a tall, graceful girl, her head bowed in reverence, whispering “Namaste Ma’am! Aapne pehchana?” (Do you recognize me?). Memories twirled, like autumn leaves, as I struggled to recognize her radiant face. Finding me wordless, she revealed her identity, a blossoming teenager, once a tender and weak student in studies of Phoolwari, where we first met before the pandemic’s dark and devilish shadow. Her eyes sparkled, speaking non-stop, recalling our joyful moments – her first picnic, educational videos on my laptop, poetry competitions, and colorful creativity activities organized by me for them. Her voice trembled with gratitude, accrediting her academic success to the reading habits I nurtured, which had kindled her focus.
In that instant, pride swelled within me, a warm, golden light, illuminating my heart. This by chance encounter became a treasured memory, evidence to the enduring impact of mentorship, embracing compassion, and the power of nostalgia. For weeks, the glow of pride lingered, a gentle reminder of the difference we make in the lives of others by showing compassion, leading them towards holistic growth. Moreover, in that moment, I had realized the power of compassion and the need to bridge the gap between privilege and disadvantage. A simple act of kindness can transform lives, fostering a sense of equality and shared humanity.
Thus, embracing compassion while following our dreams allows us to navigate the complex world around us with grace, empathy, and understanding. The changes it brings to our personalities are profound, fostering personal growth and enabling positive contributions to society.
In the words of these aforementioned influential figures and with illustrations of personal life experiences, I can confirm that compassion can be a guiding principle in our lives, allowing us to extend our empathy and kindness beyond our inner circle. By marrying our pursuit of dreams with compassion, we can create a harmonious world where sentiments are respected, nurtured, and celebrated.
(Dr. Shalini Yadav is a Professor, Writer and Columnist hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan.)
