Compassion

There’s this book on Dalai Lama, written by a psychiatrist who has interviewed him from time to time. One of the questions he asks Dalai Lama is,

“You have been exiled from your land, you have lost your home, your people, your culture. On top of that, you are constantly travelling around the world to spread your message. How do you never feel lonely amongst these new people?”

Dalai Lama replies, “I never feel lonely because I see everyone I meet as an extension of myself. You are an extension of me, as I am of you. When you treat everyone you meet as a part of yourself, there will be no animosity, just love.”

That is the best thing I learnt from the book- if you see every person as an extension of your soul, you automatically try to empathise with them. What do you do if your arm is hurting? Cut it off? No, you are patient, and concerned, and try to heal it so that your very being is at peace again.

Imagine doing that to your fellow beings. Imagine them as a part of yourself. If they are doing something wrong, be patient and try to get to the root of their negativity. Walk a mile in their shoes and try to understand what they are going through.

Instead all we see is a world full of people being judgemental. Media people are presstitudes, bureacracy is corrupt and that friend of yours is just annoyingly negatitve. Have you ever thought why they are so? What has forced people to become what they are, and whether we can do something about it?

“No man is an island, 

Entire of itself.

Any man’s death diminishes me, 

Because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; 

It tolls for thee.”