Abhijit Naskar's Blog - Posts Tagged "empathy"
One the Nature of Compassion
"Awake, O brave one! Arise, O lion-heart! Be the messenger that spreads compassion." Thus goes the statement in one of my works. Now, one of the close observers of my work mentioned the other day that one cannot spread compassion. And yes - "observer" - that's the word I choose to use in this context, nay, in all context of my work, because I distaste the word "follower", for the word "follower" indicates loyalty - and loyalty destroys the life in existence. I don't want loyalty from you - all I want is for you to think with me.
So, let's think together over the very nature of compassion and whether one can actually spread compassion. And I say think, not criticize or debate about - just think - as we always do - you and me thinking together, and perhaps learning some new things, about ourselves as well the world we live in.
What is compassion - is it kindness - is it sympathy - is it empathy! What is compassion! Bring your mind into action - bring all those thoughts out - make them work, right now and think. What makes us humans! We breathe air in from around us - we consume nutrition from mother nature, in the form of food and water - we copulate and reproduce to keep our genetic heritage alive through time - but is this enough to make us humans! Because, if breathing, eating, copulating and reproducing - these make us humans, then the dogs on the streets would be as much humans as we are - but surely we are not like the dogs - we are different from the dogs - and indeed from any other animal on earth. So, what does distinguish us, from other animals!
Technically we are animals, in terms of biological sciences - but we are not going into these technicalities - we are trying to go deep into the understanding of the very nature of compassion and what makes us humans. Think - why are we different from the animals! We are different from the animals because, unlike the animals we can recognize our errors - we can recognize our shortcomings - we can recognize our mistakes - and then think about them and act accordingly in order to eliminate them from our characteristics and become better (the animals do have traces of this trait but only enough to avoid danger and ensure survival). Now what would you call this very process of recognizing our shortcomings and mistakes and becoming better! Isn't this the thing we call "awareness" - "self-awareness". There is nothing mystical in all this - there's no mystical mumbo-jumbo is involved here - just plain ordinary awareness - awareness of ourselves - of our thoughts - of our emotions - of our behavior. And the more we are aware of ourselves - the more we get to be truly humans - because without that awareness, we are just the same as the animals.
That very awareness makes you think that when you are kind to others, it would create a humane world - perhaps not for yourselves, but for your children and their children. So, with awareness we begin - we take that first step towards eliminating the distance between two people - you and the other. So, in the truest sense of the term, when awareness rises from the human mind, the distance among the humans vanishes, thus rises oneness - in that oneness lies true compassion - in that oneness lies true union of all humanity. That union doesn't even need the word "compassion" to explain itself, because you would by your very nature, be kind to the other person, as you would not see that other person as a different person, but simply an image of yourself. All humans are images of your own self - once you recognize this simple fact, there would no longer be any hatred - there would no longer be any prejudice in the world - there will simply be compassion - there will simply be kindness. When that oneness rises - compassion will not need human efforts to be spread, because oneness is compassion - compassion is kindness - kindness is empathy - empathy is morality - morality is spirituality - and spirituality is religion - all these terms are created by humans without them even being aware of the fact that it all comes down to one simple sense of oneness.
So, let's think together over the very nature of compassion and whether one can actually spread compassion. And I say think, not criticize or debate about - just think - as we always do - you and me thinking together, and perhaps learning some new things, about ourselves as well the world we live in.
What is compassion - is it kindness - is it sympathy - is it empathy! What is compassion! Bring your mind into action - bring all those thoughts out - make them work, right now and think. What makes us humans! We breathe air in from around us - we consume nutrition from mother nature, in the form of food and water - we copulate and reproduce to keep our genetic heritage alive through time - but is this enough to make us humans! Because, if breathing, eating, copulating and reproducing - these make us humans, then the dogs on the streets would be as much humans as we are - but surely we are not like the dogs - we are different from the dogs - and indeed from any other animal on earth. So, what does distinguish us, from other animals!
Technically we are animals, in terms of biological sciences - but we are not going into these technicalities - we are trying to go deep into the understanding of the very nature of compassion and what makes us humans. Think - why are we different from the animals! We are different from the animals because, unlike the animals we can recognize our errors - we can recognize our shortcomings - we can recognize our mistakes - and then think about them and act accordingly in order to eliminate them from our characteristics and become better (the animals do have traces of this trait but only enough to avoid danger and ensure survival). Now what would you call this very process of recognizing our shortcomings and mistakes and becoming better! Isn't this the thing we call "awareness" - "self-awareness". There is nothing mystical in all this - there's no mystical mumbo-jumbo is involved here - just plain ordinary awareness - awareness of ourselves - of our thoughts - of our emotions - of our behavior. And the more we are aware of ourselves - the more we get to be truly humans - because without that awareness, we are just the same as the animals.
That very awareness makes you think that when you are kind to others, it would create a humane world - perhaps not for yourselves, but for your children and their children. So, with awareness we begin - we take that first step towards eliminating the distance between two people - you and the other. So, in the truest sense of the term, when awareness rises from the human mind, the distance among the humans vanishes, thus rises oneness - in that oneness lies true compassion - in that oneness lies true union of all humanity. That union doesn't even need the word "compassion" to explain itself, because you would by your very nature, be kind to the other person, as you would not see that other person as a different person, but simply an image of yourself. All humans are images of your own self - once you recognize this simple fact, there would no longer be any hatred - there would no longer be any prejudice in the world - there will simply be compassion - there will simply be kindness. When that oneness rises - compassion will not need human efforts to be spread, because oneness is compassion - compassion is kindness - kindness is empathy - empathy is morality - morality is spirituality - and spirituality is religion - all these terms are created by humans without them even being aware of the fact that it all comes down to one simple sense of oneness.
Sonnet of Life Lessons | Handcrafted Humanity
Rich is not the one who's got a lot of dough,
But one whose touch make others forget their woe.
Happy is not the one who's always chasing pleasure,
But one who forgets all pleasure helping another grow.
Success is not about getting recognition,
Success is about achieving excellence beyond norm.
Achievement is not when you reach a certain goal,
But when your goal lifts others beyond your home.
Destiny is not a script written by a superman,
But one you write yourself with your labor and sweat.
Sanctity is not what priests sell you at the church,
But how you behave with others outside the church gate.
Nobody can give you lessons of life packed in a few lines.
If you know to help another, your heart knows all the lines.
But one whose touch make others forget their woe.
Happy is not the one who's always chasing pleasure,
But one who forgets all pleasure helping another grow.
Success is not about getting recognition,
Success is about achieving excellence beyond norm.
Achievement is not when you reach a certain goal,
But when your goal lifts others beyond your home.
Destiny is not a script written by a superman,
But one you write yourself with your labor and sweat.
Sanctity is not what priests sell you at the church,
But how you behave with others outside the church gate.
Nobody can give you lessons of life packed in a few lines.
If you know to help another, your heart knows all the lines.
Life Beyond Rhyme (The Sonnet) | Mücadele Muhabbet
Those who don’t do, bark,
Those who are humans, do.
Those who don’t help, howl,
Those who are humans, help.
Those who don’t lift, laugh,
Those who are humans, lift.
Those who don’t encourage, cuss,
Those who are humans, encourage.
Those who don’t mend, mock,
Those who are humans, mend.
Those who got no vagina, patronize,
Those who are humans, grow vagina.
If we can love ourselves despite our flaws,
Why can’t we be a little kind to others!
Those who are humans, do.
Those who don’t help, howl,
Those who are humans, help.
Those who don’t lift, laugh,
Those who are humans, lift.
Those who don’t encourage, cuss,
Those who are humans, encourage.
Those who don’t mend, mock,
Those who are humans, mend.
Those who got no vagina, patronize,
Those who are humans, grow vagina.
If we can love ourselves despite our flaws,
Why can’t we be a little kind to others!
Neither Believer Nor Atheist | The Pastor Who Never Was
I am neither a believer, nor an atheist. Believers care about the existence of God, atheists care about the nonexistence of God. I care about neither. I only care about human existence. I only care about the uplift of human condition.
If you believe, God is the supreme creator of everything, then God is also the one who gave you a brain. Use it. Likewise, if you know that we have evolved from the apes through natural selection, then you should also know about the fascinating mental faculty we developed alongside reason, called empathy. Use it.
Some might say, it is cowardly of me to not pick any side with confidence. Well, I am a behaviorist after all. You don’t expect me to peddle the same old dualistic ideologies that philosophers and theologians have been peddling for centuries, do you – that too with a complete disregard for the necessities of the everyday mind! I want to induce integration in the world, not conversion.
So I say, if you believe in God, make it a reason for assimilation, not segregation. If you prefer reason, use it for warm ascension, not cold and fancy descension.
If you believe, God is the supreme creator of everything, then God is also the one who gave you a brain. Use it. Likewise, if you know that we have evolved from the apes through natural selection, then you should also know about the fascinating mental faculty we developed alongside reason, called empathy. Use it.
Some might say, it is cowardly of me to not pick any side with confidence. Well, I am a behaviorist after all. You don’t expect me to peddle the same old dualistic ideologies that philosophers and theologians have been peddling for centuries, do you – that too with a complete disregard for the necessities of the everyday mind! I want to induce integration in the world, not conversion.
So I say, if you believe in God, make it a reason for assimilation, not segregation. If you prefer reason, use it for warm ascension, not cold and fancy descension.
Practical Mindfulness (The Sonnet) | Corazon Calamidad
When someone’s world is crumbling down,
Reach out to lend a shoulder not analysis.
If the world had more carers and sharers,
We wouldn’t need the services of therapists.
Most humans are raised to be selfish robots,
Then they spend their life on a therapist’s sofa.
When someone’s going through a period of grief,
Only the mindless comments, ‘have you tried yoga!’
For the human mind to be whole and healthy,
You gotta empty it of all the unhealthy junk.
And there is no greater junk on the face of earth,
Than the traditions that make us self-centric drunk.
Elimination of coldness is the highest of all wisdom.
Treat the common cold, and you’ll treat all descension.
Reach out to lend a shoulder not analysis.
If the world had more carers and sharers,
We wouldn’t need the services of therapists.
Most humans are raised to be selfish robots,
Then they spend their life on a therapist’s sofa.
When someone’s going through a period of grief,
Only the mindless comments, ‘have you tried yoga!’
For the human mind to be whole and healthy,
You gotta empty it of all the unhealthy junk.
And there is no greater junk on the face of earth,
Than the traditions that make us self-centric drunk.
Elimination of coldness is the highest of all wisdom.
Treat the common cold, and you’ll treat all descension.
The Pillar (A Sonnet) | Armor of The World
People come, spend some time with me,
Then they leave and go their own way.
Some leave bidding a sweet goodbye,
Then there’re times I get trashed away.
To the world I am but a pillar,
I’ve accepted that role in society.
But secretly the heart wreaks havoc,
Not being able to hold on to somebody.
There is no cure for my condition,
It’s the price a reformer has to pay.
No world is lifted without sacrifice,
That’s how the being becomes a gateway.
Be a shelter to others in their times of agony.
Once you’ve fulfilled your role in their life,
Do not be a hindrance to their joy and liberty.
Then they leave and go their own way.
Some leave bidding a sweet goodbye,
Then there’re times I get trashed away.
To the world I am but a pillar,
I’ve accepted that role in society.
But secretly the heart wreaks havoc,
Not being able to hold on to somebody.
There is no cure for my condition,
It’s the price a reformer has to pay.
No world is lifted without sacrifice,
That’s how the being becomes a gateway.
Be a shelter to others in their times of agony.
Once you’ve fulfilled your role in their life,
Do not be a hindrance to their joy and liberty.
Cardiomyopathy Sonnet (Medicine and Metaphor) | Vande Vasudhaivam
Person’s worth comes from
their pulse, not from their purse.
It’s okay if your purse is anemic,
so long as your veins got plenty pulse.
It’s your pulse that brings the world to life,
Pulsating heart is radiator during this ice-age.
Ice-age never went away, it just got internalized,
As outwardly in appearance we became less savage.
Human heart is in dire need of a green house,
All the warmth is escaping rapidly.
Melting ice caps will drown us later,
We’ll have kicked the bucket long before,
from frostbitten cardiomyopathy.
Brain’s death is death of the body,
Heart’s death is death of the being.
Kindness keeps the being alive
long after the heart stops beating.
their pulse, not from their purse.
It’s okay if your purse is anemic,
so long as your veins got plenty pulse.
It’s your pulse that brings the world to life,
Pulsating heart is radiator during this ice-age.
Ice-age never went away, it just got internalized,
As outwardly in appearance we became less savage.
Human heart is in dire need of a green house,
All the warmth is escaping rapidly.
Melting ice caps will drown us later,
We’ll have kicked the bucket long before,
from frostbitten cardiomyopathy.
Brain’s death is death of the body,
Heart’s death is death of the being.
Kindness keeps the being alive
long after the heart stops beating.
Sonnet 1178 (On Titanic Sub Search-and-Rescue) | Visvavictor
“Sonnet 1178
Five little rich tourists sink in a sub,
Wallets open without limit on a search-n-rescue op.
A 1000 migrants die each year tryna cross the sea,
Borders tighten in sheer fear with no show of mercy.
People are only worth saving
if their savings is super healthy.
50 Shades would be a Hitchcock film
if the sicko had no money.
Empathy is a far cry, life is never the issue.
While next-door-neighbor cries of hunger,
Netflix wets more tissue.”
“Ukraine is worth aiding, but not Afghanistan,
Tourists are worth saving, but not refugees.
Loss of any life is indeed a moment of tragedy,
Then why this double-standard and hypocrisy!”
Five little rich tourists sink in a sub,
Wallets open without limit on a search-n-rescue op.
A 1000 migrants die each year tryna cross the sea,
Borders tighten in sheer fear with no show of mercy.
People are only worth saving
if their savings is super healthy.
50 Shades would be a Hitchcock film
if the sicko had no money.
Empathy is a far cry, life is never the issue.
While next-door-neighbor cries of hunger,
Netflix wets more tissue.”
“Ukraine is worth aiding, but not Afghanistan,
Tourists are worth saving, but not refugees.
Loss of any life is indeed a moment of tragedy,
Then why this double-standard and hypocrisy!”
Smile Before Pills (Sonnet 1402) | Abhijit Naskar | Dervis Doctor: 100 Promissory Sonnets
The only permanence we have is each other,
The only paradise we have is each other.
Heaven is as real as we are to each other,
Most potent medicine we have is each other.
One moment of love is time eternal,
100 years of hate are but ghost of wild past.
One rebellion of love is destiny in making,
100 rituals of hate are just monkeys’ mass.
A smile works faster than a pill,
both metaphorically and physiologically.
Pills take hours to reach your bloodstream, while
a smile triggers instant release of neurochemicals,
which alleviates pain and facilitates immunity.
Sure, pills and prescriptions are a scientific boon,
They achieve wonders where organic powers fall short.
Yet, there is no prescription for a mannerless medico,
There is no pharmaceutical cure for a medical upstart.
The only paradise we have is each other.
Heaven is as real as we are to each other,
Most potent medicine we have is each other.
One moment of love is time eternal,
100 years of hate are but ghost of wild past.
One rebellion of love is destiny in making,
100 rituals of hate are just monkeys’ mass.
A smile works faster than a pill,
both metaphorically and physiologically.
Pills take hours to reach your bloodstream, while
a smile triggers instant release of neurochemicals,
which alleviates pain and facilitates immunity.
Sure, pills and prescriptions are a scientific boon,
They achieve wonders where organic powers fall short.
Yet, there is no prescription for a mannerless medico,
There is no pharmaceutical cure for a medical upstart.
Miracle and Migraine (Sonnet 1370) | Abhijit Naskar | Visvavatan: 100 Demilitarization Sonnets
“Miracle and Migraine (Sonnet 1370)
Words are my leisure,
Words are my life.
Words are my gift to thee,
Use ’em wisely for light.
Kind words cost us nothing,
Cruel words will cost us all.
Faith in people costs us nothing,
Systemic mistrust will end us all.
It is common knowledge in the circle,
I don’t control words, I get visions.
However, every miracle takes its toll,
Hence, the migraines are getting worse.
I don’t mind, so long as I am ointment.
You keep the magic, I’ll keep the pain.”
“There is nothing supernatural about visions – or to be more accurate, contrary to traditional belief, it’s not messages from some extraterrestrial domain. Visions are indeed messages from a mysterious realm alright, but like the everyday realm of human perception, the transcendental realm as well is creation of brain chemicals. I won’t go into details here, as I already did that in my early days. One of my earliest works, Autobiography of God, contains a detailed analytical account of the neurobiology of transcendental experiences. However, the question is not whether there is an explanation, the question is, is it worth explaining! Because, while sometimes the lack of explanation facilitates superstition, some things are better left unexplained – such as, love.”
Words are my leisure,
Words are my life.
Words are my gift to thee,
Use ’em wisely for light.
Kind words cost us nothing,
Cruel words will cost us all.
Faith in people costs us nothing,
Systemic mistrust will end us all.
It is common knowledge in the circle,
I don’t control words, I get visions.
However, every miracle takes its toll,
Hence, the migraines are getting worse.
I don’t mind, so long as I am ointment.
You keep the magic, I’ll keep the pain.”
“There is nothing supernatural about visions – or to be more accurate, contrary to traditional belief, it’s not messages from some extraterrestrial domain. Visions are indeed messages from a mysterious realm alright, but like the everyday realm of human perception, the transcendental realm as well is creation of brain chemicals. I won’t go into details here, as I already did that in my early days. One of my earliest works, Autobiography of God, contains a detailed analytical account of the neurobiology of transcendental experiences. However, the question is not whether there is an explanation, the question is, is it worth explaining! Because, while sometimes the lack of explanation facilitates superstition, some things are better left unexplained – such as, love.”
