COMPASSION IN ACTION

From the day we are born we start receiving. We receive love, affection, comforts of everyday living, education, etc.  Please pause for a few minutes to expand this list to encompass all that life has so generously bestowed upon us. It will be a great reminder. Somewhere in the journey of our self centered lives, we forget to acknowledge and appreciate the gifts of life and take these for granted. When we become so oblivion to what we have received, can we ever be generous in giving??  

We are very happy and comfortable GIVING to our immediate environment. But how much and how often do we give to people who are neither our family nor have supported us in any way?  What is our attitude while giving?? Even when we give to our children it is with an expectation of receiving support in old age. We justify our giving. It should only be to the deserving person. This giving is not from the heart. Mind is constantly at work  analysing, justifying and validating our actions. 

How many times have we given JUST for the sake of giving?? 

The only relationship of giving and receiving which is very apparent and well understood is that of employer employee. In all other domains, giving and receiving is not as well defined. WHAT IS THIS GIVING??? ANY Giving out from the heart with no expectation, no negative/positive feelings is an act of COMPASSION. Many of us wrongly feel that loving someone passionately is compassion.  True Compassion is an act of courage. It requires courage to reach out to others and help others. 

There is a strong belief that most of us live with. How can we help others when we do not have enough for ourselves??  We also take great pride in giving away our discards of the seasonal house cleaning. Discards are not true offerings. When we give, we also want to monitor its usage..…has it been put to good use?? Was the receiver worthy of receiving???Did the person acknowledge the receiving?? Somewhere deep within us we are expecting appreciation for our deeds, a credit for our giving to others. Then can SUCH giving be pure?? 

Giving is not only monetary help. Giving has many forms and shades. Meeting any person’s need is an act of giving. Offering food, clothes, shelter, medical support,  teaching skills, educating, spending time with elderly, lending patient hearing,  are some of the many ways to give. Please know that life is mathematical. What we give is what we receive…. Life returns in ten folds all that we have given it.  I now live every single day with this awareness. Believe me it is a great value of life which brings peace and immense joy. My heartfelt gratitude to Sri Raj Bhowmik for giving me the privilege to go through the life transforming program with His Essence through SAHHEAL. 

I grew up learning from my parents that when anything is bought it must replace something. So, continuously something was emptied to accommodate the new. However, all that was emptied was given to people in the immediate environment.  Our family has always offered food, clothing, books and stationery etc. During the construction of our house, we created several opportunities to feed the workers. On birth and death anniversaries of the deceased, food is offered to people in and around temples.  On most occasions this was a planned and an organised giving. This giving always accompanied the thought of “how fortunate”, “poor they”, “they deserve or not deserve”, etc.  There was a feeling of some accomplishment. It was at SAHHEAL that we realised the essence of true giving and reflected on how we had been giving till date and from what space. We also realised that giving is an absolutely effortless exercise and has no “great” feelings associated. So, remember friends, there is no reason, season or occasion to GIVE.  Giving is an everyday act. It is also very important to go beyond the immediate environment and reach out to people with whom we are not associated in any way.  

This reminds me of a retired couple who have brought up their domestic helper’s son as their own grandson and go all out to provide him with the best opportunities. He goes to one of the most prestigious schools and has impeccable behaviour. They have shaped one life that will impact innumerable lives. That is the spiral.  Let us create such ripples all around. 

Now, giving is an everyday act for me. No more do I wait for special occasions. 

It is a feeling of fulfillment.  Just try doing it. Small acts of kindness done every single day add up to HUGE CONTRIBUTION.  Be a part of this compassionate Raj Bhowmik Back To Society DREAM – A Global Compassion Movement.  

By Dr. Neena Gulabani, Anubhav Learning Centre, New Delhi