Words that caught us: C is for Compassion

 

We all know the world we live in today

Is deeply divided, and a pain to many.

We all know it can and should be better.

And, we assume, we all want to make it better,

For us, for our neighbours, and for future generations.

 

So, where and how can we begin to heal our world?

 

One of the biggest causes of this divide and pain,

Is the assumption that we share a common experience,

Of the world we live in,

And that, the way we see it and experience it,

Is the same for everyone.

And so, we ignore and pass judgment on others,

Who don’t fit the picture we have,

Of the way things ought to be, or to work.

 

In short, we are blindsided to the pain of others,

Because we assume, we see and experience the world,

The same way.

 

In most cases, this isn’t true, even in our own families.

We all probably know of a brother or sister,

Who has a totally different world view, from our own,

And is living through a totally different experience of life.

In most times, these become pariahs of the family;

Which is similar to the way we make pariahs of millions,

Who don’t share our world view,

Of how things ought to be, and ought to work.

 

If you are born white, you probably have no idea,

What it feels like, to be black, blown or coloured,

And you probably think, you share a common experience,

And world view, with these folks.

If you are born in a middle or upper class family,

You probably have no idea, what living below the poverty line

Is or feels like,

And what it means to wake up, every day, in a world

Of diminishing opportunity and access.

If you are lucky to have, at your disposal, a rich network

Of friends in high places, that opens opportunity for you in every turn,

You probably have no idea, what it means to have a degree,

Or a masters, and still be unemployed.

 

This lack of understanding of the world views and experiences of others,

Is the source of our divided world, and the pain that accompanies it.

 

Is it really possible to heal or mend, what we don’t know?

 

That's why the following words struck a chord with us:

'The real key to healing this divide is letting go

Of what we think we know.

It’s only when we let go of what we think we know

That we can be curious about the other side.

Try to understand why (other people) do what they do,

Why they feel the way they feel.

Try to step into their world, and get them.

It’s only when we let go of our knowing

And step into not knowing

That we can really see their side,

And feel compassion for them.

Once we do that, the compassion can come

And the healing can begin.’

 

These words were uttered in the context

Of the recent election in America,

But they, undoubtedly, apply with equal force,

In everything requiring human interaction and collaboration,

Be it business, family or non-profit.

 

The key to healing the divide

Lies in self-awareness, letting-go,

Curiosity, and acknowledgment.

 

Self-awareness, as in, being aware that we might not share

A common world view and experience with the people we interact with.

Being aware of our blind spots and expectation gaps is crucial.

You cannot begin to heal, what you don’t know or feel.

 

Letting-go, as in, avoiding the assumption that we know,

How the world is, ought to be, or ought to work.

Accepting that we know little or nothing, outside our own experiences,

Is what opens us up, to see the real world we live in.

 

Curiosity, as in, taking the initiative to ask,

And inquire into others experiences and expectations.

Opening ourselves up to multiple world views is key,

To exploring multiple solutions in a multifaceted society.

 

Acknowledgement, as in, accepting the right

Of differing world views and experiences to co-exist with ours.

Our acceptance that people who are not like us are still people,

And have a right to be here and to their humanity,

And to fair opportunity to progress their lives as they see fit,

Is the beginning of the healing process, and a better world.

 

We don't really know if the right word is compassion

Or empathy,

And, maybe, it doesn't matter much what label we give it,

As long it helps us have a common understanding

Of the problem and the solution.

 

What’s your take?

Where and how do we begin to heal our world?

What are you doing to open up your eyes,

To the possibility, that some of the people you interact with every day,

Have a totally different world view and experience, from you?

And if you know that, what are you doing to make them feel and know,

That they, too, belong here, and have a right, to be here?

 

*This reflection was inspired by this article by Leo Babauta