EMPATHY

Empathy is one’s ability, faculty, willingness, sensibility, sensitivity, belongingness and preparedness to feel and experience the physical and psychological status of another in pain. It is a virtue. Practising it, we can build our relationships with others strongly at individual, social and national level. It is an attitude encouraging us to think and act towards mutual cooperation and coordination. Those that lack empathy fail as human beings. The primary reason for divorces in families, clashes between colleagues, enmity between friends, rivalry between states is lack of empathy between them. When we think that we belong to a universal family and we must avoid narrow-minded outlook while living and enjoying our lives, we feel empathetic towards all.

1. When a baby is crying, how do we respond? If it is not our baby, we ignore its cry. If it is our baby, we rush to it or expect that others should take care of it at once. When we move from the notions of I, My and Mine to We, Our and Ours, we are empathetic, humane and ideal.

2. When a natural calamity occurs or a disaster takes place somewhere in this world, we may not be able to go there or help them in any manner due to our poverty or other kinds of helplessness. Still there is scope to feel that pain internally and shed a few tears for them. It is empathy.

3. When a beggar seeks alms from us, we can’t ascertain whether he/she is really poor and helpless or not. It may be a profession to him/her. We offer them something readily. Empathy accepts a given situation as genuine without going for critical analysis or criticism of the other.

4. We cry often while reading a book of tragedy or a feature film of that order, clearly knowing that it is all fictitious. We are virtually feeling the pain of the characters in those creative works. Some don’t cry even if somebody is dying before them. Crying for others makes us sensitive.

5. There are stars of voluntary service in almost every part of the world. One Kailash Satyardhi is offering benevolent service to impoverished and helpless children in India. He looks like God to those children. He is an embodiment of empathy. Empathy means sharing the pain of others.

6. In the traditional Indian Hindu family system, a home-maker is predominantly a woman. She is supposed to sacrifice many comforts in her life for the sake of her family. Now this trend has changed. Husbands are helping them in chores. Empathy is the guiding force behind this change.

7. Many men look down upon widows in India. They cannot accept that she may not be the primary cause for that state of life. On the other hand, there are some gentlemen who wish to marry widows only. Those with empathy do things differently to console and save others readily.

8. In India, even after so much of scientific advancements and cultural changes, men do not wish to go for vasectomy. They believe that their wives should get tubectomy done. Some men are going for vasectomy now. They are getting ready to stop a crime against innocent women.

9. Writers and creative personalities of that order are pioneers of empathy in all ages. They feel your pain and suffering intensely while carving out different characters and creating scenes in their books, dramas and films. They make us experience pain of others through their works.

10. Social reformers, scientists, philanthropists, parents, relatives, friends, well-wishers and idealists too belong to the race of empathy across the world. We owe a lot to all those that think and act for us out of kindness. Without empathy, humanity cannot march forward in any age.

11. If we observe the culture and lifestyles of some austere practitioners of Jainism in parts of India, we realize that they don’t harm even ants. Every creature, created by God, is highly precious. We should not harm them at all. Religious practices without empathy are avoidable.

12. Most of the politicians in India regularly talk about many virtues but they don’t follow them. Teaching is easy. Practising is difficult. Those that teach much cannot change others. Those that practice rigorously can influence us tremendously. We must change first to change others.

13. Countries like Somalia are in abject poverty. On the other hand, we are misusing millions of dollars every day for smoking, drinking, sensual joys, luxuries, fashions and games. When the heads of rich countries lack empathy, some countries remain broken and tragic forever.

14. When we see somebody in pain on road or elsewhere, we think that somebody else is there to take care of them, not we. When we are in pain, even others feel the same. When we lack empathy, others appear us as outsiders. If we have it, all look like those waiting for our kindness.

15. How we bring up our children and train our citizens in our nation, largely influences our familial or national standards and values. Those born in some families have much empathy for all. Citizens of some countries offer selfless service to many. We must cultivate empathy.

16. Some farmers are growing tobacco, not minding that those consuming it ultimately may die of cancer. Many entrepreneurs are making harmful products to earn huge profits fast. When farmers and businessmen have no empathy for humanity, all suffer directly or indirectly.

17. We suffer much even if a thorn pierces through our sole while walking. We are cutting the heads and parts of bodies of millions of animals and birds regularly across places. Lack of empathy in humanity leads to non-violence of various kinds. Victims suffer a lot every second.

18. Christians, Muslims and Hindus are struggling to grow their cults through many campaigns. If your religion is good, I join on my own. If you compel me to join you by force, there is no substance in it. Religions without empathy are worse than slaughterhouses and brothels.

19. You have rights. I too have rights. If you enjoy your rights, without minding mine, you are a criminal. The ratio of criminals and sinners is increasing tremendously across the world now because they have no empathy but cruelty. Don’t grab anything. Ask for it. If not given, forget it.

Insights

1. Empathy is a kind feeling. All of us have feelings and emotions. It is enough if we practise kindness in most of the feelings and emotions we express daily towards others. We can do it.

2. We should reform our language to be empathetic towards others. Use words like please, thank you and sorry as often as needed. We can console others a lot just through our kind words.

3. Empathy means offering without questions and doubts, to benefit the other. Talk and take a little but do and give more. Don’t crave publicity. God is watching everything. He likes you.

4. God did not create anything or anybody without a purpose in this world. Insulting and harming somebody or something created by Him, you are attracting His wrath. He punishes you soon.

5. You may not be in a position to help and guide others much. At least identify and appreciate those who are serving others generously. Thus you are creating and promoting a great culture.

6. We need not be body builders or millionaires to change this world much. Save an ant from a pond. Give a biscuit pack or banana to a poor girl. With what feeling you are giving is important.

7. Those that have no self-control and self-criticism cannot help others much. Prioritize things. Plan everything perfectly. You will have a lot of time and resources to help others generously. 

8. You cannot find any creature in this world without defects and drawbacks of some sort. When you accept them, you can serve anybody. When you start criticizing, your growth is at stake.

9. You fail and suffer continuously if you lack empathy. When you have it, you can feel success in your failures also and happiness in your pain also. Empathy means sacrifice and service.

10. Empowerment is greater than altruism. Through dreams, you remain a utopian. Through imparting knowledge and skills through your efforts, you are making them self-reliant stars.

11. Question others more to make them creative and updated but not to decide whether you should help them or not when they are in pain. Even bad people bless us when we serve them.

12. God is the supreme and largest embodiment of empathy. He serves, saves and guides us without expecting gratitude from us. We can become gods, practising His qualities daily.

13. Looking for help from all is helplessness. Being equipped and prepared to help anybody any time is strength. Improve your strengths. Keep offering more. You are a star for God.

14. Your thoughts and acts of service should not be so ideal that you die on the way. God suffers much if you do so. You must be strong and live longer to help many innocent creatures of God.

15. Empathy demands inclusive culture. Think how you can accept others but not why you cannot accept them. If you start rejecting others, you cannot accept yourself also one day.