A Fervent Plea for Compassion & Love (Times of India)

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SPEAKING TREE (the Times of India's op-ed page)

A Fervent Plea for Compassion & Love

 

MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI

 

[ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2003 12:00:17 AM ]

 

Contentment is within reach for a person who is

compassionate and loving. The greedy, however, remain

unsatisfied as they are constantly looking for bigger

and better ways to fulfil their desires. At which

point will they be satisfied — when they get a bigger

house, a better car, higher designation?

 

To overcome this vicious circle, we need to replace

lower thoughts with noble ones. A greedy person pays

no attention to the quality of his words and deeds.

Always fixing his gaze on the future, trying to figure

out how to do this or that, he will spend his whole

life planning, calculating, and dreaming. Unable to be

in the present and enjoy what is right in front of

him, he cannot relish even his food, because while he

is eating lunch he is planning his supper. How can

such a person be happy and content? The past and

future are mere illusion. The past is dead and gone,

and the future is yet to come. The pre-sent alone is

real.

 

If you water the branches of a tree, the water will be

wasted. For nourishment to reach the entire tree, its

roots have to be watered. So when we pray for

humankind, we will also be benefited. Unfortunately

our hearts are closed; we are loath to share. We are

unable to rise above personal gain.

 

Blindness of the eyes is bearable and can be managed

to a certain extent. You can still live as a human

being. You can still have a loving and compassionate

heart. But when you are blinded by the ego, you are

completely blind. Don’t let your power and position,

your name and reputation, your wealth and possessions

make you look down on others.

 

If someone who needs help approaches you, you should

smile warmly at him, have a compassionate word for him

and listen. Even if you do not give him anything,

smile and console him with loving words. You should be

able to tell him: “Brother, I understand your

problems. I know you are having a hard time. I wish I

could help you. Unfortunately I am not in a position

to do so. Please forgive me.” These words will have a

soothing effect on him. They will act as a balm for

his aching heart. He will be consoled and think: “At

least he gave me some comfort with his kind words. It

is a great relief to know that good-hearted people

like him still exist in the world.” He will feel

enthused instead of feeling desperate and depressed.

He will not think of committing suicide.

 

Do not give up your wealth. Do not give up your

expectations in life. Have them, but try to be

compassionate. Try to feel the suffering of others.

You are not a machine. You are a human being. You

represent the human race.

 

Therefore, try to be loving and compassionate, because

those are the signs of an evolved life. Remember, only

a human being can develop compassion and empathise

with others. You might think: “If he is suffering, it

is his karma.” It is none of your business to think

about his karma. If it is his karma to suffer,

consider it your karma to help him. Only helping

others will help you evolve.

 

The ability to grow in love and compassion has almost

been forgotten. By not making use of this rare gift,

you are rejecting God, going against God and denying

His gift. This is the worst thing that can happen to

you.

 

If something goes wrong in your work, that can be

corrected. Material loss is not irreversible. But if

you reject God’s gift, that is irreparable. He wants

you to use it properly. If you reject it, you are

obstructing the flow of His Grace. You are building a

barrier between Him and you. Your ego is the barrier.

 

(Today is Amma’s birthday)

 

 

 

 

 

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