If...

[auh]

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This is not Rudyard Kipling's "IF"

The thought that millions, of humans, over the world are starving, malnourished, deprived of even the most basic of needs, hounded and hunted, would certainly evoke a sense of pity and sympathy in most. At the least.

If there is some kindness in our hearts; if we would only empathize; the terrible tragedy of the deprived lot should strike us with such force that we become unfettered, physically and psychologically, to reach out to them. To restore their human dignity.

Perhaps it is happening; somebody or some institution has allocated funds and the social workers are on the field. But, is this something to be relegated? How can anyone eat a square meal knowing that there are suffering millions all over? How can I smile and rejoice in the midst of wailing? I look within myself and ask - am I heartless? Is a donation enough? Should there be more to it? More than any other, is this the one quality that we should be cultivating? And doing?

Even as I write this post, I feel the task to be an improbability. Any thoughts?


Aside:
--------------------
This may not be the exact reason, but I found that there is a term for something similar "schadenfreude"

More here - http://www.livescience.com/17398-schadenfreude-affirmation.html

When the office slacker makes a mistake that could cost them a pay raise — do you truly feel bad, or do you have to work to hide your smile?

If you smiled, you've just experienced schadenfreude, a bit of enjoyment at the misfortunes of others. And now researchers know more about why we experience this seemingly odd emotion. Turns out, it can be a sure way to make you feel better about yourself. It's a self-affirming boost.

"If somebody enjoys the misfortune of others, then there's something in that misfortune that is good for the person," said study researcher Wilco W. van Dijk, adding that it could be due to thinking the other person deserves the misfortune, and so becoming less envious of them or feeling better about one's self.

 

[krish44]

If one would just look around , there are many things we feel bad about .

But hardly ever we do anything about them unless we get affected by them someway to act positively

this callous approach to living ,the metro we live in has taught us

whether helping anyone hurt in an accident, making way for ambulance ,resisting female abuse in our presence--we are absolutely callous and have a could not care

less attitude.

I am as guilty as many others of this mindset.

I wonder if I can change. If I had been 30-40 years younger perhaps I might have thought of it.

This general callousness I suspect comes with age . We are just reluctant to get involved with anything with a sense of purpose or passion.

We just become numb and move on with life dismissing terrorst strike,bomb blast, communal riots or economic crash as one more event -no feelings other than that.

 

[Vaagmi]

1. When I see the pain, innocence, hunger and pleading in the eyes of that beautiful young child in the CRY advertisement, I just die and get born again because that moment overwhelms me beyond words.

2. As I sit in the comfort of AC in my car and as it stops at the signal on the busy road, a hand taps my car window. Oh God! again the same innocence and pain on the face of the mother and child standing there. I die because I am overwhelmed. I recover to take out a currency note and lowers the window and give it to the mother-the child is hanging precariously by a cloth sling tied to her shoulder. The child smiles and I am lost in thought and pain.

3. As I walk on the street on my morning walk, the familiar figure of the poor maami comes and just extends her hand towards me haltingly and with hesitation. My dress and the purposeful walk must have intimidated her and it is obvious in her eyes. I die and recover because I feel overwhelmed by her obvious suffering. I give a currency note and contin ue with my walk. As I walk I think. Can poverty be eradicated at all?

4. The faces haunt me. I am angry at myself for the helplessness in me. I cry like a child silently in privacy.

5. I contribute to charity a part of my earnings. I help without telling anyone. And still feel helpless and overwhelmed at all the apparent inequality and ruthlessness of the poverty around.

6. I will sacrifice all my vital organs lock stock and barrel if in exchange someone can get me the legendary amudhasurabhi.

 

[renuka]

T

The thought that millions, of humans, over the world are starving, malnourished, deprived of even the most basic of needs, hounded and hunted, would certainly evoke a sense of pity and sympathy in most. At the least.

If there is some kindness in our hearts; if we would only empathize; the terrible tragedy of the deprived lot should strike us with such force that we become unfettered, physically and psychologically, to reach out to them. To restore their human dignity.

Perhaps it is happening; somebody or some institution has allocated funds and the social workers are on the field. But, is this something to be relegated? How can anyone eat a square meal knowing that there are suffering millions all over? How can I smile and rejoice in the midst of wailing? I look within myself and ask - am I heartless? Is a donation enough? Should there be more to it? More than any other, is this the one quality that we should be cultivating? And doing?

Even as I write this post, I feel the task to be an improbability. Any thoughts?

I used to think like you when I was younger..feeling affected very easily at the sight of suffering of others.I do admit that it made me cry too but then I realized that besides feeling sad I haven't done really much for anyone or anything.

So is feeling sad enough?
Nope..its not..feeling sad is never enough..in fact when we feel sad after a while the emotions subside and we do not act on it..tears of feelings wash away the need for action.

Those who do not cry usually take action to help others better than those who are emotional.

But at the same time as I grew older I realized that many big hearted philanthropists were once upon a time earning money by illegal means " who later want to wash away their 'sins" and start donating and helping out those who are poor and under privileged.I guess that is the circle of life..what they took by unjust means they had to give back to society.

So frankly speaking I do not really admire those who are over the top in helping others..we have no idea why they go to extreme limits..may be a Karmic debt for all I know.

Its better to just be moderate in whatever we aim to do..start off small..a donation or help out with some Seva activities.

There is no urgent need to be Superman or Superwoman..God Himself is not Superman and saving the world.So as long as we do not hurt anyone it should suffice.

 

[yesmohan]

I used to think like you when I was younger..feeling affected very easily at the sight of suffering of others.I do admit that it made me cry too but then I realized that besides feeling sad I haven't done really much for anyone or anything.

So is feeling sad enough?
Nope..its not..feeling sad is never enough..in fact when we feel sad after a while the emotions subside and we do not act on it..tears of feelings wash away the need for action.

Those who do not cry usually take action to help others better than those who are emotional.

But at the same time as I grew older I realized that many big hearted philanthropists were once upon a time earning money by illegal means " who later want to wash away their 'sins" and start donating and helping out those who are poor and under privileged.I guess that is the circle of life..what they took by unjust means they had to give back to society.

So frankly speaking I do not really admire those who are over the top in helping others..we have no idea why they go to extreme limits..may be a Karmic debt for all I know.

Its better to just be moderate in whatever we aim to do..start off small..a donation or help out with some Seva activities.

There is no urgent need to be Superman or Superwoman..God Himself is not Superman and saving the world.So as long as we do not hurt anyone it should suffice.

Well said.
We every one of us, though would not make any revolution, but with resolution. could render help to one or two around us.

 

[auh]

Thanks for all the responses.

Post #2 explains the current mindset, the reluctance, and the acceptance.

Post #3 is an everpresent dilema that is expressed at a personal level. My only question that I sought to address is that why are "we", being aware of our helplessness, reluctant to take action to overcome it? Many, in fact, are aware, but why the tendency to avoid? Why are we not able to collectively bring ourselves to it?

Post #4, itself, is in moderation. I appreciate the advise. I do give donations, but only to persons whom I know are doing a selfless cause. My post is to address the other side - why do we relegate ourselves to the lesser liked path?

 

[Lalit]

Probably, many may be prompted to turn into Good Samaritans if we were to share some really philanthropic activities of those known to us, the "unsung, unheard and unhonoured" silent heroes and heroines amongst us! No. No. No. I am not for a single moment suggesting that this will be the ultimate or the best strategy to sensitize the rich and fortunate to come forward to help the lesser fortunate! But when a multi-pronged approach only can help change the mind-set, examples of others who are able to rise to the occasion and serve those in need may influence others when they come across similar situations. There's a well-recognized practice among the Christians called "tithing" (giving one-tenths of your earnings for charity) and among the Muslims also they observe charity (up to one-fifths of their earnings) as a religious rule during festive seasons and on Fridays. We also have several scriptures lauding the practice of charity and innumerable number of sants and devotees and characters in our epics known for their dana dharmam! Often our own experiences help us empathize easily!

 

[Vaagmi]

Thanks for all the responses.
Post #3 is an everpresent dilema that is expressed at a personal level. My only question that I sought to address is that why are "we", being aware of our helplessness, reluctant to take action to overcome it? Many, in fact, are aware, but why the tendency to avoid? Why are we not able to collectively bring ourselves to it?

We do whatever we can.

We are aware of the dimensions of the problem.

We know it is just beyond our ability to solve.

Only if I were able to make the world (all the scientists in the world) forget for ever the process called nuclear fission and fusion.............How nice it would be!

We feel overwhelmed.

We just do what we can.

 

[krish44]

We are mostly basically non caring.

if at all we do anything, it is not mostly what we really can , but a kind of token support by giving a pittance [small change in our pocket mostly] to show we have done

our bit. but this attitude I agree is marginally better than doing absolutely nothing

 

[tks]

This is not Rudyard Kipling's "IF"

The thought that millions, of humans, over the world are starving, malnourished, deprived of even the most basic of needs, hounded and hunted, would certainly evoke a sense of pity and sympathy in most. At the least.

If there is some kindness in our hearts; if we would only empathize; the terrible tragedy of the deprived lot should strike us with such force that we become unfettered, physically and psychologically, to reach out to them. To restore their human dignity.

Perhaps it is happening; somebody or some institution has allocated funds and the social workers are on the field. But, is this something to be relegated? How can anyone eat a square meal knowing that there are suffering millions all over? How can I smile and rejoice in the midst of wailing? I look within myself and ask - am I heartless? Is a donation enough? Should there be more to it? More than any other, is this the one quality that we should be cultivating? And doing?

Even as I write this post, I feel the task to be an improbability. Any thoughts?


Aside:
--------------------
This may not be the exact reason, but I found that there is a term for something similar "schadenfreude"

More here - http://www.livescience.com/17398-schadenfreude-affirmation.html

So atleast you think you did a good deed by writing this opening post

I just noticed your thread - people are unfulfilled and insecure for most part,.
It has nothing to do with how much material benefits that seem to exist in their life.

The mind is bankrupt and it cannot give anything to anyone wanting self protection.

Only a truly fulfilled person (internally) can offer anything useful.

Until then there are two kinds of people as can be seen even in this forum

1. Dont care and dont care about dont caring
2. Dont truly care but pretend to care by showing to others how much they care

All these are useless to any affected person.

By the way, suffering exists at basic needs level and at psychological level (stress, unhappiness, miserly etc).

Solution from above perspective:

Dont worry about the world - it is all about your own ego. The world is fine and is in harmony with its good and bad. First fix your fundamental insecurity and ignorance. The good for the world by your transformed self will happen automagically

 

[Janaki Jambunathan]

Individual efforts - only samudrathla karacha perungayam can have no effect But collective organised efforts are fruitful Drops do make ocean in the end! My trip to Tirunelveli Srivilliputur sankaran Koil and other temples is incidental - Main purpose is to visit Amar seva Sangam I visit this place regularly as I visit Vaitheeswaran Koil my Kula Deivam!

Welcome to Amar Seva Sangam

"Sri.S.Ramakrishnan who became a paraplegic due to a mishap established Amar Seva Sangam in the year 1981.
Sri S. Sankara Raman, a Chartered Accountant and a wheel chair user, affected by muscular dystrophy, joined him in 1992 and they both strive towards the attainment of the dream, to build a Valley for the physically challenged."

Read more...

click on every button to know about this sangam

http://www.amarseva.org/

 

[Lalit]

So atleast you think you did a good deed by writing this opening post

I just noticed your thread - people are unfulfilled and insecure for most part,.
It has nothing to do with how much material benefits that seem to exist in their life.

The mind is bankrupt and it cannot give anything to anyone wanting self protection.

Only a truly fulfilled person (internally) can offer anything useful.

Until then there are two kinds of people as can be seen even in this forum

1. Dont care and dont care about dont caring
2. Dont truly care but pretend to care by showing to others how much they care

All these are useless to any affected person.

By the way, suffering exists at basic needs level and at psychological level (stress, unhappiness, miserly etc).

Solution from above perspective:

Dont worry about the world - it is all about your own ego. The world is fine and is in harmony with its good and bad. First fix your fundamental insecurity and ignorance. The good for the world by your transformed self will happen automagically

Guess the comments are harsh probably because of the impotent anger and frustration at our inability to change a systemic (or karmic as some would choose to describe) problem. This does not, however warrant unnecessary judgemental opinions on the members of this forum. Many of us may be carrying on several volunteering activities - financial, material, psychological, physical, legal, medical etc. without any self-publicity or boasting. Despite such individual efforts the situation still requires lot more collective action and consciousness to reach the 'tipping point' for meaningful impact on the society. IMHO, Since the volunteering activities do not form part of public record and often are not mentioned in tax returns, the non-availability of data cannot form the basis of sweeping conclusions. We can and may be some of us are change agents or catalysts in our own unique ways! We need more inclusive and equitable distribution so that 80-20 or 90-10 skewed ratio gets more even. This thread highlights the need for awareness and sensitization at the personal level, to start with.

 

[yesmohan]

Individual efforts - only samudrathla karacha perungayam can have no effect But collective organised efforts are fruitful Drops do make ocean in the end! My trip to Tirunelveli Srivilliputur sankaran Koil and other temples is incidental - Main purpose is to visit Amar seva Sangam I visit this place regularly as I visit Vaitheeswaran Koil my Kula Deivam!


Welcome to Amar Seva Sangam

"Sri.S.Ramakrishnan who became a paraplegic due to a mishap established Amar Seva Sangam in the year 1981.
Sri S. Sankara Raman, a Chartered Accountant and a wheel chair user, affected by muscular dystrophy, joined him in 1992 and they both strive towards the attainment of the dream, to build a Valley for the physically challenged."

http://www.amarseva.org/

I had a chance of visiting "Amar Seva Sangam" located near Tenkasi 5 times during the period between 1999 to 2001.. First time I visited for a discussion with Sri Ramakrishnan to know about some of their urgent needs. Second time to hand over the assistance under Innovative Banking Scheme and 3rd , 4th & 5th visits for my personal satisfaction.
Sri Ramakrishnan was a victim of a mishap when he was in Navy, if my memory is correct. He has been a total paralytic since then, could not do any thing on his own, almost in bed and all parts below neck are in paralytic condition at that time.He never got frustrated and thought innovatively to start the "Amar Seva Sangam"
If one visits that august Institution could not come out without shedding tears and astonishing at the great man Sri Ramakrishnan, a tamil Brahmin.
Anybody visiting Courtalam water falls may visit the place which is around 10 km there from.
Thank you for reminding me of "Amar Seva Sangam" I could visualise that great man Sri. Ramakrishnan in my reminiscence.

 

[Lalit]

Thanks Mrs. Janaki Jambunathan and Mr. YesMohan for highlighting the contributions of Sri. Ramakrishnan and his indomitable will. May this inspire and motivate several others beeter-placed or similarly-place to draw courage, grit, guts and gumption to reach out to their visionary dreams!

 

[Janaki Jambunathan]

Photos taken during my last visit Children showing their dancing skills Place the mouse on the right side and click to see all photos as a slide show

​

Not able to drag those pictures

 

[Vaagmi]

Guess the comments are harsh probably because of the impotent anger and frustration at our inability to change a systemic (or karmic as some would choose to describe) problem. This does not, however warrant unnecessary judgemental opinions on the members of this forum. Many of us may be carrying on several volunteering activities - financial, material, psychological, physical, legal, medical etc. without any self-publicity or boasting. Despite such individual efforts the situation still requires lot more collective action and consciousness to reach the 'tipping point' for meaningful impact on the society. IMHO, Since the volunteering activities do not form part of public record and often are not mentioned in tax returns, the non-availability of data cannot form the basis of sweeping conclusions. We can and may be some of us are change agents or catalysts in our own unique ways! We need more inclusive and equitable distribution so that 80-20 or 90-10 skewed ratio gets more even. This thread highlights the need for awareness and sensitization at the personal level, to start with.

Well said. I appreciate the practical wisdom there.