Who are we?

01 April 2011

compassion

Being in and urban hub means living, working or playing in close proximity to lots of people.  The crowds can be stimulating, irritating, debilitating or all sorts of other things.  But one thing is hard: to keep seeing people as people.  When I see so many people, if I really see them I become aware of a world of need, a whole universe of pain.  Since I can't cope with the enormity, because I can't help everyone, I shut myself off.  Compassion dies.  I see crowds, or colleagues, or shoppers, or assistants, or clients ... but not people. 
In the huge reconstruction
Claremont Haven (night shelter) remains standing
even though they can't take in many people.
John and his spiritual teacher went through a city square where crowds sick people used to lie all day.  They could have ignored them; they could have despaired.  But John saw his mentor speak to one man, " 'Do you want to get well?'  'Sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me ...' "  Because he was able to, John's teacher helped the man, and he got well.  Many others didn't get helped, but that didn't quell their compassion.  Seeing people as people is good, even though I can't make a difference for everyone. 
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2 comments:

  1. samartSunday, 10 April, 2011

    it seems incredible that this little outreach to the homeless has survived amongst the huge building projects of the Pick n Pay centre and the Claremont boulevard...mysteriously surviving as a bearer of all the values that oppose power and wealth

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  2. mysteriosanchezSaturday, 07 May, 2011

    Thanks for this post; it had an impact on me because I often adopt the 'crowd' mentality. Someone else usually has to engage with me to snap me out of it... I should be that person to others!

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