Covid-19: Power of compassion

I DO not wish to be a wet blanket but it has been my humble observation that human beings, generally, do not change very much – there will always be the positive and the negative ones.

While I do know and have seen how disasters, diseases and catastrophes can bring about tremendous changes in some individuals, I have also seen a reversal of behaviours once the calamities have passed.

What is worse is of course the individuals who exhibit, for whatever reason, the worst side of human nature during times of crisis.

I think, for the long run, it is important to be aware of this so that we do not overlook important existential considerations if we truly want to “improve” society. For the thinker and the serious planner of society, he should have no time for romantic perspectives.

Still, it is reaffirming our faith in humanity when we see that there are individuals among us, very ordinary citizens, who are prepared to do whatever they can to assist the needy, to help the helpers at the frontline of the Covid-19 war, and even to simply do their part in breaking the chain of infection.

Many of my friends have shown that, together, much sufferings and potential sufferings can be alleviated and prevented. Those without any physical or monetary means, a simple prayer, kind words and encouragement to those who are doing things in many other ways, are nourishing. That compassion has always been alive within us gives us hope for humanity.

I hope that this compassion continues even after the coronavirus challenge has abated because this pandemic has shown several things about the power and relevance of ordinary citizens in maintaining not only the safety and security of the population but also ensuring that there are no major disruptions in our lives. We are still able to access food, travel when necessary, have our trash cleared, and so on.

Hence, other than the crucial dedication of those in the healthcare sectors, there are so many others playing their roles in ensuring that our lives are generally not disrupted. All these efforts not only alleviate existing suffering but prevent future suffering. This is precisely what compassion is all about – the experiencing of another’s suffering accompanied by the action to alleviate that suffering.

If we can contemplate on this, we will realise the power of compassion that the ordinary citizens possess that can change society in ways that politicians cannot.

What is it that motivates the ordinary citizen to seek out the homeless or the hungry daily wage earner to feed them?

Why do they want to volunteer to assist? (Is it so difficult for the 222 members of parliaments and the respective state assembly members to take random rounds of their constituencies to find out?)

Since the movement order control (MCO), I have been having friends calling me to seek advise as to where they can channel some funds for assistance, or provide their professional services for free and some, to do whatever they can. In situations like this, it may feel like nothing is enough and not everything can be done. You can experience an overwhelming feeling. However, you have to stay sane and manage.

Anyway, the point I want to make is this: how wonderful if this power of compassion can be unleashed consistently in peaceful and better times. The politicians, as I have always maintained, should be facilitators for the betterment of society, whether in good or bad times.

They should not be obstacles with their obsession or fetish for power, publicity-seeking tendencies, poor thinking skills or refusal to take professional advice or pure indolence. It is the dedicated and hard working rakyat in the form of civil servants, police, professionals, moral businessmen, the municipal workers, the blue collar workers and all, who have always been the true saviours of the nation.

Pandemic or otherwise, it is these rakyat who rise up to the occasion – and the politicians and their likes will come along later to take the credit.

So I hope that the participation and the risk taken by the rakyat in confronting this pandemic will make them aware of the latent power of compassion within them to affect and transform society.

The same power of compassion can be harnessed and organised to confront and correct many of the diseases that our nation still suffers from. To name a few – corruption, religious and ethnic polarisation, hate speeches, religious oppression, mediocre political leaderships, lack of policy towards a wholesome caring society, haphazard development and so on. I believe all these problems can be tackled if we understand that they will cause the same or even worse suffering than the current pandemic.

We must always remember that what is worse than death is a life of abject poverty or a life of humiliation, oppression and mental slavery.

The writer is the founder of Rapera Movement, a movement that encourages thinking and compassion among the citizens. He can be contacted at [e-mail]

The views expressed here are solely his own.