The current chairperson of the International Foundation known as RYTHM (Raise Yourself to Help Mankind), Umayal Eswaran says: “Compassion, love, kindness, empathy and service aren’t just beautiful words. They are values without which a human is just an empty vessel.”
Those are, indeed, very serious words. They cut right through into our very soul and give us an opportunity to have one of the most profound reflections, which is to reflect on what humanity really means. This Sri Lankan born lady is leading an International Foundation that does just that: Providing education and good health to populations that would otherwise have no help. The foundation is also keen on providing education that educates populations to respect and protect the environment, in which humanity and all living beings find a home.
That call to serve humanity in compassion, love, kindness, empathy and service is not a new one. All sacred scriptures, all formation traditions and philosophies call us to do the same.
Mahatma Gandhi reminds us what the Christian scriptures say: If you have two tunics give one to the one who has none. It is as serious as that. In fact, Gandhi goes so far as to say: If that person has no tunic (no clothes) it is because I have not given to her or him one of my two tunics. Translation: That person is poor because those who have do not share what they have. In other words, poverty is caused, not so much by those who live it day In and day out, but by those who have created systems that leave out others in the cold.
It is in that same chain of thought that Nelson Mandela says: Poverty has been created by us and therefore it is our obligation to get rid of it. This may be like an overstatement, but come to think of it, it is true. In our world there is enough for everyone to live comfortably, but alas: We see that some have too much when others have nothing.
My mother was right when she told me countless times in my childhood: Share what you have with others. Selfishness is out of bounds in this family. And she was right. There is no room for selfishness in our world, there should be no room for it. And if we want to be anything at all, if we want our humanity to count, to be meaningful, we should listen to the wisdom of RYTHM: Be compassionate, loving and kind to those in need. That is the only way that will define who we are as human.
