Developing Compassion

Recently I exchanged emails with a journalist who was interested in the charity benefit for Haiti that I'm working on, in the end her last e-mail ended like this:

I pitched this to my editor and she was not interested. So sorry! But I am so glad to know there is someone like you who contributes much time and effort to things like this. I've been wondering why there are very few benefit events for Haiti in Japan, while in US there are many, whether big or small. I really hope you get many people attend your event. Good luck!

Sometimes I wonder if Mother Teresa got tired of everyone calling her a 'saint'.

Sometimes I wonder if having people tell you how great you are just got a bit old.

Sometimes I wonder if she didn't feel like telling people 'It's work, but anyone can do it. I ain't really all that special of a thing, I just saw a need that I could meet. It's just that simple'.

In the English language Mother Teresa has become a figure of speech; you can criticize God, but you cannot criticize Mother Teresa. Her name implores images of patience, kindness and compassion and yet what she did was simple, she helped people because she was in a position to do so. There should be nothing particularly amazing or spectacular about what she's done, the logistics may be tricky, there may be some obstacles, but it's always, always, ALWAYS worth it. There are people around us are in need everyday that if we think hard enough about where our skills lie, then we can cooperate to help them and in turn help ourselves.

I ran across an article by the Dalai Llama entitled The Medicine of Altruism and a line stuck out in my mind:

When I consider the lack of cooperation in human society, I can only conclude that it stems from ignorance of our interdependent nature. I am often moved by the example of small insects, such as bees. The laws of nature dictate that bees work together in order to survive. As a result, they possess an instinctive sense of social responsibility. They have no constitution, laws, police, religion or moral training, but because of their nature they labour faithfully together. Occasionally they may fight, but in general the whole colony survives on the basis of cooperation.....

While this may seem to be common sense thinking, it also leads to the next question, then why don't we cooperate? Why don't we help? The Dalai Llama continues:

.....If we do not know someone or find another reason for not feeling connected with a particular individual or group, we simply ignore them. But the development of human society is based entirely on people helping each other. Once we have lost the essential humanity that is our foundation, what is the point of pursuing only material improvement.

To me, it is clear: a genuine sense of responsibility can result only if we develop compassion. Only a spontaneous feeling of empathy for others can really motivate us to act on their behalf.

To me these words mean... if it feels right to help, then find a way to help. If you see an image or hear a story that concerns, touches or worries you--- REACH OUT! Charity may have become a loaded word, but compassion is not. In today's society CHARITY is compassion with a better PR agent, but it is still a part of our humanity.

"Black Love Below for Haiti" Event Details

"Black Love Below for Haiti"
A Black History Month Love Music Celebration
Benefit for Haiti's Earthquake Relief Effort
Sunday, February 21st, 2010 from 6:00p.m.-10:00p.m. at Midas in Roppongi

ENTokyo, in collaboration with Midas Lounge, is producing a charity benefit to support the Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort. The theme is a celebration of Black love music for Black History Month, benefiting Haiti's earthquake relief efforts titled, "Black Love Below for Haiti." This is a non-smoking event. The door charge is 2000 yen/1 drink, 500 yen discount with an all black dress code. DJ C. Geez (UCC) & DJ Ronin will be spinning black genre "love & happiness" music throughout the night. Raffles will be held with 100% of the proceeds going to charity. In addition to this love celebration, free condoms and chocolates will be provided for all attendees to encourage safety and awareness during this Valentine season.

BLACK LOVE BELOW FOR HAITI presented by ENTokyo
ハイチ地震救援活動支援チャリティーパーティー

Date: 2/21 Sun 1800-2200
Place: Midas (www.midascafe.com)

ハイチ地震による震災地の救援活動支援を目的に
Mariko Lochridge-Pretty Kobe Oppong-Daisha Hunterの呼びかけでチャリティーパーティー
が開催されます。
収益金とイベントで集ったその他の募金は、Yele.orgに寄付されます

テーマは黒人の歴史月間（BLACK HISTORY MONTH）
ロマンチック*ミュージック*セレブレーション。
是非ドレスアップしておいで下さい。
こちらのイベントは禁煙になります。

Admission: 2000円with 1drink
(黒いドレスでご来場の方は500円ディスカウントになります）

DJs: C. Geez (UCC) & Ronin

ご来場者様全員にコンドームとチョコレートをプレゼント♪

Wyclef On-Air

Direct from the source of Yele.org, Wyclef speaks on Haiti.
http://yele.org/blog/2010/1/31/wyclef-discusses-haiti-on-the-air-with-dj-whoo-kid.html

(Sourced from Yele.org)