“I don’t care”. It’s a statement often made. Yet when tragedy strikes, we frequently see the tremendous caring of people being instantly ignited. Galvanised into action, the hands of many reach out to strangers in acts of bravery or kindness.
Such caring was evident in Melbourne recently, when a brick wall collapsed in high winds. Three people walking by, became trapped under the rubble. Straight away men and women rushed to their aid. Giving no heed to their own wellbeing, they clawed desperately at the debris with their bare hands. Their only concern was to free those beneath the ruins.
These modern-day humanitarians, echo the actions of a man at the centre of a well-known Scriptural story. Dubbed the ‘Good Samaritan’, the man goes to extraordinary lengths to help a person he finds lying on a road, beaten and bloodied. The victim had been assaulted and robbed by a gang of thieves. This passer-by needn’t have stopped to help, but he did. He chose not to be indifferent to the plight of the wounded man. He refused to walk by and not do anything.
This example of caring and compassion, has become a benchmark for action in society. Individuals, community and church organizations, as well as universities, government departments and other agencies are responding to the needs of people requiring practical and emotional assistance to get back on their feet.
Recognizing the need for caring, is also leading to Compassion Cultivation Training at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego, California. This regional non-profit organization has seven hospitals, two medical groups, a health plan, 2600 physicians, and 15,000 employees.
“In recent years, the science of compassion has made enormous strides” says Robert McClure – a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Employee Assistance Professional, and Manager for the Sharp HealthCare Employee Assistance Program. “We are beginning to understand”, McClure writes, “that compassion brings mental and physical health benefits to those who feel it—and research also suggests that compassion is a skill we can strengthen through training. The Center for Compassion, Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine was founded on this understanding that compassion can be cultivated by every human being—and that applications to the fields of education, medicine, business and government could profoundly change our lives.”
Caring and compassion is central to human life and society, that’s why in 2008, the Stanford School of Medicine launched a dialogue between experts in the contemplative traditions, principally Tibetan Buddhism, and Western scientists from a variety of fields. The School wanted to spread the word that a compassionate attitude can greatly reduce the distress people feel in difficult situations, and that it can become a profound personal resource in times of stress.
This educational program, combines traditional contemplative practices such as daily meditation, with contemporary psychology and scientific research. Its aim, is to strengthen the qualities of compassion and kindness and to train the mind to intentionally choose compassionate thoughts and actions. It also sets out to help participants improve resilience, and ultimately provide an overall sense of well-being.
It sounds like invaluable training. For health professionals working on the front-line, there can be little room for self-centredness or indifference to suffering. Unlike mechanical robots, human beings react to each other and circumstances. We have thoughts, feelings and emotions. These make up a large part of who we are. How important then that selfishness and indifference are prevented from over-riding our humanity in stressful situations.
To benefit the wellbeing of an individual or society, the qualities of caring and compassion need room for expression and practice. When this is done, reaching out a hand to someone in trouble will become a normal and natural response. We’ll find our actions being impelled by a higher Spirit working within our heart and mind. Then we’ll see that it’s actually our true nature to be kind and considerate to others and that these spiritual qualities, when exercised, lead to good mental health.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Thank you so much for this enlightening article Beverly. Mary Baker Eddy knew that compassion was crucial. She wrote in her book Science and Health p.364: ‘Did the careless doctor, the nurse, the cook, and the brusque business visitor sympathetically know the thorns they plant in the pillow of the sick and the heavenly homesick looking away from earth, – Oh, did they know! -this knowledge would do much more towards healing the sick and preparing their helpers for the “midnight call,” than all cries of “Lord, Lord!”
Thank you Susan for posting your comment. It was good to be reminded of what Mary Baker Eddy wrote about the need for compassion and caring – especially when someone we know is unwell. It’s a point to take on board. It’s so easy to be in a hurry and not take the time to stop, listen, and care. Yet tender caring is what we need most when we feel ill. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for highlighting the great importance in today’s world of a caring and compassionate attitude towards others. Our thoughts, feelings and emotions certainly direct our actions and determine who we really are. Thank you also for the reminder that our true nature is based on spiritual qualities, such as kindness and consideration.
Good to have your comment Dee Jay. It reminds me of the 1965 song with lyrics by Hal David and music composed by Burt Bacharach. “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of..”. In healing, love and caring is so needed. It’s what connects us to the divine source of peace and comfort.