Empathy as a virtue was valued deeply by our ancient cultures and there was a time when people worked hard to instil this quality in younger generations. Several mythological legends , ancient folklores and cultural narratives tell us to see beyond narrow boundaries of our ego and connect deeply with joys and sorrows of others, fostering strong bonds and meaningful dialogues. But in recent times empathic spaces in human repertoire have been shrinking fast and getting overpowered by narcissism and apathy.
A recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Review concludes that self-reported empathy in youngsters has been declining since 1980, with an especially steep drop in the last decade. Newer generations are becoming increasingly trapped in their lonely bubbles of self-love, ruthlessly focusing on fulfilling their own desires, wishes and fantasies. More often than not, they display a callous attitude to pain and suffering of others. You can hear them say that why even bother to worry about the world, fret over things beyond one's control and walk that extra mile to support others.
Our world is grappling with multiple threats including climate change, environmental pollution, extremism, xenophobia, geopolitical aggression, geoeconomic greed, brutal wars, forced migrations, psychopathy and cybercrimes. We forget that we are nothing but a tiny pixel on this vast map and we will continue to exist only if the world exists. If the world disintegrates, our lonely bubbles of narcissism will burst, leaving us in utter fear and misery. We must remember that we are not isolated, self-reliant entities. We are deeply embedded in an interconnected existence - we exist because the existence exists. While the existence holds us, nourishes us, protects us and provides for us, the existence also needs nourishment, protection and love and we all must do our bit in maintaining this fragile, symbiotic balance.
Therefore, we must break free from constraints of our narcissism and develop connections of empathy, affection and altruism with the world around us. Finding ways to reconnect with the world is not very difficult. Spending more time in the real, outside world and carefully observing everything that exists in nature can reawaken our lost curiosity for nature, wildlife and fellow human beings. Meeting new people, interacting with them and attentively listening to their narratives can make us aware of the multiple similarities we share with them and ubiquitous happiness and sadness that run deeply in our veins. It might also make us aware that there are often multiple and divergent perspectives of looking at the same reality. While perspectives change, reality remains the same and an introspection into these perspectives and the one reality reveals how we all are connected to the universe.
The Nasadiya Sukta from Rig Veda reveals that there was either an existing or a non-existent Singularity before the creation. There was no sky, air, matter and no water. This One formless thing experienced a desire to manifest itself and therefore it expanded into multiples. We are a part of this formless One and therefore interconnectedness is our true nature. Through empathy we can reconnect with the formless One, and reclaim our true, joyful essence.
Authored by: Pulkit Sharma
The writer is a clinical psychologist based in Puducherry
A recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Review concludes that self-reported empathy in youngsters has been declining since 1980, with an especially steep drop in the last decade. Newer generations are becoming increasingly trapped in their lonely bubbles of self-love, ruthlessly focusing on fulfilling their own desires, wishes and fantasies. More often than not, they display a callous attitude to pain and suffering of others. You can hear them say that why even bother to worry about the world, fret over things beyond one's control and walk that extra mile to support others.
Our world is grappling with multiple threats including climate change, environmental pollution, extremism, xenophobia, geopolitical aggression, geoeconomic greed, brutal wars, forced migrations, psychopathy and cybercrimes. We forget that we are nothing but a tiny pixel on this vast map and we will continue to exist only if the world exists. If the world disintegrates, our lonely bubbles of narcissism will burst, leaving us in utter fear and misery. We must remember that we are not isolated, self-reliant entities. We are deeply embedded in an interconnected existence - we exist because the existence exists. While the existence holds us, nourishes us, protects us and provides for us, the existence also needs nourishment, protection and love and we all must do our bit in maintaining this fragile, symbiotic balance.
Therefore, we must break free from constraints of our narcissism and develop connections of empathy, affection and altruism with the world around us. Finding ways to reconnect with the world is not very difficult. Spending more time in the real, outside world and carefully observing everything that exists in nature can reawaken our lost curiosity for nature, wildlife and fellow human beings. Meeting new people, interacting with them and attentively listening to their narratives can make us aware of the multiple similarities we share with them and ubiquitous happiness and sadness that run deeply in our veins. It might also make us aware that there are often multiple and divergent perspectives of looking at the same reality. While perspectives change, reality remains the same and an introspection into these perspectives and the one reality reveals how we all are connected to the universe.
The Nasadiya Sukta from Rig Veda reveals that there was either an existing or a non-existent Singularity before the creation. There was no sky, air, matter and no water. This One formless thing experienced a desire to manifest itself and therefore it expanded into multiples. We are a part of this formless One and therefore interconnectedness is our true nature. Through empathy we can reconnect with the formless One, and reclaim our true, joyful essence.
Authored by: Pulkit Sharma
The writer is a clinical psychologist based in Puducherry
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