QA on racism Q 10 How do we as spiritualists manifest empathy (para-dukha-dukhi)?

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So, we know that one of the qualities of a spiritually evolved soul is that they are compassionate — they empathize with the sufferings of others. Right?

But at our level, as practicing sadhakas, how do we understand this quality? What is our duty as spirit souls occupying human bodies? If we truly identify ourselves as spirit souls, then how do we manifest empathy in our day-to-day lives?

In practical terms, what does it mean for us to be empathetic toward others’ suffering?

Almost all of human life revolves around finding a balance between desire and ability. Take, for example, someone who is very sensual or materialistic — they may desire to indulge excessively in food or pleasures, but the body has its limits. Or consider an athlete — they may have the passion to play and perform, but even they have to pace themselves and avoid burnout. No matter what the desire, there is always the reality of our abilities.

Now, I’m not using the word “desire” here in a negative sense — we all have desires, many of which can be positive and constructive. But the point is, there’s always a dynamic tension between what we want to do and what we are actually able to do — whether physically, financially, or in terms of our overall circumstances.

Similarly, as spiritual practitioners, we may genuinely want to help others — and that is a noble quality, a symptom of a soft and devotional heart. But how we help others will vary depending on our individual capacity and circumstances.

For example, someone in a position of influence — whether in law enforcement, politics, or administration — has the ability to address and affect social problems directly. They can use their position to bring about tangible changes.

But if we are not in such a position, and we witness some acute social issue that we cannot directly resolve, we can still contribute meaningfully. We can understand that while specific problems may have specific solutions, no long-term or systemic change is possible without the elevation of human consciousness.

By practicing our own spirituality sincerely and sharing it with others, we contribute to this much-needed elevation. And in doing so, we become part of the solution — part of a deeper, more lasting transformation in the world.

How big or small our role in that will be depends on our abilities, the opportunities that come our way, and how Krishna chooses to empower us. But the principle remains: we do the best we can, with the ability we have, in the situation we are placed in.