Secret Kinship With The Other

Below is my reflection to Richard Powers excerpt from his article:

​We are social beings. Our life is connected with each other. We are all in secret kinship with each other. However, we may not always recognize it. It is like an underground stream which nourishes the tree of our life, quenches our thirst for an in-between connectedness. There have been times when I have felt disconnected with me and with others, when I felt lonely and depressed. At such time what helped me was empathic and kind words and actions from people who cared for me, who felt compassion for me and extended their helping hands to me. And there have been times when I felt their pain and I have extended my hands to them. Such experiences have deepened and enriched our relationships.

I was raised in a relatively poor family. There were times when we did not have enough food to eat. There were kind neighbors who felt for us and showed their love and kindness by extending their helping hands. They embodied the teaching of Jesus Christ: Love thy neighbor like thyself. All such experiences have enriched my life. And I feel deep gratitude for them. These are precious lessons I have learned in my life. They have taught me how to extend my helping hands when someone is going through hard times. It is by giving we receive as Saint Francis of Assisi taught us. Renounce and rejoice as the ancient book of wisdom Ishavasya Upanishada taught us.

Being honest and open, being empathic and compassionate, serving others when they need my help, asking for help when I need it and being grateful to them for their kindness helps me to stay on the path. Receiving and giving are the two wings of the bird of life.
Namaste!
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