Tajalla Qureshi, Poetess, Author, University of Lahore, Gujrat Campus, Pakistan
By: Muhammad Adnan Gujjar and Tajalla Qureshi
Worth Noting:
- According to Armstrong, we should assess our reality from a detached viewpoint, using Confucian principles of concentric circles of empathy, which start with our immediate family and extend to our community and nation. She advises against approaching this task with anger or frustration. Instead, we should view our community with compassion, evaluating both its strengths and weaknesses and considering its potential for change.
- Armstrong challenges us to consider how we might make every individual feel valued, including the elderly in their later years. She questions whether our organizations treat employees as mere cogs in a machine, prioritizing productivity over their well-being.
The novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho follows the journey of a young boy named Santiago who is pursuing his dreams despite numerous challenges. The narrative delves into themes of compassion and self-discovery, exploring whether one should chase after personal dreams or secure a more stable future. It raises questions about whether wealth is more important than fulfilling one’s dreams and whether achieving one’s dreams might lead to a purposeless life.
Compassion is a central theme, defined as the ability to recognize and empathize with others’ struggles and take action to alleviate their suffering. In The Alchemist (1988), Santiago’s father demonstrates compassion towards his son when Santiago shares his plans to travel and tend sheep. Another example of compassion is the merchant who, despite being somewhat gruff, treats Santiago fairly, giving him a good commission for his work and providing him with a job in his shop. Santiago, though he doesn’t overtly express his gratitude, appreciates the opportunity and the fair treatment he receives.
As Armstrong suggests, “At their best, all religious, philosophical, and ethical traditions are based on the principle of compassion” (2010). An example from the book is the Muslim trader who, after seeing Santiago cleaning his shop windows in exchange for meals, explains that he is compelled by the Quran to feed the hungry, demonstrating compassion beyond mere obligation.
Armstrong argues that in today’s world, we should look to historical figures such as the Buddha and Confucius for guidance on how to live compassionately, as contemporary achievements often focus on scientific and technological advances rather than spiritual and ethical growth. She notes that many of these pivotal teachers and prophets lived in societies with problems similar to our own, dealing with issues like violence and economic marginalization.
According to Armstrong, we should assess our reality from a detached viewpoint, using Confucian principles of concentric circles of empathy, which start with our immediate family and extend to our community and nation. She advises against approaching this task with anger or frustration. Instead, we should view our community with compassion, evaluating both its strengths and weaknesses and considering its potential for change.
Armstrong challenges us to consider how we might make every individual feel valued, including the elderly in their later years. She questions whether our organizations treat employees as mere cogs in a machine, prioritizing productivity over their well-being. Moreover, she suggests that we should reflect on our country’s past contributions to the world and how it might contribute to a more just, safe, and peaceful world. Each individual should determine their specific role and focus their efforts accordingly—whether in business, medicine, media, education, the arts, politics, or within the family.
In The Alchemist (1988), Santiago’s journey reflects the themes discussed by Karen Armstrong. Armstrong suggests that we should seek guidance from the lives of past figures, as they faced similar challenges as we do today. In the novel, Santiago learns from an old man named Melchizedek, who introduces him to the concept of a Personal Legend and its importance for those who wish to live a purposeful life. Melchizedek also teaches Santiago about the language of omens, which helps him understand the Soul of the World.
Armstrong emphasizes that taking a step back allows us to gain a better perspective on our lives, a reflection seen in Santiago’s experiences throughout the story. As Santiago progresses on his journey, he begins to see his life differently and receives guidance from the Soul of the World, which has crafted a Personal Legend for everyone.
Armstrong also notes that we should approach our society with empathy, starting with our family. In The Alchemist (1988), Santiago’s father demonstrates empathy when Santiago expresses his desire to become a shepherd. His father provides him with three gold pieces to purchase a flock of sheep.
According to Armstrong, learning from the past is important, but we should also strive to improve the lives of others. She advocates for living an empathetic life, where our actions benefit those around us. When we love and improve our own lives, everything connected to us benefits as well.
Armstrong recounts the story of the late Rabbi Albert Friedlander, who grew up in Nazi Germany and was troubled by the anti-Semitic propaganda of the time. As an eight-year-old, he stayed awake one night listing his positive qualities, telling himself that he was not defined by the Nazis’ views. He vowed to use his talents to build a better world if he survived. Armstrong quotes this experience, noting, “One night, when he was about eight years old, he deliberately lay awake and made a list of all his good qualities. He told himself firmly that he was not what the Nazis said that he had talents and special gifts of heart and mind, which he enumerated to himself one by one. Finally, he vowed that if he survived, he would use those qualities to build a better world” (2010, p. 49).
Armstrong asserts that “The Golden Rule requires self-knowledge” (2010, p. 50), meaning we should use our feelings as a guide for how we treat others. If we are harsh with ourselves, we are likely to be harsh with others. “It asks us to use our feelings as a guide to our behaviour with others. If we treat ourselves harshly, this is the way we are likely to treat other people” (2010, p. 50).
Armstrong proposes that by compiling a list of our best traits, talents, and accomplishments, we gain a clearer understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. Criticizing ourselves for feelings of enmity, anger, or contempt only leads to self-hatred. Instead, we should reject these negative feelings, as Buddha suggested: “This isn’t mine; this isn’t what I am; this isn’t me” (2010, p. 50).
Armstrong believes that reflection can help us gain greater control over our minds and channel our negative motivations constructively. By consciously moving away from a self-centered mindset, we do not destroy ourselves but rather expand our perspectives, diminishing our egotistical fears and experiencing a larger, more boundless self. “When we make a conscious effort to abandon the me-first mentality and try to keep it within due bounds, we are not destroying or annihilating ourselves. Instead, we will find that our horizons expand, our egotistically driven fears evaporate, and we are experiencing a larger ‘immeasurable’ self” (2010, p. 56).
Once we genuinely cultivate self-compassion, we are better able to extend that compassion to others. “Once you have started to feel a genuine compassion for yourself, you will be able to extend it to others” (2010, p. 57).
The writers: Muhammad Adnan Gujjar, Lecturer at the University of Chenab, Pakistan and Tajalla Qureshi Poetess, Author, University of Lahore, Gujrat Campus
Pakistan
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- New York’s mayor mulls Netanyahu arrest as UN summit looms — and the world holds its breath
- Prof. Sam Ongeri Retires from Elective Politics, Endorses Dr. Fred Matiang’i as Leaders Condemn Keumbu Violence
- Which way, Kenya? Ol Kalou sends a political earthquake across the nation
- The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
- Application Of Extrusion And Micronization Technologies For The Production Of Functional Grain Flours Enriched With Bioactive Compounds
About the Author
