Reverse Flow

Posted on by Reena Saxena

I have seen organizations which set up goals and benchmarks, but fail to provide the tools, or set up a culture to achieve those. Maybe the leaders did not know how to do it, or nursed a hidden agenda.

I wonder if the people who push the concept of altruism have a hidden agenda. What does a person do, if the positive energy he spreads is not returned, and he is seen as a fool to be used as a tool to achieve others’ agendas? How long will the energy last? How much does a do-gooder give, without a draining impact on his basic survival kit? What does a do-gooder give – non-material stuff, an act of kindness, surplus?

Many questions remain unanswered, in absence of a culture for altruism to thrive.

unseasonal rainfall

tear drops of a giver

nature’s silent cry

 

Haibun Monday – Compassion

8 thoughts on “Reverse Flow”

  1. Culture and social context are certainly part of the mix. I like how your haiku sums it up… it could imply that compassion is a natural impulse but (social) complications lead to unhappiness.

    Like

    Reply

    1. You are right. Hinduism has a concept of Secret Charity (Gupt daan) to be done on January 14th, a festive day. It means don’t show or talk about what you have given. Very few follow the ritual.

      Like

      Reply

  4. You ask some interesting questions in your haibun Reena! Here in the Highlands there is a lot of genuine altruism whereby everyone benefits. For example, the council has no funds for litter-pickers so we all pick up the litter we see on our walks to benefit our environment and natural wildlife and ultimately keep the place enjoyable for us all. There are people with rickshaws who go to carehomes and take the residents out for a ride along the seashore, just to put a smile on their face. The list of examples is very long and perhaps we are lucky here. Your closing haiku is beautiful – thank you so much for joining in 💜

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment