HUMANITY - NO CONDITIONS TO APPLY

(Sri Balarishi gave a lecture on Humanity in a multiple district leadership conference organized by Lions International on May 4th at Hotel Le Meridian, Coimbatore on MANITHA NEYAM (Humanity).This is the English version of her lecture)

In many places, the concept of humanity arises as a thought and diminishes. In some places, people talk about humanity and leave it there. But the real sense of humanity comes alive only when the thought and the word translate into action.
When a human being loves his fellow human beings, it is called as humanity. When he is loving towards birds, animals and any living beings, that also is called as humanity. This is only to remind that humanity is the responsibility of human beings.

Even animals and birds are capable of showing love, fury and many such emotions. But they act on an instinct but human beings can choose to love out of awareness. Very recently a case history was presented in media where a woman showed extensive love to the cats. As she loved cats she gave shelter for them at her home and pampered them. At a given point of time her house sheltered 81 cats!! Now this was seen as an obsession and a hoarding tendency and that observation could be right. However that woman had intensity in doing this. That intensity with a constructive attitude and mindset is needed today, to enhance humanity.

When you take an overlarge view, some are bestowed with love, care and compassion in abundance. On the other hand certain sections of the world are denied all such tender feelings in total. So there is an imbalance in the society. As there is an economical imbalance, there is also an emotional imbalance. 

Today we see many advertisements which announce attractive offers to certain brands and products. If you take a closer look to those advertisements, there will be a small star. Below the advertisement, the star will have a statement in tiny font, which would read,"Conditions Apply". Humanity will become a commercial transaction if it is subject to conditions. Unconditional acceptance and love can only establish humanity in clear sense and that is the need of the hour. 

One expression of humanity is giving to the needy. Our culture and spirituality encourages giving not because someone is in the need. It is because you need the quality of giving and sharing for your inner cleansing. It is a very important for self purification. Giving without any expectation or any craving for recognition is known as karma yoga.

So many consider their love towards the near and dear as humanity. Some feel being kind to their own pet animals is humanity. This is a very gross and basic level. When it is inclusive to unknown persons it becomes subtle and when you are loving to all living beings unconditionally it becomes subtler and when love becomes your basic nature and quality, it becomes the subtlest. It is important for everyone to reach the subtlest level of humanity !