The way to make communities stronger, more supportive

I am often asked how an individual can contribute to making their community stronger and more supportive, especially now when so many in our communities are suffering in so many ways. One of the difficulties is that everywhere, people are not in touch with their inner self and so they have lost contact with their own values. That is why it is so important to be able to go inside and connect deeply with the goodness and peace within the self, and when I am able to do this, then I can see the beauty of the self and give value to the self. Then it is a small step to valuing others.

This has nothing to do with the country I live in, wherever it is, or whatever the conditions of my country because it really begins with the individual. I do not think it can happen generally across a country, I believe it really has to begin with one individual, and if one individual is able to do this then the original values of the self, which I believe to be peace, purity, love, truth and joy, are expressed, but not only that, also the associated values.

It is similar to taking the three primary colours, from which you can mix a rainbow. These five basic qualities, inherent within the soul, can be merged in different proportions and a whole spectrum of values and qualities can be expressed. For example, compassion is in fact a combination, a merging together, of love and truth, which gives rise to mercy on seeing the plight of another.

If I have compassion for those around me in difficult circumstances, this will lead me to a tremendous sense of empathy and harmony with everyone. It is then possible to be creative and find solutions for any situation. If a group of individuals come together in their community and foster this compassion, things really are able to change.

When a person is able to practise a meditation of deep silence, they are able to connect not only to their own inner goodness but also the mind then becomes very clear and creative, and then they can find solutions they could not even have imagined otherwise.

When one individual allows a state of self-respect and dignity to emerge, they attract others towards them, because people are drawn to the positive and the beautiful, and before long there is a small group, whose positive energy is able to make a difference to their immediate community.

If you want to make a difference, it has to start with the self; you cannot ask anyone else to start to be compassionate, but you can do that yourself, and if you do, it will have an immediate impact on others.

B.K. Jayanti is Additional Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris.