Dreams of Compassion: Exploring The Nexus Between Empathy And Action

I heard a child crying in Africa. Down in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, children toil away every day in hazardous, inhumane conditions, extracting minerals for electronics. I couldn’t stand hearing their screeches, so I flew over to try and help them. Although I arrived with a heart full of determination, the reality was much more daunting than I had expected. The mines were vast and exploitation ran deep. My efforts felt like a drop in the ocean. I rallied support, organised rescue missions and provided education and safe havens for these children. Their smiles returned, making me feel whole.

But then I woke up. None of it had actually happened. I had merely dreamt of helping those children. The dream left me with a lingering question: Does simply dreaming of compassion make me compassionate, or does it expose my cowardice for not acting in reality?

This inner conflict reminded me of Ursula K. Le Guin's story, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." In Omelas, the happiness of an entire society depends on the suffering of a single child, a literal child being tortured every single day. Most citizens, fully aware of this, choose to live in denial or justify their inaction, while a few choose to walk away, unable to accept such a bargain. Is feeling sorry for the child enough? Or does true compassion require action?

Compassion is a word we often use to describe someone who shares in others' suffering and takes steps to alleviate it. But what does true compassion look like in practice? Is it merely the feeling of empathy, or does it require concrete actions to make a real difference?

Kailash Satyarthi is an individual who has demonstrated true compassion throughout his life. His journey began decades ago when he left behind a career as an engineer to pursue his calling as a social activist. He co-founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan in India, which has rescued thousands of children from bonded labour and slavery. Through his relentless advocacy, Satyarthi has raised global awareness about the plight of millions of children trapped in exploitative labour conditions.

But what I find truly inspiring about Satyarthi Ji is not just his rescue missions, but rather his genuine concern for injustices; it’s his empathy and humanity with which he approaches his work. He listens to the stories of survivors, amplifies their voices and empowers them to become agents of change in their communities. His humility, integrity and unwavering belief in the inherent dignity of every child inspire others to join him in the fight for justice.

He understands that true change requires addressing the root causes of child labour and advocating for systemic reforms. He has been instrumental in campaigning for legislation to protect children's rights and holding governments and corporations accountable for their actions. His efforts have led to landmark achievements, including the adoption of International Labour Organisation conventions and him receiving the coveted Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

In my time interning at the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of Kailash Satyarthi's compassion. His vision of a world free from child labour resonates deeply with all who work alongside him, fuelling our collective efforts to build a more just and compassionate society.

Another wonderful example of a compassionate and selfless leader is Mother Teresa. I'm sure we all, in some way, have heard of Mother Teresa. Born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Mother Teresa felt a calling to serve others from a young age. At the age of 18, she left her home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland to learn English with the intent of becoming a missionary. In 1929, she arrived in India and began her work as a teacher in Calcutta, where she eventually founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.

Mother Teresa’s mission was simple yet profound: providing love, care and dignity to the poorest of the poor, especially those who were sick, abandoned, or dying on the streets. With humility and compassion as her guiding principles, Mother Teresa and her sisters ministered to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of countless individuals, regardless of their faith or background, which was not the norm at the time.

What truly sets Mother Teresa apart is her embodiment of compassion in action. She didn't just preach about love and kindness; she lived it everyday through her tireless service to others. Whether it was bathing and feeding the homeless, comforting the sick and dying, or advocating for the marginalised, Mother Teresa's life was a testament to the transformative power of compassion.

Both Mother Teresa and Kailash Satyarthi have one thing in common: their unwavering belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or background. Both of them recognise the importance of treating each person with respect, kindness and empathy and they have devoted their lives to upholding these values in their work. They also understand that true compassion extends beyond providing material assistance; it also involves addressing the root causes of suffering and advocating for systemic change. Whether it's advocating for the rights of children to live free from exploitation or caring for the sick and destitute, they recognise the importance of addressing both the immediate needs and underlying issues that perpetuate poverty and inequality. While most leaders today focus on either being compassionate or taking action (or in some cases, neither), they recognise that being compassionate requires taking action—one cannot and should not exist without the other.

Coming back to the initial question, though: am I a coward for only dreaming of such change? Is it ever possible for my hands to actually be tied, or is that only a lie we tell ourselves to cope with our laziness? We turn a blind eye to those who need us most, consequently sometimes making things worse. We say we’re doing our part by doing the bare minimum, but isn’t it true that we could be doing more? Do we truly have no such responsibility to do more? Are we not accountable for those less fortunate than us? Are the citizens of Omelas who turn away from the horrendous suffering of the child not responsible for it? They perfectly highlight the tension between individual comfort and collective responsibility. It's really something to think about—the question of whether compassion is just a concept, just an ideal that can never actually have a tangible effect.

Everyone usually shows compassion by showing empathy, but that’s not all that compassion is, it’s not just resonating with an issue.

Dreaming of change is the first step towards action, but true compassion requires more than just thoughts or intentions; it necessitates tangible steps to alleviate suffering and promote justice. However, it's essential to recognise that there are often systemic barriers and constraints that may limit our ability to take immediate action. These can include structural inequalities, resource limitations, or personal circumstances that may make it challenging to enact meaningful change.

But the question remains: In a world where suffering is pervasive and our capacity for change often feels limited, do we dare to confront the uncomfortable truth that our inaction may perpetuate the very injustices we abhor?

Avantika Jain Kumar

Guest Author Avantika Jain Kumar is a student of XII Standard at Sanskriti School, New Delhi and is currently pursuing an internship programme at Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. She is also an author of the book entitled, “The Tales of Zariah”.