Am I My Sister's Keeper?

"There can be no peace as long as there is grinding poverty, social injustice, inequality, environmental degradation, and as long as the weak and small continue to be trodden by the mighty and powerful." n Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

As I view the poverty of India first-hand, I wonder anew, "What is my responsibility, as one of the very privileged, to help others in this world of ours?"

Yes, I do donate money and sometimes give of my time to worthwhile causes, but until lately, my approach has mostly been avoidance. I have defended myself against the suffering in the world by simply putting it out of my mind.

Coincidentally, during the first part of our travels in chaotic cities rife with poverty, I read the July issue of Vanity Fair which focused on Africa and was edited by Bono. The articles noted the tremendous accomplishments and talents now emerging from Africa. They also demonstrated clearly the life and death issues dominating the continent. Early childhood mortality from malaria to aids seems to be the primary concern.

Another horrific issue caught our attention in McLeod Ganj, the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile (of which he is the head). Not only have one millio
Tibetans lost their lives due to the Chinese occupation, but China's methodical decimation of the country is leading to serious environmental ramifications for other parts of the world (Lhasang Tsering, McLeod Ganj).

We met a Tibetan activist, formerly part of the government in exile, who broke away from the group, as he believes the peaceful methods of the Dalai Lama will not result in change. His own plan is to the extreme: one member of each Tibetan family in exile would go back to Tibet and sabotage the infrastructure of the country by doing simple things such as cutting electrical wires or pouring water into mailboxes.

Well, that's not going to happen any time soon, but if our western governments imposed heavy trade sanctions on China, it would have an impact over time. Most countries won't do this however, because so much of what they import is from China...from kids' toys to electrical components.

But back to my original question of what my responsibility is to others. This question often feels huge, even overwhelming. How can one person or group make a difference? I believe we can make a difference by focusing on what speaks to us personally and by following or gut feelings.

As I learn to honour these internal awarenesses more, I respond in an increasingly spontaneous way to what's unfolding around me, and self monitor less. I plan to follow my inclinations to do volunteer work in Africa and India in the future, to write letters to my government representatives about the situation in Tibet, and to research and educate myself about the conditions of women and children in these countries. I will no longer compartmentalize the issues and put them out of my mind.

For how can I become my best self, my true or Essential Self, if I ignore the part of me that yearns to attempt to make a difference in the world?

Do you have personal ways of helping others? Share them often with others. You may inspire other women to help.