Serving with Compassion | Yudhono Witanto | TEDxUniversitas Brawijaya

Summary

The speaker explores the importance of compassion and empathy in helping others, particularly marginalized communities. Drawing on a quote from the Dalai Lama, they emphasize that compassion leads to inner peace and clarity of thought. The talk addresses common negative assumptions about those in need and stresses the need to overcome these biases. By practicing kindness and setting aside ego, individuals can become catalysts for positive change. The speaker also highlights the importance of empowering marginalized groups, encouraging them to grow independently, and concludes with the call for strong dedication to help create a better world.

Takeaways

• 🙂 Compassion brings inner peace and clarity of thought in difficult situations.
• 🤔 People often judge those in need, assuming they are lazy or less deserving.
• 🧘‍♂️ Compassion helps us set aside negative thoughts and assumptions when helping others.
• 💖 By sharing kindness, we connect with the pain of others and can better support them.
• 🚀 Being compassionate allows us to become catalysts for positive change in society.
• 🫶 Helping others requires putting aside our ego and any sense of superiority.
• 👥 Empowering marginalized communities is crucial, so they do not rely solely on external aid.
• 💪 Strong determination and intent are needed to sustain efforts in helping society.
• 🎯 We should not expect recognition or rewards when helping others, but rather focus on our goals.
• 🌍 The ultimate aim is to create a better world by consistently sharing kindness and empowering others.

Q & A

What is the core message of the speech?

The core message of the speech is the importance of compassion and kindness towards others, particularly the marginalized, and the need to put aside ego and negativity when helping those in need. It also emphasizes the need for empowerment rather than just providing material assistance.

How does the speaker define compassion?

The speaker defines compassion as an emotion that brings inner peace and allows us to think clearly. It is the ability to put aside negative thoughts or doubts about others' intentions and truly understand the suffering of others.

What is the role of ego when helping others according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that ego often makes us feel superior to those we help, whether because we have more money or knowledge. He stresses that ego must be set aside in order to truly connect with and support others, as all people deserve the same opportunities.

Why does the speaker caution against holding negative assumptions about those in need?

The speaker cautions against negative assumptions, such as believing that people asking for help are lazy or undeserving. These thoughts can prevent us from offering compassion and assisting those who truly need help.

How does the speaker suggest we can make a lasting impact in society?

The speaker suggests that, besides providing help, we must also empower marginalized communities to develop their own abilities and become self-sufficient. By doing so, we encourage long-term change rather than creating dependency.

What does the speaker mean by becoming a 'catalyst' in society?

Becoming a 'catalyst' means leading by example in showing compassion and sharing kindness with others. This can inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of positive change in society.

Why does the speaker stress the importance of strong resolve before helping others?

The speaker stresses that strong resolve is important because helping others often comes with no recognition or external reward. Maintaining inner motivation and commitment is essential for continuing to make a positive impact.

What does the speaker mean by 'empowerment' in the context of helping marginalized communities?

Empowerment refers to equipping marginalized communities with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to improve their own lives, rather than relying on continuous outside assistance.

What role does compassion play in clear decision-making according to the speaker?

Compassion plays a crucial role in clear decision-making because it fosters a sense of inner peace, which allows individuals to assess situations without bias or negativity, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.

What does the speaker believe is necessary for creating a better world?

The speaker believes that creating a better world requires individuals to continually share kindness, compassion, and empowerment with others, especially those who are marginalized, while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and inner motivation.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Compassion and Empathy as Catalysts for Change

This paragraph introduces the theme of compassion by referencing a quote from the Dalai Lama about how compassion brings inner peace, which helps clear thinking. The speaker highlights the importance of overcoming negative judgments when interacting with marginalized people, such as street performers or beggars. By setting aside ego and prejudices, we can better understand the struggles of others and develop genuine empathy. The speaker emphasizes that compassion enables us to share goodness with others and become a catalyst for positive change in society.

05:02

🌱 Empowering the Marginalized and Building a Better Society

Here, the speaker discusses the importance of empowering marginalized communities rather than simply giving them aid. They point out that continuous handouts can create dependency, so it’s essential to help these individuals develop their own abilities. The speaker urges society to focus on empowerment, enabling marginalized groups to grow independently. Additionally, they stress the need for a strong will and determination when engaging in social work, as well as doing it without expecting praise or reward. The ultimate goal is to foster a better world through collective efforts and support for those in need.

👏 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

The speaker concludes their message by expressing gratitude to the audience, thanking them for listening, and wishing them a good day. They express hope that the listeners will be inspired to continue giving their best to support marginalized communities in order to create a better world. The paragraph ends with the sound of applause, marking the end of the speech.

Keywords

💡Compassion

Compassion refers to the deep sympathy and concern for the suffering of others, which is central to the video's theme. The speaker emphasizes that compassion helps bring inner peace and allows us to see situations more clearly. It encourages a more positive and selfless approach when interacting with marginalized communities, overriding negative thoughts or judgments about their circumstances.

💡Inner Peace

Inner peace is described as a state of mental and emotional calmness that compassion can foster. In the video, it is mentioned that having compassion for others leads to inner peace, which, in turn, helps us think more clearly and make better decisions when helping those in need.

💡Negative Thoughts

Negative thoughts refer to the judgments and doubts people may have about helping others, especially those in need. The speaker discusses how, instead of thinking that beggars or street performers might misuse financial aid, we should focus on compassion and avoid these negative assumptions to truly help and empathize with others.

💡Marginalized Communities

Marginalized communities are those who live on the fringes of society, often facing economic and social hardships. The video refers to these communities as 'people on the street' such as beggars or street performers. The speaker encourages viewers to help them, not out of superiority, but with compassion and empowerment, enabling them to grow and become self-reliant.

💡Ego

Ego refers to the sense of self-importance or superiority that can hinder genuine acts of kindness. The video stresses the need to set aside one's ego when helping others, as it can create a barrier between the helper and the recipient. The speaker highlights how people often feel they are 'better' than those they are helping, which can limit their ability to fully engage in compassionate actions.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment is the process of enabling others to gain control over their lives and circumstances. In the video, the speaker talks about how continuous handouts can make people overly dependent, and stresses the importance of empowering marginalized communities. This ensures that they develop skills and confidence to improve their own lives, rather than relying on constant aid.

💡Catalyst

A catalyst is something or someone that sparks change or action. In the video, the speaker describes the act of compassion and giving as a catalyst that encourages others to engage in similar acts of kindness. By sharing with others, individuals can inspire broader societal change, fostering a culture of compassion and altruism.

💡Selflessness

Selflessness is the act of putting others' needs ahead of one’s own, without expecting anything in return. The speaker underscores that when helping others, one should not expect payment or appreciation. This selfless approach allows for genuine compassion and long-term impact in helping marginalized groups.

💡Commitment

Commitment refers to the strong dedication and resolve required to sustain efforts to help others. The speaker emphasizes that helping marginalized communities demands a firm intention and commitment, even when there are no immediate rewards. This commitment ensures that one’s efforts are continuous and effective.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability in this context refers to the ability to maintain long-term positive impact through acts of compassion and empowerment. The speaker points out that without strong willpower and the right approach (e.g., avoiding dependence through empowerment), efforts to help others will not be sustainable. Sustainable actions are those that lead to long-term improvements, rather than temporary relief.

Highlights

Compassion leads to inner peace, which helps us think clearly in any situation.

Compassion allows us to see situations more clearly, especially when dealing with marginalized individuals.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Muhammad Reza Ath Thaariq Reviewer: Wulan H.

Sebelumnya

apa yang membuat

kita itu tergerak dan bisa membantu dengan sesama?

Masing-masing orang pasti memiliki versinya masing-masing.

Namun izinkan saya untuk

memaparkan atau ngasih ide dari kreasi saya.

Sebelumnya terdapat kutipan dari seorang buddhis terkenal, seorang Dalai Lama.

Jadi: Welas asih membawa kedamaian batin dan apapun yang terjadi, kedamaian itu

membantu kita untuk berpikir jernih.

Jadi, dengan adanya welas asih atau rasa belas kasihan dengan sesama, hal tersebut

memberikan kita pandangan yang jelas terhadap situasi atau fenomena

di sekitar kita.

Pasti kita sering melihat orang orang yang ada di pinggir jalan: pengamen,

orang yang minta-minta. Kita pasti ada pikiran yang negatif.

Misal kita kasih sebagian materi kita, sebagian uang kita ke orang-orang ini,

akan dikemanakan uangnya?

Jangan-jangan dia lebih mampu daripada kita.

Jangan-jangan sebenarnya mereka ini mampu tapi mereka malas aja, minta-minta.

Nah, dengan adanya welas asih atau rasa belas kasihan,

kita harus mengesampingkan

perasaan-perasaan tersebut atau pemikiran-pemikiran tersebut.

Karena apabila kita mengedepankan rasa negatif kita atau pemikiran negatif kita

ke orang-orang ini, maka kita tidak akan bisa berbagi dengan mereka.

Rasa belas kasihan kita tidak akan tumbuh ke mereka.

Dengan adanya rasa belas kasihan dari diri kita, kita bisa merasakan apa yang

mereka rasakan. Apa yang mereka rasakan, rasa sakit yang mereka rasakan selama ini,

kita bisa merasakannya sehingga kita bisa saling berbagi dengan mereka atau berbagi

kebaikan dengan mereka.

Dengan kita bisa berbagi kebaikan dengan mereka, kita akan menjadi sebuah katalis

atau kita bisa diharapkan menjadi sebuah katalis di masyarakat

sehingga kita bisa menjadi pendorong orang lain untuk

berlaku atau berkegiatan berbagi kebaikan

seperti apa yang kita lakukan.

Berbagi dengan sesama. Tentunya dengan berbagi dengan sesama,

kita harus mengesampingkan ego kita, karena kita pasti memiliki ego.

Ketika turun ke masyarakat, turun membantu ke orang-orang marjinal, kita

memiliki perasaan bahwa kita seseorang yang lebih tinggi daripada mereka.

Mungkin kita memiliki lebih banyak uang, mungkin kita merasa

lebih pintar atau sebagainya.

Kita harus mengesampingkan rasa ego itu, karena pada dasarnya semua orang itu

memiliki rasa kesempatan yang sama.

Kemudian ketika kita telah menjadi katalis, kita tidak bisa

terus berbagi ke masyarakat.

Kita kan punya waktu yang terbatas, kita juga punya kemampuan yang terbatas.

Kita perlu memberikan pemberdayaan kepada kaum-kaum marjinal.

Kita perlu memberdayakan orang orang ini, karena ketika kita ngasih terus ke mereka,

mereka akan merasa nyaman dan mereka dalam tanda kutip

harus mengharapkan atau mengharapkan kita untuk ngasih mereka terus.

Kita perlu mengesampingkan atau kita perlu mengubah pandangan mereka atau

pemikiran mereka bahwa mereka juga harus berkembang

dengan kemampuan mereka sendiri.

Oleh karena itu kita harus kasih pemberdayaan ke mereka.

Kemudian semua tersebut,

semua hal yang telah dijelaskan tadi tidak akan bisa berkelanjutan

ketika kita tidak memiliki tekad yang kuat.

Di awal kita harus memantapkan niat kita, memantapkan tekad kita

untuk membantu sesama.

Karena ketika kita terjun ke masyarakat, kita tidak mengharapkan

bayaran dari siapapun.

Kita tidak mengharapkan apresiasi dari siapapun, bahkan kepada satu atau dua

kasus kita terjun ke masyarakat itu sendirian, kita tidak ada yang membantu.

Sehingga niat dan tekad di awal itu penting agar apa yang kita lakukan dapat

terus berjalan.

Oleh karena itu,saya berharap teman-teman sekalian,para penonton yang di sini

bisa selalu memberikan yang terbaik ke masyarakat terutama kaum marjinal supaya

terbentuk dunia yang lebih baik.

Mungkin sekian dari saya, selamat siang dan terima kasih.

(Tepuk Tangan)