With the latest developments happening in our country, there seems to be a greater need for compassion. Like the motto of the TOS, “A union of those who love, in the service of all that suffers,” the Charter for Compassion calls upon all of us to live by certain principles that promote a compassionate lifestyle. Through our thoughts, words, and actions, we can change our environment one person at a time. But it must begin with ourselves first.

The Charter for Compassion website (www.charterforcompassion.org) states that “Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.”

Many years ago, the TOS affirmed their commitment to the Charter for Compassion. Since then, individuals of the TOS have also affirmed their support for the Charter as it resonates with Theosophical values. Perhaps it is time we work a little harder now to have our communities sign the Charter and commit to making the places we live communities of compassion. With the sweeping actions that have taken place and their potential to destroy our environment, our policies of goodwill, and the relationship we share with people of different cultures and religions, the Charter for Compassion is one way to send a strong message that one’s community believes in a non-aggressive, loving, peaceful way of life.

To find out if your community has signed the Charter, visit www.charterforcompassion.org. The website provides a wonderful toolbox to show individuals how they can work together to make their community a Community of Compassion.