
2020 / Electronic
DURATION
3 minutes, 27 seconds
- Empathy, Compassion, and Finding Happiness in Our Troubled World 03:27
Programme Notes
In the 15th and final chapter of The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World, the Dalai Lama offers this beautiful reflection on empathy:
“Empathy is one of the most wonderful human qualities. Because when you are deeply aware of the fundamental truth of our human existence – that just as I do, others too wish to achieve happiness and wish to overcome suffering, and have the equal right to obtain happiness – you automatically feel empathy and closeness for them. You will then be able to easily relate to others’ welfare out of a genuine sense of caring. This is compassion.”
The simplicity and clarity with which the Dalai Lama expresses this truth is profound. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who truly wants to suffer. At the core of being human is the shared desire to find happiness, to feel safe, and to avoid pain. Regardless of our differences—our gender, race, religion, or any other distinguishing factor—this universal longing for peace and joy is what unites us all. And in that deep understanding, empathy naturally arises.
Empathy is such a powerful force. I often find myself reflecting on how we, as human beings, are drawn to stories and characters that resonate with our own experiences. Look at the most beloved TV shows—they endure because their characters are relatable, not just to one person, but to a wide audience. It’s not merely the fact that these characters “relate” to us individually, but that they embody a shared human experience, one we all can understand and feel a part of.
Take Princess Diana, for example—she was known as the “People’s Princess.” Despite her wealth and status, she connected with ordinary people because she shared an authentic, heartfelt empathy. She showed love and kindness to those who often felt invisible. In a similar way, the Dalai Lama is a living example of this rare and beautiful quality. But imagine for a moment a world where empathy was not an extraordinary trait, but a natural part of the fabric of our existence.
What if we lived in a world where empathy was not something reserved for a select few, but something inherent in every person? Many believe that only certain “special” individuals can possess the gift of empathy, but I believe that each one of us is capable of cultivating it. Empathy isn’t something you are born with; it’s something that grows and deepens over time. What if every person on Earth took a course on empathy? Imagine the transformation that would occur. If we all truly understood the suffering and desires of others, if we could truly relate to one another’s humanity, it’s possible that many of the world’s problems could be solved, not by grand gestures, but by the simple act of caring deeply for each other.
Empathy, as the Dalai Lama teaches, is the key to compassion, and compassion is the heart of a peaceful world. If we each took the time to connect more deeply with the shared humanity of those around us—if we nurtured the capacity to see ourselves in others—imagine how much lighter the burden of suffering would become.
– Frank Horvat

RECORDING
Happiness in a Troubled World
Composer & Producer: Frank Horvat
Label: I Am Who I Am Records