Helping others

[animesh]

In the last few days I have read many posts in this thread which talk of helping others. This started me wondering as to how many people help others just because somebody is in need. A large no. of times, help is provided to gain publicity or because we expect something in return from those whom we help or because somebody forces us to do so.

I have seen many instances in which a person was in need. Some of those close to him knew about his problem but acted as if they did not know. When the bad days of that person were over or when it was too late to do anything, then the same people started telling him, "Why didn't you ask us for help? We always care for you. You should have told us."

If we are really concerned about somebody, should not we be helping them even if they do not ask us for help? If we are waiting for him to request us to provide help, then it shows our ego and not our helping attitude.

 

I have also witnessed cases in which one person (say A) took some help from somebody known to him (some relative, say B). Of course, the help was provided. But, now B started thinking that A was inferior to him. He as well as others in his family tried to insult A in front of others whenever they could. They even thought that just because they helped somebody, the latter had to lead his life as they wanted him to do.

 

Just because we help somebody, does it mean that he does not have any right to decide for himself what he should be doing?

 

When somebody is in need, then people in his relation start thinking, "If I do not help him, what will the society say?" And if they find that, according to society, they had no obligation to help that person, then they pretend not to know that person's problems. Even if somebody in their family decide to help, then they say, "Don't be a saint. Who is he to you?"

 

Is it necessary that we help somebody only because we are afraid of society?

 

It also happens that, in the past, if somebody helped another person, then he will keep on reminding the latter about the help. Not only that, it also happens that if one person helped another sometime in past, then the children of the former will always remind about this incident to the children of the latter.

 

Isn't it extreme form of ego?

 

This post may not be directly related to theism but I am just thinking out loud.