It is not an unusual situation if Gautam is in a pitiable state. Gautam had started suffering for others more than 25 centuries ago. He had decided to meditate to solve the problem of 'sorrows' of the humanity. But that was then. Today's Gautam is not the same.
Today he seems to be falling into a trap of getting depressed himself... due to other’s problems. He is surrounded by multiple people with multiple unsolvable problems, which is not unusual. There are too many people with too many problems. He himself is generally fine; but due to others he is attracting trouble on to himself.
He has an old uncle, who has been a dashing, strong and confident young man in his hey days. But now he is none of that. His voice is weak and movements are slow. Gautam is not able to handle it. Gautam has always been affected by problems of people who loved him and he loved them back with all his heart.
Obviously not too many people feel bad if someone unknown is going through a bad phase. In fact this Gautam is in habit of cursing some of his sworn enemies. Yes, this Gautam has enemies, quite a few of them. He says it proudly, ‘so and so is my enemy and I wish him hell’. Well this is the new age Gautam. He curses his enemies openly. Well, but right now it is not about enemies, it is about the people he loves.
There are at least six people he is close to and all have some or the other incurable situation in their lives. And they all are suffering as things are not in their control. It might get sorted, when it gets sorted. But in the meanwhile they are suffering and they don’t know that Gautam is suffering along with them, for them. Someone’s entire family is having tough luck. People are scattered all over and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Gautam is very fond of these people; but can do nothing about anything.
Then there is someone who has covered herself with misery as she has no idea what she wants. Gautam has known her too as a very strong and confidant person in life and now such a weak side of her has cropped up. And from where? Perhaps all of us growing older and in old age weaknesses of all kinds spring up. But in the meanwhile she is suffering and Gautam is suffering too.
There are some more examples; but it’s no point going into them and make matters worse for himself. The point now is, is it worth falling sick because he is a compassionate person? I guess NOT. I told him buddy, you take care of yourself and your mental health. Right now in life things are going fine for you. So don’t drive on the wrong side because you constantly feel bad for others.
But I tell you, it is not going to be easy, for anyone. It is one of the hardest thing to take your mind off people you love and even harder to not worry about their problems. But that is a challenge. Gautam has to find a balance. Perhaps if he can contribute as a problem solver he must go ahead and do so; but when he is going to be a mute spectator, he must not allow himself to be worked up. He must save himself from falling prey to the deadly mental condition called ‘depression’.
