Thou Shalt Not Judge, Condemn or Label

The life of singer-songwriter Everlast, a.k.a. Eric Schrody, took a dramatic turn towards the spiritual after a near death experience due to a problematic heart condition left him debilitated in the hospital recovery room. The Irish-American artist best known for his unique blend of rap and rock music wrote a powerful and moving song entitled What It’s Like, the message of which is essentially that one cannot possibly judge, let alone label or condemn, another human being without first experiencing life “in their shoes,” in other words, without a deep sense of empathy for the other.

The passionate call for empathy within the lyrics of What It’s Like is moving and powerful, and the fact that this type of message is now not uncommon in popular music is yet another indication that we as a global society are moving towards a new model, a new paradigm, based in compassion, love and forgiveness.

The necessity of empathy and compassion are no longer luxuries, for the modern technological age has amplified our ability to effect the world around us, in either creative and constructive pursuits as well as in violent and destructive, pathological activities. Spiritual evolution and growth is no longer something we can do without.

Furthermore, the practice of empathy, compassion and forgiveness is central to the teachings of all spiritual teachers and leaders, particularly the paths of the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad.

The following quote from the Dalai Lama exemplifies this, the fact that we as a species now require a spiritual awakening in order to not simply move forward, but to survive:

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible…

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.

– The Dalai Lama

Listen to Everlast’s What It’s Like below.

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