Rebranding 'Being Human'

'He is a humanitarian,' said the person introducing

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

to an audience. The amused guru began his talk by pointing out that every human is human and therefore is

humanitarian

- so why state the obvious?

The dictionary meaning of the word 'humanitarian' refers to one who works to promote human welfare. But then, if one is human, why would one not wish to promote human welfare? Isn't

being human

reason enough to engage in welfare-promoting activity, both for self and others, since we are all being human?

Most of us, when we apologise for an act of omission or commission, tend to say, "But I'm only human!" -- as though being human is a passport to frailty and weakness; as though it is natural for a human to err and so to be human, is to make mistakes. But isn't being human meant to enable us to become aware of the limitlessness of being human, of the immensity and infinite potential of being human, rather than serving as an excuse for failings and setbacks, negativities and suffering?

When a member of a species other than human displays human-like traits - the ability to think or count, make tools or help each other - we might say something like, "That monkey is so human-like" or "That monkey is humanitarian!" So why cannot someone who has, for example, won the Nobel Prize, on being complimented for his achievement, say, "Thank you, but I'm only being human"? Or if a parent is complimented on the manner in which a family crisis was handled, could he not respond, by saying, "Yes, thanks, I was only being human"?

Rather than be apologetic for being human, why not be proud to be human? Scriptures and other wisdom teachings repeatedly inform us that being born as a human being is a great compliment; it is something to be grateful for; because among all species on the planet, only the human species has limitless potential for advancement, both material and metaphysical. Humans have the power to reason, to discriminate, to innovate, to invent, to think through challenges and face them appropriately.

Being human means to be multifaceted, multitalented and multidimensional.

Being human is to be full of joy, to be blessed with immense potential, to be able to transcend several layers of consciousness and to be able to transform misery to bliss.

Human beings have the potential to overcome physical, emotional and spiritual dilemmas in the best ways possible, and rise to higher planes of consciousness. Humans can be loving and affectionate as well as detached and unemotional, all at the same time. That's because we are "only human".

The

Salman Khan Foundation

could perhaps consider adding the following words before its slogan 'Being Human':
'The Immensity of BEING HUMAN'
or even
The Limitlessness of BEING HUMAN'.

There could be more options:
'The Magnanimity Of BEING HUMAN';
'The Infinity Of BEING HUMAN';
'The Expanse Of BEING HUMAN';
'The Infinitude Of BEING HUMAN';
'The Nobility Of BEING HUMAN';
'The Generosity Of BEING HUMAN' and
'The Universal Love Of BEING HUMAN'!

By qualifying the brand 'Being Human' with specific attributes that reveal the true meaning and scope of being human, the Foundation would be bringing home the message that being human is not a reflection of one's shortcomings; on the contrary, being human is to be fully aware of the immense power of potential that lies dormant within, that, once roused, can work wonders to transform both the individual and the world for personal and common positive benefit.