A poem composed by Jaseem Pasha, MD, founder of ISEEK International
Dr. Pasha‘s life and career stand as a testament to the profound impact of personal interactions and the enduring power of empathy. His journey began at Dow Medical College, one of Pakistan’s premier medical institutions, which also served as a crucible for student political activism, reminiscent of the free speech movements of the 1960s in the USA.
While his medical education imparted crucial knowledge on alleviating physical suffering, the vibrant political atmosphere at Dow cultivated his critical thinking and broadened his worldview. Dr. Pasha advocated for understanding and addressing the root causes of human suffering, particularly the intricacies, and nuances arising from socio-political and environmental challenges.
With over 36 years of distinguished service in psychiatry in the USA, Dr. Pasha’s career is marked by clinical expertise and enriched by his deep emotional intelligence. This unique combination enabled him to foster a genuine connection with his patients, seeing beyond their immediate symptoms to the broader tapestry of their lives, influenced by larger societal forces.
Determined to make a broader impact, Dr. Pasha’s vision extended beyond the confines of his psychiatric practice. He recognized that many mental health challenges stemmed from external societal and environmental factors, so he focused on global issues contributing to human suffering.
This renewed mission led to the inception of ISEEK, “International Society for Empowerment, Enlightenment & Knowledge.” As the spearhead of this non-profit organization, Dr. Pasha aims to harness the collective power of communities to eradicate human suffering through knowledge, empowerment, and enlightenment. It aims to facilitate individuals and communities to become an asset for their nation based on the universal principle of respect for inherent human dignity without excluding anyone.
Ode to the Sorrow of War and the Hope for Peace
In shadowed valleys where unrest lies deep,
A cry resounds, stirring souls from sleep:
“Peace, Love, and Peace,” an urgent refrain,
A call to awaken humanity’s gain.
Let empathy’s river through weary hearts flow,
Illumined by compassion’s transformative glow.
The innocent bear war’s relentless toll,
Children, women, elders — each precious soul.
Masked as defense, war’s treacherous guise,
Truth shrouded in a web of deceitful lies.
Homes to ruins fall, dreams bitterly depart,
Life’s verdant gardens turn graves of the heart.
Tears stain young faces, once bright with mirth,
As they mourn their lost kin on this scarred earth.
Futures stolen smiles eternally erased,
In silence, their spirits drift, unseen, displaced.
In the cadence of war, each minute a star dims,
Snuffing out a child’s light on a whim.
“By force, we shall rule,” the aggressors claim,
In a world where power plays a ruthless game.
In the hush of temples, mosques, synagogues
And Churches, under solemn domes,
Witnesses stand to the ruins, the deaths, the homes.
Sacred voices mute, their moral compass lost.
In the face of horror, what is the cost?
Cries of jingoism echoes of the darker skies,
Massacres unfold, a psychopaths’ stage.
Lost is the civility of eras past.
Where now does conscience cast its cast?
Where is the conscience on history’s page?
Lovers of democracy, where do you stand,
When are justice and truth lost in the sand?
Where is the honor when the truth is but grains of sand?
What is so noble about being facile violators of the covenants with Creator-God?
How can it be delightful to transgress human dignity that is intrinsic!
And still claim to be the chosen ones?
No double standards can the horror mask,
In barbarism’s shadow, we are taken to task.
Awake, awake! See with eyes anew,
Life’s dignity demands a view that’s true.
In humility bow, with wisdom’s light,
Embrace peace and compassion against the night.
Can we justify genocide in any land?
When all we need is an empathetic hand.
Plant seeds of understanding, tender grace,
And in unity, a peaceful future embrace.
_____________________
Received through email
