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We all carry around elements of the past with us. Whether they’re beliefs, values or just plain memories, our intellect accumulates these elements as we move through life. We earthlings collate and store do-s and don’t-s (an intrinsic component of survival) e.g. ‘don’t touch fire, fire is hot, fire will burn you’, and although there are some experiences we all share as human beings, others are unique to the individual. These unique experiences can sometimes make it difficult for us to empathise with others.

In India, a wise person once explained the origin of ‘AUM’. Known as the sound of the universe and one of the most commonly used mantras in yogic practices, he said it can also be a useful tool for building empathy; “an acronym to guide you”.

A – accept

U – understand

M – manage

Fast forward one month from my insightful time in India and I’m living in an Aboriginal community in Australia’s sacred Arnhem Land. In attempt to remove my Balanda* glasses and see something from another’s eyes, I find myself reflecting on ‘AUM’.

Its a breezy day in July. The locals call this season Dhaarratharramirri season which translates into ‘cool winds coming from the south-east’. It’s the coldest time of the year in Arnhem Land at around 29 degrees celsius. Myself and another Balanda are out bush with some of the elders to learn about bush tucker, medicine and traditional remedies. Sitting underneath a stringy bark tree, the wind dancing with the ends of my hair, I watch one of the elders smash collected tea tree leaves with the back of an axe. “We boil this leaf until the water changes colour. Then we take it off the fire, place it under our nose and deeply inhale the steam. It’s good for cold or flu”. After demonstrating, she picks up her 2L bottle of Coca-Cola, takes a sip and lights a JPS Red.

AUM! I’m in a place where two worlds collide; one cultural, one capitalist.

So I point to the brown bubbly syrup in the red labelled bottle and ask cheekily “What about this bush medicine? What is this good for?” The consumer plays along, “Ahh yes, this one is great for energy” and bursts into laughter as smoke vacates her nostrils.

So little by little, I try to accept, understand and manage my surroundings without unconsciously reacting. And little by little, I understand much more, not only about others, but about myself.

*European. The word was first introduced when the Dutch sailed to Australia and introduced themselves to the Yolngu as ‘Hollanders’, which was interpreted as ‘Balanda’.