“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.”

—Thomas Merton

What words can possibly be spoken to address the unspeakable?

The Jan. 12 magnitude 7 earthquake in Haiti has left most of the world at a loss for words. Natural calamities like this are never easy to understand: How is it that life and the universe can appear so beautiful one moment and so brutal the next?

Yet life will go on as it has for millennia. What baffles me the most is that it too often requires this magnitude of human pain and suffering to get the world’s attention.

What is encouraging to note is that in spite of (and perhaps because of) all the pain and loss, each time we have a natural disaster there seems to be a deepening of the awareness of the interconnectedness of all people.

Perhaps that is because there is something within each of us that knows that at the level of Spirit we are all one and, perhaps, equally as vulnerable.

We feel a sense of connection not only with the countless thousands who have died but also with others who now are left homeless, parentless, childless, broken and in utter shock.

Something is stirring in the soul of humanity, and while some may not know that’s what it is, millions of human beings are awakening to a sense of their unity with others and something larger than themselves.

The results are manifesting as acts of compassion and generosity that we seldom see on a global basis; there is a vibration of common brotherhood being felt.

The awareness of this interconnectivity is rising in the consciousness of our species now, and shocking events such as the Haiti disaster only quicken the vibration.

Because the source of this tragedy was nature rather than man, individuals, governments, religions, countries and organizations from various corners of our world are connecting for a common purpose.

A true call to compassion transcends borders, boundaries, economies, color, religion and politics. So, perhaps from the epicenter of this natural catastrophe some good for humankind can possibly arise.

Because of this tragedy we can bear witness to the heart of humanity once again opening and beating stronger than ever, building bridges that span oceans and continents. This sort of bridge can supersede language, religion and cultural barriers because it connects hearts with hearts.

This is one of those times where we can see the very best of ourselves and others emerge through the very worst of crises and misfortunes.

It’s about compassion, loving kindness and generosity of the spirit. Meister Eckhart summarized it so beautifully when he wrote, “You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion.”

Let’s continue to be bridge builders by extending the best of ourselves to others long after this crisis passes. Remember that we can practice compassion and generosity every day, not because we should, but because we can.

So do what your heart leads you to do in the aftermath of the crisis in Haiti. Hold the entire country in prayer, send a donation to the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders, or whatever else you are called to do.

If what is happening on the other side of the planet is too wide a gap for you to bridge, perhaps you need look no further than a street corner in your own town to build a bridge of the heart.

Dennis Merritt Jones is a lo cal spiritual mentor, keynote speaker and author of the book “The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life.”