The Hidden Cost of War: Compassion Suppressed, Humanity Reclaimed

At our core, as human beings, we are not designed to harm one another. Deep down, we are wired for compassion, understanding, and connection. Our innate nature leans toward empathy and the desire to help one another. Acts of violence and destruction, though sadly common in the world, go against this fundamental aspect of who we are. Yet, we live in a world where systems, whether societal, cultural, or political, train us to override these natural instincts.

Through carefully crafted mental conditioning, physical training, and hierarchical obedience, many of us are taught to suppress our compassion and humanity in favor of duty. Nowhere is this more evident than in the military, where soldiers are shaped to follow orders without question, to prioritize strategy over emotion, and to toughen themselves in ways that bury their natural compassion deep within. Soldiers are trained to detach from their feelings, to see their actions as part of a larger cause, and to follow commands that often run counter to their intrinsic values.

What If They Didn’t?

But imagine for a moment, what if all soldiers collectively refused to fight? What if they could recognize that those labeled as the “enemy” are no different from themselves—that the people they’re taught to kill are, in fact, just other human beings? Such a realization could fundamentally alter the course of war and conflict. It could dismantle the entire foundation of warfare, which relies on division, fear, and dehumanization to fuel its violence.

This potential for unity, however, is precisely why military training is so rigorous and methodical. It’s not just about preparing soldiers physically; it’s about breaking down their empathy, disconnecting them from the core of who they are as human beings. This conditioning is designed to ensure that soldiers focus on their duty, ignoring the emotional toll of their actions. They are trained to see their job as a matter of survival, not one of moral judgment. They are taught to suppress their humanity in order to fulfill orders, no matter the cost.

The Consequences of Suppressing Compassion

But this suppression doesn’t come without its consequences. When the soldier returns home, no longer in a combat zone, the deep-seated emotions and compassion that were buried during their service begin to resurface. The traumatic experiences they endured on the battlefield, the people they were forced to harm, and the moral injuries they suffered all collide with the quiet space of civilian life. The inner conflict between what they were trained to do and who they truly are—at their core—often leads to deep emotional pain, sometimes manifesting as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It’s no wonder that many veterans struggle to integrate back into civilian life. The battle they face is not only on the field of war but within themselves. The conditioning that stripped away their empathy creates a deep internal rift. As their compassion resurfaces, they are often overwhelmed by guilt, sorrow, and a sense of moral injury that makes reintegration difficult.

The Truth: It Is Not Our Nature to Kill

The truth is undeniable: it is not in our nature to kill and destroy. Our instinct as humans is to protect, to help, and to build connections—not to harm. The struggles that many veterans face when returning home are a powerful reminder of this fundamental truth. Despite the rigorous training they’ve undergone, despite the systems that conditioned them to suppress their humanity, their innate compassion cannot be erased. It can be buried, but it will always be waiting to reawaken.

If we, as a collective society, could recognize this truth—if we could lean into the understanding that we are all connected and that violence goes against our core—there could be hope for a different future. Imagine a world where soldiers, as well as civilians, reject violence, division, and harm. A world where we question the systems that promote conflict and instead nurture the compassion that binds us together as one human family.

This is a vision of peace that begins with the recognition that our shared humanity is stronger than any force that seeks to tear us apart. The journey toward healing, for soldiers and civilians alike, starts with understanding that violence is not the answer—that compassion is the path forward.

Peace to all

Sandy Chana