What Unites and What separates People?
Heart and Mind.
The real divisions occur when we use our mind to judge and criticise others. It is the proud judgements of the mind which create feelings of inferiority and superiority, and therefore, division. If we use the power of the heart we gain a feeling of oneness. It is in the heart where we can bring to the fore the qualities of forgiveness and compassion. When we look at the world with a forgiving and loving attitude, we do not create division. Living in the heart, we seek to be aware of an underlying unity and oneness.
Religion
Religion is quite often an instrument used for creating division. When a religion unmistakably feels that, it alone, is the true path to God, division naturally arises. Adherents of some religions feel that only by proclaiming a certain faith, can one be granted salvation. Such a belief inevitably leads to a feeling of superiority; the followers may feel under a compulsion to convert and save others, who have not accepted their particular branch of religion. When religion places all priority on philosophical belief and outer forms, there can seem to be an unbridgeable gap between one religion and the next. Such divisive views can become a pretext for both religious persecution and religious wars.
However, we cannot condemn religion just because it can sometimes be used to assert feelings of superiority. When we seek to discover the essence of religion, we find that the heart of religion is not outer dogma, but; spiritual practice, love of God and the search for Truth. When we go deep within, through prayer and meditation, religion becomes a mechanism to discover our real self. Practising religion from a purely spiritual perspective, shows us that spiritual realisation is dependent, not on our intellectual beliefs, but our inner aspiration and attitude.
"If we live in our oneness-heart, we will feel the essence of all religions which is the love of God. Forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and the feeling of oneness are the signs of a true religion."
- Sri Chinmoy [1]
Many great saints and sages have taught that although the paths are many, the goal is the same. Each religion can lead a seeker to God. The Truth can be approached from different angles; people may call God by different names; but this doesn't change or alter the fundamental nature of truth.
Thus genuine religious experience does not divide, but can teach the fundamental oneness of life and the Universe
Nationalism and Patriotism
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it"
- George Bernard Shaw.
Nationalism divides when a country feels the need to assert its supremacy. When a country wishes to assert its ideology and values over others, there can be no peace or oneness. Aggressive nationalism also springs from a subconscious feeling of inadequacy or fear. We fear other countries and people, because we feel a sense of weakness. Because of this fear we build walls of separation. Yet, these fears are usually borne of ignorance and lack of knowledge.
However, patriotism need not be divisive. A true patriot does not feel the necessity of asserting his superiority. Real patriotism means holding a love for your country. However, this faith does not mean we fear other countries. When we have a sincere love for our own country, our oneness heart can easily extend to the rest of the world.
"Patriotism is self-enlargement, self-expansion and, at the same time, self-giving to the source. This self-enlargement takes place in the divine way; it is not enlargement of ego. The self-giving and self-offering of patriotism come from the feeling that other countries can derive some light from your own country's awakening. Patriotism is self-giving and self-expansion based on your conscious oneness with all consciousness, your inseparable oneness with all. That is the meaning of patriotism in the spiritual sense."
- Sri Chinmoy [2]
Oneness does not require uniformity. Unity in diversity is not a mere philosophical platitude. Sincere patriotism is perfectly compatible with breaking down barriers between countries.
The effects of religion, patriotism e.t.c depend on how we look upon them. Anything can be used to create division. At the same time, if we aspire for union, if we aspire for unity in the heart, then we will not create excuses for building division with others.
by: Tejvan Pettinger 01/06/07
References
[1] Religion - Sri Chinmoy
[2] Spirituality and Patriotism Excerpt from I Love My Country: Purity's Body by Sri Chinmoy.
The real divisions occur when we use our mind to judge and criticise others. It is the proud judgements of the mind which create feelings of inferiority and superiority, and therefore, division. If we use the power of the heart we gain a feeling of oneness. It is in the heart where we can bring to the fore the qualities of forgiveness and compassion. When we look at the world with a forgiving and loving attitude, we do not create division. Living in the heart, we seek to be aware of an underlying unity and oneness.
Religion
Religion is quite often an instrument used for creating division. When a religion unmistakably feels that, it alone, is the true path to God, division naturally arises. Adherents of some religions feel that only by proclaiming a certain faith, can one be granted salvation. Such a belief inevitably leads to a feeling of superiority; the followers may feel under a compulsion to convert and save others, who have not accepted their particular branch of religion. When religion places all priority on philosophical belief and outer forms, there can seem to be an unbridgeable gap between one religion and the next. Such divisive views can become a pretext for both religious persecution and religious wars.
However, we cannot condemn religion just because it can sometimes be used to assert feelings of superiority. When we seek to discover the essence of religion, we find that the heart of religion is not outer dogma, but; spiritual practice, love of God and the search for Truth. When we go deep within, through prayer and meditation, religion becomes a mechanism to discover our real self. Practising religion from a purely spiritual perspective, shows us that spiritual realisation is dependent, not on our intellectual beliefs, but our inner aspiration and attitude.
"If we live in our oneness-heart, we will feel the essence of all religions which is the love of God. Forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and the feeling of oneness are the signs of a true religion."
- Sri Chinmoy [1]
Many great saints and sages have taught that although the paths are many, the goal is the same. Each religion can lead a seeker to God. The Truth can be approached from different angles; people may call God by different names; but this doesn't change or alter the fundamental nature of truth.
Thus genuine religious experience does not divide, but can teach the fundamental oneness of life and the Universe
Nationalism and Patriotism
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it"
- George Bernard Shaw.
Nationalism divides when a country feels the need to assert its supremacy. When a country wishes to assert its ideology and values over others, there can be no peace or oneness. Aggressive nationalism also springs from a subconscious feeling of inadequacy or fear. We fear other countries and people, because we feel a sense of weakness. Because of this fear we build walls of separation. Yet, these fears are usually borne of ignorance and lack of knowledge.
However, patriotism need not be divisive. A true patriot does not feel the necessity of asserting his superiority. Real patriotism means holding a love for your country. However, this faith does not mean we fear other countries. When we have a sincere love for our own country, our oneness heart can easily extend to the rest of the world.
"Patriotism is self-enlargement, self-expansion and, at the same time, self-giving to the source. This self-enlargement takes place in the divine way; it is not enlargement of ego. The self-giving and self-offering of patriotism come from the feeling that other countries can derive some light from your own country's awakening. Patriotism is self-giving and self-expansion based on your conscious oneness with all consciousness, your inseparable oneness with all. That is the meaning of patriotism in the spiritual sense."
- Sri Chinmoy [2]
Oneness does not require uniformity. Unity in diversity is not a mere philosophical platitude. Sincere patriotism is perfectly compatible with breaking down barriers between countries.
The effects of religion, patriotism e.t.c depend on how we look upon them. Anything can be used to create division. At the same time, if we aspire for union, if we aspire for unity in the heart, then we will not create excuses for building division with others.
by: Tejvan Pettinger 01/06/07
References
[1] Religion - Sri Chinmoy
[2] Spirituality and Patriotism Excerpt from I Love My Country: Purity's Body by Sri Chinmoy.
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