Begin with clearing your hearts of animosity towards others, irrespective of religion, colour, economic status or gender, writes Sant Rajinder Singh
How do we live human unityIJ The first step is to make sure that our hearts are clear of any hatred and prejudice for those different from us. We must develop true love for people of different nationalities, religions, colours, economic status or gender. We must eliminate prejudice and discrimination. It is said that out of abundance of our hearts we speak. If we feel hatred towards any group, we cannot hide it; it comes out from our lips or shows on our face. Our actions speak louder than our words. living human unity begins with clearing our hearts of animosity towards others.
Tulsi Sahib said, “Cleanse the chamber of your heart so God can enter there.” When we clean the chamber of our heart from prejudice and ill will for others, God can reside there. What is GodIJ God is love. God is all-encompassing and embraces all creations as one family. That love enters our hearts when we clear away negative thoughts towards others.
Next, we live human unity by making sure our words express appreciation and tolerance for all. We need to watch our words, lest we injure any heart. Do our words cause division or do they bring people togetherIJ loving, caring words bring people together. We should become living examples of sweet and loving speech. In whatever situation we are, we should become examples of love, tolerance, and harmony. Others will emulate our examples and also speak in a loving manner.
Third, we need to live human unity by our actions. Every day we are faced with choices. Are we going to act in a way that tears people apart or brings people togetherIJ In our jobs, we often work on committees or vote on policy decisions. Do our voices promote policies of love and tolerance, or do they perpetrate more prejudice, discrimination, and bigotryIJ
At every opportunity, we should inspire others with whom we work to make decisions and take actions that promote peace and unity. Children model themselves on what parents do. If they see their parents extending open arms to embrace people no matter how different they may be, then they, as adults, will do the same.
We have explored different avenues in which we can live human unity. In the field of education, teachers and administrators can set up programmes in which children have opportunities to work with people of different cultures in harmonious ways. In the field of economics, we can make decisions that benefit people irrespective of their backgrounds. Those who work in communications and the media can promote positive values to inspire others to eliminate prejudice, discrimination, and inequality. Those in leadership roles can promote policies that bring equality, unity, and peace. There is no dearth of opportunities to live human unity.
The field of religion is another avenue in which we can have influence. Although religious founders and saints taught followers and disciples to love all, over the centuries, their original teachings were lost. Thus, throughout history, many wars were fought in the name of religion. People need to learn respect and tolerance for those of other religions. If leaders can promote unity rather than discord and prejudice, religious wars and hate crimes would be eliminated. People would be free to worship freely in temple, church, mosque, or synagogue of their choice without fear of being persecuted or attacked. If religious heads spread this message in their own congregations, the world would become safer for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
An effective method to make human unity a living reality in our hearts is through meditation. Spending time daily in silent mediation helps us communicate with our true selves and the divine power who created us. Those moments are filled with bliss, peace, and love. As we enter the inner sanctum of our hearts, we find the light of the Creator. The realisation dawns that the same light within us is in other human beings also, and outer differences that separate us dissolve. We no longer see a person’s hair colour, eye colour, or skin colour. We no longer see the way people dress or speak. Instead, we see one light expressed by different outer coverings, each beautiful in its own way. Just as electricity flowing through lamp bulbs of many shapes and sizes produces the same light, the light of the Creator shines in different forms, from humans to animals, fish, birds or reptiles. Through meditation, we see life as one. Then, we live human unity and radiate that example.
Saints, religious founders, and prophets lived human unity. Their message was not for one group of people alone; they came and embraced all, irrespective of religion or nationality. Saints and masters brought people together.
let us do the same in our own lives. The great saint and founder of the first Human Unity Conference was Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj. When he was a child, his father had some enemies and advised the boy, “Our friends will be your friends, and our enemies will be your enemies.” His father wanted young Kirpal Singh to treat these people as enemies. But the child was enlightened from an early age. He told his father respectfully, but firmly, “Father, your friends will be my friends, but it is not necessary that your foes be my foes. life is too short and I have not come to bear hatred. I have come to love all.”
let us not perpetrate the hatred of our forefathers. let us not carry on traditions that bring violence and destruction. let us carry the banner of love. let us bury old prejudices taught in our respective countries and religions. let us promote a new message of love. This way, we will live human unity and bring about world peace. let us introspect where we stand individually. let us resolve to clear our hearts of hatred and fill it with the sweet fragrance of love. If we have any differences with anyone, let us resolve them. If we are to be true ambassadors of human unity, it must reflect in our dealings with others. let us have a moment of silent mediation to pray that we be imbued with the spirit of human unity in our hearts, so that we can spread its noble message wherever we go.
The writer is a spiritual leader
