Imbibing true spiritual knowledge imparted by the Supreme being within oneself can be the answer to all disputes forever. By Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji
Most of us dread conflicts in our life because it makes us uncomfortable and stressful. As a result, we learn to avoid, suppress or withdraw from conflict or even act as though it doesn’t exist. Our present society, though advanced in some respects, is suffering deeply from many serious problems and conflicts that are social, economic, political, religious, cultural, ethnic and more.
In fact, conflicts appear at all levels of our society from the inter personal level to international level and seem to be un-ending. As a result, some people think that these are inescapable and are a part of life. However, there are others who have an undying hope and a high upsurge of enthusiasm in their mind, for they feel that conflicts can definitely be resolved and that these will end one day. They think that fighting and finishing these conflicts is a sport and winning them is equivalent to being successful in life.
In fact, many religions and philosophies declare this as their very aim or goal. But one finds that in spite of all the efforts by such people over long periods of time, the final resolution of conflicts eludes us and the remedies applied are worse than the disease in many cases. There is, therefore, a compelling cause to introspect why, in spite of all the sincerity and the efforts — at least in the earliest phase of every religion, or social service institution, or political or economic school of thought — the conflicts have increased in number, become more aggravated and got badly inter-twined.
A deep analysis of the situation, considered from the point of systems and methods applied, would reveal that some of the factors that have brought forth the present to complex and almost irresoluble state, are: religions, philosophies, social theories, psychological concepts about human nature and more. These have in-built conflicts in their own system or schools of thought and these are not merely of academic interest but are fraught with serious consequences when applied to human conditions. Since, they have failed to resolve conflicts in their own doctrines, findings, beliefs, objectives and theories and practices, how can they resolve conflicts in the outer world?
It is a known fact that all religions, philosophies, social, economic and political theories and psychological systems are based on a particular interpretation or understanding of history. This itself is untenable or erroneous and so these systems cannot trace and understand correctly the historical roots of the problems or conflicts. In that case, how can then they eradicate conflicts? If they had understood the genesis and pathology correctly, they should have been able to resolve or reduce conflicts.
Similarly all religions philosophies are based on some presumptions which themselves have not been validated by rational or practical proof. These presumptions or presuppositions are themselves in conflict with those of other religions and philosophies. So, instead of solving, they further add to the conflicts.
It needs to be understood that every confrontation can be ended, narrowed or reduced by appealing to a value but if that value is not accepted on good reason and faith by those systems or methodologies, the conflicts cannot be ended. For example, if a system of thought does not invariably adopt non-violence in its methods and instead is based on the belief that violence is justified to end violence and to establish peace, how can it establish an order of non-violence? People expect the state to end many conflicts but if the state is itself an instrument of coercion and violence, then how can it be the means to end them?
Moreover, one important thing is that all conflicts ensue from improper or incorrect relations with one's own self and also with others. They are also due to clash of ego or self-interests. So, if these problems of ego and selfishness are not solved, how can the dispute at other levels and in other forms be resolved? The system and method, applied as solution, should be such as do not give rise to another problem, even if they solve one or some of the problems. Otherwise, it would only mean replacing existing problems with newer ones.
Moreover, all problems and conflicts have to be dealt with together and simultaneously, else they will remain because they are so intermingled and interconnected that many will remain if even one of them exists. It is in this context that we should understand the importance of true spiritual knowledge imparted by the Supreme Being. Such an endeavour, under Supreme's direct and indirect guidance alone can and will end all conflicts forever which in turn can and will usher in the proverbial Golden Age.